The Tombs of Atuan

The Tombs of Atuan is the second book in the Earthsea series. It is a coming of age story about a young woman named Tenar at the Tombs of Atuan within the Kargish Empire. It follows her quest to understand herself, her role as high priestess, the nature of the labyrinth underneath the tombs, and what to do when a mage named Ged arrives to steal an important treasure.
==Synopsis==
The book is based around a girl named Tenar, renamed Arha, who is placed in the Tombs of Atuan as the high priestess for the "Nameless Ones". 
When she is fifteen years of age, Ged (Sparrowhawk) arrives at the tombs of Atuan in search for half of Erreth-Akbe's ring. Arha traps Ged, but later spares his life after he tells her of the outer world, while keeping him as a prisoner. 
A priestess named Kossil learns of the presence of Ged within the tombs of Atuan, and so informs Arha that she must sacrifice his life to the Nameless Ones. Unable to do so, she asks her only friend eunuch Manan to dig a fake grave, and hide Ged in the treasury of the tombs, where only she can go. She and Kossil have a relationship that is beyond an enemy, beyond just a nemesis. Kossil informs Arha during an argument that the Nameless Ones do not exist, and that the real power lies with her. Arha refuses to believe it, and curses her in the name of the Nameless Ones. She realises that Kossil will now wish to kill her for her actions. In finding a place to think, she sees Kossil unearthing the fake grave, and so she runs to the treasury to confess everything to he prisoner, Ged. 
While kept prisoner, Ged has located the half-ring of Erreth-Akbe, and so he asks Arha to escape the tombs with him. Eventually, she succumbs to his kindness, and revokes her role as priestess. The tombs collapsed when they escaped, and returned to Havnor, knowing that the reunited ring of Erreth-Akbe is safely back together, bringing peace to Earthsea.
===Inside The Tombs===
The tombs of Atuan are an underground set of tunnels and labyrinths, all occupied by the High Priestesses, who are there to serve the Nameless Ones.
Above the tombs is the island of Atuan, located in the Kargad Lands. It is said that people are taken to the tombs, usually prisoners, are sent to be sacrificed to the Nameless Ones for a slow death. It is said that each priestess is a reincarnation of the first, and are therefore taken into the tombs for a lifetime of servitude at a young age. Tenar, or Arha, is the only priestess who is allowed to roam the labyrinth above. Because the tombs are below Kargad Lands, there are no wizards present because of the Kargad belief that wizardry is impermissible.
==Chapter Summary==
===Prologue===
Tenar's mother calls her home while the little girl joyfully runs through an apple orchard. Her father complains about Tenar being chosen as the "Priestess of the Tombs", being taken away in a month without any payment, and being helpless to do anything about it. He tells his wife they have four other children and must let Tenar go. Her mother relents, "when the time comes, I will let her go." She lovingly scoops up Tenar despite her muddy white feetThis hints at the Kargad Lands. Le Guin based the Kargish in Norse lore and they were often blonde, blue-eyed, and white-skinned. Most Earthsea peoples are dark-skinned., kisses her black hairThere is a contrast between her mother's fair hair and Tenar's black hair., and enters their hut. Filled with unexpressed angry grief, her father shrugs and joins the family inside.
===Chapter 1: The Eaten One===
The Remaking of the Priestess ceremony begins after sunrise at the abandoned, crumbling Hall of the Throne. Black-clad girls hold torches as men play drums and trumpets leading up to the doorway. Two priestesses, implied to be Thar and Kossil, lead a 6 year old girl into the Hall and halfway up the steps to a massive black throne. It is Tenar, barefoot and only wearing a white shift. She stretches her neck on a chopping block. A man in white prepares to behead her, but a woman in black stops him. They pause and leave behind the throne. A priestess pours a bowl of dark liquid, likely blood, before the chopping block. 
