The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
PinkMonkey Literature Notes on . . .
The Crystal Cave
by
Mary Stewart
1970
MonkeyNotes Study Guide by Diane Clapsaddle
MRS. HINTON
HONORS ENGLISH 10
MONTEVALLO HIGH SCHOOL
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS
SETTING
The novel is set around 450 A.D., one of the darkest periods of Britain’s history. It begins in Wales in the town
of Maridunum, but branches out into various areas of Britain and Less Britain (Brittany) in what is now France.
Some of the towns and cities where Merlin travels include: York, Kaerconan, Doward, Bremia, London, and
Winchester in Britain and Tintagel and Dimiliac in Cornwall as well as Lanascol and Kerrac in Less Britain.
Some of the action also takes place in Ireland at Killare.
CHARACTER LIST
Major Characters
Merlin -The main character and narrator of the novel, he is the young boy who has the Sight and grows into his
power as an enchanter. He is the one who is led by the god (later God) to bring the about the birth of Arthur.
Ambrosius - Merlin’s father, he becomes the High King of Britain after defeating
Vortigern and the Saxons and restoring peace to the land
Niniane - Merlin’s mother, she has a forbidden affair with Ambrosius from which comes Merlin. She never
reveals the name of Merlin’s father. She, too, has the Sight, but fears her power and turns instead to Christianity
and the nunnery for her strength.
Uther - Ambrosius’ brother and Arthur’s father, he becomes High King at Ambrosius’ death. Merlin uses him
to bring about the birth of Arthur, but thinks of him only as a regent who follows and precedes great kings. He
is not a great king himself.
Gorlois - The Duke of Cornwall, he is ultimately loyal to Ambrosius and fights with him to unite all Britain. He
is betrayed by both Merlin and Uther when Merlin makes it possible for Uther to sleep with Gorlois’ wife
Ygraine and conceive Arthur.
Ygraine - The Duchess of Cornwall, she gives into her lust for Uther and agrees to Merlin’s plan to bring them
together. She will become Arthur’s mother.
Galapas - The hermit with the Sight who helps Merlin find the crystal cave and teaches him all he knows of his
power.
Camlach - Niniane’s brother and briefly King of Maridunum, he sides with Vortimer against Vortigern and is
killed in battle. He fears Merlin will be a challenge to his right to be king, so he tries to poison the boy.
Vortigern - High King of Britain when Merlin is a boy, he steals the throne from Constantius by poisoning him.
He actually begins his reign as a good king, but soon allows the Saxons to control his country.
Cadal - Merlin’s loyal servant, he dies at Tintagel, protecting Merlin from Gorlois’ men.
Minor Characters
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Merlin’s Grandfather - The king of Maridunum at the beginning of the novel, he despises Merlin who is a
bastard without a father. This character is never named.
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Olwen - Merlin’s grandfather’s young wife, she plays the harp and teaches Merlin to play as well.
Dinias - Merlin’s cousin and his grandfather’s bastard son, he bullies Merlin as a child, but helps Merlin and
Ambrosius in the invasion.
Moravik - Merlin’s nurse
Cerdic - A servant in Merlin’s grandfather’s house, who becomes a kind of father figure to Merlin. He teaches
him to be the ring-dove rather than the falcon until he is old enough to fight for himself.
King Budec - King of Less Britain, he takes in the young Ambrosius and Uther when Vortigern kills their
brother, Constantius, and steals the throne of Britain.
Rowen - Vortigern’s Saxon Queen who influences him to bring Saxon troops to Britain.
Vortimer, Katigern, & Pascentius - The three sons of Vortigern, they turn against him to take the throne for
themselves. They eventually must be defeated by Ambrosius.
Marric - One of Ambrosius’ spies in Britain, he takes Merlin to Less Britain where he finally meets up with his
father.
Mithras - The god whom Ambrosius and Uther worship in Less Britain.
Belasius - Merlin’s tutor in Less Britain, he is the Arch Druid of a sect which believes in human sacrifice.
Ulfin - Belasius’ servant, he later becomes one of Uther’s servants and is taken along when Uther seeks Ygraine
at Tintagel.
Tremorinus - Ambrosius’ head engineer, he teaches Merlin all he can about building siege machines and from
these lessons, Merlin is able to determine how to raise the standing stones at the Giant’s Dance.
Hengist - The Saxon leader, he is eventually beheaded by Ambrosius, but is buried in an honorable manner.
Maugan - A magician, he insists that Vortigern should kill a man who doesn’t know the name of his father and
spread his blood into the foundation of the fortress at Dinas Brenin, so the walls won’t crack.
Keridwen - A servant in Merlin’s grandfather’s castle, she earns her keep as well by sleeping with the men
there. She is Keri’s mother.
Keri - A young nun in St. Peter’s, Merlin finds himself attracted to her, the first time he is ever attracted to a
woman. She is an opportunist who wants Merlin, because he is the son of Ambrosius.
Octa & Eosa - The brothers of Hengist, they must be brought under control after Ambrosius defeats their
brother.
Gandar - Physician to Ambrosius’ army, he recognizes Merlin’s great talent as a healer.
Gilloman - Young King of Ireland, he makes an alliance with Pascentius against Ambrosius’s right to rule in
Britain.
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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Brithael - One of Gorlois’ soldiers, his discovery of Uther’s presence at Tintagel forces Merlin to kill him.
Ralf - Ygraine’s page boy, he helps Merlin and Uther to get into Tintagel.
Marcia - Ygraine’s lady-in-waiting, she appears in Merlin’s vision handing him baby Arthur on the night of his
birth.
CONFLICT
Protagonist - The protagonist of a story is the main character who traditionally undergoes some sort of change.
He or she must usually overcome some opposing force. This is Merlin who, as the narrator, re-tells the story of
his mission to bring about the conception of Arthur. We are shown his life from a child of six to the moment
when he is able to bring Uther and Ygraine together as the parents of the Great Future King Arthur. He is a
character who is constantly in motion. He learns as much as he can and willingly places himself in the hands of
the god who, he comes to believe, is the only God there is. He experiences many emotions throughout the novel
when he comes in contact with those characters that impact on his mission. However, he discovers that these
emotions are not his to enjoy for long as the god always sends him on the next step of the path which will lead
to Arthur.
Antagonist - The antagonist of a story is the force that provides an obstacle for the protagonist. The antagonist
does not always have to be a single character or even a character at all. In this story, the antagonist is Merlin’s
god or God. Merlin is always in conflict with the god’s needs and even though he eventually acquiesces to the
gods demands, he pays a severe price every time. For example, the god will not allow him to have a relationship
with a woman for fear that his mission will be hampered. He loses many people he loves as well, such as
Galapas and Cadal, because he is constantly a target. The god is strict and unbending and many times he places
Merlin in situations of great danger. Nonetheless, he must be satisfied, no matter the cost.
Climax - The climax of a plot is the major turning point that allows the protagonist to resolve the conflict. The
climax in this story does not occur until the end when Merlin kills Brithael so that Uther will not be discovered
in Ygraine’s bed. Although it nearly costs Merlin his own life, it allows enough time for the god’s demand to be
fulfilled: the conception of Arthur.
Outcome - In the end, Merlin is blamed by the Uther for the deaths of the four men at Tintagel, even though it
was Uther who demanded that Merlin bring him Ygraine. He then repudiates Merlin, forbids anyone to help
him with his wounds and leaves him standing on the Cornish shore. He also declares that he will never
acknowledge the baby he conceived with Ygraine. Merlin then climbs on his horse and rides away. The ending,
however, is hopeful, because Arthur has been conceived as symbolized by the rising sun at the end.
SHORT PLOT/CHAPTER SUMMARY (Synopsis)
The novel begins with a Prologue in which Merlin introduces himself as an old man remembering all the events
of his life. He presents his greatest memory in the prologue as well which details the love affair in the cave
between his parents who we will learn later are Ambrosius and Niniane.
The novel is divided into five books which unfold as follows:
Book I – The Dove tells the story of Merlin’s early years. We learn how is despise in his grandfather’s house
because his father is unknown and he is a bastard unrecognized. He begins to become aware of his power of the
Sight and how to use it to his own advantage.
We are introduced to his uncle, Camlach, who tries to poison Merlin, because he fears his power. He discovers
the crystal cave and meets Galapas, another person his life besides his mother who has the gift of the Sight.
Galapas teaches him many aspects of life as well as how to use magic. He takes him into the crystal cave where
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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Merlin has a vision of a deep mine underground where slaves are breaking out rock and taking them to the
surface. He will later know that this mine lies under Dinas Brenin and will be the reason why the fortress being
built there won’t stand. Galapas later insists that Merlin ride along with his grandfather when he meets up with
Vortigern, the High King, at Segontium. Here, Merlin first sees the hill that will become Dinas Brenin or the
King’s Fort. This place will be the one where Merlin nearly gives his life for a blood superstition.
This section of the novel also introduces the tension in the country, because the sons of Vortigern have broken
with him and war is imminent. Quarrels break out between Camlach and Merlin’s grandfather over whose side
to take. Then, Merlin’s grandfather is killed in a fall and Merlin’s beloved servant, Cerdic, is blamed and killed
as well. Merlin sees all this in a vision at the crystal cave. Merlin returns to his home long enough to pack
supplies and burn down his room where Cerdi’s body lies. This will be his way of sending his friend “on his
way” in the manner he would have wanted.
After Merlin runs away, he is kidnapped by Marric and Hanno, two spies of Ambrosius, who take him across
the Narrow Sea (the English Channel) to Less Britain.
Book II – The Falcon tells the story of Merlin’s life in Less Britain. He arrives there, sea-sick and afraid that the
two spies will kill him. He escapes from the boat and makes his way up a road toward the nearest town. This is
when he first sees standing stones and the image of a two-headed axe which disappears before his eyes. This
image will appear to him many times in the future and is a sign given by the god.
Merlin finds shelter in a cow shed where he has a vision of a man lassoing a great white bull and killing it. This
is the sacred picture of the god Mithras who is worshipped by Ambrosius and Uther. When he awakes,
Ambrosius and Uther are standing over him and demand that he relate the vision again. They take Merlin with
them to Ambrosius’ camp where the story of Ambrosius’ and Uther’s life in Less Britain is revealed. They had
been taken in by King Budec when Vortigern had poisoned their brother, Constantius, the king, and stolen the
throne. Now, they are amassing an army to take back their birthright and unify Britain.
Ambrosius speaks to Merlin about many things in Britain and later gives him a brooch for his cloak which
carries Ambrosius’ personal insignia, the Red Dragon. At this point, Ambrosius knows that Merlin is his son,
but Merlin does not. Ambrosius also assigns Cadal as Merlin’s personal servant.
Merlin is given a tutor named Belasius. One night, Merlin follows him and discovers he is the Arch Druid of a
sect which believes in human sacrifice. Belasius tells Merlin that he wants him to be one the new initiates in this
religion, but Merlin only acts like this is what he wants. On his way back to Ambrosius’ camp, he is stopped by
Uther who finds Belasius’ bloody robe in Merlin’s saddlebag and believes he is one of the members of this
illegal sect. However, when he grabs Merlin by his cloak, he sees the Red Dragon brooch and stops short of
hurting him. Merlin tells Cadal everything that happened to him while following Belasius and Cadal warns him
to steer clear of both Belasius and Uther.
When he goes to tell Ambrosius what happened, he has vision in which he sees Ambrosius with his mother
Niniane going into the cave. He realizes then that Ambrosius is his father and Ambrosius tells him the whole
story about how he met Niniane and how they fell in love. She had refused to live in Less Britain with him,
because she was too loyal to her father. However, neither one ever stopped loving the other.
Book III – The Wolf relates some of the next five years Merlin spends in Less Britain. Camlach and Vortimer
and his brothers bide their time by controlling most of West Britain even though their father is the High King.
The Saxons continue to enjoy the benefits of raping Britain, because Vortigern doesn’t have the troops to expel
them.
Merlin spends those five years learning from his father, Belasius, and Tremorinus, the chief engineer of
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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Ambrosius’ army, as he waits to be of service to his father. When Merlin turns eighteen, Ambrosius is finally
prepared to invade Britain. Merlin is sent on the first boat with orders to find Galapas who they hope will have
information about Vortigern’s army. Unfortunately, when Merlin finds the cave again, it has been trashed and
burglarized and Galapas has been murdered. His next step is to find his mother, as she may know as much as
Galapas. Before he can do that, however, he meets up with Dinias, his cousin and his childhood bully. They go
together to an inn to eat and drink where Merlin hopes to learn as much as he can from him. While they are
there, Merlin notices they are being watched by two mysterious Welshmen. Dinias tells Merlin that Vortigern is
building a stronghold on the same hill where he saw Vortigern with his grandfather all those years ago. He plies
Dinias with more wine to get him to talk, but it backfires on him when Dinias raises his voice too high, telling
everyone there that Merlin is a bastard who never knew his father. This is of interest to the two mysterious men
who take Merlin outside and force him and his mother to ride with them to Vortigern’s court.
At Vortigern’s court at Dinas Brenin, Merlin’s mother tells Vortigern that Merlin’s father was a demon, hoping
to keep them from knowing that his real father is Ambrosius. Unfortunately, it is exactly what Vortigern wants
to hear. He has been trying to build a stronghold at Dinas Brenin and the walls have cracked and fallen four
times. Now one of his magicians tells him that they will only stand if the blood of a bastard who does not know
his father is placed in the foundation. Merlin is that bastard. Merlin now must use his wits to survive. He takes
the king into the mine cave and shows him a rock shaped like a dragon, hoping the light from the torches will
create a magic effect around the rock. Instead, he falls into another vision during which he tells the king he must
drain the pool by means of a conduit. Then, he prophesies through pictures of banners, wolves eyes, and the tail
of a comet the defeat of Vortigern by Ambrosius. He also mentions the coming of artos or Arthur which those
around him take to mean a bear. When the pool is emptied, there is nothing there to help Merlin’s prophecy
seem true. But a gust of wind grabs the king’s banner and it falls into the pool of water left in the cave. The
sunset leaves a reflection of red on the banner and the soldiers see it as a prediction that the banner will fall. At
the same time, the comet from his vision flashes across the sky and Merlin screams that it is the voice of the
god. He convinces Vortigern to strike his tents and leave Wales. This will help Ambrosius smoke him out later.
Merlin then gets away with Cadal and meets up with one of the officers who stood around him when he had his
vision. The man is not really an officer of Vortigern, but is instead Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. He has come
to spy for Ambrosius, too, and is now able to hook up with Merlin. They ride to meet Ambrosius and three days
later, he comes ashore.
Book IV – The Red Dragon relates how Ambrosius takes Britain. It takes him more than two years to pacify
this country. Using “Caesar-speed” (to move fast and live off the land), he meets up with his allies in Britain.
He unifies all these tribes and assimilates them into his army. Then, he finds Vortigern at Doward and because
the fortress there is impregnable, he burns them out and kills them.
In flashback, we learn that Merlin, Cadal, and Gorlois rode on to meet Ambrosius with plans to ambush
Vortigern’s troops who had take Merlin’s mother home. Along the way, they meet up with men from the
countryside who are eager to be a part of Ambrosius’ army. Once they have killed those troops of Vortigern’s,
they give the weapons and horses to the countrymen who want to volunteer. Merlin sees Dinias in Maridunum
and convinces him to ride south and persuade pockets of men there to join him and Ambrosius.
Merlin also discovers that his mother is ill, but believed to be recovering. He goes to her and tells her everything
that has happened to him since he left his grandfather’s house, including the truth about Ambrosius. She is
content to know he has been happy and Merlin, in his heart, knows she is dying. The only message she sends
with Merlin to his father is: “When I see him again, it will be time enough. “ Unfortunately, she dies before she
can see the love of her life again. When Merlin leaves the convent, he sees a young nun to whom he is attracted.
But in his heart, like the knowledge of his mother’s death, he knows love is not meant for him.
Ambrosius’ army defeats Hengist and the Saxons at the Battle of Kaerconan. Merlin watches it all on a hill
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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above the plain where they meet. Later, Ambrosius executes Hengist, but gives him an honorable funeral. The
army then travels to York where Ambrosius begins his great task of reconstruction in every city he visits. He
also accepts the Christian God as his own and leaves behind the worship of Mithras. He believes he must live as
his people do and they are Christians for the most part.
Merlin visits the Giant’s Dance near Amesbury and has a vision about a stone missing from an indentation in
the ground within the circle of the stones. It reminds of a grave and he knows the god has led him there for a
reason. Later, he sees Keri, the young nun, coming to his cave where she attempts to seduce him. Merlin wants
the love she offers, but the god won’t allow it and Merlin repudiates her. Later, he is sent to Ireland to use his
magic to somehow break the heart of the Irish. King Gilloman has allied himself to Pascentius and threatens
Ambrosius. Ambrosius believes Merlin can end the battle before it even begins. He goes there and spends the
night lying in the middle of the Dance of Killare, the Irish standing stones. He realizes that the black stone lying
in the middle is the one which exactly fits the indentation in the midst of the Giant’s Dance. He tells Uther that
this rock is the heart of Ireland and if they take it back, it will protect Britain forever. Using his own
calculations, Merlin figures out how to lift the stone and take it home with him. An Irishman tells him that it
had been prophesied that Merlin would appear one day and take the rock, which had been brought to Ireland
originally from Britain. Therefore, it is only justice that it return. Merlin feels bound by the god to bring back
the stone, because he knows that his father is ill and this stone will become his monument. When he arrives
home, Ambrosius has already died. Merlin has him buried within the circle of the Giant’s Dance and he raises
all the stones around his grave and places the black stone on top. Uther then becomes king.
Book V – The Coming of the Bear opens with Uther’s reign beginning in a troublesome way when Hengist’s
brothers and the Saxons rise up again to challenge him. Fortunately, with Gorlois’ help, Uther defeats them and
solidifies his power. On December 20, the winter solstice, Merlin shows Uther the ultimate monument he has
made for his father: the stones of the Giant’s Dance are all raised and at sunrise that day, the light breaks upon
Ambrosius’ grave, fulfilling his promise that he would deck his grave with light. Uther warns Merlin that he
cannot be as close to him as he been to Ambrosius, but Merlin predicts that their stars will cross again.
At Easter, Merlin is commanded to attend Uther’s coronation. When he arrives, he discovers that Uther needs
him, because he has fallen in love with Ygraine the wife of Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. He wants Merlin to
bring them together. Merlin knows from the god that this is destiny and that the child created between them will
be the greatest king ever. So, at the cost of the deaths of four men, Merlin fulfills Uther’s desire and Arthur is
conceived. In the end, Uther blames the outcome on Merlin and forgets it was his desire that prompted it all.
Also, Gorlois is killed when his troops attack Uther’s and in the end, Uther rides to Tintagel to claim Ygraine
for his own. Merlin rides off, knowing that his destiny still awaits him somewhere after Arthur’s birth.
THEMES
Destiny or Fate - The theme of destiny or fate is strongly prevalent throughout this novel. All the characters are
controlled by the god/God who with great determination moves them like figures on a chess board to bring
about the birth of Arthur. Merlin, especially, is controlled by destiny to the point that his life is not his own. He
is in the hands of God.
Duty and Loyalty - The theme of duty and loyalty can be seen in Merlin’s mission. He is ever loyal to God,
never questioning his duty, even when the price is the loss of love and friends. He is also loyal to those he most
admires, like his father, who brings good to his country and provides peace for his people.
Good versus Evil - The theme of good versus evil is another theme that dominates the novel. In every instance,
even when people might die or lives are, at the least, profoundly changed, good always rises to overcome or
even obtain revenge against evil forces that would destroy Britain.
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Regret - A minor theme would be the theme of regret. Merlin tells his story long after the events have
happened and he frequently shows regret for some of the things he did to achieve the ends of God.
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MOOD
The mood is frequently one of mystery. The most explosive scenes take place in darkness and mist with strange,
unexplainable events taking place. The author builds this mood and then lets the reader rest momentarily before
she begins to build it again. We are never completely separate from the mystery and the suspense which
shadows all the characters and the events within which they are bound by God.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION - BIOGRAPHY
Mary Florence Elinor Stewart was born in Sunderland, England on September 17, 1916. She began writing at
the age of five, when she published her first poem in a small parish magazine in England. She received a
Bachelors degree in English with honors from Durham University in 1938. She later completed her Masters
degree at Durham as well. In 1945 she married Sir Frederick Stewart. Before beginning working as a writer
full time, she returned to Durham University as an English professor. Mary Stewart has lived in Scotland for
many years, dividing her time between Edinburgh and the West Highlands. Her interests include natural history,
gardening, Greek and Roman history, music, and art.
Her professional writing career began in 1955 when she published Madam, Will You Talk?
She has published 20 novels to date, a volume of poetry, and young adult books. Fourteen of her books have
been New York Times bestsellers, including The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment,
which make up The Merlin Trilogy. In 1968, she was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, and in
1971, she was awarded the Frederick Niven prize by the International PEN Association for The Crystal Cave.
She has published the following titles:
Madam, Will You Talk? (1955)
Wildfire at Midnight (1956)
Thunder on the Right (1957)
Nine Coaches Waiting (1958)
My Brother Michael (1959)
The Ivy Tree (1961)
The Moon-Spinners (1962)
This Rough Magic (1964)
Airs Above the Ground (1965)
The Gabriel Hounds (1967)
The Wind of the Small Islands (1968)
The Crystal Cave (1970)
The Little Broomstick (1971) (Young
Adult)
The Hollow Hills (1973)
Ludo and the Star Horse (1974)
(Young Adult)
Touch Not the Cat (1976)
The Last Enchantment (1979)
A Walk in Wolf Wood (1980) (Young
Adult)
The Merlin Trilogy (1980)
The Wicked Day (1983)
Thornyhold (1988)
Frost on the Window (1990)
(Poetry)The Stormy Petrel (1991)
LITERARY/HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The author is careful to tell the reader in Author’s Note at the end of the novel that she has included Latin,
Breton, Welsh and even modern names for places in this work as a means of putting the reader at ease.
Sometimes, she even uses two or three names to identify her setting. The same is true with the languages used
throughout. The servants would have used dialects, while there would have been “high language” for the king
and his courtiers.
