Now in these months Charlemagne’s wrath against Huon had grown no less or lighter and, when Gerard had done, he thundered forth that Huon was to die a traitor’s death as soon as possible.
But Naymes, and those other peers who thought shame of this business, cried aloud that Huon should not be so cruelly used without a hearing.
And as they spake so strongly, with flashing eyes and flushed cheeks, the King was forced to their will and agreed to journey to Bordeaux where Huon lay in prison, there hear the unfortunate youth’s own story.
And so the court went to Bordeaux and this was to the liking of neither Gerard nor Gylberde, who feared that by some trick of fate Huon would win free of the trap they had set for him.
In Bordeaux, Huon, the Lady Claramonde, and the faithful Gerames were brought out of prison into the light of day and piteous it was to see their hard plight. Many there were among the lords of the court who said privately to one another that there seemed to be little evil in these three.
Then one Gaulter, a knight of mean degree and distantly kin to Gylberde, arose to demand that Huon suffer the full penalty of the law. And to this plea Gylberde nodded happy assent. Gerard would have spoken likewise but, with his brother’s eyes upon him, he could make no sound and his lying words were thrust back into his throat until he thought himself nigh strangled by them. So he said nothing, but of him only did Huon seem aware. And when the youth spoke it was directly to his false brother.
“Know you, when our lord king laid upon me this heavy task I did go out of France to His Holiness, the Pope, in Rome. And with his holy blessing I sailed unto the shores of that land which is thrall to the Saracen host.”
Then did he relate all those adventures and misadventures which had befallen him—even as are set down in this chronicle. And all those hearing marveled at his tale which was strange indeed to their ears.
When Huon had done he looked away from Gerard for the first time, holding up his head to face the King fully, even as an honest man would stand. And so he waited for the verdict of Charlemagne.
But Gylberde, fearing the sympathy which the tale had aroused in the court, shouted;
“If this villain speaks true—where is the beard and where are the teeth of Gaudys? Let him show them now.”
Huon turned again to Gerard and spake sorrowfully:
“Nay, I have them not. They were wrested from the good Sir Gerames by you, my brother. If all love be not wholly dead between us, I pray you now, bring forth the casket that I may not be foresworn before the lords of France.”
But Gerard stirred not, although within him he was sick and faint with terror. For that evil which he had surrendered to held him fast in this last hour when he might have redeemed his soul—held— him hard fast in his allegiance to the Ruler of Darkness whose vassal he had become.
And when Gerard did not answer that petition, Huon uttered a moan of sadness and covered his face with his hands as if he could no longer bear to look upon his brother. But Gerames, seeing Huon so stricken, acted for him. And from the young knight’s belt he plucked the horn of Oberon to put it to his lips and blow. And that bugling seemed to rift apart both the hall in which they stood and the sky above it.
XVIII. OF THE TRIUMPH OF HUON AND THE FAIR PROMISE OF OBERON
Out of the riven sky there did descend to the earth of France, even into the city of Bordeaux, Oberon, King and Liege Lord of Fairyland, together with those Fairy lords and Elf knights who did him service.
King Charlemagne and his peers stood dumbstruck at such a sight. And no man dared to move as Oberon put forth his sword and touched those chains which bound Huon, his lady, and Gerames.
Straightway those chains were as dust and the rising wind puffed them away so the three were free, no man putting out hand against them. Gerard and Gylberde were sore afraid at this sight and their limbs shook with their terror, for none might know the will of the Fairy lord or what punishment he would lay upon those who had harmed his friends.
But Oberon clapped together his naked hands and at that sharp sound there came to Huon, through the air, that gold box containing the beard and teeth of Gaudys. And this coffer Oberon bade him open that all there might see that he had faithfully served Charlemagne.
When the King looked upon that coffer and heard all that Huon had undergone, his heart was moved. And Oberon, marking this, spoke sharply:
“Brother King, even as you reign here within the boundaries of France, so do I reign among the People of the Hills in that land which few mortals have ever seen. And since I grow weary of my crown, which is full heavy now as it was not in the days of my youth, I am fain to depart hence, even into Paradise as was promised me centuries ago. The time of my passing is not yet, though the shadow of it lies upon me now. But when I am summoned, then shall I in turn call unto me this youth whom I have proved to be of loyal heart, brave and true beyond the like of most mortals, and he shall be lord over my people and rule forever in the misty valleys and cloud mountains of Elf Land. This do I proclaim before your nobles and mine, and this shall be!”
While they yet marveled at his speech, Oberon leaned far from his saddle and kissed Huon upon the brow as if they were brothers in blood. And so did he also to Claramonde and from that day forward neither did the Duke nor his lady show any mark of age or know any bodily ill. Rather were they possessed of a beauty beyond that of mankind and of eternal youth.
So having laid upon Huon the wardship of his kingdom, Oberon and his men went out of France, never more to be seen by King Charlemagne and his court. But there were sighs at their going for their like is viewed only once in mayhap a thousand years.
Seeming to stir as if from a dream, the King cam& again to himself and, looking upon the luckless Gerard, his anger awoke, for he realized that this weak and evil youth and Gylberde would have used the royal power to pull down Huon in order to serve their own ends. Thereupon Charlemagne ordered that these two false knights be dragged away and hung. And no one in all that company raised his voice in their behalf—save only Huon, since he could not forget that Gerard was his brother. But none paid him heed and the King’s orders were speedily carried out. So perished these two traitors in the web they had spun for another.
But Huon was named again Duke of Bordeaux and peer of France, and was left to rule in peace, his gentle Duchess by his side.
ADVENTURE THE SECOND
I. HOW HUON WENT FORTH TO BATTLE AND THE LADY CLARAMONDE RECEIVED THE PILGRIMS
Once more did Duke Huon rule in his city of Bordeaux, and with him sat his fair lady Duchess, in their hearts being much gladness and joy. All the divers counts and lords who were vassal to Huon came then into that city and paid him homage and pledged him faith and loyalty—saving only the Count Angelars.
Now this Angelars was kinsman to that foul traitor Amaury, whom Huon had slain in fair fight before King Charlemagne, and greatly did he hate Huon for that slaying. So now did he fortify his castle and hold it against his rightful lord, swearing that to the Duke he would never render homage while he had life in his body.
And when these rash words were reported to him HUGH’S anger did wax strong against Angelars. And he summoned into his service such knights and men-at-arms as he knew to be true men and eager for battle. With such in his train he put on that mail which he had won from the Giant Angalafar and took up the sword he had had from his father, the Duke Sevin. Then he sought out Claramonde in her bower, where she rested with all her maidens about her, and spoke to her in this wise:
“My fair lady wife, now do I ride to put to shame this foul traitor Angelars. And while I be gone from Bordeaux do you hold in your two hands the rule of this city. All men shall be servants unto you and your will within these gates shall be as mine.”