The two knights now dismounted and knelt before their King.

"We pray your pardon for the lateness of our coming. Yet did we
hasten and could not have come the sooner."

"That we feel is so, Sir Knights, for we know you well enough. Nor are
we wroth, since come you did. But where, pray, is the message bearer?
Truly his speed was great to have reached you in time for your return.
And if I mistake not," added the King with great shrewdness, "neither
you, Gawaine, nor you Launcelot, were any too ready to return. How
then, did the lad urge you?"

"You speak truly, sire," replied Gawaine. "For our errand had need of
urgent haste and we were both to give it up. Yet did the boy urge us
and chiefest urge of all to us was where he claimed his own honor
demanded the success of his mission. Those were fine words, so did we
therefore return."

"Fine words, indeed. Where then is this page? Will you, Sir Herald,
bring him forth?"

So Allan came forward, red of face and hating such womanness that
would let him blush before all these great men. Knelt he before his
King.

"Thou art a good lad and will bear watching. Go thy way and remember
that the road ahead for those who wish to be knights of high nobility
is steep and arduous but well worth the trials. Remember too, that
this day, Britain's King, said that some day thou wilt prove a worthy
and brave knight."