lout would crave meat and drink when he might have asked for a horse
and arms." But Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawain took the youth's part.
Neither knew him for Gareth of the Orkneys, but both believed him to
be a youth of good promise who, for his own reasons, would pass in
disguise for a season.

So Gareth lived the year among the kitchen boys, all the time mocked
and scorned by Sir Kay, who called him Fairhands because his hands
were white and shapely. But Launcelot and Gawain showed him all
courtesy, and failed not to observe how, in all trials of strength, he
excelled his comrades, and that he was ever present to witness the
feats of the knights in the tournaments.

So the year passed, and again King Arthur was keeping the feast of
Pentecost with his knights, when a damsel entered the hall and asked
his aid: "For," said she, "my sister is closely besieged in her castle
by a strong knight who lays waste all her lands. And since I know that
the knights of your court be the most renowned in the world, I have
come to crave help of your mightiest." "What is your sister's name,
and who is he that oppresses her?" asked the king. "The Red Knight, he
is called," replied the damsel. "As for my sister, I will not say her
name, only that she is a high-born lady and owns broad lands." Then
the king frowned and said: "Ye would have aid but will say no name. I
may not ask knight of mine to go on such an errand."

Then forth stepped Gareth from among the serving-men at the hall end
and said: "Sir king, I have eaten of your meat in your kitchen this
twelvemonth since, and now I crave my other two boons." "Ask and
have," replied the king. "Grant me then the adventure of this damsel,
and bid Sir Launcelot ride after me to knight me at my desire, for of