THE CRYSTAL CAVE
Study Questions
BOOK I- The Dove
1. What line from the prologue entitled "The Prince of Darkness" gives Merlin's
approximate age?
"I am an old man now..."
2. What valuable information does the prologue provide for the reader?
To explain how Merlin was conceived, father was fleeing immediately and mother was
wavering as to whether she could accompany him, they had just a couple of hours.
3. What does the name Merlinus mean in Roman?
falcon
4. What incident during Merlin's childhood proves not only that he has unusual powers but
also that his uncle Camlach is his enemy and wants Merlin dead?
Uncle Camlach gave him a ripe apricot, and Merlin would not eat it, seeing "It's black
inside." Also, knowing about king trying to marry off Merlin's mother, Camlach
fearing Merlin's real father coming back as a threat to him.
5. Who is Lady Niniane in relation to Merlin?
Merlin's mother
6. Who is Moravik in relation to Merlin?
Merlin's Nurse
7. who is Cerdic in relation to Merlin and others?
Moravik's friend, servant, the groom in stables
8. Who is Dinias and why is he an antagonist to Merlin?
another bastard grandson but he is in the king's favor unlike Merlin who is weak,
evasive, and not in the king's favor.
9. How does Merlin manage to get the best of Dinias?
blackmail (paragraph 3. pg 35)
10. As a child, how does Merlin actually obtain information in a way that is not
supernatural?
Crawls through duct work of old, unused furnace system
11. Who is Demetrius in relation to Merlin as a child?
tutor to Merlin, teaches him to read and write
1
12. What is the "small, carved figure" on the cup which Merlin finds at the spring at the
entrance of the cave?
wooden, small, carved figure of a god (Myrddin)
13. Other than bats, what is the "creature" that so frightens Merlin when he is exploring the
cave for the first time?
His own reflections
14. Who is Galapas and why does he become so important to Merlin?
Inhabitant of the cave
15. For what purpose does Galapas have dead bats stretched out in the cave?
to study
16. What is Cerdic's instruction to Merlin about the ring doves?
they are quick, quiet, and keep out of the way
17. At the age of seven, who is Merlin's friend?
Cerdic, the groom
18. At this same age, who are his two teachers and where are they located?
Demetrius in palace, Galapas in cave
19. Why does Merlin's nurse Moravik abandon him at this age?
Birth of Olwen's baby (King's wife) and Camlach's son, Maravik established herself in
nursery
20. Which teacher teaches Merlin to gather herbs and dry them, to use herbs to make
medicine, to distil drugs and poisons, to study organs and bones of the body from dead
beasts and birds, to stop bleeding, to set a broken bone, to cut bad flesh away and
cleanse the place so it heals cleanly, to dray flesh and sinews into place while the beast
is stunned with fumes? Which teacher instructs him in language and geometry?
1st= Galapas, 2nd= Demetrius
21. What is the first spell Merlin learned?
charming of warts
22. "I saw how the world lay there as a bird sees it." In this quote, Galapas introduced
Merlin to what?
maps
23. How old is Merlin when Galapas spoke of the crystal cave?
12
2
24. Who or what is Aster?
Merlin's Welsh Gray pony
25. How does Merlin acquire Aster and what does this tell the reader about the two
cousins?
Cousin Dinias rode him too fiercely and discarded him.
26. Since he does not succeed in killing Merlin, what does Camlach plan for Merlin?
Force him into priesthood
27. What scene does Merlin see first in the crystal cave?
slaves mining
28. Since he is not a warrior, what is Merlin's argument to go with his grandfather to
Sergontium?
speaks languages
29. What positions are held by Vortigern and Rowena at this time?
High King of Britain for more than 20 years and Saxon Queen
30. What are the rumors about the personalities of Vortigern and Rowena?
Blood thirsty king & witch but strong & respected
31. How does Merlin's grandfather die?
Servant filling oil lamps spilled oil on steps-- king, drunk after being with servant girl,
slipped and fell on steps, broke neck as he hit his head
32. Who is the servant who spills the oil and what happens to him?
Cerdic (Merlin's keeper)-- Cerdic was immediately killed
33. What does Niniane ask Camlach after the death of their father?
To leave in peace and for him not to hurt her son
34. How does Camlach figure into the first two times that Merlin weeps?
Camlach tried to poison Merlin with the apricot-- and Merlin wept when Camlach took
over for Merlin's dead grandfather-- both times Merlin's life is in jeopardy at the hands
of Camlach.
