‘We have no grievances.’
‘Then why have you fought against me?’
‘Because we could not help it, your Majesty.’
‘But I should have thought you could have helped fighting.’
‘I mean, your Majesty, that Merrymineral threatened to kill us all if we did not fight.’
‘Then you were not very brave. But that has nothing to do with it. What I wish to know is, whether you will now submit to me again?’
‘We would most willingly; only perhaps your Majesty might inflict some punishment on us for our misdeeds.’
But the Princess shook her head.
‘No; I will give you all a free pardon if you return to your allegiance.’
So the nobles gave a shout of joy, and they seemed quite happy again. And the Princess too was overjoyed; however, she ordered them to go each knight to his own men and to tell them what had happened, and to conduct them to her own army.