Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and drew it out with such ease that king and barons alike were filled with wonder, and many of the knights, in spite and jealousy, cried that Balin had done this not by might, but by witchcraft.
"He is a good knight," cried the damsel, "the best and worthiest among you all, even if fortune has dealt with him shabbily. Now, gentle and courteous knight, give me the sword again."
"No," said Balin, "I have fairly won this sword, and well it pleases me. I shall keep it unless it be taken from me by force."
"You are not wise to keep it," said the damsel. "I warn you that if you do so you will slay with the sword your best friend and the man you most love in the world, and that it will be your destruction."
"I shall take such adventure as God may ordain me," said Balin, "but by the faith of my body I shall keep the sword."
"You will quickly repent it," said the damsel. "It is more for your good than for mine that I ask it back. I am sad to find that you will not believe me, and will bring destruction on yourself. The wilful man makes his own destiny." With this the damsel departed, in great sorrow.
Then Balin sent for his horse and his armor, and made ready to depart, though Arthur begged him to remain.
"I knew not your worth," he said, "or you should not have been so unkindly treated. I was misinformed concerning you."
"My heartfelt thanks are yours," said Balin. "But asking your good grace, I must needs depart."
"Then tarry not long, fair knight; you shall always be welcome to my court."
So Balin donned his armor and made ready to depart. But while he still tarried there came to the court a lady richly attired, and riding on a handsome horse.
She saluted King Arthur, and presented herself as the Lady of the Lake, from whom he had received the sword, saying that she had now come to demand the gift which he had promised her whenever she should ask for it.
"A gift I promised you, indeed," said Arthur, "and you do well to ask it. But first I would know the name of the sword you gave me."
"The name of it," said the lady, "is Excalibur, which signifies cut-steel."
"Then well is it named," said the king. "Now ask what gift you will. If it is in my power to present you shall have it."