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Yes, she had known them all: King Uthur and Igraine and Sir Ulfias of the Isles. Talked with them, walked with them in the fair lands of France. "Though that, of course," explained Malvina, "was never known." The twins were curious why it should have been "of course," but did not like to interrupt again. There were others before and after.
So, therefore, ye do well to give your homage to this your king, for Arthur is the son right worshipful of the great Pendragon, and the lovely lady, Igraine of Lyonesse. All that stood by marvelled, and most of the eleven kings were glad that they had a king so noble in birth and doing as Arthur, the son of Uther Pendragon.
Therefore I declare her false to God, to you, and to all your realm, and if any man shall say me nay I stand ready to prove it upon his body." "I am a woman, and I may not fight," said Queen Igraine to this. "But there are men here will take my quarrel.
I shall tell thee, said the king, I am sick for anger and for love of fair Igraine, that I may not be whole. Well, my lord, said Sir Ulfius, I shall seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy, that your heart shall be pleased. So Ulfius departed, and by adventure he met Merlin in a beggar's array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought. And he said he had little ado to tell him.
Now make you ready, said Merlin, this night ye shall lie with Igraine in the castle of Tintagil; and ye shall be like the duke her husband, Ulfius shall be like Sir Brastias, a knight of the duke's, and I will be like a knight that hight Sir Jordanus, a knight of the duke's.
Fair sir, said they, the name of this castle is Tintagil, and a duke ought it sometime that had wedded fair Igraine, and after wedded her Uther Pendragon, and gat on her Arthur. Well, said Sir Launcelot, I understand to whom this castle longeth; and so he departed from them, and betaught them unto God.
I know, too, that Uther Pendragon was your father, and your mother was the Lady Igraine. 'How can a boy like you know that? cried Arthur, growing angry; but Merlin only answered, 'I know it better than any man living, and passed, returning soon after in the likeness of an old man of fourscore, and sitting down by the well to rest. 'What makes you so sad? asked he.
The duke who owned it was the husband of Queen Igraine, King Arthur's mother. But it has long been held by these miscreant giants." "Then," said Lancelot, "the castle belongs to the king, and shall be returned to him. And now farewell, and God be with you." So saying, he mounted his horse and rode away, followed by the thanks and prayers of the rescued ladies.
Then Igraine welcomed Uther as her true lover, for Merlin had given him the appearance of one dear to her, and, the barons being all well accorded, the two were married on a morning with great mirth and joy.
Beware, said Arthur, what thou sayest; thou speakest a great word. I am well ware, said Ulfius, what I speak, and here is my glove to prove it upon any man that will say the contrary, that this Queen Igraine is causer of your great damage, and of your great war.
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