35. When Merlin returns to his room for the last time, who is there?
Cerdic's dead body
3
36. "... rest you now. I'll send you the way you wanted, like a king." Who is Merlin talking
to and what is he going to do?
Cerdic- showing him respect to burn his body according to Cerdic's wishes- like a king
37. Why does Merlin run away?
His uncle Camlach, now ruler, wants Merlin dead or gone because he is a threat to his
claim to the throne.
38. Who are Hanno and Marric?
Two men who took Merlin when he jumped the wall to run away-- Ambrosius' men
(spies for Ambrosius to find out what is happening)- took Merlin to a ship and escaped
to Less Britain
BOOK II- The Falcon
39. Where does Merlin end in this part of the novel and who is king?
Ambrosius' land- Less Britain
40. Who does Merlin meet in the field after using the rider's cloak for warmth and seeing
the bull being slain by a powerful man?
Uther, Ambrosius (pg 100)
41. What is the first thing Merlin is forced to do under Ambrosius' care proving him to be
"pure Roman" in at least one respect?
Gave him a bath
42. What is the servant's name who bathes Merlin and who previously had carried him
home for Ambrosius?
Cadal
43. Who is Ambrosius' younger brother who will probably take over Less Britain?
Prince Uther (20 yrs old)
44. How does Ambrosius react to Merlin's information that he had heard Camlach tell his
mother he was going with Vortimer even though Merlin was six miles away?
Even though Merlin was 6 miles away- believed him
45. What other incident troubles Merlin and this time because he does not understand its
meaning?
White bull- man riding, pulling up neck and killing it
46. What is Ambrosius' explanation to Merlin about his seeing the man slaying the bull at
the big rock?
secret- one day he will know
4
47. Who is Belasius to Merlin and why is he of special interest to Merlin?
Ambrosius' tutor for Merlin and also an Archfruid- makes sacrifices
48. What does Merlin witness Belasius doing when Merlin goes on a ride with Cadal?
Human sacrifice in a ritual
49. Who finds Merlin when he arrives late from his ride?
Uther
50. What proves to this person that Merlin has not been honest about his activities?
bloody garment in bag
51. After Merlin's encounter with the druids, what big revelation does Cadal let slip to
Merlin?
that Merlin is Ambrosius' son
52. What makes Uther realize that Merlin is indeed Ambrosius' son?
saw dragon broach Ambrosius had given Merlin to wear
53. What is the explanation for Niniane, Merlin's mother, not running away with Ambrosius
after their rendezvous in the cave since she apparently loves him?
He would be her father's enemy when he came to avenge his brother's death.
54. When Ambrosius asks Merlin if Merlin hates him for the life he gave him, what is
Merlin's reply?
55. What does Merlin's name Emrys mean?
child of the light of the immortals, divine
56. Who else's name means the same thing and what is ironic about what Niniane tells
everyone about Merlin's father?
Ambrosius the wolf
BOOK III- The Wolf
57. How long does Merlin stay with Ambrosius in Less Britain?
5 yrs
58. What does the old blind poet teach Merlin?
songs from all countries about great deeds
59. What instrument does Merlin obtain for the old blind poet?
5
a harp
60. At this time, what is Merlin trying to figure out as he works with the master engineer
Tremorius?
what made stones stand up
61. What important news comes from Britain when Merlin is 18?
Vortimer had broken with his father the king (Vortigern) and his Saxon queen-- upset
with King's alliance with Saxon's Vortimer's forces drove Saxons to the sea.