The main source for her story is Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain.
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
She admits that historically this source is “mud,” but for the purposes of fiction, it has worked tremendously
for her. She also used Malory’s Morte d’Arthur, Tennyson’s Idylls of the King and Parsifal and Camelot.
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Other historical information to note would be the reference to Mithraism, the Druid’s worship, the megaliths or
standing stones of Carnac in Brittany, and Stonehenge in Amesbury. All are real. There is also a Bryn Myrddin,
or Merlin’s Hill, and the well still stands there. However, there is no historical relationship between Ambrosius
and Merlin. In fact, the name Ambrosius was used by a 9th century historian named Nennius to stand for Merlin
himself. Geoffrey of Monmouth later incorporated into his own work.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND NOTES
PROLOGUE – The Prince of Darkness
(the significance of the title: it refers both to the young man who is Merlin’s father, Ambrosius, King of Less
Britain and to Merlin himself who is feared for his Sight and his magical abilities.)
Summary
The narrator speaks in flashback as an old man who has now come full circle, back to just being a man with a
few tricks. His implication is that he no longer wields the magic he once did. He discusses how memories that
are recent are more misted than those of the past and that they unfold like the pictures in the mind of the other
person he was as a child. He indicates that he recovers his memories from the fire, one of the last tricks he is
still able to do, or from dreams or from the mirrors of the crystal cave, all-important elements of foreshadowing.
He speaks of the first memory of all as one that is not his own, but rather one recalled from him who once bore
the narrator in his body, the one who “was before me and who will be again when I am gone,” a statement of
complete and utter mystery, hearkening to the reader’s knowledge of Arthur as “the once and future king.”
He then shows the reader that first memory of a young man of eighteen who had been hiding in a cave from the
pursuit of those who would kill him if they found him. The young man is a king’s son as evidenced by his
horse’s gilded bit and the strips of silk he had used to keep it from jingling. The young man hears some hoofs
and lifts his sword in anticipated defense, but the rider is no enemy. Rather, it is a young girl who indicates that
she had an impossible time coming to him since his pursuers were on the roads night and day. She has brought
him “things” and only realizes he is leaving after he kisses her and covers her hands with his own.
The girl insists he will come back, because she has the Sight. He says only that he must come back and that
then, maybe she will listen. They spend the last hour or two they have left together in the cave.
Notes
It is only after reading Book I that the reader will realize that this is the scene where Merlin is conceived. We
are not privy to the young man’s identity, only that he is being pursued by some enemy who would kill him if
he could. This leads us then to the conclusion that Merlin’s mother had created a relationship with a man totally
unacceptable to her family. Later, we will learn that the young man is Ambrosius, King of Less Britain or
Brittany.
The couple has evidently discussed the impossibility of their relationship and he has probably tried to convince
her to leave with him, something she has refused to do. Her love for him must be quite strong, however, given
that she has ridden to him, even as he was being sought by his enemies, to provide him with “things” not
identified. The implication is that they have been meeting secretly for some time and only when she sees his
saddlebags packed is she aware that he is forced to leave.
The final words of the Prologue are laced with a terrible sense of finality and the reader is left with the feeling
that they will never see each other again.
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The mysterious mood of the Prologue (one which will continue throughout the book) is set by the atmosphere
of secrecy – the night is misty and dark as are many of the memories of the narrator; the narrator is, for the
moment, unknown as are his reasons for relating all that came from the past; the events which have led to the
scene between the young couple are vague and incomplete; questions the reader may have are left unanswered;
and the meaning of the title of the Prologue is not yet able to be determined. Who is the Prince of Darkness and
what is the significance of his story? Once again, Book I will answer some questions, one of which is the
significance of the title – The Prince of Darkness is both Ambrosius and Merlin and this young couple are
Ambrosius and Niniane.
BOOK I – The Dove
(the significance of the title: Cerdic teaches Merlin to be the ring-dove and run away from danger since he is yet
so young and unable to face what might harm him)
CHAPTER 1
Summary
The narrator is but a six year old boy when the main part of the story opens. His memory concerns the return
home of his uncle, Camlach, his mother’s brother, both of whom have beautiful blue eyes and red hair. His
nurse, Moravik makes him ready for someone of importance whose men speak Celtic. We learn the identity of
the important visitor and that the narrator’s grandfather is the king of Maridunum, a city where they live in
South Wales.
The narrator also reveals that, besides Welsh, he knows Breton, the language of Less Britain, because Moravik,
his nurse, is a native of that land. Pieces of information about Camlach are revealed through the narrator’s
questions to his mother: the war is over and Camlach has been with the High King in the south; Camlach’s older
brother, Dyved, has died of stomach cramps; Camlach will now be expected to marry; the narrator is called
Merlin by his mother; Merlin seems to know more information than he should; and Camlach and his father will
come to see Merlin. When Merlin questions why they would want to see him, his mother merely answers both
mysteriously and bitterly, “Why do you think?”
Camlach and Merlin’s grandfather arrive, the elder in blue and the younger in black, a color he always wears.
The King reveals that Merlin is a bastard who neither looks nor acts anything like his family. He also explains
that Merlin’s mother will not reveal the identity of his father, even though she was whipped until she nearly
miscarried him. It is interesting to note that Camlach had come to see Merlin even before he had washed away
the dirt of travel. What makes this six year old boy so interesting?
When asked his name, Merlin answers with the Welsh Myrddin Emrys. His second name means child of light,
belonging to the gods, while his first name in its Latin form Merlinus means falcon. Camlach addresses his
sister as Niniane and is amused when she won’t reveal Merlin’s father’s name. The King’s contempt for both
her and Merlin is quite evident. He says even the High King, Vortigern, would have found nothing in Merlin’s
father or him.
Merlin tells us that he went through the hypocaust, the tunnels of the disused heating system, that night. It
seemed to be a secret place where he could hide and be alone and even eavesdrop. But, he tells the reader, he
went there to be alone in the “secret dark, where a man is his own master, except for death.”
In this way, he learns that Camlach and his men had ridden in from Cornwall. From the conversation between
Camlach and his right-hand man, Alun, the reader also learns tidbits about Merlin’s mother perhaps refusing
someone and having her mind set on a higher court, which may be a blessing to Camlach before the “game” is
played out. Also, he describes Merlin in such terms as “clever . . . nice enough . . . and keeping him close to me
. . . and remember that, Alun; I like the boy . . .”
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The chapter ends with Merlin stating that this was the beginning of it and that he followed Camlach
everywhere for days.
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Notes
Merlin’s understanding of Breton is an important piece of foreshadowing for later in the story.
His mother is suspicious of all that Merlin seems to know, perhaps because, as we will learn later, she, too, has
the Sight.
Merlin is interesting to both us and his family, because he doesn’t look like them and his father’s name is
unknown.
Merlin’s name has symbolic significance: his first name, meaning falcon, implies strength and cunning and his
second name reminds us of goodness, characteristics which will be revealed over and over as the story unfolds.
The secrets yet unknown about Niniane and who she will marry are intriguing while Merlin’s final sentence –
“This was the beginning of it. . .” – make us wonder just what “it” is – and if we have any understanding of the
Arthur legend we come to the conclusion that it is the conception and birth of the greatest king of Britain,
Arthur.
We learn new names in this chapter: Niniane, Merlin’s mother; Vortigern, the High King; Maridunum, the
city where Merlin lives; and Moravik, his nurse.
CHAPTER 2
Summary
Merlin describes South Wales and Maridunum in some detail at the beginning of the chapter and the reader
learns the proper Welsh pronunciation of a double D – TH as in the word thus. He also reveals that the town’s
name was changed in his honor after all the events he is about to tell, but that the god was always there first and
he shares the hill with him.
While he is on the top of the wall eight days later, he sees a troop of men riding in, the leader of which Merlin
seems to know is King Gorlan of Lanascol. He also knows that this man has come to marry his mother and take
him to live with him overseas. Moravik looks for him to get him ready to visit his grandfather and knows none
of what Merlin reveals to her. Merlin even insists that Gorlan is his real father.
While Moravik makes him ready, Merlin tells us about his room where Moravik and Cerdic, her lover, sleep as
well. They are there to watch over him. He describes in detail a chest where his clothes are kept, one he thinks
is Roman because of the scene painted on the lid: a cave, a man with a knife, a bull, a sheaf of corn, and a man
with rays around his head like the sun, holding a stick, details that will foreshadow later events surrounding the
worship of Mithras.
Soon, Merlin walks into court where he sees several people who have impacted on his life: his grandfather and
Camlach on the dais with his grandfather’s third wife, Olwen (his mother’s life, he reveals, was much better
with Olwen than with Gwynneth, his second wife) who has taught him to play the harp; Dinias the bully; his
mother below the dais; and the dark man he had seen ride into the castle. When his grandfather sees him, the old
man reacts violently, leaving the room with King Gorlan and with final words for Niniane to the effect that he’s
had enough of six years with her unmarried and raising a bastard. When he reaches Merlin, he tells Gorlan that
Merlin is the son he, Gorlan, would have given a name to. Then, he angrily knocks the boy flat to the floor.
Camlach comes looking for Merlin and finds him watching a lizard on the terrace. Merlin describes the lizard as
his most vivid recollection of the day, a sign of his character, perhaps also seen by Camlach: the boy had taken
a blow from his grandfather that would have sent the deerhound yelping to its pen and yet Merlin had neither
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
made a sound nor shed a tear. Camlach reveals the truth already known about Gorlan by Merlin. Niniane’s
refusal to marry Gorlan is a sign to the boy that this man is not his father after all.
12
Then, Camlach tells Merlin that his mother wants to enter the convent of St. Peter’s and he, Merlin, would make
a good priest, an idea that Merlin vehemently refuses. He says he would rather stay with Camlach.
Camlach lets that thought die and then tells Merlin he has saved the best of the apricots picked that day for him.
Merlin sees on the ground an apricot with a great rotten hole in it around which the wasps buzz. It is significant
that his uncle’s shadow falls over this scene, and then, the man hands Merlin an apricot so juicy and sweetlooking that it makes his mouth water. Camlach is impatient for Merlin to eat it, but Merlin refuses it, saying it
is black inside. This revelation makes Camlach throw the apricot against the wall and warn Merlin to stay away
from him from now on. He calls him the devil’s brat. Merlin watches as a wasp alights on the apricot offered by
his uncle, now its juice trickling down the wall. The wasp struggles, whines, jack-knifes and lays still. When
Merlin realizes that his uncle had meant to poison him, he begins to weep, the first time he ever remembers
crying.
Notes
In this chapter we are allowed to see Merlin’s Sight as he seems to know King Gorlan’s identity and why he is
there as well as his ability to recognize his uncle’s attempt to poison him. We can only speculate at this point
why his uncle would want a six year-old boy dead. However, knowing now that Merlin has this Sight adds to
the mystery atmosphere of the novel. Another mystery would be why Niniane refuses to reveal the identity of
Merlin’s father and why she is so determined to enter a nunnery.
Other significant details include the chest with the scene on top foreshadowing of events which will appear later
in the story; Camlach’s seeming fear of Merlin; and Merlin’s first memory ever of weeping. The chest is clearly
a combination of both pagan and Christian symbols (Mithraism) while Camlach’s fear of the boy and the fact
that a six year never remembers crying before only add to Merlin’s mysterious character.
New names added in this chapter include: Gorlan of Lanascol, Niniane’s suitor; Cerdic, Moravik’s lover;
Olwan and Gwynneth, his grandfather’s wives; and Dinias, his grandfather’s bastard son and the bully Merlin
avoids.
CHAPTER 3
Summary
Cerdic finds Merlin in his room, sees his face his bruised, and fixes it for him. Merlin tells Cerdic that Camlach
fears Niniane wedding a prince in Wales, something Cerdic warns him to keep to himself. Merlin knows that
Camlach fears also Merlin’s father’s return which might drive Camlach out of the kingdom. He also explains to
Cerdic that the things he knows come from voices that speak to him or in dreams. He wants Cerdic to tell him
who his father is, but Cerdic doesn’t know and he’s sure Moravik doesn’t either. He explains to Merlin that if
his mother wanted him to know, she would have told him. He just needs to be quiet about what he knows.
Cerdic then creates a metaphor for Merlin to live by: instead of thinking of himself as a falcon, he should think
of the ring-dove who lives and prospers, because she runs away. Cerdic insists that he may someday be a falcon,
but he’s not one yet and that the ring-dove is a good example to follow.
The last thing he remembers about that night is once again going to the hypocaust, but only hearing Olwen
singing a new song about a wild goose and a hunter with a golden net.
Notes
Merlin bonds with Cerdic who shows how much he cares for him by tending his wound and talking with him
like a father would. It’s obvious that Merlin wants and needs a father by how he reveals the truth of his Sight to
this man, a slave in the King’s household. Cerdic, at least for the moment, fills this gap in Merlin’s life by
teaching him to be the ring-dove until he is old enough to become the falcon.
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It’s significant that Merlin understands Camlach’s fear of him when we, the readers, do not. Again, it may be
Merlin’s Sight or just some mature intuition, but he knows that he is a threat to Camlach’s right to the throne.
It makes the reader question: What is the order of succession? If Niniane is the eldest, does she inherit before
Camlach? Should Merlin’s father return, would he be able to drive Camlach away? These are important
questions to ponder, but ones which the author doesn’t answer.
The song Olwen sings about the wild goose and the hunter with the golden net may be foreshadowing of events
to come. It hearkens to the idea that Merlin may be on a “wild goose” chase in search of his own future, always
pursued by enemies who fear him.
CHAPTER 4
Summary
Merlin begins to use his Sight and his travels in the hypocaust to help him fight back against those who bullied
him: he overhears Dinias talking about spying on Alun and a tryst with a servant girl. When Dinias waylays him
again, Merlin blackmails him with the information. Dinias, believing it to be black magic, steers clear of Merlin
after that.
Merlin also uses his cunning to keep Camlach at bay by pretending to be interested in the priesthood and
learning to read and write. Merlin receives a tutor, a Greek from Massilia named Demetrius. His mother also
calms Camlach’s fears by continuing to visit St. Peter’s and insisting she would become a nun when her father
would let her go.
About a year later, Merlin leaves Demetrius sleeping and goes off on horseback into the hills. He passes
shepherds and other peasants tending their farms and animals and wanders an unfamiliar path, feeling that he is
alone and free. As the older narrator, he reflects that at that moment he had not perfected his Sight and so, he
didn’t know what way-star was guiding him up this path. When he comes to a fork in the path, he doesn’t know
which to take until suddenly a falcon - a merlin - flies low in front of him from left to right. He follows it as
perhaps a sign. While looking for water, he comes across a cave where a stream flows and as he bends to drink,
he sees in the grass a small carved figure of a wooden god. It is the same god he had seen under the oak at Tyr
Myrddin, now sitting at the entrance of a cave. He decides to enter.
Notes
As Merlin grows, he realizes he must use the talents at his disposal, mostly his wits and the Sight, to protect
himself. This emphasizes that, even with the Sight, he is all too human as well. His mother, too, understands as
well how to stay just out of danger.
It is important to note that Merlin never feels free until he’s alone. Perhaps he understands the chains – dislike
and fear of him - he carries, because he is different than the other children.
He knows he is being guided because of the falcon and the wooden god along the way. Someone or something
wants him to find the cave.
New names added in this chapter: Demetrius, Merlin’s Greek tutor and also a slave.
CHAPTER 5
Summary
Merlin enters the cave filled with excitement: it has always been the depths of the forest or the depths of the
earth that brought him pleasure. The cave is a vast chamber with its top lost in the shadows. Suddenly, he thinks
he sees someone, but comes to the realization that there was no one there except the bats he had disturbed from
their lodging. They pour past him out of the cave. Then, he stretches out his arm and meets metal instead of
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
rock and realizes the creature he thought he saw was his own reflection in a huge mirror. He studies himself
in it and is pleased with what he sees.
14
Merlin feels no fear there for many reasons, but mostly because he feels he is the King’s grandson and
therefore, able to care for himself. He finds flint, iron and a tinderbox as well as a sheep’s skull and the skins of
bats nailed to a box. Someone else lives there.
When the man who resides there returns, Merlin becomes the ring-dove and hides in a gap in the rock that
opens onto another cave. When the man lights the candle, the flame is so intense that it seems to fill the globe
where Merlin lays with flame. He thinks he is in a globe of diamonds creating pictures of rainbows and rivers
and bursting stars and the shape like a crimson dragon. Slowly the man moves toward him in his hiding place
and bids him come out.
Notes
Merlin’s lack of fear is further indication of a child growing into a man and realizing his strengths. Even when
the man calls him out, he shows no fear and doesn’t even consider disobeying. He is unusual in how he views
his world.
The pictures that fly before Merlin’s eyes in the globe where he hides are foreshadowing of the power of the
crystal cave. Later, whenever he has a dream or is overcome by the Sight, he frequently imagines himself or his
vision within a crystal globe. Obviously, the vision of the crimson dragon is one which foreshadows the rise of
Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon.
CHAPTER 6
Summary
The man who lives in the cave is dressed like a hermit with gray hair and a beard. Merlin jumps past him to
escape, but when the man laughs, he stops short to look more closely. He has the characteristics of a hardworking, good man, so Merlin turns back when asked.
The man tells Merlin that he knew the boy would come some day and that he knew someone was there that day
by the bats and maybe some other way, (he, too, has the Sight). His name is Galapas and he says he belongs to
no man or no woman. Merlin wonders if he is a holy man, men who wandered around teaching their own
version of the gods or of god. Merlin was never sure if there were many or only one. But Galapas tells him that
he had to leave the wooden god outside his “due,” because it is never good to neglect the gods of any place. In
the end, they are all one.
Galapas explains that he is a teacher who has come to the cave to study. He has been studying how the bats live.
He shows Merlin his books, specifically one that shows the skeleton of a bat. That began his first lesson with
Galapas.
Merlin asks to come again, but cautions Galapas that he never knows when he can get free. Galapas assures him
that he knows when he will come. Merlin then begins to come to the cave for lessons from Galapas once or
twice a week. No one misses him and Cerdic and Demetrius never tell that he is gone. He learns about Galapas’
travels, practical things, the beasts and the birds, basic health care, and a few spells, like charming warts.
Galapas explains how to read a map and shows him Britain up to Hadrian’s Wall. He even teaches him
astronomy and helps him make a harp to play music. Finally, when Merlin turns twelve, Galapas speaks of the
crystal cave.
Notes
Once again, Merlin meets up with someone who seems to know so much and have so much to teach. Merlin
himself will always believe he is being guided by the gods. It’s as if the gods have sent Galapas to help prepare
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
15
Merlin for his fate. He, too, has the Sight and begins to help Merlin discover the world and some of the
power he possesses. Galapas is the way-star that was guiding Merlin to the cave.
New names in this chapter: Galapas, a Seer and Teacher who mysteriously appears when Merlin needs more
understanding of his abilities than Demetrius or any other tutor can give him.
CHAPTER 7
Summary
Merlin indicates, at the beginning of this chapter, at this time in his life, the crystal cave was an idea of such
importance that, like most children, he imagined it into the stuff of magic or even nightmare. He points out that
Galapas never mentioned the crystal cave and kept the mirror covered. He then explains what happened the day
he discussed the crystal cave with Galapas. He arrives on a winter day, tying up his pony, Aster, within a shelter
he had contrived to hide him from prying eyes. He knows instinctively that he needs to be secretive about where
he goes and how long he stays, because Galapas is helping him run counter to Camlach’s plans.
Galapas is not in the cave, so Merlin settles in to read until he returns. He doesn’t know what force makes him
decide to return to the hidden opening of the crystal cave. Once inside it, however, he doesn’t experience that
blinding light he experienced the first time. When he hears Galapas’ footsteps, he hurries out of the inner cave
once more. He eventually asks Galapas before he leaves how he knew Merlin was in the cave the first time he
found him there. Galapas answers that he saw Merlin in the crystal cave. So Merlin asks him to show him the
cave. Merlin is amazed when Galapas reveals that he knew he entered the crystal cave that day as well. Galapas
comforts him by telling him that he, Merlin, will someday go where, even with his Sight, Galapas cannot
follow.
While he is in the crystal cave, Merlin has a vision in which he sees naked slaves and a foreman mining rock
and carrying it out of the cave in baskets. Galapas cannot explain the meaning, because he thinks Merlin already
has gone beyond him.
Galapas hurries him to return to his home, giving him a final command: other things than looking for Merlin are
happening at home and by whatever means he needs to use, Merlin must go with the king.
Notes
It’s obvious from this chapter that Galapas is a means by which Merlin will learn the truth about and impact of
his power: he keeps the mirror covered and never mentions the crystal cave, because he knows, until that day, it
was not time for Merlin to experience it again; he never tells Merlin directly that he must keep Galapas and the
cave secret, but Merlin knows from his experiences with Galapas that this man is there to protect him from
Camlach’s plans; and he guides Merlin into his next major decision to go wherever the king is going, a decision
that seems absolutely necessary.
Merlin’s vision will be remembered later in the novel when Vortigern cannot get the walls of the fortress he
tries to build to stand: Merlin knows there is a mine beneath and so uses this knowledge to save his own life.
CHAPTER 8
Summary
Merlin arrives at the castle where he discovers that his grandfather is planning a trip to Segontium to see the
High King, Vortigern. He wonders if this might be the war they had long awaited: Vortigern had been the
regent for the young king Constantius who had died suddenly and mysteriously. Constantius’ two younger
brothers, Ambrosius and Uther, had fled to Less Britain and the protection of King Budec, their cousin, until
they could determine whether the death was foul play. Vortigern then claimed the throne for himself. Rumors
then abounded about Ambrosius and Uther planning war against Vortigern, but so far, after 20 years, nothing
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
16
had happened. Vortigern had made the mistake of accepting the help of Saxon mercenaries and marrying a
Saxon Queen, who is blamed for allowing the Saxons to roam the British countryside. Now the Saxons have
more power than Vortigern. Cerdic tells Merlin that the Saxons must be faced down and that they’ll probably be
at war by spring. That’s why his grandfather is going to Segontium: to ally himself with the High King.
