When the news of this defeat came to the Emperor his wrath waxed so hot that his words strangled in his throat and he choked upon them until he could shout:
“These men of Bordeaux be very devils for stubbornness. While any of Huon’s house live so will they continue to hold against me, rising up again and again. Therefore shall I make an end to this— for Huon himself be surely dead over the sea or he would have returned long since slavering for my blood as a hound in chase.
“So let the Duchess Claramonde be taken beyond the city walls and there let her be burnt after the manner of a traitoress and let all those from Bordeaux who lie within our ward be hung at that same time!” ‘
And no man among all his court could turn him from this purpose or soften his words.
Thus beyond the city walls was built a tall pyre of seasoned wood, even as Huon had seen in his evil dream, and by this was erected a forest of gallows trees to hold those of Bordeaux who had been forced to yield them when the city fell.
On the appointed day the Lady Claramonde and her people were brought out of prison to face this cruel fate. So pitiful was the lady and those who followed her that the people of Mayence raised loud their voices and cried out against their rightful lord, the Emperor, saying that no good would ever thereafter come to that city or the land where such a foul deed was done, nor would he who so ordered it afterwards prosper. They closed their doors and windows and bode inside their houses in darkness and sorrow, praying for the souls of those about to perish.
Now it chanced that the Duke Hildebert, who was now the Emperor’s heir, rode into Mayence at that hour and he saw the men of Bordeaux, with their Duchess at their head, on foot and in chains being led to their deaths. And he asked concerning this matter. When the truth was told to him he was sore stricken with pity and horror, and, setting spurs to his horse, he rode furiously to where the Emperor was waiting and called aloud to him:
“My good lord, I pray you in the Name of the Lord Jesu, do not do this thing. For, if by your orders this sweet lady and these people of Bordeaux die so, then will your name be remembered with loathing by all men. If your quarrel lies with the Duke Huon, then pursue it with him and not with helpless women and prisoners surrendered to your mercy. For only to the merciful will true mercy be granted!”
But so blinded and held by the power of his great hatred was the Emperor that he was as flint to the pleading of Hildebert, and his answer came cold and bitter:
“My lord Duke, you forget to whom you now speak. If you do not bridle your foolish tongue it may lead you into some such an end as these traitors are now facing.”
And when Hildebert would have protested again his own friends surrounded him and bore him struggling away, lest the Emperor make good that threat.
Then were the people of Bordeaux, knight and commoner alike, put upon the gallows and around their throats were placed the hempen loops. While the Lady Claramonde was made fast to the stake and the brands heaped about her.
At that same hour King Oberon was holding high revel for his kinswoman, the peerless Morgan Le Fay, and all was joy within his halls—save that only Oberon himself sat with a bowed head and sad countenance, until at last the Lady Morgan said unto him:
“How now, fair cousin. Here is all joyful feasting and fine frolic and yet you sit alone in sorrow and silence. Why do you thus?”
Oberon made her answer in a low and melancholy voice.
“Sweet cousin, above all my kin and friends here within the borders of our own magic land do I love Huon, Duke of Bordeaux. By my sworn promise is he my heir, to rule after me in these halls until the end of mortal time. But because of this I am bound by our laws not to aid him, since he must win here by his own efforts. And now behold what happens to the one he holds dearest in all the world!”
He moved his hands across a mirror which hung on the wall of the hall. The glass misted and when it again cleared it showed to those who were with him the plain before the walls of Mayence and what chanced there. Then did the Elf knights Gloriant and Malabron arise in their places and go unto Oberon, kneeling before him in supplication. And Malabron spoke for the twain of them when he said:
“Lord King, true by the laws of this land you may not stretch forth your hand or power to now rescue this lady. But we be not bound by that. And though our power be not a tenth or a hundredth part of yours, it is more than any mortal can stand against. Let us go and succor the Duchess Claramonde!”
With the shadow of hope upon him Oberon consented and those two disappeared from before him.
So, as Claramonde stood watching with fearful eyes the burning brand that the executioner bore toward her, there appeared in the sky above Mayence a flash of unearthly fire and out of the heart of this sprang the Elf knights fully armed and ready for war.
By their power the chains fell in dust from those of Bordeaux and the men of Mayence were stricken blind so that, when they were able to see once more, Claramonde and her people stood unharmed and free, giving thanks to the Most High for their deliverance.
And even the Emperor was disturbed in his mind so that he ordered the prisoners taken back to the dungeons, but spoke no more against them.
XV. OF HUON’S RETURN TO FRANCE AND HIS APPEARANCE AT THE COURT OF THE EMPEROR
Huon returned secretly to France and journeyed with his men to the Abbey of Cluny, letting no one know of his coming. The Abbot marveled at his safe arrival, for he had long mourned him as one dead, and now he ordered that those in the Abbey should give thanks to God for this good happening and that a feast be made for Huon and those who followed him.
Then did the Abbot also send for the baby Clarette to be brought unto her father, and greatly did Huon rejoice upon seeing his daughter and give humble thanks unto his uncle for his exceedingly good care of her. And the Duke brought in a chest of rare gems and pieces of gold which was a portion of the spoil gained in fighting the Saracens and which he now settled upon his daughter as a dowry. And about her neck he placed a fine neck- lace of rubies set cunningly in gold, and he gave rich gifts to the lady who nursed her.
Having been so pleased with looking upon his daughter once more, he turned again to the Abbot with these words:
“Dear kinsman, my heart is full and runneth over with good will toward you for the way you have served my daughter. If there is aught which I may do for you in return, speak it aloud in this hour.”
The Abbot smiled upon him, but there was a faint shadow of sadness in his voice as he made answer.
“Nay, fair son and kinsman, there is naught in the power of man to grant me which I now desire. Within the walls of Cluny is my world and it is a good one. That which I might wish for is beyond your power of attainment. For look you, I am an old man, much worn by the years and no one can bring me youth and strength again; Winter and age have twisted these old bones and wasted the flesh from my limbs. Who can turn that season into spring once more?”
Then did Huon’s eyes shine with happiness and he hurried to the chamber given to him and from his most precious possessions he brought forth the second of the Apples of Paradise. This he set before his uncle, urging him to eat thereof and speedily.
Wondering at the strange manner of his nephew, the Abbot did as he was bid. Now as he ate a strange thing came to pass. No longer did he seem an old man bent by time and frosted by age. But he sat straight and tall, once more a man in the pride of his youth, and all those within the chamber were struck dumb by this miracle. Then did Huon relate how these apples had come into his hands and all the rest of the long tale of his wanderings.