On discussing Balin’s weapons, I would like to introduce Balin’s tale at first. Balin is a member of the Knights of the Round Table. After the first Lady of the Lake gave Excalibur to Arthur, another lady came with a beautiful sword. She says only “a passing good man of his hands and of his deeds, and without villainy or treachery, and without treason” can take the sword out of the sheath. Although Arthur and other Knights of the Round Table tried, nobody except poorly-dressed Balin succeeded in drawing the sword out of the sheath. The lady said she wanted the sword back, but he did not return it. She made a prophesy that Balin would kill his best friend with the sword, which would cause Balin’s own destruction. Then the lady went away. When Balin was preparing for a journey, the Lady of the Lake who gave Excalibur to Arthur appeared. She says she wants Balin’s head. Arthur denied the demand. When Balin was ready to depart, he saw the Lady of the Lake and cut off her head because she had killed Balin’s mother. Arthur got angry and ordered him to go away. Balin made his mind to arrest King Rience who was Arthur’s enemy at that time to compensate for his own rude behaviour in the court. Balin completed his mission with his brother Balan, and delivered captured Rience to Arthur. Then Merlin warns Arthur that Nero will attack Arthur soon. Merlin advises him to prepare for the battle. Balin and Balan achieved brilliant military results in that fight.
Chapter 1
Weapons in Balin's Tale
By God, said the damosel, ye say sooth; therefore ye shall assay to do what ye may. Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and sheath, and drew it out easily; and when he looked on the sword it pleased him much
---Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur
On discussing Balin's weapons, I would like to introduce Balin's tale at first. Balin is a member of the Knights of the Round Table. After the first Lady of the Lake gave Excalibur to Arthur, another lady came wit...