Still further did Sir Galahad have a mind to travel but he found fromlearned men that to go further East was to travel into uncertaintieswhich few had ventured before him. Nor would he have paused eventhen, were it not that he realized well that little likelihood wasthere for the Lost Grail to be found in the far East.
So he turned his face west again. Slowly he made his way home. Therewere days now, he misdoubted the success of his search and hequestioned his own worthiness.
After months and months of travel he reached France once again. Whenhe came to Gascony he found the rightful ruler on the throne and thehouse of Sanscourt, well and happy. Great was the welcome given theknight by the happy family and a great feast was held for them. TheLady Jeanne was radiant with the happiness which had returned afterseeming desertion.
"We owe you much, Sir Galahad," said Sir Vilard, "so very much that itis beyond repayment."
"Mine and Sir Launcelot's was the joy of service, my lord. That youmust well understand."
When they reached Normandy, Charles was given a happy reception. Hehad grown, and had profited well by his travels and service to SirGalahad whom he would not leave now. For he hoped to be made a knightby him. In Normandy, Sir Galahad stayed for more than a month. He hadacquired great fame because of his travels and deeds yet did he findsmall pleasure in this for the great purpose of his journeys hadfailed.
It was on a day just before he was to return to England. He hadmounted the Seeker and without companion had gone forth for themorning. His thoughts were of the Grail, of his great wish to find it,and ever with his thoughts the wish to prove to Yosalinde that it wasin him to find it. Well he knew that she would understand his desireeven though he could not bring to her the fulfillment of that desire.
"Yet who am I to find myself disheartened. I must not question, keepever seeking." So he thought to himself and gave no heed to where theSeeker carried him.
Nor did it seem strange to the knight that he found himself in anarrow path of the woods and before him the strange monk who had firstgiven him urge to seek the Holy Grail.
"I greet you, holy father. Nor can I say to you that I have yet provenworthy of the finding of that which I have long sought."
"Yet have you traveled far, my son. Is it not so?"
"Far and to many lands, holy sir. But nowhere have I found that whichbrought me nearer to it."
"Too, I know how worthy of the finding you are. Well have you keptyour purpose high, knightly have your deeds been?"
"Holy father, I have but tried. Ever have I kept your words before me.And deem it all worth the while, even though it end with my notfinding the Grail. For, father, this will I always say, that joy hasthere been in the seeking."
"Think you then, my son, you will not find it?" the monk asked.
"I know not, father. Think me not grown tired of the search. Think notthat I complain that the search is long or arduous. I shall go onseeking where the call may lead me. And ever seek to be worthy offinding it. He who decides all things shall decide as to that. Norwill He find me ever questioning. For this I have found. God is goodand His ways are ever for the best."
"Glad am I to hear that the search goes on. My blessing goes with you.Well have I kept the count of all the days of your journeyings andgreat is my pride in you. So son, seek on for who can tell what themorrow brings."
Then the holy man left him. Yet Sir Galahad did not go until longafter sundown. And when he did, doubled was the strength of hispurpose.