my death."

"There you speak truly," said they, and lifting him carefully they
placed him on a horse-litter for conveyance to Camelot.

Then Merlin vanished and came to King Arthur, whom he told that his
greatest enemy was vanquished and taken.

"By whom?" asked the king.

"By two of the most valorous knights in your realm. To-morrow you shall
learn who they are."

In good time Balin and his brother came with the wounded king and
delivered him to the porters at the gates, charging them to bear him to
King Arthur. Then they turned again and departed in the dawning of the
day.

When King Ryons was brought to the court, Arthur received him
graciously.

"Sir king," he said, "you are heartily welcome. By what adventure came
you hither?"

"By a hard one," said the captive, "as you well may see."

"Who won you?" asked Arthur.

"The knight with the two swords and his brother," said Ryons. "And
knights of marvellous prowess they are."

"I know them not," said Arthur, "but none the less am I deeply beholden
to them."

"I shall tell you," said Merlin. "One of these knights was Balin, he
that won the sword; the other was Balan, his brother, and as good a
knight. And it is the most sorrowful thing that tongue can say that
neither of these brave knights shall live long to win the fame of which
they are so worthy."

"Alas!" said Arthur, "if that be so, it is indeed a great pity. I am
much beholden to Balin, for he has highly redeemed the despite he did
me. I have not deserved such good service at his hands."

"He shall do more for you, and that soon," said Merlin. "I must now
depart, for I have duties elsewhere; but before I go let me warn you to
prepare your forces for battle at once. To-morrow before noon you will
be set upon by a great host, led by Nero, King Ryons's brother.
Therefore make all haste for your defence."

Merlin's departure was for a purpose which he told not to the king. He
well knew that King Lot of Orkney, Arthur's bitterest foe, was marching
to join Nero with a powerful host, and foresaw that if they fell
together on King Arthur he and all his army would be destroyed. The
shrewd magician thereupon repaired to King Lot, and held him with idle
tales of prophecy till Nero and his people were destroyed.

For between Nero and Arthur a vigorous battle was fought, in which many
knights won honor and renown, while King Arthur with his own hand slew
twenty knights and maimed forty. But Balin and his