Branch XIII, part 2 of 5

¶"Sir," saith the knight, "I would that all the other knights would say as much in respect of me, for no fear have I save for myself alone."

¶II.

¶Messire Gawain departeth from the knight, and goeth his way amidst the forest that overshadowed the land as far as the seashore, and looketh forth from the top of a sand-hill, and seeth a knight armed on a tall destrier, and he had a shield of gold with a green cross.

¶"Ha, God," saith Messire Gawain, "Grant that this knight may be able to tell me tidings of him I seek!"

¶Thitherward goeth he a great gallop, and saluteth him worshipfully and he him again.

¶"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Can you tell me tidings of a knight that beareth a shield banded of argent and azure with a red cross?"

¶"Yea, Sir," saith the knight, "That can I well. At the assembly of the knights may you find him within forty days."

¶"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Where will the assembly be?"

¶"In the Red Launde, where will be many a good knight. There shall you find him without fail."

¶Thereof hath Messire Gawain right great joy, and so departeth from the knight and the knight from him, and goeth back toward the sea a great gallop. But Messire Gawain saw not the ship whereinto he entered, for that it was anchored underneath the cliff. The knight entered thereinto and put out to sea as he had wont to do. Howbeit Messire Gawain goeth his way toward the Red Launde where the assembly was to be, and desireth much the day that it shall be. He rideth until he cometh one eventide nigh to a castle that was of right fair seeming. He met a damsel that was following after a dead knight that two other knights bare upon a horse-bier, and she rode a great pace right amidst the forest. And Messire Gawain cometh to meet her and saluteth her, and she returned the salute as fairly as she might.

¶"Damsel," saith Messire Gawain, "Who lieth in this bier?"

¶"Sir, a knight that a certain man hath slain by great outrage."

¶"And whither shall you ride this day?"

¶"Sir, I would fain be in the Red Launde, and thither will I take this knight, that was a right worshipful man for his age."

¶"And wherefore will you take him there?" saith Messire Gawain.

¶"For that he that shall do best at the assembly of knights shall avenge this knight's death."

¶III.

¶The damsel goeth her way thereupon. And Messire Gawain goeth to the castle that he had seen, and found none within save only one solitary knight, old and feeble, and a squire that waited upon him. Howbeit, Messire Gawain alighteth at the castle. The Vavasour lodged him well and willingly, and made his door be well shut fast and Messire Gawain be disarmed, and that night he showed him honour as well as he might. And when it came to the morrow and Messire Gawain was minded to depart thence, the Vavasour saith to him, "Sir you may not depart thus, for this door hath not been opened this long while save only yesterday, when I made it be opened before you, to the intent that you should meet on my behalf a certain knight that is fain to slay me, for that the King of Castle Mortal hath had his hold herewithin, he that warreth on the Queen of the Maidens. Wherefore I pray you that you help me to defend it against the knight."

¶"What shield beareth he?" saith Messire Gawain.

¶"He beareth a golden shield with a green cross."

¶"And what sort of knight is he?" saith Messire Gawain.

¶"Sir," saith the Vavasour, "A good knight and a hardy and a sure."

¶"By my faith," saith Messire Gawain, "And you can tell me tidings of another knight whereof I am in quest, I will protect you against this one to the best I may, and if he will do nought for my prayer, I will safeguard you of my force."

¶"What knight, then, do you seek?" saith the Vavasour.

¶"Sir, a knight that is called Perceval, and he hath carried away from the court of King Arthur a shield banded argent and azure with a red cross on a band of gold. He will be at the assembly in the Red Launde. These tidings had I of the knight you dread so much."

¶IV.

¶Thereupon, whilst Messire Gawain was thus speaking to the Vavasour, behold you the Knight of the Golden Shield, that draweth rein in the midst of a launde that was betwixt the castle and the forest. The Vavasour seeth him from the windows of the hall, and pointeth him out to Messire Gawain. Messire Gawain goeth and mounteth on his destrier, his shield at his neck and his spear in his fist, all armed, and issueth forth of the door when it had been unfastened, and cometh toward the knight, that awaited him on his horse. He seeth Messire Gawain coming, but moveth not, and Messire Gawain marvelleth much that the knight cometh not toward him, for him thinketh well that the Vavasour had told him true. But he had not, for never had the knight come thither to do the Vavasour any hurt, but on account of the knights that passed by that way that went to seek adventure, for right glad was he to see them albeit he was not minded to make himself known unto any. Messire Gawain looketh before him and behind him and seeth that the door was made fast and the bridge drawn up so soon as he was departed thence, whereof he marvelled much and saith to the knight, "Sir, is your intent nought but good only?"

¶"By my head," saith he, "Nought at all, and readily will I tell it you."

¶Thereupon, behold you a damsel that cometh a great pace, and held a whip wherewith she hurrieth her mule onward, and she draweth rein there where the two knights were.