Volume Xiii Part 20 (1/2)
With these words they departed, leaving Lancelot in gloom of mind but steadfastness of heart.
At noon, the damsel who had brought him his supper the night before came with his dinner, and asked him again how he fared.
”Never so ill,” said Lancelot. ”For never before was I held under lock and key, and never was worthy knight so shamefully entreated.”
”It grieves me deeply to see you in such distress,” she said. ”If you will be ruled by me, and make me a promise, you shall be set free from this prison, though at the risk of my life.”
”I will grant your wish if it be in my power,” said Lancelot. ”These queenly sorceresses have destroyed many a good knight, and I would give much to be out of their hands.”
”They crave your love from what they have heard of your honor and renown,” answered the damsel. ”They say your name is Lancelot du Lake, the flower of knights, and your refusal of their love has filled their souls with anger. But for my aid you might die in their hands. The promise I ask is this. On Tuesday morning next there is to be a tournament between my father and the King of Northgalis. My father was lately overpowered by three of Arthur's knights, and if you will be there and help him in this coming fray I will engage to deliver you from your bondage at dawn to-morrow.”
”Tell me your father's name,” said Lancelot, ”and then you shall have my answer.”
”His name is King Bagdemagus.”
”I know him well,” said Lancelot. ”He is a n.o.ble king and a good knight.
By the faith of my body, I promise to give him what aid I can.”
”A hundred thanks, dear sir,” she said. ”Be ready to-morrow early. I shall be here to deliver you, and take you to where you can find your horse and armor. Within ten miles of this castle is an abbey of white monks. There I beg you to stay and thither I shall bring my father to you.”
”As I am a true knight you can trust me,” said Lancelot.
With this the damsel departed. But at early dawn of the next day she came again, as she had promised, and found Lancelot ready and eager for flight. Then they crept through hall and pa.s.sage, with heedful tread and bated breath, until she had opened twelve locked doors and reached the castle yard.
The sun was just giving its rose tints to the east when she brought him to the place where his horse and armor were kept, and with hasty fingers helped him to arm. Then, taking a great spear and mounting his n.o.ble steed, Lancelot rode forth, saying cheerily,--
”Fair damsel, by the grace of G.o.d I shall not fail you.”
And still slumber lay deep upon the castle, and not one of the queens nor a soul of those who dwelt therein was wakened by the sound.
But not far had the escaping knight departed from the castle before he entered a thick forest, in whose depths he wandered lost all that day, finding no high road, and no trace of the abbey of white monks. Night at length came upon him, and now he found himself in a valley where he saw a pavilion of red sendal.
”Fortune aids me,” said Lancelot. ”Whoever owns that pavilion, it shall give me shelter for the night.”
He thereupon alighted, tied his horse to a tree near by, and entered the pavilion, in which was a comfortable bed. Disarming, he laid himself therein, and very soon was lost in heavy slumber.
Within an hour afterwards the knight who owned the pavilion came thither, and laid himself upon the bed without noticing that it was already occupied. His entrance wakened Lancelot, who, on feeling this intrusion, sprang in quick alarm from the bed and grasped his sword. The other knight, no less alarmed, did the same, and sword in hand they rushed out from the pavilion into the open air, and fell into mortal combat by the side of a little stream that there ran past.
The fight was quickly at an end, for after a few pa.s.ses the knight of the pavilion fell to the earth, wounded nearly unto death.
”I yield me, sir knight,” he cried. ”But I fear I have fought my last.”
”Why came you into my bed?” demanded Lancelot.
”The pavilion is my own,” said the knight. ”It is ill fortune that I should die for seeking my own bed.”
”Then I am sorry to have hurt you,” said Lancelot. ”I have lately been beguiled by treason, and was in dread of it. Come into the pavilion. It may be that I can stanch your blood.”
They entered the pavilion, where Lancelot, with skilful hands, dressed the knight's wound and stopped the bleeding. As he did so the knight's lady entered the pavilion, and fell into deep lamentation and accusal of Lancelot, on seeing how sorely her lord was hurt.
”Peace, my lady and love,” said the knight. ”This is a worthy and honorable gentleman. I am in fault for my hurt, and he has saved my life by his skill and care.”