Sir Gareth set spurs to his horse and also drave away at speed, and
Lynette and the dwarf followed with speed after Sir Gareth. So anon they
entered the forest and coursed therethrough for a little ways and then
Sir Gareth perceived where at a short distance there was a knight set
with his back against a tree defending himself against six great and
brawny villains clad in full armor. And Sir Gareth beheld that there
were three other villains who lay dead upon the ground, but that the
knight was in a sorry case, bleeding from several wounds and very weary
with his battle. Thereupon, beholding this, Sir Gareth drew his sword
and cried out in a very loud voice: "Have at ye, villains! Have at ye!"
and therewith drave into the midst of that contest. And the thieves were
astonished at the violence of his coming so that they knew not what to
do, for Sir Gareth drave into their midst without let or pause of any
sort. And ere they recovered from their astonishment, Sir Gareth struck
one of the villains to the earth at a single blow and then he smote down
another. And a third would have defended himself, but Sir Gareth rose up
in his stirrups and he smote him so full and terrible a buffet that he
clave through his morion and through his head to the very teeth of his
head.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth slayeth the thieves._]
Then beholding that dreadful terrible blow that Sir Gareth had struck
their companion, the other three villains were adread for their lives,
and fled shrieking away into the forest. But Sir Gareth would not let
them escape but charged after them with great fury. And the three
thieves found that they could not escape, and that there was naught else
for them to do but to turn and stand at bay and so they did. But Sir
Gareth would not be stayed by this, but he drave straightway into their
midst and struck upon this side and upon that, so that maugre their
defence all three of those villains were presently stretched, all bathed
in their blood, upon the ground. Then Sir Gareth rode back again, wiping
his sword very calmly ere he put it back into its sheath.
So anon he came to where was that knight whom he had saved and at that
time Lynette and Axatalese and the esquire were lending such aid to the
wounded man as his case demanded.
But when that knight beheld Sir Gareth returning from his battle, he
broke away from the others and came to Sir Gareth and embraced him about
the knee and said, "Messire, you have certes saved my life." And he
said: "I pray you tell me what great and worshipful knight you are who
doeth such wonderful battle as I beheld. Never would I have supposed it
possible that any single knight could have overthrown six armed men with
such ease as I have beheld you do this day."
[Sidenote: _Lynette mocketh Sir Gareth._]
Now Lynette was standing by at that time and her eyes were wonderfully
bright and shining and she looked very strangely upon Sir Gareth. Then
hearing what that knight said whom Sir Gareth had rescued she burst out
laughing very shrilly and piercingly and she cried out, "Sir Knight, wit
you who this is who hath saved your life?" The knight said, "Nay,
damsel, I know not." She said: "Wit you then that this is a kitchen
knave of King Arthur's court hight Beaumains, so hight because of the
whiteness of his hands. He hath followed me hither against my will, and
I cannot drive him from me."
Then that knight was very much astonished and he said: "Fair damsel,
certes you jest with me, for indeed this is some very noble and
well-approved knight of great worship. For no one but such a knight as
that could have done such deeds of arms as I beheld this day."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth rebuketh the knight._]
Now at that time Sir Gareth was very weary with the battles he had
fought during the day, and his body was sore with several wounds that he
had suffered, and his spirit was very greatly vexed with the scorn with
which Lynette had ever treated him for all this while, wherefore he had
but little patience to deal to any man. So straightway he turned him
toward that knight and he spake very sternly to him, saying: "Messire,
do you intend to gainsay that which this lady sayeth to you concerning
me? Wit you that I will not suffer her word to be put in question in any
wise. Wherefore, if she is pleased to say that I am a scullion lad, so
for her sake you must believe it to be."
At this that knight was more astonished than before, and he wist not
what to think. So anon he said: "Messire, certes I meant no offence to
you, for how should I mean offence to one who hath done me such service
as you have rendered to me this day?"
"Well," quoth Sir Gareth, "in this I am greatly offended that you should
gainsay that which this lady is pleased to say. Wit you that for this
while I am this lady's champion, and so I will suffer no one to gainsay
her." So said Sir Gareth, and when he had ended that saying, Lynette
laughed and laughed again with all her might and main. And she cried
out, "Well said, thou kitchen knave!" unto the which speech Sir Gareth
made no reply.
Then that knight said to Sir Gareth and to Lynette: "Messire, and thou,
fair damsel, I know not what all this meaneth but haply you know. But I
see, Sir Knight, that thou art wounded in several places, and I doubt
not that you are both aweary with your travels, wherefore I pray you
that you will come with me to my castle which is not a very great
distance away from this, and I beseech you there to lodge and to refresh
you for this night."
To this Lynette said: "That which thou sayest pleases me very greatly,
Messire, for indeed I am aweary and would fain rest me a little. So let
us go forward to your castle. But this Beaumains must ride not so close
to us for indeed I cannot abide the odor of the kitchen."
So after that they all departed from that place, and ever Sir Gareth
rode at a distance as the damsel had commanded him to do.
[Sidenote: _They come to the castle of the knight._]
Now after they had gone a considerable way they came out of the forest
and into a valley wherein stood the castle of that knight. And it was a
very fair and noble castle and the valley was exceedingly fertile with
many rich fields and meadows and with several plantations of trees, both
of fruit trees and otherwise. Through this fruitful valley they came to
the castle and they rode into the castle courtyard with a great noise of
horses' hoofs upon the cobblestones, and at that coming many of the
attendants of the castle came running for to take their horses and to
serve them.
Then Lynette gazed about her and she said to the knight of the castle,
"Messire, who are these?" He said: "Fair damsel, these are they who
would take your horse and the horse of that noble knight your companion,
and others are they who would wait upon you and upon him to serve you
both." Then Lynette said: "Not so, Sir Knight, my horse they may take
and me they may serve, but it is not meet that a kitchen knave such as
Beaumains should be waited upon in that wise, wherefore I bid you to
suffer him to wait upon himself."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth serveth himself._]
Upon this speech Sir Gareth turned him to the knight of the castle and
his face was very calm, albeit his eyes shone like sparks of fire and he
said, speaking very haughtily: "Messire, whitherward is the stable? I
pray you to tell me so that I may house my good horse and wait upon
myself as this lady, whom I have undertaken to serve, hath commanded me
to do." Then the knight of the castle was much troubled and knew not
what to reply; yet anon he said, "Messire, I know not what to say in
this case but an you ask me I must say the stable lieth yonderways."
So spake the knight, and thereupon Sir Gareth turned him without another
word and rode away, still very calmly, leaving them alone.
So after that the knight and Lynette entered the castle. But the knight,
when he was alone, called to him the steward of the castle and he said
to him: "Go you and search out that noble and worthy knight, for
assuredly he is some great and famous champion. See you that he is
served in all wise that such an one should be served, and spare naught
to comfort him and put him at his ease, for this day he hath certes
saved my life." So the steward did as he was bidden and that evening Sir
Gareth was served in all wise befitting for a knight royal such as he
really was.
Now when the next day was come, and when it was time for Lynette and Sir
Gareth and Axatalese the dwarf to depart from that place, the knight of
the castle came to Sir Gareth where he sat upon his horse. And he laid
his hand upon the stirrup of Sir Gareth and he said: "Messire, I pray
you tell me, is there any service that I may do you that you would have
of me?"
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth biddeth the knight to do service._]
Then Sir Gareth looked down upon that knight and he said: "Sir, there is
a service you could render me an you chose to do so, and this is that
service: it is that you should go to the court of King Arthur with all
the estate that is befitting for one of your degree. And when you have
come to the court I would fain have you tell King Arthur that Beaumains,
the kitchen knave, hath sent you to him for to pay your court unto him.
And I would have you tell the King and Sir Gawaine how it hath fared
with me so far as you are aware of." Thus said Sir Gareth, and to him
the knight of the castle made reply: "Sir, it shall be done as you
ordain; for all those things I will do exactly as you commanded me."
So after that they three departed upon their way, the damsel Lynette
riding ahead and Sir Gareth and the dwarf riding some distance behind.
