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Chapter V
”Butashespokehesawahundredladieswithagreattroopofknightscomeforthtomeethim,withbrightfacesandgreatwelcome,wholedhimtothecastleandmadeagreatfeast,withdancingandminstrelsyandallmannerofjoy.
Thenthechiefladyofthecastlesaid,“Knightwiththetwoswords,thoumustencounterandfightwithaknighthardby,whodwellethonanisland,fornomanmaypassthiswaywithoutencounteringhim.”
“Itisagrievouscustom,”answeredSirBalin.
“Thereisbutoneknighttodefeat,”repliedthelady.
“Well,”saidSirBalin,“beitasthouwilt.Iamreadyandquitewilling,andthoughmyhorseandmybodybefullweary,yetismyheartnotweary,saveoflife.AndtrulyIweregladifImightmeetmydeath.”
“Sir,”saidonestandingby,“methinkethyourshieldisnotgood;Iwilllendyouabigger.”
“Ithankthee,sir,”saidBalin,andtooktheunknownshieldandlefthisown,andsorodeforth,andputhimselfandhorseintoaboatandcametotheisland.
Assoonashehadlanded,hesawcomeridingtowardshim,aknightdressedallinred,uponahorsetrappedinthesamecolour.WhentheredknightsawSirBalin,andthetwoswordshewore,hethoughtitmusthavebeenhisbrother(fortheredknightwasSirBalan),butwhenhesawthestrangearmsonhisshield,heforgotthethought,andcameagainsthimfiercely.Atthefirstcoursetheyoverthreweachother,andbothlayswooningontheground;butSirBalinwasthemosthurtandbruised,forhewaswearyandspentwithtravelling.
