[Sidenote:  King Arthur and his companions find a strange damsel and a dwarf] Now this time, being the Eve of Saint John, fairies and those folk who are fay come forth, as is very well known, into the world from which they dwell apart at other times.  So when King Arthur and those two knights and their several foresters and huntsmen came to a certain outlying part of the forest, they were suddenly aware of a damsel and a dwarf waiting where the road upon which they were travelling crossed another road, and they perceived, from her very remarkable appearance, that the damsel was very likely Fay.  For both she and her dwarf sat each upon a milk-white horse, very strangely still, close to where was a shrine by a hedge of hawthorne; and the damsel was so wonderfully fair of face that it was a marvel to behold her.  Moreover, she was clad all in white samite from top to toe and her garments were embroidered with silver; and the trappings and garniture of her horse were of white samite studded with bright silver bosses, wherefore, because of this silver, she glistered with a sudden lustre whensoever she moved a little.  When King Arthur and the two knights who were with him drew nigh this damsel, much marvelling at her appearance, she hailed him in a voice that was both high and clear, crying:  “Welcome, King Arthur!  Welcome, King Arthur!  Welcome, King Arthur!” saying three words three times; and “Welcome, Sir Ewain!” “Welcome, Sir Ector de Maris!” addressing each of those lords by his name.

“Damsel,” quoth King Arthur, “it is very singular that you should know who we are and that we should not know you.  Now, will you not tell us your name and whence you come and whither you go?  For of a surety I believe you are Fay.”

“Lord,” said the damsel, “it matters not who I am, saving that I am of the court of a wonderful lady who is your very good friend.  She hath sent me here to meet you and to beseech you to come with me whither I shall lead you, and I shall lead you unto her.”

“Damsel,” said King Arthur, “I shall be right glad to go with you as you desire me to do.  So, if you will lead me to your lady, I and my knights will gladly follow you thitherway to pay our court unto her.”

[Sidenote:  King Arthur and his knights follow the damsel] Upon this the damsel waved her hand, and drawing her bridle-rein she led the way, accompanied by the dwarf, and King Arthur and the two knights followed her, and all their party of foresters and huntsmen and hounds and beagles followed them.

By this time the sun had set and the moon had risen very fair and round and as yellow as gold, making a great light above the silent tree-tops.  Everything now was embalmed in the twilight, and all the world was enshrouded in the mystery of the midsummer eve.  Yet though the sun had gone the light was wonderfully bright, wherefore all that the eye could see stood sharp-cut and very clear to the vision.