Gareth Marries Linet

Chapter 6

In due course, Sir Lancelot became the finest and efficient knight of the Round Table. He had all the virtues of being a true knight. He was gentle, brave, handsome and chivalrous. All the other knights respected him a lot and looked up to him for any kind of help or clarification. He was very just. He never tortured any innocent person. He assisted the captive ladies in running away from the captivity of the evil men. He did away with the giants and the wicked persons. He always lent a helping hand to those who wanted his help.
One fine morning, King Arthur was holding his court. All his knights at the Round Table were sitting there. Queen Guinevere too sat beside the King. All of them were discussing the future course of action. Even the Queen was putting forward her suggestion. The knights were all praise for their King and the Queen. All of a sudden, a messenger entered the court and said to the King, “Your Highness! A good looking young man has come into the palace. He wants to see you right now. He has not revealed his identity.”
Hearing the words of the messenger King Arthur observed, “Bring him in with all respect, O messenger.”
The messenger went away and came in again along with the gentleman. Seeing the gentleman King Arthur said to him, “O young lad! Who are you? Where from have you come? What do you want?”
With both palms joined in utter reverence the young lad of eighteen observed, “Your Majesty! I can’t tell you who I am. But I need three gifts from you. If you are generous enough, grant me my three gifts. I have heard much about your name and fame. Let us see what you do today.”
Hearing the words of the lad King Arthur got surprised. He did not know the lad at all. How could he grant him his three gifts? So, he stated, “Dear, first tell me who you are and where you have come from.”
But the lad was not at all ready to tell his name until and unless his three gifts were granted. So, he said to the king, “O King, first promise me that you would grant me my three gifts. Only then shall I tell you about my three gifts.”
Thereupon, King Arthur promised the lad that he would do as the lad wanted. After a while the young lad stated, “Your Majesty! Let me wine and dine along with you here regularly for one year. As for my other two gifts, I shall tell you about them two years henceforth. What do you say now? Are you ready to comply with my first request? I hope you won’t deny this.”
King Arthur thought for a while and observed, “O young lad! I feel disappointed at your modest request. You can ask for something better. Why don’t you ask for something else? I can provide you with a lot of comforts here in my big palatial house. Without any doubt, I shall provide you with food and drink. I have not denied that to anyone, not even to my enemies. After all, you are my guest and I am you host. So, it becomes my first and foremost duty to provide you with the best of food and drink. Please tell me your name.”
The young lad thought for a while and stated thus, “Your Majesty! I beg your pardon for this. I can’t tell you my name. I can’t do this, Your Majesty. Please forgive me for this. I am bound by some condition. Please do cooperate with me.”
Sir Kay was sitting there. He did not like the way the young lad had replied to the king.
Sir Kay was a man of hot temper. He felt irritated a lot. He wanted to punish the young lad for his impudence. He said to King Arthur, Your Highness! This man seems to be a fool to me. He harps on the same tune. How can he have his own say? He is interested only in eating and drinking. He can’t be capable enough in becoming a knight of the Round Table. To me he looks like a spy who has come over here for extracting information from us. Beware of this false man, Your Majesty. I doubt his intention of coming here. Had he been a true knight, he would have asked you for a horse and armour. He would have asked you for a sword and its sheath. He would have asked you for a shield. He would have asked you for a javelin. But this is not so. He seems to be some farm boy. Appoint him in the kitchen. There, he will get plenty to eat and drink. In a year’s time, he will gain weight and become as fat as a swine. But I am not at all in favour of his being appointed here in this palace of ours.”
Hearing the words of Sir Kay all the knights sitting there spoke in one voice, “Yes, Sir Kay is absolutely right. Maybe he has come over here to get some important information. We all are not in favour of his being appointed here. Expel him from the hall right now.”
King Arthur was silent. Before he could say anything Sir Lancelot who had been recently appointed knight of the Round Table spoke in favour of the young lad. He was not at all satisfied with the way Sir Kay had spoken about the youth.
