And the story is silent here of the mother of the Good Knight, and
saith that Messire Gawain goeth so as God and adventure lead him toward
the land of the rich King Fisherman. And he entereth into a great
forest, all armed, his shield at his neck and his spear in his hand.
And he prayeth Our Lord that He counsel him of this holy errand he hath
emprised so as that he may honourably achieve it. He rode until that
he came at evensong to a hold that was in the midst of the forest. And
it was compassed about of a great water, and had about it great clumps
of trees so as that scarce with much pains might he espy the hall, that
was right large. The river that compassed it about was water royal,
for it lost not its right name nor its body as far as the sea. And
Messire Gawain bethought him that it was the hold of a worshipful man,
and draweth him thitherward to lodge. And as he drew anigh the bridge
of the hold, he looketh and seeth a dwarf sitting on a high bench. He
leapeth up: "Messire Gawain," saith he, "Welcome may you be!"
"Fair, sweet friend," saith Messire Gawain, "God give you good
adventure! You know me, then?" saith he.
"Well do I know you," saith the dwarf, "For I saw you at the
tournament. At a better moment could you not have come hither, for my
lord is not here. But you will find my lady, the fairest and most
gentle and most courteous in the realm of Logres, and as yet is she not
of twenty years."
"Fair friend," saith Messire Gawain, "What name hath the lord of the
hold?"
"Sir, he is called of Little Gomeret. I will go tell my lady that
Messire Gawain is come, the good knight, and bid her make great joy."
Howbeit, Messire Gawain marvelleth much that the dwarf should make him
such cheer, for many knaveries hath he found in many places within the
bodies of many dwarfs. The dwarf is come into the chamber where the
lady was.
"Now, haste, Lady!" saith he, "Make great joy, for Messire Gawain is
come to harbour with you."
"Certes," saith she, "Of this am I right glad and right sorry; glad,
for that the good knight will lie here to-night, sorry, for that he is
the knight that my lord most hateth in the world. Wherefore he warneth
me against him for love of him, for oftentimes hath he told me that
never did Messire Gawain keep faith with dame nor damsel but he would
have his will of them."
"Lady," saith the dwarf, "It is not true albeit it is so said."