June 2026 Prompt: "Myth" Word count: 502 @bylermicrofic
https://archiveofourown.org/works/87624566
Sometimes spells are woven and vows are taken without the full awareness of the wielders of those forces. This lack of awareness does not necessarily diminish the power that these forces can unleash on a life. At times, an unwitting oath maintains the power to alter even the universe itself.
A little boy in purple wizard robes kisses his paladin’s scraped knee better with pure belief and enough love in his heart to power 1000 spells. The paladin’s eyes go wide. “It worked!” he says in an awed voice. Their already fierce belief in each other grows stronger.
Angry words through thin walls. The sound of breaking glass against a bedroom door. The tiny paladin vows “I will protect you.” In his heart he adds “against all monsters”, not only this one who calls himself Daddy. He doesn’t know how he will possibly win this battle, simply that he would rather die trying than not stand up for his cleric.
So when the door is flung open and the monster named Lonnie raises a hand to strike Will, Mike steps in front of him intending to take the blow. But the monster hesitates. Maybe it’s the increased risk of legal repercussions that would follow if he assaulted some other mother’s child.
Or maybe it’s the look in that little boy’s eyes. How are Mike and Will to know when Lonnie doesn’t even know himself? All they know is that the oath of protection was made and the oath of protection was kept. The cord of love that binds their souls together grows even stronger.
And so it is that they capture the attention of malevolent forces when the chained one, long forgotten to the depths of time, is accidentally unbound. Ties of love were laid on him by the old ones, but they have been broken by the forces of hate and greed unleashed by two warring empires. They call it the Cold War and the gods know he has always liked it cold.
Now that he is unbound, he is determined to stay that way. He reaches his tendrils across the multiverse and begins to break the bonds of love wherever they grow the strongest.
The emissary he sends against the young cleric lies and says he is targeted because he is weak. He must not learn that his love for his paladin is his greatest strength.
When the young cleric is taken, the paladin has the bonds of his oath to guide him. And if it’s monsters that stand between him and his cleric? Well he’s fought monsters before. In winning his first battle, he inspired Joyce to win that war. She told him so with a kiss on his forehead after she kicked Lonnie out.
So it is with battle tested courage and leadership skills that he enters this new war. He is not alone, The Weaver of Fate has noticed his thread glowing ever brighter on her loom. She will send him help in his hour of need.
I'm gonna be honest, I fuck with a movie that's all about the collapse of a society that perpetuates certain morals and laws that itself is not willing to uphold when it comes to interacting with the rest of the world.
The Greeks used the excuse of a woman and the war of gods to wage war with an economic competitor, then showed up on their enemy's shores and broke their own laws of hospitality to win the war and ransacked the city and its people. The story of those actions traveled the world, making everyone afraid of the "people from the sea," even the Greeks who WERE the people from the sea.
The suitors cried about the laws not being upheld for them but were unwilling to uphold them themselves. The same society was terrified of this invisible enemy that would invade because of their lack of morals, unaware that THEY are the ones who broke the laws first. They are their own boogeyman. The fear of foreignors was never about the actions of foreignors but their own actions.
The gods haunt the narrative as an ideal. If they were confirmed real, then this movie becomes a warning against breaking away from "the correct religion." Instead, it is a warning of how mutual care and respect for your fellow man, whether gods exist or not, is the backbone of society, and without it, morality becomes something to twist and fear monger.
The gods couldn't exist in this adaptation, so a lot of the plot points involving the gods had to be changed or left out. "Nobody" only matters if Odysseus doxxes himself for poseidon to punish. (The crew members insisting that they definitely heard the cyclops say posiedon and jumping to the conclusion that he was poseidon's son and they were cursed was a great change in my opinion.) The wind bag can only exist if the gods exist. Athena can only guide Telemechus and Odysseus if the gods exist. ("Athena" potentially only being Odysseus's guilt for the preistess he let die who only shows up in times where his actions in Troy are thematically important was *chef's kiss*.) The Trojan War is only a war sanctioned by the gods if the gods exist. Odysseus being stuck with Calypso for so long needs another reason (the lotus) if it's not by the will of the gods. What would Circe and Calypso be like if they weren't eternal goddesses? Did the crew go to Hades, or did they just perform a spell that raised the dead?