Sir Lancelot got up from his seat and thus addressed the gathering, “O great knights and King Arthur! Much has been said about this young lad who is completely innocent. As he is very young he has not asked for a horse and armour, as Sir Kay mentioned a while ago. He is too young to ask for things or equipment related to warfare. But look at the splendour as this young lad’s forehead. He promises to be a great honourable man in future.  Then at that time we all shall look foolish in front of him. If I am not mistaken, he is going to be a man of great honour. O King, do allow him to eat and drink with us. This man can’t be an enemy spy.” A strange thing happened.
Hearing the words of Sir Lancelot the young lad got very happy. He was all praise for him with both palms joined in utter reverence he said to Sir Lancelot, “Sir, thank you for supporting me in this grand assembly. You are the only one who has supported me. But I beg your pardon. I would like to do as Sir Kay wants me to do. I shall work in the kitchen with the other boys for one whole year. If Your Majesty permits me to do so, I shall be more than happy.” He told the king that his name was Gareth.
King Arthur without thinking far a moment permitted the young lad to work in the kitchen for one whole year. So, throughout the long year the young man worked in the kitchen with the other boys. He ate and drank as and when he wanted. There were no restriction on him. He relished the food and drink he liked very much. After one year had elapsed, the young man as he had promised King Arthur came into the hall. King Arthur was sitting with his knights.
When the young lad reached in front of the King, he saw a beautiful young lady standing there. She was extremely beautiful. Seeing the lady the young lad fell in love with her. It was love at first sight. Her name was Linet. With both palm joined in utter reverence she said to the King, “O your Majesty! My name is Linet. I have come here on purpose. I live on the outskirts of Britain. Last night four knights barged forcefully into our house and took away my beautiful sister. Their names are Morning, Noon, Evening and Night. We are only two sisters and we live our life seeing each other. Now without her how can I live life? So help me, otherwise I will end my life.”

Hearing the pathetic tale of Linet King Arthur had all sympathy for her. He said to the young lady, “O dear, don’t worry. Your sister will be at home soon. Rest assured none can harm your sister in any way.”
Linet thanked the king and stated, “Your Highness! Please send one of your knights to rescue my sister. I am in favour of Sir Lancelot. He is brave and chivalrous. He can easily did away with the abductors.”
Before King Arthur could order Sir Lancelot to go and rescue Linet’s sister the young man stepped in. He said to the King, “Your Majesty! I am very much pleased with your hospitality. You have provided me with food, drink and shelter for one whole year. Thanks a lot for this from the core of my heart. My words fail me to express my indebtedness to you. Do me one more favour. Please grant my second gift—the opportunity to show you my valour. Please send me on this adventure. Don’t refuse, please.” King Arthur thought for a while. He then observed, “So be it! If you are interested in rescuing Linet’s sister, I have no objection to it, provided you must have enough courage to do this feat.”
The young lad felt extremely elated. But Linet was not at all happy with the King’s decision. She was interested in Sir Lancelot. So, she got very much angry with the young lad. Despite her all efforts she failed to bring the king round to her viewpoint. Before mounting on her horse she said to King Arthur, “Your Majesty! I want none other than Sir Lancelot for my help. I have asked for him but you provide me with one of your kitchen boys. What is this nonsense? It is none of his business. I want nothing to do with this kitchen boy.”
Saying these words Linet mounted on her black horse and galloped away. Soon, the horse started running with the speed of the wind. King Arthur came up to Gareth and helped him put on his armour quickly. He also provided him with a brilliant sword. He sent his servants to fetch one of his swift horse and helped Gareth ride on it.
Gareth after putting on armour spurred on his horse and rode after Linet. He rode quickly and soon caught up with her. Seeing Gareth ride beside her Linet felt very angry. She refused to speak to him. However hard he tried to speak to her, she always flatly refused to do so. Riding on and on, both Linet and Gareth reached a river-bank. On the far end of the river, there was a red tent. In front of the tent, stood a man in blue armour. His name was Morning whom both Linet and Gareth had been searching for.
Seeing Morning Linet said to Gareth, “O kitchen boy! If you want to run away, you have still the opportunity of doing so. Once Morning reaches here, you will be no more.”
But Gareth was not a lad to be cowered down. He said to Linet, “O beautiful lady! I have lost my heart to you. I can sacrifice my life for you. Even if death stares into my face, I won’t run away. I am not scared of anybody. Today I show you who I am and what I can do for you.” Saying these words Gareth rode hurriedly across the river and challenged Morning to a sword duel.
The two warriors fought ferociously. Their swords clashed together and made a loud sound that was enough to deafen a person. Lady Linet standing at the other end of the river was fuming with anger seeing all the proceedings. She was not at all happy with the fact that a mere kitchen boy was measuring arms with a knight. The two knights were fighting on their horses with swords.
Soon, they started fighting with their spears. Now, it was a contest of ‘do or die’. Even though the young man’s shield was cut away from his arm yet he did not lose heart. He kept his cool and continued fighting with great zeal. At last, the young man with all his might succeeding in thrusting his spear into the heart of Morning. Soon, Morning lay slain on the grass at his feet. The contest was over. But lady Linet was not at all pleased with the young lad. Muttering on she rode on her horse and galloped away. But the young lad was bent upon taking revenge.
Soon, he caught up with Linet and stated, “I care a fig what you say or think about me. I have pledged that I shall do away with all your enemies. That is all.” Saying these words both rode on. It was extremely hot. The sun was shining with all its brightness. Soon they reached another river.
The river was flowing smoothly. Both of them dismounted from their horses and started looking at the river. All of a sudden the young lad sighted a man across the river. The man, on the other end, too saw him. He was none other than Noon, the second enemy of Linet, whom the young boy was eagerly searching for. Noon from the other end shouted loudly and asked Linet, “Who is this young lad? Why has he come over here?”
Lady Linet replied, “He is a mere kitchen boy. King Arthur has sent him here to fight against you. He has slain your brother Morning. Now he is ready to measure arms with you.”
Hearing the words of lady Linet, Noon’s blood was boiling with all fury. His eyes became red with blood. He was mad in anger. He yelled at the young lad saying, “O dam fool! Don’t you love your life? How dare you do away with my brother? Stay there. I am just coming to teach you a biter lesson.” Saying these words Noon who was a terrific swimmer soon swam across the flouring river. Reaching the other end he challenged the young boy to a sword duel. Soon, a ferocious fight between the two ensued. The two lads were all in fury. Fighting on, they jumped into the river and clashed with each other there.
Sometime they got to blows. At other times, they fought with their swords. The young boy wounded Noon four times with his sword. Noon fell off his horse. But he was a man of grit and courage. He was not to be covered down. Soon he got up and rode on his horse. In the meantime Lady Linet kept on taunting the young boy in one way or the other. Soon, both of them came to a hill. From the top the young man looked down on the great river. There, he saw another man. He at once understood that he was none other than Evening. The very next moment he thrust his sword into Noon’s heart. Noon died there and then.
Lady Linet was still not happy at all. She was not ready to accept the fact that a mere kitchen boy was doing away with all his enemies one by one. The young lad came down the hill towards the man whom he had seen from the top. As the young lad rode nearer, he saw that the man’s armour was red in colour. There was a picture of a red evening sun on his shield. The young man lost no time in understanding that he was face to face with his third enemy. The man on the other hand sighted Gareth’s shield. He saw the picture of the golden sun on it. He yelled joyously, “Hey brother! What brings you here? You are most welcome in my territory. Come Noon! I welcome you from the core of my heart.”
It so happened that before killing Noon Gareth the young boy had snatched his shield. That was why Evening mistook Gareth for Noon. But Lady Linet interrupted saying, “No he is not Noon. He is his murderer. He has done away with two of your brother. Now he has come over here to kill you. Beware of this young man!”
Hearing the words of Lady Linet Evening was red in anger. His eyes were bloodshot. He was fuming with anger. He soon took out his sword and challenged Gareth to a sword fight. Both got to fighting soon. Gareth mollified every attack of Evening. But Evening could not face Gareth, who was more courageous. Soon, Evening’s sword broke into two pieces. Gareth snatched his shield. Now Evening was unarmed. He lay prostrate at the feet of Gareth and asked for his forgiveness. But Gareth did not want to pardon him. So, he asked Linet, “O sweet lady, what do you say? Should I forgive him? If you wish so, I shall give him a new lease of life.”
Lady Linet thought for a while and then answered, “I have nothing to say in this matter. It is up to you. If you are not a coward, kill him at once.”
Hearing the words of Lady Linet Gareth raised his sword in the air to kill Evening but Evening began to weep bitterly. He asked for his forgiveness. The milk of human kindness flowed through Gareth’s heart. He pardoned him. Evening thanked Gareth and told him the way to the castle wherein Night, his brother, had imprisoned Lady Linet’s sister.
Seeing the generosity of Gareth lady Linet was filled with sympathy for Gareth. She was all praise for him. Now she had been changed to a noble lady. Seeing the noble nature of Gareth she was greatly impressed by him. She said to Gareth, “O dear, you are so noble, great and sympathetic. I have always taunted you, called you names and denounced your action. But I didn’t know that you are very kind at heart. Please forgive me, if you can. I too love you. I want to marry you.”
Hearing the words of Lady Linet Gareth observed, “It is never too late to mend. I forgive you. But one this is sure. Had you not spoken rudely to me from time to time, I would not have been able to fight to my fullest potential. Yes, it is very much true that your unkind words did make me angry, but they encouraged me to fight even more fiercely. So, I thank you for this. Let us be true friends from today onwards.”
Hearing the words of Gareth Lady Linet felt extremely happy. She was pleased in her heart of hearts that Gareth had forgiven her for her impudence.
From that day onwards, they became chums. They resumed their journey in the direction of the fourth and last enemy. His name was Night. They rode on and on till they reached a cave. The sun was going down the horizon. Evening approached. They took shelter in the cave. Once inside, Lady Linet made a fire. Both of them warmed themselves sitting near the fire. They ate and drank there. In the meantime, the sun completely went down the horizon. Before long, night came on. After resting for a while, they again rode on. Riding in the south, they reached a castle which was called the castle Perilous.
On the top of the castle a black flag was waving to and fro. There was a black tent in front of the door of the castle. There was a pin-drop silence. It was stark dark. Pointing to the castle Lady Linet said to Gareth, “Dear, this is the castle wherein my sister has been imprisoned. But it is next to impossible to win over him. He is the bravest of all the four. He is the meanest as well. It is said that he equals ten men in strength. I won’t ask you to fight this enemy of mine. He is more a monster than a normal human being. Let us run away from here. Leave the fate of my sister to God. He alone can save her from this terrible monster. Come along; all your efforts to save my sister from the custody of this evil rascal will prove to be an exercise in futility.”
But Gareth was not a coward. He was courageous. He observed, “Dear, don’t worry. Your safety and your sister’s is my concern now. I am not scared of this man, however big he is. I believe in the power of God. They say that God sees but waits. I think the time has come when this devil has to meet with his nemesis.”
Thus Gareth without being scared of the terrible monster approached the castle gate. There he saw that a horn hung in front of it. He seized the horn and blew it with all his might. Lo and behold! There appeared lights at the windows of the castle. From one of the windows Linet’s sister, Lady Lyonors, appeared. She was surrounded by some ladies who had swords in their hands. Seeing her sister Lady Linet felt very happy. She wanted to meet her, but she was stopped by Gareth lest she should be made hostage. Seeing Gareth, Lady Lyonors bowed to him most majestically.

