Joyful indeed was that meeting, and gladly there father and son communed, telling each other all that had happened to them since they left the court. When Galahad saw the dead maiden he knew her well, and told his father the story of the sword, at which he marvelled greatly.
"Truly, Galahad," he said, "I never heard of aught so strange, and can well believe you were born for wondrous deeds."
Afterwards for nearly half a year the father and son dwelt together within that ship, serving God day and night with prayer and praise. Now they touched on peopled shores, and now on desert islands where only wild beasts abode, and perilous and strange adventures they met. But these we shall not tell, since they had naught to do with the Sangreal.
But at length came a Monday morning when the ship touched shore at the edge of a forest, before a cross, where they saw a knight armed all in white, and leading a white horse. He saluted them courteously, and said,—
"Galahad, you have been long enough with your father. You must now leave the ship, and take this horse, and ride whither destiny shall lead you in the quest of the Sangreal."
Hearing this command, Galahad kissed his father, and bade him farewell, saying,—
"Dear father, I know not if we shall ever meet again."
"Then I bid you," said Lancelot, "to pray to the great Father that He hold me in His service."
There came in answer a mysterious voice that spoke these words,—
"Think each to do well; for you shall never see each other till the dreadful day of doom."