XXIX: Those Twain Will Seek the Wisdom of the Wood-Wife explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Desire

  The chapter centers on the deepening love between Birdalone and Arthur, their physical and emotional intimacy, and their shared commitment to each other.

• Journey and Quest

  Birdalone and Arthur decide to embark on a new quest to find their lost companions, seeking the wood-wife's wisdom to guide them.

Characters to notice

• Birdalone

  Tells Arthur the full story of her dealings with the wood-wife and her escape from the witch; proposes seeking the wood-wife's wisdom.

• Arthur the Black Squire

  Listens to Birdalone's tale, shares his own grief and experiences, and agrees to seek the wood-wife's counsel.

• Habundia

  The wood-wife whom Birdalone and Arthur plan to visit for guidance on finding their lost friends.

• Atra

  Discussed by Birdalone and Arthur; they wonder if she is still alive and express regret over their past actions toward her.

• Hugh the Green Knight

  Mentioned as one of the fellows of the Quest whom Birdalone and Arthur hope to find again.

Key passages

• “Again next day was their life such as it had been the day before; and as they lay in cool shadow of a great oak, Birdalone fell to telling Arthur all the whole story of her dealings with the wood-wife, and how that she had so loved her and holpen her, that through her love and her help she had escaped the witch and her snares, who would have turned her into a half-devil for the undoing of manfolk.”

  The next day, while resting under an oak tree, Birdalone told Arthur the complete story of her relationship with the wood-wife, who had loved and helped her escape the witch's plot to turn her into a demonic creature.

  Birdalone recounts her past with Habundia and the witch.

• “Deemest thou that Atra is yet alive? Sooth it is, said Arthur, it may well be that I have slain her. And what may we do by her if ever we fall in with her alive? said Birdalone. I wot not, said Arthur; some would say that we have done penance for our fault, both thou and I; and what other penance may we do, save sundering from each other? And by God above I will not.”

  Birdalone asks Arthur if he thinks Atra is still alive; Arthur admits he may have caused her death. They discuss what they could do for her if they meet her again, but Arthur refuses to consider separating from Birdalone as penance.

  Birdalone and Arthur confront their guilt over Atra's fate.

• “This is what I would we should do: whereas I have sought thee and thou me, and we have found each other, whereas ye sought me when I went astray in the Black Valley of the Greywethers, and before, when ye three sought your own loves, now I would that we should seek our fellows and have joy in them, and thole sorrow with them as in days gone by.”

  Birdalone proposes that since they have found each other, they should now seek out their old companions and share joy and sorrow with them as before.

  Birdalone suggests a new quest to reunite the fellowship.