CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Kitchen Boy Again
Now King Arthur, his knights and all of his men were home once again.Here they found great good humor at their account of the adventure atthe castle of King Mark.
Tristram came with them. For many years thereafter he served underKing Arthur. Honor and glory he brought to the court of the King andArthur held him in high esteem as well he might. Between Launcelot andTristram there grew a great friendship. Each of them believed theother to be the greatest knight in Christendom.
And Allan, too. Now he was a year older. The urge to go forth, strongwithin him, had grown that day a year earlier, when the strange monkhad met him in the forest and told him the things he might do. Youththough he still was, not yet sixteen, he had learnt much. SirLauncelot and Sir Tristram, too, had spent much time with him--couldthere have been better teachers? Gouvernail and Walker, as well,taught him to make the best use of such strength as he had. So that bynow he was the equal of many knights, better, too, though none of histeachers would let him know that, and he, secure in his own modesty,unknowing of his great prowess.
The year, too, had brought Sir Kay's kitchen boy once again before theKing. Him, Allan had learned to know. Although his friend had neveradmitted that he was better than his position warranted, Allan wascertain of it. When Pentecost had come again he was curious as to whatother boons were to be asked of the king by this kitchen boy.
But the day found him away--sent to the castle of Sir Percival, whichwas a half day's journey. Yet was he not altogether disappointed, forat that castle was Yosalinde, Sir Percival's sister.
Again there were many who sought the favor of the King on this day.There, too, were many knights present and among these were SirGawaine, Sir Percival and Sir Launcelot, the three who had been therethe year before.
"And so, sire," the kitchen boy said, when the king turned to him, "Ihave done my work as best I could. Now I crave my two boons."
"These shall be yours, if we have it in us to grant you item. What arethese boons you ask?"
"That I be made a knight by Sir Launcelot. Him and him only do I wishto dub me with knighthood. And that furthermore you permit me to takeup the first adventure which may need knight to carry same."
"So shall it be. We pray you, however, that you give your name."
"That will I do, sire, after Sir Launcelot had jousted with me, if hethen finds me worthy of knighthood."
"Of a sooth," said Sir Kay, "you ask not much. That so brave a knightshould joust with a kitchen boy is fit cause for merriment." Loud wasthat knight's laughter but none joined with him.
"Mayhap," said the strange youth, "it will be your pleasure to joustfirst with me."
Uncertain seemed Sir Kay for a few moments.
"I promise you, Sir Kay, mine is gentle blood, and you may well combatwith me," the kitchen boy added mildly.
Then did the two straightway prepare, horse and armor having beenobtained for the younger man.
Not long did they battle however, for the kitchen boy proved Sir Kay'smaster right quickly. Whereupon, Sir Kay becoming furious, made greatado to wound his opponent. But could not do so; instead, the otherbrought him down with fearful stroke which crushed through helmet andall.
"If you please, now, Sir Launcelot, to joust with me, I shall find itgreat honor." So spoke the youth to the knight.
Then there was such a battle as none had seen in many months. Neitherof these two brought to play his full, strength, yet right cleverly,each struck, counterstruck and brought his skill to play. Muchmarveled the knight at the youth.
Then finally, Sir Launcelot said.
"Your quarrel and mine, youth, is not so sore, we may not leave off."
"Truly, that is truth," replied the lad. "But it does me good to feelyour might."
"So tell me your name, that I may dub you knight. Right gladly will Ido so."
"My name," said the other, "is Gareth. I am brother to Gawaine. I madevow to prove myself worthy of knighthood by finding myself able toundergo the mean tasks as well as the noble ones."
So Sir Gawaine came forward wonderingly, to see this brother whom hehad not seen since he was a babe.
He made him fond embrace. "Right proud of you am I brother. Proud too,that it is Launcelot, whose knight you shall be."
Then Sir Gareth became knight. And as they made their way again intothe great hall, the King beckoned to Sir Gareth.
"Are you still of a mind to take on yourself the first adventure thatcometh. For here is one that promises a lengthy time in itsfulfillment."
Before the new knight could make answer, Sir Gawaine spoke.
"This sire, is Gareth, my youngest brother. Worthy of knighthood hashe proven so far as strength and skill go."
"Then are we right proud to have you among us, nephew. And we praythat you will add lustre to your honored name and to the Round Tableas well."
"That, I warrant, he will," vouchsafed Sir Launcelot. "Perchance, itseemeth a wise thing to have Sir Kay feed all our knights in prospectthe same fat broth he has furnished Gareth."
"As to the adventure," the King returned. "There came but a littlewhile ago a maiden, Linet, by name, who craves that we send a knightto succor her sister, the fair Dame Lyoness who is besieged in hercastle by the Knight of the Red Lawns."
"Good herald," the King continued, "bring you the lady, Linet beforeus."
Into the great hall came a maiden fair. To her the king addressedhimself.
"My Lady Linet, and it please you, pray tell us of what manner ofsiege this knight holds against your sister. If to you it seems ofavail, we shall be glad to send a goodly number of our knights andyeomen, too, to raise this siege."
"Nay sire, that I deem not necessary. Only, since I have heard thatthe knights of the Round Table are the bravest and best in allBritain, I have come to you that you send one of these to battle withthe Knight of the Red Lawns. A stout knight is he, many have come torescue the fair lady who is my sister but the way is perilous and hehath seven men's strength. So that I pray you to send the best andbravest knight who is here."
"My Lady, I Am Your Loyal Knight"]
"We would gladly heed your request, good lady. Nor do we care whatmanner of knight this is, if Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram or any oneof ten or twelve more were to go to your fair sister's rescue. But wehave made promise that the next adventure, which this is, was to betaken up by Sir Gareth and unless he forego this, there is naught elseleft for us to do. What say you, Gareth?"
"I beg you, sire, that you permit me to carry out this adventure. Ishall do my utmost to bring it to successful conclusion." So didGareth reply.
"And I for one, sire, doubt not, that if the adventure can be carriedout successfully, he will do so. For he is as brave and stout a knightas is among us," added Sir Launcelot.
"Yet is he so young," said the maiden as she sighed. "I doubt that anyof you know how powerful is the knight he must oppose."
"Yet will he go," Arthur now decided. "Make you your plans Gareth. Theway seems long and I doubt not, you will be disposed to continue onadventure's course, if this should be carried to successfulconclusion."
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, Breunorle Noire.
"I pray you to favor me, good Sir Gareth by permitting me to go withyou 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 reasonwhy it would interfere with your going."
"It is this, Sir Percival. I know how much your page Allan craves forsome 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 indeedyouthful." So spoke Sir Gawaine, while Sir Percival thought beforemaking reply.
"What say you, Launcelot?" he finally asked.
"
It cannot harm the lad to go with others than ourselves for then hewill receive opportunity to test himself. I would say that you permithim, if he wishes it."
"Then may he go," said Sir Percival. "Except that I would wish thatone of my yeomen, whose name is Walker, go with you. You will find himuseful and a willing knave."
"For that I thank you," replied Gareth. "Tomorrow, my friend," and heturned to Breunor, "we begin our journey."
"I shall be ready," replied Breunor le Noire.
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