_How Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth fought each against other, and how they
knew each other by the damsel Linet._
So the duke departed, and Sir Gareth stood there alone, and there he
saw an armed knight coming toward him. Then Sir Gareth took the duke’s
shield and mounted upon horseback, and so without bidding they ran
together as it had been the thunder. And there that knight hurt Sir
Gareth under the side with his spear. And then they alight and drew
their swords, and gave great strokes, that the blood trailed to the
ground. And so they fought two hours. At the last there came the damsel
Linet, that some men call the damsel Savage, and she came riding upon
an ambling mule, and there she cried all on high, Sir Gawaine, Sir
Gawaine, leave thy fighting with thy brother Sir Gareth. And when he
heard her say so he threw away his shield and his sword, and ran to Sir
Gareth and took him in his arms, and then kneeled down and asked him
mercy. What are ye, said Sir Gareth, that right now were so strong and
so mighty, and now so suddenly yield you to me? O Gareth, I am your
brother Sir Gawaine, that for your sake have had great sorrow and
labour. Then Sir Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled down to him and
asked him mercy. Then they rose both, and embraced either other in
their arms, and wept a great while or they might speak, and either of
them gave other the prize of the battle. And there were many kind words
between them. Alas, my fair brother, said Sir Gawaine, perdy I ought of
right to worship you and ye were not my brother, for ye have worshipped
king Arthur and all his court, for ye have sent him more worshipful
knights this twelvemonth than six the best of the Round Table have
done, except Sir Launcelot. Then came the damsel Savage, that was the
lady Linet that rode with Sir Gareth so long, and there she did stanch
Sir Gareth’s wounds and Sir Gawaine’s. Now what will ye do? said the
damsel Savage; me seemeth it were well done that Arthur had tidings of
you both, for your horses are so bruised that they may not bear. Now,
fair damsel, said Sir Gawaine, I pray you ride unto my lord, mine uncle
king Arthur, and tell him what adventure is to me betid here, and I
suppose he will not tarry long. Then she took her mule, and lightly she
came to king Arthur that was but two miles thence, and when she had
told him the tidings, the king bad get him a palfrey. And when he was
upon his back he bad the lords and ladies come after who that would:
and there was saddling and bridling of queens’ horses, and princes’
horses, and well was him that soonest might be ready. So when the king
came there as they were, he saw Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth sit upon a
little hill side, and then the king avoided his horse. And when he came
nigh Sir Gareth he would have spoken but he might not, and therewith he
sank down in a swoon for gladness. And so they start unto their uncle,
and required him of his good grace to be of good comfort. Wit ye well
the king made great joy, and many a piteous complaint he made unto Sir
Gareth, and ever he wept as he had been a child. With that came his
mother the queen of Orkney, dame Morgause, and when she saw Sir Gareth
readily in the visage, she might not weep, but suddenly fell down in a
swoon, and lay there a great while like as she had been dead. And then
Sir Gareth recomforted his mother in such a wise that she recovered,
and made good cheer. Then the king commanded that all manner of knights
that were under his obeisance should make their lodging right there for
the love of his nephews. And so it was done, and all manner of
purveyance purveyed that there lacked nothing that might be gotten of
tame nor wild for gold or silver. And then by the means of the damsel
Savage Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth were healed of their wounds, and
there they sojourned eight days. Then said king Arthur unto the damsel
Savage, I marvel that your sister dame Liones cometh not here to me,
and in especial that she cometh not to visit her knight, my nephew Sir
Gareth, that hath had so much travail for her love. My lord, said the
damsel Linet, ye must of your good grace hold her excused, for she
knoweth not that my lord Sir Gareth is here. Go then for her, said king
Arthur, that we may be appointed what is best to be done, according
unto the pleasure of my nephew. Sir, said the damsel, that shall be
done, and so she rode unto her sister. And as lightly as she might she
made her ready, and she came on the morn with her brother Sir
Gringamore, and with her forty knights. And so when she was come, she
had all the cheer that might be done, both of the king and of many
other kings and queens.