After Tenar gets up, the two priestesses clothe her in black, and face her towards the black throne. They offer Tenar to the Nameless Ones to accept her life and "let her be eaten." People chant "she is eaten" and the drums beat again. Tenar obediently follows the day-long ritual from the Hall of the Throne through many rooms within the Temple of the Godking and Temple of the Twin Gods. It is reminiscent of funeral rites ending in the crypt-like Small House.
Tenar lies naked under sheepskin rugs. Manan, a eunuch servant, sneaks in to check on her. He moves and speaks in an awkward, hesitant way asking how "Tenar" and his "little honeycomb" is doing. She states that she is no longer Tenar and tells him he shouldn't be inside the Small House. He slowly shuffles out. Alone and staring in the dark, she is no longer Tenar, but remade as Arha, meaning "The Eaten One."
===Chapter 2: The Wall Around the Place===
Arha had lost all memory of her mother and held only a few fragments from her old life. All she knew was that she had always belonged to the Tombs. From Thar, High Priestess of the Twin Gods, she knew how the priestesses and wardens found the reincarnated Priestess of the Tombs of Atuan. They searched for a girl born the day the former Priestess died, sound of mind and body, and free of disease. They'd reclaim her at 5 and perform a mock sacrifice by 6. But, she repeatedly asked Manan to recount her specific choosing. He recalled the 8 months until they'd found the baby only for the mother to disguise the girl with berry juice "smallpox." It was Kossil, High Priestess of the Godking, who had seen through the ruse. Distant, Arha asked if Manan knew what the mother did when Thar and Kossil returned years later to collect her, but he was not present at the time. 
The Place of the Tombs was a small, self-sufficient town of roughly 100 people built along the desert hill. The Temple of the Godking was newest and constructed of imported wood. The Temple of the Twin Gods, centuries older, was a white block of stone under a gilded roof and sat higher on the hill. The Hall of the Throne, oldest of all, was a crumbling dome still higher on the hill. Finally, the ancient Tombs of Atuan crested the hill and their 9 black stones stood some 20 feet tall with lichen crusting over the carvings underneath. Here Arha's life in the Tombs was filled with spinning, weaving, farming, fetching water, and learning the history of the Kargad Lands much like the other novice priestesses. The main differences were that Thar would teach Arha the special rites for the Nameless Ones an hour each day and Arha slept alone in the Small House apart from the others in the Big House.
Now 12, Arha and her friend Penthe skip their chores. Penthe dreams of the world outside, her old home by the sea, and the curious sorcerers sailing by from the Inner Lands. Arha, devout in the Kargish faith, is offended by their sorcery and thinks mainly of their "holy land" at the Tombs. They tease an ambling Manan picking wild onions and loosely guarding Arha. They talk of turning 14. Soon, Penthe will join the Temple of the Godking. Arha will rise to High Priestess, outranking both Kossil and Thar in name, but ultimately still powerless... still nameless. They are caught and Kossil punishes Penthe with whippings and no meals. Thar reprimands Arha and reminds her that "You are Arha," highlighting all the strict monotony demanded of Arha the Eaten One. Despite her acceptance, hate and rage lurk within. 
After dinner in the Big House and the nightly religious rituals, the other girls go upstairs to chat and play games while Arha sets off to the Small House. She meets Manan and informs him that she wasn't punished since, "I am Arha" and bursts into tears. He comforts her and carries her to the doorway of the Small House where she sleeps alone.
===Chapter 3: The Prisoners===
Now 15, Arha reflects on her life as the full Priestess of the Tombs of Atuan. Though she receives respect from others, her daily chores and religious duties remain unchanged. She fears this monotony will persist from age 6 to 15 until the end of her days. Arha confides her concerns to Manan, who surprises her with actual answers. He recounts how noble quarrels were once resolved by seeking counsel from the Nameless Ones through the Priestess of the Tombs. However, since the Godking conquered the 4 lands of the Kargad Empire, he has taken on the role of settling disputes. Each successive Godking's worship waned. Now, the only remaining ritual is the sacrifice of prisoners to the Tombs.
