“That is right,” said Arthur; “a gift I certainly promised you, but I have forgotten the name of the sword you gave me.”

“The name of the sword is Excalibur.  That is to say, ‘Cut Steel.’”

“That is right,” said the king.  “Now ask what you will and you shall have it if it lies in my power to give it.”

“I ask,” returned the Lady, “the head of the knight that to-day has won the other sword, or else the head of the damsel who brought the sword.  By right I should have the heads of both, for he slew my brother, a good and true knight, and that woman caused my father’s death.”

“Indeed,” said Arthur, “I cannot grant such a request as that with any justice to myself.  Therefore, ask what else you will and I will grant it.”

“I want nothing else,” said the Lady; “I will ask no other thing.”

Now when Balin was leaving the court he saw this Lady of the Lake.  Three years before she had slain Balin’s mother, and all this time he had been searching for the wicked woman.  Then some one told him that she had asked his head of Arthur.

On hearing this, Balin went straight to the woman and said, “It is unlucky for you that I have found you to-day.  You asked my head of King Arthur, and therefore you shall lose yours.”

With these words Balin drew his sword, and before any one could interfere struck off her head, even before the face of King Arthur.

“Alas,” said Arthur, “why have you done this deed?  You have shamed me and all my court, for this was a lady to whom I was indebted, and she came here under my safe conduct.  I shall never forgive you this vile deed.”

“Sire,” said Balin, “withdraw your displeasure, for this same lady was the falsest lady living, and by enchantment and sorcery she has destroyed many good knights.  She it was who through falsehood and treachery caused my mother to be burned.”

“No matter what cause you had,” replied the king, “you should have waited till she left my presence.  You shall certainly repent this deed, for such another insult I never had in my court.  Therefore, withdraw from my presence with all the haste you may.”

Balin took up the head of the Lady and carried it to his hostelry, where he met his squire.

“Now,” said Balin, as the two rode out of the town, “much I regret to have displeased King Arthur.  You must, however, take this head and carry it to my friends in Northumberland, and tell them that my most bitter enemy is dead.  Tell them, too, that I am out of prison, and how I came to get this sword.”

“Alas,” said the squire, “you were greatly to blame for so displeasing King Arthur.”

“As for that,” said Balin, “I will go with all the haste I can to meet King Rience that I may destroy him or die myself.  If perchance I may happen to overthrow him, then Arthur will forgive me and be my gracious lord.”

“Where shall I meet you?” said the squire.