I’ve been puttering along, adding encounters to deal with Arthur’s attempts to recruit two of the kinglets (Tristram and Gawaine) to his side once he realizes that Mordred is planning a revolt. I’ve written about ten such encounters, but I am having doubts as to their narrative value. They impose complicated constraints upon the system: I shall need separate endings for each of the four cases reflecting the choices of Tristram and Gawaine. I have already written an ending in which they both take Mordred’s side. Perhaps I should stick with that and throw out the other encounters. I’m not sure how to proceed.
I am still struggling with the ending. The theme introduced by Merlin doesn’t work, but I consider it fundamental to the success of the storyworld. There are several problems. First, how does Merlin express the ideas? I have done a number of pieces about process versus object, but they seem feckless. Second, how does that dichotomy express itself in the ending? How does Arthur make a choice between process and object at the moment of truth?
I went for a walk and I have an idea: Merlin confronts Arthur with his own mortality.
July 9th
Perhaps it would be productive to prepare a list of endings, and then work backwards from there.
1. Classic ending: everybody dies. Long walk down the short spear. Saxons triumph immediately.
2. Arthur fights and loses. Mordred becomes king. Saxons triumph after a short delay.
3. Arthur fights and wins. Saxons triumph after Arthur dies.
4. The four variations arising from Tristram and/or Gawaine joining Arthur. Problematic. I think I should replace this with a win/lose decision based on the enthusiasm of the troops on both sides.
5. Arthur challenges Mordred to single combat and dies.
6. Arthur shames Mordred’s troops into submission.
So, how do we boil this down? And how do we offer these options? I’ll start by eliminating #4 and #6
This could be broken down as follows: Arthur first decides between {#1, #2, and #3}, and {#5}. The choice is expressed as “We fight” or “I’ll meet Mordred in single combat.”
If Arthur choose the first option, the outcome is decided by the balance of forces. It’s important that, even in option #3, Arthur ultimately loses because the Saxons eventually triumph. There must be a Merlin-conclusion in which he explains that nobody could solve the problem; the Saxons were going to win no matter what. Arthur did, perhaps, set an example for future generations.