CHAPTER SIX
Yosalinde
Now came Pentecost and brought with it to King Arthur's Tournamentbrave knights from everywhere. Distant Normandy, the far shores ofIreland, sent each the flower of its knighthood. Scotland's king wasthere, the brave Cadoris, to answer the challenge of the King ofNorthgalis who was also present. Ban, King of Northumberland, hadcome. Sir Palomides came too, and it was he who was declared, by manyto be the bravest and the most skillful of all of Britain's knights.Yet there were equal number and more who held the same for both SirLauncelot and for Sir Tristram. Sir Lauvecor, leading a hundredknights, came late, with the blessing of his father, who was noneother than King of Ireland.
A brave show they all made, these many knights seeking adventure, andeach, as he so easily bestrode his steed, found it hard matter to findcomrade and friend, for the many who were there. Gay were the colorseach knight wore and on some fortune had smiled, for these carriedtoken of some fair lady. Of fair ladies there were many to watch thedeeds of skill and bravery and most beautiful of them all, wasArthur's queen, Guenever.
Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine had found no need to journey toCornwall. For word had come that Sir Tristram had had a bitter quarrelwith King Mark and had left his court carrying that wicked King'scurse. Tristram had made final demand on the traitorous King torelease the maiden Beatrice whom he was holding for ransom and thisthe King had had no mind to do. Then had the bold knight himself madefor the door of the great dungeon and with hilt of sword knocked longand loud to summon the keeper. And when the door was opened this samekeeper could not withstay him, nor would he. Then had Tristram carriedthe maiden to point of safety and so earned her gratitude. Nor wouldany knight of King Mark take issue with him for none felt the King'sdeed to be knightly. And though the King made pretense of bearing noill will, yet did Sir Tristram leave Cornwall that same day.
And Sir Gawaine knew not whether to be pleased or otherwise at thenews.
"I would have fancied making rescue of the Lady Beatrice myself. Andfancied 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 mefree to stay and have part in the jousting, I am not displeased."
"And methinks," added Sir Launcelot, "Sir Tristram will make his wayhither, for tournament such as this holds all alluring call."
King Arthur, together with Ban of Northumberland, and Sir Percivalwere declared the judges for all but the last of the three days.
Now then Sir Percival, finding a moment's brief respite, followed byhis page rode to the palace where sat his mother and two sisters.There he found Sir Uwaine already in deep converse with Helene, whowas 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 yetdid it jestingly and with no intent to hurt for she had great love forher 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, mytime 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 Heleneand Yosalinde. Allan is son of Sir Gaunt, whom you all know. Forgivemy not making you known before this, lad."
Pleasantly did the ladies greet him and so well that he found noembarrassment therewith. And so now Sir Percival turned and spoke inlow tones to his mother. Sir Uwaine and his lady walked away, claimingthat they must give greeting to certain high ladies. And therewithleft Allan, the boy, and Yosalinde, who was even younger than he, tothemselves.
Allan strove to speak but found he could not and so sat on horsewaiting. The girl calmly watched him from her place, yet was theremischief 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 placenext to his mother and was now in earnest converse. So he found hecould not do otherwise.
Now Yosalinde laughed at what showed so plainly his unwillingness tosit beside her.
"I shall not bite you. See how harmless I am? No witch, I hope, youthink I am. For shame that youth, who would be brave knight, shouldfear 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 sinceI must need force the words from you."
At a loss now the lad could not answer. For the girl had better of himbecause of her quick tongue and he found she twisted his words andmeaning to suit her taste. Yet finally, she turned the talk and soAllan found himself telling her of his high hopes. So simply too,without boasting, he told her of the fine words of Arthur to him. Andlast, because it had made its deep impress upon him, he spoke ofMerlin's dream. And of this Yosalinde, now serious and wide eyed,questioned him closely, and soon knew all that he did.
So now Percival uprose and made ready to return to his duties. Sotherefore, too, did Allan, and found he now felt more at ease andwithout constraint of the girl.
"I _like_ you, Allan, and I say it though I should make it harderfor you to know, than it was for me. I give you my friendship and ifit help you, take this ring and wear it. May it serve you in time ofstress. And at all times consider it token of your lady."
And then once again the laughing, teasing minx, she, added:
"Yet, after all, you are but a boy and I am no less a girl. Yet, letus make-believe, you a bold knight and I your lady. Mayhap it may betrue some day."
So she was gone now to her mother leaving Allan with stirred feelingsand somewhat in a dream, too. For Sir Percival had to call twice tohim before he mounted his own horse. And even as they both made theirway, he turned his head back to see if he could perceive aught of thisstrange girl. And thought he saw a waving hand but was not sure.