Authority Forgets A Dying King

This is an original artwork depicting Sir Bedivere contemplating giving Excalibur back to the water as per King Arthur's dying wish, having been dealt a mortal wound by Mordred. Bedivere failed twice before finally fulfilling the King's command. The first time he could not relinquish the sword due to its great beauty; "For all the haft twinkled with diamond sparks, myriads of topaz-lights, and jacinth-work of subtlest jewellery."
 
This piece shows the second attempt and the doubt of Bedivere as he is halted by his pride in the achievements of Arthur and his fellow knights. He considers Excalibur a testament, a surviving proof that future men may gaze upon and know their deeds; "What record, or what relic of my lord should be to aftertime, but empty breath and rumours of a doubt? But were this kept, stored in some treasure-house of mighty kings, some one might show it at a joust of arms, saying, 'King Arthur's sword, Excalibur.'"
 
Bevivere returns to Arthur to lie for a second time telling him that he has thrown the sword into the water at which Arthur, now close to death and knowing Bedivere is lying, says "Authority forgets a dying king."
I wanted to convey a sense contemplation in this piece, showing Bedivere deep in thought of the memories he feared that would be lost along with the sword. The quotes are from Idylls of the King, specifically The Passing of Arthur by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1896). The poem deals with themes of faith and doubt and the conflict within Bedivere of him wanting to fulfil his knightly duty and oath to his king while lamenting all that has been lost. At this point he is the last remaining knight of the round table who still holds fealty to Arthur.
 
Initially I imagined Bedivere's reflection to be that of the Lady of the Lake, however, I chose instead to remove any fantastical or supernatural element and instead focus on the pride and grief of a human subject, likewise I depicted Excalibur as a practical longsword rather than a garishly ornate magical one.
 
The piece was drawn entirely, from concept to final, with a stylus using commercial brush sets including pencil, watercolour and oil.