After King Arthur’s death, the fate of Excalibur varies in different versions of the Arthurian legend. According to one popular tale, Arthur ordered that Excalibur be returned to the Lady of the Lake, the mysterious figure who bestowed the sword upon him. In this version, as he lay dying, Arthur commanded Sir Bedivere, one of his loyal knights, to throw the sword back into the waters from which it came.
Bedivere hesitated, struggling with his loyalty to Arthur, but eventually followed the king’s order. When he cast Excalibur into the lake, the sword was caught by the Lady of the Lake, who emerged from the water. She gently received the sword with a smile, signifying the end of Excalibur’s earthly journey.
This act symbolizes the return of power and destiny to the mystical realm from which it originated. The story signifies the legendary nature of both Arthur and his sword, intertwining themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the inevitable passage of time in the world of legends.