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Chapter VI
AnonKingPellinoreandtheladypassedonagain;andwhentheycametothewellatwhichtheladywiththewoundedknighthadsat,theyfoundbothknightandDamselutterlydevouredbylionsandwildbeasts,allsavethelady’shead.
WhenKingPellinoresawthat,heweptbitterly,saying,“Alas!ImighthavesavedherlifehadIbuttarriedafewmomentsinmyquest.”
“Whereforemakesomuchsorrownow?”saidthelady.
“Iknownot,”answeredhe,“butmyheartgrievethgreatlyforthispoorlady’sdeath,sofairshewasandyoung.”
Thenherequiredahermittoburytheremainsofthebodies,andbarethelady’sheadwithhimtoCamelot,tothecourt.
Whenhewasarrived,hewassworntotellthetruthofhisquestbeforetheKingandQueen,andwhenhehadenteredtheQueensomewhatupbraidedhim,saying,“Yeweremuchtoblamethatyesavednotthatlady’slife.”
“Madam,”saidhe,“Ishallrepentitallmylife.”
“Ay,king,”quothMerlin,whosuddenlycamein,“andsoyeoughttodo,forthatladywasyourdaughter,notseensinceinfancybythee.Andshewasonherwaytocourt,witharightgoodyoungknight,whowouldhavebeenherhusband,butwasslainbytreacheryofafelonknight,LorraineleSavage,astheycame;andbecausethouwouldstnotabideandhelpher,thybestfriendshallfailtheeinthinehourofgreatestneed,forsuchisthepenanceordainedtheeforthatdeed
