I know in some versions of the stories, Morgana’s resentment toward Arthur eventually dwindles enough that she gives up her former ambitions for the throne. Even helped Arthur on two particular occasions in that particular scenario (making Arthur aware of the affair going on with Guen and Lance and even being the one to ultimately take Arthur to Avalon when he gets severely injured).
Hard to say if that can happen in this story, but it will be interesting see if it’s even possible for Mordred to help their mother deal with her own darkness.
Self-fulfilling prophecy: many characters make the mistake of having the prophecy take form due to either trying to prevent it with some type of force or not doing anything at all due to thinking that the prophecy is absolute. Never mind the fact that a prophecy is at times worded vaguely for a reason.
Like I mentioned, reminds me of that version of the Fenrir tale; as a pup, he had no ill will toward the gods and went along with the chain test to prove his strength, not realizing that that it was less that the Norse gods treating it as a game (as they told him as a pup) and more that they were trying to find a way to bind him. But as he got older, Fenrir got more suspicious due to starting to notice how the gods reacted whenever he did break the chain and got even more leery when the latest chain they brought to him seemed to look the weakest in appearance (yet ended up being the one that would bind him in Ragnarok). He refused this chain at first due to wariness but after being goaded by the gods (and given false promises that they would take it off if he could not break it), he made a deal: he would put the chain on only if ones of the gods out their hand in his mouth and made it clear that if they break their promise to let him free if he could not handle that chain, he’d take that hand in retribution.
Tyr, the only Norse god who played with Fenrir with no ulterior motives and fed him, ended up being the one who offered his hand (even while knowing what the others intended) and when the gods ultimately did betray the large wolf, Tyr didn’t remotely struggle to get his hand away and verbally told Fenrir to do his end of the bargain when the two locked eyes with each other. Tyr was the only God who did not laugh in triumph with the others as the wolf cursed the gods for their betrayal and vowed vengeance for the mistreatment. When the story got to the part of Ragnarok, definitely didn’t feel so bad for Odin (who had been very much present during the ‘chain games’ with Fenrir) when the encounter with the giant wolf happened and felt like (in that version’s case) what happened was due to self-fulfilling prophecy on the Norse gods end.
There’s a lot of things about that decision he can regret. It’s what type of regret and how he shows it that makes me a little wary of him. Especially since he does clearly trust Merlin and who knows what that man has been saying in regards to the prophecy.
I’m particularly leery toward Merlin the most out of all the characters so far myself. Feel like he’s going to be the one that has the strongest mentality of ‘BUT THE PROPHECY NEVER LIES’ and will be one of the ones that give Mordred a particularly hard time due to it (maybe even right to the bitter end). Would not put it past him and some others making efforts to constantly do things in a attempt to reveal what they believe is Mordred’s ‘true’ nature (despite a possibly kind disposition showing them other wise). Feel like even a Mordred who leans on good traits will have their patience worn thin by the guy.
Is it Ok to ask where the potential ROs fall in the line of judging Mordred by their prophecy vs. judging Mordred by their personality? Galahad is pretty self explanatory (being the son of Arthur’s best friend, probably heard the most about the prophecy the longest and his father likely painted a pretty vivid picture of what Mordred would apparently become due the prophecy).
And what is Lance’s relationship with Galahad like?
Sounds a little like my Mordred, except he would have been content staying in Avalon a little longer before heading out for adventure and really just wants to live in peace to do his own thing (and taking over an already claimed throne by someone who is NOT a tyrant isn’t likely in his solid plans at the moment).
That said, my Mordred as a child has also not made too good a first impression to the world outside so far, what with letting his upset emotions get the best of him and accidentally burning that bully (not that the kid didn’t deserve some consequence for his actions). But there’s also been things that he could not really control, like stating that observation that Lot has no interest in being his father regardless and getting smacked by that Nanny, who clearly resents Mordred solely for the connection to Morgana (I’m currently staring at my watch and wondering how long she’s gonna be sticking around, seeing as she’s got no fear about pissing Morgana off).
That’s a tricky situation and probably an even trickier outcome to aim for. Arthur is right that he is not Uther and should not be really blamed for that man’s actions (having possibly went through his own hardship because of his father too). But between him and Morgana, Arthur did seem to sort of benefit the most (to a extent) from Uther’s actions. Maybe getting Morgan’s resentment to soften and having Arthur acknowledge that unpleasant piece of information will make it possible for the two to talk things out and move forward?
Don’t know how this will play out, but it likely may not happen in book 1, I’m guessing. Not an impossible sounding goal, but sort of hard to some degree (both parents seem a little stubborn).