Part 17 (1/2)

He was very weak, and he made his way painfully to the side of the wall where the maiden Elinor waited for him. She ran to meet him, and led him gently to a brook in a forest near by. There she took off his armor and bathed his wounds, anointing them with a precious salve she carried.

Sir Brune thought that she was sorry because she had been scornful of him, and he began to talk to her. But she said:

”Do not talk to me. If you want to please me, go back to Arthur's Court.”

Sir Brune did not know why she spoke so, but he was too tired to think. So he lay down on the gra.s.s by the brook and went to sleep.

Meantime, at Arthur's Court Sir Lancelot had returned from his hunting expedition, and was told how Sir Brune had gone out with a damsel on the adventure of the s.h.i.+eld.

”Oh!” cried Sir Lancelot, ”what have you done! He will surely be killed. Merlin has told me what this adventure of the s.h.i.+eld is.

Many and many a knight has taken it up and each has been killed.

A knight who vows to follow this adventure has to meet dangers of all sorts. This young untried Sir Brune will certainly be killed.”

He called for his horse and arms, and said to the king:

”My lord, I will ride after this poor young man and give him what help I can. Perhaps I shall be too late; but if not, I shall ask him to give me this adventure of the s.h.i.+eld.”

Then Sir Lancelot mounted his horse and rode after Sir Brune.

When he came near the brook where Sir Brune and the damsel had rested, he heard the sound of a great combat. Spurring forward he saw Sir Brune, fighting single-handed against six knights. Sir Lancelot rushed to the rescue and quickly overthrew the enemy. He found that they belonged to the company of the hundred knights whom Sir Brune had attacked. He ordered them, first of all, to free the lady of the castle, and then to go to Arthur's Court and surrender themselves to the mercy of the king.

Poor Sir Brune was almost dead, but Sir Lancelot revived him, and in a feeble voice he thanked Sir Lancelot for his help. But the damsel begged:

”Take him back to the Court of your king. I do not want him to follow this quest any longer.”

”This is surely ungrateful of you,” said Sir Lancelot. ”He has fought bravely and well.”

”The maiden scorns me, though I love her,” bitterly said Sir Brune.

Then the damsel Elinor cried out:

”I will tell the truth. I love you and I am afraid you will be killed. Therefore, I wish you to return to Camelot.”

Sir Brune was very glad, and he said:

”I have pledged my word and must follow this quest. When I have succeeded we shall go together back to Arthur's Court.”

”Give this adventure to me,” said Sir Lancelot, ”and go back now with the damsel.”

But Sir Brune refused. Then Sir Lancelot said that they must undertake the adventure together, and Sir Brune consenting, they rode slowly forward. Soon they came to an abbey, where they rested for some days until Sir Brune was well.

Then they traveled as the damsel gave directions. She always knew what they had to do. At times they pa.s.sed through woods full of wild beasts, some of which attacked them. Again they pa.s.sed over enchanted meadows where wicked magicians tried to cast spells over them. They also fought with many knights. However, they escaped all dangers, although it is certain that Sir Brune would never have succeeded without the help of Sir Lancelot.

At length the damsel Elinor told them that they were nearing the last adventure. She pointed to a castle on a hill; a square structure built of black stones, with a turret on top. The damsel told them that at the gate of the castle were two huge dragons.

These they must slay.

”Whose is the castle?” asked Sir Brune.

”It belongs now to the wicked Lord Brian of the Isles,” answered the damsel.

At this Sir Brune gave such a loud shout that the dragons on top of the hill heard him and roared in reply.