Book 3: The Quest for the Holy Grail

Knights of the Round Table

     One day while we were at Camelot new writing appeared on the last empty seat of the Round Table.  It said that the seat would be filled 454 years after the death of Christ.  We realized that that was today.  We covered the seat with a silken cloth.  One of my squires dashed in and said that there was a sword in a stone yet again floating in the river.  We hurried to it and we saw that it read, "never shall man take me hence but only he by whose side I ought to hang, and He shall be the best Knight in the world."  All of my knights tried to get the sword out of the stone, but none of them succeeded.  A huge burst of wind hit my castle, and when we entered the castle there was a hermit with Galahad.  We unveiled the chair from the silken cloth and it read, "This is the siege of Sir Galahad the High Prince."  We were happy and amazed because we knew we would have the Holy Grail soon as Merlin had predicted.  Galahad pulled the sword out of the stone with ease.  We all rejoiced and went in to sit at the Round Table.  I told the men that this was our finest hour as the Table was finally complete.  But I was sad because I had a feeling it would come to an end.  At that moment, the Holy Grail floated in through the hall and we could not see who was carrying it. After it disappeared, we all knew that the quest had begun.  All the knights left in search of it.

Sir Galahad

     Sir Galahad left on his quest for the Holy Grail.  He came upon an abbey and there was a shield that only the one that would touch the grail could carry.  Other men tried the shield but they all failed.  Sir Galahad tried to pick up the shield and proved himself worthy.  A white knight appeared and told him that he was the holiest knight and that his quest would be successful.  On his journey, Sir Percivale is tempted many times but he is able to overcome them.  Because of this, he was given permission to enter the Enchanted Ship which would take them to Carbonek and the Holy Grail.  Meanwhile, Sir Bors is on his journey for the Holy Grail.  He has to prove himself pure by eating only bread and water.  He is tempted many times but he prevails.  He proves himself pure and is able to enter the mysterious Enchanted Ship as well.  Launcelot also is on the quest.  He could only see the Grail because of his sinful love for Guinevere.  The hermit at the Castle tells him that he will be able to see the Grail but not touch it because of his sin.  Lancelot leaves and finds the Enchanted Ship.  All the knights are thrilled to be together and to complete the quest.

When the Knights arrived at the Castle of Carbonek, they went to a feast but they only ate bread and water to prove themselves pure.  While they were sitting there, the procession of the Holy Grail entered the room.  Galahad stopped the procession and took his place in front of it.  He led the procession to the chapel.  Galahad then drank out of the Holy Grail.  Lady Blanchefleur gave Percivale the broken sword and told him that if he could put it back together that she would marry him and they would be King and Queen of Carbonek.  Percivale accomplishes the task and Galahad marries them.  When Galahad puts the Holy Grail back on the altar, his soul is taken up into Heaven.  The Holy Grail and Bleeding Spear disappear and are never seen again.  Sir Bors returned to Camelot to unfold the amazing story.  I was incredibly impressed with all my knights for trying so hard.  Many of them failed and there were many empty seats at the Round Table.