* * * * *
And now if you would hear what other adventures befell Sir Gareth and
Lynette at this time I pray you to read further, for there these several
things are told of in due order.
[Illustration: The Lady Layonnesse.]
[Illustration]
Chapter Fourth
_How Sir Gareth met Sir Percevant of Hind, and how he came to Castle
Dangerous and had speech with the Lady Layonnesse. Also how the Lady
Layonnesse accepted him for her champion._
So the damsel Lynette followed by Sir Gareth and the dwarf travelled for
all that morning and a part of the afternoon without let or stay of any
sort and without meeting with any adventure whatsoever, and in all that
time the damsel said no word to Sir Gareth whether of good or ill, but
ever kept her eyes fixed straight before her as though very much
occupied with thought.
[Sidenote: _They behold a fair pavilion in a valley._]
So about two hours or three after the prime of the day they came to the
top of a very long steep hill, and there beneath them in the valley that
lay below the hill, Sir Gareth perceived that a considerable company and
one that appeared to be of great estate were foregathered. For at that
place there were a number of pavilions of divers colored silk and above
each pavilion there flew a silken banner bearing the device of the owner
of that pavilion. And in the midst of all those other pavilions there
was one that was manifestly the pavilion of the knight-champion or of
the overlord of all the others. For that pavilion was of crimson silk
embroidered with figures in threads of silver and black, and above the
pavilion there flew a banner of very great size, which same was also of
crimson silk embroidered in silver and black with the figure of a
leopard couchant.
And from where he stood upon the heights, Sir Gareth saw that all these
pavilions were spread in a fair level meadow with grass well mown, as
smooth as a cloth of green velvet, and all bright with gay and pretty
flowers. And this meadow and other meadows beyond it stretched away to a
great distance and at the extremity of the distance was a fair tall
castle and a goodly town of many towers, all shining very bright in the
clear transparent daylight.
All this Sir Gareth beheld very plain, as it were upon the palm of his
hand, and he beheld how above all that level, fruitful valley the sky
arched like to a roof of crystal--warm and perfectly blue, and filled
full of a very great many clouds.
Then Lynette said: "Hah, Beaumains, see you yonder pavilions and see you
that pavilion which is in their midst?" And Sir Gareth said, "Yea,
damsel, I behold them all."
[Sidenote: _Lynette telleth Sir Gareth of Sir Percevant._]
Quoth Lynette: "Wit you that that central pavilion belongeth to Sir
Percevant of Hind, for well do I know the device embroidered upon his
banner. And I have to tell you that Sir Percevant is one of the very
greatest of the knights champion of this realm and that he hath fought
many battles with some of the chiefest Knights of the Round Table and
hath come forth with great credit in all those encounters. Now,
Beaumains, this is a very different sort of knight from any of those
with whom you have hitherto had to do, wherefore be you advised that it
is not meet for a kitchen knave to have to do in such an adventure as
this. So turn you about and get you gone or else of a surety some great
ill will befall you in this affair."
Then Sir Gareth looked very calmly upon Lynette and he said: "Lady, it
may well be that a man who assumeth to have credit and honor may fail in
an undertaking of this sort, but when have you ever heard that such a
man of credit or of honor hath withdrawn him from an adventure because
there is great danger in it?"
Then Lynette laughed and she said: "Hah, Beaumains, thou speakest with a
very high spirit for one who is but a kitchen knave. Now if harm
befalleth thee because of this undertaking, blame thyself therefor." And
Sir Gareth said: "So will I do, and rest you well assured, fair damsel,
that never shall I blame you for that or for anything else that may
befall me." And at that Lynette laughed again.
Then Sir Gareth drew rein and turned downhill to where were those
pavilions aforesaid, and so they all three descended from the height
into the valley and so came toward that fair meadow wherein the silken
tents had been erected.
Now as they drew near to the pavilions, they beheld several esquires who
were sitting at a bench playing at dice. These, beholding Sir Gareth
coming in that wise with the fair damsel and the dwarf, they all arose,
and he that was chief among them said: "Sir, what knight are you, and
what is your degree, and why come you hitherward?" Him answered Sir
Gareth, saying: "Friend, it matters not who I am saving only that I am
of sufficient worth. As for my business, it is to have speech with Sir
Percevant of Hind, the lord of this company."
Quoth the esquire: "Sir, you cannot come past this way nor may you have
speech with Sir Percevant of Hind without first making known your name
and your degree, for otherwise you come upon him at your peril." Then
Sir Gareth laughed, and said, "Say you so?" and therewith he drave past
all those esquires and Lynette and the dwarf went with him and no one
dared to stay him. So they came to the pavilion of Sir Percevant and Sir
Percevant was within his pavilion at that time.
Now before the pavilion there was a tall painted post set into the
ground, and upon the post there hung a great shield, bearing upon it the
device of a leopard couchant in black and white, and so Sir Gareth
perceived that this was the shield of Sir Percevant.
Then Sir Gareth drew his sword and he went forward and smote the shield
such a blow that it rang like thunder beneath the stroke that he gave
it.
Therewith came Sir Percevant of Hind out of his pavilion and his
countenance was all aflame with anger and he cried out very fiercely:
"Messire, who are you who dare to smite my shield in that wise?"
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth challengeth Sir Percevant._]
But Sir Gareth sat his horse very calmly, and he said: "Messire, I
struck your shield for to call you forth so that I might have speech
with you. As for my name, I will not tell you that nor my degree. But if
you would know these things, I bid you for to ask them of this lady who
is my companion."
Then Sir Percevant turned him to Lynette, and he said, "Damsel, who is
this knight?" And Lynette said: "Sir, I know not otherwise than that he
is a kitchen knave of King Arthur's court who hath clothed himself in
armor. He is called Beaumains, and fain would I have been rid of him
several times, but could not; for ever he followeth me, and, maugre my
wishes, will ever serve as my champion."
Then Sir Percevant turned unto Sir Gareth with great anger and he said:
"Sir, I know not what is this jest that you and your damsel seek to put
upon me, but this I do know, that since you have appointed her to speak
for you, and since she declareth you to be a kitchen knave, so must I
believe you to be. Wherefore, unless you straightway declare your name
and your degree to me upon your own account, and unless you prove to me
that you are otherwise than this damsel sayeth, I shall straightway have
you stripped of your armor and shall have you bound and beaten with
cords for this affront that you have put upon my shield."
Then Sir Gareth spake very calmly, saying: "Sir, that would be a pity
for you to do, for I have to tell you that, whether I be a kitchen knave
or no, nevertheless I have had to do with several good and worthy
knights of fair repute. For I have to tell you that one of these knights
was Sir Launcelot of the Lake and that he made me knight. And I have to
tell you that another one of these was your own brother, Sir Perard,
whom I overcame yesterday in battle and whom I would have slain only
that this damsel besought his life at my hands. And I have to tell you
that Sir Perard is even now upon his way to the court of King Arthur,
there to pay his duty to the King upon my demand upon him to that end."
Then Sir Percevant cleared his brow of its anger, and he said: "Sir, I
perceive from all that you tell me that you are some knight of very good
quality and merit. Wherefore I will withdraw that which I said and will
do you battle because you have struck my shield. And it will go hard
with me but I shall serve you in such a way as shall well wipe out that
affront in your warm red blood. For I promise you that I shall not let
or stay in the battle against you."
So spake Sir Percevant and straightway he withdrew him into his tent and
several of the knights who were his companions and several esquires who
had gathered about in this while of talk, went into his pavilion with
him and there aided him to don his armor and to fit himself for battle.
[Sidenote: _Of the meadow of battle._]
So anon Sir Percevant came forth again in all wise prepared for that
battle. And his esquires brought to him a noble horse as white as milk
and they assisted him to mount thereon. And Sir Percevant took a great
spear into his hand and so turned and led the way toward a fair smooth
level lawn of grass whereon two knights might well run atilt against one
another. And all they who were of that company followed Sir Percevant
and Sir Gareth to that lawn of grass, and the damsel Lynette and the
dwarf Axatalese went thither along with the others.
So coming to that place a marshal of the lists was appointed, and
thereafter each knight was assigned a certain station by that marshal.
