The Death of King Arthur (23 page)

It was time then for Tristram to travel on to Camelot, to fulfil his engagement with Palomides. He took horse and rode up to Merlin's Stone. This was the stone where judgement was delivered. This was the stone where sacrifice was made. At one time Merlin had prophesied that two of the best knights, who were also two of the greatest lovers, would fight beside the stone. And so it came to pass.

Tristram waited by the stone for Sir Palomides, but that knight was not to be seen. Instead the knight with the covered shield rode into the field; he called out to Tristram, ‘I see that you have kept your promise to your enemy. But now you must come against me instead. Prepare yourself.' They lowered their shields and spears, and rode down upon each other; they met with such force that both of them were thrown to the ground. They sprang to their feet and began to trade blow for blow with their bright swords. They fought for four hours, slashing and cutting, until the grass beneath their feet was bathed in blood.

The knight with the covered shield at last spoke out. ‘Sir,' he said, ‘you fight better than any knight I have ever known. What is your name?'

‘I am reluctant to tell you, sir.'

‘Really? I will not hesitate to tell you mine.'

‘Then speak.'

‘Fair knight, my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.'

Tristram was astounded. ‘Sir Lancelot? Is it really you? You are the knight I love and admire most in the world.'

‘Now tell me your name.'

‘I am Tristram de Liones.'

Lancelot fell to his knees. ‘Jesus, why are we fighting?' Then he offered Tristram his sword. But Tristram also kneeled on the ground, and gave his sword to him. They yielded equally. Then they went over to Merlin's Stone, took off their helmets, and kissed each other on the cheek. Merlin had prophesied rightly. These were the greatest lovers – Lancelot for Guinevere, Tristram for Isolde – and the finest knights in the world.

Then they took their horses and rode on to the castle at Camelot. On their way they met Sir Gawain and Sir Gaheris, who had promised Arthur that they would never return to court without Tristram. ‘Your quest is ended here,' Lancelot told them. ‘This is Sir Tristram de Liones.'

‘Greetings,' Gawain said. ‘You are more than welcome. You have taken a great burden from me. But tell me. Why have you ridden into this country?'

‘I came here to challenge Sir Palomides. He was meant to meet me by Merlin's Stone. I marvel that he has not arrived. It was by chance that Lancelot and I met.'

King Arthur now came up in the company of Sir Kay and, when he was told that it was Sir Tristram before him, he took him by the hand. ‘Sir Tristram,' he said, ‘I greet you. You are as welcome as any knight that ever came into my court.'

When the king heard how Tristram and Lancelot had fought, giving each other fierce blows, he was greatly moved. Then Tristram told him of his adventures, especially the occasion when he and Palomides came across the most powerful of all knights. ‘His shield, sire,' he said, ‘was covered with a cloth. We challenged him, and he defeated us. There is no more to say. Then I followed him, and in many places I found knights who had been beaten by him. He had left a trail of havoc.'

‘It is the same man,' Sir Gawain told them, ‘who successfully challenged me. Then he got the better of Sir Bleoberis.'

‘It is the same in my case,' Sir Kay called out. ‘That knight wounded me badly.'

‘Jesus have mercy on us,' Sir Gaheris said. ‘Who do you think this mysterious knight can be?'

‘I will tell you who he is.' Arthur was smiling at Tristram, who already knew the truth. ‘He is Sir Lancelot du Lake. Is that not so, Lancelot?'

They all looked at Lancelot in amazement. ‘My lord,' he said, ‘you have found me out. I am indeed the knight with the covered shield. I did not wish it to be known that I came from your court. If I had been defeated, I might have brought shame upon you. So I dissembled. I pretended to have a hatred for your knights.'

‘That is true,' Sir Kay said. ‘We heard him.'

Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand, and led him to the Round Table. Guinevere and her ladies were already waiting there, and welcomed him warmly.

‘You see before you,' the king declared, ‘one of the best and most chivalrous knights in the world. You bear the palm for hunting and for blowing of the horn; you are skilled in hawking; and you are the best of musicians. So welcome to this place. But before you sit at the Round Table, I require one thing from you.'

