I will go forth to the king, requiring a peace,
which he will gladly accord me. I will go at once, before he may come
to Tintagel, seeking to do us mischief, for if he falls upon us in
this trap we shall pipe to deaf ears."
Igerne praised the counsel of him she deemed her lord. The king
embraced her by reason of her tenderness, and kissed her as he bade
farewell. He departed straightway from the castle, and his familiars
with him. When they had ridden for a while upon the road, Merlin again
put forth his enchantments, so that he, the king, and Ulfin took their
own shapes, and became as they had been before. They hastened to the
host without drawing rein, for the king was with child to know how the
castle was so swiftly taken, and in what manner the earl was slain. He
commanded before him his captains, and from this man and that sought
to arrive at the truth. Uther considered the adventure, and took his
lords to witness that whoever had done the earl to death, had done not
according to his will. He called to mind Earl Gorlois' noble deeds,
and made complaint of his servants, looking upon the barons very
evilly. He wore the semblance of a man in sore trouble, but there were
few who were so simple as to believe him.
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