A few days later Lancelot returns from his mission with Lodengrance and his beautiful daughter Gwynivere. While he doesn't want to murder anyone, he knows that this must be done to protect the people. Arthur then enters the tent to discuss the planned attack on the Saxons. She begins crying and runs from the tent, only to be found and comforted by Morgan in the other woman's tent. The following day Elaine pricks her finger while sewing Tirry's clothes, which she sees as a bad omen. The two part ways and soon after Tristan comes up to tell Elaine how he came to be part of the army. Arthur is then given his title by the Merlin, Taliesin.Īs one of the only two women in the camp (the other being Morgan), Elaine feels somewhat awkward but finds herself flattered when Lancelot tells her that she is a grown woman. The night that Arthur is proclaimed leader, Lancelot tells Elaine that he will be sent to win over Lodengrance because he will be needed at Arthur's round table. Many of the other leaders resent Arthur's youth despite his experience and some leave the camp. She also falls in love with her childhood playmate Lancelot, who has become Arthur's right-hand man- a position made even more important after Arthur is forced to assume leadership after the camp's leader Aurelius is poisoned. Over the years Elaine grows into a beautiful 16-year-old girl and performs all of the menial, household tasks and healing for the camp's soldiers. She quickly makes friends with many of the camp's occupants, including Arthur, Lancelot, Tristan, and Gawain. It is set during the Dark Ages in Britain and is a retelling of the story of The Lady of Shalott a figure from Arthurian legend.Īfter her mother was murdered by a yellow hair warrior and her family's house on the island of Shalott was burned to ashes, the 8-year-old Elaine of Ascolat goes to live with her two brothers, Lavain and Tirry, and her father in a British army encampment. It is written completely in lyrical form. Song of the Sparrow is a young adult novel by Lisa Ann Sandell, published in 2007.

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell