In the Court of King Arthur | Page 9

and on some fortune had smiled, for these carried
token of some fair lady. Of fair ladies there were many to watch the
deeds of skill and bravery and most beautiful of them all, was Arthur's
queen, Guenever.
Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine had found no need to journey to
Cornwall. For word had come that Sir Tristram had had a bitter quarrel
with King Mark and had left his court carrying that wicked King's curse.
Tristram had made final demand on the traitorous King to release the
maiden Beatrice whom he was holding for ransom and this the King
had had no mind to do. Then had the bold knight himself made for the

door of the great dungeon and with hilt of sword knocked long and
loud to summon the keeper. And when the door was opened this same
keeper could not withstay him, nor would he. Then had Tristram
carried the maiden to point of safety and so earned her gratitude. Nor
would any knight of King Mark take issue with him for none felt the
King's deed to be knightly. And though the King made pretense of
bearing no ill will, yet did Sir Tristram leave Cornwall that same day.
And Sir Gawaine knew not whether to be pleased or otherwise at the
news.
"I would have fancied making rescue of the Lady Beatrice myself. And
fancied even more to have told King Mark the scurvy knave I deem
him; yet I doubt not Sir Tristram did the deed well and since it leaves
me free to stay and have part in the jousting, I am not displeased."
"And methinks," added Sir Launcelot, "Sir Tristram will make his way
hither, for tournament such as this holds all alluring call."
King Arthur, together with Ban of Northumberland, and Sir Percival
were declared the judges for all but the last of the three days.
Now then Sir Percival, finding a moment's brief respite, followed by
his page rode to the palace where sat his mother and two sisters. There
he found Sir Uwaine already in deep converse with Helene, who was
the older of the two maidens and whose knight he was.
"See you, son, there do be knights who find time to pay respect to us,
even though our own are slower footed." So spoke the Lady Olande yet
did it jestingly and with no intent to hurt for she had great love for her
son.
"And I doubt not, Uwaine does make up for any seeming lack of mine,"
replied Sir Percival. "If, mother mine, I were not made a judge, my
time would be more my own.
"But here, I must have lost what manners I have been taught. Mother,
this is Allan who is my page, and these, Allan, are my sisters Helene

and Yosalinde. Allan is son of Sir Gaunt, whom you all know. Forgive
my not making you known before this, lad."
Pleasantly did the ladies greet him and so well that he found no
embarrassment therewith. And so now Sir Percival turned and spoke in
low tones to his mother. Sir Uwaine and his lady walked away,
claiming that they must give greeting to certain high ladies. And
therewith left Allan, the boy, and Yosalinde, who was even younger
than he, to themselves.
Allan strove to speak but found he could not and so sat on horse
waiting. The girl calmly watched him from her place, yet was there
mischief in her eyes.
"If you would, you may dismount from your horse and find place hither.
There is room, as you see," she suggested.
The lad looked uncertain. Yet Sir Percival had already found place next
to his mother and was now in earnest converse. So he found he could
not do otherwise.
Now Yosalinde laughed at what showed so plainly his unwillingness to
sit beside her.
"I shall not bite you. See how harmless I am? No witch, I hope, you
think I am. For shame that youth, who would be brave knight, should
fear a lady and in especial one so young as I."
"I fear you not," replied Allan hotly.
"Then perhaps you dislike me?" the minx questioned innocently.
"Certes, no. How could I?" the guileless youth replied.
"Then you do like me? Although I doubt I find any pride in that since I
must need force the words from you."
At a loss now the lad could not answer. For the girl had better of him
because of her quick tongue and he found she twisted his words and

meaning to suit her taste. Yet finally, she turned the talk and so Allan
found himself telling her of his high hopes. So simply too, without
boasting, he told her of the fine words of Arthur to him. And last,
because