One day, Kossil arrives to transfer the duty of sacrificing prisoners to Arha, now that she has reached adulthood. Arha experiences excitement to finally enter this part of her domain, yet afraid of the mysterious Labyrinth beneath the Tombs. Using her iron ring of 13 keys, they pass through the Red Rock Door and enter the Undertomb, the main cavern beneath the Tombs. Light is forbidden, fear of the Nameless Ones is heavy, and even Kossil sweats. Arha confidently navigates the Labyrinth while Kossil remains uneasy.
Upon reaching the Room of Chains, Arha confronts the chained prisoners who plotted against the Godking. Initially, she suggests beheading and pouring out their blood like the sacrificial goats. But Kossil, chides her for her lack of imagination and forgetting that men cannot enter the Undertomb. Overwhelmed and feeling dizzy, Arha hastily decides to withhold food, water, and light from the prisoners. Their bodies should be buried in the Undertomb for the Nameless Ones to eat.
As they hurry to exit, Arha realizes that the Red Rock Door cannot be opened from the inside. She panics until Kossil winds them through the only known exit, a trapdoor in the Hall of the Throne. Arha cannot remember all the turnings to exit, but Kossil will only tell her once more. Arha must come alone the next time. The weight of everything overwhelms Arha, and she faints in the presence of Kossil.
===Chapter 4: Dreams and Tales===
Arha has been sick for many days, experiencing nightmares and waking up screaming, "They aren't dead yet! They are still dying!" Penthe visits her during recovery, and they laugh over some kitchen antics. Penthe still yearns for a life beyond the Tombs, joking about being a priestess of the Godking and mocking the Godking himself. Arha agrees that the Godkings disrespect the power of the Nameless Ones. She teases Penthe about forcing her to join the Tombs' service instead. Arha finds validation that even faithless Penthe admits fear of the dark. Recovered, Arha resumes her religious rituals, dances, and songs sung in a lost language.
The Godking ceases sending prisoners to the Tombs, and gradually, Arha's nightmares stop. Determined to know her domain, she explores the Undertomb section of the Labyrinth except the Iron Door tunnel. Thar gives Arha directions to the other rooms in the greater Labyrinth. She also points out spy holes into the Labyrinth from aboveground areas. Thar has never entered the Labyrinth herself. She only recites memorized directions from the previous Arha. In fact, most people don't even know the underground Labyrinth exists.
Finally, Arha decides to explore the greater Labyrinth beyond the Iron Door. Believing the Nameless Ones guide her steps, she makes many trips to the various inner rooms. One day, Thar reveals that the Labyrinth was created to hide treasure while trapping thieves. Only Arha can enter the Treasury to avoid the wrath of the Nameless Ones and facing death. The previous Arha told Thar to reveal the Treasury's path only after the current Arha asked. Curiously, Arha postpones her visit to the Treasury.
One night, Thar and Kossil tell of the wizards who robbed towns and temples under the guise of hunting dragons. Erreth-Akbe, wizard king and dragonlord of the Inner Lands, joined rebel Kargish lords to fight the High Priest Intathin of the Twin Gods. Eventually, High Priest Intathin defeated Erreth-Akbe by breaking his witching-staff and amulet ring. Erreth-Akbe fled and gave half of the broken ring to the rebel Thoreg, potentially to create strife against the Godking. But the ring was lost, when the Godking destroyed Thoreg's entire family. Intathin's half of the ring was rumored to be the greatest treasure hidden in the Labyrinth. Centuries of wizards and thieves failed to find the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. Arha wonders if these wizard thieves were brave or stupid, while Thar and Kossil debate the nature of magic. Kossil dismisses it as trickery. But Thar describes the wizards' powers over weather, light, transformation, and more. Kossil calls the wizards black and vile, despite never seeing one.
