After King Arthur’s death, Excalibur does not go to a single successor in the most widely told versions of the legend. Instead, it is returned to the Lady of the Lake, who initially gave it to Arthur. In some tales, Arthur instructs Sir Bedivere, one of his most loyal knights, to return the sword to the lake. Bedivere ultimately fulfills this task, throwing Excalibur back into the water, where the Lady of the Lake emerges to reclaim it.
This act symbolizes the end of an era and the return of the mythical sword to its rightful owner. The retrieval of Excalibur also emphasizes themes of legacy, honor, and the cyclical nature of kingship within Arthurian legend. The fate of the sword reflects Arthur’s reign and the notion that true power and leadership are not meant to last forever.