Then, everything being duly prepared, the word for the assault was
given, and each knight launched forth against the other with all the
speed with which he was able to drive. So they met in the midst of the
course with a great roar and crashing of wood and metal and in that
encounter the spear of each knight was broken into small pieces and the
horse of each staggered back from beneath the blow and would have fallen
had not the knight rider recovered him with rein and spur and voice.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth doeth battle with Sir Percevant._]
Then each knight leaped down from his horse and drew his sword and
rushed to the assault afoot with all the fierceness of two wild boars
engaged in battle. And thereupon they fell to lashing such blows at one
another that even they who looked on from a distance were affrighted at
the violence and the uproar of that assault. For the two champions
fought very fiercely, and the longer they fought the more fiercely they
did battle. And in a little while the armor of each was all stained red,
and the ground upon which they fought was all besprinkled with red, yet
neither knight had any thought of yielding to the other in any whit or
degree, but still each fought on with ever-increasing fury against the
other.
Now at this time neither knight had aught of advantage against the
other, and no man might have told how that battle would have gone, but
at the moment of the greatest doubt, Lynette uplifted her voice aloud,
as it were in terror, crying out very shrilly and vehemently: "Good
worthy knight Sir Percevant, will you then let a kitchen knave and a
scullion stay you thus in your battle?"
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth overcometh Sir Percevant._]
Then it befell as it had befallen before when Sir Gareth fought with the
Black Knight, Sir Percevant's brother, for Sir Gareth heard the words
that Lynette cried out, and straightway it was as though the new
strength of several men had entered into his body because of his anger
at those words. And that anger consumed all else that was before it,
whether that other were of prudence or of temper. For straightway Sir
Gareth flung aside his shield and seized his sword in both hands and
rushed upon Sir Percevant and struck blow upon blow so fiercely and so
violently that nor skill nor strength might withstand his assault. Then
Sir Percevant fell back before that assault and could not do otherwise,
and he bore his shield full low; but ever Sir Gareth followed him and
smote him more and more violently so that Sir Percevant could no longer
hold up his shield against the assault of his enemy. And Sir Gareth
perceived that Sir Percevant waxed feeble in his defence and with that
he rushed in and smote Sir Percevant upon the helm so woeful a blow that
Sir Percevant could no longer stand upon his feet but sank slowly down
upon his knees before Sir Gareth. Then Sir Gareth ran to Sir Percevant
and catched him by the helm and rushed the helm off from his head and
with that Sir Percevant wist that death overshadowed him. Then Sir
Percevant catched Sir Gareth about the thighs and, embracing him, cried
out: "Messire, spare my life and do not slay me!" And all those knights
and esquires who were in attendance upon Sir Percevant pressed about Sir
Gareth where he stood, and lifted up their voices, also crying out: "Sir
Knight, do not slay that good worthy knight our champion, but spare his
life to him."
Then Sir Gareth, all wet with the blood and sweat of battle and panting
for breath said in a very hoarse voice: "Ask ye not for this knight's
life for I will not spare his life to him except upon one condition, and
that condition is that the damsel whose champion I am shall ask his life
at my hands."
Now at that time Lynette was weeping amain, though whether with dread of
that fierce battle or because of something else, who may tell? Yet ever
she wept, and ever she laughed and wept again. And she cried out: "Thou
saucy knave, Beaumains, who art thou to make such a demand as that?"
But Sir Gareth said: "If I be saucy, let it pass, yet so it is as I have
said, and I will not spare this knight his life unless thou ask it of
me," and therewith he catched Sir Percevant by the hair and lifted his
sword on high as though to separate the head of Sir Percevant from off
his body.
[Sidenote: _Lynette beseecheth Sir Percevant's life._]
Then all those knights and esquires crowded around Lynette and besought
her that she would ask for the life of Sir Percevant. And Lynette said:
"Stay thy hand, Beaumains, and slay him not, for it would be a pity for
so good and worthy a knight as Sir Percevant of Hind to lose his life at
the hands of a kitchen knave such as thou art."
Then Sir Gareth said: "Arise, Sir Knight, and stand up, for the word of
this lady hath saved thy life." And therewith Sir Gareth released his
hold of Sir Percevant and Sir Percevant arose and stood up.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth commandeth service of Sir Percevant._]
Then Sir Percevant said: "Sir, thou hast beaten me in a very fair and
bitter battle and so I yield myself to thee. Now I pray thee tell me
what are thy commands upon me?" And Sir Gareth said: "Sir, thou sayest
well, and these are my commands: that thou, together with all this thy
company of knights and esquires, do take your departure from this field
and that ye all go to the court of King Arthur. And it is my desire that
when thou hast come to the court of the King thou shalt pay thy duty to
him and say to him that Beaumains, the kitchen knave, hath sent thee to
pay that duty."
Then Sir Percevant bowed his head before Sir Gareth and said: "Sir, it
shall be as you command." And after that he said, "Sir, I pray you that
you will do me this favor; I pray you that you will come with me to
yonder castle at that town which you see afar off. For that is my castle
and my town and I am fain that you should rest you ere you go farther
upon your way, and that you should refresh yourself at my castle. I
perceive that you are wounded in several places, and I would fain that
you should have your wounds searched and dressed and that you should
have rest and ease ere you go forward, so that your wounds may be healed
and that you may be made hale when you undertake your further
adventures."
To this Sir Gareth said: "Sir, I thank you well for your courtesy and it
will pleasure me greatly to go to your castle with you and there to rest
me awhile. For indeed it hath been a sore battle that I have fought with
you this day and I suffer a very great deal of pain. Moreover I have
fought other battles of late and am aweary and in no fit case to go
farther at this present."
So after Sir Gareth and Sir Percevant had rested them a little, they
and all of their companies departed thence and betook their way to the
castle of Sir Percevant. There Sir Gareth was bathed and his wounds were
searched and dressed and he was put in all ease that was possible.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth rests him in the castle of Sir Percevant._]
And Sir Percevant gave command that ever a company of knights should
stand guard over Sir Gareth where he lay so that no harm should befall
him, and it was done according to that command. So Sir Gareth abided at
the castle of Sir Percevant for five days and in all that time he saw
nothing whatsoever of the damsel Lynette; for he lay in one part of the
castle and she dwelt in another part. Then at the end of five days, Sir
Gareth was well healed of his wounds and was in all ways hale and strong
to carry out his further adventures.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Lynette maketh peace with Sir Gareth._]
Now when those five days aforesaid were past, Sir Gareth made him ready
to depart, and Lynette also made herself ready to depart, and so they
took their leave of the castle of Sir Percevant. And they rode out
through the gateway of the castle and into the sunlight that lay beyond,
and it was a wonderfully bright cheerful pleasant day with all the
little birds singing amain and the blossoms falling like snow whensoever
that the wind blew through the branches of the apple-trees. Thus they
departed and after that they rode for a long while. So they came two or
three leagues upon their way, and in that time neither said anything to
the other but both rode in silence. Then at last Lynette turned her
about and Sir Gareth perceived that her eyes shone very bright. And
Lynette said, "Sir, have you anger against me?" Then Sir Gareth, who was
riding some little distance away, as he had aforetime done upon her
bidding, came nearer to her and said: "Nay, fair damsel; why think you
that I should anger have against you? Have I shown you any anger, that
you should say those words to me?" She said: "Nay, Messire, never at any
time have you shown anger toward me, but you have ever been to me all
that it was possible for any noble and worthy knight to be to a lady who
had treated him with all consideration and regard, and this you have
done in spite of the scornful way in which I have treated you. And also
I have very well perceived the manner in which you have borne yourself
in these several contests at arms which you have fought, and I have
beheld you to be as brave and haughty toward those knights who were
strong and valiant, as you have been gentle and kind to me who am a
woman."
Then Sir Gareth smiled and he said: "Lady, you make much of that which
is very little. Know you not that it behooves all true knights to be
gentle and patient with all such as are not so strong as they? So it is
that in being courteous to you I have done naught except that which I
have been taught to do in such a case. As for those bitter words you
spake to me, I may tell you that any anger which I might have felt
therefor I visited upon those knights against whom I fought. For when
you gave me those bitter words, then I gave them bitter blows therefor,
and the more you scorned me the more strongly and vehemently did I
fight."
