Hearing this, they objected no longer to his wearing his sword, and he thereupon entered the feasting chambers with his lady companion. Here he found himself among many worshipful knights and fair ladies.
Balin, after looking carefully round him, asked a guest,--
"Is there not a knight in this good company named Garlon?"
"Yes. Yonder knight is he, the one with the dark face. And let me tell you that there is no more marvellous knight living. He has the power of going invisible, and has destroyed many good knights unseen."
"I have heard of this," said Balin. "A marvellous gift, indeed. This, then, is Garlon? Thanks for your information."
Then Balin considered anxiously what had best be done. "If I slay him here my own life will pay the forfeit," he said to himself. "But if I let him escape me now it may be long before I have such an opportunity, and in the meanwhile he may do much harm."
As he stood thus reflecting, with his eyes fixed on Garlon's face, the latter observed his close and stern regard. In haughty anger he came to him and smote him on the face with the back of his hand.
"Sir knight," he said, "take that for your impertinent stare. Now eat your meat, and do what you came here for. Hereafter learn to use your eyes to better purpose."
"You dog!" cried Balin, "this is not your first insult to me. You bid me do what I came for. It is this." As he spoke he rose furiously from his seat, drew his sword, and with one fierce blow clove Garlon's head to the shoulders.
"That is my errand here," cried Balin to the guests. "Now give me the truncheon," he said to the damsel, "with which he slew your knight."
She gave it to him, and Balin thrust it through Garlon's body, exclaiming,--
"With that truncheon you killed a good knight, and with this blow I revenge him."
Then he called his late host, who had by this gained entrance to the feast, and said,--
"Here lies your foe. Take with you enough of his blood to heal your son."
All this had happened so quickly that none had time to interfere, but the knights now sprang hastily from their seats, and rushed from the hall for their weapons, that they might revenge their slain companion. Among them rose King Pellam, crying furiously,--
"Why have you killed my brother! Villain and murderer, you shall die for this!"