===Chapter 5: Light Under the Hill===
A wasting disease kills Thar in autumn. Though stern, she was never cruel and taught Arha as best she could. Before she died, Thar prepared Arha. She talked of the Godking honestly and unflatteringly, what the previous Arha did and looked like, and hinted at future dangers with Kossil. The new High Priestess of the Twin Gods would not arrive until spring, so Arha and Kossil were left as sole rulers of the Place of the Tombs. Arha discovered unfaith from gentle Penthe, but accepted its existence cautiously. But, this also gave her a new insight into Kossil. Kossil did not worship or believe in the Nameless Ones or the gods. She only believed in power and viewed Arha's position with envy and menace.
Arha avoided Kossil as much as possible and often escaped to the relative safety of the Labyrinth. She only trusted Manan to learn the secret paths of the Labyrinth, despite his unease. Arha wandered the Labyrinth until it was second nature, but even she wearied of the great trap. So, she began exploring the many rooms of the Hall of the Throne above with its dusty chests, jewel-embroidered gowns, rusting armor, and countless jewels and precious metals all falling into decay... all recalling the past glory of the One Priestess.
One winter night, Arha descends into the Labyrinth and notices a faint gray light in the Undertomb. Light was never permitted, so she sees the beautiful natural cavern of limestone sparkling with crystal, diamond, and amethyst for the first time. A dark-skinned man carries a staff glowing with magic light searching the Undertomb. At first, Arha cannot even conceive that it is a stranger, a thief violating the sacred Undertomb where no man was permitted. She wonders why the Nameless Ones don't eat this man like the prisoners buried shallowly in the Undertomb, until she realizes they mean her to take action. She shouts, "Go! Go! Begone!" startling the man. He momentarily glimpses Arha, puts out the light, and flees into the darkness. Eventually, Arha traps the intruder in the greater Labyrinth slamming the Iron Door behind him.
Exiting back into the Hall of Thrones, she prays to the Nameless Ones for forgiveness and vows vengeance. Her thoughts flit from how to tell Kossil, how to kill him, how he entered the Undertomb, and how he opened the Red Rock Door. She realizes he must be sorcerer thief seeking the Ring of Erreth-Akbe like the stories of old. In fear and excitement, she wonders if the magic that opened the Red Rock Door could allow him to escape. Surely, the Nameless Ones allowed him into the trap, but their strength would not allow escape. From her Small House, she looks down a spy hole and sees him failing to open the Iron Door with magic. He laughs at his own foolishness, calmly eats some dry bread, and lays down to sleep. A ball of light reveals half of the Ring of Erreth-Akbe on a heavy necklace. Arha mulls over the strange events, ruminating over the beautiful caverns, magical light, and the quiet face of the man asleep.
===Chapter 6: The Man Trap===
Arha cannot locate the sorcerer thief anywhere within the 20 miles of the Labyrinth, despite checking many spy holes. Frustrated about losing track of him and not wanting him to die of thirst, she finally tells Kossil everything and seeks advice. Kossil suggests they wait for him to die of thirst, but Arha wants to find him alive. Arha snaps back that his sacrilege deserves a harsher punishment. Secretly, she wants to avoid the cruel death like the Kargish prisoners before. Also, the first thief brave enough to rob the Tombs surely deserves to die by the sword rather than of thirst. Outwardly, she agrees with Kossil and leaves, but she cannot sleep well.
Wandering by the river, she realizes the sorcerer thief might have followed its sound within the Labyrinth. Through a spy hole, she sees him scraping with a broken knife against the impenetrable stone to get water. Arha calls out to him and gives directions to the Painted Room. She fantasizes about keeping him alive just to torture him for his sacrilege against the Nameless Ones. Although she has all the power and control, part of her still fears his sorcery. She realizes she could send him to explore the Great Treasury, the only place she'd not visited yet.