Then Lynette said: "Sir, you are certes a very high, noble, and worthy
knight, and she unto whom you vouchsafe to give your belle regard that
lady will be as fortunate as any of whom I ever heard tell. For I
believe that it is not possible for any knight ever to have been so
tried as I have tried you for all this while that we have journeyed
together; wherefore, if you have proved yourself so worthy in this
thing, how much more will you prove yourself worthy in those greater
things that shall in time come unto you?"
So spake Lynette and thereat Sir Gareth laughed a little and said: "Fair
damsel, have I now leave to ride beside you, and is there now peace
betwixt us?" And Lynette said, "Yea, Messire." So therewith Sir Gareth
rode forward until he was come beside Lynette, and from that time
forward there was peace and concord betwixt them; for Lynette was now as
kind and humble to him as she had been saucy and uncivil before.
[Sidenote: _They journey together in concord._]
And so as they journeyed together Lynette told Sir Gareth many things
concerning the adventure which he was entered upon that he had not known
before. For she told him that this lady who was her sister was hight the
Lady Layonnesse and that she was but eighteen years of age. And she told
him that the Lady Layonnesse was one of the most beautiful ladies in the
world, and she told him that the lady was the countess of a very great
and rich town, hight Granderegard, and of a noble castle appertaining to
the town, which same was called the Castle Dangerous. And she told him
that the marches over which the Lady Layonnesse was countess extended
for several leagues upon this side and upon that side of the town and
the castle, and she told him that the Knight of the Red Lands, who
opposed her sister, was so strong and so doughty a knight that she
believed it would be hard to find in any part of the realm so powerful a
knight as he. And she said to Sir Gareth: "In good sooth, Messire, I
have great fear that you will have sad ado to hold your own against this
Red Knight of the Red Lands, for as Sir Perard was greater and bigger
than those two knights at the ford whom you overthrew so easily, and as
Sir Percevant of Hind was greater and bigger than Sir Perard, so I
believe is this Red Knight of the Red Lands greater and bigger than Sir
Percevant."
"Well, Lynette," quoth Sir Gareth, "so far it hath been that I have had
success in all my battles but one, and in that one I suffered no
dishonor. So I believe I may hope to have a fair fortune with this
knight also, for wit you that the fortunes of any knight lie in the
hands of God and not in man's hands, wherefore if it is His will that I
fare well in this undertaking, then shall I assuredly do so."
Thus they talked in great amity of many things, and so they travelled
for all that day and the next day and for a part of the day after that.
And somewhat early in the morning of the third day they came to the
summit of a certain highland whence Sir Gareth beheld a great plain,
well tilled and very fertile, spread out beneath that high place where
he stood. And he beheld that the plain was very broad and very long and
that in the midst thereof there was a hill and that upon the hill there
stood a castle and that behind the castle was a town of many fair and
well-built houses.
[Sidenote: _They behold the pavilions of the Red Knight._]
Then Lynette pointed, and she said to Sir Gareth: "See you that castle
and that town? That castle is my sister's castle and that town is her
town. And, yonder, beneath the walls of the town and of the castle, you
may see a number of pavilions spread upon a considerable meadow. Those
are the pavilions of the Red Knight of the Red Lands and of the knights
and esquires attendant upon him. For there he keepeth continual watch
and ward over the castle of my sister, so that no one may either come
out thereof or enter thereinto without his leave for to do so." And Sir
Gareth said, "Let us go down unto yonder place."
So straightway they descended from the highland into the plain, and so
went forward upon their way toward the town and the castle of the Lady
Layonnesse.
Now as they drew more nigh to that place where the pavilions of the Red
Knight of the Red Lands and of his companions at arms had been spread,
they went past a great many pollard willow-trees standing all in a row.
And Sir Gareth beheld that upon each tree there hung either one shield
or two or three shields and that each shield bore some device of
knighthood. At that sight he was greatly astonished, and he said: "Fair
damsel, I prythee tell me what is the meaning of this sight and why
those shields are hung to yonder pollard willow-trees?" Quoth Lynette:
"Sir, each one of those shields is the shield of some knight whom the
Red Knight of the Red Lands hath overthrown. And some of these knights
have been slain in battle by the Knight of the Red Lands, and some have
not been slain, but all those who were not slain have been disgraced in
the encounter which they have fought. For from each knight which he hath
overthrown the Red Knight of the Red Lands hath taken his shield and his
horse and hath sent him away afoot, unarmed and horseless, wherefore it
is thought by some that it were better to have been slain in battle than
to have suffered such disgrace as that."
Then Sir Gareth said: "Certes, Lynette, that must have been a very
doughty champion to have overcome so many knights as these. Now, if it
is my fortune to overthrow him in that battle which I am come to fight
with him, then do I believe I shall win for myself more honor and credit
than ever fell to any young knight of my age since first Sir Percival of
Gales assumed his knighthood."
So said Sir Gareth, and after that he and Lynette rode onward a little
farther until they had come to that meadow where were the pavilions of
the Red Knight of the Red Lands and of his knights companion.
And Sir Gareth and the damsel rode straight through the midst of those
pavilions and many knights and esquires came out thence to see who they
were who came thitherward. But ever Sir Gareth and Lynette and the dwarf
rode onward until they had come to the center pavilion of all and that
was the pavilion of the Red Knight aforesaid.
Here at this place were several pages and of one of them Sir Gareth
demanded where was that Red Knight. They say, "Sir, he is within his
pavilion resting after his midday meal." Sir Gareth said, "Go ye and
tell him that there is one come who would have speech with him."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth beholdeth the Red Knight._]
So those esquires departed, and anon there came forth the Red Knight
from his pavilion, and he was clad all in a loose robe of scarlet silk
trimmed with miniver. And Sir Gareth looked upon him and beheld that he
was very big of bone and thew and that the hair of his head and his
beard was exceedingly red and that his countenance was terribly lowering
and forbidding.
Then the Red Knight when he saw Sir Gareth, said, "Who art thou, Sir
Knight, and what is thy business here?" And Sir Gareth said: "Messire, I
am one come from King Arthur's court to take up the quarrel of the Lady
Layonnesse of this place and to serve as her champion therein."
Then the Knight of the Red Lands said: "Who are you? Are you a knight of
repute and fame at arms?" and Sir Gareth said: "Nay, Sir, not so; for I
have only been made knight fortnight, and I have but little service at
arms."
Then the Red Knight laughed very boisterously and said: "How is this,
and what sort of a green knight are you, who dares to come against me!
Know that I have laid more than twoscore better knights than you very
low in the dust."
Quoth Sir Gareth: "That may very well be, Sir Knight. Yet is the fate
of every one in the hands of God and so mayhap He will cause me to
overthrow you upon this occasion." And Sir Gareth said: "Now, I pray you
that you will let me go up to yonder castle and have speech with the
lady thereof and if so be she will accept me for her champion, then will
I return hitherward immediately to do battle with you." And the Red
Knight said, "Go and speak with her."
So Sir Gareth went up toward the Castle Dangerous and Lynette went with
him. And when they had come pretty nigh to the castle, the lady thereof
appeared at an upper window and called down to Sir Gareth, saying, "Sir,
who are you and whence come you?"
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth beholdeth the Lady Layonnesse._]
Then Sir Gareth looked up and beheld the lady where she stood at the
window, and he beheld her face that it was very exceedingly beautiful.
For, though she had dark hair like to Lynette's, and though she had
cheeks resembling in their clear whiteness the cheeks of Lynette, and
though her lips were red as coral like to Lynette's, yet was she ten
times more beautiful than ever was Lynette. So, beholding how beautiful
she was, the heart of Sir Gareth leaped straightway up to her, even as a
bird flyeth upward, and there it rested within her bosom.
Then Sir Gareth said to her: "Lady, you ask me who I am, and I am to
tell you that I am one come from King Arthur's court to serve you as
your champion if so be you will accept me as such."