‘I promise it before you put it to me.'

‘You must remain at my court. This is where you belong.'

‘But, sir, I have many responsibilities in other lands.'

‘You have made me a promise, Sir Tristram. You cannot renounce it.'

‘Very well. I will stay by your side.'

Then the king studied all the seats of the Round Table, looking for one that lacked a knight. Then he saw one with the legend, inscribed in letters of gold: THIS IS THE SEAT OF THE NOBLE KNIGHT SIR TRISTRAM. The king was filled with wonder, and made Tristram a knight of the Round Table. And there was more rejoicing than you can ever imagine.

The Reunion of Tristram and Isolde

In the following years Sir Tristram won the most renown for his exploits and adventures. Isolde had managed to escape from her confinement at the court of her husband, King Mark, and by secret means had travelled across the borders of Cornwall; she had fled to the North, out of the reach of her husband, and had found refuge in a castle owned by Sir Lancelot. It was known as Joyous Garde. When Tristram knew that she was safe there, he rode swiftly to Joyous Garde to be with her. Soon after his arrival Isolde told him that there was to be a great feast at the time of Pentecost to which he was invited as guest of honour. ‘We must go,' he said, gathering her up in his arms.

‘Sir, I do not want to displease you. You are marked down by many knights for challenge because of me. If I am present, I may place you in danger. I would rather stay here.'

‘If you stay,' Tristram told her, ‘then I stay also.'

‘God forbid. Then I shall be spoken of as shameful among queens and ladies of estate. You are known to be one of the noblest knights in the world, a worthy member of the Round Table. You must be present at the feast. What will the northern knights say otherwise? “Oh, Tristram is happy to go hunting and hawking. He cowers in a castle, with his lady, and forsakes us. It is a pity that he was ever made a knight and that he ever loved a lady.” And what will the ladies say of me? “It is a pity Isolde is alive. How can she bear to hold back her knight from winning worship?” That is what they will say.' And Isolde sighed.

‘God help me, I will go. You have spoken well, and given me good advice. I understand now how much you love me. I will do as you suggest. On Tuesday next I will go to the feast alone and unafraid. I will wear no armour. I will bear no arms except my spear and sword.'

When the day came he departed from Joyous Garde. Isolde sent with him four knights, but he ordered them to return to the castle. Within an hour he met Palomides, who had just struck down a knight. Tristram then repented the fact that he had only sword and spear. As soon as Palomides saw him, he cried out, ‘Tristram, we are well met! Before we leave this place, we will have settled our old scores!'

‘Ah, pagan Palomides,' Tristram called to him. ‘No Christian knight has ever been able to boast that I fled from him. No Saracen knight, such as you, will do any better!' Then he made a charge at him, and broke his spear into a hundred pieces on Palomides' shield. Palomides sat on his horse, quietly watching Tristram's madness and folly. He said to himself, ‘If I attack Tristram, without his arms and armour, I will be rewarded with nothing but shame and contempt. What am I to do?'

Then Tristram cried out to him again, ‘Coward knight, why do you hesitate? Come forward and fight. I can withstand you and all your malice!'

‘Sir Tristram,' Palomides replied, ‘you know very well my reasons. If I fight you, naked and unarmed as you are, I will deserve only dishonour. You have nothing to prove. I know your strength and courage. You have displayed them many times.'

‘I accept what you say,' Tristram told him.

‘May I ask you a question?'

‘I will give you a true answer.'

‘If I was in your place, with no arms or armour, would you wish to fight me?'

‘I understand you perfectly. As God is my saviour, I will now withdraw from the fight. Not for any fear of you, Sir Palomides, but for fear of the shame it will bring to you. Let us now go our separate ways. But before you leave, tell me this. Why has so good a knight as yourself not yet been baptized?'

‘I made a vow many years ago. In my heart I know that Christ is my Saviour, but I swore an oath that I would not be baptized until I had fought fifteen battles. I have one left to fight.'

‘As for that, I will help you,' Tristram replied. ‘Let it not be on my head that you remain a Saracen for a moment longer. I will fight you for your last battle. There is a knight lying there whom you overthrew. I will ask him for his armour, and then advance against you. Does that satisfy you?'

