Book III, Chapters 7-8 Summary

In Chapter 7, Arthur receives the news about his son at a bad time. He is recovering from injuries and his best friend Bedwyr is dying from wounds received in the battle. All of those close to him are either dead or dying and at his side is Gawain, who foolishly caused the war but has since redeemed himself as a fighter and supporter. Arthur is trying to separate fact from fiction and rumor, but Gawain persists in painting Mordred as a traitor. His words are rebuffed by the king, but they remain in his thoughts. Bedwyr recovers from his wounds, and the king, acting more and more like an old man, heads back to Camelot to find out the truth.

In Chapter 8, Mordred receives word that there is fighting on the southern coast, and mindful of his...