Then the Lady Layonnesse said, "Sir, are you a knight of good fame and
service?" And Sir Gareth said, "Nay, Lady, but only a green knight very
little used to arms. For I have but been a knight for these few days and
though I have fought several battles with good fortune in that time, yet
I know not as yet what may be my fate when I meet such a knight as the
Red Knight of the Red Lands. Yet this is true, Lady, that though I be
but very young and untried at arms, yet is my spirit very great for this
undertaking."
Then the Lady Layonnesse said: "Sir, what is your name and what is your
degree?" And Sir Gareth said: "I may not tell you that at this present,
for I will not declare my name until that my kindred (who yet do not
know me) shall have acknowledged me." To this the Lady Layonnesse said:
"This is very strange, and I am much affronted that King Arthur should
have sent to me from his court a knight without a name and without any
credit at arms for to serve as my champion." And Sir Gareth said, "Lady,
there was reason for it."
Then the Lady Layonnesse said, "Is not that my sister Lynette whom I
behold with thee?" and Sir Gareth said, "Yea, Lady." The Lady said,
"Who is this knight, Lynette?" and Lynette replied, "I know not, my
sister, saving only that I have good reason to believe that he is the
noblest and the haughtiest and the most worthy of all knights whom I
have ever beheld." "Well," quoth the Lady Layonnesse, "if thou dost thus
vouch for him, then upon thee be the peril of my choosing." And Lynette
said, "Let it be so."
[Sidenote: _The Lady Layonnesse giveth Sir Gareth her scarf._]
Then the Lady Layonnesse said, "Sir Knight, I take thee for my
champion." And therewith she let fall from the window where she stood a
fair scarf of green samite embroidered with threads of gold. And Sir
Gareth catched the scarf with such joy that it was as though his heart
would burst for happiness. And he wrapped the scarf about his arm, and
immediately it was as though the virtue of his strength had been
increased threefold.
* * * * *
Now if so be you would know how Sir Gareth sped in his business with the
Red Knight of the Red Lands, I beg of you for to read that which
followeth, for therein withal it shall be immediately declared.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: The Lady Layonnesse cometh to the Pavilion of Sir
Gareth]
[Illustration]
Chapter Fifth
_How Sir Gareth fought with the Red Knight of the Red Lands and how it
fared with him in that battle. Also how his dwarf was stolen, and how
his name and estate became known and were made manifest._
Now after Sir Gareth had received the scarf of the Lady Layonnesse as
aforetold, he and Lynette and the dwarf returned to a certain meadow
nigh to the pavilions where it had been ordained that the battle should
be held. There they found that the Red Knight of the Red Lands had made
himself in all ways ready for that battle. For he was now clad all in
armor as red as blood, and in his hand he bore a great spear that was
also altogether red; and on the tip of the spear was a red banneret that
was likewise as red as blood.
At that field that had been prepared for battle, there was a great
concourse of people assembled and there also the damsel Lynette took her
stand at a place that had been assigned unto her; and the dwarf
Axatalese was near by in attendance upon her. And there had been a
marshal of the field appointed to judge of the battle that was to be
fought, and as each knight came to the field, the marshal led him to
where he was to take his stand--which stand was in such a place as
should offer a fair course and so that the sun should not shine into the
eyes of either of the knights contestant.
So when everything was duly prepared for battle and when the knights had
taken each his place and when each knight was in all ways ready for the
course to be run, the marshal cried out the call to the assault.
Thereupon each knight immediately leaped his horse away from where it
stood and hurtled the one against the other like a whirlwind with a
great thunder of galloping hoofs. So they came together in a cloud of
dust and with a terrible crashing of splintered wood. For in that
encounter each knight shattered his lance into pieces, even to the hand
that held it, and so violent was the blow that each gave the other that
both horses staggered back as though they had struck each against a
solid rock instead of against an armed rider.
Then each knight voided his tottering horse, and each drew his sword,
and immediately they rushed together with such eagerness that it was as
though the lust of battle was the greatest joy that the world could have
for them. So they fell to fighting with the utmost and most terrible
fury, lashing such blows that the sound of the strokes of iron upon iron
resembled the continual roaring of thunder.
[Sidenote: _Of the battle of Sir Gareth with the Red Knight._]
So they fought for so long a while that it was a wonder that any man of
flesh and blood could withstand the blows that each gave and received.
For ever and anon the sword would find its place and upon such a blow
some cantel of armor would maybe be hewn from the body of that knight
who received the stroke. And the book that telleth of this battle sayeth
that the side of each knight was in a while made naked in places because
that the armor had been hewn away from it. And it sayeth the armor of
Sir Gareth was wellnigh as red as was the armor of his enemy because of
the blood that dyed it that ensanguine color. And the same history says
that they were somewhile so bemazed by the blows that they endured that
either would at times seize the sword of the other for his own, for it
is recorded in that history that they fought in that wise for more than
two hours at a stretch without taking any rest from battle.
But although the battle continued for that long time, yet by and by
their blows waxed somewhat faint and feeble compared to what they had at
first been, and each knight tottered upon his feet at times because of
his weakness and loss of blood. So at last the Red Knight of the Red
Lands cried out to Sir Gareth: "Sir Knight, stay thy hand and let us
rest, for I see that neither of us can fight this battle to its end as
we are now fighting." So said the Red Knight, and at that saying Sir
Gareth held his hand and said, "So be it, Sir Knight, as you ordain."
So they stinted their fighting for that while and they sat them down to
rest, each upon a bank of earth. And a page came to the Red Knight of
the Red Lands and unlaced his helm and the dwarf Axatalese did the same
for Sir Gareth, and the page and the dwarf took each the helm from off
the head of his master, and so they two sat where the wind might blow
cold upon their faces.
Then anon Sir Gareth lifted up his eyes and he beheld where that the
Lady Layonnesse stood at the high window of the castle aforesaid, and
several of the chief folk of the castle stood with her at that time.
Then Sir Gareth saluted the Lady Layonnesse and when she beheld him
salute her she cried out, in a very shrill and piercing voice: "Alas,
Sir Knight! Fail me not! For whom have I to depend upon but thee?" So
she cried out in that very shrill voice, and Sir Gareth heard her words
even from that distance. Then when he heard those words his heart grew
big within him once more and his spirit waxed light and he called out,
"Sir Red Knight, let us at our battle again!"
Therewith each knight resumed his helm and when each helm was laced into
place, Axatalese and the page of the Red Knight leaped aside, and the
two came together once more, greatly refreshed by that rest which they
had enjoyed.
So they fought for a great while longer, and then they had pause again
for a little. Then Sir Gareth perceived that the Red Knight was panting
as though his bosom would burst and therewith he rushed at his enemy
with intent for to smite him one last blow and so to end the battle. But
the Red Knight was very wary and he was expecting that assault,
wherefore he quickly avoided Sir Gareth's stroke, and thereupon he
himself launched an overthwart blow that smote Sir Gareth upon the hand,
and upon that blow the sword of Sir Gareth fell down out of his hand
into the grass of the field.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth falleth and is in great danger._]
Then the Red Knight leaped upon Sir Gareth and he struck him again and
yet again and he struck him a third time a blow upon the helm and at
that third blow the brains of Sir Gareth melted within him and he fell
down upon his knees and then down to the ground for he had not power to
stand. Then the Red Knight leaped upon Sir Gareth and fell upon him with
intent to hold him down so that he might finish with him and Sir Gareth
could not put him away.
But when the damsel Lynette beheld how that Sir Gareth was beneath his
enemy and was in danger of being slain, she shrieked out aloud in a very
shrill penetrating voice, crying, "Alas, Beaumains! Do you fail your
lady, and are you but a kitchen knave after all?"