By the 4th day, Arha finds him collapsed inside the Painted Room. From a spy hole in the floor of the Temple of the Twin Gods, she taunts him with directions to the Great Treasury where "maybe, you'll find water." Again, she fantasizes about toying with him and giving death, death, death instead of water. Kossil finds Arha in the Temple of the Twin Gods and asks if the man is dead yet. Arha replies that his magical light has gone out so he is probably near death. Suspicious, Kossil suggests having her servant Duby bring out the corpse. Arha confronts Kossil, claiming her domain, her Masters, and needing no more lessons in death. 
Arha knows time is short and hurries with Manan to the Painted Room where the sorcerer thief has collapsed some 500 paces away. Manan suggests strangling him, but Arha barks that she wants him alive. She orders Manan to carry him, but he struggles under the weight and often halts. At each halt, Arha drips water into the sorcerer thief's mouth. They bring him back to the Painted Room where she orders Manan to wrap him in her own cloak. Manan is upset, but follows her confounding orders. She does relent to Manan's suggestion to chain him. He shuffles away to retrieve links and locks from the Room of Chains. Meanwhile, Arha continues to drip water into the sorcerer thief's mouth until he wakes. Manan returns and chains him around the waist to the wall. Arha steals his staff, struggles with the silver necklace with the Ring of Erreth-Akbe until Manan kicks him, and taunts him before leaving. That night, after all lights are out, she brings leaves bread and water in the Painted Room as he sleeps. Back in the Small House, she sleeps long and soundly.
By the afternoon of the 5th day, Arha visits the sorcerer thief to talk and bring a jug of water. He is called Sparrowhawk, but will not tell her his true name. She is called Arha the "one who has been devoured," but dismissively says she has no name. Arha thinks all wizards are unbelieving infidels. Yet, Sparrowhawk knows the powers of the Nameless Ones and even met other Dark Powers elsewhere. He transparently states he came to rob the Nameless Ones since the Ring of Erreth-Akbe is not actually theirs. He's already fought and found the name of a Dark Power akin to the Nameless Ones, which gave him facial scars. He is also a dragonlord. That wisdom and experience far surpasses Arha, though he states those facts without any arrogance. In fact, he is very respectful, calm, and even apologizes for offending her. This unexpected behavior catches Arha off guard. It frustrates her until she threatens him with death and storms out.
===Chapter 7: The Great Treasure===
Arha secretly provides meals to Sparrowhawk in the Painted Room by giving away her own meals. He describes the Inner Lands, Erreth-Akbe, dragons, and dragonlords. His wisdom and experience intimidate her. It challenges her understanding of the outside world, making her feel foolish and afraid. So, she accuses him of lying. Yet, he doesn't argue with her. She explains that she's kept him alive only to see the "tricks of sorcerers" and orders him to "Show me something you think worth seeing." So, Sparrowhawk changes her black dress to a beautiful blue silk dress embroidered with silver, pearls, and crystals, saying, "You told me to show you something worth seeing. I show you yourself." He discreetly gestures to the spy hole above. Immediately, Arha's tone hardens, saying he'll be fed to the Nameless Ones and she'll not return. She fears what was overheard and knows how easily Kossil could kill Sparrowhawk.
Arha devises a plan to protect Sparrowhawk and deceive Kossil. Manan will escort Sparrowhawk to the Great Treasury by following Arha, then dig a fake grave deep in the Undertomb. Manan disagrees, but obeys Arha's commands. A treacherous pit lies across their path and can only be crossed via a hand-width ledge skirting the left wall. Finally, Arha and Sparrowhawk enter a room with Manan waiting just outside the door. Inside, six great stone chests lie under a layer of dust, but neither seems interested. She tells him this is the Great Treasury he's been seeking, but that he can never leave. Dejected and betrayed, Sparrowhawk says nothing. Arha promises to return with food and water when she's able, but it will be sporadically, since she cannot starve herself forever. Sparrowhawk replies, "Take care, Tenar."
