So he rode eight days or he met with adventure. And at the last
he came into a fair forest in a valley, and was ware of a tower,
and there beside he saw a great horse of war, tied to a tree, and
there beside sat a fair knight on the ground and made great
mourning, and he was a likely <72>man, and a well made. Balin
said, God save you, why be ye so heavy? tell me and I will amend
it, an I may, to my power. Sir knight, said he again, thou dost
me great grief, for I was in merry thoughts, and now thou puttest
me to more pain. Balin went a little from him, and looked on his
horse; then heard Balin him say thus: Ah, fair lady, why have ye
broken my promise, for thou promisest me to meet me here by noon,
and I may curse thee that ever ye gave me this sword, for with
this sword I slay myself, and pulled it out. And therewith Balin
stert unto him and took him by the hand. Let go my hand, said
the knight, or else I shall slay thee. That shall not need, said
Balin, for I shall promise you my help to get you your lady, an
ye will tell me where she is. What is your name? said the
knight. My name is Balin le Savage. Ah, sir, I know you well
enough, ye are the Knight with the Two Swords, and the man of
most prowess of your hands living. What is your name? said
Balin. My name is Garnish of the Mount, a poor man's son, but by
my prowess and hardiness a duke hath made me knight, and gave me
lands; his name is Duke Hermel, and his daughter is she that I
love, and she me as I deemed. How far is she hence? said Balin.
But six mile, said the knight. Now ride we hence, said these two
knights. So they rode more than a pace, till that they came to a
fair castle well walled and ditched. I will into the castle,
said Balin, and look if she be there. So he went in and searched
from chamber to chamber, and found her bed, but she was not
there. Then Balin looked into a fair little garden, and under a