Magic and Monsters can still exist without the gods, and everything else can be explained by superstition, nature, and bad luck. The ideal of the gods haunt the narrative so wonderfully.
I'm not a fan of Nolan's directorial aesthetic, but for the themes he wanted to explore, I think this was a fantastic retelling of the original. Accuracy isn't and shouldn't always be the goal. Sometimes, taking an existing story and making something new in order to speak to a different aspect of humanity is all we can really hope for.
This doesn't mean people HAVE to like it. There are plenty of "good" movies that I do not enjoy watching. However, acting like it's an objective thing to say that this was a failure of an adaptation is very annoying. It's a subjective opinion of art.
Okay. For my money, the entire thesis of Chris Nolan’s 2026 film The Odyssey is that society chokes and sputters and dies when we abuse, ignore, or violate social norms like the laws of hospitality. That is not really what The Odyssey (the book/poem) is about, but I can clearly see why in the horror that is the 2020s, someone could read The Odyssey and go oh my god that’s a lot of bad dropping in. That’s a lot of bad visits. That’s a clear vision of how the loss of social norms and cohesion fucks you up and how war, literal, brutal war, is a terrible wound that destroys your humanity and your understanding of what civilization and society is. I don’t know that the iteration of Greek society that ultimately birthed the poem would agree with Nolan’s take, but I think this movie is quite ideologically coherent, that Nolan knew exactly what he was trying to say with each and every adaptational change, and I think he wasn’t nuts for using one of the most famous classical western civilization works as a way to make that argument.
Based on "This loving feeling (it wears us out)" by Girl_rotting on Ao3 (https://archiveofourown.org/works/76741956/chapters/200869861)... this scene made me sob at 2am I can't lie.
Apocalypse AU + Aftermath of a demogorgan attack that killed Ted and severely injured Karen. Nancy is busy conspiring against the military which forces Mike to step up as the next eldest sibling in taking care of Holly.
Mike would sing for Holly to help her sleep and Will listens in sometimes because he likes the sound of Mike’s voice 💙💛
Firstly here’s my Loathly Lady Master Post which covers all Ragnelle media and more!
Secondly, I’m only going to recommend media that utilizes Bedwyr/Bedivere as an independent/separate entity from Lancelot. No Bedwyr/Lancelot hybrids: I’m excluding the works of Rosemary Sutcliff, Mary Stewart, Gillian Bradshaw, and Joan Wolf.
With that in mind, here’s all the Bedi media I recommend!
Medieval
Cullhwch and Olwen
An obvious banger. Bedwyr is missing a hand, but can make three spear thrusts faster than anyone else. He is repeatedly referred to as Cai's "companion."
The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth
Bedevere helps Caius & Arthur kill the giant of Mont St Michael. After Bedevere is slain in battle, Caius suffers a mortal wound while retrieving his body from the field.
The Vulgate
Bedivere is mostly present in early Vulgate & then again in Post Vulgate. Lots of scenes repeated from the previous stories like fighting the giant of Mont St Michael & war in Rome.
Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory
Bedivere present throughout the story but most iconicly, it was Malory who depicted Bedivere as Arthur's last knight & the one to throw Excalibur back into the lake.
Retellings
The Story of The Grail and The Passing of Arthur by Howard Pyle (1910)
Howard Pyle's series is near & dear to me, highly recommend. The illustrations are great, although there isn't one of Bedi throwing the sword back into the lake. Sad.
Merlin by Edwin Arlington Robinson
A small role, but Bedivere is introduced as "a man whom Arthur loved, As he had loved no man save Lancelot."
Arthur the Bear of Britain by Edward Frankland (1944)
Bedwyr is Arthur's kinsman, described as "that black hairy man with charms in his ears." He has a close friendship with Kai & is the last champion standing.
The Eagles Have Flown by Henry Treece (1954)
The Great Captains by Henry Treece (1956)
The Green Man by Henry Treece (1966)
Treece wrote the same story three different ways, with Kai & Bedwyr as Arthur's closest companions, & Medraut as the wedge between them. Each book stands on its own as a complete story. The Eagles Have Flown is an illustrated chapter book for a younger audience so it has less of the darker themes the other two contain (such as incest & torture).
