Bedivere/Kay

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Pairing
Pairing:
Alternative name(s): Kedivere, Bedikay
Gender category: slash
Fandom: Arthuriana
Canonical?: "Partners" in an ambiguous sense, friends, and/or colleagues
Prevalence: fandom OTP
Archives:
Other:
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Bedivere/Kay, commonly known as Bedikay or Kedivere, is the ship between Sir Bedivere and Sir Kay. It is common in the Arthuriana fandom. They are most frequently shipped romantically but sometimes as a QPR.

Members of the fandom who ship these two characters often point to How Cullwch Won Olwen, a Welsh legend included in the Mabinogion. In that text, Cai (the Welsh Kay) and Bedwyr (the Welsh Bedivere) are very close. Depending on the translation, Kai refers to Bedwyr as his "partner" or as his "companion", and Kai's catchphrase, "by the hand of my friend", is a reference to one-handed Bedwyr. They go on many adventures together before Kai becomes furious with King Arthur and abruptly leaves, never to return. Fan art of this pairing frequently depicts or references the scene in which they ride on a giant salmon together.

Kedivere shippers also often reference the multiple texts in which Bedivere is killed in battle and Kay tries to retrieve his body. Though Kay has to fight singlehandedly and while carrying a man in full armor, he chooses to risk death in the hopes of Bedivere getting a proper burial; he is gravely or even fatally wounded in the process but succeeds in bringing the body back.

As the seneschal and marshal of Camelot, Kay and Bedivere work together for many years. They are both considered among the most loyal and steadfast to Arthur.

In medieval literature, Kay is occasionally but infrequently said to have a wife. Bedivere never is given a wife or other female love interest, though in Welsh literature he is said to have two children, as is Kay. The most fandom-popular of Kay's wives is Andrivette, who appears in Escanor. People occasionally ship Andrivette/Bedivere/Kay as a throuple, which is referred to as Bedikandrivette or the Lesser Camelot Polycule, but this is less common.

The most prolific Bedikay writer on Ao3 is currently CharonsBudgetPsychopomp, who is responsible for nearly half of the works in the tag.

Canon

Associated Quotes

In How Cullwch Won Olwen (Sioned Davies' translation):

  • Before departing for the quest, "Arthur called on Bedwyr, who never feared the quest upon which Cai went."
  • While Cai is talking to Wrnach Gawr, Wrnach says, "'It's a shame that a man as good as you is without a companion." 'But sir, I do have a companion, although he doesn't practise this craft.' 'Who is that?'...The gate was opened and Bedwyr entered. Cai said, 'Bedwyr is skilful, although he doesn't practise this craft.'"

In Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini (Rupert T. Pickens' translation):

  • "And when Kay saw him fall, he was very sorrowful, for he thought that he was dead. He rode over to him with as many men as he could get together, and he made the men of Mede leave the field. He came to Bedivere and took him in his arms; he meant to pick him up and carry him away from among the horses, for he loved him very much."

In Wace's Roman de Brut (Eugene Mason translation):

  • "Kay lighted upon Bedevere lying dead. Since he loved him more than any living man, he was determined the pagans should not triumph over his body."

Example Fanworks

Fanfiction

Fan Art

Archives and Links

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