When she raised her eyes, she saw that his were hard,like ice or gemstones. But she met his, gaze and continued: "There is not now, was not then, and probablynever was, a Holy Grail."

"I saw it," he said, "that day it passed through theHall of the Table. We all saw it."

"You thought you saw it," she corrected him. "Ihate to shatter an illusion that has withstood all the othertests of time, but I fear I must. The kingdom, as yourecall, was at that time in turmoil. The knights weregrowing restless and falling away from the fellowship.A year—six months, even—and all would have collapsed,all Arthur had striven so hard to put together. Heknew that the longer Camelot stood, the longer its namewould endure, the stronger its ideals would become. Sohe made a decision, a purely political one. Something wasneeded to hold things together. He called up6n Merlin,already half-mad, yet still shrewd enough to see whatwas needed and able to provide it. The Quest was born.Merlin's powers created the illusion you saw that day.It was a lie, yes. A glorious lie, though. And it servedfor years after to bind you all in brotherhood, in the nameof justice and love. It entered literature, it promotednobility and the higher ends of culture. It served itspurpose. But it was—never—really—there. You havebeen chasing a ghost. I am sorry Launcelot, but I haveabsolutely no reason to lie to you. I know magic when Isee it. I saw it then. That is how it happened."

For a long while he was silent Then he laughed.

"You have an answer for everything," he said. "Icould almost believe you, if you could but answer meone thing more—Why am I here? For what reason? Bywhat power? How is it I have been preserved for halfthe Christian era while other men grow old and diein a handful of years? Can you tell me now what Cagliostro could not?"

"Yes," she said, "I believe that I can."

He rose to his feet and began to pace. The cat,alarmed, sprang from the sofa and ran into the backroom. He stooped and snatched up his walking stick. Hestarted for the door.

"I suppose it was worth waiting a thousand years tosee you afraid," she said.

He halted.

"That is unfair," he replied.

"I know. But now you will come back and sit down," she said.

He was smiling once more as he turned and returned.

^eU me," he said. "How do you see it?"

"Yours was the last enchantment of Merlin, that is how I see it."

"Merlin? Me? Why?""Gossip had it the old goat took Nimue into the woodsand she had to use one of his own spells on him in selfdefense—a spell which caused him to sleep forever insome lost place. If it was the spell that I believe it was,then at least part of the rumor was incorrect. There wasno known counterspell, but the effects of the enchantment would have caused him to sleep not forever butfor a millennium or so, and then to awaken. My guessnow is that his last conscious act before he dropped offwas to lay this enchantment upon you, so that you wouldbe on hand when he returned."

"I suppose it might be possible, but why would hewant me or need me?"

"If I were journeying into a strange time, I wouldwant an ally once I reached it. And if I had a choice, Iwould want it to be the greatest champion of the day."

"Merlin ..." he mused. "I suppose that it could beas you say. Excuse me, but a long life has just beenshaken up, from beginning to end. If this is true ..."

"I am sure that it is."

"If this is true ... A millennium, you say?"

"More or less."

"Well, it is almost that time now."

'I know. I do not believe that our meeting tonightwas a matter of chance. You are destined to meet himupon bis awakening, which should be soon. Somethinghas ordained that you meet me first, however, to bewarned.**

"Warned? Warned of what?"

"He is mad, Launcelot. Many of us felt a great relief at his passing. If the realm had not been sunderedfinally by strife it would probably have been broken byhis hand, anyway."

"That I find difficult to believe. He was always astrange man—for who can fully understand a sorcerer?—and in his later years he did seem at least partly daft. Buthe never struck me as evil."

"Nor was he. His was the most dangerous moralityof all. He was a misguided idealist. In a more primitivetime and place and with a willing tool like Arthur, hewas able to create a legend. Today, in an age of monstrous weapons, with the right leader as his catspaw, hecould unleash something totally devastating. He wouldsee a wrong and force his man to try righting it. He would'do it in the name of the same high ideal he alwaysserved, but he would not appreciate the results until itwas too late. How could he—even if he were sane? Hehas no conception of modem international relations."

"What is to be done? What is my part in all of this?"

"I believe you should go back, to England, to be present at his awakening, to find out exactly what he wants,to try to reason with him."

"I don't know ... How would I find him?'* '

"You found me. When the time is right, you will be inthe proper place. I am certain of that- It was meant tobe, probably even a part of his spell. Seek him. But donot trust him."

"I don't know. Morgana." He looked at the wall,unseeing. "I don't know,"

"You have waited this long and you draw back nowfrom finally finding out?"

"You are right—in that much, at least." He folded hishands, raised them and rested his chin upon them. "WhatI would do if he really returned, I do not know. Try toreason with him, yes—Have you any other advice?**

"Just that you be there."

"You've looked at my hand. You have the power.What did you see?"

She turned away.

"It is uncertain," she said.

That night he dreamed, as he sometimes did, oftimes long gone. They sat about the great Table, asthey had on that day, Gawaine was there and Percival.Galahad ... He winced. This day was different fromother days. There was a certain tension in the air, abefore-the-storm feeling, an electrical thing... . Merlinstood at the far end of the room, hands in the sleevesof his long robe, hair and beard snowy and unkempt,pale eyes staring—at what, none could be certain ...

After some timeless time, a reddish glow appearednear the door. All eyes moved toward it. It grew brighterand advanced slowly into the room—a formless apparition of light. There were sweet odors and some fewsoft strains of music. Gradually, a form began to takeshape at its center, resolving itself into the likenessof a chalice. ...

He felt himself rising, moving slowly, following it inits course through the great chamber, advancing uponit, soundlessly and deliberately,' as if moving underwater ...

... Reaching for it.

His hand entered the circle of light, moved towardits center, neared the now blazing cup and passedthrough....

Immediately, the light faded. The outline of the chalicewavered, and it collasped in upon itself, fading, fading.gone....

There came a sound, rolling, echoing about the halLLaughter.

He turned and regarded the others. They sat aboutthe table, watching him, laughing. Even Merlin managed-a dry chuckle.

Suddenly, his great blade was in his hand, and heraised it as he strode toward the Table. The knightsnearest him drew back as he brought the weapon crashing down.

The Table split in half and fell. The room shook.

The quaking continued. Stones were dislodged fromthe walls. A roof beam fell. He raised his arm.

The entire castle began to come apart, falling abouthim and still the laughter continued.

He awoke damp with perspiration and lay still for along while. In the morning, he bought a ticket forLondon.

Two of the three elemental sounds of the world weresuddenly with him as he walked that evening, stick in hand.For a dozen days, he had hiked about Cornwall, findingno clues to that which he sought. He had allowed himselftwo more before giving up and departing.