62. Why does Vortimer's stint at king not last long?
rumored that he was poisoned by same queen who had used poison earlier
63. What happened to Merlin's uncle Camlach?
sent for Saxons led by Hengist- to be peace-keeping force to restore order
64. What has happened to Merlin's uncle Camlach?
killed and all his children are under Queen Rowena's care
65. What function will Merlin play as Ambrosius prepares to invade Britain?
Use his sources to find out if Gorlois is really an ally of Vortigern
66. How does Merlinus-- 18 years old returning to Breton-- differ from Myrddin, the
runaway from five years earlier?
not locked naked in the hold as a runaway. well-dressed young Roman with money
and servants.
67. What are Merlin's first two duties when he lands back in his home in Maridunum?
news of Vortigern and how he reacted to the area that Camlach had controlled and
followed Vortimer's rebellion-- and news of his mother (see if she was safe)
68. Since Galapas and the cave are to be Merlin's headquarters, what does Galapas say to
Merlin when Merlin sees him again?
nothing- dead a long time and books and caves contents destroyed
69. What relative does Merlin first encounter on his return to the palace?
cousin Dinias
70. Whose men seize Merlin and Dinias at the tavern?
Vortigern
71. Who is the cornered "wolf" in this section?
Vortigern
6
72. Why does Vortigern have Merlin and his mother brought to him?
ask who Merlin's father was
73. What is Niniane's response when questioned about Merlin's father?
Merlin's father was supernatural- came to her various times
74. What is Vortigern's real purpose of summoning Merlin and how has is mother
unknowingly placed Merlin's life in jeopardy?
Priests had told him his fortress which had already fallen for times must be build with
blond- of no human
75. How does Merlin save himself from Vortigern in regards to the falling fortress?
took him to caverns below, told him dragons at bottom of pool and he must drain it
76. What is Merlin's true purpose in keeping Vortigern busy with the fortress?
get Vortigern at a weak point where Ambrosius can destroying him
77. How does Merlin save himself from Vortigern when no dragons are found at the bottom
of the pool?
gust of wind/ shooting star/ knocked flag down in mud/ Merlin told Vortigern it was a
sign for him to leave Wales/ not build fortress
78. Who does Merlin encounter as he is fleeing the cavern scene?
Gorlois of Cornwall who had guessed who Merlin was and wanted to become ally of
Ambrosius
79. How does Ambrosius smoke Vortigern out of his fortress when it is so well fortified? (Do
you like the pun?)
burned him out - shot arrows of fire
80. Who is Hengist?
Leader of Saxons
81. How does Ambrosius dispose of Hengist?
captured, executed, burned with dignity according to his customs
82. How does Merlin participate in the battle between Ambrosius and Hengist?
watched from hill- troops received inspiration from their "prophet"
83. What is Merlin's message to Ambrosius from Niniane, Merlin's mother?
I will see him again.
84. What is the paradox in her message?
7
Merlins knows she is already dead but is a Christian-- thus see Ambrosius again in
afterlife.
85. Who are the Saxton's, Octa and Eosa, who surrender York to Ambrosius?
86. What god do Ambrosius, his followers, and Merlin give thanks to in the victory
ceremony over Octa and Eosa?
Mithas
87. "Everything that had given light-- art, song, learning, worship, the ceremonial meetings
of the peoples, the feasts at Easter or Hallowmass or midwinter, even the arts of
husbandry, all these are vanished under the dark clouds on which rode the northern
gods of war and thunder. And they have been invited her by Vortigern, a British King."
What warring group is described in this quote?
Saxons
88. Why does Merlin leave the comfort of his father's service?
bored with no thinking projects- just everyday running of kingdom
89. What is Byrn Mryddin?
place with cave where Merlin settled (Galapas' cave)
90. What is Pascentius' threat to the country?
massing troops in Germany to come back and fight Ambrosius
91. For whom does Merlin sing the song which contains the line: "Blithe she is as the bird
on the May bough/Sweet she is as the bell in the tower,"?
