Week 13 Story: Lady Bridget

Lady Bridget

Lady Bridget, sister of Sir Percivale of King Arthur's round table, stood at the railing of the ship and looked out over the waves. She'd been on board the vessel for weeks now but still, she marveled at how all this came to be.

She had been at her manor, following her ordinary habits when a shining knight, fully equipped in all white armor approached. Normally, she would have been frightened at such a sudden appearance, however, all she felt was peace and knew immediately this knight was not of this world. So she stood and waited until he neared and then he hailed her.

"Lady Bridget, sister of Sir Percivale, I have a request to make of you. You have heard, I am certain, how one hundred and fifty knights left the round table in order to search for the Holy Graal, despite Arthur's sorrow and protests. They seek something many are not worthy of finding and they will die for it. But, three knights are worthy. Sir Galahad, the best and most virtuous of the knights, Sir Bors, who has faithfully accepted fasting and penitence in order to be worthy, and your own brother, Sir Percival, whose kindness and faith have given him worth.

"They have a chance at finding the Graal but they will need to join forces to succeed. In this, they will need your help. You must go to the hermit yonder and find Sir Galahad. You must convince him to travel with you for three days to the sea where you will find a ship. There you will meet your brother and Sir Bors. You will stay on the ship until you come across another. On it, you will find a sword that can only be wielded by Galahad and you must convince him to take it. Then you will go on great adventures until you find the Graal. With your help, they will succeed, however, if you undertake this journey, you will not survive."

Though his words had frightened her, Lady Bridget had done as he'd said. She'd found Galahad and united him with Sir Bors and her brother. Despite his humility, he had taken the sword. They had begun their adventures and seen many great things. She did not regret her decision.

Lady Bridget noticed the others had gone to sleep while she'd been mulling everything, for the ship sailed itself. She went inside the cabin, meaning to retire herself when she saw a glowing light ahead of her. Transfixed, she watched as the veiled Graal floated down toward her. She didn't move but just watched as it was revealed and everything was bathed in glorious light. In a moment, it was gone.

The next day, the four disembarked and Lady Bridget did not tell the others what she had seen. Instead, she followed them onto the land and into the forest. It wasn't long before they came across a village besieged by monsters.

While the men were occupied with fighting the beasts, Lady Bridget noticed a young woman running from one, away from the knights. They would not be able to save her in time so she ran to the woman's aid and held the beast's attention long enough for her to climb a tree and get out of danger.

Lady Bridget was about to run back to her brother when the beast caught up to her and slashed her across the stomach with its longs jagged claws. She fell backward and immediately realized the blow had been a serious one. Already, she felt numb and distant from herself.

Her brother and the other knights ran to help her but it was too late. Sir Percivale knelt beside her and she weakly gripped her hand. "Do not mourn for me, my life was fulfilled yesterday. Carry on your quest. Never waver. Only set my body on a boat and let it drift into the sea for it is there that I experienced the wonders of heaven."

Photo Credit: wikimedia

Author's Note

For this story, I adapted the part in King Arthur where Galahad is approached by a mysterious woman who turns out to be Percivale's sister. She guides him to her brother and Sir Bors and helps him get the sword. She helps them with their quest and then dies saving another woman. For having such an important role in banding the three together, not much is explained about her. She isn't even given a name and we don't know how she knew where to find Galahad or the other two knights. We don't know why she united them or how she knew Galahad needed the sword. It is pretty mysterious and I felt she needed a bigger part.

I gave her the name Bridget because it means 'strong'. I also took the heavenly white knight who we see earlier giving Galahad the shield only he can wield and made it so that he gave her the instructions. Finally, later when Galahad sees the Graal he asks to die and go to heaven. I took that theme and inserted it here. Lady Bridget is rewarded for uniting the men by getting to see the Graal before she dies. In that way, she is at peace.