_How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other to king Arthur,
and of the appointment of their wedding._
And among all these ladies she was named the fairest and peerless. Then
when Sir Gareth saw her, there was many a goodly look and goodly words,
that all men of worship had joy to behold them. Then came king Arthur
and many other kings, and dame Guenever and the queen of Orkney. And
there the king asked his nephew Sir Gareth whether he would have that
lady to his wife? My lord, wit you well that I love her above all
ladies living. Now, fair lady, said king Arthur, what say ye? Most
noble king, said dame Liones, wit you well that my lord Sir Gareth is
to me more lever to have and hold as my husband, than any king or
prince that is christened, and if I may not have him I promise you I
will never have none. For, my lord Arthur, said dame Liones, wit ye
well he is my first love, and he shall be the last: and if ye will
suffer him to have his will and free choice, I dare say he will have
me. That is truth, said Sir Gareth, and I have not you and hold not you
as my wife, there shall never lady nor gentlewoman rejoice me. What
nephew, said the king, is the wind in that door! for wit ye well I
would not for the stint of my crown to be causer to withdraw your
hearts, and wit ye well ye cannot love so well but I shall rather
increase it than distress it. And also ye shall have my love and my
lordship in the uttermost wise that may lie in my power. And in the
same wise said Sir Gareth’s mother. Then was there made a provision for
the day of marriage, and by the king’s advice it was provided that it
should be at Michaelmas following, at Kinkenadon by the sea-side, for
there is a plentiful country. And so it was cried in all the places
through the realm. And then Sir Gareth sent his summons unto all these
knights and ladies that he had won in battle tofore, that they should
be at his day of marriage at Kinkenadon by the sands. And then dame
Liones and the damsel Linet, with Sir Gringamore, rode to their castle,
and a goodly and a rich ring she gave to Sir Gareth, and he gave her
another. And king Arthur gave her a rich bee of gold, and so she
departed. And king Arthur and his fellowship rode toward Kinkenadon,
and Sir Gareth brought his lady on the way, and so came to the king
again and rode with him. Oh the great cheer that Sir Launcelot made of
Sir Gareth and he of him: for there was never no knight that Sir Gareth
loved so well as he did Sir Launcelot, and ever for the most part he
would be in Sir Launcelot’s company: for after Sir Gareth had espied
Sir Gawaine’s conditions, he withdrew himself from his brother Sir
Gawaine’s fellowship, for he was vengeable, and where he hated he would
be avenged with murder, and that hated Sir Gareth.