Meliot buried the knight that he found in the chapel dead, then told
the damsels that he might abide no longer, but would go succour Messire
Gawain and he might. The damsels were horsed to their will, for one
had the horse of the knight that was slain and the other the horse of
the dwarf. The other damsel was come upon a mule, and they said that
they would go back, for the country was made all safe by the death of
the knight. They thanked Meliot much, for they say truly that he hath
rescued them from death. Meliot departeth from the damsels and goeth
right amidst the forest as he that would most fain hear tidings of
Messire Gawain. When he had ridden of a long space, he met a knight
that was coming all armed at great pace.
"Sir Knight," saith he to Meliot, "Can you tell me tidings of the
Knight of the Galley?"
"What have you to do therein?" saith Meliot.
"Sir, the Lord of the Red Tower hath made bring Messire Gawain into a
launde of this forest, and there, all unarmed, must he do battle with a
lion. So my lord is waiting for the Knight of the Galley, that is to
bring two damsels thither that the lion will devour when he shall have
slain Messire Gawain."
"Will the battle be presently?" saith Meliot.
"Yea, Sir," saith the knight, "Soon enough betimes, for Messire Gawain
hath already been led thither and there bound to a stake until such
time as the lion shall be come. Then will he be unbound, but even then
two knights all armed will keep watch on him. But tell me tidings of
the Knight of the Galley, and you have seen him?"
"Go forward," saith he, "and you will hear tidings of him."
Meliot departeth thereupon, a great gallop, and cometh nigh the launde
whereunto Messire Gawain had been brought. He espied the two knights
that kept guard over him, and if that Messire Gawain were in fear,
little marvel was it, for he thought that his end had come. Meliot
espied him bound to an iron staple with cords about the body on all
sides so that he might not move. Meliot hath great pity thereof in his
heart, and saith to himself that he will die there sooner than Messire
Gawain shall die. He clappeth spurs to his horse when he cometh nigh
the knights, and overtaketh one of them with such a rush that he
thrusteth his spear right through his body, and beareth him down dead.
The other was fain to go to the castle for succour when he saw his
fellow dead. Meliot slew him forthwith. He cometh to Messire Gawain,
and so unbindeth him and cutteth the cords wherewith he is bound.
"Sir," saith he, "I am Meliot of Logres, your knight."