Part 15 (1/2)
”That, I warrant, he will,” vouchsafed Sir Launcelot. ”Perchance, it seemeth a wise thing to have Sir Kay feed all our knights in prospect the same fat broth he has furnished Gareth.”
”As to the adventure,” the King returned. ”There came but a little while ago a maiden, Linet, by name, who craves that we send a knight to succor her sister, the fair Dame Lyoness who is besieged in her castle by the Knight of the Red Lawns.”
”Good herald,” the King continued, ”bring you the lady, Linet before us.”
Into the great hall came a maiden fair. To her the king addressed himself.
”My Lady Linet, and it please you, pray tell us of what manner of siege this knight holds against your sister. If to you it seems of avail, we shall be glad to send a goodly number of our knights and yeomen, too, to raise this siege.”
”Nay sire, that I deem not necessary. Only, since I have heard that the knights of the Round Table are the bravest and best in all Britain, I have come to you that you send one of these to battle with the Knight of the Red Lawns. A stout knight is he, many have come to rescue the fair lady who is my sister but the way is perilous and he hath seven men's strength. So that I pray you to send the best and bravest knight who is here.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”My Lady, I Am Your Loyal Knight”]
”We would gladly heed your request, good lady. Nor do we care what manner of knight this is, if Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram or any one of ten or twelve more were to go to your fair sister's rescue. But we have made promise that the next adventure, which this is, was to be taken up by Sir Gareth and unless he forego this, there is naught else left for us to do. What say you, Gareth?”
”I beg you, sire, that you permit me to carry out this adventure. I shall do my utmost to bring it to successful conclusion.” So did Gareth reply.
”And I for one, sire, doubt not, that if the adventure can be carried out successfully, he will do so. For he is as brave and stout a knight as is among us,” added Sir Launcelot.
”Yet is he so young,” said the maiden as she sighed. ”I doubt that any of you know how powerful is the knight he must oppose.”
”Yet will he go,” Arthur now decided. ”Make you your plans Gareth. The way seems long and I doubt not, you will be disposed to continue on adventure's course, if this should be carried to successful conclusion.”
Now the maiden left the great hall. Sir Gareth joined Sir Launcelot, Sir Percival and his brother. As he did so, there came to him, Breunor le Noire.
”I pray you to favor me, good Sir Gareth by permitting me to go with you and gather for myself such adventure as I may.”
Sir Gareth pondered for a moment, then made reply.
”I had a mind to ask a boon of Sir Percival yet I can see no reason why it would interfere with your going.”
”It is this, Sir Percival. I know how much your page Allan craves for some adventurous journey before he also becomes knight. Be so kind, therefore, and permit him to go with me.”
”Truly, it will be Youth seeking adventure. For each of you is indeed youthful.” So spoke Sir Gawaine, while Sir Percival thought before making reply.
”What say you, Launcelot?” he finally asked.
”It cannot harm the lad to go with others than ourselves for then he will receive opportunity to test himself. I would say that you permit him, if he wishes it.”
”Then may he go,” said Sir Percival. ”Except that I would wish that one of my yeomen, whose name is Walker, go with you. You will find him useful and a willing knave.”
”For that I thank you,” replied Gareth. ”Tomorrow, my friend,” and he turned to Breunor, ”we begin our journey.”
”I shall be ready,” replied Breunor le Noire.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
On Adventure's Way