who had not stirred. "It were pity that all this must be told to you
again."

Sir Gawaine now arose rubbing eyes still filled with sleep. To him
Allan repeated his message.

"What say you, Gawaine? Shall we return?"

"As for me," replied Sir Gawaine, "I would say no. What matter if we
are or are not present. Already we are late for our present journey's
purpose. So say I, let us not return but rather ask this youth to
bespeak for us the king's clemency."

"And I, too, am of the same mind, Gawaine. So lad," Sir Launcelot
turned to the boy and spoke kindly, "return you to court and give them
our message. This errand on which we are at present bound holds urgent
need, else would we return at our King's behest."

Rueful and with a great gloom Allan saw his errand fail.

"Kind sirs, Sir Percival bid me bespeak for him as well, and ask you,
as true comrades, to make certain to return. Furthermore, my knights,
this, my first mission would be unfortunate if it did not terminate
successfully. So I pray you that you return."

Loud and long Sir Launcelot laughed and yet not unkindly while Sir
Gawaine placed hand upon the boy's shoulder approvingly.

"By my faith, Launcelot, we can do no more than return. That Percival
speaks counts for much, but this youth's honor is also at stake." The