the notepad title was simply 'In Winter's Shadow'
I keep thinking of what might make the story less painful. There's not much, seeing as it's been set that way; perhaps if Chrétian de Troyes' infidelity plot wasn't involved (and was it different before? If so, I hate you, Chretien, and wish you'd never influenced the mythos this way). The ending of In Winter's Shadow
well, it's an indignity, isn't it? The Empire that's built goes out in a whimper, in a great battle that leads to them maybe winning, maybe losing, but everyone dying and no one about to enforce the rule again. Gwyn who might have been the successor is gone, the major characters dead one and all save Bedwyr and he's become a monk, and all broken. There isn't even a decent resolution or face off between Medraut and Arthur, or Arthur and Bedwyr, or Gwalchmai and Bedwyr, or anything; it just falls. Gwynhwyfar at least gets to see that Medraut loves his brother, but what is that when Medraut is dying and Gwalchmai already dead? And Arthur - Arthur is never found.
I still think that the middle book is the weakest, perhaps by virtue of being the middle book. There is no final ending drama because the story must yet go on, and the first book must be followed up on instead of haring off in new directions. Hawk of May was fantastic. I'm not sure I can apply that appellation to In Winter's Shadow, because I haven't recovered yet.
Rhuawn, poisoned by Medraut. Goronowy, killed in the battle. Gwalchmai, killed by Bedwyr and bandits. Gwyn, killed by Bedwyr. Cei, dead in battle. Medraut, stabbed in the back with poison. Morgawse, dead by Agravain. Agravain, dead by Medraut. Dead, dead, dead, and Arthur missing and never identified.
AUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHH.
well, it's an indignity, isn't it? The Empire that's built goes out in a whimper, in a great battle that leads to them maybe winning, maybe losing, but everyone dying and no one about to enforce the rule again. Gwyn who might have been the successor is gone, the major characters dead one and all save Bedwyr and he's become a monk, and all broken. There isn't even a decent resolution or face off between Medraut and Arthur, or Arthur and Bedwyr, or Gwalchmai and Bedwyr, or anything; it just falls. Gwynhwyfar at least gets to see that Medraut loves his brother, but what is that when Medraut is dying and Gwalchmai already dead? And Arthur - Arthur is never found.
I still think that the middle book is the weakest, perhaps by virtue of being the middle book. There is no final ending drama because the story must yet go on, and the first book must be followed up on instead of haring off in new directions. Hawk of May was fantastic. I'm not sure I can apply that appellation to In Winter's Shadow, because I haven't recovered yet.
Rhuawn, poisoned by Medraut. Goronowy, killed in the battle. Gwalchmai, killed by Bedwyr and bandits. Gwyn, killed by Bedwyr. Cei, dead in battle. Medraut, stabbed in the back with poison. Morgawse, dead by Agravain. Agravain, dead by Medraut. Dead, dead, dead, and Arthur missing and never identified.
AUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHH.