When Kynon had related at Arthur's Court the story of his adventure
with the Black Knight, one of his companions, Owain by name, said:
"Is it not befitting that one of us go and discover this place?"
"It is very well to talk about it," said Sir Kai, "but 'tis harder to
carry it out."
Then Owain went away, and prepared his horse and his armour, and very
early next morning he rode away in the direction which Kynon had
pointed out to him.
In due time he reached the castle, and was kindly received by the Man
in Yellow, and set down before a very excellent meal. And the four
and twenty maidens seemed even lovelier to Owain than they had to
Kynon.
When they asked him his errand Owain replied that he was in quest of
the knight who guards the fountain; and the Yellow Man, though very
reluctantly, pointed out the way. All happened to Owain as it had to
Kynon, save that the shower seemed more violent and the song of the
birds even sweeter than before. And as they sang the Black Knight
appeared, and rode violently upon Owain; but he was prepared to
receive him, and they fought fiercely together. Their lances broke
with the shock of their attack, and, drawing their swords, they
fought until Owain struck the knight a blow which pierced through
helmet, skull, and brain.
Then the Black Knight, knowing he had received a mortal blow, turned
his horse, and fled. But Owain pursued hard after him until they
came to a lordly castle. When they reached the gate the Black Knight
was allowed to enter; but Owain was so close behind that, when the
portcullis fell, it struck his horse behind the saddle, and cut him
in two, carrying away the rowels of the spurs which were on Owain's
heels. So the rowels and part of the horse were outside and Owain
was shut up inside with the other part of the horse between the two
gates, for the inner one was closed. As the knight stood wondering
what would happen next he saw through an opening in the upper part of
the gate a street facing him, with a row of houses on either side;
and from one of these houses came out a maiden, with yellow, curling
locks, dressed in yellow satin, with shoes of parti-coloured leather.
She approached the gate, and desired him to open it. "Truly, lady,"
said Owain ruefully, "I can no more open it for you than you can for
me."
"That is very sad," said the damsel; "yet it is the part of every
woman to do what she can to succour you, for you are a loyal squire
of dames, so I will do whatever is in my power for you. Take this
ring, and put it on your finger, with the stone inside your hand, and
close your hand upon the stone. As long as you conceal it, it will
conceal you. Presently, when they have consulted together, they will
come to fetch you, in order to put you to death, and will be much
upset when they cannot find you. But I shall sit on the horse-block
yonder, and you will see me though I cannot see you. Come,
therefore, and put your hand upon my shoulder, that I may know you
are near; and whichever way I go, do you follow me."
So Owain vanished from the sight of men, and sorely grieved were his
foes when they came to seek him and found only part of his horse.
But he found the maiden, and laid his hand upon her shoulder; and she
led him to a splendid chamber, where even the nails were painted in
beautiful colours, and there she gave him abundance of food in silver
dishes, and left him to rest. Now, on that night the nobleman who
owned the castle, whom Owain had so grievously wounded, died; and the
maiden of the golden locks presently brought Owain to a window from
whence he might see the funeral procession. And foremost among the
mourners walked the Countess of that domain. She was so very
beautiful that Owain fell deeply in love with her, and said to the
maiden: "Verily, there goes the woman I love best in the world."
"Truly," said the maiden, "she too shall love you not a little, and I
will go woo for thee."
So the maiden, whose name was Luned, went to the chamber of her
mistress the Countess, and found her weeping, because now the Black
Knight was slain, there was no one to defend her dominions. For so
it was that, so long as the fountain was safe, all was well, but if
that were not defended, all her lands would soon be lost.
Then Luned said: "Surely you know that no one can defend the fountain
except he be a knight of Arthur's household. Let me go to Arthur's
Court, and I will bring back with me a warrior who can guard the
fountain as well as, or even better than, he who kept it formerly."
"That will be a hard task," said the Countess. "Go, however, and
make good that which thou hast promised."
But Luned did not go to Arthur's Court; she went instead to the
chamber of Owain, and, having warned him to wait until it was due
time, hid herself as long as it would have taken to travel to the
Court.
Then she brought Owain a coat and mantle of yellow satin, on which
were bands of broad gold lace; and for his feet shoes of softest
leather, fastened by golden clasps in the shape of lions; and thus
they proceeded to the chamber of the Countess.
But when they arrived the Countess looked steadfastly upon Owain, and
said: "Luned, this knight has not the appearance of a traveller."
"Well, lady, he is none the worse for that," said Luned.
"I am certain," said the Countess, "that this is the man who killed
my master, the Black Knight."
"So much the better for you, lady," replied Luned, "for if he had not
been stronger than your master, he could not have killed him. There
is no use in crying over spilt milk."
Then the Countess looked again on Owain, and when she saw he was a
very goodly knight, and courageous withal, she began to return his
affection for her; and soon afterwards they were married. So Owain
defended the fountain with lance and sword; and whenever a knight
came there, he overthrew him, and ransomed him for his full worth,
and what he then obtained he divided among his barons and his
knights, so that he became very much beloved. And so three years
passed away.