thought of a plan which she hoped would soon make
him willing to stay home.

"If I let you go, my son, you must make me a promise. The promise
will prove your love to me."

"I will make a hundred promises," cried young Gareth, "if you
will only let me go."

"Then," she said, "you must go in disguise to the court of
Arthur. You must hire yourself out as a kitchen boy. You shall
wash the pots and pans for a whole year and tell no one that you
are the son of a queen."

Queen Bellicent was sure that Gareth would not wish to make such
a promise. He was silent a long, long time. He had hoped to take
part at once with the Knights of the Round Table in great deeds.
At last he said:

"I may be a kitchen boy and still be noble in heart and mind.
Besides, I can look on at the tournaments. I shall see King
Arthur and Sir Lancelot and Sir Kay. Yes, mother, I will go."

Queen Bellicent was very sad. All the days before Gareth's
departure her eyes followed him until he felt that he could not
bear to see her grieve longer. So in the middle of the night he
rose quietly and woke two of his faithful servants. They dressed
themselves like plowmen and started towards Camelot.

It was Easter time and the young grass was a bright green. The
birds were beginning their chirping, although it was not yet
light. As the dawn came, they saw the early morning mist sweeping
over the mountain and forest near Arthur's city of Camelot.
Sometimes the mist drew away and showed in the distance the
towers gleaming like silver.

One of the servants said:

"Let us go no farther, my lord Gareth. I am afraid. That is a
fairy city."

The second said:

"Yes, lord, let us turn back. I have heard that Arthur is not the
real king, but a changeling brought from fairyland in a great
wave all flame. He has done all his deeds with the help of
Merlin's enchantment."

The first one spoke again:

"Lord Gareth, that is no real city. It is a vision."

But Gareth laughed and said:

"Arthur is real flesh and blood, a brave man, and a just king.
Come with me to the gate of his city, and do not be afraid."

When they reached the gate of the city, they stared in amazement.
It was made of silver and mother-of-pearl. In the center was
carved the figure of the Lady of the Lake, with her arms
outstretched in the form of a cross. In one hand she held a
sword, and in the other a censer. On both sides of her figure was
carved the story of the wars of King Arthur.