The Once and Future King

Arthur and Kay agree to the rescue mission (only a child can enter Morgan le Fay’s castle). Robin’s men—resistance fighters against Uther Pendragon’s “foreign occupation”—enter the clearing while Robin and the boys wait for nightfall. Robin sets forth the plan: They must get past the griffin guard, enter the castle, and free the prisoners. Iron will offer protection (fairies cannot abide iron), but Arthur and Kay must not eat any food inside the castle, or they will be trapped there forever.

Night falls, and they move silently through the forest. The boys are entrusted to Marian, a skilled hunter and tracker. After several hours, all of Robin’s men gather at the rendezvous point and prepare to approach the castle. When they near the sleeping griffin, Robin’s men can go no further. Kay and Arthur approach the castle alone, which they see is made of food. They enter and find Morgan le Fay and the prisoners (Friar Tuck, the Dog Boy, and Wat, a forest recluse). When Morgan refuses to release the prisoners, Arthur and Kay approach her with their knives drawn. The iron causes her great pain until the castle dissolves and they all find themselves in the forest again.