‘Yes indeed.'

So they both rode over to the knight, sitting disconsolate by the side of a stream. Tristram greeted him, and the knight feebly replied. ‘Sir knight,' Tristram said. ‘I require you to tell me your right name.'

‘I am Sir Galleron of Galloway. I am a knight of the Round Table, although I now sit here in disgrace.'

‘I am sorry for your wounds,' Tristram replied. ‘But may I beg a favour from you? May I borrow your armour? I must fight this knight here.'

‘Take it. I give it to you with my good will. But I warn you. This knight is as brave and as strong as any knight I have met before. What is your name, sir? And what is the name of the man who defeated me?'

‘I am Sir Tristram. This knight is Sir Palomides. He is a Saracen.'

‘It is a pity that so noble a knight should still be unbaptized,' Sir Galleron said.

‘By the end of this day, if God wills, he will be baptized.'

‘I am glad to hear it. I know of you, sir. Your name and your deeds are renowned through many kingdoms. God give you strength.'

So Tristram took off the knight's armour, and noticed a great bruise on his back where he had been buffeted by a spear. Tristram put on the armour and then, taking spear and shield, mounted his horse. Sir Palomides was waiting for him. They flew on each other like furies. The spear of Palomides was splintered, and he fell on to the ground. He quickly got up, and raised his sword and shield. Tristram alighted from his horse, and tied it to a tree, before advancing on him. They were ferocious in their attacks. Sir Tristram landed so many strokes that Sir Palomides was forced to kneel, but then a moment later Tristram himself was wounded. So it went on, blow exchanged for blow. These were men of war, ferocious combatants who were fast and fearless. After much fighting the sword of Palomides slipped from his hand. He was dismayed, but Tristram paused. ‘I have you at an advantage,' he told him, ‘but never let it be said that Sir Tristram killed a knight who had no weapon. Pick up your sword, sir, so that we can swiftly make an end of this battle.'

‘I am willing to continue,' Palomides said. ‘But I have no real heart for it. I never did mean you any harm. Surely we should be friends? My only crime was to love Isolde. You know well enough that I never dishonoured her, but sought only to serve her. If I offended you in any way, you have wreaked vengeance upon me with your sword. Look at my wounds. So it is time to forgive and to forget. If you agree, will you lead me to a church where I can be confessed and baptized? Then together we will ride south to Camelot and rejoin our king.'

‘I assent to that,' Sir Tristram told him. ‘This is the time for forgiveness. Within a mile of here resides the Bishop of Carlisle. He will baptize you.'

Together with Sir Galleron they rode to the palace of the bishop, where they requested that Sir Palomides be baptized. The bishop placed some holy water in a vessel of gold, blessed it, and then performed the rite of baptism. Sir Galleron and Sir Tristram were the godfathers.

The three knights rode back to Camelot, where the court of Arthur and Guinevere was assembled. The journey took many days. On their arrival the king and queen applauded the fact that Sir Palomides had been baptized. This was the occasion when Sir Galahad, son of Sir Lancelot du Lake, first came to court and sat in the Perilous Seat. You will soon learn that Galahad was the one who went in search of the Holy Grail. After a few days of feasting, Tristram returned to Isolde in the castle of Joyous Garde. Their fate was not a fortunate one.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE HOLY GRAIL

The Miracle of the Holy Grail

It was the vigil of Pentecost, when the entire fellowship of the Round Table returned to Camelot. On that day they heard mass before sitting down to a great feast in the hall. As they took their seats for dinner, a beautiful lady entered the hall on horseback; she must have ridden fast and furiously, for her horse was covered in sweat. She dismounted before the king, and saluted him. ‘Lady,' Arthur said, ‘God bless you on this solemn day.'

‘Sir,' she replied, ‘I thank you. But I must be brief. Tell me where I can find Sir Lancelot.'

‘Here. You can see him.'

She went over to him. ‘Sir Lancelot,' she said, ‘I greet you in the name of King Pelles. And I require you to come with me now.' Lancelot then asked her where she lived. ‘I live with King Pelles,' she replied.