were brought him robes to his pleasure, and would have had Balin
leave his sword behind him. Nay, said Balin, that do I not, for
it is the custom of my country a knight always to keep his weapon
with him, and that custom will I keep, or else I will depart as I
came. Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he went
unto the castle, and was set among knights of worship, and his
lady afore him.

Soon Balin asked a knight, Is there not a knight in this court
whose name is Garlon? Yonder he goeth, said a knight, he with
the black face; he is the marvellest knight that is now living,
for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible. Ah
well, said Balin, is that he? Then Balin advised him long: If I
slay him here I shall not escape, and if I leave him now,
peradventure I shall never meet with him again at such a steven,
and much harm he will do an he live. Therewith this Garlon
espied that this Balin beheld him, and then he came and smote
Balin on the face with the back of his hand, and said, Knight,
why beholdest me so? for shame therefore, eat thy meat and do
that thou came for. Thou sayest sooth, said Balin, this is not
the first despite that thou hast done me, and therefore I will do
what I came for, and rose up fiercely and clave his head to the
shoulders. <70>Give me the truncheon, said Balin to his lady,
wherewith he slew your knight. Anon she gave it him, for alway
she bare the truncheon with her. And therewith Balin smote him
through the body, and said openly, With that truncheon thou hast
slain a good knight, and now it sticketh in thy body. And then
Balin called unto him his host, saying, Now may ye fetch blood
enough to heal your son withal.