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Post by Sir Galahad on Jan 12, 2012 4:55:56 GMT
Galahad rode at the rear, unsure of what exactly he was supposed to be guarding, he was however glad he didn't have to be near the pagan sorceress and his obnoxious brother.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 12, 2012 14:14:32 GMT
Morgan let out a cry of pleasure as they got close to their destination. The tall castle had an air of being well looked after for all it was as much a fortress as a residence. A banner flew overhead, the image of a fair lady, golden-haired with a blue robe. Galahad would be pleased to see that the woman stood with her hands folded in prayer, a white cross behind her.
"Here we are," Morgan said brightly. "The castle of Sir Bertilak. His father was a most devout man and thus he took the Virgin Mary as his symbol."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jan 12, 2012 15:08:53 GMT
Galahad nodded his approval from the rear of the group.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 14, 2012 0:39:28 GMT
//////////////
A little later, the group reached the castle gates and, upon Morgan identifying herself, were permitted to enter the castle. They were escorted at once to the solar where Sir Bertilak, a tall, red-bearded man sat with his beautiful young wife. Morgan introduced her party by name and explained her mission.
"Go to Tintagel," Bertilak advised. "I heard a tale when I was a boy about an ancient sword hidden in a cave."
Morgan turned to her knights, eyes bright with interest.
"Oh, excellent. That sounds perfect! Thank you, Sir Bertilak."
"There is one other possibility, my lady. An ancient harp, said to produce music as beautiful as the voice of angels. That is said to be in Cornwall as well, though I could not tell you where."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jan 14, 2012 7:42:22 GMT
"So you believe the cave to be near Tintagel?" Galahad asked, intrigued.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 14, 2012 9:09:39 GMT
Sir Bertilak noddded.
"I do, Sir Galahad. I recall I saw the cave on occasion whilst visiting Gorlois. Perhaps the Lady Morgan knows it better?"
Morgan smiled.
"I know the cave well. Morgause and I often used to play on the beach as children, though our nurse would never let us into the cave."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jan 14, 2012 19:49:18 GMT
"Why?" Galahad frowned. "Did she believe there to be something wrong with it? Or living in it?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 14, 2012 21:03:15 GMT
It was a rare occurence for Morgan to look uncomfortable but she did now.
"It can be dangerous to be caught there at high tide," she said. "And it was once a pagan site for the worship of the Triple Goddess. Because of the tides. They say tides, as women, are driven by the moon. Knowing what the rites entail, I can understand why it's not a suitable place for two small children."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jan 15, 2012 3:26:07 GMT
"Even pagan ones?" Galahad asked rudely. "If your religion is inappropriate for children, what makes you think it is appropriate for adults?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 15, 2012 9:30:24 GMT
Morgan glared at Galahad. This was hardly the time and the place for an argument but she could not brook the insult to her faith. Her hand itched to strike him but that at least she held back, and let her tongue serve instead.
"You misunderstand, sir. I said it was once a religious site, not that it is now. That was long before my birth. There are many things in life that adults do that don't concern children. You would not wish a small boy to be Pope, would you? Some of our rites require the celebration of life by the sharing of our bodies. It would be sinful to include children in this, but it is a natural and holy thing. I wonder sometimes why you Christians keep your nuns locked up tight in an abbey. They are not so different from the priestesses of my faith, otherwise. But it seems to me that your priests are afraid to let holiness and pleasure be as one."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Jan 15, 2012 16:14:17 GMT
"Enough, I will not have you quarrelling." Lancelot said, echoing Morgan from the other day under his breath, and having not enjoyed being needlessly patronised and told off before, "We really will not get anywhere unless we move on." He fell short of telling them he would bang their heads together though.
"Thank you for your information, Sir Bertilak, it will be of great use to us." Lancelot said courteously, with an incline of his head.
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jan 15, 2012 16:35:40 GMT
Galahad opened his mouth to reply but found himself cut off by his brother. He consigned himself to shaking his head and muttering to himself about the stupidity of pagans.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 15, 2012 17:11:03 GMT
"I had hoped me might rest here tonight," Morgan said.
Her tone was cold since she disliked Lancelot assuming control of their group from her.
"It's not so far to Tintagel from here."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Jan 18, 2012 18:53:03 GMT
"I do not see why we cannot, Sir Bertilak's goodwill permitting." Lancelot replied either not picking up Morgan's cold tone or not rising to it.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jan 18, 2012 19:14:59 GMT
"I know Sir Bertilak will consent," Morgan said confidently.
She spoke to the knight, who was more than happy to give his consent. That night they all dined together at the high table. Sir Bertilak's wife sat next to Galahad and pressed his foot with her own.
Morgan was seated between Sir Bertilak and Lancelot, trading smiles between them both, the rest of their party on the other side of Galahad.
Morgan smiled round at her companions.
"It will be very pleasant to see Tintagel again. I was just a little girl when I left. I remember that the walls seemed to stretch into the sky.."
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