# XII: Birdalone Cometh Again to the Isle of Queens, and Findeth a Perilous Adventure Therein explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

Birdalone returns to the Isle of Queens at dawn, and after a moment of fear, she bathes in the lake. She is then approached by a grizzled knight named Otter, who initially mistakes her for a young man. He reveals that he and others on the isle have become 'gangrel men' consumed by base desires. Birdalone confesses she was raised by a witch and shows him the Sending Boat. Otter asks for her life story, and after she tells it, he bids her farewell, praising her as the dearest of women. She gives him a kiss as a keepsake, then departs in the boat.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone chooses to bathe alone, arms herself, and decides to tell her story on her own terms, asserting her independence even in a perilous situation.

### Identity and Transformation

Birdalone shifts from a knightly disguise to a woman, and Otter's perception of her changes from 'young man' to 'the dearest of all women,' highlighting themes of identity and revelation.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Returns to the Isle of Queens, bathes in the lake, and encounters Otter. She tells him her life story and gives him a kiss before departing.

### Otter

A grizzled knight on the Isle of Queens who meets Birdalone, asks for her tale, and bids her farewell with admiration.

## Key lines

> She did off her sallet and ungirt her, and laid her sword on the grass, and did off her surcoat and hauberk, and so was a woman again in one white coat above her smock.

She removed her helmet, belt, sword, surcoat, and hauberk, revealing herself as a woman in a simple white garment over her smock.

_Birdalone sheds her armor and returns to a feminine appearance, symbolizing vulnerability and authenticity._

> I am now to bid thee farewell, and it is most like that I shall never see thee again, wherefore I will ask thee yet to let one thing come from thy mouth; for I deem thee the dearest of all women I have ever seen.

I must say goodbye now, and we likely won't meet again, so I ask you to speak one word: I think you are the dearest woman I have ever seen.

_Otter expresses his deep admiration and regret at parting, seeking a reciprocal sentiment from Birdalone._

## Links

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