Merlin goes immediately to his grandfather and asks permission to ride with him. He convinces his grandfather
to allow him to go, because he speaks so many languages and because his grandfather is impressed that he
would “have the guts to beard the old dog in his den.” He decides to take Cerdic as his servant.
Once he leaves his grandfather’s rooms, he feels absolutely sick to his stomach and nearly vomits from fear. But
he remembers what Galapas had told him: “The gods only go with you if you put yourself in their path. And
that takes courage.” This thought gives him the strength to carry on.
Notes
This is an important chapter for two reasons: first, we learn the facts behind Vortigern’s rise to the throne as
High King and that the Saxons are really an invading force running their country. Second, we learn the outcome
of one of Galapas’ greatest lessons: “God helps those who help themselves.” Merlin’s courage in facing his
grandfather and meeting his destiny took all the courage he had, but he did it. This continues to show how
Merlin is growing and maturing into the man who will one day be an advisor to kings.
New names in this chapter: Constantius, the young king who died under mysterious circumstances, brother to
Ambrosius and Uther; Ambrosius and Uther, brothers of Constantius who fled to Less Britain after their
brother’s death; King Budec, king of Less Britain, or Brittany; and Segontium, the town in South Wales where
Vortigern is gathering allies.
CHAPTER 9
Summary
Merlin arrives in Segontium, known in Welsh as Caer’n-ar-Von, eighteen days later and gets his first sight of
Vortigern. He describes the High King as “a hard man who had taken his throne by murder and held it by
blood.” He sympathizes with the king who had to call in the Saxons to hold his kingdom and now that decision
had “twisted in his hand like an edged sword slipping, and cut it to the bone.” Yet the king was spoken of with
respect as a hard fighter while his Queen, Rowen, was hated as a witch.
Fortunately for the future, while he is there, King Vortigern never lays eyes on Merlin and his grandfather and
Camlach even forget he is there. His greatest concern is to discover why Galapas insisted he ride there with his
grandfather. But after 8 days, they head for home with Vortigern and his men riding halfway with them and
Merlin still puzzled as to why he is there. They stop at midday at the spot where Vortigern was to leave them, at
a ford where two rivers meet.
Merlin wanders off by himself and hears Vortigern and his grandfather speaking behind the rock where he finds
shelter. He follows them, but is interrupted by Cerdic who has been watching him to protect him. Cerdic tells
Merlin that his grandfather and the king are walking up to the top of crag where they can look up and down the
valley in all directions. It’s called Dinas Brenin, or King’s Fort, and there used to be a tower there that’s now
only a tumble of stones. Merlin insists he must follow them, so Cerdic warns him again about the ring-dove. At
that moment a ring-dove flies by them followed by a merlin ready to strike. Merlin follows the birds who have
crashed together onto the ground. Where the birds have fallen is an old mine entrance and he and Cerdic go
inside. Once Merlin enters, he knows this is the place of dream – naked slaves mining rock. Outside the cave,
Merlin takes the falcon with him, as he has injured his wing attacking the dove. Cerdic is sure the falcon will
harm him, but the bird climbs calmly onto Merlin’s arm and they ride back to his grandfather’s train. For the
first time, Cerdic calls Merlin “Young Master.”
Notes
The description of Vortigern is important for later in the novel when Merlin will be forced to help the king build
the towers of the castle at the fork of two rivers. He will see that his first impression is true: this is a man who
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
17
will do whatever it takes to keep his throne. The fulfillment of the dream will also be important as the
presence of the mine will “undermine” the castle walls. Merlin will need to know this to save his own life. The
god(s) are preparing him for his ultimate destiny: to bring about Arthur’s birth. The falcon and the dove are also
obvious signs of the god(s) power since they lead Merlin to the mine and when Merlin finds the cave and tames
the falcon, Cerdic calls him “Young Master,” an indication that Merlin has become a man. His destiny is in his
own hands as well as those of the god(s).
New names in this chapter: Caer’n-ar-von, the Welsh name for Segontium; Rowan, Vortigern’s Saxon Queen;
and Dinas Brenin, or King’s Fort, the place where Vortigern will eventually try to build an impregnable fortress
against Ambrosius and Uther.
CHAPTER 10
Summary
Once home, Merlin decides to take the falcon to Galapas. Tension is heavy in his grandfather’s castle as
Camlach and his grandfather are quarreling. He tells Galapas also about the cave of his dream, but he doesn’t
know why he was sent there. Galapas, too, is puzzled by the meaning behind the cave, but he is able to explain
why there are quarrels going on. Vortigern had three sons by his first wife: Vortimer, Katigern and Pascentius.
These three have broken from their father and are raising troops to rebel against him. Vortigern doesn’t need
this problem now and that’s why he had the meeting at Segontium: to assure himself allies against his son as
much as against Ambrosius and Uther. The quarrel between Camlach and Merlin’s grandfather has to do with
loyalty. His grandfather wants to support the High King while Camlach wants to side with Vortimer and his
brothers.
Merlin goes into the crystal cave again to find the meaning of the dream. He sees Camlach riding hard for the
castle where he finds the body of Merlin’s grandfather who had died of a broken neck in a fall. His bloody knife
makes the servants fear him, but it is only deer blood from the hunt. Merlin’s grandfather had died in the
courtyard after slipping on some lamp oil spilled on the steps by Cerdic. Cerdic had been on his way back with
a cloth to clean up the mess, not expecting the king to go that way. Cerdic is killed for leaving the oil behind.
Camlach speaks with Niniane who asks her to finally let her go to St. Peter’s and to leave Merlin alone.
Camlach’s emphasis on the fact that it was Merlin’s servant who left the oil makes Niniane aware that her son is
not safe.
Merlin now knows that Camlach means to kill him and will use his grandfather’s death to justify it. Galapas
tells him he must go and that the crystal cave will not protect him. Merlin realizes the falcon is gone and
Galapas tells him the bird headed south right after his dream. He heads home after bidding Galapas good-bye
and for the second time in his life, he weeps.
Notes
War is brewing not only against outside enemies, but within Merlin’s family as well. Merlin feels he must
return to the crystal cave to discover why he found the mined cave. His dream will not only tell him about
events at the castle but will reveal that he must say good-bye to two of his only friends: Galapas and Cerdic.
Cerdic’s death shows us how hard was the life of a slave and how cruel are those men who would hold their
power at any cost. Merlin’s good-by to Galapas shows us how difficult it is to grow up and accept that one must
be responsible for his own life. Someday, according to Galapas, the cave will be Merlin’s, but for now he must
move on. The falcon’s flight to the south is significant, because it is a sign that Merlin must go that direction,
too.
New names in this chapter: Vortimer, Katigern, and Pascentius – the three sons of Vortigern
CHAPTER 11
Summary
Merlin feels the need for haste, but he returns home anyway, aware of the danger that surrounds him. When he
arrives in his room, he finds Cerdic’s body. As he covers it, he hears voices indicating they are looking for him.
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He gathers together things he might need for his journey and assures Cerdic that he will send him the way of
a king as he would have wanted. He sets the room on fire and heads for his pony. Before he can get into the
saddle, he is set upon by two men, speaking in Breton, whom he had never seen. One is named Marric and the
other Hanno. They take him with them, thinking he’s a slave and can give them information from the castle.
Notes
Merlin’s great compassion is seen in this chapter. His love for Cerdic, the only father figure he has ever known,
given a king’s funeral, burned up in Merlin’s old room. But Merlin is once again alive only by his wits. He will
need to find a way to escape these unknown men.
New names in this chapter: Marric and Hanno, men probably from Less Britain, who take Merlin prisoner
towards the south.
CHAPTER 12
Summary
Once on the river, Merlin reveals his true identity and the fact that Camlach is siding with Vortimer rather than
his father. When the two men ask him where he’ll go, Merlin says he’s not sure but the only choice seems to be
Vortigern. Marric offers Ambrosius as a better choice and he admits that he and Hanno are Ambrosius’ men. He
asks Merlin for more information, but knowing that he’ll be killed anyway, he won’t divulge anything. Marric
wonders if he could be loyal to Ambrosius, but Merlin’s say he’ll only know that when he sees him. They arrive
at a ship and throw Merlin into the hold. They set sail and the journey takes 4 days to Less Britain. Merlin is
seasick all the way.
Notes
The fact that Marric and Hanno are Ambrosius’ men is significant in that Ambrosius has placed spies in Wales
to see which way the wind is turning. He obviously is planning for war against Britain.
BOOK II – The Falcon
(the significance of the title: Merlin now must realize that he is on his own, no matter what his age, and
therefore, must take on the persona that his name evokes – the falcon)
CHAPTER 1
Summary
Merlin awakes in the hold of the ship, hearing voices from above talking about him. Marric and Hanno are
unaware that he speaks Breton and so are not careful to shield their voices. Marric feels that Merlin knows
much that Ambrosius will want to listen to while Hanno fears the boy and wants him killed for their own
protection and because they can take Merlin’s information for themselves and sell it to Ambrosius. Marric
thinks they’ll make more than enough from Ambrosius for their pains: dead, Merlin is worth nothing at all.
They decide to leave him in the hold, because Merlin is so sick and leave one man on watch. They want to get a
report straight to Ambrosius before he leaves.
Merlin knows now that he must escape. He cannot count on Marric’s goodwill if he comes back after a bad
interview with Ambrosius or he if he doesn’t come back and he’s left to Hanno. he plans to get to Ambrosius on
his own and see if there is any patronage there. He makes clothes out of the old sacks he had been sleeping on
and finds old sandals in a chest. He waits until the last of the carts have been filled with cargo from the ship and
have rolled away. Then, he slips through the port-hole in the ship and grasps one of the ropes holding the ship to
the wharf. The movement of the ship from his added weight on the rope loosens the rope to near vertical and he
is very nearly crushed between the ship and the wharf. Fortunately, the swinging movement sends him, instead,
sprawling on the ground in the shadow of a wall.
Notes
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This is Merlin’s first step in his persona as the falcon: he must escape to save his own life and find a way to
seek patronage, if possible, from Ambrosius.
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CHAPTER 2
Summary
Merlin is very nearly caught by the watchman, but runs far enough away to escape any further detection. He
knows he must get his bearings – including clothing and food – and then, no doubt, the god will lead him
towards his next step. He stays behind the cover of bushes along the road. Within this shrubbery and sometimes
standing alone he discovers the standing stones, great towering stones that seem like road markers, but actually
have pattern that he can see. He looks more closely at one near him and sees etched in the granite a two-headed
axe, but when he looks again, it disappears. He is frightened of it and heads for the road, shivering both from his
fear and the cold.
The city is a walled one and Merlin sees the cargo-filled wagons pull up to the city gates. His first thought is to
hitch a ride on one of the wagons but the officer supervising them checks them each very carefully before they
all roll through the entrance and the gates clang shut. Merlin decides then to follow the signs of a settlement or
farm outside the gates to find shelter and food. He reconnoiters the wall around a farm, but disturbs a dog,
which nearly gives him away. The dog will be an impediment to finding shelter inside this wall, too, and Merlin
momentarily despairs. Then, he notices a shed or outbuilding beyond the wall and quickly makes his way
toward it. Inside are young bullocks with dry fodder and in the field beside it another standing stone. Merlin
hides behind a stack of bedding for the animals when he hears a horse gallop near the shed and the porter comes
out. Whoever the rider is, it’s obvious that he is of the upper class and is there secretively to see the daughter of
the house. The porter helps him hide the horse near the shed and take him in the back where her father won’t
see him.
Notes
The sign of the axe is a sign Merlin will see again in the future and one which will lead him towards his destiny.
When he runs away it, however, it occurs to him that this is the first time he runs away from solitude and
towards the light. The standing stone in the field beside the shed where Merlin finds shelter is yet another sign
of the path upon which the god leads him. The arrival of the patrician rider is another of the steps of Merlin’s
destiny. We will learn later that this is Uther, the brother of Ambrosius, and his secretive liaison will prepare us
for his later overwhelming desire for Ygraine, Arthur’s mother.
New names in this chapter: Uther, the brother of Ambrosius
CHAPTER 3
Summary
Merlin acknowledges that the god has provided for him again with shelter, food from the rider’s saddlebags,
and even the rider’s cloak which he left to provide warmth for his horse. He is determined not to sleep, hoping
to return the cloak before the rider returns, but he nods off anyway. When he awakes, he has no idea what has
brought him out of his light slumber for even the animals in the shed are still. He sees the rider returning from
his tryst, but Merlin has no time to return the cloak and must hope for the best. It is then that he realizes that the
horse he sees is not the mysterious rider’s horse, but instead a white bull and that the man is not the rider who
had arrived at the farm so late. Suddenly, the bull charges and the man deftly lassoes it with a rope he carries.
Each time the bull charges the man lassoes another loop around its neck until he finally leaps onto its neck.
Merlin, fearing the man needs help, gets up and begins to move in the direction of this human-animal dance.
Before he could be seen, however, the man pulls on the rope and the horns of the bull, pulls back its head so its
throat is exposed, and runs a knife across it. The bull collapses as Merlin runs from his hiding place, screaming,
towards them. The man seems to smile when he sees Merlin and yet his face is actually without expression at
the same time. He catches his feet in the cloak around his shoulders, falls, and strikes his head and passes out.
Notes
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The scene with the bull and the expressionless man is so fantasy-like that it is, no doubt, another of Merlin’s
visions.
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CHAPTER 4
Summary
When Merlin awakes, he is being kicked in the ribs by the mysterious rider who had first come to the farm and
whose cloak is still around Merlin’s shoulders. The porter grabs Merlin and holds his head by the hair so the
man can see him in the light. The cloak’s owner decides to thrash him before letting him go, but is stopped by
another man who Merlin identifies as the one who had killed the bull. Merlin stands up for himself, explaining
that he wants to find Ambrosius and offer his services since he speaks five languages. The newcomer, who
obviously seems in charge, wants Merlin to relate the scene he had witnessed. After Merlin re-tells his vision,
the man wonders if he had seen it near the standing stone. When Merlin replies affirmatively, they take the
torch over to the stone and examine the ground where the fight between the man and the bull had to have taken
place. But the ground shows no evidence of the bull’s blood and when Merlin sees the man in the light he
realizes he had a vision and the man of his dream was not the man now before him. He also realizes that the
man before him is Ambrosius himself and the cloak belongs to his brother, Uther. Through more questions,
Merlin reveals his true identity, his mother’s name, and what he has to offer the Count. They wrap Merlin in
Uther’s cloak and take him with them as they ride away.
Notes
Merlin’s vision is reminiscent of the basic premise of the worship of Mithras. At that time in the history of
Britain, many religions were warring with the influence and power of Christianity, Mithraism being one of
them. The core belief of the followers of Mithras was that the killing of the sacred white bull brought, by way of
its blood, plants, animals and beneficial things to earth. This worship was secret, because of the Christian desire
to wipe it out, and usually the worshippers met in a sacred cave or cavern. It was also based on the concept of
initiation and the initiates took sacred vows never to reveal its precepts. There was also no body of scripture, so
little is known of its actual worship service. The fact that Merlin has this vision while Ambrosius and Uther are
near is an indication that they may be worshippers of this god, important pieces of foreshadowing for Merlin’s
future.
CHAPTER 5
Summary
Merlin is taken to Ambrosius’s headquarters in the walled town. The town had grown up around the camp
Ambrosius had several years before established at that spot to group and train his forces to face Vortigern. We
learn that King Budec is helping Ambrosius and Uther organize and man the army. He was their cousin and had
taken them in when Vortigern had killed their elder brother, Constantius. Budec, now an old man, had made
Ambrosius his heir as well as giving him the title of Count. Ambrosius had his eye on ruling South and West
Britain, while leaving Uther to rule Less Britain after Budec’s death. This would then provide a Romano-Celtic
rampart against the barbarians from the north.
Ambrosius follows Roman practices and has Cadal, one of his personal servants, bathe Merlin before seeing
him and talking to him. Cadal knows from the way that Merlins feeds himself in Ambrosius’ personal kitchen
that he is not just a vagrant’s son, but someone of high background. Then, Cadal takes Merlin to Ambrosius.
Merlin’s first impression of Ambrosius is a man about 30 years old, who appears older because of the life he
had led and the responsibilities that he had shouldered since he was little older than Merlin’s 12 years.
Furthermore, he discerned that this was a man who you either fought or followed, loved or hated. There was no
in-between. Ambrosius is impressed by Merlin’s decision to cremate the body of his servant, Cerdic, because it
shows that Merlin has a sense of obligation to those for whom he is responsible, a highly redeeming trait.
Ambrosius also realizes that Merlin’s god has dumped him at his feet and he has no choice but to allow him to
serve him.
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Ambrosius is also curious about Merlin’s mother and why the boy left her behind. Merlin explains that he knew
Camlach would never harm her and that she was safe anyway at St. Peter’s. He tells Ambrosius that she called
him Merlin in the Roman way rather than the Welsh Myrddin and that he had overheard her use his second
name Emrys as if she were referring to his father. Ambrosius decides to call him Merlin, also.
Merlin is concerned that Ambrosius, when he invades Britain, spare his mother. Ambrosius agrees to this as
well as to any other person Merlin may want safe. However, he says that Camlach will not be allowed to be in
that group. Merlin solemnly replies that Camlach will be dead before that anyway. Ambrosius is silent at that bit
of prophecy and promises to use Merlin’s eyes for himself someday. They spend much more time then talking
about all the information Merlin can give him about where he lived and what was going on in Vortigern’s
kingdom. Ambrosius wonders how Merlin knew that Camlach would side with Vortimer over Vortigern. When
he hears Merlin admit that he heard him tell his mother near the bier of his grandfather from six miles away in
the hills, Ambrosius knows that he has the Sight like his mother.
Ambrosius then sends him to bed in his, Ambrosius’, own room.
Notes
We learn again about the reason why Ambrosius and Uther were brought to Less Britain by Budec. We also
learn the plans Ambrosius has for Britain and Wales to protect against the northern barbarians who are always a
threat of invasion. Although he does not yet know that Ambrosius is his father, Merlin still finds himself
bonding in a strange way with this man: he doesn’t fear him, but he respects him; he can talk to him easily; and
he is able to tell him the truth without fear. More and more, as the interview unfolds, we see how Ambrosius
comes to accept Merlin’s sight. It is interesting that Merlin does not pick up on the fact that Ambrosius knows
Merlin’s mother had the Sight, a fact he could not have known unless he knew her.
New names in this chapter: Budec, King of Less Britain; Constantius, the King poisoned by Vortigern; Cadal,
Merlin’s new servant
CHAPTER 6
Summary
When Merlin awakes in Ambrosius’ room, there are fresh clothes awaiting him, including a clock fastened with
a copper brooch. It is embossed with a dragon on a scarlet field, the same device Merlin had seen the night
before on Ambrosius’ seal-ring. For the first time, Merlin feels he looks like a prince. Cadal tells Merlin at
breakfast that Uther also lives in the same house, but that he will be away to the north for a few weeks. Merlin
is happy about this as he thinks Uther does not particularly welcome him there and is annoyed by Ambrosius’
continued kindness towards Merlin. In spite of the fact that Merlin thought Ambrosius would not see him
much, he is frequently called to Ambrosius’ rooms to talk, to question, to play the harp or try his hand at chess.
More importantly, Ambrosius reveals all he can to Merlin about the worship of Mithras and how he has used it
as a uniting factor among all the warring tribes in Less Britain in order to create his army. He warns Merlin to
keep it to himself as it is very secretive. Merlin wonders aloud whether Ambrosius wants him to be an initiate of
Mithras and Ambrosius says that remains to be seen, but it’s possible Merlin’s god is Mithras.
Cadal becomes Merlin’s own servant and he is given another solid gray pony which he nostalgically names
Aster. He explores the land around him, finding two more standing stones with symbols that soon disappear: a
dagger and an open eye. He doesn’t fear the stones in the daytime but at night, they bring the hairs on his neck
to a stand and Aster shies away from going that direction.
Merlin also sees King Budac on his rides around the town. He is impressed by the way he sits in his saddle, like
a man thirty years younger and he remembers Budec’s vow to be avenged on Vortigern for the killing of
Constantius, even if it takes a lifetime. Budac and Ambrosius foster the idea that the army is for defensive
purposes only so that Vortigern knows nothing of their plans. They are also used as a foraging party for the
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town, finding food, wood, fuel, weapons, and tools. They also form a corps of engineers to help prepare them
for landing blind-folded in a strange country and living off it.
22
Soon Ambrosius finds Merlin a tutor named Belasius, a man who is concerned with the accounting side of
Ambrosius’ business. He is a much harder tutor than Galapas or Demetrius had been, but Merlin does his work
well and avoids Belasius’ heavy sarcasm and quick temper. One day, Belasius leaves the lessons earlier than
usual, warning both Merlin and Cadal when they go for their daily ride, to stay to the road and be home by dark.
Cadal suggests that go by the engineers workshops as Merlin usually loves to do, but Merlin insists on the ride,
saying he feels he must go. He even insists on going through the forest, a much more dangerous ride.
Notes
The brooch on Merlin’s cloak is significant in that it is Ambrosius’ own coat of arms – a dragon on a crimson
field - and he has seen to it that Merlin wears it. It can only mean that Ambrosius knows this is son and has
taken the first step towards recognizing him as such. Uther’s annoyance at Merlin’s presence may indicate that
he, too, knows Merlin’s relationship to his brother and may see him as a threat to his own aspirations. The
worship of Mithras is another form of foreshadowing for when Merlin will challenge its practice. The signs
which appear on the standing stones are again foreshadowing of events yet to be. Belasius, Merlin’s tutor,
seems a secretive man who makes a strange warning about Merlin’s ride. We are left with the question: What
might he have to hide.
