The Avalon Project: Morgaine

If you haven’t read this post: Avalon Project blog post, you may want to begin there. This post refers to the book series I am currently working on, about Avalon.

In Arthurian Legend, the sister of Arthur Pendragon is referred to with many names. Morgan Le Fey, Morgan, Morrigan, Morgana… the list is long.

In my series, she is Morgaine. Again, I used the -aine on her name to reflect that she is from Avalon.

The daughter of Ygraine and Galois, Duke of Cornwall, Morgaine had an idyllic few years of childhood before Uther came along and shattered it by having her father killed, and taking Morgaine’s mother as his wife. Despite the turmoil, Morgaine loved her baby brother Arthur, and doted on him until such time as she was taken to Avalon to be trained.

Once on Avalon, Morgaine is discovered to have exceptional healing skills, and is trained by the High Priestess, her Aunte Vivaine and Narah, the Raven of Avalon. She is taught to defend herself using a staff and dagger, trained to make potions, and well-loved by not only her family, but by a young man that she eventually commits to, Niall of Avalon.

But Morgaine struggles with the concept of love. Vivaine has a foster-son, Lancelot, who is fast friends with her brother Arthur when he comes to train. Morgaine finds herself caring for him in ways that cousins do not care for each other. She is committed to a future with Niall, but her feelings for Lancelot distract her and draw her away.

Her Aunte Morgause appears loving to her at first, but Morgaine soon finds herself deep in a plot not of her own making. The resulting pregnancy brews a long-seated self-loathing in Morgaine that even the love of Niall cannot cure.

When Morgaine appears in the story, she is fragile. Lost in her own emotions. Her children need her to be strong, but until she can forgive herself, her love for them will only exist on the surface of her heart. It will take time and patience for her heart to release its long-held beliefs in her worth.

But once it does, Morgaine will become the most powerful Priestess on Avalon. The High Priestess.

Below is a “vision” I used in the creation of Morgaine. Note: I found this picture on Pinterest, and do not own the copyright on it.

Morgaine, Priestess of Avalon, Duchess of Cornwall

“Wisdom comes with age and experience. And it only comes if you are ready for it.”