“Arthur,” said Sir Ector, “I must now tell you that you are not my son, nor is Sir Kay your brother.  I do not know who you are, but I did not think you were of kingly lineage.”

Then Arthur wept, for he loved Ector and Kay as though they were father and brother to him.

“When you are king,” asked Sir Ector, “will you be kind to me and my family?”

“Indeed I will,” said Arthur, “or I shall be much to blame, for I am more deeply in debt to you than to any other man in all the world, and to your wife, whom I have always thought my mother and who has cared for me as for her own son.  If it ever is the will of God that I be king of Britain, ask what you desire and it will be my pleasure to accord it.”

The three then went to the Archbishop and told him all that had happened.  He counseled them to remain quiet till after the tournament, when Arthur should make the trial in public.  At that time, after all had struggled madly to pull out the sword and had failed, Arthur drew it out easily before the astonished eyes of the onlookers.

The barons and knights laughed in derision and said, “Shall Britain be ruled over by a boy?  Let us have another trial at Twelfth Day.”

At Twelfth Day and at Easter were the trials again held with the same results, but the fierce barons would not recognize Arthur until the people grew angry and shouted, “Arthur is our king.  We will have no one but Arthur for our king.”

Even the fierce knights who aspired to the throne could not resist the call of the people combined with that of the many barons who sided with Sir Ector.  When the Archbishop placed the crown upon the head of the young king all there did homage to Arthur though many scowled and threatened the life of the new ruler.  Arthur did not forget his promises, but made Sir Kay his seneschal and gave broad lands and rich presents to his foster parents.

II.  ARTHUR WEDS GUINEVERE.  THE ROUND TABLE

Arthur’s reign began with savage wars with his neighbors and with sedition and rebellion in his kingdom.  In every conflict he was successful, and every victory made him friends, for he was a noble man and administered his affairs with justice to all.  Moreover, he cut roads through the forests and made it possible for his husbandmen to cultivate the lands without danger from wild beasts or fear of marauders.  He established justice everywhere so that even the poor felt sure of his protection.  If treachery or oppression appeared among his nobles he punished them severely, but he forgave personal injuries freely.

Many of the rulers of petty kingdoms near Arthur had occasion to bless him for brave assistance, and among them was Leodegrance, king of Cameliard, whom Arthur, in a fierce battle in which ten thousand men were slain, freed from the tyranny of King Rience.  After the battle, Leodegrance entertained Arthur and his friends at a great feast, at which Guinevere, the beautiful young daughter of the host, served the table.  At the sight of the fair maid Arthur’s heart was won, and ever after he loved her faithfully.