New names in this chapter: Belasius, Merlin’s tutor in Less Britain
CHAPTER 7
Summary
Merlin enters the forest unafraid, because Ambrosius had made being abroad in Less Britain less dangerous. He
also feels the need to ride ahead of Cadal for a sense of solitude. He has been followed by Cadal everywhere he
goes and Cadal has even come to be called “The Watchdog” or “Merlin’s Black Dog.” It makes Merlin wonder
if he is a hostage after all. Suddenly, an animal jumps out of the brush and spooks the horses. Merlin is thrown
and wrenches his ankle. The pony he was riding takes off and Cadal is sure he is running for home. Merlin,
however, knows the horse has just stopped a short way ahead and sends Cadal for him. The pony, too, has come
up lame, so they will have to walk slowly back, with Merlin on Cadal’s horse and Cadal walking and leading
the pony. They set off on what will, no doubt, be a couple of hours getting home when suddenly Merlin sees a
white star – the Bear – in the sky and remembers a track off to the south that will be a shorter way home. Cadal
agrees to take the path, but warns Merlin to keep his weapon drawn in case of trouble. Again, Merlin replies,
using the Sight, saying he knows there will be no trouble. As he has done several times before when Merlin said
something prophetic, Cadal makes the sign against the evil eye.
Notes
In this chapter, we see Merlin beginning to use his Sight more frequently, an act that gives him a tremendous
feeling of power. He knows so much, including that he had to come that way and that neither “darkness, nor
distance, nor time meant anything.”
CHAPTER 8
Summary
Merlin knows as they head down the new path that there is something ahead of them to which he is being led,
just like he new the falcon had led him to the cave back home. He he gets the scent of other horses, even before
their own horses or Cadal sense it. He tells Cadal there is no trouble there and he moves on with or without his
servant. Soon in a gap of the thick roof of pines, they come to two horses, one of which bears a white star as a
blaze. He recognizes it as Belasius’ horse and they are being watched by Ulfin, Bleasius’ servant. This young
boy is very afraid of Belasius and tries to avoid answering any questions Merlin asks him. Cadal demands that
Ulfin tell them where Belasius is so they can use one of his horses to get home.
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Suddenly they hear a scream of mortal fear. Merlin lashes his mare’s reins and takes off. The mare leads him
to another path, something that doesn’t surprise Merlin at all. They follow it until Merlin hears chanting in the
distance and now knows why Belasius told him to stay on the road and be home before dark. It also explains
why Ulfin is so frightened. He slides from the saddle and begins to limp towards the sounds.
Notes
Once again, Merlin’s Sight and the destiny set for him by his god are at work. He is being led through the forest
to find whatever Belasisus was involved in for a reason yet to be revealed. He realizes he is not afraid, but
instead excited to see what lies ahead.
New names in this chapter: Ulfin, Belasius’ servant
CHAPTER 9
Summary
The forest ends at the bay where Merlin sees what must be an island at high tide, but is now a peninsula joined
to the mainland by a causeway of stones. The island, more of a hillock, is surrounded by standing stones and the
mist seems to lie low around it. Soon, however, he comes to realize that what he thought was mist were many
figures robed in white. He sees a separate figure in white, who is, no doubt, the leader, descend a flight of steps
into the heart of the hill. Then, he hears the chanting stop, followed by a triumphant cry, not from the victim,
but from the killer. The leader emerges and moves among the ranks of the other robed figures, raising his knifeblade upward just as the edge of the moon shows over the hill. He cries out again in an unmistakable cry of
greeting and stretches his arm higher as if offering what held between his hands.
Then, the crowd of white robes begins breaking apart and Merlin backs up further into his hiding place. He
realizes that in these tension-filled moments he has ejaculated in an orgasmic reaction to the scene he has
witnessed. He no longer feels powerful and realizes that this was not the force he was meant to receive and
foster. He feels only shame and emptiness. He then sees that everyone has left the island on the boats that
brought them there except for the leader who instead heads for the causeway. Merlin steps out of his hiding
place to greet him.
Notes
The description of the island/peninsula is reminiscent of Mont-St.-Michel, an island/causeway that today sits off
the coast of Brittany (Less Britain). It, too, is a hill, but today it is topped by an abbey and a church dedicated to
St. Michael. It has been the spot of worship for thousands of years, including pagan religions. It is interesting to
consider that human sacrifice may have taken place on the very spot where now sits a church. It is, however,
true that Christians often built their churches on pagan spots to render that religion powerless.
Obviously, Merlin has witnessed a ceremony of human sacrifice in which the sacrifice is offered up to the
moon. But his excitement in the midst of it makes him ashamed, a sign that his character has not been corrupted
by what he has seen. He knows he was not meant to receive this force.
CHAPTER 10
Summary
Belasius is the leader who emerges from the island and sees Merlin before he completely clears the trees of the
forest. He tells Belasius he is there because there was “something abroad in the forest tonight” and that he had
to find it. Belasius wears a brooch on his robe with a design of circles and knotted snakes in gold and he
worships what he calls the Goddess. He claims she is older even than Mithras and admits that it is both secret
and illegal. The sacrifice he claims was killed for sacrilege, because he was a King’s man. When Merlin
questions Belasius about his own safety, given that he seen something secret and illegal just the sacrifice,
Belasius reminds him that Ambrosius has “a long arm.” This thought makes Merlin feel as if someone had put a
shield in his hand while he was naked in battle. Belasius asks him why he did not feel afraid and Merlin tells
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24
him that he knows danger and death are not yet for him. Belasius assures Merlin that he knew he had the
Sight and that he, too, has a use for him just like Ambrosius. He will take him into the sanctuary of his Goddess
and present him there. Of course, Merlin wants to protest that this will never happen, but he holds his tongue.
As they are riding home, the sound of a great many horses can be heard. The standard they see in the torchlight
is a scarlet dragon – Ambrosius’ men. Belasius rides away with a warning to Merlin to not speak of what he has
seen, because he may be protected by Ambrosius but he is not protected from a curse. Merlin is then met by
Uther.
Notes
In this chapter, we are introduced to a pagan religion which worships its Goddess through human sacrifice.
Belasius is its high priest and he has aims on Merlin as an initiate. Once again, someone wants to use Merlin’s
power for his own benefit. However, Merlin is unafraid, because he knows this is not the force meant for him to
follow and it is not his time yet to be overwhelmed by danger and death.
CHAPTER 11
Summary
Uther’s presence makes Merlin weigh how he will answer him about his whereabouts. Uther is dangerous. His
story then is truthful to a point – he doesn’t tell about Belasius. This is the first time that Merlin recognizes
Uther’s power and how much like Ambrosius he really is. Uther knows that Merlin is lying about something
and then sees Belasius’ bloody robe hanging out of his saddlebags. Uther assumes that Merlin is one of this
group and begins to threaten him. Merlin insists he’s broken no law and will only tell Ambrosius what he
knows. Uther tries to intimidate him by telling him he will obey him, too, as he grabs the folds of Merlin’s cloak
at his neck. Merlin’s brooch cuts Uther who then sees that it is the red dragon. Uther’s reaction is surprise at
first and them amusement. He tells his men to bring Merlin back carefully as his brother “treasures him.”
When he arrives at the camp, Cadal meets him. He had watched the exchange between him and Uther, because
he had ridden back himself to find Merlin. Cadal knew what Merlin had witnessed on the island and warned
Merlin that Belasius was a “nasty customer.” Merlin tells Cadal that Belasius is the Arch Druid and that even
knowing how dangerous Belasius is, he will tell Ambrosius everything. Ambrosius, in Merlin’s mind, deserves
to know, so telling the truth is not just for protecting himself. Cadal’s reaction is to say that someday he’ll see
Merlin afraid. Merlin says he only fears the snatches of the future which show his end, which is the crystal cave.
He doesn’t know if it’s death or birth or a gate of vision or a dark limbo of sleep. Someday he’ll know, but until
then, he is not much afraid of anything. Cadal wants to know his own end, but Merlin parries his question.
Cadal says he knows that Merlin knows, because he sees it in his eyes when he has a vision. Merlin admits it
frightens him, but that someday he will be able to command the part of him that knows and sees.
Cadal is relieved when Merlin lies about how he will end up and laughs when he thinks that he can call Merlin a
nuisance and him “twice royal.” That’s the moment when Merlin finally realizes he is Ambrosius’ son. The
Sight had not helped him with this – sometimes men that have the Sight are human blind. Cadal tells him that
the rumor had spread about the relationship, because he looked so much like Ambrosius. Uther, however, had
thought that Merlin was Ambrosius’ “catamite,” a reference to a homosexual relationship, and that’s why he
was so surprised by the brooch with the red dragon on Merlin’s cloak. Merlin also feels that Belasius knows the
truth as well and that’s why he warned him about the curse that even Ambrosius’ long arm couldn’t protect him
from. He also reveals that Belasius wants to make him an initiate. Cadal is aghast when Merlin admits that he
will go at least once to the worship service just to learn something new and that going will be another way for
him to learn about his own God. Merlin insists that there really is only one God and we all come to him in the
end. Twenty minutes later he was dressed and ready to see his father.
Notes
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This is an extremely important chapter as it is the one where Merlin finally learns the name of his father. It is
also important in that Uther knows the truth as well. Wearing the red dragon brooch has become a kind of
protection for Merlin. Another interesting aspect to consider is Merlin’s lack of fear. He has moments when he
knows his own end – the long limbo of sleep in the crystal cave – and even though he fears that, he doesn’t fear
anything else. Consider as well Merlin’s realization of his own power, when just a look from him can frighten
men, and his firm beliefs about the existence of only one God. Merlin seeks this God, just as we all do, knowing
that he derives his power from him. However, he is tolerant enough to want to know all the other gods that men
seek. In this way, Merlin seems for us much more human a character and we can identify with his thirst to
know.
CHAPTER 12
Summary
When Merlin arrives at his father’s quarters, he meets Uther coming out. He had gone straight to Ambrosius
even before cleaning up. Merlin tells Ambrosius everything in a subtle way in order to protect Cadal and to
reveal the truth about Belasius. He tells him everything about the human sacrifice and that he didn’t know it was
illegal until it was over.
While they are talking, a messenger arrives from King Budec. Merlin stares at the flames reflecting off
Ambrosius’ face and falls into a vision. When Ambrosius asks him what he saw in the fire, Merlin tells him
about a young man with a dragon brooch on his shoulder and a girl on a brown pony, the same vision which
opens this novel. Ambrosius then is finally convinced that Merlin has the Sight. They then talk about the truth
that Ambrosius is Merlin’s father. Merlin wants to know why Ambrosius left his mother. Ambrosius tells him
how he gone into his homeland with the help of Gorlois of Cornwall who hated Vortigern. He was sent north
where he spied on Vortigern and his men. He was heading south again towards Cornwall when he and his men
were set upon by Vortigern’s men. His two companions were killed and he was left for dead. When he woke up,
Merlin’s mother was standing over him. She took him to the crystal cave to hide, because no one knew of its
existence. Eventually, as she cared for him, they fell in love and conceived Merlin. He wanted her to leave with
him, but she insisted she could not leave Maridunum, because it “was one thing to do what she had done, but
quite another to go across the seas with a man who was her father’s enemy.” Ambrosius returned to Less Britain
and never knew she had borne a child. Later, he sent messages, which were unanswered, begging her to come,
but when he heard she was betrothed – a lie – he gave up and let it be.
When Ambrosius asks Merlin if he hates him for the life he left him to, Merlin truthfully answers that of all the
men he could have chosen for a father, he would have chosen him. Because what boy “would not have chosen
the King of All Britain for a father.” Ambrosius knows the god has spoken again through his son. He tells
Merlin that “he will never make a king or even a prince as the world sees it, but that he will be such a man that,
if a king had him beside him, he could rule the world.” This is why he had sent him to Belasius to learn
whatever he could to help him understand his god. Ambrosius also tells Merlin that his second name is the
Welsh form of Ambrosius and that Niniane, Merlin’s mother, had named her son after his father. Merlin is
amazed, because Ambrosius means Prince of Light and everyone had thought he was the Prince of Darkness.
Ambrosius persuades Merlin to look into the fire and tell him what he sees, but Merlin is unable to command a
vision. Only his god can do that for now. That night he dreams again of the crystal cave and sees what he thinks
is his mother and father meeting once more where they fell in love. But the face of the woman is not his mother
and the face of the man is old and is his own.
Notes
This chapter is a touching one as we see two men meet as father and son for the first time. They are unsure of
each other at first, but eventually the love and respect for each other comes out. Ambrosius still wants to have
Merlin by his side for another reason: he knows he can help make him a great king. But Merlin is still unable to
command the Sight. He only knows that his father will be King of All Britain. He leaves his father, however,
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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having bonded finally with the man he has sought all his life. It is ironic that Merlin’s name means Prince of
Light when all of his life he has been known as the Prince of Darkness. More foreshadowing ends the chapter
with Merlin’s dream: a woman coming out of the crystal cave when he is old, a woman named Vivian who will
later be the catalyst for the sleep in limbo he fears.
BOOK III – The Wolf
(the title refers to Vortigern in the beginning of this section who hides when he’s at his weakest and then strikes
when his enemy least expects it. By the end, it can also be applied to Merlin who outsmarts the old wolf with
his young wolf tactics.)
CHAPTER 1
Summary
Merlin spent five years with Ambrosius and even though many of the events of those five years are now
somewhat muddled, his father is as clear as if he were here with him now. Also, it is harder for him to write of
Uther as he was in the past. Instead, Merlin Notes that he is not here with him in the darkness, but out in the
sunlight, keeping the coasts of Britain whole. In the final analysis, however, it is not of any of them that he
writes but instead, it is of the man who was the sum of them all – Arthur.
Camlach, Merlin recalls, does not immediately run to support Vortimer and Vortimer does not immediately
rebel. Both wait cautiously to see how Vortigern will act. Vortigern himself begins to leave much of the West to
Vortimer and his brothers, given that the only way he could defeat them would be with even more help from the
Saxons who are already terrorizing the rest of Britain.
Ambrosius waits five years before he invades the north, because he knows that the time must be right for
victory to be assured. In the meantime, Merlin studies with Belasius until he outruns him in his knowledge,
works with the engineers, helps the army doctors to apply all the knowledge Galapas had taught him, and
attends worship services for both Mithras and Belasius’ Goddess. He learns and he waits to see what service he
may be for his father.
Merlin works with Tremorinus, the chief engineer of Ambrosius’ army, on various machines that will be needed
both for war and peace. He is, however, more interested in discovering how the ancients had lifted the standing
stones into place. Tremorinus advises him that they know nothing about how to lift them because of their
weight, but Merlin is determined to figure it all out. Eventually, says Merlin, it is a blind poet singing in the
streets with a beggar’s bowl in front of him, who gives him the answer. He stops when he hears the man sing his
name in one of his songs, talks with him, and then, brings him a harp. The man is so grateful for the instrument
that he sings many more songs and tells many stories of his travels to Merlin and Merlin learns from this all
about the men who had placed the standing stones.
In the spring of Merlin’s eighteenth year, news comes from the north that Vortimer has finally broken with his
father and messengers are sent out to all Ambrosius’ allies to prepare for war. Vortimer is victorius over his
father and drives the Saxons out of Britain, but he is mysteriously poisoned and once again, Vortigern takes
over the reins of power. He immediately sends for Hengist, the Saxon leader. Camlach is also killed as is
Vortimer’s brother, Katigern. Vortigern takes all of Camlach’s and Vortimer’s children as hostages.
Ambrosius tells Merlin that he will go on the first invasion boat and ride immediately to Maridunum to find
Galapas for any news from the town. They have no idea how Cornwall stands except for rumors that Gorlois
sided with Vortigern. Galapas may know the truth. Also, Merlin is to take Marric and Cadal with him as
protection. Ambrosius inidicates that he’ll first have to smoke out Vortigern, who is holed up somewhere
unknown, and then, go after Hengist.
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Notes
When Merlin Notes that Uther is not with him in the darkness, he is foreshadowing the long sleep in limbo he
experiences as he reminisces about his past. He also foreshadows his ultimate purpose which is bringing about
the birth of Arthur. Other examples of foreshadowing in this chapter include: Merlin learning from both the
engineers and the doctors which prepares us for his deeds during the war and, later, with Uther and discovering
how to raise the standing stones from the blind beggar which prepares us for his great feat of engineering at
what is now known as Stonehenge. The title of this book is The Wolf which, at least at this point in the novel,
refers to Vortigern when Ambrosius says he’ll have to “smoke the old wolf out first.”
New names in this chapter: Tremorinus, Ambrosius’ chief engineer
CHAPTER 2
Summary
Merlin crosses over to Britain in early April on the same ship that had originally brought him to Less Britain.
His two servants are Cadal and Marric and as before, he is sick all the way. The plan is to land on the side of the
estuary away from Maridunum at a point where they can make their way unseen to join the road from the south.
Marric will go separately into the town and meet up with his old contacts while Cadal and Merlin will find
Galapas. They are to eventually meet up with Marric who will take whatever news they discover back to
Ambrosius.
Once on shore, Merlin and Cadal meet a horse trader who sells them a broken-down nag that will last them for
awhile until they can find better horses. They pass his grandfather’s house which looks little changed, including
the parts he had burned down in order to send Cerdic on his way to heaven in the manner he would have
wanted. Merlin admits to Cadal that this house is no longer his home and yet, neither is Less Britain. He
believes that his home for now is wherever his father is, but that the only real home he remembers is the cave of
Galapas. They also pass St. Peter’s nunnery, home of his mother, but they don’t stop, continuing on instead
towards the cave. Merlin finds himself watching for the ring-dove, but the hillside, this time, is quiet. Merlin
has Cadal wait by the horses at the entrance to the cave, warning him that what he might think is smoke will
only be the bats. Cadal once again makes the sign against the evil eye, causing Merlin just to laugh.
Notes
Merlin’s observations about his old home are significant in that they reveal how very lonely and alone he has
been most of his life. Although he is a character who often seeks out solitude, even he needs human
companionship to give his life meaning. Also, it reflects the path that destiny has chosen for him and this is a
path only he can travel. This idea is further enhanced when one of the men Merlin loves best, Cadal, once again
makes the sign against the evil eye. Even though Cadal cares very much for Merlin, he, too, like most other
people, is just slightly afraid of him and his Sight. Merlin will always be different and, therefore, frightening, to
those around him.
CHAPTER 3
Summary
As Merlin comes around the crag of the hill to the lawn before the opening of the cave, he knows something is
wrong just by the fact that he can no longer hear the trickle of the spring. Without even going into the cave, he
knows that Galapas is not there and never will be again. All of Galapas’ possessions have been looted and
burned, the spring has been filled in and the cave is empty except for the bronze mirror which wouldn’t have
burned and must have been too heavy to loot. The entrance to the crystal cave has been spared only because it
had been rendered invisible. Merlin looks inside the crystal cave and sees only his harp, but no visions.
Outside, Merlin finds Galapas’ body, having been picked clean by the carrion birds, a “waygoing” that he sees
as seemly. Cadal comes forward and helps Merlin bury the body by building the hill over it with stones and
sods which to Merlin will allow Galapas’ hill to “take him in.” Merlin is reminded of the last time he had gone
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this way, when he was weeping over Cerdic’s death and had no knowledge of whether he would ever see
Galapas again. Galapas had told him he would see him, he promised, and now to Merlin, the promise has come
true.
Notes
Once again, Merlin faces a loss in his life, something he has had to get used to. The loss of Galapas, however, is
even dearer than not having had his father as a child or not having had friends to support him. This is the man
who taught more than any other and acted more of a father figure than even Ambrosius. It is significant that his
Merlin wants his body to become one with the hill. This is symbolic for Merlin’s understanding of Galapas as
man who was one with nature and the world around him.
CHAPTER 4
Summary
As he and Cadal eat, Merlin decides that his next step is to see his mother. He also wonders who could have
done all that to Galapas and Cadal rightly infers the deed to Vortigern’s men. Cadal asks Merlin if he has any
message from Ambrosius to his mother. Merlin replies that Ambrosius left it up to him, Merlin, to decide how
much to tell her. Merlin is concerned that she may have switched her loyalties, given that the nunnery still
stands while the rest of Maridunum has been ravaged by war. However, he also knows his mother can tell him
who to seek out for information now that Galapas is dead.
When they arrive at St. Peter’s, Merlin is told that he must wait to see Niniane after prayers are over. She’ll
meet him on the river walk at the gate in the wall there an hour after moonrise. They decide to wait in his
grandfather’s old home across the way, until they hear the bell for the end of prayers, as Merlin doesn’t want to
chance being recognized in the town. As they are trying to pick the lock, Dinias, his cousin and the bully who
had made his life miserable as a child, comes around the corner. He has taken the title of prince in the time since
they last met, but he doesn’t look like a prince with his clothes old and frayed. Dinias is suspicious of Merlin
and his loyalties and wants to know why he has returned. Merlin easily leaves out his true mission and tells his
old nemesis that he is there to see his mother. Dinias reveals that rumors abound about Cornwall, where he
thinks Merlin has been living, including that Gorlois has spent the winter snuggled in with a young girl of
twenty who makes “Helen of Troy look like a market woman.” Merlin also learns that Dinias had fought with
Vortimer and Camlach and that Gorlois has now left for the north to meet Vortigern. They decide to have dinner
together at a place Dinias believes is safe from Vortigern’s spies. He remarks that Maridunum is crawling with
Vortigern’s men. Dinias doesn’t know who they’re looking for, but remarks that a story is going around about
it. Before he can reveal what that story is, they are interrupted by a beggar with a blind eye and a hideous scar
that looked as if it came from a sword cut.
Notes
It is significant that Vortigern’s men probably killed Galapas as Merlin will soon learn that these men are all
over Maridunum following up on rumors about someone and that someone will turn out to be Merlin himself.
We learn this later when Merlin meets up with Dinias who mentions the rumors. Also, Merlin seems oblivious
to the blind beggar with the scar from a sword cut, a fact about which he should have been more wary.
Dinias mentions a rumor about Gorlois of Cornwall and the young woman of twenty who has been with him all
winter. This foreshadows the woman who will enchant Uther with her beauty and eventually become Arthur’s
mother.
CHAPTER 5
Summary
Just prior to their dinner, Merlin tells Cadal that he sees Dinias as a source of information and that he’ll see to it
that Dinias is drunk before they have to leave for St. Peter’s. As a result, Merlin learns from Dinias that he,
Merlin, had been presumed dead since the night of the fire and that his mother had retired to St. Peter’s soon
after when a search did not bring any news of her son. At that point, Merlin sees a group of what he takes to be
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Saxons sitting by the door which doesn’t particularly worry him since it’s so dark in the restaurant. Merlin
then tells Dinias a trumped-up story about his life over the past year in Cornwall. As he tells his story, he
notices the maker’s mark on the bottom of the china is A. M. which reminds of his father, Ambrosius Merlinus.
