The Holy Grail

After all this time, I am the person who finds the Holy Grail! Of all the places to be, who would have thought it would have been found under an old fur coat in a little shop? Go figure that a Knight of King Arthur's court finally shows up to claim the darn thing! I was hoping to keep it up on my mantle place. But, in keep with the old traditions, I knew that I couldn't just give Galaad the most sacred treasure ... he had to prove that he was worthy! I figured doing some housework would do the boy some good. Goodness knows that men do not like to help around the house, so only a true gentleman would agree to help an old lady.

Now you may ask, why didn't I accept the apple? Well, my health was fine, I already was young, and I don't want immortal life with our my late husband Henry. I liked my life the way it was, and have no desire to go back and relive it or watch everyone around me die while I live forever. I have done everything that I already wanted, so why would I want to prolong the next great adventure - death? You may think that I am foolish, but I am an old lady and that is my desire. If you can't get old and act foolish, then what's the point?

You may not agree with my choices, but I think I did fine. Now, what am I to do with this Lamp and the Genie? hmmm ......

Gaiman's Delightful Story!

Alas! I believe I have finally met my match! Seldom have I read works of superior quality, and yet, I was captivated by Neil Gaiman's "Chivalry". It was well-written, possessing all the essential elements of a modern short-story, and oh! I am ever fascinated by Mr. Gaiman's voice and ability to take Arthurian Legend and mold it into something so compelling...so beautiful! Truly I tell you, I am envious. I dread what images this man could conjure forth.... While it would be entirely impossible to replace the honeysuckle and the hazel wood, it is probable that a man of such talent could rival my lai concerning Tristan and Isolde. May such a day never dawn!

Despite the beauty inherent in his tale, there are weaknesses in Gaiman's work. First, Marie (the shopkeeper) should have been more likeable. I do not believe that a girl like the one presented to us is WORTHY of such a fine knight as Galaad. She should have been nicer to Mrs. Whitaker. She should have been more receptive to tales of the Grail. Perhaps with such minor changes, I might be able to see her as deserving of the ending that she received. A second weakness in Gaimain's armor is the simple fact that Mrs. Whitaker SHOULD have taken the apple. What use is the Philosopher's Stone and the Phoenix's Egg without it? Perhaps if Gaimain had developed Mrs. Whitaker's attachment to her deceased husband more I would have been more apt to believe the tale's later developments. What else--besides love and devotion to her deceased husband--could hold Mrs. Whitaker back from taking the apple? I can think of none, and as a writer devoted to portraying the many faces of love, I would know.

Altogether, Gaiman did a commendable job. I thoroughly enjoyed his work. I may need to keep an eye on this young man....

Why doth all hate me?

For most of these entries I have complained tirelessly about my impossible love for Queen Guinevere, but this time I have a bone to pick that is entirely different. Why are people always using me and plotting against me. What have I ever done to them? I know that being Arthur's most trusted knight puts me in a coveted position, but what have I ever done to wrong another living soul (besides that whole sleep with the Queen bit)? I have been so blinded by my love for the Queen that I have not seen the growing treachery and malice that consumes more and more men at this court every day. At least some knights at Carlilse such as Sir Gawain and Sir Bors have remained faithful to me and remember the services I have performed for them. Although looking back on it I must admit it was rather foolhardy of me not to heed Sir Bors warning that night to not visit my Queen. But I had to go to her because I love her more than my heart can bear, oh and there I go again talking about her all the time. She hath bewitched me from the moment our eyes first met. But why could not the late Sir Agravain and Sir Mordred be more like the band of knights who when I asked them said, " We will do as ye will do." Mordred and Agravain were too selfish and disrespectful of the king, just as my men are too trusting of me. It is too bad those two evil plotters could not have been more like my trustworthy purehearted knights.

To Be Caught

A Love Affair!!! So this is what is to bring down the great Arthur. Well it is shameful. How easy it must be to blame Mordrid and the others for such a terrible fate. Do we forget that it was not Mordrid having an affair behind the kings back, It was The Queen! She let loose her bodily controls and cavorted around with Lancelot. How could two such seemingly good people go so far from their paths. Arthur is the king, he is their lord, and deserves the utmost respect and loyalty. Lancelot killed another knight of the Round Table! Uther would be appalled at such unruly and degenerate behavior In the ranks surrounding the King. Even had Arthur not been a king and only low ranking royalty or even peasant he deserves the love and loyalty of his wife. A wife should adore her husband and be repulsed by any advances from someone other than her husband. I fear that King Arthur's choice in a Queen was a poor choice and unfortunately both he and his kingdom had to pay for it. I weep for such a sorrowful tale on behalf of Arthur and i condemn the actions of Lancelot and Guenevere, No matter how good they were otherwise.

*Jaw Drop*

Wow .. what an ending to a long, drawn out affair. So Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere have finally been found out by the court of King Arthur. After all this time, it is only now that King Arthur is aware of his wife's affair with his most trusted knight. I find it unusual that King Arthur is only aware of this fact AFTER being told by Moldred ... the man responsible for the untimely end of Britian's Golden Age.

I find it highly ironice that there is a mention of Tristan and King Mark. The paralles between the two men are striking!

It is unfortuante that it was Sir Gawain who fought against Sir Lancelot. Lancelot's skill in fighting is pretty much unfathomable. But once again, it is easy to see why Sir Lancelot is such an honorable man, even though he did sleep with his leige's wife. Once Gawain is hurt, Lancelot refuses to fight him. It is hard to be disappointed by Lancelot's actions - while you want to hate him for his affair with the Queen, he proves to be an honorable fighter.

What a grand sight it must have been!!

Oh you should have seen their faces! Knight after Knight stunned at the sight they had seen. For me Sir Bertilak disguised in this phantasm of fear to burst into their yule tide feast and challenge their valor in such a way. Its true my Green Knight guise was quite a brash touch to add, but if the Round Table wished to be praised by the world it is a test they must pass. At first no one stepped forward to accept my challenge then as Arthur was about to accept the courageous Sir Gawain intervened. I could not have planned it any better. As he wound up for his mighty hack I could not help but wonder in my mind how these knights would react to the surprise I had in store for them. Their jaws dropped when my dacapitated body calmly walked over and retrieved my severed head. What a sight it must have been for them, for me to be holding my own head after it had been cut clean off by Sir Gawain. The mood of terror in that room is unmatched for sure. Now I can only wait for Sir Gawain to show at my chapel in one year from now. What a quest he shall have in deed. As for me I will retire to my kingdom and enjoy some exhilirating hunts of dread dogs and wild boars alike.

Sorrow for the loss of King Arthur...

"Sigh". It's with a heavy heart that I recollect and reminisce King Arthur and the days we spent together. Now that he has taken his final breathe I find myself wishing I had been a better wife and Queen. Sooner should I have tried to send a messenger to find King Arthur and bring him back. Being taken by Mordred was horrific. I am thankful that my King vanquished him before he died. I will lament and morn the loss of our King. I will honor his memory anyway I can. So many great knights were lost in the battle to regain our kingdom, their fight was not in vain. Despite the rumor I am not having Mordred's child. I refuse to bear his child. I cannot believe Sir Gawain and my King have passed. The world is dimmer without their light to guide it. The grief this kingdom feels is immense. Mordred will pay for his treachery in the next life. Let us thank God for saving our kingdom and keeping our King and brave knights in Heaven. We shall rebuild our kingdom. It will always live on in our hearts. Do not forget King Arthur and the Knights we have lost.