Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 84 Summary and Analysis: The Excalibur Revelation

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Simon and Baz visit Lady Ruth's home. Simon struggles to hide his injured wings under a shirt; Baz offers to cast tailor spell and later helps button the shirt. Lady Ruth welcomes them warmly. Inside, the dining table is piled with food and a large sword stuck into the table. Simon pulls it out effortlessly. Lady Ruth and Jamie react with shock, revealing the sword is an Excalibur made by Merlin for the House of Salisbury. Lady Ruth believes Simon must be a Salisbury, though Simon denies it. She drags him upstairs to her bedroom shrine, where a candle for her daughter has gone out. Simon apologizes, feeling guilty.

Key Events

  • Baz plays cheerful notes on his violin, a contrast to its usual mournful sound at Watford.
  • Simon attempts to button a shirt over his folded wings; Baz finishes the task and casts a tailoring spell.
  • They arrive at Lady Ruth's, where she immediately welcomes them and allows Simon to release his wings.
  • Simon pulls the large sword from the middle of the dining table without effort, leaving no mark.
  • Lady Ruth identifies the sword as an Excalibur, forged by Merlin for the Salisbury family.
  • Jamie and Lady Ruth stare in disbelief; Lady Ruth embraces Simon, calling him "my child" and asking about his mother.
  • Lady Ruth leads Simon to her bedroom shrine, which holds candles for Jamie and her daughter.
  • The daughter's candle has gone out, leaving only a thread of smoke.
  • Simon apologizes, not understanding what he has done.

Character Development

  • Simon: Shows vulnerability with his injured wings and reluctance to wear flowers. He is confused by the sword's reaction and denies being a Salisbury. His guilt over the extinguished candle suggests a growing sense of responsibility.
  • Baz: Attentive and caring, he dresses Simon, cast spells, and observes the sword scene without jealousy. His internal reaction—accepting that Simon could be a mythical figure—shows his deep trust.
  • Lady Ruth: Overwhelmingly emotional, she shifts from joyous hosting to tearful belief that Simon is her lost family. Her shrine and the dead candle reveal a long-held hope and grief.
  • Jamie: Initially shocked and silent, he remains protective of the family sword but does not challenge the revelation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Excalibur Sword: Represents right of ownership and destiny. Simon's ability to pull it indicates a hidden lineage or a destined role, linking to Arthurian legend.
  • Wings and Injury: Simon's wings symbolize his magical nature but also his pain and vulnerability. The need to hide them contrasts with Lady Ruth's acceptance.
  • The Candle Spell: The extinguished candle of Lady Ruth's daughter symbolizes the end of one hope and the possible birth of another. It mirrors the emotional stakes of the chapter.
  • Belonging and Identity: The chapter questions Simon's origins and where he truly belongs, challenging his self-image as a non-magician with a mysterious past.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter delivers a major plot twist: Simon may be a Salisbury, a family of powerful magicians. It sets up a new direction for Simon's personal story and his relationship with Baz and the Salisbury household. The revelation ties into the larger magic world and Simon's unknown ancestry. It also deepens Lady Ruth's character, showing her grief and hope. The chapter raises questions about Simon's mother and his true heritage, which will likely drive future plot developments.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why is Lady Ruth so certain that Simon is a Salisbury?
    Lady Ruth explains that the sword is an Excalibur made for the House of Salisbury and that once planted, she cannot budge it. Simon pulled it out easily, which to her is proof that only a Salisbury can move it. Her emotional reaction confirms her long-held belief that a lost child would one day appear.

  2. How does Baz react to the sword revelation, and what does it reveal about his character?
    Baz is surprised but not threatened. He internally remarks that if Simon is the once and future king, he wouldn't be shocked. This shows Baz's unwavering faith in Simon and his willingness to accept any identity Simon might have. His support is quiet but steady.

  3. What might the extinguished candle of Lady Ruth's daughter signify, and why does Simon feel guilty?
    The candle's disappearance suggests that Lady Ruth's biological daughter has died or that the magical connection has been severed. Simon feels guilty because his arrival coincided with the candle's death, implying he somehow caused it. This foreshadows a possible connection between Simon and the daughter, or a sacrifice made for his existence.

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