As their conversation continues, Dinias gets drunker and louder, but he also seems to be pumping Merlin for
information himself, wondering if Ambrosius plans to land in Cornwall when he makes his invasion. Dinias’
loud voice makes Merlin realize some people are turning around to look at them, especially two men in dark
clothes who look Welsh and whose flagon of wine has not dropped for awhile. He comes to the conclusion that
the Saxons near the door seem harmless enough, but the men in black are another story.
Nonetheless, Merlin decides to stay rather than draw more attention to himself by provoking a quarrel with
Dinias. Between throws of a dice game, he questions Dinias about what he might know, especially whether the
West would stay loyal to Vortigern. Dinias says it would go up in flames. At one point, Dinias remarks that
while he may be a bastard like Merlin, at least he knows who his father is. Merlin starts at that, cautioning his
cousin to keep his voice down. He wants Dinias to begin winning at the dice game so he’ll be less likely to
quarrel and be loud. He muses that it would be useful to be able to bring his power to bear on the game to make
Dinias win, but that he knows that power really makes nothing smoother. When it comes, it is like “having a
wolf by the throat.”
Dinias soon reveals that Vortigern is now building a new stronghold at Dinas Brenin in Snowdon.
Unfortunately, he is having trouble getting it to stand. He has built it four times and every time it has cracked
and fallen. Also, he tells Merlin that Vortigern and Hengist aren’t seeing eye to eye, so the king is quite beset.
Dinias reveals as well why the king has chosen that spot and Merlin realizes it’s the same spot Vortigern had
shown his grandfather those many years ago when Galapas had told Merlin it was important for him to go with
his grandfather to the meeting with the king. There had been the scream of a falcon that day and Cerdic had
wanted to cut him in on a dice game. Suddenly, Merlin has the power to make the dice move and Dinias begins
to win. When Merlin makes to leave, however, Dinias violently strikes the table and demands he stay and play it
out, calling Merlin a bastard who never had a father at all. Just then, one of the suspicious men in black stops
Merlin and insists that they have a word together outside.
Notes
Dinias’ loud voice and his insistence on calling Merlin a bastard set us up for the men in black who are
watching them drink and play dice. They are two forces to be reckoned with. We also learn about the stronghold
Vortigern is building at Dinas Brenin or King’s Fort and how it keeps falling. Match that information with
Dinias calling Merlin the bastard who doesn’t know his own father and we have foreshadowing of Vortigern’s
later desire to sacrifice a man just like Merlin to make his walls stand, a prophecy made by the men of magic
around him that the walls will stand if the foundation is filled with the blood of a man who does not know his
own father. When Merlin realizes that King’s Fort is the same spot where his grandfather had met with
Vortigern, he remembers the scream of the falcon and the suggestion of a dice game. These elements are present
in the moment as well – he is the falcon and Dinias has insisted on the dice game that brought about this part of
the conversation. It brings out his power and he is able to control the turn of the dice with his mind.
CHAPTER 6
Summary
Merlin refuses to go outside with the two men and instead answers the one he calls Blackbeard who asks him
his name. He tries to sidestep the men’s interest in him when suddenly an old man from behind reveals his
relationship to the old king, his grandfather. Blackbeard, once he knows this is the truth, tells Merlin that
Vortigern wants him and has been looking for him the past three weeks. Merlin is forced to go, but is relieved
that it seems to have nothing to do with Ambrosius. Unfortunately, Dinias then reveals that Merlin’s mother is
still alive in St. Peter’s, a fact that makes the man turn in surprise. This reaction frightens Merlin, but he still has
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no choice, because the two men are determined to take him and his mother to Vortigern. As they leave,
Blackbeard throws a purse of coins at Dinias feet to pay the reward offered evidently for Merlin and his mother.
Notes
This chapter furthers the idea which will come out later about the need for the blood of a bastard who doesn’t
know his father. Vortigern has been looking for Merlin and his mother for this reason, not because he knows
about Ambrosius sending Merlin ahead for information.
New names in this chapter: Blackbeard, the nickname Merlin gives the unknown Welshman at the inn
CHAPTER 7
Summary
When Merlin arrives in Vortigern’s court six days later, he realizes that Vortigern has changed, has diminished,
because he clearly is a man on the run, a cornered wolf who, being cornered, is even more dangerous,
nonetheless. If he ever gets his fortress built, even Ambrosius will be hard-pressed to dig him out. His mother
has come along with him on the trip to Dinas Brenin in an enclosed litter, so they have no chance to talk before
they arrive there. Once he sees her, he Notes that she, too, has changed. She is pale and quiet and has put on
bodily weight as well as a heaviness of spirit. He also realizes that she has lost the power of the Sight. Behind
Vortigern’s chair sits a group of priests and holy men.
When questioned, Niniane handles herself well, never revealing what she might know of Merlin’s true reason
for leaving or returning to Maridunum. But she tells the truth about never revealing the name of his father to
Merlin. Merlin sees the fear in her eyes for him. Vortigern insists she tell the name for her son’s sake. She
finally agrees to tell if the king will empty the room. He agrees, but refuses to allow the priests and the
magicians to leave. Merlin has never felt so helpless, because he sees death in these men’s eyes and he feels
stripped of God.
Notes
Once again the title of this section of the novel is reinforced with images of Vortigern as a cornered wolf. This
chapter also finds Merlin between the proverbial rock and a hard place, because if Niniane reveals his father’s
name, it will save him from the prophecy of Vortigern’s men of magic, but it will also make him either a
hostage or cost him his life once Vortigern knows his father is Ambrosius.
CHAPTER 8
Summary
Niniane at first seems to have no care for revealing the name Vortigern seeks and, in fact, indicates Merlin, too,
should have no care since he is a “priest in Cornwall.” Merlin knows from her smile that she will not betray him
and that she believes what she says will avert danger from him. Niniane goes on to tell the king that she never
saw Merlin’s father and that he was a young man who came to her in the night who disappeared when she stole
out to look at him after he slept in her bed. She holds her cross as if asking for forgiveness for her lies, but
Merlin thinks she should be more fearful of lying about things of power than to her Christian god. She says she
named him Merlin, because, on the day he was born, a falcon flew in through the window and perched above
her bed and looked at her with his father’s eyes.
After her story, Vortigern consults with Maugan, the bearded high priest in whose eyes Merlin sees death. The
priest responds that her story is very possible because he has heard stories about such demon creatures mating
with mortal women and he has also heard the stories about Merlin’s strange ways. At this, all the people around
Merlin seem to move from him as if in fear, but Merlin cannot yet see how her story could in any way be
harmful to him. In fact, he believes that they may want his mother to confirm that he is, indeed, a demon’s son,
and want him to advise them in some way about how to make the walls of the fortress stand. He remembers
how his god had brought him the dream about the mine shaft under the hill, which would require him to come
up with an engineer’s answer, not a magician’s prophecy.
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Vortigern dismisses his mother to her quarters, saying that he has need of Merlin’s powers and wishes to talk
with him alone. Merlin bids his mother goodbye by telling her that there was nothing she had said that he did
not already know. She totally understands the double meaning of his words and realizes he knows about
Ambrosius. She leaves with more color on her face and a slight smile on her lips, because Merlin has made her
aware that he holds nothing against her.
Notes
Merlin says he sees death in the eyes of the priests and the magicians which is yet another bit of foreshadowing
of the real reason why Vortigern needs him. The fact that Merlin has yet no clue of Vortigern’s desire for his
blood to firm up the foundations of the stronghold is another irony to the story: in spite of his Sight, Merlin
doesn’t see or know everything that might help him or protect him.
New names in this chapter: Maugan, Vortigern’s magician
CHAPTER 9
Summary
Vortigern reveals to Merlin that he had him brought to him because of his birth and that is how he will serve
him. He goes on to tell him that his priests and magicians have explained that the foundation walls must be built
on blood – literally on the blood of a man who never had a father. So, since Merlin’s father, according to
Niniane, was a demon, he could never have had a father. Vortigern justifies it as not a human sacrifice, because
Merlin’s father was a demon. Merlin realizes that he must fight them with his human wits, not his power which
he has yet to learn how to control. He learns from them first that they indeed were responsible for Galapas’
death who they thought was a spy and he tells them to take him up to the crag where he has magic which will
outwit the fools who could not tell the king how to strengthen his foundation until the walls had fallen four
times. One of the older warriors convinces Vortigern to let Merlin try even though the magicians want him
killed right away. Merlin finishes by saying that he will not only explain why the walls have fallen, but will also
explain how to make them stand. At the end of his words, the downpour outside stops as suddenly as spigot
having been turned off.
Notes
It is ironic that Niniane’s attempt to protect Merlin by lying about who his father really is, because they don’t
want Merlin to have a father as fulfillment of their prophecy. It is also interesting that Vortigern fears the priests
just enough to justify his intent to kill Merlin by saying it’s not human sacrifice since Merlin was a demon’s
son. In this way, he can claim he was following the will of God as well as the magicians. The final irony of this
chapter concerns the sudden stop of the rain just as Merlin finishes speaking. We cannot know if this were just
blind luck, or really Merlin’s god, but it puts even more fear in the priests, the magicians, and Vortigern as well.
CHAPTER 10
Summary
Merlin is taken to the top of the crag where he sees that the wall has cracked for the fifth time. The workmen
there are afraid, not of the king, but of the force which they believe in, but don’t understand. Maugan keeps
arguing for the immediate sacrifice, but Merlin is freed to fulfill what he claims he can. He raises his arms to the
sky in a kind of show for the crowd so that they will not be immediately inclined to listen to Maugan. At that
exact moment, the sun goes in and stayed in and the dusk begins to thicken. Then, Merlin finds the rock behind
which he had hidden that day so long ago when he had followed Vortigern and his grandfather. It is cleft by a
young oak tree, just as he remembers, and Merlin crashes through the brush beyond it, telling the king he will
show him “the magic beast that lies beneath his stronghold and eats at his foundations.” Then, he finds the
opening to the mine of his vision and enters.
The cave of the mine is even bigger than Merlin remembers. Merlin knows that he can show the king the faults
inside the mine that are compromised by the weight of the walls above, but that will not save him. The king
needs a magic answer to satisfy the priests and the magicians and the workmen and the people beyond. So, he
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looks into the bottom of a pool where a rock, vaguely shaped like a dragon, lies. With all the torches
reflecting off the shining rock of the cave, Merlin thinks it will make the dragon shape come to life. However,
much more happens. His power comes to him and he begins to fall into a vision. He feels like his blood is
seeping into the pool and his hands tear in pain at the rock. He sees the whirl of banners and wings and wolves’
eyes and the tail of a comet like a brand. He throws his hands into the air between himself and the flashing
visions and he hears his own voice calling out until he falls into darkness and silence.
Notes
The strong sense of secrecy and magic permeate this chapter. First, the wall has fallen again and the workmen
are more afraid of the unknown power that controls it than the king who might punish them for it. Second,
Merlin seems to command the sun when he lifts his arms in a false kind of magical movement. Third,
miraculously, he finds a rock shaped like a dragon to fulfill his false prophecy, hoping that the torches will give
it a magical appearance. Finally, the god comes to him again and Merlin sees a vision that can only be a
metaphor for the arrival of Ambrosius and his army and the victory Merlin has known all along must happen.
CHAPTER 11
Summary
When Merlin awakes, he is in one of Vortigern’s best bedchambers with Cadal beside him. Cadal had followed
him all the way to Dinas Brenin and when he arrived, everyone was proclaiming Merlin’s name, calling him the
“King’s Prophet.” Cadal learns from Berric, a soldier who first gave Merlin a torch, that Merlin had prophesied
the battle between the red dragon of Ambrosius and the white dragon of the Saxons with the red dragon winning
in the end and a bear coming out of Cornwall to sweep the battlefield clear. The name Cadal said Berric used in
repeating the story was “artos” or “Arthur” to mean bear. Now, Vortigern is following Merlin’s advice which is
to drain the pool by a conduit and find the beasts which are bringing the King’s fort down – the red and white
dragons. Of course, Merlin remembers none of this.
Merlin is unworried about the King draining the pool, even though as an engineer, he knows that won’t keep the
walls from cracking. He feels that there is something there, because the advice given occurred in one of his
visions and the god had led him on the right path so far. He dresses in a dark robe, puts on a dark cloak and his
dragon brooch and heads out to the sight where Vortigern has ordered the pool drained. He knows now he can
convince Vortigern to leave this tight corner of Wales and hole up someplace where Ambrosius can smoke him
out. The ship with Marric has already sailed back to Less Britain with the news that Merlin is in Vortigern’s
hands. He needs to be able to eventually get back to Ambrosius himself with the news of Vortigern’s
whereabouts. He tells Cadal to take some stolen horses down by the stream where a tree has fallen across the
water and wait for him there. Cadal doesn’t want to “leave him alone in the middle of the wolf pack,” but
Merlin reminds him to trust what is inside of him, Merlin. He knows they may kill him someday, but that day is
not today.
Notes
Once again, the power which has followed Merlin from the beginning is there to protect him when he most
needs it. The prophecy is a true one, showing the victory of the Red Dragon, but it also proclaims the coming of
King Arthur, whom the onlookers believe is artos, the bear, sweeping clean the battlefield. Yes, he will come
out of Cornwall as Merlin says in his trance, because he will be the son of Uther, the brother of Ambrosius, and
Ygraine, the Duchess of Cornwall. The onlookers, including Vortigern, don’t know about Arthur, we, the
readers will be familiar with the legend. Also, Merlin once again knows that he has nothing to fear from the
wolf pack of Vortigern, because his power has told him this is not the day of his death.
New names in this chapter: Berric, a soldier who offered Merlin a torch into the cave, and then tells Cadal
everything that happened in Merlin’s vision
CHAPTER 12
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Summary
When Merlin arrives at Vortigern’s side, the King looks him up and down, still reserving his judgment. He is
waiting for proof of Merlin’s prophecy. The older officer, who had originally convinced Vortigern to allow
Merlin to outdo the magic of the priests, sees the dragon brooch on Merlin’s shoulder, but says nothing to the
King. They wait for two hours and when Vortigern’s men exit the cave, they have only a clutter of objects such
as an old belt buckle and a knife with its blade eaten away. The last officer brings out the last bucket on the
ground creating a pool of water at the base of the royal standard. Suddenly, a gust of wind tears down the
banner with the white dragon which slaps down in the pool at the King’s feet. The last ray of sunlight reflects
on the pool, giving it the appearance of blood. A shout rings out, “Great Thor, the Dragon is down!” Merlin
cries out that the god has spoken and points to the sky where the comet of his vision appears and burns hot
across the sky. Merlin proclaims it the Red Dragon of the West and warns Vortigern to strike his tents and leave
Wales. His walls cannot help him stand against the Red Dragon there. He must go back to his own borders and
guard them well there. The crowd becomes an organized panic as they seek escape from the prophecy.
Then, Merlin melts into the crowd and steps behind the pavilion they have built there where he will be unseen.
He finds Cadal who refuses to believe that the appearance of the shooting star was just luck. He says, “It came
when it came.” As they start to ride away, they are stopped by the officer Merlin called Greybeard, the man who
had convinced Vortigern to give Merlin a chance. He declares himself a man of Ambrosius, a spy who had
come north on behalf of Merlin’s father. He says his name is Gorlois of Cornwall and that he had known Merlin
was Ambrosius’ son just by the look of him, but had final proof when he saw the dragon brooch. They ride all
night together with no pursuit and three days later, in the early morning, Amborisus comes ashore.
Notes
It is ironic that one of the King’s officers turns out to be Gorlois since it is his wife, Ygraine, who will become
the mother of Arthur. The god speaks yet again through the banner which falls in the pool and is given the
appearance of being in blood by the setting sun. Cadal is right when he says that things come when they come
for Merlin. The shooting star allows Merlin to convince Vortigern that he’ll find no protection on this crag and
that he must return to his own borders. This makes him ripe for defeat.
BOOK IV – The Red Dragon
(The title refers to Ambrosius and his army who will defeat Vortigern and claim Britain for himself as should
have been his birthright from the beginning.)
CHAPTER 1
Summary
It takes Ambrosius more than two years to become king and pacify Britain. The first part goes quickly, because
Ambrosius has modeled his army after the Saxon forces who were marvelously mobile and which could strike
quickly and live off the country. It was called “Caesar-speed.” He had barely landed when the whole of the
West Country rose up to declare him King of Cornwall and Devon. The first to meet him at Glastonbury is
Eldol of Gloucester who had fought with Constantine against Vortigern, with Vortigern against Hengist, and
with Vortimer against both. Along with him come many lesser leaders, including Eldad, his brother, a fiercely
devout Christian bishop. His declaration of fealty to Ambrosius brings all of Christian Britain to Ambrosius’
side. Last comes Gorlois of Tintagel in Cornwall which adds, for the first time, all of Cornwall to Britain.
Ambrosius’ greatest task becomes unifying all these tribes of Britain which had formed after the Romans left.
He sows his own officers among each of the tribes – for co-ordination, he says, no more – and through them
quietly adapts the fighting tactics of each force to his central plan, with his main force always taking the brunt
of the attack. Even though these new tribes are anxious to go after the Saxons, Ambrosius refuses, because he
sees his ability to defeat Vortigern as a way, not only to rid himself of his old enemy, but also to strike fear into
the superstitious Saxons. So they march northward and meet Vortigern at Doward.
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Doward is the kind of place which must be taken from within, this time not with treachery, but with fire.
Ambrosius sieges the place for about three days and then sends in a messenger with conditions for Vortigern for
surrender. Vortigern sends the man back with his hands cut off and bound in a bloody cloth to his belt. The
message is clear: Ambrosius can stay there until his army melts away and he is left handless. It is the Queen,
Rowena, who had ordered the man’s hands severed. Ambrosius angrily replies to this by gathering great piles of
brushwood around the wooden fortress and watching while everything burns away. At the end, his white horse
turns red from the reflection of the flames and the white dragon banner itself turns blood red, then black and
then falls.
Notes
Ambrosius uses his marvelous unifying personality to bring all the Britons under his control. Militarily, he is
just like Merlin – almost magical in his power to lead. Also, like Merlin, who uses fire to see into the future,
Ambrosius uses fire to conquer.
New names in this chapter: Eldol, Duke of Gloucester and his brother Eldad, Christian Bishop, who promise
to support Ambrosius
CHAPTER 2
Summary
This chapter begins a flashback to Merlin riding hard with Cadal and Gorlois to meet his father. Gorlois predicts
correctly that Vortigern will head, not for his fortress of Caer-Guent, but for Doward. They know that Merlin’s
mother and the force of Vortigern’s men with her are but a day ahead of them. They plan to not catch up to this
force, but to meet them on the way back and wipe them out. They stop in a village called Bremia where Merlin
learns that his mother had been taken ill, but has ridden on, and that Ambrosius has landed. Everywhere they
stop, they meet up with men who are riding south to join Ambrosius’ army. They convince many of these men
to wait one day where they are and they will have weapons and horses after fighting Vortigern’s forces
returning from Maridunum. They agree to do so and the combined forces behind Gorlois meet Vortigern’s
forces, robbing them of twenty men for every three of their own.
When they finally arrive in Maridunum, the first person Merlin meets is his cousin, Dinias. Dinias is afraid that
Merlin believes he had intended to betray him to Vortigern because he took the money. But Merlin assures him
he knows it was not deliberate on Dinias’ part. He learns from Dinias that his mother is somewhat better and
that all of Vortigern’s men have cleared out of Maridunum to join him in the north. He also discovers that what
the villagers have said is true – his father has landed and is marching north – and that Dinias has, like so many
other people, heard what happened at the cave. Dinias says he wants to join Ambrosius, but that Vortimer has
gone to make his peace with Hengist and the Saxons, because he wants Britain for himself. Finally, Dinias tells
Merlin that Vortigern had killed all the children born to Camlach and his grandfather, whom he taken hostage.
He asks Dinias for a favor: to stay in his grandfather’s old house that night, which Dinias readily agrees to.
That night, Merlin tells Dinias his whole story except that he is Ambrosius’ son. Until all is victory, he trusts no
one. Dinias agrees at Merlin’s request to ride westward in the morning and summon what support he can for
Ambrosius from the fringes of Wales. Merlin knows this former bully is in awe of his powers. Merlin tells us
that Dinias followed through and brought a few hundred men to Ambrosius, but that he died of wounds he
received in a later skirmish. Merlin never sees him again.
Merlin tells Cadal as they prepare for sleep that he eventually wants to return to the crystal cave. Cadal tells him
that he inquired at the nunnery and his mother is better, but she won’t rest quiet until she sees Merlin. Merlin
plans to tell her everything and then, they’ll ride out to meet Ambrosius. He sleeps poorly, worrying that he
should not have sent Vortigern flying for Doward since it might be harder to siege. Then, he settles down,
knowing that his words to Vortigern came from the god and he should not lie awake looking for reasons.
Notes
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It is ironic that Dinias is now in awe of the very boy whom he had bullied so much. It is, however, touching
that he follows through with his promise to Merlin, even though it leads to his death. Merlin once again allows
his human side to question the commands of the god. He must keep reminding himself that it is his
responsibility to obey and not question.
New names in this chapter: Caer-Guent and Doward, two fortresses used by Vortigern; Bremia, the village
where Merlin learns his mother has taken ill; Hengist, the leader of the Saxons.
CHAPTER 3
Summary
Merlin and Cadal return to St. Peter’s to visit his mother. He is taken by the young nun who opens the gates to
them, but wastes no time in seeing his mother. She insists she is on the mend and in spite of her paleness and
fatigue, Merlin leaves her health to the care of the sisters.
He pulls up a chair beside her bed and begins to tell her everything she wanted to know. He says she watches
him with the emotion “a cage-bird might feel if you set it to hatch a merlin’s egg.” In other words, she half fears
what he might tell her even though she wants desperately to know. However, she is content when she learns
Ambrosius has acknowledged Merlin as his son.
Merlin crosses to the window of her room for a moment and sees the young nun again in the courtyard as if
waiting for him. She looks up and their eyes meet and Merlin is for the first time is struck by a physical
attraction to a woman.
