GALAHAD DRAW BALIN'S SWORD FROM THE STONE

 

Galahad draws Balin's sword from the stone.

After the death of Balin, the mastermind Merlin embedded his sword in a stone nad set it to hover above the waters of a river. The stone held fast to the blade, destined to only release its grip when pulled by the knight who would achieve the Holy Grail. Over the years, the stone drifted downstream to arrive at Arthur's court, where Merlin's vision would come to pass.



On the feast of Pentecost, a great marvel befell the court. A squire reported to Arthur that a stone of red marble had appeared in the river below, and embedded in the stone was an ornate sword. Arthur gathered the Fellowship and went to see for himself.



Lancelot beheld the sword, then called his king aside. He then went on to explain to Arthur that when the rightful knight succeeded in pulling the sword from the stone, it would herald the beginning of the quest of the Holy Grail. Knowing he was not the destined knight, Lancelot refused to try to draw the sword. On Arthur's bidding, both Gawain and Percivale tried their hand and failed. Having seen the "marvel" Kay urged all to return to the hall to dine.



As they sat down, the shutters and doors of the Castle mysteriously shut by their own accord. There then appeared a man of great age, and at his side a hundsome young knight. The knight carried no sword or shield, only a scabbard. The old many introduced the young knight as Galahad the Desired Knight. Thereupon he led Galahad to his destined seat at the Round tAble. Having done his duty, the old man then left the court. Suspecting thagt the quest awaited this knight, Arthur led the newcomer to the river's edge. On seeing the sword, Galahad knew the taks to be his. the young knight looked to the heavens, then drew the sword as if nothing held it. He sheathed the blade within his scabbard; the dawn of the Quest had come.





Ferguson, Anna-Marie. Keeper of Words. 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota. (195)

 

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