Kay's desire to attend the tournament in London reflects his desire for fame and the cultivation of his reputation. According to him, "anybody who does not go for a tournament like this will be proving that he has no noble blood in his veins." He feels that he must "have a shot" at the sword, or people will say "Sir Ector's family was too vulgar and knew it had no chance." When he arrives in London, he is even more egotistical, offering the Wart a shilling to fetch his sword, as if he is the Lord of a manor tipping a carriage-driver or servant. The greatest display of his need for fame occurs when he lies to his father by claiming that he (and not the Wart) removed the sword from the stone.
In these final chapters, as in the rest of the novel, the Wart is a direct contrast to his brother. While Kay worries about impressing the public in London, the Wart cries over the announcement of Merlyn's departure. Kay frets over appearing noble at the tournament, while the Wart pulls the sword from the stone without any understanding of his impending greatness. Also note that Kay is quick to lie and claim the honors of having removed the sword, while the Wart begins to cry when he realizes he will be King. This is, perhaps, an unexpected response, but one must remember that the Wart does not covet power or the chance to lord his new position over anybody. However, Kay does redeem himself by admitting that the Wart pulled out the sword — to a degree, he, too, has evolved along with his brother.
The scene in which the Wart removes the sword is like his "graduation" from the program of studies he has followed since boyhood. All the animals he has befriended arrive to cheer him on as he pulls at the sword. White stresses the fact that all the animals in attendance "had come to help on account of love"; the Wart is not especially strong or savvy — but he does endear others to him, and the combined power of all of their love allows the Wart to feel "his power grow." These citizens of his kingdom love him already, and their human counterparts will feel the same way.