When Niniane speaks again, she has questions about Ambrosius’ ability to defeat both Vortigern and Hengist.
Merlin replies by saying, “I have said so, so it must be true.” Niniane crosses herself and cautions Merlin
against arrogance. He comforts her with the words that he meant not that he was so powerful but that the god
had presented his power through Merlin. It must be so, because it is in the stars. He also tells her not to be afraid
for him because he is the god’s instrument and he will be safe as long as he is needed. She reminds him that
there is only one God and he agrees.
Merlin returns to see his mother again the next morning and is led to her room by the same young girl who had
opened the gates the day before. The arrow of love still “thrums where it struck him.” He discovers from his
mother that she is the daughter of Keridwen who had worked at the palace when he was young. He doesn’t
remember her and Niniane is amused, because Keridwen was his grandfather’s whore. The third day he visits
the girl is not there and he wonders if she has been deliberately kept from his sight. But on the fourth day, once
again, she answers the door and he learns her name is Keri. As he lays awake that night thinking of her, Merlin
waits for the god to speak to him and tell him if she was meant for him. His last thought before sleep is that the
gods do not visit you to remind you what you already know.
By the last day of April, Niniane is able to sit up in a chair by the window and enjoy the sun. Merlin tells her
that Vortigern and his queen are dead and that Hengist is moving south with a vast force that includes the army
of Vortimer and his brother, Pascentius. Ambrosius and his army are on their way to meet them. He goes on to
tell her about the fires set by Ambrosius at Doward and then, gets up to leave, asking her if she has a message to
be given to Ambrosius. She relies, “When I see him again, it will be time enough.” When he turns to leave, she
is staring past the flowers on the wall to something distant in time and space.
As Merlin leaves St. Peter’s, he sees Keri in the shadows. She runs to him, complaining that she has a terrible
toothache and begging him to touch it and heal it. He says he cannot help her, but she grabs his hand and places
it against her cheek. She kisses his hand and quickly returns to the convent.
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Notes
These scenes between Merlin and his mother create a sense of sadness that he, perhaps, has not consciously
admitted to himself: his mother is no doubt more ill than she lets on.
The attraction which springs up between Merlin and Keri is doomed, because even he knows that love is not for
him. The god has a greater destiny in mind for Merlin.
New names in this chapter: Keridwen, a whore who lived in Merlin’s grandfather’s house, she is Keri’s
mother
CHAPTER 4
Summary
Ambrosius’ intention of frightening the Saxons with the burning at Doward does the trick and they withdraw to
fortify themselves north of the Humber. For awhile, the Saxon arrogance keeps them there as Hengist believes
Ambrosius has little more than his invasion force and the Saxons have no respect for the fighting abilities of the
Britons. But then he changes his mind and decides to meet the Red Dragon forces at a place of his own
choosing where he might surprise Ambrosius and defeat him.
The end comes the second week of May when Ambrosius finds Hengist and the Saxons with their preparations
half complete at Kaerconan. Ambrosius has the advantage of the land and speed in his arrival: the Saxons are
trapped between his forces and the narrow pass where they had begun to set up their ambush. The Saxons are
also afraid of the prophecy they had heard Merlin had given and so fight out of desperation. It is over before
sunset. Merlin himself rides to stand with his father just before the troops go into battle so they will know that
“Vortigern’s prophet” is there beside them. Then, he watches the entire battle from atop of a small, rocky crag,
seeing it unfold like a map below him. The Britons fight with a disciplined attack, but the Saxons show little or
no organization. Through it all, Merlin hears the song of a robin, high and sweet, and ever after, whenever he
thinks of the Battle of Kaerconan, he thinks of the robin’s song mingling with the croaks of the ravens, which
circled overhead to pick at the bodies of the dead.
Hengist is eventually captured by Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester, and the rest of the Saxons break and flee, only
to be cut down in the narrow defile where they had hoped to ambush the Britons. Merlin allows his father to
enter the stronghold there without him, knowing he will be needed by the wounded. He knows there is no need
to hurry with his mother’s message, because she has already sickened again and has died.
Notes
This chapter presents the Battle of Kaerconan as part of the destiny foretold by Merlin. The Saxons are
presented as having no chance, because the god has decided that the Britons are the victors. That which should
always have been-Ambrosius as the true king of Britain - has come to past at last. Merlin’s role is finally one of
power: he stands by the troops who are glad he supports them, but at the same time fear him, and he watches the
action from above like the god himself. In the end, however, his power forces him to recognize what he had
been denying every day that he saw his mother. She was dying even then, and now he knows she is already
dead.
CHAPTER 5
Summary
The sights Merlin sees and the sounds he hears as he approaches the battlefield are horrific: the screams of the
wounded, the cries of the dying, the ravens circling overhead, looters stealing from the dead, the Britons killing
the wounded Saxons, and stretcher-bearers running the British wounded into the castle among mingled shouts
of victory. He comes across a looter who has been speared by a Briton sword for his efforts. He is still alive and
looks at Merlin for help, but Merlin knows the man is doomed and hastens him onward by cutting his throat.
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Merlin speaks with a soldier about the outcome and learns that Hengist has been captured but that his brother
Octa and a cousin Eosa got away. He knows then that the battle against the Saxon invasion is not yet over.
Merlin heads for the castle where he knows that the decision about what to do with Hengist is being made. He
sees them bring the Saxon leader outside and Ambrosius followed by a Christian bishop who is whispering
intently in his ear. Ambrosius makes the order and Hengist is beheaded while the bishop demands that the body
be thrown to the wolves and the kites. Ambrosius, however, insists that Hengist will go to his gods with his
army around him in the manner of his people. Merlin follows his father back into the castle.
Merlin goes to work inside the castle with Gandar, the army’s doctor, and works non-stop until midnight. Then,
Ambrosius enters and walks among the wounded, offering words of encouragement. When he stops to speak
with Merlin, his son tells him that Niniane has died and he passes on her message, a message given because she
knew she was dying.
The Britons do as Ambrosius asks and the Saxon dead, including Hengist, are burned on a large funeral pyre.
Hengist is laid out with all his armor and weapons as well. Ambrosius asks Merlin if sees anything in the fire
about Octa and Eosa, but Merlin insists again that the god only comes when he wants to and Merlin can not
command him. He can only assume that the prophecy still holds true if the two Saxons still fight under the
banner of the White Dragon. Ambrosius tells him then to come with to York, prophecies or no prophecies,
because he’ll need an engineer since Tremorinus is in Caerleon.
Merlin also speaks to Uther who, as usual, has found himself a woman for the night. Merlin Notes that Uther is
feeling his own power after years of frustration in Less Britain.
Notes
Merlin’s killing of the looter is a disturbing picture as we have not seen him in this kind of scene before. At the
same time that is a disturbing scene, it is also one of compassion as Merlin knows the man will only suffer until
his certain death. Ambrosius, too, shows a kind of compassion to Hengist, who, because he is the enemy leader,
must die, but who is given a dignified funeral along with his dead men. Finally, Uther is still very much a part
of Merlin’s observations and the emphasis the author places on his constant womanizing foreshadows the final
use Merlin will have for him: fathering Arthur.
New names in this chapter: Octa and Eosa, the brothers of Hengist who escape the Battle of Kaerconan;
Gandar, the doctor who travels with Ambrosius’ army; Caerleon, a city in South Wales
CHAPTER 6
Summary
The army arrives in York three days before the end of May. This is where they find Octa and Eosa. The Saxons
decide to beg for mercy. Ambrosius demands that the Saxon army withdraw to the north behind the Wall of
Hadrian which he would count as the border of his kingdom. Then, he begins his occupation of York. He sends
in his own troops to create order, clean the city, and repair any fortifications. Once these steps are complete,
Ambrosius demands the oath of loyalty from the city officials and declares a feast of thanksgiving. This would
become the manner in which he handled every city he occupied.
Although the public celebration would be Christian, Ambrosius and Uther arrange to have a secret meeting in
an old underground temple of Mithras where Merlin believed his father would hold the position of Courier of
the Sun. Merlin does not give us any details of the worship service as he cannot, even after all these years. break
his vow of silence. Merlin is welcomed in as an initiate, but it is Uther who holds the position of Courier and his
father is not recognizable anywhere. He learns later at the official Christian celebration that his father has
decided to worship in the Christian manner, because he believes that Mithras in this land bears the face of
Christ. They never speak of it again.
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The army moves on to London and Ambrosius begins the great task of reconstruction and consolidation of a
people who had been beaten down by the Saxons. Merlin stays with his father for two years as one of his
engineers, but then, he decides he must leave to find the god again. He has not had time to listen for the god in
the busyness of his days. When he goes to Ambrosius to tell him his plans, he is struck at the change in his
father: now that his reached the summit he sought and is burdened with the everyday cares of ruling, he has
begun to grow old. He gives Merlin leave to go.
Notes
Ambrosius’ great compassion is once again evident as he shows mercy to the remaining Saxons and sends them
north beyond the border of Britain. Then, he begins the burden of ruling the people and bringing them stability,
a compassionate decision that ironically will make him begin to grow old and lose the spark that had once
moved a great army. Merlin’s initiation into the Order of Mithras once more brings him eye to eye with Uther,
foreshadowing the next duty he will perform for the god. Ambrosius, however, chooses Christianity, mostly
because it is the dominant religion of the Britons, but also, perhaps, because it was the religion of his great love,
Niniane. Her last message to him had been about meeting him again in another world. Perhaps, Ambrosius
strives now to be part of the God who will welcome him there where she resides.
CHAPTER 7
Summary
On the journey to Caerleon, Merlin stops in Amesbury, the birthplace of his father. Nearby are the stones
known as the Giant’s Dance or The Dance of the Hanging Stones. When he visits them, Merlin is awed by their
size and still has no idea why he has been brought her, but he knows that he has. He walks among them, noting
that some have fallen and others are tilted over. He hears starlings nesting overhead and is reminded that this
bird was sacred to the druids. He knows the stories about the druid worship at these stones, the mystery that
surrounds them, but yet as he looks at how the stones are carved into tenons and sockets, he knows it was men
who built them eons ago. Then, Merlin looks to the west and the setting sun and sees the shape of a two-headed
axe on the stone ahead. His need to turn and look causes him to fall into a shallow pit which may have been
made by falling stone years ago even though no such stone lays there. It even could be, he thinks, a grave. As he
lays there on that spot, he feels a cold strike up below and he knows this is why he has been brought here.
They arrive in Caerleon to find that Tremorinus has been working hard to rebuild the city. He tells Merlin that a
rumor of fresh trouble, this time from Pascentius, brother of Vortimer, is going around. Merlin is sure he will
eventually show his face. He then tells Tremorinus that he is going to Maridunum which is his home, and he
leaves the next day.
Merlin tells himself, when he stops at the door of St. Peter’s, he is going there to see where his mother is buried,
but he knows it is a lie. He goes there to see Keri, the young nun. He speaks with the Abbess first and leaves
with his mother’s cross. He asks the old portress where Keri is, but she only knows that the young woman is
gone. So, Merlin rides on to the cave where his finds Cadal who had been told to stay there before the Battle of
Kaerconan. Cadal has fixed the cave as it was in the time of Galapas, even placing the carved figure of the god
in the niche above the entrance. Inside, he has furnished it in absolute comfort and that night, Merlin sleeps as
he has not slept since he was a child.
Notes
The Giant’s Dance is definitely a reference to Stonehenge and it is here where Merlin once again knows his
purpose, even though we as yet are not aware. The attraction to the young nun, also, still occupies his mind, but
he doesn’t act on it overtly. His return to the cave becomes more important, because it is here that he feels he is
finally home.
New names in this chapter: the Giant’s Dance, another name for Stonehenge
CHAPTER 8
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Summary
As April lengthens into May, Merlin stays in his cave sanctuary and only hears news when Cadal brings it back
or some messenger arrives there. He learns that Pascentius is indeed massing troops in Germany and war will
surely come by the end of the summer.
One day as he is gathering herbs, he sees Keri coming up the path. She tells him she left her vocation, because
she felt too closed up inside. He tells her that he is the son of the High King. She seems awed by him being both
a magician and a prince. They act on their attraction, falling to the ground in an embrace. But Merlin’s reaction
is strange: he feels as if she is strangling him and he rolls away from her, sweating with fear and shame. He
knows this is the god telling him that he must not be with her. When he tries to explain, she merely laughs at
him and tells him she never believed in his magic.
Notes
The irony presented in this chapter concerns the metaphor of chains that Keri mentions she wanted to escape.
Merlin says his chains are not the same as hers. This then is reinforced by the terrible reaction he has to Keri’s
caresses. He is in chains and they are forged by the god who holds him to an unspoken vow which doesn’t
include a woman.
CHAPTER 9
Summary
Merlin is called to see Ambrosius in Caerleon in June. He knows before he even sees his father that he will be
going abroad to Ireland to help destroy the allies Pascentius has made there. Uther tells him he speaks the truth
and that they’ll be going to Killare, a fortress atop a hill which must be destroyed by siege engines. Just before
he steps into his father’s quarters, he sees Keri walk up to Uther’s door. She has always been just an
opportunistic whore like her mother before her.
Ambrosius reveals to Merlin that Pascentius is still in Germany with about 20,000 men, but the greater problem
lies with King Gilloman in Ireland who has contracted his sister to Pascentius. Such an alliance could prove
dangerous for Britain. So the plan is to take Irleand first. His plan for Merlin, however, is very different. He
needs his help for the siege engines but even more he needs his help in taking the heart out of Ireland: Killare is
a holy place to the people of Ireland and holds a Dance of stones such as Merlin has seen both in Less Britain
and in Amesbury. Ambrosius wants Merlin to throw down this holy place if he can.
The two men also discuss a monument to honor Ambrosius’ victory. The king sees his birthplace, Amesbury, as
the best spot and this comment makes Merlin grow pale as he had just been there at the Giant’s Dance.
Ambrosius says he wants Merlin to raise the stones there as the monument, because he knows that it where he
will be buried. While he speaks, Merlin begins to hear another voice in his head which tells him that while the
king lies there under the stones of the Giant’s Dance, his kingdom will never fall. This shall be the heart of
Britain with all kings one King and all gods one God. But the king of whom the voice speaks is not only
Ambrosius, but also Arthur. Merlin comes awake and realizes that it has been his voice he heard and he has
given Ambrosius a kingdom and immortality. What’s more, he knows now that has prophesied his father’s
death.
Merlin tells Ambrosius goodbye and offers his cave to him while the king is in Maridunum. He also tells him to
take the cross that had been his mother’s while he is there. His final thought to his father is that they will
definitely meet again someday.
Notes
Merlin is once again in the chains of his Sight and Power. First, his father needs him to use whatever power he
has to destroy the holy place of Ireland and take the heart out of its people. Then, he wants him to raise the
Giant’s Dance as his monument. But through it all, it is the god who controls. These requests by Ambrosius
make Merlin prophesy the future of all Britain and his father’s death as well.
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New names in this chapter: Killare, a fortress in Ireland where the heart of Ireland lies; Gilloman, the
young King of Ireland
40
CHAPTER 10
Summary
Merlin arrives in Ireland with Uther and his troops and they face young King Gilloman who comes to meet
them on a flat plain. Gilloman escapes both the first battle and the second, but the British troops capture Killare.
Merlin then goes to the Dance described by Ambrosius and walks around it until he trips over a black stone in
its center. He knows this is the stone he has come to find and passes out.
The next morning he is awakened not only by the sun, but also by the arrival of Uther, some of his troops, and
an Irishman. Uther Notes that Merlin’s power is as strong as theirs, because no other man would have had the
courage to spend the night there alone. They have brought the Irishman to tell them which one is the KingStone. The man says it is the carved alter. Merlin, of course, knows that the black stone is the one they want.
The Irishman laughs and relates that it was written in the stars that Merlin would one day come and take the
stone which had been brought from Britain to Ireland by the great king of Ireland, Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Now it
is only justice that Merlin will take it from the Dance of Killare and set it up in the Giant’s Dance on the spot
where he had fallen into the indentation of a stone. Uther orders Tremorinus to lift the great stone and prepare to
take it back to Britain.
Uther puts Merlin to work on the fortification and between the two engineers and the troops everything is
knocked down or destroyed. Unfortunately, he is called back by Tremorinus who has been unable to raise the
black stone. Merlin uses all the plans he has been working on ever since he saw the standing stones in Less
Britain and moves the great black rock to Britain whenever possible on water but also on dry land. He stays
with it all the way, never sleeping, until he is sure it is safely there. On the way, they hear that Pascentius
attacked with his German and Saxon troops, but was soundly defeated by Ambrosius. Unfortunately, Ambrosius
falls ill soon after and lies very sick at Winchester. The King-Star is once again in the sky like an omen, but
Merlin already knows since he was on the hill of Killare that he is bringing the King-Stone home to lay it on the
grave of his father.
Merlin brings home the stone as he knew he would and raises all the stones of the Giant’s Dance. Then, he
places the stone from Killare on his father’s grave. At the next Easter, Uther is crowned King of Britain.
Notes
This chapter is a fulfillment of many bits of foreshadowing from early in the novel. First, Merlin is able to raise
the King-Stone, because, during the years he spent in Less Britain, he had continuously worked out, in his head
and in models, techniques he believed would raise these great stones. The god had put him to work on the
problem long before he even knew how he would use it. Second, he once again finds himself in the middle of a
Dance of Stones, in Ireland, tripping over a stone in its center. This stone now fills in his mind the indentation
he had fallen into at the Giant’s Dance in Amesbury. One piece fits into the other and will be the gravestone of
his father who has united all of Britain. Third, his premonition when he told his father goodbye comes true and
Ambrosius sickens and dies. Finally, Uther becomes king and now foreshadows the Coming of the Bear –
Arthur – to be fulfilled in the last section of the novel.
New names in this chapter: Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great King of Ireland who had taken the black stone
from the Giant’s Dance in Britain to Killare in Ireland
BOOK V – The Coming of the Bear
(the title refers to the a previous prophecy made by Merlin in which he referred to Arthur, a name that was
misunderstood by those who heard it as artos or the bear)
CHAPTER 1
Summary
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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A great dragon star blazed across the sky at the time of Ambrosius’ death and from it, Uther takes the name
of Pendragon. But it becomes a baleful herald for his new reign. The old enemies begin to rise up again,
including Octa and Eosa who break their promise to stay on the other side of Hadrian’s Wall. This is followed
by remnants of Pascentius’ Saxons and Gilloman’s Irish. Eventually, Octa destroys cities and fortresses clear
down to York. Uther’s forces come up to meet him, but they are outnumbered two to one and it is a bloody,
disastrous campaign. The British cut and run and then hole up on the top of a small hill called Damen. The
Saxons camp at the bottom waiting to rout them out at daybreak.
Uther settles down with his weary officers and at the suggestion of Gorlois of Cornwall, they decide to once
again try the element of surprise and attack down the hill in the dark. Helped by a little mist that begins to creep
up the hill, the British come down in a silent rush when there is just enough light to see their way. They sweep
across the half-sleeping Saxons and cut them to pieces. By noon, the battle is over and Octa and Eosa are taken
prisoner. It is all Uther needs: men begin to forget the slow start of his reign and hale him as a new sun rising.
Merlin, in the meantime, is finishing his work of raising the stones at the Giant’s Dance. He designs a wooden
crib like the one mentioned in the song of the blind singer. It is primitive, but it works. It takes two hundred
men to move each stone and they do so while singing the old songs as a rhythm, giving rise to the legend that
Merlin moved the stones with magic and music. He is the last one to leave the sight when the job is done. He
looks down at his father’s grave, where the great king has been buried with his sword, and promises him to
return at the winter solstice.
Notes
It is interesting to note two aspects of this first battle testing Uther’s ability to rule: one is the mist which rises
up the hill to hide their numbers, a mist which in its mystery seems to be yet another deed prepared by the god;
two is the fact that Uther is hailed as the rising sun after he defeats the Saxons, just at the moment when the sun
itself really rises. It all seems part and parcel of the destiny mapped out by the god for Britain. It is also ironic
that the man who comes up with the plan which saves Uther and his reputation is Gorlois of Cornwall, the very
man Uther will later betray by stealing his wife. Merlin is far away from this battle, but creates his own magic
by raising the standing stones at the Giant’s Dance. This time the magic is man-made but those around him are
so awed by it that they still only see the Prophet at work again. His final promise to his father before he leaves
the site foreshadows what he will later learn about the Giant’s Dance.
New names in this chapter: Pendragon, the name Uther takes as King when the King-Star crosses the sky;
Damen, the hill where Uther’s troops hole up waiting to siege Octa’s troops
CHAPTER 2
Summary
Uther rides from London to Winchester for Christmas. Merlin and Cadal return to the Giant’s Dance and camp
out waiting for Uther, who Merlin knows will come. Merlin has requested that Uther come here to see what he
has done, which can only be seen properly at dawn. While they wait, Merlin confirms to Uther that it is true that
Ambrosius had spoken to him, Merlin, as he was dying and that Merlin was there in some way. Uther is angry
that Merlin did not tell him at that time that his brother was dying, but Merlin says he did as Ambrosius had bid
him. Uther warns Merlin that he cannot serve him as he served his brother, because he wants nothing to do with
Merlin’s prophecies. Merlin says he understands, but that their paths will still cross and they will deal together
whether they want to or not. He tells Uther is can find him whenever he needs him at his cave in Maridunum
and that the only thing he holds against him is a girl – Keri – he had in Caerleon. In the end, though, even that
doesn’t matter to Merlin.
Soon, Merlin interrupts Uther’s tales of battle and has the king stand with him at the foot of the king-stone,
facing east. When the sun of the winter solstice rises, it hits exactly on the king-stone, fulfilling what Merlin had
told Tremorinus, “I will deck his grave with nothing less than the light itself.” Uther is impressed with the love
that made Merlin create the monument for his father at the Giant’s Dance and asks him to spend Christmas with
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
him at Winchester. But Merlin refuses, saying that he will see him in the spring at his coronation. Uther then
gives him ownership of the hill and the cave which men are now calling Merlin’s Hill.