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth overcometh the Red Knight._]
Now Sir Gareth heard those words, even through the swooning of his
senses, and therewith it was with him as it had been twice before; for
as he heard the words there came new strength into his body, and with
that he heaved himself up and cast the Red Knight from him. And he
leaped to his feet and rushed to where his sword lay in the grass. And
he catched up his sword and sprang upon the Red Knight and smote him a
very terrible blow. And Sir Gareth so smote him again and yet again. And
he smote him a fourth time so woeful a blow upon the helm that the Red
Knight fell down to the earth and could not rise again. Then Sir Gareth
fell upon the Red Knight and held him where he was upon the ground. And
he drew his miseracordia and cut the thongs of the helm of the Red
Knight and plucked the helm from off the Red Knight's head. And he set
his miseracordia to the throat of the Red Knight and with that the Red
Knight beheld Death, as it were, looking him in the face.
Then all they who were thereabouts came running to where the two knights
lay, and they cried out aloud to Sir Gareth, saying, "Sir Knight! Sir
Knight! Spare the knight our champion and slay him not!" And the Red
Knight said in a voice very faint and weak, "Sir Knight, spare me my
life!"
Then Sir Gareth cried out, "I will not spare this knight unless he yield
him altogether to my will." And the knight said, "I yield me." And Sir
Gareth said, "Still I will not spare this knight his life unless yonder
damsel crave his life at my hands."
[Sidenote: _Lynette asketh for the life of the Red Knight._]
Then Lynette came forward to where Sir Gareth still held his enemy to
earth and she was weeping a very great deal. And she said: "Brave Sir
Beaumains, be ye merciful as well as powerful and spare this good
worshipful knight his life." And Sir Gareth said, "So will I do at thy
demand."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth layeth his commands upon the Red Knight._]
Therewith Sir Gareth got him up upon his feet and the Red Knight arose
also, and so sore had been their battle that both knights had to be held
upon their feet by those who stood near by. Then the Red Knight said,
speaking in a very weak and fainting voice, "Fair Sir Knight, what are
thy commands upon me?" and Sir Gareth said: "These are my commands: that
so soon as you shall be sufficiently healed of your hurts you and all
these your people shall depart hence and take your way to the court of
King Arthur. And my command is that you shall tell King Arthur that
Beaumains, the kitchen knave, hath sent you thither for to pay your
homage unto him. And because you have dishonored other knights as you
have done by taking away their shields and horses, it is my will that
you shall also be dishonored; for I ordain that your shield shall be
taken away from you and that it shall be hung upon one of these
willow-trees where you have hung the shields of those knights whom you
have overcome in battle as I have overcome you. And I ordain that your
horse shall be taken away from you and that your armor shall be taken
away from you and that you shall travel to the court of King Arthur
afoot; for so you have made other knights walk afoot whom you have
beaten in battle as I have beaten you."
Then the Red Knight bowed his head full low for shame and he said: "This
is a very hard case, but as I have measured to others so it is meted
unto me, wherefore, Messire, it shall be done in all ways as you
command."
Then Lynette came to Sir Gareth and took him by the hand and set his
hand to her lips and she was still weeping at that time. Then Sir
Gareth smiled upon her and said, "Hah! Lynette, have I done well?" and
Lynette still wept, and she said, with all her weeping, "Yea, Messire."
And anon she said: "I pray you, Messire, that you will go with me up to
the castle of my sister so that you may there be cherished and that your
wounds may be looked to and searched and dressed."
But to this Sir Gareth said: "Not so, Lynette; for behold I am sorely
wounded and I am all foul with the blood and dust and sweat of battle
and so I will be refreshed and made clean ere I appear before that most
fair lady your sister. So this night I will lie in the pavilion of this
Red Knight, there to be cleansed of my hurts and to be refreshed. Then
to-morrow I will come up unto my lady your sister."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth abideth in the pavilion of the Red Knight._]
And so it was done as Sir Gareth would have it, for that night he lay in
the pavilion of the Red Knight and he was bathed and refreshed, and a
skillful leech came and dressed his hurts. And the Red Knight of the Red
Lands had a guard of several knights set around about the pavilion so
that the repose of Sir Gareth should not be disturbed.
* * * * *
Now after that battle aforetold the damsel Lynette betook her way to the
castle of her sister, and she entered into the castle and there was
great rejoicing at her return. Then they who first met her said to her:
"Thy sister awaiteth thee and she is in that room in a turret where she
keeps her bower." And Lynette said, "I will go thither."
So she went to that place and there she found the Lady Layonnesse, and
her brother (who was Sir Gringamore) was with her. And Lynette ran to
her sister and embraced her and kissed her. And she said: "Save you, my
sister and give you joy that the champion whom I brought hither hath
freed you from your enemy."
The Lady Layonnesse said: "Where is that knight and why hast thou not
brought him hither with thee so that I may render to him my thanks?"
To this Lynette made reply: "Sister, he hath been sore wounded in his
fight and he is moreover so befouled with the blood and dust of battle
that he would not come hither at this present but lyeth in the pavilion
of the Red Knight until the morrow."
[Sidenote: _Lynette telleth her sister of Sir Gareth._]
Then the Lady Layonnesse said: "I pray you tell us who is this champion
who hath thus set me free from my oppressor?" and Lynette said: "That I
know not, only this I may tell you: that at the court of King Arthur
there would no knight undertake the adventure because I would not
declare your name and your degree before the King's court there
assembled. Then there arose a youth of whom Sir Kay made great scorn
and said that he was a kitchen knave hight Beaumains and the youth did
not deny that saying. And King Arthur gave him leave to go with me and
undertake this quest, and the youth did so. So we travelled together.
And I was very angry because I thought that King Arthur had given me a
kitchen knave for my champion instead of a good worthy knight, and so I
treated Beaumains with great scorn, but ever he repaid all my scorn with
very patient and courteous speeches. So he followed me hither and now he
is that champion who hath just now overthrown thine enemy."
Then the Lady Layonnesse cried out, "What matters it if this young
knight is a kitchen knave? Lo! he is my champion and hath risked his
life for my sake. So because he hath fought that battle for me I will
even raise him up to sit beside me, so that whatsoever honors are mine,
they shall be his honors also. For if so be he is now lowly, then by me
shall he be exalted above the heads of all you that are hereabouts."
[Sidenote: _Lynette defendeth Beaumains._]
So said the Lady Layonnesse, and thereat Lynette laughed with great
heartiness. And when she had ended her laughter, she said, "My sister, I
believe that it shall not be necessary for you to lift up this young
knight. For if we should come to know who he really is, it might well be
that we should discover that it is he who would exalt you rather than
you would exalt him. For this champion can be no such kitchen knave as
he pretends to be, but rather is he some one of great worth and of high
degree. For several days I have so tried the patience of this knight
that I do not believe that any one was ever so tried before. But
although I so tried him very sorely he was always passing patient and
gentle with me. Think you that any kitchen knave would be so patient as
that? Moreover, I have beheld this knight in this short while fight six
battles, and always he bore himself with such haughtiness and courage
that were he an old and well-seasoned Knight of the Round Table of the
King he could not have proved himself to be more noble or more worthy.
You yourself have beheld to-day how he did battle against the Red Knight
who is certes one of the greatest knights in the world, seeing that he
hath never before been overcome; you have beheld how he hath suffered
wounds and the danger of death; think you then that any kitchen knave
could have fought such a battle as you beheld him fight? Nay, my sister,
rather this young knight is someone of a very great and high estate."
Then Sir Gringamore spake, saying: "Lynette speaketh very truly, my
sister, and in good sooth I believe that this is no kitchen knave, but
one who is sprung from the blood of right champions. Now tell me,
Lynette, I pray thee, is there no one who knoweth this knight who he
really is?" and Lynette replied: "Yea, there is one who knoweth and
that is the dwarf Axatalese. He could tell us who this knight really is,
for he hath followed him for a long time every where he hath gone."
Then Sir Gringamore bethought him for a little while, and anon he said:
"Meseemeth it is needful that we have this dwarf for so only shall we
come to know who that knight is. Now thou and I and Lynette will go down
to the place of those pavilions. And thou shalt go to the pavilion of
the knight and bring the dwarf out thence, for I doubt not he will come
at thy bidding. Meantime, whilst thou are finding that dwarf I shall be
hidden in some secret place, and when thou hast brought him near enough
to me I will leap out upon him and will catch him. Then we will fetch
him hither, and it will go hard but we learn who this knight is."
