Elaine of Corbenic

Princess **Elaine of Corbenic** is the daughter of King Pelles, the Maimed King, and the mother of Sir Galahad by Sir Lancelot of the Knights of the Round. Due to a prophecy, her father had been aware that she'll bore Lancelot a son and that the child would be considered to be "the noblest knight in the world". She is originally known to be **"The Grail Bearer"** until the moment that her son found the Holy Grail and Eira Prowell became the new keeper.

## Biography

### Background

Elaine of Corbenic is the daughter of King Pelles, better known to be the Maimed King or the Fisher King. Her father knew that Sir Lancelot would have a son with Elaine, and that child would be Sir Galahad, described as "the noblest knight in the world". Moreover, King Pelles claims that Galahad will lead a "country out of danger" and "achieve the Holy Grail". The source of King Pelles' knowledge is revealed to have come from the same source who've predicted the coming of the Unknown Seer, Eira Prowell.

Due to her immense beauty, Morgana le Fay, who've been jealous of it, had tricked and cursed her to a boiling bath forever, only to be saved by Lancelot as the prophecy had mentioned for their first meeting.

### Meeting Sir Lancelot

When Arthur Pendragon embarked on a quest to retrieve the Lance of Longinus from the Maimed King, and for Merlin and Eira Prowell to have visions of the outcome, the two and Sir Lancelot decided to follow after Arthur. They've found Arthur wounded and unconscious in his meeting with the Maimed King, who've assured them that Arthur's quest is practically all of theirs too. And Sir Lancelot's quest involves the Maimed King's plea to save his daughter, Elaine of Corbenic, who've been trapped in a boiling cauldron at the top of the Obsidian Tower, found at the northern region of Corbenic.

Just as prophesied, Lancelot rescued Elaine from the magical trap of boiling bath. And after he rescues her, she fell in love with him. Afterwards, when they've been pushed to stay for the night, Elaine had seduced Lancelot with the help of Dame Brusen. The next morning, on their day of departure, Lancelot is most displeased to discover that the woman he had slept with was Elaine, for he had been bound to the sacredness of his innocence. He drew his sword and threatened to kill her, but she told him that she is pregnant with Galahad and he agreed not to kill her, but instead kissed her. Lancelot departed with Arthur, Eira and Merlin, and Elaine remained in her father's castle and gave birth to Galahad.

### Introduction of Galahad

A feast in Arthur's court celebrating the arrival of Morgana le Fay, in the disguise as Arthur's lost younger sister Anna, had brought Elaine to Camelot. She had her handmaiden, Dame Brusen, and her son, Galahad, accompanied her, since the boy wanted to be a member of the Knights of Camelot. Lancelot ignored her when he saw her, and she was sad because she loved him. She haven't told Galahad of him being his father though. Elaine complained to Dame Brusen, and Dame Brusen told her that she would "undertake that this night, Lancelot shall lie with her again". That night, Dame Brusen brought Lancelot to Elaine, and informed him that Galahad was their son. Lancelot asked her to leave for he doesn't want to hurt her feelings any further.

However, Galahad remained in Camelot where her son started training as a knight, and the knights, despite applauding his strengths, were weary of his presence.

### Later life

Elaine once again appeared when Galahad, Percival, Bors the Younger and Claudin had arrived in Corbenic in search of the Holy Grail. She informed her son about its whereabouts and the four hurried on to see the aftermath of Camlann. She found Lancelot and confronted him about the death of Arthur and the rest of the members of the Knights of the Round except for the few who were with him and had quested for the Holy Grail. Eira found them and used the Grail to heal Lancelot, saving him from his insanity. When he regained his mental facilities, he decided to live with her, and they lived together for several years as man and wife.

## Physical description

Elaine is said to be beautiful and fair that earned the jealousy of Morgana le Fay and other sorceresses. She has long and wavy black hair that turns to gold whenever she touches the Holy Grail, and matching brilliant blue eyes. She is also mentioned to have a petite body and quite tall for a woman of that time.

## Personality

Elaine is helpless in love, finding the good-natured heart of Lancelot. She loves despite having it being unrequited at first. She is determined, at the same time that she is kind and compassionate. Her selfless traits define her as the perfect mother for such a perfect knight as Galahad.

## Relationships

### Family

* Pelles of Corbenic
* Galahad

### Friends

* Dame Brusen

## Appearances

* *Isle of Knights* (indirectly mentioned)
* *Kingdom of Blades*
* *Flames of Darkness*

## Quotes

* Sword of Light
* Kingdom of Blades
* Flames of Darkness
* Others

## Trivia

* Etymology
* Character descriptions
* Other descriptions

* The name **Elaine** is from an Old french form of "Helen" that means "torch" or "corposant" in Greek.

- Meaning within the series.

- Meaning behind the name.

- If named after a real person or not.

- According to Flaire, Elaine's inspirational song in the series is *"Familiar"* by Agnes Obel. For the story of Lancelot and Elaine, the inspirational song is *"Sanctuary"* by Welshley Arms.

## References

1. ↑ Behind the Name: Elaine
2. ↑ Behind the Name: Helen