Keri
92. Explain Merlin's encounter with the subject of his admiration who inspires the above
song?
Couldn't go through with physical relationship, she got angry. Ended up coming to
Uther- his uncle- was prostitute
93. What is Killare and why is it important to Ambrosius?
Irish stronghold- can see every coast- can't be taken by fire. Ambrosius must capture
and secure it quickly before Pascentius comes in
94. Why does Ambrosius feel that he needs Merlin to take Killare?
It is also a holy place- supernatural of Merlin needed- "I want you, Merlin, to throw
down the holy place, and take the heart out of Ireland."
8
95. What is the "full circle" of the cave?
Merlin "begotten" there- learned wisdom there- settled there
96. What are the three reasons that Ambrosius wants the memorial to himself built at
Amesbury?
1- birthplace, 2- not far from British warriors buried afer Hengist, the Saxon,
slaughtered there ("slain by Hengist's treachery), 3- scene of Grant's dance- huge stone that
need to be raised- legend about them is powerful (rebuild the Grants' dance for
Ambrosius)
97. Ambrosius asks Merlin to reconstruct the gigantic stones in the Giants' dance. Merlin,
then, blurts forth the following quote: "... and while the King lies there under the stone,
the Kingdom shall not fall. For as long and longer than it has stood before, the Dance
shall stand again, with the light striking it from the living heaven. And I shall bring back
the great stone to lay upon the grave-place, and this shall be the heart of Britain, and
from this time on all kings shall be one King and all the gods one God. And you shall live
again in Britain, and forever, for we will make between us a King whose name will stand
as long as the Dance stands, and who will be more than a symbol; he will be a shield and
a living sword." After this comes out of his mouth, Merlin realizes that he has
prophesied what?
Ambrosius' death
98. How are the parting words of Merlin and his father similar to those with his mother?
"we shall meet again, Ambrosius."
99. Merlin now realizes that the large stone at Killare, which he engineered the moving of,
would actually serve what purpose?
his father's burial stone
100. Why does Merlin ask the King- Uther- to meet him at dawn at the stones?
He had redone stones in Giant's Dance as he had promised his father
101. When Uther offers Merlin his grandfather's castle, what is Merlin's reply?
He wanted the hill Bryn Myrddin- with the cave
102. What becomes Uther's big problem at court that requires Merlin's help?
in love with best ally's wife
103. What does Merlin instruct Gorlois' wife to pretend?
9
that she was pregnant and to take her home to Tintagel where Merlin would
eventually send Uther
104. What is the password when Merlin leads King Uther to meet with Gorlois' wife?
pilgrim
105. Explain the following passage: "If Uther gets into the place tonight and lies with her,
then before God, Cadal, it will not matter as much as the worth of a drop of that
sea-form there is he is murdered in the bed. I tell you, a King will come out of this
night's work whose name will be a shield and buckler to men until this fair land, from
sea to sea, is smashed down into the sea that holds it, and men leave earth to live
among the stars. Do you think Uther is a King, Cadal? He's but a regent for him who
went before and for him who comes after, the past and future King. And tonight he is
even less than that: he is a tool, and she a vessel, and I... I am a spirit, a word, a thing of
air and darkness, and I can no more help what I am doing than a reed can help the wind
of God blowing through it. You and I, Cadal, are as helpless as dead leaves in the waters
of that bay."
great king conceived- mother & father merely vessels
106. What had Gorlois' wife sent for Uther to wear to prove to servants he is the Duke of
Cornwall?
a ring
107. Who is killed when Merlin's plot to unite Ygraine and Uther is discovered?
Cadal
108. Whose death caused messengers to come to Tintagel to inform Ygraine, thus exposing
Merlin's planned rendezvous between Ygraine and Uther?
Gorlois
109. Why is Merlin so adamant about Ygraine and Uther being together on this night?
Stars
110. Why does Uther deny the child begot on this night?
Gorlois' death not evident & King can't be in this situation
10