So it was done as Sir Gringamore said; for he and the damsel Lynette
went to a place nigh to the place of pavilions where there was a hedge.
And Sir Gringamore hid him behind the hedge and so after he was hidden
Lynette went alone to the pavilion of the Red Knight where Sir Gareth
lay. Now at that time they all slept, even to the guard that surrounded
the tent. And so Lynette passed through their midst and none heard her.
And Lynette came to the pavilion where Sir Gareth lay and she lifted the
curtain of the door of the tent and looked within and beheld Sir Gareth
where he lay sleeping upon a couch with a night-light burning very
faintly near by him. And she beheld where the dwarf Axatalese lay
sleeping near to the door of the tent.
Then Lynette entered the pavilion very softly and she reached out and
touched Axatalese upon the shoulder and therewith he immediately awoke.
And Axatalese was astonished at beholding the damsel at that place, but
Lynette laid her finger upon her lips and whispered very low to him,
"Say naught, Axatalese, but follow me." And Axatalese did so.
So the maiden brought Axatalese out of the pavilion and he followed her
in silence. And she brought him through the other pavilions and still
ever he followed her in silence and no one stayed them in their going.
So Axatalese followed Lynette and she led him by a path that brought
them out of the field where the pavilions were and to that place near by
where Sir Gringamore lay hidden behind the hawthorn hedge. Then when
Axatalese was come very close to that place Sir Gringamore leaped out of
a sudden from the thicket and catched him. And Axatalese lifted up his
voice and fell to yelling very loud and shrill, but anon Sir Gringamore
clapped his hand upon the mouth of the creature and silenced him. And
Sir Gringamore drew his miseracordia and set it at the throat of
Axatalese and said to him, "Sirrah, be silent, if you would live." And
at that Axatalese ceased to struggle and was perfectly silent. Then Sir
Gringamore released his hand from the mouth of Axatalese and Axatalese
was afraid to utter any further outcry.
[Sidenote: _They bring Axatalese to the castle._]
So after that Sir Gringamore and Lynette brought Axatalese to the castle
and into the castle. And they brought him to that place where the Lady
Layonnesse awaited their coming. Then, when they were safely come to
that place, Sir Gringamore said to Axatalese, "Sirrah Dwarf, tell us who
is that knight, thy master, and what is his degree?" And Axatalese cried
out, "Alas, Messire, harm me not." Quoth Sir Gringamore, "No harm shall
befall thee, only speak as I bid thee and tell us who thy master is."
[Sidenote: _Axatalese telleth of Sir Gareth._]
Then Axatalese trembling with fear, said: "Fair Messire, the knight my
master is hight Sir Gareth and he is the son of King Lot of Orkney and
the Queen Margaise, the sister of King Arthur, and so it is that he is
right brother of those noble worthy champions, Sir Gawaine and Sir
Gaheris, and he is the brother of Sir Mordred of Orkney."
Now when Lynette heard the words that Axatalese spoke she smote her
hands very violently together and she cried out in a loud and piercing
voice: "Said I not so? Well did I know that this was no kitchen knave,
but otherwise that he was some very noble and worthy knight. So he is,
for there is none better in all the world than he. Rejoice, my sister,
for here indeed is a great honor that hath befallen thee. For this is a
very worthy champion to have saved thee from thy distresses."
And the Lady Layonnesse said: "Sister, I do indeed rejoice and that
beyond all measure." And she turned her to Sir Gringamore and said: "My
brother, let us straightway hasten and go to this worthy knight so that
we may give him such thanks as is fitting for one of his degree to
receive."
"Nay," quoth Sir Gringamore, "not so. Rather let us wait until to-morrow
and until he has altogether rested himself from this day of battle.
Meantime, I will take this dwarf back whence we brought him and
to-morrow we will pay Sir Gareth all due honor."
[Sidenote: _Sir Gringamore payeth court to Sir Gareth._]
So it was as Sir Gringamore ordained. For first he took Axatalese back
to the place of the pavilions, and after that they waited until the
morn. And when the morn was come Sir Gringamore and the Lady Layonnesse
and Lynette went down to that place of the pavilions and to the pavilion
of Sir Gareth, and the Lady Layonnesse and the damsel Lynette waited
outside of the tent and Sir Gringamore entered thereinto. And Sir
Gringamore came to where Sir Gareth lay and he saluted Sir Gareth
saying, "Save you, Sir Gareth of Orkney."
Then Sir Gareth was greatly astonished and he said: "How know you my
name and my degree, Messire?" And Sir Gringamore said: "Sir, my sister
the damsel Lynette, and I, catched thy dwarf last night and took him
away to my sister's castle. There we compelled him to tell us who you
were, and so we had knowledge of your name and your condition." And Sir
Gringamore said: "Sir Gareth, we are rejoiced beyond measure that you
have so greatly honored us as to come hither and to serve as the
champion of my sister, the Lady Layonnesse. Now if you will suffer her
to have speech with you, she standeth without the door of the pavilion."
And Sir Gareth said, "Let her come in for I would fain see her near at
hand."
[Sidenote: _The Lady Layonnesse cometh to Sir Gareth._]
So Sir Gringamore went out of the pavilion and immediately he returned,
bringing the Lady Layonnesse and Lynette with him. And the Lady
Layonnesse came and kneeled down beside the couch whereon Sir Gareth
lay. And Sir Gareth saw her face near by and he saw that it was ten
times more beautiful than he had supposed it to be when he saw it from a
distance at the upper window of the Castle Dangerous as aforetold of.
And Sir Gareth loved her from that moment with all his heart and from
that time forth his love never wavered from her.
That day they brought Sir Gareth to the castle in a litter and Sir
Gareth abided at the castle for a fortnight and in that time he was
altogether healed of his hurts that he had got in his battle with the
Red Knight.
And ever Sir Gareth loved the Lady Layonnesse more and more and ever she
loved him in like manner. So they were continually together and it was
said of all that heaven had never sent to the earth two more beautiful
young creatures than they.
Then at the end of that fortnight aforesaid, Sir Gareth said: "Now it
behooves me to return to the court of the King to proclaim myself to my
brothers. For since I have succeeded in overthrowing the Red Knight of
the Red Lands and so of achieving this adventure, I believe I am not
unworthy to proclaim myself even unto my brothers."
So spake Sir Gareth, and to this the Lady Layonnesse replied: "Sir, it
is indeed well that you return to the court of the King. But when you go
I beseech you that you will permit my brother, Sir Gringamore, and my
sister Lynette, and I myself for to go with you. For so you who departed
alone will return with a company of those who love and honor you." Thus
said the Lady Layonnesse for it had come to pass by this time that she
could not bear to be parted from Sir Gareth even for so short a while as
a few days.
[Sidenote: _They all depart for the court of the King._]
Accordingly, it was done as she said and straightway preparation was
made for their departure. So the next day they took leave of the Castle
Dangerous for a while, betaking their way with a considerable court of
knights, esquires, and attendants to the King's court at Carleon where
the King was at that time still abiding.
* * * * *
Now return we to the court of King Arthur ere those others shall come
thither, so that we may see how it befell at that place after the
departure of the kitchen knave Beaumains.
Now it hath been told how that Sir Kay departed to follow after
Beaumains for to have a fall of him; and it hath been told how that Sir
Kay returned to court upon a gray mule; and it hath been told how that
Sir Kay was made the mock and laughing-stock, all because of the
misadventure that had befallen him.
After that there passed five days, and at the end of that time there
came Sir Perard to the court with the word that Sir Gareth had bidden
him for to carry thither; to wit, that the kitchen knave, Beaumains,
hath beaten him in battle and had sent him thither for to pay his duty
unto the King.
[Sidenote: _How the several knights do homage._]
Then King Arthur said: "'Fore Heaven! What sort of a kitchen knave is
this to overcome so brave and well-seasoned a knight as Sir Perard? This
can be no kitchen knave, but rather is he some youth of very heroic race
who hath been dwelling for all this while unknown in our midst, in the
guise of a kitchen knave." So said the King. And Sir Gawaine said,
"Lord, I may well believe that what you say is indeed the case."
