The Avalon Project: Vivaine, The High Priestess of Avalon

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.

The last point of view character in the first book of the Avalon Project is Vivaine, the High Priestess of Avalon.  She is Ygraine’s and Morgause’s sister, Taliesin’s love, and Lancelot’s foster mother in addition to her Priestess duties. She has held this post since her Aunte Cerridwen retired from it many years ago.

Vivaine is an important character in the first book for many reasons, most of which I cannot reveal now. Her point of view is significant, because not only do we get to see the inner workings and running of the magical isle, but we also get to see what has led the entire cast to where they are now. Her family is at the center of this debacle, Lancelot included.

Vivaine, called Vivian in most stories (I liked using the -aine ending.  This may change in editing so as not to cause confusion), is technically “The Lady of the Lake”. She is the Merlin’s lover. The Merlin – not just Merlin – is a title in the Avalon Project, not a name. The High Priestess as a council called “The Coe”, and on her council is the Raven, The Hawk, and the Merlin to assist her in making decisions about the isle.

On a more personal level, Vivaine wishes to retire from her role as High Priestess and pass it on to Morgaine. She is tired. She is ready to rest and at some point, move on to the Summerland, where her parents, Brigid and Donnin are. Vivaine did not have children of her own, instead agreeing to foster Lancelot as a small child after his parents were killed in service of the isle.

She has always tried to follow the letter of the “law” written for her by the High Priestess’ that came before her, and rarely deviates from their rulings. She is more concerned with staying the course set for her, than learning new things and changing rules.

Her Raven, Narah, is her closest friend and ally, but even Narah wishes that Vivaine would bend more often. Narah believes that Vivaine’s rigid adherence to the rules will cost the isle precious time and perhaps lives. She does not often argue with Vivaine, but when she does, Vivaine is forced to listen even if she disagrees. There is no one she trusts more than Narah, but even that will not bend her will very often.

Vivaine had a large part in raising Andred and Avadaine, as their mother was often away. She feels close to Avadaine and feels that Avadaine will take her advice.

As the stakes continue to raise, Vivaine retreats further into her rules, to try to keep order. She pushes harder toward retirement. And pushes further away from even her closest companions.

When the war cry comes, will Vivaine remain unyielding, or will she learn to bend?

Vivaine, High Priestess of Avalon

“It is the nature of the world to be both beautiful and full of sorrow.” - Vivaine of Avalon