===Chapter 8: Names===
Arha, now feeling a sense of rebirth, embraces her name Tenar. In the Big House dining hall she tells Kossil, "I have done away with the robber.... What a fine day it is!" Kossil reminds her that the Priestess must fast for 3 days after a human sacrifice, but Arha had clearly forgotten. Arha fumbles, saying that he's been buried alive. The questions and answers escalate to threats until Arha curses Kossil. Arha shouts, "May the Dark Ones eat your soul, Kossil!" and Kossil visibly staggers before entering the Temple of the Godking.
Arha spends the day lost in thought at the lowest step of the Empty Throne. She cannot enter the Labyrinth or go among the other priestesses now. She asks herself "Who am I?" and gets no answer. Manan enters and warns about Kossil's revenge. He suggests killing Sparrowhawk to take the lies and turn them into truth. Arha replies that Kossil can't hurt her and at worst Arha would be reborn. Manan counters that Kossil could imprison Arha in the Labyrinth for years and the Nameless Ones would not forgive her sacrilege. Arha dismisses his concerns and tells him to go to sleep affectionately. One he leaves, she enters the Labyrinth one last time.
===Chapter 9: The Ring of Erreth-Akbe===
Arha enters the Great Treasury with water and stolen bread. Sparrowhawk doesn't recognize her. She says, "It's I, Arha - Tenar. I brought you water. Here, drink." He drinks, but he is weak and fumbling. He declines the bread despite not having eaten in 2 days and puts his head in his hands. She falls to her knees and sobs, but without tears. He comforts her calling, "Tenar - ". But she replies that she is not Tenar, not Arha, and the gods are dead.
He asks why she's crying. For days, Arha was physically and mentally exhausted from the fear of Kossil trying to kill her. Trying to escape to the Undertomb, she even found Kossil digging to verify the thief's corpse. She half heard Kossil following her through the greater Labyrinth. Yet, the Nameless Ones did not save their High Priestess Arha or punish Kossil's sacrilege. Sparrowhawk reassures her that the Nameless Ones exist. Despite many spells to hide himself, they still crush his spirit. They are immortal, but not gods, and hate the light of mortal life. So, they were "not worth the worship of any human soul."
She realizes the Nameless Ones give and create nothing. They only darken and destroy, but cannot leave the place because they are the place. They should not be denied or forgotten, but also should not be worshipped. Sparrowhawk admits the Earth is beautiful, bright, and kind, but also terrible, dark, and cruel. The Nameless Ones may trap many, but "You are free, Tenar. You were taught to be a slave, but you have broken free." Warming up, she asks how he knew her name. He explains the history and nature of magic comes from learning the true names of things. She clarifies how he knew her specific name. He cannot explain how his gift works. He can only liken it to a lantern they tried to cover, yet whose light still shines. Knowing the light means knowing her. Knowing her means knowing her name.
He asks her what she'll do next, but she doesn't know. If she goes back up, Kossil will kill her for lying. But, if she stays here, the Nameless Ones will drive her mad. She gives a whimpering laugh that they never looked into the great chests. But, Sparrowhawk looked and found the other half of the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. He shares the history and design of the Ring and how he obtained his half of the ring. A kind woman on a tiny islet gave him a half-ring. A dragon on Selidor explained what the half-ring was.
Sparrowhawk asks Tenar what she plans to do. She doesn’t know and he clarifies her choices. Choice 1 is to leave him to die, follow her masters, and make peace with Kossil, leading to the end of her story. Choice 2 is to unlock the door, leave the Tombs, and leave the island of Atuan with Sparrowhawk, leading to the beginning of a new story. “You must be Arha, or you must be Tenar. You cannot be both.” Yet, she is still scared that she will die and the Nameless Ones will not allow her to leave. He tries one last time and explains that together they could do it since they have trust between them. He arrived as a thief and enemy, but she showed him mercy. So Sparrowhawk trusts her with his true name… Ged. Then laying the broken halves of the Ring he promises to restore it. Finally she relents and agrees to come with him. 