The Queen’s Knight by Marvin Borowsky (1955)
Bedivere is referred to by Launcelot as his "sweet friend." He's constable of Camelot. Although Lucan is the point of view character, he doesn't seem to be the brother of Bedivere here. Bedivere is a skilled knight who wins honor at the tournament early in the novel. He's most prominent in the last quarter or so where he helps battle against Mordred, preceding Arthur is death.
The Pendragon by Catherine Christian (1979)
Let me preface this by saying that I haven't read the book yet. But it is the story of Arthur's life from the perspective of Bedivere, & right from the first page of the frame story with old man Bedivere, he says he resides near Arthur's burial place "to die like an old dog, close by my master's grave." Sick & twisted concept, Catherine!
The Legend of King Arthur novelization by Andrew Davies (1979)
Novel based on the amazing show & written by the same person. As with the show, Bedivere comes in clutch at the end to rescue Guinevere from Mordred, then throw Arthur's sword back to the Lady of the Lake. There's an illustration of him at the top of the chapter!
The Quest for Olwen by Gwyn Thomas, Kevin Crossley-Holland, & Margaret Jones (1988)
Illustrated picture book of Culhwch & Olwen, two page spread of Cai & Bedwyr riding the giant salmon to rescue Mabon.
The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn (2005)
Bedivere is the main love interest of this book. It opens with his final touching farewell to Arthur.
For Camelot's Honor by Sarah Zettel (2005)
This is a Geraint/Enid romance. But Bedivere is prominent here, described as, "The senior among them was called Bedivere. Some adventure or accident had taken his right hand above the wrist, but he accepted the cup neatly with the one that remained to him. While his hair and beard had gone winter-grey, his brown eyes were still keen, taking in every detail of their hall. His back and shoulders were both broad and straight. He was said to be one of Arthur’s ten champions, who were his high council."
Bedivere: The King’s Right Hand by Wayne Wise (2011)
Bedivere is Arthur's childhood friend. A certified horsegirl. His father was Bedwyr, the last man to see Uther Pendragon alive. Bedivere is very much in love with Arthur & follows him around like a puppy. Lucan is his elder brother who is trained by Ector for more administrative tasks. Kay is older than Arthur & Bedivere, & takes full advantage of that, but it generally a good dude. Didn't care for the Arthur/Morgan romance but all the other young characters were great. They included Lancelot, Guinevere, Gawain, Agravaine, Owain, & Tristan.
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman (2024) [review]
Bedivere is one of the main point of view characters. Born without his hand, he has always felt less-than & incomplete. He accompanies his family to the joust in the big city where Arthur pulls the sword from the stone. Thus begins Bedivere's life long devotion to him & unrequited love story. Overall I really enjoyed the character but the end of the book & resolution to Bedivere's character arc sucked.
Movies
Knights of the Round Table (1953)
Bedivere's role here is minor, but he's the first knight shown traveling with Arthur & Merlin. He wears white/red floral tabard it's cute. He pops in & out of the story throughout & remains loyal to Arthur to the end, although it's Lancelot who throws Excalibur into the sea.
Sword of Lancelot (1963)
Bedivere is among the knights of the Round Table right from the opening scene, alongside Kay, Lancelot, Gawain, Dagonet, Mordred, Lamorak, Tor, Merlin, & Arthur. He is Arthur's advisor, & stays home during the war with Arthur. He is the first to tend to Gareth after he's stabbed by Lancelot on his way out of the castle, & shown calming Gawain during his outbursts after in the resulting war.
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
Bedivere is introduced as he presides over a witch trial, which is really just a girl with a carrot strapped to her face.
Culhwch ac Olwen (1990)
Bedivere is chosen by Arthur, along with Kai, to accompany Culhwch on his quest. The animation style is almost like paper puppets, very cool. It's entirely in Welsh without English subtitles.
Morte d'Arthur (1984)
Bedivere fulfills his exact role as it happens in Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory.
