The iron gates --please comment--

This is a local legend where i live, and i thought it would be cool to re-write it.

Joseph stumbled down the steep cobbled road, an old, worn rope clasped in his left hand. The rope was tied to the neck of a white stallion that he was planning to sell at the local market in Mobberely. He grumbled under his breath, working out how much he would have to sell the horse for to make this lond trip worthwhile. Suddenly, a tall man dressed all in white, stepped into the middle of the road. "so, how much are you planning on selling that fine horse for, Joseph?" The old farmer stopped in his tracks. "how do you know my name? have we met before?" But Joseph knew that the answer was no before the question even left his lips, for he would remember one with such a striking white beard. "The old man shook his head slowly, just as Joseph had anticipated. "Then how do you know my name?" He asked. "that is not for you to know, Joseph. And you still haven't answered my question." This frustrated the old farmer, but he only replied "I'm selling him for two hundred ginueas, why do you ask? have you got a better offer?" asked Joseph in his old growling voice that was mostly used for telling off small children that came to play in his fields. "No, but i can offer you one hundred." The mysterious man replied. "No thank you." replied Joseph as he strode confidently past the man, for it had taken him three hours to walk this far, and he was sure that he could get a better price at the market. "Joseph Goldsmith, you will not sell that stallion today." shouted the cloaked man in a low, commanding tone. Joseph didn't listen to this. The man's a fool, he thought as he stumbled on towards the market.

The sun was setting in the autumn sky, and Joseph was grinding his teeth together in frustration. This goddamed horse had caused more trouble than it was worth. He had a good mind to leave it to the side of the road to spare him the bother of attempting to sell it next week. As he approached the spot where the old man had stopped him earlier, he wished that he had accepted the offer of one hundred ginueas that he had been offered earlier. and then, as if by magic, the old man strode into the middle of the road, exactly where he had stood earlier on in the day. "not sold that horse, i see, Joseph." The man noted with a grin. "why is that?" He asked, grinning away. This frustrated Joseph beyond belief, but he knew that he could not sell his horse to this man if he started shouting. Instead, he replied, with as much of a civil tone as he could manage. "No-one would buy it, for some reason. It was as if i wasn't there. They didn't even notice me when i started bringing the price down." Joseph admitted. And all the while, the man was nodding understandingly, as if he had been there. "i take it your offer still stands?" Joseph asked hopefully. The man broke into a broad smile, and relief flooded across Joseph's face. "Come with me." The old man instructed, and Joseph, without wanting to, found himself obeying. They walked all the way up to the edge, and by this time Joseph could hardly breath. (The edge as in Alderley edge, where Alan Garner lived. It is a high point of land. Look it up!) They walked up to stormy point, where the trees became scarce and the ground became very uneven. The man walked up to the cliff face and picked up a long stick from the ground. He seemed to size it up in his hands, before cracking it against the rocks. The ground shook dangerously, and Joseph was thrown to the floor. "Take the horse! Take it! I don't want your money!" Yelled Joseph, terrified. But the old man didn't seem to hear him. Either that or he was ignoring Joseph completely. Finally, the shaking stopped, and Joseph lay on the ground, relieved. Suddenly, a fissure began to open up in the ground next to him. He screamed and rolled away. Once the fissure had opened up fully, the man walked in, guiding the horse in with him. Joseph followed, partly because he was curious, but mostly because he wanted to get his money. He was led down underground up to a massive pair of iron gates. The man made a strange motion with his hand, and the gates opened, clanking loudly. Joseph watched this in astonishment, as he pieced the events of the last few minutes together. This man was a wizard! He must be! Joseph walked after the wizard, eager to see him perform more magic. They finally reached a massive cavern, filled with sleeping knights in shining white armour. All of them were lying upon horses, bar one. This knight was sitting near the entrace of the cavern, drool dripping from his mouth. The wizard strode up to him, lifted the sleeping knight up and saddled him upon the horse, who upon contact, fell asleep. The wizard turned to face Joseph, and handed him a large bag of coins. "one day, this army will save England." The Wizard said quietly. "one day." It was then that Joseph realised, this was the army of king Arthur. Many had claimed he had been buried here, yet no proof had been found. That proff was staring Joseph right in the face. "now go! yelled the wizard with such anger, that Joseph fled immediately back through the iron gates, and back through the fissure in the rock. He was out of breath. It had been a long day. Thought Joseph as the fissure closed behind him with a slam. Joseph fell to the ground, asleep, as if this sound had some sort of hypnotic effect.

Joseph woke up. He sat up groggily, and rubbed his eyes. Was all that had happened just a dream? He realised that it hadn't been as he saw the bag of money beside him. There was no sign of the fissure in the ground, and even though Joseph pummeled it as hard as he coul with his fists, the ground would not open. The iron gates remain closed to this day.