CHAPTER NINE
The Kitchen Boy
Among all those who came to the court of King Arthur at this Pentecostseeking hospitality, were two strangers in especial, who because ofbeing meanly garbed and of a seeming awkwardness brought forth themockery and jest of Sir Kay the Seneschal. Nor did Sir Kay mean harmthereby, for he was knight who held no villainy. Yet was his tongueoverly sharp and too oft disposed to sting and mock.
Too, the manner of their coming was strange. One was a youth ofhandsome mien. Despite his ill garb, he seemed of right good worship.Him, our young page Allan found fallen in a swoon, very weak and nearunto death, asprawl on the green about a mile from the castle.Thinking that the man was but a villain, he would fain have called oneof the men-at-arms to give him aid, but that something drew him tocloser view. And then the boy felt certain that this was no villainborn for his face bespoke gentle breeding. So he himself hastened forwater and by much use of it the man soon opened his eyes and foundhimself. So he studied the lad as he helped him to greater ease buteither through his great weakness or no desire he did not speak.
"Stranger," said Allan to the man, "if there is aught that I can dofor you or if I can help you in any way I give you offer of service.Mayhap of the many knights who are here, there is one whose aid youmay justly claim."
The stranger held answer for many moments, then he spoke.
"There are those here, lad, whose service I may well accept for theyhold ties of blood to me. But I would not. Rather, if your patiencewill bear with me, I would fain have your help so that I can appear inthe presence of the King this day. For so it is ordained and byappearing there I shall find some part of my row accomplished. On thisholy day, I have boon to ask from your King."
"So shall I and right gladly lead you there. Good sir, my name isAllan. I am page to Sir Percival, and I would bespeak your name."
"I beg of thee, Allan, think not that I am churlish and yet must Iwithhold my name. For it is part of the vow I have made. Nor,forsooth, am I therefore the less grateful."
"No offense take I, friend. So when you feel disposed I shall guideyour steps for audience with our good King."
The stranger, weak and spent, leaning mightily on his young friendmade his way to the great hall. And as we have recounted, though allwere struck by oddness and meanness of the stranger's clothes, yetonly Sir Kay made point to taunt him. Yet did he make no answer tothese taunts but waited with a great meekness for his turn before theKing. And that he should wait with such meekness was strange for heseemed to be a high born knight.
There were many who sought audience with the King and it was longbefore the stranger's turn came. Weak he still was, but he made nocomplaint, and when others would crowd before him so that they couldspeak the sooner to King Arthur, he did not chide them but permittedit. At last Sir Launcelot came forward, for he had observed this andmade each of them find the place which was first theirs, so that thestranger's turn came as it should. Weak though he was he walked with agreat firmness to the dais, and none there saw his poor clothes forthe fineness of him. The King turned to him and he nodded kindly.
"Speak, friend. In what way can we be of service to thee?"
"Sire," said the stranger, "I come to ask of thee three boons. One Iask this day and on this day one year I shall come before you andcrave your favor for the other two."
"If the boon you ask, stranger, is aught we can grant, we shall do socheerfully, for on this day we heed all prayers."
"I ask very little, sire. This and no more do I wish--that you giveme food and drink for one year and that on this day a year hence Ishall make my other two prayers."
"It is indeed little you ask. Food and drink we refuse none. It ishere. Yet while your petition might well beseem a knave, thou seemethof right good worship, a likely youth, too, none fairer, and we wouldfain your prayer had been for horse and armor. Yet may you have yourwish. Sir Kay," and the King turned to his Seneschal, "see you to itthat this stranger finds his wish satisfied."
So the King turned to others present, for of those who sought audiencethere were many. And so forgot all of the fair youth for many a day.
Sir Kay laughed mockingly at the unknown.
"Of a truth this is villain born. For only such would ask for food anddrink of the King. So therefore he shall find place in our kitchen. Heshall help there, he shall have fat broth to satisfy himself and in ayear no hog shall be fatter. And we shall know him as the KitchenBoy."
"Sir Kay," frowned Sir Launcelot, "I pray you cease your mocking. Itis not seemly. This stranger, whosoever he may be, has right to makewhatsoever request he wishes."
"Nay, Sir Launcelot, of a truth, as he is, so has he asked."
"Yet I like not your mocking," said Sir Launcelot as he lookedfrowningly at Sir Kay, while next to him stood Sir Gawaine and SirPercival, neither of whom could scarce contain himself.
"It is well, we know you, Sir Kay. Or, by our guardian saints we wouldmake you answer for your bitter tongue. But that we know it belies aheart of kindness we would long since have found quarrel with you." Sospoke Sir Percival and Sir Gawaine nodded in assent.
"Stay not any quarrel for any seeming knowledge of me, kind friends,"frowned back Sir Kay.
But the two knights moved away. Sir Kay was of great shame. And so tocover it he turned to the stranger in great fury. "Come then to yourkennel, dog," he said.
Out flashed the sword of Sir Gawaine. Yet did Sir Launcelot withholdhim.
"Sir, I beg you to do me honor of feasting with us this day?"
"I thank you Sir Launcelot. Yet must I go with Sir Kay and do hisbidding. There do be knights well worth their places at the RoundTable. And I note right well that they set high example to those whoare still but lads and who are to become knights in good time. So toyou all I give my thanks."
Then followed the stranger after Sir Kay while the three knights andAllan watched him go and marveled at his meekness.