King Arthur: Excalibur Rising (2017)
Bedivere is shown throughout the introduction battling at Camlann alongside Arthur, Merlin, & Kay. He then throws Excalibur back to the lake. 20 years later, Arthur's bastard son Owain has grown up. Bedivere is shown caring for an ailing Kay. Bedivere runs into some bandits on the street & is captured, where he eventually runs into Owain, likewise captured. He explains to him he is Arthur's son & heir. This movie is not good. But BediKay is in it. That's the review.
Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot (2020)
Bedivere & Lucan are introduced in Camelot at table with Mordred, who has usurped the throne whilst Arthur is away in Rome. Bedivere is openly opposed to Mordred's rule, but manages to keep away from his ire long enough to escape with Lucan & contact Arthur. They meet Arthur & his men, including Tristan & Lancelot, at the border with fresh horses. Bedivere is present for the final battle that challenges Mordred's men & reclaims the throne for Arthur. He's last seen chanting "Hail! Hail King Arthur!"
Kaamelott First Installment (2021)
Bedivere is introduced at Bors & Lionel's impromptu Round Table meeting at Gaunes. He is the elder brother of Lucan & his cousin Griflet, who are both children also seated at the table with him. Their presence is brief but I hope they are more prominent in the sequel!
TV Shows
The Adventures of Sir Galahad (1949)
Bedivere pops in for several episodes as one of Arthur's support knights, along with Gawain.
BBC The Legend of King Arthur (1979)
Bedivere is a young knight introduced near the end of the series with his cousin, Girflet. They act as secret messengers between Guinevere & Arthur after Mordred has usurped the throne & holds Guinevere hostage. At the end, Bedivere throws Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake, & helps Arthur into the barge to ride for Avalon.
lucas sinclair, who is a dark-skinned black man in the middle of nowhere indiana
lucas, who most definitely has been othered all of his life
lucas who, even when surrounded by people he trusts, so rarely sees himself reflected in them
lucas, who has always been an outcast in ways the others aren’t, in ways that are more – god knows he’s been called much worse things than freak
lucas, who has seen people avoiding his touch, crossing the street when he’s walking, distrusting him like it’s a default setting
lucas, who knows what it’s like to do everything right and still be looked at like he’s wrong
lucas, who hears will saying he’s not like them and gets it in ways the others can’t
lucas, who knows will is going to experience all of the same things – the othering, the distrust, the mistreatment, the slurs, the being avoided like the mere touch of you could kill, the dangers that come with just being – despite the differences in their circumstances
lucas who, even if he’d ever felt some kind of way about queerness, would grab that feeling and squeeze the life out of it because that right there is will. his will.
his in the way all of lucas’ people are his. his to carry when unconscious, his to tackle out of the way, his to use himself as bait, his to take a slashing to the chest, his to jump over tables and traps and interdimensional monsters. his to protect, his to kill for, his to die for.
lucas sinclair who of course is the first one to say you won’t ever lose me – who also means i’m here, i love you, there’s nothing wrong with you, i’ll protect you, i’ll stand by you, i understand you
You’ve just discovered PEAK. Maybe you’ve never heard of Dungeon Crawler Carl before seeing this fanart, or maybe you have and you’ve been sleeping on it. Either way, your world just got cooler. Pick up the book or throw on the audiobook and develop a new hyperfixation today. Reward: Upon finishing the first book, you will immediately receive the “must buy all the other books in the series” status effect.
Somewhere in there, deep, deep down, there is a spark of the old Heather. The beloved bear has moments of lucidity as she runs down her terrified prey. In those brief moments, she thinks: Good. I've always hated all you assholes anyway.
Three books into the dungeon crawler Carl series and goddamn I’m so hooked. Hunger games esque alien death dungeon where you must battle your way out but the main character is 1)in his underwear for possibly the whole series 2) asexual TO ME 3) thinks he’s so chill and normal but is very very good at blowing things up in progressively larger ways. His best friend is a cat. It’s gory it’s convoluted it has behind the scenes intergalactic politics and it’s one of the best series I’ve ever read
it's good enrichment for The Character(s) when one of their friends gets possessed and they have to find some way to bring them back. great friendgroup bonding activity. especially if they have to do some exorcism bullshit and it's traumatizing for everyone involved and there's collapsing and sobbing afterward. great thing for The Character(s) to do. highly recommend.
