The knights spend the winter in Terrabil, where King Uther has ordered Count Roderick to garrison the castle. Other knights are at Tintagel Castle on similar duty.
Meanwhile, Uther reviews the claims of the knights who served Duke Gorlois.
The three daughters of Queen Ygraine are present:
- Margawse, the eldest. A pretty and conniving woman, a bit rebellious, in her late teens. Of marriageable age, she is the object of numerous rumors regarding whom the king will marry her to.
- Elaine, the middle child. A young woman, less pretty than Margawse and less clever than her younger. She is also of marriageable age, and rumors of dowry and betrothal also surround her.
- Morgan, the youngest. A dark and brooding girl who watches everything and says nothing in the presence of her betters. Too young to marry, she nonetheless is eyed as a candidate soon for those who would want to get close to the king.