In the Court of King Arthur

by Samuel E. Lowe

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Sir Galahad

  Of the things that befell Sir Gareth, of how he wedded the good DameLyoness and of how he gave right seemly proof of his worship, thisstory will not detail. Nor can we go on the byway that deals with thedeeds of Breunor le Noire who was made a knight of the Round Table byKing Arthur soon thereafter and who then avenged the cowardly slayingof his father by the unknown and false knight.

  For our tale must hold its course hereafter. The boy Allan had grownwith the two years that had passed since the adventure of the RedKnight of the Red Lawns. He had not returned to the court of KingArthur, instead he and Walker had set out on journey of adventure. Nohit and miss journey this, instead it followed a call that the boy hadhad, a call which he knew meant that the time had come for him tobegin seeking the Holy Grail.

  The two years had been eventful ones for Allan. All over England hadhe found his way, he and Walker. Adventures were many and everywherethis youth through kindly deeds and brave actions left good reputebehind him.

  So at the period which our narrative now covers there had grown from awhispering into a more or less certainty and belief that a man hadcome who would find the Holy Grail again for Britain and so add honorand fame to England. And therewith there was great wonderment as towhether the finder would be of the court of Northgalis, or ofNorthumberland, or of Cornwall, or of Arthur's court.

  Pentecost was but a few days away. Now on this day the good KingArthur with Launcelot, Percival and Merlin, the wizard, made the roundof the sieges or seats of the Round Table, each of which held a name,for on this Pentecost to come, there were to be many new knights madeand place must be found for them.

  So then here and there the places were assigned. Now they came to thelast of the places.

  "What new knight shall be placed here?" asked the King. "It seems tous that this place his been empty this long time."

  "This," answered Merlin, "is the Siege Perilous. Here no one shall situntil four hundred and fifty four years after the passion of theLord."

  Now then Sir Launcelot make quick reckoning.

  "In the name of God," he made haste to say, "then should this siege befilled on this Pentecost day that comes."

  "That I doubt not," replied Merlin, "And no one else but the rightfuloccupant may fill it for he that is so hardy as to try it, he will bedestroyed."

  So Pentecost day came. And all but Merlin wondered as to who thenewcomer, who would fill this seat could be.

  Early day found the new knights already seated. Early day, too, foundAllan, once again, after the many months away from the court,returned. This was home to him--and close to three years had passedsince he had been there. He had learned much, he had searched thus farin vain for the Holy Grail. Yet not altogether in vain, for he feltwithin him that he was closer to his quest with the passing of eachday. The boy, now in young manhood, had indeed developed well. Broadshouldered, slim-waisted, supple limbed, he gave little indication ofhis strength, yet Walker riding close beside him, had watched him, hadtrained him and had with great pride, noted his skill with lance,sword and spear. Well he knew that this youth would soon be second tonone in ability to cope with foe or in friendly jousting as mightbefall in tournament or elsewhere.

  A Solitary Horseman]

  Now on this Pentecost day, Allan had returned because it was wont thathe should do so and also because desire urged him thence. So then heentered the great hall and because all of King Arthur's court werewithin, none there were who knew him.

  And once he found himself within, only Merlin the Wizard knew who hewas. The others knew him not, not even Sir Percival nor Sir Launcelot.So Merlin came forward and greeted him.

  "They do not yet know you lad, for greatly have you changed with thesefew years. Almost grown to full manhood and of a truth full well andready for the further conduct of your mission. Come you with me foryour seat is saved."

  "Nay, sir, I hold no seat for I am as yet no knight, though hopeful,"replied the lad.

  "Yet is your place here, lad. So come."

  And herewith the lad had need to follow. While all about, the knightsand others watched them both.

  So now as they came to the Siege Perilous, Merlin stopped and motionedAllan toward it. Yet the boy hesitated and turned his eyes to hisking, whose eyes searched both the Wizard and the boy.

  Thereupon Merlin turned to them all.

  "Here is Galahad, he who shall achieve the Grail. And proof of it isin this that he shall sit in the Siege Perilous and no harm shall cometo him therewith. Sit you down, lad."

  So Allan sat down in the place assigned. There seemed to play abouthim and the seat a strange light. Well be seemed to fit therein.

  "Oh, King," went on Merlin. "Some years since, there came a strangerto this youth and also to one other here. There and then he declaredthat the finding of the Grail was made possible. That the finder wasto be known as Galahad the Chaste. Pure and upright must the seeker beand up to now there is none other among you who so well fills thisrequirement. He who left here as Allan, page to Sir Percival,returns, fitted and grown to the task. He shall henceward be known asGalahad. And it please you sire, make you him a knight of the RoundTable. So that if he do find the Grail, honor and glory shall be withyou, too."

  Wondered the boy yet, but at word from the king he came forward andknelt.

  "We dub you knight, Allan. You shall be known as Sir Galahad. Fruitfulmay your mission be. We know that knighthood shall not suffer throughyou."

  A little apart, Sir Launcelot watched the boy. And though the newlymade knight knew it not, the former had watched him through the manydays he had been away from the court, had never been very far, yetnever so near that the young adventurer knew it. Most keen andwatchful had he been to see that the lad kept on the clean road ahead.And of a truth he had noted, with a restful content, that such was theboy's inclination and desires. Yet he kept apart even as he watchedand in all the years had not come face to face with the boy.