Chương Chương 42 · How Balin met with that knight named Garlon at a feast,

. How Balin met with that knight named Garlon at a feast,

and there he slew him, to have his blood to heal therewith the son of

his host.

Then they rode three or four days and never met with adventure, and by

hap they were lodged with a gentle man that was a rich man and well at

ease. And as they sat at their supper Balin overheard one complain

grievously by him in a chair. What is this noise? said Balin. Forsooth,

said his host, I will tell you. I was but late at a jousting, and there

I jousted with a knight that is brother unto King Pellam, and twice

smote I him down, and then he promised to quit me on my best friend;

and so he wounded my son, that cannot be whole till I have of that

knight’s blood, and he rideth alway invisible; but I know not his name.

Ah! said Balin, I know that knight, his name is Garlon, he hath slain

two knights of mine in the same manner, therefore I had liefer meet

with that knight than all the gold in this realm, for the despite he

hath done me. Well, said his host, I shall tell you, King Pellam of

Listeneise hath made do cry in all this country a great feast that

shall be within these twenty days, and no knight may come there but if

he bring his wife with him, or his paramour; and that knight, your

enemy and mine, ye shall see that day. Then I behote you, said Balin,

part of his blood to heal your son withal. We will be forward to-morn,

said his host. So on the morn they rode all three toward Pellam, and

they had fifteen days’ journey or they came thither; and that same day

began the great feast. And so they alighted and stabled their horses,

and went into the castle; but Balin’s host might not be let in because

he had no lady. Then Balin was well received and brought unto a chamber

and unarmed him; and there were brought him robes to his pleasure, and

would have had Balin leave his sword behind him. Nay, said Balin, that

do I not, for it is the custom of my country a knight always to keep

his weapon with him, and that custom will I keep, or else I will depart

as I came. Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he went

unto the castle, and was set among knights of worship, and his lady

afore him.

Soon Balin asked a knight, Is there not a knight in this court whose

name is Garlon? Yonder he goeth, said a knight, he with the black face;

he is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many

good knights, for he goeth invisible. Ah well, said Balin, is that he?

Then Balin advised him long: If I slay him here I shall not escape, and

if I leave him now, peradventure I shall never meet with him again at

such a steven, and much harm he will do an he live. Therewith this

Garlon espied that this Balin beheld him, and then he came and smote

Balin on the face with the back of his hand, and said, Knight, why

beholdest me so? for shame therefore, eat thy meat and do that thou

came for. Thou sayest sooth, said Balin, this is not the first despite

that thou hast done me, and therefore I will do what I came for, and

rose up fiercely and clave his head to the shoulders. Give me the

truncheon, said Balin to his lady, wherewith he slew your knight. Anon

she gave it him, for alway she bare the truncheon with her. And

therewith Balin smote him through the body, and said openly, With that

truncheon thou hast slain a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy

body. And then Balin called unto him his host, saying, Now may ye fetch

blood enough to heal your son withal.