Percival and the others, together with Sir Tristram were holding the
very castle of King Mark, he shook with a great laughter. So loud was
this that the kings and the knights at the dining table heard it and
wondering greatly, hurried out to find the cause for it. Forgot their
food for the time being in their curiosity.

The king of Britain was no less surprised to see Allan and this
stranger whom he but faintly recalled. And to him, to Cadoris, and the
assembled knights, the two had to recount again what had occurred. And
when the full gist of it came home, Arthur brought down a heavy hand
on the shoulder of Cadoris who was shaking with laughter and himself
fell into a seat nearby for very faintness at his own mirth. While
about him there was great boisterousness and loud guffaws. A yeoman
who had listened eagerly to the account hurried without and himself
recounted to the men there what had happened at the court of King
Mark. So that there were great shouts, much merriment.

"To think," said King Arthur, "a bare few took King Mark's own
castle." I marvel at their impudence and yet it is but what could be
expected from such as they."

"As for me," said Gawaine, "I would give all I have to have been
there. And all I ever expect to have, to have been near Mark when he
realized what had happened."

"Yet," said Arthur now grown serious, "let us hear what Allan and this
other brave youth are here for. They did not come this great distance
to tell us of their impudence. That, I'll swear."

"Nay, sire," said Allan, who was spokesman because of greater