=== Chapter 10: The Anger of the Dark===
Ged successfully repairs the Ring with a potent Patterning magic and places it on Tenar's arm. They gather a bag, flask, and cloak, while Ged longs for his staff. Tenar had left it outside, intending to return it to Ged. Leaving the Treasury, they reach the treacherous pit. They attempt to edge across the ledge, but the stones are loose. Ged lights the area to make repairs, but out of the darkness lunges Manan. Manan, driven by his loyalty to Arha, attempts to shove Ged into the pit. Ged blinds Manan with the light and strikes him down. Manan falls into the pit without a sound.
Doubt and fear attack Tenar as they wander through the labyrinth, though Ged supports her. The Nameless One press down on their spirits and shake the rocks of the caverns. They reach the trapdoor to the Hall of the Throne, but something heavy weighs it down. Kossil has blocked their way and potentially guarded it with Duby and Uato. 
Forced to run across the Undertomb, Ged's power holds off the darkness and impending earthquake. With whispered words, Ged breaks through the Red Rock Door. The power of the Nameless Ones possesses Tenar for a moment, twisting her vision and turning Ged into a black demon. But Ged, calling upon Tenar's true name and the power of the Ring, brings her back to her senses. Exhausted but free, they watch from afar as the stones topple and the Tombs collapse. With the Ring restored and Tenar by his side, Ged leads them away from the Place of the Tombs, towards the mountains and sea.
===Chapter 11: The Western Mountains===
Tenar wakes to a golden light unlike any she's seen in the Tombs. A sweet, earthy smell fills the air, a stark contrast to the stale, oppressive atmosphere of her former life. She sees another strange contrast between this immensely person as powerful as the Old Powers, commander of dragons, and suppressor of earthquakes, yet sleeps peacefully with a hand next to a little thistle. They surmise that only the Tombs and the Hall of the Throne collapsed, killing Kossil. Ged saw the gilded roof of the Temple of the Twin Gods still standing and people fleeing, so the other priestesses likely escaped alive. It should only take a few days until they reach the sea, but Ged is exhausted and sleeps often. 
They move slowly, gather firewood, forage for food, and sleep under the splendor of the stars. Tenar is happy with this simple, free life of wooded mountains and cool streams beyond the desert of the Tombs. They discuss home, her childhood home of Entat, Ged's childhood in Gont, and maybe the quiet woods of this mountain. Tenar is uncertain about Havnor as her home, becoming a great princess, but realizes she will need to start some type of new life. It is a hard reality to learn a different language, different world, and a different role. Ged realizes she's just escaped the isolation of the Tombs of Atuan only to jump into yet another form of isolation.
They crest a ridge and Tenar has her first view of the glittering sea. It shimmers like the crystal walls of the Undertomb. As they descend into a small village, Ged casts an illusion so they can pose as brother as sister to find lodging and a meal for the night. The next day they make their way to a larger town with high clay brick walls and red-plumed guards. Ged recalls when Kargish raiders in Gont as a boy and hopes that the restored ring and Lost Rune remade will avoid raids and killings between the Kargish and Inner Lands. Tenar, naively comments about the Kargish Godking conquering the Inner Lands, not realizing how relatively small the Kargad Lands are compared to the rest of the Archipelago. Ged offers a patient explanation, detailing the vastness of the Archipelago, a world beyond her wildest imagination. Yet, his words only amplify her sense of smallness – the simple joy of their mountain haven seems a distant memory.
As they walk, Tenar inquires about Ged's plans in Havnor asking if he will stay with her. His answer is a heavy weight. His duty will often call him away from Havnor, but he promises to be there for her as long as she needs. Tenar remains silent, the weight of his words settling upon her. Happiness in Havnor? It feels like a hollow promise.
===Chapter 12: Voyage===
Tenar and Ged reach the beach making their way to Ged's boat, Lookfar which has been hidden in a cave. They cannot light a fire for fear of attracting curious night fishermen and wait in the cold sand that night. Tenar can't sleep and listens to the waves crash noisily, ceaselessly, and altogether different from the constant desert and quiet mountains. In the morning, he offers her fresh mussels and oysters. The thought of eating the slimy rocks with orange lips raw disgusts her. Tenar looks at the unfamiliar boat with mistrust, confusion, and anxiety feeling that Lookfar's painted eyes are staring at her. Ged offers her bread and suggests a nap, but she tersely replies she's not hungry and not sleepy.
