CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Knight of the Red Lawns
Events followed swiftly thereafter for their journey toward the castleof the Dame Lyoness was not made on easy road. Yet through all these,good fortune stayed with them and so at least they were within a day'sjourney of their destination.
Word had come to the Red Knight of the Red Lawns of the coming of SirGareth. Word too had come to him of the brave deeds of this knight andhis two companions. Yet did the Red Knight find naught in it all butcause for great merriment.
"Truly will their courage ooze from them when they behold those manyknights hanging from yonder oaks, knights who thought to battle withme and so rescue the Dame Lyoness. Nor did I blame them overmuch, forit is well worth hanging for, perchance to win a smile from so fair alady. Would that I could be so fortunate."
So said the Red Knight and sighed. No crueler knight there was in allof Christendom yet was he gentle minded in his love for his fair lady.And though he would not free her of his presence and though he heldher closely besieged within the castle, yet had he no desire that harmshould come to her.
Now he again made his way to her castle wall where his herald did blowhis slughorn and announce that the Red Knight of the Red Lawnsbesought the light of the lady's countenance and also word with her.
After a due wait there came forth on a balcony within the wall a ladywho was indeed beautiful. Straight she held herself, straight anddirect her look. Soft brown hair, and her eyes shaded from a dark tolighter brown as they flashed her moods.
Fine was her face, a face of true nobility and gentleness.
And as the Red Knight beheld her, his voice grew gentle, his wordsstrangely softspoken.
"My lady, I am your loyal knight. I pray you to listen to me as Ipledge again my loyalty and homage."
There was scorn in the lady's voice, as she cast a withering look uponthe knight.
"Soft are your words, Sir Knight. Yet if I do not do the cat a greatinjustice it is the same softness as is hers when she spies her prey.For yonder I have proof of such knighthood as is yours." And DameLyoness pointed to the dead knights hanging from the trees.
"Aye," replied the Red Knight, "and I would go further, I would tearsuch as would deign to keep me from you, limb from limb. Yet, gentlelady, have I ever shown you proper courtesy and respect as you maywell testify. What, I pray you, keeps me from entering this castle nowand taking you by force, if need be?"
"My lord," answered Dame Lyoness simply, "that moment you enter thesegates I shall drink this brew. A brew that will quickly dispose of allthe misery that this earth holds for me. Then will you be able toclaim my dead body but naught else. If hope were not mine, if I didnot feel certain that some brave knight would come here from KingArthur's court to rescue me from your unwelcome presence, a knightsent here at the beseeching of my sister Linet, I would long ago havedrunk this poison and so rid the world of one who has brought naughtbut misery to many brave knights."
He Knocked With The Hilt Of His Sword]
"Lady," the Red Knight rejoined, "I hear that such a knight is now onhis way. Yet have you overmuch faith in him or mayhap I have given youpoor proof of my own skill and strength. If he should come, if hisblood does not turn to water, think you he will win from the RedKnight?"
"Yet do I so hope. I pray that he has greater skill and strength thanyours. And I shall dare hope."
Then did the lady turn and make her way within, giving the knight nofurther glance. Ruefully he turned away, and so woeful a figure thatfew would have known him for the brave and commanding Red Knight ofthe Red Lawns.
There came the Lady Linet first of all our party of five. She it waswho entered the gates of the castle of Dame Lyoness unmolested. So hadit been arranged. There she recounted of Sir Gareth and of the others,too. She told of the knight's bravery and how he had overcome SirBrian de les Isles, and of all their other adventures. Told too, ofwho Sir Gareth was, and how gentle and how eager he was to take up hergauntlet. Until Dame Lyoness' eyes grew large and their shade darkbrown. For she was overly pleased at the description of her champion.
"Yet must he be of the strongest and most skillful," she saidfearfully, "to overcome this cruel knight. For the Red Knight is farsuperior to even Sir Brian."
"Dear Sister," replied Linet, "I have faith in this youthful knight.Naught has he found too difficult as yet and I do not fear the RedKnight whom he meets tomorrow."
So the next morning, Sir Gareth arrived. Awaited him the Red Knight ofthe Red Lawns who had been advised of his nearness.
As the lady's champion turned with the road, Allan, Breunor and Walkerwith him, there rode forward to meet him, the knight he was to dobattle with.
"What brings you here?" asked the Red Knight, though he knew fullwell.
"I come to the rescue of Dame Lyoness, who, it seems, is besieged bysome unworthy knight who finds it worthy him to war on women."
"I am the Red Knight," the other replied without parley. "See you, myfair knight, yonder trees. See you the things that hang therefrom.They are the bodies of such other fools who have come here to teach mewhat I may or may not do."
"That, too," replied Sir Gareth, "makes me but doubly certain thatknighthood is not the garment you should wear. I shall do battle withyou, Sir Knight, so soon as you don armor. Meantime I await yourpleasure."
Then did the three ride toward the castle. And as they neared it therecame to the open window both the Lady Linet and the Dame Lyoness. Lowdid the latter courtesy to them all, but chiefest to Sir Gareth. Longdid these two gaze at each other and in that gaze love was in thedawning.
Now, the Red Knight came forward. For a few moments each watched theother, their horses stepping now this way, now that. Then of a sudden,they made at each other, with all their might. And well it was thatshields were there to meet the blows. For such was their force thatbreast plates, horsegirths and cruppers burst. Both knights were sentto earth, Sir Gareth holding the reins of his bridle still in hishands. Sore stunned was each for many minutes. Wonder it was that neckof either was not broken.
Now the two left their horses and with shields in front they battledwith their swords. And they fought until midday and until they bothlacked wind. So that each was forced to take rest.
From their window, the two ladies watched the affray. Both of themprayed that harm should not come to their champion.
But the Red Knight watching them and seeing how in especial DameLyoness was interested, conceived a new idea.
"I fancy that when I overcome this knight and prepare to hang him,yonder good lady will give herself to me to save him. For she seemsto care overmuch for him and greatly do I wish I were in his place.Yet must she be the lady of the Red Knight." So he mused.
They fought all of the afternoon. Now one would grovel in the earth,the other too weak to carry the battle to successful conclusion, nowthe second would grow equally weak.
Then did they rest again and Breunor and Allan brought water for SirGareth so that he could drink and bathe his face. They rested for ahalf hour and then battled once again.
Now the younger knight seemed weaker. The Red Knight pressed him hardas he saw this. Things began to look dark for the lady's champion.
She, too, saw this. And coming far to the edge of the balcony shecalled out.
"Sir Gareth, I pray for your success." And as he looked toward herthere was a great, eager light on her countenance. It gave to himrenewed strength, renewed faith. As if he had ten men's strength. Andso he turned on the Red Knight and the other could not withstay him.Fearfully he struck him, such a fearful blow that the Red Knight nevermoved again. Yet even as his foe succumbed, the victor slowlycrumbled to the ground, spent and so weak that for a few secondsAllan, Breunor le Noire and the two ladies who had hurried to him,thought he was dead.
In a few moments however the young knight opened his eyes. Then,beholding the gentle face of Dame Lyoness, he closed them again, wellcontent.
In the Court of King Arthur Page 21
