In the Court of King Arthur
Page 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Allan Meets the Knights
From the first day when Allan began to understand the tales ofchivalry and knightly deeds, he fancied and longed for the day when hewould grow into manhood and by the same token into knighthood. Thenwould he go unto King Arthur on some Pentecost and crave the boon ofserving him. Mayhap, too, he would through brave and worthy deedsgain seat among those of the Round Table. So he would dream, thisyouth with eager eyes, and his father, Sir Gaunt, soon came to know ofhis son's fancies and was overly proud and pleased with them. For hehimself had, in his days, been a great and worthy knight, of manyadventures and victor of many an onslaught. It pleased him that son ofhis would follow in his footsteps.
When Allan was fourteen, Sir Gaunt proceeded to Sir Percival who wasgreat friend of his and bespoke for his son the place of page. And soto please Sir Gaunt and for friendship's sake, Sir Percival gave readyconsent. Therewith, he found the youth pleasing to the eye and of agreat willingness to serve.
So must we return to Allan who is now on his way for many an hour. Ashe made his way, he marveled that he should have had notice broughtupon himself, for he was young and diffident and should by every tokenhave escaped attention in these his first days at court. How would hisheart have grown tumultuous had he known that none other than Arthurhimself had made him choice. But that he was not to know for many ayear.
Night came on and the boy traveled far. Yet gave he no thought to restfor he knew that he could ill afford to tarry and that only with thebest of fortune could he overtake the two knights in time to makeearly return. About him the woods were dark and mysterious. Owlshooted now and then and other sounds of the night there were, yet wasthe boy so filled with urge of his mission that he found not time tothink of ghosts nor black magic.
Then, as he turned the road he saw the dim shadow of a horse. Ghostlyit seemed, until through closer view it proved flesh and blood. Lyingclose by was a knight who seemed exceeding weak and sorely wounded.
Quick from his horse came Allan and so made the strange knight be ofgreater comfort.
Now the knight spoke weakly.
"Grievously have I been dealt with by an outlaw band. This day was Ito meet my two brothers Sir Ronald and Sir Marvin yet cannot proceedfor very weakness. Which way do you go, lad?"
"I keep on my way to Cornwall," replied Allan.
"From yonder do my brothers journey and should you meet with them bidthem hasten here so that together we can go forth to find this outlawband and it chastise."
"That shall I do. Sir Knight. It grieves me that I may not stay andgive you such aid as I may but so must I hasten that I cannot. Yetshall I stop at first abode and commission them to hurry here to you."
"For that I thank you, lad. And should time ever come when you my aidrequire, know then to call on Philip of Gile."
So Allan pressed forward. At early dawn he came upon Sir Ronald andSir Marvin who had found rest along the wayside. And when he foundthat these were the two knights he gave them their brother's message.
"Then must we hasten thence, Ronald. And thank you, lad, for bringingus this message. Choose you and you can rest awhile and partake ofsuch food that we have."
"Of food I will have, Sir Knights, for hunger calls most urgently. Buttarry I cannot for I must find Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Mayhapyou have met with them?"
"Of a truth can we say that we have met with them and sufferedthereby. Yet do we hold proof as to their knightly valor and skill.They have gone but a little way, for it was their purpose to find restnearby. We doubt not you will find them at the first fair abode. Inthe meantime must we hasten to our brother's aid and leave our woundedcomrades to such care as they may get."
The knights spoke truly, for Allan found upon inquiry that the two hesought were lodged close by. Boldly the boy called, now for SirLauncelot, now for Sir Gawaine, but both were overtired and of a greatweariness and it took many minutes before at last Sir Launcelot openedwide his eyes.
"And who are you, boy?" for he knew him not.
"My name is Allan and I am page to Sir Percival."
"Come you with a message from Sir Percival? Does he need our help?"
"Nay, sir. Rather do I come with a message from the court--the heraldof which sent me urging you and Sir Gawaine to return before sundownfor a great conclave is to gather which the King himself has called."
"Awaken then, thou sleepy knight," Sir Launcelot called to his comradewho had not stirred. "It were pity that all this must be told to youagain."
Sir Gawaine now arose rubbing eyes still filled with sleep. To himAllan repeated his message.
"What say you, Gawaine? Shall we return?"
"As for me," replied Sir Gawaine, "I would say no. What matter if weare or are not present. Already we are late for our present journey'spurpose. So say I, let us not return but rather ask this youth tobespeak for us the king's clemency."
"And I, too, am of the same mind, Gawaine. So lad," Sir Launcelotturned to the boy and spoke kindly, "return you to court and give themour message. This errand on which we are at present bound holds urgentneed, else would we return at our King's behest."
Rueful and with a great gloom Allan saw his errand fail.
"Kind sirs, Sir Percival bid me bespeak for him as well, and ask you,as true comrades, to make certain to return. Furthermore, my knights,this, my first mission would be unfortunate if it did not terminatesuccessfully. So I pray you that you return."
Loud and long Sir Launcelot laughed and yet not unkindly while SirGawaine placed hand upon the boy's shoulder approvingly.
"By my faith, Launcelot, we can do no more than return. That Percivalspeaks counts for much, but this youth's honor is also at stake." Thelight of laughter played in the speaker's eyes.
"Yes," said Sir Launcelot, "let us return. It would be pity to sendthis lad back after his long journey, without success. So then to ourhorses and let us make haste. The hours are few and the miles many."