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Notes
It is ironic that Uther is so adamant that he cannot use Merlin as Ambrosius has, because before too long he will
seek out Merlin for his greatest power: to help create the love of a woman. Merlin is only at the Giant’s Dance
to show Uther what he created, not with the god’s power, but with his own intelligence, as a monument to his
father. He knows that their relationship is far from ended.
CHAPTER 3
Summary
At Easter, Merlin is still not of a mind to go to the coronation, but when he is commanded by the king, he
prepares to go. The messenger who brings the command has ridden four days without stopping and has hurt his
wrist in a fall from one of his horses. Merlin makes him come into the cave to bind his wound and allow time to
rest and eat. While the messenger goes to tie up his horse, Merlin stands outside the cave and ponders Uther’s
command. Soon his vision blurs and he seems to be looking into the crystal globe where he sees the whole of
Britain in his hands. He knows this is what he has been born for.
Cadal cautions Merlin that the king’s command may spell trouble, but Merlin seems unafraid as always since it
is not yet time for his end. The messenger turns out to be Ulfin, the servant of Belasius, the high druid priest of
many years before. Ulfin reveals that Belasius is dead from a fever and he, Ulfin, had been saved from the druid
custom of burying their servants with the dead, by being taken into Uther’s service.
The first night, they stay at an inn near a crossroads which leads off to the north. When Cadal comes up to their
room, he tells Merlin of the rumors from London: Uther has his eye on the Duchess of Cornwall. Uther has been
showing entirely too much attention to Ygraine, even in the presence of her husband, a terrible insult given all
the help Gorlois provided Ambrosius and Uther. Merlin is concerned as well about the Duchess who is half
Gorlois’ age and is often alone in his cold Cornish castle with nothing to do but dream. It reminds him of his
own mother who had also had nothing to do but dream and that is how she got in trouble with his father. Cadal
supposes that Uther may need Merlin to break the spell of this woman, but Merlin says he doesn’t break spells,
he makes them.
Notes
The command from Uther spells trouble since the king had sworn he wanted nothing to do with Merlin’s
prophecies. But Merlin knows that this is what he has been born for: to be an advisor to kings and he sees all of
Britain in his hands. His final comment to Cadal speaks volumes about his sense of his mission: he goes to
London to make a spell to help Uther.
New names in this chapter: Ygraine, the young wife of Gorlois, to whom Uther is greatly attracted
CHAPTER 4
Summary
Once they arrive in London, Merlin recognizes that Cadal was right: here is real trouble. When he is brought
before Uther, the king is in his dressing gown and angry that it took Merlin so long to get there. In actuality, the
four day ride was record speed. The king is obviously agitated about something.
Uther tells Merlin about his desire for Gorlois’ wife who the Duke has heavily guarded. Uther says that the
moment he was introduced to her, he knew she was the one. Merlin asks if she is worth losing a kingdom. Uther
says he could have wrecked his kingdom many times by now, but has taken care that it never goes that far. He
begs Merlin to help him by bringing the Duchess to him and making her love him. Merlin says he cannot make
her love him, but that he will help him in some way that the god has not yet revealed to him. He promises that
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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he will speak with Ygraine. Then, he looks into the fire and sees two dragons merging up the wall in flames
and he is momentarily blinded by the vision. When he comes to himself, he tells Uther that he must make a
child with Ygraine and that’s commanded by the god. Uther promises.
Merlin makes a sleeping draught for Uther and tells Cadal he will see the Duchess that night. He is not going to
her, however; whoever is coming will come to him. He sits alone by the fireplace until a knock at the door lets
him know he has a visitor: it is Gorlois. Merlin’s first reaction to Gorlois is to realize how old he has become.
Gorlois has a heavy heart, but he is being guided by forces of which he is not aware. He asks Merlin to help his
wife in two ways. First, he needs him to convince Uther to allow them to return to Cornwall without waiting for
the end of the coronation feast. Second, he asks Merlin to come see his wife who says she is ill and has
requested Merlin’s presence. Once again the god shows the way.
Notes
Uther’s utter infatuation with Ygraine, the merging of the two dragons in Merlin’s vision, the Duke seeking out
Merlin, and Ygraine’s request for Merlin’s presence are all events guided by destiny. Everything is on a path
that will bring about the birth of Arthur.
CHAPTER 5
Summary
When Merlin first enters Ygraine’s room, he looks down on the bed, but doesn’t see a woman lying there.
Instead, he sees only the flashing and beating of the light as in the crystal globe. Ygraine then opens her eyes
after Merlin clears the room of all but one of her ladies in waiting. Ygraine realizes that Merlin already knows
she is not ill. Merlin asks her why she made no attempt to speak to the king about his advances. Ygraine replies
that, with all the guards around her, she had no way to give him a message. Merlin lectures her that she could
have given a message any time, if it were simply that she was a true and faithful wife. Her smile at that
comment makes Merlin realize that Ygraine wants Uther as much as he wants her.
Merlin soon comes to the next realization: if Uther wants Ygraine, he will have to make her his queen. Such a
woman would never settle for being his mistress. The great problem for Ygraine now is to prevent war between
her husband and Uther. If she tells Uther she loves him and desires him, but will only come to him as his queen,
her husband is a dead man. But she is not satisfied with her life in Cornwall and therein is the dilemma. Merlin
then promises Ygraine that he can solve the dilemma, but she must obey him. She agrees.
Merlin’s plan is this: Ygraine must tell Gorlois she is pregnant and that she wishes to leave as soon as the
crowning is over, because she does not wish to be at the feast where the king may distinguish her from among
the other women. Then, she and Gorlois are to leave immediately before the king can be aware that they are
gone. He will not be able to do anything while the feasts are in progress and by the time he can, they will be
back in Cornwall. Ygraine fears for this plan, because she thinks it will split the kingdom. But Merlin tells her
he will warn the King about the lie and bring him to her. She, in turn, must convince Gorlois to wait to fight the
king at Dimiliac, rather than at Tintagel where she will be kept. Merlin promises her that Gorlois will not have
to battle the king, but that he doesn’t know how this will come about, only that it is in the hands of the god. He
tells her that all he knows is what he has seen which is “a bright fire burning, and in it a crown, and a sword
standing in an altar like a cross.”
Ygraine agrees to the plan, but she warns Merlin that if he has brought bloodshed to Cornwall because of her or
death to her husband, then she will pray the rest of her life that he shall die betrayed by a woman.
Notes
The flashing lights Merlin sees as he first gazes upon Ygraine are an indication that the god is with him again.
She is destined to be the mother of Arthur, so a way must be found to bring her together with Uther. Merlin is
unsure how the god will prevent any bloodshed. He only knows his vision which foreshadows the rise of Arthur
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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by the sword in the stone. Ygraine’s threat to Merlin that he die betrayed by a woman if he allows anything
to go wrong is also foreshadowing of Merlin’s eventual imprisonment in the crystal cave long after events that
he now seeks to bring about.
New names in this chapter: Tintagel and Dimiliac, fortresses in Cornwall
CHAPTER 6
Summary
Four of them ride to Cornwall: Merlin, Uther, Cadal, and Ulfin. The morning of the coronation, Merlin told
Uther the plan and promised him his kingdom would survive the night in Cornwall. The result will be a child
which Uther seems to be uninterested in discussing.
So everything comes about as Merlin had planned. He sees Ygraine at the crowning and is struck by the wonder
of women. No matter whether queen or slut, he thinks they need not even think about how, but can easily
deceive anyone. Uther plays his part by feigning great anger that the Duke left without his leave and Gorlois
ends up in Dimiliac just as Merlin hoped. From there, Merlin counts on the nightly habit of Gorlois to ride back
whenever he could to be with his wife, a fact he learns from Ralf, one of Ygraine’s page boys. He always enters
Tintagel by way of a private gate. Merlin decides to dress Uther. Ulfin, and himself as the Duke, his companion,
and his servant. Cadal will stay with the horses. With Ralf on duty at the gate, they will be able to enter secretly.
When they arrive at the shore below the castle, they are met by Brithael, one of the Duke’s guards, who is very
surprised to see them. It is only after moving forward that Merlin realizes that Brithael is actually Ralf and that
they have not been found out. Ralf then leads the way into the castle, explaining how Ygraine had paved the
way with lies to Felix, the porter, how many guards they will still need to get by, and the password they will
need to know. After Ralf tells what he knows, Merlin hears the King give out an exultant laugh. Merlin is not
surprised, because danger is “drink and dreams alike to Uther.”
Merlin sends the King in with the Duke’s ring on his finger and a warning to be ready to leave an hour before
dawn. Cadal tells Merlin that he hopes the King abides by this warning as they’ll be sitting ducks if he doesn’t.
Merlin insists that Cadal believe in him, that he knows what he’s about. Cadal hopes it’s true or else Merlin has
risked the life of the King of Britain for one night’s lust. Merlin says that it doesn’t matter if the King is killed
in Ygraine’s bed tonight, because out of this night’s lust will come a King “whose name will be a shield and a
buckler to men until this fair land, from sea to sea, is smashed down into the sea that holds it.” To Merlin, Uther
is but a regent for him who came before and him who will be the future King. What’s more, Uther is but a tool
and Ygraine a vessel and he and Cadal can no more stop what is about to happen than a reed can stop the wind.
Notes
Although the plan that Merlin has put into place is not magical, but man-made, there is the same sense of
destiny creating the path down which they all walk. The great king who was – Ambrosius – and the great king
who will be – Arthur – are part of the god’s plan and Uther is only an interim moment in the long stretch of
time.
New names in this chapter: Brithael, one of Gorlois’ guards
CHAPTER 7
Summary
The emerald ring of the Duke gets the three of them by the porter, Felix. Then, when two guards, Marcus and
Sellic, appear above, Ralf quickly douses one torch so that they can only be seen in swinging shadows. Once
again, the emerald gets them past. Finally, Ygraine appears and calls out to Uther as if he were the Duke. And
so, says Merlin, they take Tintagel.
Notes
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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This chapter is one which helps build the suspense of the moment. We wonder at what point the King will be
recognized and they will be the sitting ducks Cadal warned Merlin about. But they pull it off and the King
meets his destiny with Ygraine.
New names in this chapter: Marcus and Sellic, two guards at Tintagel
CHAPTER 8
Summary
Ralf tells the two guards they may return to the guard-room as their work is done for the night. One of them
goes willingly, but the other hesitates asking Brithael (Merlin) if this is acceptable. Merlin plays his role
perfectly and the guard follows his companion. Ralf is in awe of Merlin who sounded so much like Brithael that
Ralf thought it was magic.
While waiting for the King, Merlin is unable to sit still. He paces around in worry and heartache until he hears
what he thinks is a woman’s step on the stairs. Then, he sees her, shrouded in a mantle and carrying something.
It is Marcia, the Duchess’ lady–in-waiting, and she has tears on her cheeks. She hands Merlin a child, wrapped
against the cold, and says sadly, “Take care of him. Take care of him.” Then, Merlin sees the stairs appear
behind her and he realizes that no one is there and there is nothing in his arms. He fears now that there is death
yet to come before this night is over. So, he steps outside on the battlements and looks up to the cloudy sky
where the clouds suddenly part to reveal the star. He watches it all night long and it hangs on in the sky even as
morning begins to break. It is only then that the heartache begins to leave him.
Notes
Merlin’s vision of Marcia carrying the child to him foreshadows Arthur’s birth and it’s only when the star,
which has appeared to him so many times, appears once again that he knows he has done the right thing.
CHAPTER 9
Summary
Just as Merlin moves to enter the castle again, he sees Felix make for the gate below and Ralf behind him with
dagger, whose hilt he uses to stop the old man. At the gate is an unforeseen problem: the real Brithael has
returned to Tintagel. He has a message for the Duchess, he says, and he won’t be sent around to the main gate.
Merlin has Ralf make sure Brithael is alone and then he lets him in. He tells him that a fellow below attacked
them and he wonders if anyone has been there that night. Ralf assures him no one has and then, Brithael tells
him that the news for Ygraine is that the Duke is dead. They had tried to surprise the King’s troops with an
ambush and Gorlois was killed in the first sally.
As Brithael heads for the Ygraine’s room, Merlin stops him by calling his name softly. Merlin very nearly loses
his life, but he is he says fate’s creature and a hostage to the future and he attacks. When Ulfin appears at the
sound, Merlin tells him to get the King and that the Duke is dead. Brithael is outraged by this news and fights to
avenge his master, but Merlin is “a wild animal who fights to kill, because it must.” The fight is terrible, but
Merlin is able to kill Brithael with a last terrible thrust of his broken sword. He is not without wounds, however,
including a horribly broken hand. Nonetheless, with no sign that an alarm has been given, Merlin makes his
way down to the shore.
Notes
Merlin’s premonition of death comes true as Felix and the real Brithael both die. The Duke’s decision to attack
proves to be the unexpected part of the plan and one which they could not have foreseen. Nor could they have
foreseen that the Duke would die in battle, thus preserving Uther’s honor and his kingdom.
CHAPTER 10
Summary
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There is just enough light for Merlin to see his way to the sand, crawling and stumbling all the way. Halfway
up from the beach he finds Cadal. He realizes his much-loved servant has a mortal wound and he covers him
with his cloak just as Uther and Ulfin appear. Uther is bitter with Merlin who, he thinks, should have known
about Brithael’s return and the Duke’s death before they even came to Cornwall. He believes they should have
waited until the next day and then, those who had died would still be alive, the Duke would be dead and
Ygraine would be his to claim. Merlin, however, replies that he would have begotten a different child. That
night was Arthur’s night. Uther is also bitter, because he didn’t realize the price he would have to pay and
thinks Merlin should have known. Again, Merlin reminds him that it is God who keeps the price secret, not him.
Then, he tells Uther that there is only one God by whose light all men must live or die. Uther hears nothing,
instead blaming Merlin for everything, even the deaths of Ambrosius and Vortigern. He says Merlin never pays
and so, he will no longer be Merlin’s puppet. Merlin must stay away from him and he’ll not acknowledge the
bastard he has created this night. Uther leaves him, at Merlin’s command, awarding him only the hill he has
already given him back in Britain.
Merlin is left on the beach with Cadal who is not yet dead and is watching him. Merlin tells him everything that
happened up above and Cadal relates how he met Brithael and Jordon, mounted and ready to fight to protect the
King. Cadal is astonished to learn that Merlin killed Brithael and says softly, “Merlin . . . little Merlin, that
couldn’t even sit a horse . . . You kill me.” And Merlin realizes that he actually has by bringing him along into
this mess created by God. Cadal’s final question concerns whether all this could have happened as Uther
claimed it could have. When Merlin says no, Cadal replies, “Well,“ with all the “acquiescent faith of the past
eight years.” Merlin promises him then that all that Ambrosius wished for Britain will come to past: Ygraine
will bear the child, give him up as soon as he is born to keep him out of the King’s sight, and he, Merlin, will
raise him and teach him all that he has learned from Cadal, Galapas, and Ambrosius, and the child will be
crowned King at Winchester. Only then can Cadal die. Merlin sends his body to the sea where it will be carried
away as far as the western stars. As Merlin rides away, he sees in the sky the star still bright until it seems to
burst with a brilliant light behind the young sun.
Notes
Uther proves himself to be exactly the character that Merlin believed: only a regent to follow a great king and to
precede an even greater one. He blames all that has gone before on Merlin, because he hasn’t the strength of
character to accept his own role in all of it. Merlin’s final promise to Cadal, however, paves the way for the
coming of Arthur and the final sign is the young sun coming up in a burst of light behind the star that has
always led Merlin down the right path.
OVERALL ANALYSES
THE LEGEND
Mary Stewart, the author, re-tells the original legend to show where she found the source for this first book of
the Arthurian Saga. She ends this chapter by telling us that Uther Pendragon would reign fifteen more years
without ever seeing his son, Arthur. Just as Merlin predicted, Arthur would be give to him to raise on the night
of his birth at Tintagel, and he would care for him in secret until the time came for Arthur to inherit the throne.
She goes on to relate that Merlin would stay beside Arthur throughout his reign until he is tricked by a young
girl, Vivian, into teaching her all of his magic arts at the price of her love. After he does so, she leaves him
bound and sleeping, some say, in a “cave near a grove of whitehorn trees, some say, in a tower of crystal, some
say, hidden only by the glory of the air around him. He will awake when King Arthur wakes, and come back in
the hour of his country’s need.”
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Merlin - Merlin’s character is presented in a completely unexpected way. The legend portrays him as a
mysterious enchanter, but Mary Stewart presents him as first a boy and then, a man who has feelings and regrets
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
and hurts just like we all do. He is a lonely little boy who is bullied, laughed at, and not accepted even by his
own grandfather.
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He is forced to grow up quickly and behave like a man, because he is powerless to stop the god who leads him.
And yet, through it all, he develops strong relationships with the people around him and even falls in love. As a
man, he comes to enjoy his solitude, because he knows that his powers separate him from people who fear him.
Finally, he is not afraid of dying, because he has received through his Sight, glimmers of his death and he
knows it will be just a long limbo of sleep.
Ambrosius - As Merlin’s father, he is unknown and unknowable in the beginning, because Niniane refuses to
reveal his identity. So, for Merlin, he is a mysterious figure to whom he cannot put a face. However, we soon
learn as Merlin does, that he is an extremely honorable man who accepts his responsibilities as the true King of
Britain. He becomes a fast friend to his son and uses his abilities to help Britain. In the end, he lies buried in the
midst of the Giant’s Dance, a true monument, because he was a giant of a man and a king.
Niniane - Merlin’s mother is a mysterious character as well. As a young girl, she has an affair with Ambrosius,
who is her father’s enemy, but, even though she loves him, she remains loyal to her father and refuses to run
away with Ambrosius to Less Britain. She endures her father’s ridicule towards her and her bastard son with the
hope that once her father is dead, she will be able to enter the nunnery. She has converted to Christianity,
because the Sight she also claims, like her son, frightens her too much. In the final analysis, we can judge her as
loyal, loving, long-suffering, and devout. She never even thinks of another man in her life and promises in a
final message to Ambrosius that she will see him when they are together through eternity.
Uther - Uther is a tool, according to Merlin, and Ygraine is a vessel intended to create Arthur and nothing more.
He is depicted as a womanizer and an opportunist and he often uses poor judgment in his decisions. He is not a
likeable character, because he blames Merlin for his mistakes. He is, also, often cruel and unjust. He is only a
regent for the great king who came before and the great one who will come after.
Gorlois - The Duke of Cornwall is depicted as a man betrayed. He comes to the aid of Ambrosius and is
rewarded for his loyalty when Uther becomes king by losing his wife and dying in battle for something that is
not his fault. He is an older man with a young wife, but he never deserves his fate. Merlin has great regret for
his death.
Ygraine - She is depicted as a young woman who has been living in the loneliness of Cornwall, married to a
much older man. Once she arrives at Uther’s court, she gets a taste of a more exciting life and a more exciting
man. She is spoiled with her new world and betrays her husband to obtain it. We are even given clues that
indicate she will eventually give up her own son rather than spoil the world she will create for Uther. It is ironic
that the great Arthur will be born to two such selfish people as Uther and Ygraine.
Cadal - Merlin’s servant can be judged as the most loyal and loving person, next to Ambrosius, in Merlin’s life.
He stands by Merlin through every step of his journey from Less Britain to Britain to Cornwall and never
falters, even when Merlin’s magic frightens him. He makes the ultimate sacrifice for his master – he dies on the
shores of Tintagel so Merlin has a chance to escape. His final request is to make Merlin promise that he has died
for the birth of the greatest King of Britain. Even at his death, he thinks only of his land and the people he loves.
PLOT STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
The novel is divided into five parts to portray the progression of Merlin’s story from boyhood to prophet and
each one is entitled with important symbols. Book I – the Dove is symbolic of Merlin’s need to run away until
he is old enough to fight his battles; Book II – The Falcon symbolizes Merlin’s step towards manhood and the
strength he must gain to fulfill the wishes of the gods; Book III – the Wolf symbolizes Vortigern and Merlin,
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the former using dirty tactics to win his battles and the latter turning those tactics against the old wolf; Book
IV – The Red Dragon refers to Ambrosius who comes under that banner to save Britain; and Book V – The
Coming of the Bear is a symbol of the conception Arthur, known as artos, the bear.
The author also weaves her story by using such elements as foreshadowing and flashback. Merlin tells his story
as an old man who is reminiscing about the past and frequently the author will tell outcomes before she explains
the events that led up to them. And of course, there is constant foreshadowing of events to come as Merlin
hears, sees, and understands the will of the gods. For example, his first vision in the crystal cave shows him an
underground mine with slaves laboriously bringing out baskets of rock. This foreshadows the reason why
Vortigern is unable to build his stronghold on that spot later.
THEMES - THEME ANALYSIS
The theme of destiny or fate is most important in understanding the novel. The characters are like figures on a
chess board, constantly being manipulated by the gods. Merlin is a great enchanter, but he is powerless to stop
the will of the gods. For example, when he falls in love with Keri, the young nun, he feels as if he is dying,
smothering to death, when she begins to kiss and caress him. He is forced to push her away from him and come
to the realization he is not meant for love. His visions come when he least expects them and often he passes out
from the stress they evoke. Then, he is forced to follow through with whatever the god has demanded. For
example, he knows that sending Uther into Ygraine’s bedchamber is morally wrong, but the god has chosen
them to be the parents of Arthur and he must make the plan that will make is happen.
Another character who is extremely affected by destiny is Gorlois. He was a good man who was loyal to his
king and even though getting old, fought to protect what was rightfully his. In the end, destiny rewards his
loyalty with death. Other characters affected by destiny include: Ygraine and Uther who are pawns in the game
to make Arthur; Vortigern who is doomed because he stole the throne; Cadal, who dies to protect Merlin and
allow the conception of Arthur; Ambrosius, who just brings about the unification of Britain when he dies in
order that Uther might meet Ygraine; and Niniane who lives a loveless life to protect Ambrosius and Merlin.
The theme of duty and loyalty is seen in many characters and many events. First, Merlin is ever loyal to the
god who controls him. He always follows through with every step on this journey. Ambrosius is ever loyal to
his country and returns to save it from Vortigern and the Saxons. Gorlois is loyal to his king even though his
reward is death. Cadal is loyal to Merlin and ever dutiful. He dies to save Merlin’s life. Of course, there are
those who lack loyalty and seldom fulfill their duties like Uther, Ygraine, and Vortigern.
