[introduction] Here the story ends at last... or not.

[fairdamsel]

Enide had never known such happiness.

When she was new-wed, perhaps, and filled with fresh love for her lord, and he with love for her. When they had spent each day together, close in body, heart, though it had near ruined him.

But their trials had made it sweeter, somehow. Cemented their passion through shared fear, heightened their devotion through

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[weristdas_graal]

If she ventures onto the lawn to the east, she might spy a tall, fair-haired man in slightly rustic garments, carrying a rolled-up rug over his shoulder. He pauses and smiling bows to her. "The Lord be with you and good morrow, milady," he says. "Welcome to the Mansion."

[fairdamsel]

She's wandering, now. Merlin will have informed her that she's trapped here, away from her husband, and it's taken its toll. She looks shaken, upset, uncertain. But she keeps her voice as steady as she can.

"Likewise, sir," she replies, because she is good at polite, "I thank you for the welcome."

[weristdas_graal]

"It is an honor to cross paths with and to greet a lovely lady such as you," he says, bowing again. "I am Sir Parsifal, vassal of His Highness King Arthur, Knight of the Brotherhood of the Grail, and bearer of the Sacred Lance. Who, then, do I have the honor of meeting on this sunlit day?"

[fairdamsel]

She brightens a bit. "I regret that your name is unfamiliar to me, sir. But I know the name of your king, for he is mine also. I am Queen Enide of Farther Wales, wife of King Erec. I spent time at the court of King Arthur, for he loves my husband well."

[weristdas_graal]

"We have not met before and fool that I am, I would have remembered your face and your name," he replies with a smile. "But anyone who has spent time in King Arthur's court is a fellow servant in my eyes and in my heart." Looking toward a rustic-looking building with a small spire up ahead, he says, "Shall we seek shade by the walls of yon chapel? The rays of the sun beat down brightly today."

[fairdamsel]

"I should gladly do so." She looks out at the chapel. "Is there a priest here, then?"

[weristdas_graal]

"Not a man of the cloth, but as a Knight of the Holy Grail, I have been given a dispensation from Rome that allows me to offer Mass and the Sacraments in a place where there is a chapel, but no priest," he says. "When first I came to this place, I found that another of my fellow knights had laid the foundation for this structure, but had vanished ere he brought it to completion. It is soon to be dedicated; I was in the act of bringing an offering to adorn it."

[fairdamsel]

Oh. She had hoped for a priest to give her counsel. To explain what God had meant by sending her here. To explain how she must have sinned to be banished from her husband and home.

"Then I have interrupted you on a godly task, and you must continue, sir," she says, "I would gladly follow, if I might."

[weristdas_graal]

"Nay, you have not," he says, with a warm and friendly smile. "Those who serve the servants of the Lord do well to be always open to those who might need an open and compassionate ear to listen to them. If you wish to unburden your heart or your soul, I would be honored to listen and, should you desire it, offer what counsel that I can."

[fairdamsel]

She hesitates only a little. He is a knight, and seems a good and godly man.

"I thank you --" she says, "It is only -- I do not understand why God would send me to such a place."

[weristdas_graal]

"I believe that the Lord God calls people here for a reason, but it is something that will reveal itself only over time," he says. "When first I arrived, I too felt troubled to the depths of my soul and I feared that I was confined to some lovely hell. But I soon found this chapel in need of building and people with souls like a flock in need of a shepherd. If you will it, perhaps I can help you to find why God called you here."

[fairdamsel]

"But you are a good knight, sir," she replies, soberly, "With knowledge of God's ways. I am a woman - what purpose might God have for me, but to serve my husband? And he -- h-he is not here with me." A waver, but not going to cry, nope. :|

[weristdas_graal]

"Aye, and I am far away from my lady wife, Condwiramurz, my bride and the mother of my twin sons," he replies, his eyes growing distant. "I too live to be her protector and lover, and I knew not why God had led me far from her side." He empathizes with her situation completely: he's going through it in his own way.

[fairdamsel]

She gives him a look of gentle compassion. "I am sorry that you must endure such a separation. Yet I am glad you have found purpose here."

[weristdas_graal]

"And so shall you," he says, with a gentle confidence. "Your main purpose in your world may be to love and assist your husband, but perhaps God has sent you here to seek within your soul for something couched there, concealed, something you could not have known had you stayed dwelling in the world from which we both likely came."

[fairdamsel]

She doesn't really believe him, but smiles anyway, just a little. "Then perhaps I will hold hope for such a revelation."

But she'd prefer to go home, really. She liked her other purpose perfectly well.