In the two hours until the high tide allows them to sail off, Ged naps. She looks down at his sleeping face with doubt and regret. She reflects that he had called her by her true name and she followed like an obedient rabbit. He had the ring, destroyed the Tombs, and took her who was its High Priestess. He already said he couldn't stay with her, so maybe he didn't need her and would abandon her. She takes the sacrificial dagger she'd given him and considers slitting his throat as a last sacrifice to the Nameless Ones. As she holds the dagger, Ged awakes with a look of calm but deep pain. He gently calls, "Tenar. It's time… Time we were going." and touches the ring reassuringly. The sound of his voice seems to dispel the fury inside her. He promises her freedom from the Nameless Ones and starts pushing the boat into the waters. They hop in and begin to sail away. He asks if she can feel that they are away and clear. She truly feels the dark hand letting go of her heart, yet she doesn't have the same joy as in the mountains. Instead she cries for her wasted years in bondage to the Nameless Ones. She cries because freedom is both a journey towards light, but also a heavy burden we choose leading to an uncertain destination.
They sail for a day and a night mostly in silence. Tenar tells Ged the story of the ring and how it came from a King Thoreg who rebelled against the descendents of the Godking's line. The ring of Erreth-Akbe was passed from daughter to daughter until only a little boy and girl were left. A prophecy was foretold that the descendants of Thoreg would topple the current Empire. So, the father of the current Godking kidnapped and deserted the children on an island. He would have murdered them directly, except he feared the superstition that killing kingly blood would result in godly vengeance. Ensar was the boy and Anthil was the girl. Ged sadly closes the loop, recalling how the old man and old woman barely knew human speech anymore. Tenar breaks down and begs Ged not to take her to Havnor. She feels she doesn't deserve it after her evil deeds. She betrayed her people, ordered the cruel starvation and murder of three prisoners, and led faithful Manan to death. He who protected, cared for, and loved her. She asks to be left on a deserted island like Ensar and Anthil instead of going to Havnor.
Ged tells her the evil has been poured out from her. She is like a lamp meant to give light, who destroyed an old evil, saved Ged's life, restored the Ring of Erreth-Akbe, and brings peace to the lands. He plans to take her to Havnor and then to his master Ogion the Silent on the quiet island of Gont. Instead of Ged foolishly leaving Ogion's home to search for evil, Tenar will wisely leave evil to search for Ogion's quiet life. With a long sigh, Tenar agrees and wishes she could go there soon. Ged promises he will come to visit Ogion and Tenar when he can.
They sail for days and finally arrive at Havnor Great Port where crowds of hundreds cheer the arrival from snowy towers. Ged helps Tenar onto the pier and they walk up the streets of Havnor. She holds his hand like a child coming home.
==Characters== 
#Arha (Tenar); the High Priestess of the Nameless Ones
##Manan; Arha's eunuch guardian
#Kossil; the High Priestess of the Godking
##Duby and Uahto; wardens who serve the Godking's temple
##Mebbeth; serves in the Godking's temple; fishing woman
##Penthe; novice in service of the Godking
#Thar; the High Priestess of the Twin Gods
#Gobar; captain of the guards
#Nathabba; cook
#Poppe
#Munith
#Punti
#Ged 
==Adaptations==
In 2004, A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan were adapted to a miniseries starring Shawn Ashmore as Ged. The series made a number of changes to the books of which Ursula K Le Guin did not approve. Most of the characters are made to be light skinned, so that Ged is pale skinned, but Tenar was portrayed by a person of color. The timeline was also changed, so that Ged is approximately the same age as Tenar, and they fall in love. Tenar is not called Arha. 
==References==
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