Gareth again blew the horn. This time, there appeared Night, the devil who had imprisoned Lady Linet’s sister. With much fanfare, he appeared at the castle gate. So many guards accompanied him. He had a black armoured rode on a black horse. He was wearing a helmet as well so as not to reveal his identity.
Seeing him Gareth stated, “O devil I am not afraid of your black armour or black horse. If you have the courage of ten men, come on and fight against me. Let us see today which way the wind blows. Let us see who is the stronger of the two.” Saying these words Gareth pounced upon Night like a leopard. Seeing his agility even Night was awestruck.
Lady Linet shut her eyes as she did not want to see any harm on the body of Gareth. Both the warriors fought ferociously. All of a sudden, Gareth attacked Night from behind and broke his shield into two pieces. Now Night was unarmed. He was all hands up. Before Gareth could raise his sword to kill Night, he begged his forgiveness. He said to Gareth, “Sir! Please don’t kill me. My three brothers made me enact this play. It was all pre-planned. They wanted me to marry Lady Lyonors.”
“My brothers were very nice. They did not want that any one else should marry Lady Lyonors. That was why I imprisoned her in this castle while they stopped, everybody from coming near to this palace. As you are brave, you have crossed all the barriers to reach here. You are great. I bow to you.”
Saying these words he removed his helmet. Seeing his innocent face everybody standing there was awestruck. He was a very handsome young boy of twenty-five years of age. Knowing all the truth, Lady Lyonors felt very grateful to Night. She had great respect and love for him.
Soon Linet accompanied by Night and Lady Lyonors entered the castle. There, Linet met her sister. Seeing her safe and sound she was on cloud nine. She embraced her sister and thanked the Almighty for her safety. All of them were in happy mood.
As a matter of fact, King Arthur had had sent Sir Lancelot after the boy. Sir Lancelot had been continuously following the boy throughout their journey. He had now realized that the boy was a brave fighter. He had truly judged his bravery while he put down all the four knights in a trice.
As a mark of respect, Sir Lancelot rode up to the boy and said to him, “O dear you are so great. Hats off to you! You have proved yourself to an unparalleled warrior in any kind of war. Would you like to tell me who you are and where from you have come? I can judge from your fine traits that you are not an ordinary cook. Please let me know about you and your family.”
Hearing the words the boy thus spoke out, “Sir, I am Gareth and I am the son of King Lot of Orkney. For your kind information, my brother Sir Garvaine is one of the knight of the Round Table. What more do you want to ask me?”
Hearing the words of the boy Sir Lancelot was more than happy. He was in a state of ecstasy. He knew from the core of his heart that the boy was not a mere kitchen boy. But he was still perplexed as to why the boy did not reveal his identity. So, he asked the boy very earnestly, “Dear, one thing still pesters me. Please let me know why you kept your identity a secret. What was the reason behind it. Please elaborate it in detail.”
Thus the boy spoke out, “Sir, right from my childhood I wanted to be a knight and be a knight of the Round Table. But my mother was fully opposed to this idea of mine. When I told her that I was leaving the house, she began to weep bitterly. She agreed to my leaving house on the condition that I should work as a kitchen boy for a full one year. So, I kept my promise. I didn’t let anyone know about my real identity. Thus I did not incur the wrath of my mother.”
Hearing the story behind the identity of the kitchen boy Sir Lancelot was overjoyed. Lady Lyonors welcomed them all in the castle. Linet was happy in the company of her sister. It was all possible due to the chivalric attitude of the kitchen boy. All were full praise for the boy who was brave as well as handsome. Moreover, he was of noble birth.
Linet in her heart of hearts wanted to marry Gareth. It was love at first sight. Gareth too started loving Linet. Soon they all returned happily to Camelot where they were received warmly by King Arthur. Gareth said to King Arthur, “Your Highness! Time has come for me to ask you for my third gift. Let me be a knight of the Round Table henceforth.”
Arthur gladly gave the gift to him and made Gareth a knight of the Round Table. Gareth married Linet and thus became her life partner for ever.

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