Iron John(Part 6)

The boy replied, "I want a swift, powerful horse because I am going to war." Iron John said, "A horse and many other things you do not mention will be prepared for you." Then he returned to the forest and sent a squire with a strong, swift horse that breathed heavily and was difficult to tame. Behind him stood an army of soldiers, clad in steel, their drawn swords glinting in the sunlight. The young man handed his lame horse to the squire, mounted the swift stallion bareback, and took the lead of the army.

When he reached the battlefield, many of the king's warriors had fallen, and it seemed that the remaining soldiers might retreat. Then the young man charged forward with his armored troop, raining down upon the enemies like a hailstorm, striking down anyone who resisted him, just as autumn leaves fall to the ground. The rest began to flee, but he pursued them relentlessly until only one remained. Instead of joining the king, he turned back, led the soldiers to the forest, and called for Iron John. The wild man appeared and asked, "What do you want?" The young man replied, "Take the horse and its troop, and give me back my lame donkey." Instantly, everything he asked for was done, and the young man returned home riding his lame donkey.

On the other hand, as soon as the king arrived at the palace, his daughter welcomed him and congratulated him on his victory. The king replied, "I did not achieve the victory; rather, it was an unknown warrior who came to my aid with his troops." The princess wanted to know the name of the warrior, but her father did not know and said, "He went on his way and I did not see him." The princess asked the gardener about the help he had provided, but he laughed and said, "He has just returned from the war on his lame donkey. Everyone mocked him and said, 'Look at the limping one! He has returned from war!' Some even asked him which hedge he had been hiding behind all this time." But the young man responded, "I did the major part of the work. Had it not been for me, things would have gone terribly wrong." At this point, all mockery was taken too far.