Then two days after Sir Perard had come to Carleon in that wise, there
came thither that knight whom Sir Gareth had saved from the six thieves.
And he brought a very considerable court of esquires and attendants with
him; and he also told of the further doings of Sir Gareth. And when they
at Carleon heard those things, both the King and the court made loud
marvel and acclaim that Beaumains should have become so wonderful a
champion as to do those things that were told of him.
After that there passed a week and at the end of that time there came
Sir Percevant of Hind with a great court of knights and esquires
accompanying him; and he also brought the same word that Sir Perard had
done; to wit, that Beaumains, the kitchen knave, had overcome him in
battle and had sent him to the King's court for to pay his duty to the
King. And at that King Arthur and all of his court knew not what to
think of a kitchen knave who should do such wonderful works.
So passed a fortnight and at the end of that time there came the Red
Knight of the Red Lands, walking afoot and without shield or armor but
surrounded by even a greater court of knights and esquires than Sir
Percevant had brought with him. And he also brought the same word to
the King--that the kitchen knave, Beaumains, had overcome him and had
sent him thither to pay his duty to the King. And besides this he told
the King many things concerning this same Beaumains that the others had
not told; to wit, how Beaumains had carried his adventure of the Castle
Dangerous through to a worthy ending and how that he was even then
lodging at the castle of the Lady Layonnesse of Granderegard.
So when King Arthur and his court heard all these things, he and they
wist not what to think, but marvelled as to who this extraordinary young
champion was.
[Sidenote: _Queen Margaise cometh to court._]
Now the day after the Red Knight of the Red Lands had come to Carleon as
aforetold, it befell that there came to the court of the King an herald;
and the herald brought news that Queen Margaise of Orkney was even then
upon her way for to visit the King.
Then King Arthur was very glad that his sister was coming thither for he
loved her above all others of his kin. So it came to pass that when the
day after the next day had come, Queen Margaise reached the court of the
King as she had promised to do, and the King and the court gave her
royal greeting.
Then Queen Margaise looked all about and by and by she said, "Where is
my son Gareth whom I sent thitherward a year ago?"
At that King Arthur was very much astonished, and for a little he wist
not what to think; then he said, "I know of no such one as Gareth."
[Sidenote: _Queen Margaise grieveth for Sir Gareth._]
Upon this Queen Margaise was filled with anxiety, for she wist not what
to believe had happened to her son. So her color changed several times
and several times she tried to speak and could not. Then at last she did
speak, saying: "Woe is me if harm should have befallen him, for certes
he is the very flower of all my children."
Then King Arthur took suddenly thought of Beaumains and he said:
"Sister, take heart and look up, for I believe that no harm but rather
great honor hath befallen thy son. Now tell me, did he come hither about
the time of the feast of Pentecost a year ago?" And the Queen said,
"Yea." Then King Arthur said: "Tell me, was thy son fair of face and had
he ruddy hair and was he tall and broad of girth and had he a dwarf
named Axatalese with him?" And the Queen said, "Yea, that was he!" Then
King Arthur said: "He hath been here, but we knew him not." And the
Queen said, "What hath befallen him?"
Then King Arthur told the Queen his sister all that had befallen. For he
told her how that Gareth had come thither and in what guise; and he told
her how Gareth had dwelt all that year unknown at the court under the
name of Beaumains because of the whiteness of his hands; and he told her
how that Beaumains had gone forth upon that adventure to the Castle
Dangerous; and he told her how he had succeeded in that adventure; and
he told her of the several other things that are herein told, and ever
Queen Margaise listened to him.
But when King Arthur had finished his telling the Queen was very angry
and she said: "Methinks, my brother, that you should have known my son
for one of high and noble degree, even though he were clad in green as
you tell me and even though he did beseech no greater boon of you than
food and drink and lodging. For certes there was ever that in his
bearing that bespake better things than these."
[Sidenote: _King Arthur placates Queen Margaise._]
Then King Arthur, speaking very mildly, said: "My sister, how may one
know another, his name and his degree, only by looking in his face? Yet
wit you that had I not thought there was somewhat high and noble about
this youth I had not given him leave to undertake this adventure in
which he hath succeeded so very gloriously."
So spake King Arthur, but Queen Margaise was hardly yet appeased, nor
was she pacified for a long time afterward. Then, at last, she was
pacified.
Now a day or two after this time the King called Sir Gawaine and Sir
Gaheris to him and he said to these two: "Take you a noble court of
knights and gentlemen and go you forth and find your brother and bring
him hither to our court in all such royal estate as is befitting for
such a knight to enjoy. For of a surety it will be a great honor for to
have such a knight amongst us."
Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris were much pleased that the King should
so favor their brother, wherefore they fulfilled that command to the
full, for they chose them such a court as was as noble as possible, and
they set forth upon that journey as the King had commanded.
[Sidenote: _Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris depart to find Sir Gareth._]
So they travelled for one whole day and for a part of another day, and
toward the afternoon of that second day they beheld a great company of
knights and lords and ladies ahorseback coming toward them. And many
esquires and attendants accompanied that fair company, and they so shone
with cloth of gold and with many jewels and with bright shining armor
that it bedazzled the eyes to look upon them. And Sir Gawaine and Sir
Gaheris wondered what lordly company that could be. And when that
company had come nearer, they two perceived that at the head thereof
there rode two knights in armor and two ladies upon ambling palfreys and
they saw that the two ladies were very beautiful. And when that company
had come still nearer Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris perceived that one of
those knights who rode with the ladies was none other than him whom they
had aforetime called "Beaumains"; and that one of the damsels was the
damsel Lynette who had come to court a short time before.
[Sidenote: _They meet Sir Gareth upon the way._]
Then when Sir Gawaine and Sir Gaheris perceived their brother at the
head of that company they immediately set spurs to horse and raced
forward to meet him with all speed they could command. And when they had
come to where Sir Gareth was, they leaped down from off their horses and
ran to him, crying aloud, "Brother, Brother!" and Sir Gareth leaped down
from his horse and ran to them and so they kissed and embraced each
other upon the highroad, weeping for joy.
Thus it was that Sir Gareth was acknowledged by those two noble and
worthy knights-champion, his brothers, and so his kindred met him and
gave him welcome.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Sir Gareth becometh a Knight of the Round Table._]
And now it remains but few things to say; for there remaineth only to be
said that Sir Gareth was received at the court with such rejoicings as
you may well suppose. And it remaineth to be said that at that same time
there suddenly appeared upon one of the seats of the Round Table near to
the seat of Sir Launcelot of the Lake a name in letters of gold, and the
name was this:
GARETH OF ORKNEY.
For from that time Sir Gareth became a Knight of the Round Table, being
elected thereto in that miraculous way that was usual in the case of
those who were chosen for that high and worshipful companionship.
And it remaineth to be told that in a little while Sir Gareth was wedded
to the Lady Layonnesse with great pomp and ceremony and that thereafter
he returned with her to the Castle Dangerous of which he was now the
lord.
And in after times Sir Gareth became one of the most famous of all the
knights of the Table Round, so that much is told of him in divers books
of chivalry. Yet there shall be no more told of his adventures at this
place, albeit there may be more said concerning him in another book
which shall follow this book. Yet it is to be said that these are the
most famous adventures that befel him, and that the history of Gareth
and Lynette is the one which is most often told of in stories and sung
in ballads and poems.
* * * * *
So endeth the Story of Gareth of Orkney, which same was told at this
place in part because it is a good worthy history to tell at any place,
and in part because that time in which he did battle with and was
knighted by Sir Launcelot, as aforetold, was the only time that Sir
Launcelot was seen by any of the court of King Arthur until after he had
accomplished the Adventure of the Worm of Corbin.
For that which followeth dealeth of the adventure of the Worm of Corbin
and with how that Sir Launcelot overcame that dragon and became
acquainted with the Lady Elaine the Fair, who was the mother of Sir
Galahad, who was the flower of all chivalry. Wherefore, if you would
know that part of the history of Sir Launcelot that relates to those
things, you must needs read that which is written hereinafter.
[Illustration]