Final answer:
King Arthur asks Sir Bedivere to throw the sword Excalibur into a body of water, symbolizing the end of his reign and returning it to its divine origins. Bedivere complies after initial hesitation, completing the knightly quest and thus marking the end of an era.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Arthur, upon being mortally wounded, asks his loyal knight Sir Bedivere to take his sword Excalibur and throw it into a body of water. According to legend, Excalibur was a magical sword given to King Arthur by the Lady of the Lake, and it was imbued with enchantments. The act of returning the sword was symbolic, signifying the end of Arthur's reign and the return of the sword to its divine source. Bedivere initially hesitates, as Excalibur is a priceless treasure, but after being admonished by Arthur for his reluctance, he ultimately fulfills the king's request. Throwing the sword into the lake signifies the completion of the knightly quest and marks the conclusion of an era in the Arthurian legend.