Now King Arthur, his knights and all of his men were home once again.
Here they found great good humor at their account of the adventure at
the castle of King Mark.

Tristram came with them. For many years thereafter he served under
King Arthur. Honor and glory he brought to the court of the King and
Arthur held him in high esteem as well he might. Between Launcelot and
Tristram there grew a great friendship. Each of them believed the
other to be the greatest knight in Christendom.

And Allan, too. Now he was a year older. The urge to go forth, strong
within him, had grown that day a year earlier, when the strange monk
had met him in the forest and told him the things he might do. Youth
though he still was, not yet sixteen, he had learnt much. Sir
Launcelot and Sir Tristram, too, had spent much time with him--could
there have been better teachers? Gouvernail and Walker, as well,
taught him to make the best use of such strength as he had. So that by
now he was the equal of many knights, better, too, though none of his
teachers would let him know that, and he, secure in his own modesty,
unknowing of his great prowess.

The year, too, had brought Sir Kay's kitchen boy once again before the
King. Him, Allan had learned to know. Although his friend had never
admitted that he was better than his position warranted, Allan was
certain of it. When Pentecost had come again he was curious as to what
other boons were to be asked of the king by this kitchen boy.

But the day found him away--sent to the castle of Sir Percival, which
was a half day's journey. Yet was he not altogether disappointed, for