These characters are selfish and self-centered. They behave in ways that fulfill only their own needs. These
characters compared to the ones above create an interesting dichotomy that helps reinforce the values of the
early Britons.
The theme of good versus evil is one that has flowed throughout literature for all time. But it is even more
important in this story than some. Here we have the beginnings of the emergence of the Britons from the Dark
Ages. They have been living in a hell where the Saxons plunder their land freely with no help from their king.
Into this terrible world comes Merlin who represents hope or goodness even though he sometimes does evil to
obtain the greater good. He represents the hope of Arthur, who will bring the great goodness that will keep this
land safe forever. Within this theme are many characters who are both good and bad and somewhere inbetween. They all strive for certain goals that either enhance their lives or destroy them.
For example, Uther is so obsessed with Ygraine that he risks his kingdom. He proves he is not good enough to
be a great king. Ambrosius is obsessed as well, but with saving his people and fulfilling his responsibilities.
Niniane is a good woman who lives a poor life for the sake of the man and the child she loves. Vortigern is an
evil man who will do anything to obtain power, including allowing the Saxons to control Britain. In the end, the
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greater good comes to fruition: the conception of Arthur as the savior of his people. In the process, evil deeds
are done, but they are valued as worth the sacrifice.
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The theme of regret is mostly seen in the character of Merlin. As he tells his story, he looks back on events
that he wishes he had never set into motion: the death of Cerdic, who is killed when he is blamed for the death
of Merlin’s grandfather; the death of Galapas, who is killed by Vortigern’s men as they searched for Merlin; the
death of Gorlois, who goes into battle against Uther’s men to protect his home and his wife; and the death of
Cadal, who died protecting Merlin. All these lives were lost to fulfill the wishes of the gods, but Merlin can’t
help but feel some guilt for their loss.
He also regrets that his life has had to be one of sacrifice for the greater good. He will never know the love of a
woman or the sounds of his children. His duty will always be to God and to Arthur.
RISING ACTION
The rising action begins with Merlin’s discovery of his Sight and his destiny at the hand of the gods. We see
him grow into a strong young man in the court of Ambrosius in Less Britain where he waits to be of service to
his father. We watch as he helps his King conquer Vortigern and become a unifying factor for his country. We
see him bring back the black stone to the Giant’s Dance and raise them up high as a monument to his King. We
watch as he is called to help the stupid needs of Uther who desires Ygraine.
The rising action continues until Merlin kills Brithnael to assure the conception of Arthur. The story climaxes at
this point, because the will of God has been assured. The entire novel is a series of steps constantly building to
this moment. Every action of Merlin is another step towards the ultimate goal of the gods. As a result, the novel
is very suspenseful with few moments when the reader is allowed to rest from the tension.
FALLING ACTION
The falling action is seen in the final pages of the novel. Merlin comes down to the shore, wounded and
heartsick at the death of Britnael. There he finds Cadal who he believes is dead. He carefully covers his body
with his cloak and then watches as Uther comes down from Ygraine’s bedchamber. Uther blames the deaths of
the four men on Merlin and then goes on to blame all the events that have led up to this moment on Merlin. He
takes no responsibility for his lovesick heart and his desire for Ygraine. He forbids Merlin to ever come near
him again and warns him that he will never recognize the bastard he has just made.
Then, he rides off in search of his men. Merlin discovers after this that Cadal is still alive, although he is dying.
They talk together about the price they have all paid for the conception of this child and Merlin promises that
Cadal will have died for the greater good. After he dies, Merlin sends Cadal’s body out to sea. Then, Uther
returns with his men, heading back to Tintagel and Ygraine. He never even looks Merlin’s way and offers no
help for his wounds. Merlin merely climbs on his horse and follows the star-comet he has followed for so long
as it bursts into the morning sun.
The falling action of this novel is extremely important to all the themes of the book. The sense of destiny
fulfilled is apparent in the conception of Arthur. The duty and loyalty is seen in Cadal’s death. The evil
selfishness of Uther makes us realize that he will never be the king his brother was. And the regret that becomes
Merlin’s burden, because so many innocent people have died. The author has tied up many loose ends, but she
leaves in these pages just enough of a clue to Merlin’s future loyalty to Arthur to make us want to read the next
book of the series.
POINT OF VIEW
The entire point of view is first person. Merlin is the narrator, so we see all the action from his perspective. All
the characters are fleshed out by his observations and so take on his perspective of the events. For example, it
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
might have been interesting to know how Gorlois felt at the moment of his death. But we only feel Merlin’s
regret that it had to happen.
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This perspective does have significant advantages. It makes Merlin human, not an enchanter. We feel his pain
throughout the novel, because he is the one who sees the price God makes us pay. And we see the necessity for
all the actions he takes, because he leads us down the path with him to the greater good.
GENRE
This novel overlaps several genres and is difficult to classify. It can be classified as: Historical Fiction,
Arthurian Legend, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Supernatural, and others.
OTHER ELEMENTS
IRONY - One other element that is evident is the sense of irony that at times runs through the book. For
example, it is ironic that Merlin’s name means Prince of Light, but he is always referred to as the Prince of
Darkness. It is ironic that Gorlois chooses to come out of Dimiliac and fight Uther’s troops. If he had just stayed
inside, he might have lived. It is ironic that Vortigern brings Merlin to the King’s Fort, because Merlin’s magic
convinces him to hole up at Doward where Ambrosius is able to burn him out. It is ironic that Arthur, the
greatest King of the Britons, will be born to two such selfish people as Uther and Ygraine.
VOCABULARY - The vocabulary is another interesting element. Stewart tells us in her Author’s Note that she
has incorporated many languages to name places and people, because so many cultures were at work here at the
time: the Romans and Latin, the Welsh, the Bretons and Old French, the Britons and Old English and even the
Saxons and the Germans. For example, the men of Cornwall, South Wales, and Brittany are also known as the
Dumnonii, Demetae, and the Armoricans.
NATIONALITIES - The various nationalities – Romans, Bretons, Welsh, Britains, Irish, Saxons, and
Germans - are also another element to understanding the novel. All these peoples were in constant flux as new
leaders and new languages entered the picture. That’s why Ambrosius’ sense of responsibility in uniting them
all is so moving.
QUOTES - IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS
The following quotations are important at various points in the story:
(Source: A Reprint of William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1980/ First Eos trade paperback published 2003)
1. “What mattered to me - I see it clearly now – was to be alone in the secret dark, where a man is his
own master, except for death.” (p. 18)
This quote, spoken by Merlin as narrator, reveals the solitude that Merlin both craved and feared through out his
life.
2. “. . . the god was there first and if I have his hill now, it is because he shares it with me.” (p. 22)
Merlin is saying that he has always been in the hands of the god and no matter that the hill and the cave feel like
his home, he must always share it with the One who first gave him his power.
3. “They used to say in my country, the ring-dove has many enemies, because her flesh is sweet and her
eggs are good to eat. But she lives and she prospers, because she runs away . . . you’re not a falcon yet,
young Merlin. You’re only the dove.” (p. 40)
Cerdic is telling Merlin that he must be like the ring-dove and run away until he is grown enough to fight back
like the falcon.
4. “It does not do to neglect the gods of a place, whoever they may be. In the end, they are all one.” (p. 58)
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Galapas gives Merlin advice that he will eventually come to know in his final conversation with his mother.
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5. “The gods only go with you, Merlin Emrys, if you put yourself in their path. And that takes courage.”
(p. 71)
Galapas teaches Merlin that the rest of his life will be hard and difficult, because he is being used by the god
and to allow this will take all his courage.
6. “ ’Would you be afraid if you knew your own end, Cadal?’ / ‘Yes, by the dog! Do you?’ / ‘Sometimes,
in snatches. Sometimes I see it. It fills me with fear.’ / ‘What is it then?’ / ‘A cave. The crystal cave.
Sometimes I think it is death, and at other times it is birth or a gate of vision, or a dark limbo of sleep . . .
I cannot tell. But someday I shall know.’ ” (p. 203)
This is a significant quote, because it foreshadows Merlin’s end. It will not be seen in this novel, but will be part
of Stewart’s Arthurian epic.
7. “ ‘Since I was a child I have had the world to choose from for a father. Out of them all, Aurelius
Ambrosius, I would have chosen you . . . After all, what boy would not choose the King of all Britain for
his father?’ “ (p. 216)
Merlin not only tells his father how happy he is to have found him, but he also prophesies his coming
coronation.
8. “ ‘No, Merlin, you will never make a king, or even a prince as the world sees it, but when you are
grown I believe you will be such a man that, if a king had you beside him, he could rule the world.’ “ (p.
218)
Ambrosius himself has a moment of prophesy, even though he hasn’t the Sight. He reveals what we will see in
the remainder of the epic: Merlin will help Arthur become the greatest king.
9. “ . . . all I could see was the whirl of banners and wings and wolves’ eyes and sick mouths gaping, and
the tail of a comet like a brand, and stars shooting through a rain of blood.” (p. 302)
This Merlin’s prophecy of Ambrosius’ victory.
10. “They say that throughout, Ambrosius sat his big white horse, watching, till the flames made the
horse as red as the Red Dragon above his head. And high on the fortress tower the White Dragon,
showing against a plume of smoke, turned blood red as the flames themselves, then blackened and fell.”
(p. 328)
This relates how Merlin’s prophecy comes true and Ambrosius defeats Vortigern by burning him out of
Doward.
11. “ ‘Don’t be afraid for me, Mother. Whatever god uses me, I am content to be his voice and
instrument. I go where he sends me. And when he has finished with me, he will take me back. / ‘There is
only one God,’ she whispered. I smiled at her. ‘ That is what I am beginning to think.’ “ (p. 343)
Merlin finally realizes as he speaks with his mother, that Galapas was right all those years ago: he is in the path
of one God.
12. “ ‘When we meet again, it will be soon enough.’ “ (p. 360)
This is Niniane’s final message to her love, Ambrosius, indicating that they will meet again with God.
13. “ ‘ . . . and while the King lies there under the stone the Kingdom shall not fall . . . and this shall be
the heart of Britain, and from this time on all the kings shall be one King and all the gods one God . . . for
we shall make between us a King whose name will stand as long as the Dance stands and who will be
more than a symbol; she will be a shield and a living sword.’ “ (p. 396)
Merlin speaks these words of the god in the presence of his father. It is significant because it foretells
Ambrosius winning his kingdom and later his and Arthur’s immortality.
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14. “ ‘It was written in the stars that you would take it, and indeed it is nothing but justice.’ “ (p. 402)
The Irishman tells Merlin that the black stone that is the heart of Ireland had been brought from Britain to
Killare and that now it is only justice that the man who was foretold to find it would now return it.
15. “ ‘I will deck his grave with nothing less than the light itself.’ “ (p. 419)
Merlin tells Tremorinus this when he planned his father’s monument at the Giant’s Dance. It is significant,
because it is Merlin’s glorification of the man he believes is the beginning of a greater Britain.
16. “ ‘. . . I have seen a bright fire burning, and in it a crown, and a sword standing in an altar like a
cross.’ “ (p. 448)
Merlin foretells in the presence of Ygraine the sword in the stone which will make Arthur king.
17. “ ‘But if you have brought bloodshed to Cornwall through me, or death to my husband, then I shall
spend the rest of my life praying to any gods there are that you, too, Merlin, shall die betrayed by a
woman.’ “ (p. 448)
Even though she is unaware that she has done so, Ygraine foretells Merlin’s end: because there will be four men
who die that night at Tintagel and because Gorlois dies as well, Merlin will be betrayed by a woman, Vivian,
who will trap him the limbo of sleep from which he tells this story.
18. “It was Marcia. I saw the tears glistening on her cheeks as she bent her head over what lay in her
arms. A child, wrapped warm against the winter night. She saw me and held her burden out to me. ‘Take
care of him, ‘ she said and through the shine of the tears, I saw the treads of the stairway outline
themselves again behind her. ‘Take care of him . . .’ “ (p. 468)
In this vision at Tintagel, Merlin sees Ygraine’s lady-in-waiting bring him the baby, Arthur, who is at the
moment of the vision being conceived.
19. “ ‘And if we had waited until tomorrow, these men, aye, and your servant here as well, would still be
living, and Gorlois dead and his lady a widow . . . And mine to claim without these deaths and
whisperings.’ / ‘But tomorrow you would have begotten a different child.’ “ (p. 479)
Uther blames Merlin for not using his power to a point where men would not have died and he could have
claimed Ygraine legitimately. But Merlin knows that another child would have been conceived the next night,
not Arthur.
20. “ ‘It will happen, Cadal, as my father wished and as God willed through me . . . He will be the sum of
all our lives, and when he is grown he will come back and be crowned King at Winchester.’ “ (p. 483)
This is Merlin’s final promise to Cadal: he will not have died in vain for a great King has been conceived that
night and his name will rank as the greatest of all the Kings of Britain.
SYMBOLISM/MOTIFS/IMAGERY/SYMBOLS
The Crystal Cave - This place represents his home and where Merlin finds his power and has his first vision.
The King-Star - This symbol appears in the sky many times to lead Merlin on the right path. It is in the
constellation of the bear, artos, which further symbolizes Arthur.
The Ring-Dove - This bird which runs away from danger represents Merlin as a child.
The Falcon - This bird, whose name is synonymous with his name, represents Merlin as man who has grown
and has come to know his power.
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
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The Wolf - This animal symbolizes both Vortigern and the dirty way he achieved his throne and Merlin, who
turns Vortigern’s tactics against him.
The Red Dragon - This is the coat of arms of Ambrosius and Uther and in Merlin’s vision eats up the White
Dragon, the arms of Vortigern.
The Bear - The bear symbolizes Arthur, or artos, in Merlin’s vision.
The Sword in the Altar - Merlin is unsure of the meaning of this symbol, but the reader knows that it is the
sword Excalibur, which Arthur will withdraw from the stone to become King.
The Crystal Globe - Whenever Merlin has a vision, he often feels he holds or is inside of a crystal globe which
symbolizes the cave where he first acknowledged his power and saw his first vision.
The Two-Headed Axe - Merlin usually sees this symbol at the standing stones and, like the star, they guide
him on the path of the god.
The Giant’s Dance - Another name for Stonehenge, in this story, it represents the heart of Britain and as long
as it stands, Britain will not fall.
The Black Stone at Killare - This stone symbolizes the heart of Ireland, but it had been stolen by an ancient
Irish King and Merlin returns it to the Giant’s Dance at the monument over his father’s grave. In this way, it
becomes the heart of Britain.
The White Bull - The symbol of Mithraism
Chains - To Keri, they symbolize the nunnery where she is not free. To Merlin, they represent the will of the
god.
The Rising Sun - At the end of the novel, Merlin witnesses the King-Star blazing into the brilliant light of the
rising sun. This symbolizes the coming of Arthur.
Light - This symbol always represents ultimate goodness, like the light of the sun of the winter solstice that hits
Ambrosius’ grave.
IMPORTANT / KEY FACTS SUMMARY
Title: The Crystal Cave
Author: Mary Stewart
Date Published: 1970
Meaning of the Title: Refers to the place where Merlin first discovers and accepts his power and his Sight. It
will also be the place where he has important visions and where he will meet his end.
Setting: Britain in the 5th century as well as Wales, Less Britain (Brittany), and Ireland
Protagonist: Merlin the Magician and Enchanter
Antagonist: Merlin’s god or God who uses him to bring about the birth of Arthur
Mood: Mysterious and suspenseful
Point of View: First person (Merlin narrates the entire story.)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Arthurian Legend, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Supernatural, and others.
Tense: This story is written in the past tense as Merlin tells it in flashback.
Rising Action: From the beginning of the novel when Merlin is a child of five until the conception of Arthur at
Tintagel.
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Exposition: Merlin grows to a man; he meets his father and prophesies his victory in Briton; his father dies
and Uther becomes King; Uther’s desire for Ygraine leads to the conception of Arthur.
Climax: Merlin must kill Brithael to assure the conception of Arthur.
Outcome: Uther repudiates Merlin and is determined to never recognize the son he has just conceived. Merlin
holds his friend, Cadal, as he dies and then rides off toward the rising sun.
Major Theme: The power of destiny or fate.
Minor Themes: Duty and Loyalty; Good versus Evil; The Sense of Regret
STUDY QUESTIONS / QUIZ
1. Merlin learns of his power and sees his first vision in
a.) Maridunum
b.) the crystal cave
c.) Tintagel
2. Merlin’s vision of a man and a young girl in a cave is actually
a.) a vision of his own conception
b.) a vision of Arthur’s conception
c.) a vision of a Uther and Ygraine
3. Merlin’s father is Ambrosius who will be
a.) King of Less Britain
b.) King of Britain and Ireland
c.) King of All Britain
4. Ambrosius is buried
a.) at the Dance of Killare
b.) by the standing stones in Less Britain
c.) amidst the Giant’s Dance at Amesbury
5. Ambrosius defeats Vortigern by
a.) by using siege machines
b.) be meeting him on a plain
c.) by burning him out of his castle
6. The servant who stays by Merlin’s side even at Tintagel is
a.) Cadal
b.) Cerdic
c.) Ralf
7. Ambrosius defeats Hengist and the Saxons
a.) on a plain below the hills
b.) by using siege machines
c.) by burning him out
8. Ambrosius shows his great compassion as a leader by
a.) making Merlin his heir
b.) burying Hengist with full honors
c.) making Uther his heir
9. Merlin shows honor to his father by
a.) burying him without his sword
b.) burying him in London with a monument over his grave
c.) burying him in a spot where the sun of the winter solstice will light
up his grave
10. Uther commands that Merlin attend his coronation because
a.) he will name him his heir
b.) he wants him to help him claim Ygraine
c.) he needs his power to defeat Hengist’s brothers
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
11. Ygraine is the wife of
a.) the Duke of Cornwall
b.) the Duke of York
c.) the Duke of Lancaster
12. Ygraine asks that Merlin see her in her bedchamber because
a.) she wants Uther as much as he wants her
b.) she is pregnant to Gorlois and needs medicine
c.) she is afraid of Uther and wants Merlin to protect her
13. Merlin helps Uther “take” Tintagel but the price is
a.) Merlin’s death
b.) the deaths of Ygraine and Gorlois
c.) the deaths of four men, including Cadal
14. After Merlin achieves Uther’s desire, Uther
a.) praises him and promises him great power
b.) repudiates him and blames him for all the deaths
c.) kills him for allowing three men to die
15. In the end, the rising sun toward which Merlin rides represents
a.) the coming of Arthur
b.) the end of the kingdom of Britain
c.) the death of Ambrosius
ANSWER KEY
1. b 2. a 3. c 4. c 5. c 6. a 7. a 8. b 9. c 10. b 11. a 12. a 13. c 14. b 15. a
VOCABULARY LIST
Book 1
Adit - to slowly examine
Contrive - to scheme
Coracle - a small boat
Culvert - a drain for a road
Dais - a raised platform.
Floe - a mass of ice.
Oblong - an object that is longer than it is wide.
Lichen - a fungal plant, similar to moss.
Sentry - a guard.
Sheaf - a bundle of something.
Skulk - to sneak around and avoid being seen.
Book 2
Bollard - a mooring post.
Colonnade - a row of columns.
Obstinate - stubborn.
Sacrilege - violating someone's sacred property or feelings.
Book 3
Cress - an edible plant.
Abnegate - to relinquish.
Mattock - a tool for digging.
Book 4
Garrison - a group of soldiers.
Rampart - a protective wall.
Scree - an accumulation of debris.
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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Book 5
Pewter - a soft malleable metal.
Muster - to call a group together.
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ESSAY TOPICS / BOOK REPORT IDEAS
1. Analyze the character of Merlin as he progresses and grows into his power.
2. Explain life during the 5th century AD in Britain from the following angles: social classes, occupations,
religions, and politics.
3. Explain how the following individuals impacted on Merlin’s life:
his grandfather, Camlach, his mother, Cerdic, Cadal, Ambrosius, and Uther.
4. Analyze the theme of destiny or fate and how it impacts on all the characters.
5. Analyze the character of Ambrosius, emphasizing his strengths and weaknesses.
6. Explain the irony of Arthur being conceived by Ygraine and Uther. How might this explain any weaknesses
Arthur may exhibit later in this legend?
7. Explain the symbolism of the titles of the five books of this novel.
8. Discuss how the author creates suspense throughout the novel. Support your observations with examples
from the story.
9. Examine how the author uses light to symbolize ultimate good throughout the novel.
10. Explain with details from the story the chains that bind Merlin.
11. Does The Legend make the story easier to follow and understand? Is it different from the book? What
purpose do the Prologue and Legend Serve?
12. Explain the titles of each book and their relation to the story and meaning. Follow the symbolism
represented by each.
13. Is it better or worse for Merlin to have been born a "bastard"? Explain.
14. Consider what Merlin does throughout the book. In what ways does he try to make himself useful? What
type of role does he commonly play?
15. Which story is most believable? The Legend or The Crystal Cave?
COMMENT ON THE STUDY OF LITERATURE
The study of literature is not like the study of math or science, or even history. While those disciplines are
based largely upon fact, the study of literature is based upon interpretation and analysis. There are no clear-cut
answers in literature, outside of the factual information about an author’s life and the basic information about
setting and characterization in a piece of literature. The rest is a highly subjective reading of what an author has
written; each person brings a different set of values and a different background to the reading. As a result, no
two people see the piece of literature in exactly the same light, and few critics agree on everything about a book
or an author.
In this study guide for a well-known piece of literature, we have tried to give an objective literary analysis based
upon the information actually found in the novel, book, or play. In the end, however, it is an individual
interpretation, but one that we feel can be readily supported by the information that is presented in the guide. In
your course of literature study, you or your professor/teacher may come up with a different interpretation of the
mood or the theme or the conflict. Your interpretation, if it can be logically supported with information
contained within the piece of literature, is just as correct as ours. So is the interpretation of your teacher or
professor.
Literature is simply not a black or white situation; instead, there are many gray areas that are open to varying
analyses. Your task is to come up with your own analysis that you can logically defend. Hopefully, these Book
Notes will help you to accomplish that goal.
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