But Sir Galahad's Dead

In spite of the wind blowing through her hair, she looked as serene and unaffected by the cold as though she were still in her tower. After gruffly greeting her, I led my horse into the ring and waited for her to do her magic.

"Henges can be used as gates through time," she announced "I am going to open one for you between here and now and when your Sir Galahad is still alive."

"I assume that you are coming through as well," I said. I had no intention of making a one way trip.

"Of course. I have to so that I can open another gate for your return."

With that, she turned to the east end of the henge and bowed towards it. Then, she turned and bowed to the other three cardinal points. Then facing north, she clapped her hands then started utter words in a language that was neither Church Latin nor our normal patois, or in fact, any tongue that I had heard before.

Suddenly, the tops of the stones of the main circle were linked by bolts of lightening continually flashing between them. The gaps between them were filled with a black so dark that it was impossible to see it. With her face lit up by the magic fire, Morgan le Fey pointed at one of the gaps. "We will go through there," she announced.

"After you, my lady," I replied. Until I had seen her pass through one first, I was not going to use any enchanted portal.

"So chivalrous," she retorted, neatly matching my tone. "No doubt you will come to my rescue if some varlet is waiting on the other side to abduct me."

Then, without waiting for a reply, she walked through the gate as through it was a curtain and disappeared. I took a deep breath then followed her.

It was uncanny. One moment I was in the here and now as you might say. The next I had travelled back how far? She had said a few days, but it was difficult to tell. The henge looked almost identical except some of the snowdrifts were in different places. The sky had not changed much either. There were a few holes in the clouds and I could see the stars. On the other hand, there was still the old chill in the air and the same barren ground under my feet.

Morgan le Fay was a short distance from the henge. When she saw me, she indicated towards the south-east. "You will find your Sir Galahad in a monastery in that direction about half a day’s ride."

I mounted up then asked. "Where will you be when I return?"

"Right here, of course."

My steed snorted at her glib line, neatly expressing my opinion on the subject. She reached over and smacked him on the rump. "The sooner you leave, the sooner you will return."

He broke into a brisk canter, not doubt as glad as I was to be away from her. When I looked back, she had completely disappeared. For a moment, I was afraid. Then somehow, I imagined that an extra stone had appeared near the henge. Not that it really mattered. If she was not waiting for me when I returned then I would find another sorceress to reopen the gate, maybe even a younger Morgan le Fey!

I arrived at the monastery at dawn and went straight into the church. Just as I expected, Sir Galahad was holding a vigil at the altar. I gave a low cough to gain his attention then waited.