HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
Now leave we Sir Gareth there with Sir Gringamore and his sisters,
Liones and Linet, and turn we unto King Arthur that held the next feast
of Pentecost at Carlion. And there came the Green Knight with his
fifty knights, and they yielded themselves all unto King Arthur. And
so there came the Red Knight, his brother, and yielded himself and
three-score knights with him. Also there came the Blue Knight, brother
to them, and his hundred knights, and yielded themselves. These three
brethren told King Arthur how they were overcome by a knight that a
damsel had with her, and called him Fair-hands. Also they told how the
fourth brother, the Black Knight, was slain in an encounter with Sir
Fair-hands, and of the adventure with the two brethren that kept the
passage of the water; and ever more King Arthur marvelled who the
knight might be that was in his kitchen a twelvemonth and that Sir Kay
in scorn named Fair-hands.
Right as the King stood so talking with these three brethren there came
Sir Launcelot of the Lake and told him that there was come a goodly
lord with six hundred knights. The King went out, and there came to
him and saluted him in a goodly manner the Red Knight of the Red Lawns,
and he said, "I am sent to you by a knight that is called Fair-hands,
for he won me in plain battle, hand for hand. No knight has ever had
the better of me before. I and my knights yield ourselves to your
will, as he commanded, to do you such service as may be in our power."
King Arthur received him courteously, as he had before received the
three brethren, and he promised to do them honour for the love of Sir
Fair-hands. Then the King and they went to meat, and were served in
the best manner.
And as they sat at the table, there came in the Queen of Orkney, with
ladies and knights a great number. And her sons, Sir Gawaine, Sir
Agravaine, and Gaheris arose and went to her, and saluted her upon
their knees and asked her blessing, for in fifteen years they had not
seen her.
Then she spake on high to her brother, King Arthur, "Where have ye done
my young son, Sir Gareth? He was here amongst you a twelvemonth, and
ye made a kitchen-knave of him, which is shame to you all."
"Oh dear mother," said Sir Gawaine, "I knew him not."
"Nor I," said the King; "but thanked be God, he is proved an honourable
knight as any of his years now living, and I shall never be glad till I
may find him. Sister, me seemeth ye might have done me to know of his
coming, and then, had I not done well to him, ye might have blamed me.
For when he came to this court, he came leaning upon two men's
shoulders, as though he might not walk. And then he asked of me three
gifts,--one the same day, that was that I would give him meat for that
twelvemonth. The other two gifts he asked that day a twelvemonth, and
those were that he might have the adventure of the damsel Linet, and
that Sir Launcelot should make him knight when he desired him. I
granted him all his desire, and many in this court marvelled that he
desired his sustenance for a twelvemonth, and thereby deemed many of us
that he was not come of a noble house."
"Sir," said the Queen of Orkney unto King Arthur, her brother, "I sent
him unto you right well armed and horsed, and gold and silver plenty to
spend."
"It may be," said the King, "but thereof saw we none, save that same
day as he departed from us, knights told me that there came a dwarf
hither suddenly, and brought him armour and a good horse, full well and
richly beseen, and thereat we had all marvel from whence that riches
came. Then we deemed all that he was come of men of honour."
"Brother," said the queen, "all that ye say I believe, for ever since
he was grown he was marvellously witted, and ever he was faithful and
true to his promise. But I marvel that Sir Kay did mock him and scorn
him, and give him the name Fair-hands. Yet Sir Kay named him more
justly than he knew, for I dare say, if he be alive, he is as
fair-handed a man and as well disposed as any living."
"Sister," said Arthur, "by the grace of God he shall be found if he be
within these seven realms. Meanwhile let us be merry, for he is proved
to be a man of honour, and that is my joy."
So then goodly letters were made and a messenger sent forth to the Lady
Liones, praying her to give best counsel where Sir Gareth might be
found. She answered that she could not then tell where he was; but she
let proclaim a great tournament at her castle, and was sure that Sir
Gareth would be heard of there. So King Arthur and all his knights of
valour and prowess came together at the Lady Liones' castle by the Isle
of Avilion, and great deeds of arms were done there, but most of all
Sir Gareth gained honour, though no one knew that it was he until a
herald rode near him and saw his name written about his helm.
Wit ye well the King made great joy when he found Sir Gareth again, and
ever he wept as he had been a child. With that came his mother, the
Queen of Orkney, and when she saw Sir Gareth really face to face she
suddenly fell down in a swoon. Then Sir Gareth comforted his mother in
such a wise that she recovered, and made good cheer. And the Lady
Liones came, among all the ladies there named the fairest and peerless.
And there the King asked his nephew Sir Gareth whether he would have
that lady to his wife.
"My lord," said he, "wit ye well that I love her above all ladies."
"Now, fair lady," said King Arthur, "what say ye?"
"Most noble King," said Dame Liones, "wit ye well that my Lord Gareth
is to me more dear to have and to hold as my husband than any king or
prince that is christened, 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 if I have not you and hold not
you as my wife I wed no lady."
"What, nephew," said the King, "is the wind in that door! Wit ye well
I would not for the stint of my crown be causer to withdraw your
hearts. Ye shall have my love and my lordship in the uttermost wise
that may lie in my power."
Then was there made a provision for the day of marriage, and by the
King's advice it should be at Michaelmas following at Kink-Kenadon by
the seaside. And when the day came the Bishop of Canterbury made the
wedding betwixt Sir Gareth and the Lady Liones with great solemnity.
And at the same time Gaheris was wedded to Linet.
When this solemnisation was done there came in the Green Knight, the
Red Knight, and all the others that had yielded themselves to Sir
Gareth, and did homage and fealty to hold their lands of him for ever,
and desired to serve him at the feast. And the kings and queens,
princes, earls, and barons, and many bold knights went unto meat, and
well may ye wit that there was all manner of meat plenteously, all
manner of revels, and games, with all manner of minstrelsy that was
used in those days. So they held the court forty days with great
solemnity.
And this Sir Gareth was a noble knight, and a well ruled, and fair
languaged.