Then the young Earl, Yniol’s nephew, adjudged the Sparrow-Hawk to Geraint, as victor in the tourney, and prayed him to come to his castle to rest and feast.  But Geraint, declining courteously, said that it behoved him to go there where he had rested the night before.  “Where may that have been?” asked the Earl; “for though ye come not to my castle, yet would I see that ye fare as befits your valour.”  “I rested even with Yniol, your uncle,” answered Geraint.  The young Earl mused awhile, and then he said:  “I will seek you, then, in my uncle’s halls, and bring with me the means to furnish forth a feast.”

And so it was.  Scarcely had Prince Geraint returned to the ruined hall and bathed and rested him after his labours, when the young Earl arrived, and with him forty of his followers bearing all manner of stores and plenishings.  And that same hour, the young Earl was accorded with Yniol, his uncle, restoring to him the lands of which he had deprived him, and pledging his word to build up again the ruined palace.

When they had gone to the banquet, then came to them Enid, attired in beautiful raiment befitting her rank; and the old Earl led her to Geraint, saying:  “Prince, here is the maiden for whom ye fought, and freely I bestow her upon you.”  So Geraint took her hand before them all and said:  “She shall ride with me to Caerleon, and there will I wed her before Arthur’s court.”  Then to Enid he said:  “Gentle maiden, bear with me when I pray you to don the faded robe and veil in which first I saw you.”  And Enid, who was ever gentle and meek, did as he desired, and that evening they rode to Caerleon.

So when they drew near the King’s palace, word was brought to Guenevere of their approach.  Then the Queen went forth to greet the good knight, and when she had heard all his story, she kissed the maiden, and leading her into her own chamber, arrayed her right royally for her marriage with the Prince.  And that evening they were wed amidst great rejoicing, in the presence of all the knights and ladies of the court, the King himself giving Enid to her husband.  Many happy days they spent at Caerleon, rejoicing in the love and good-will of Arthur and his Queen.

CHAPTER XX

GERAINT AND ENID

Geraint and the fair Enid abode more than a year at Arthur’s court; Enid winning daily more and more the love of all by her gentleness and goodness, and Geraint being ever amongst the foremost in the tournament.  But presently there came word of robber raids upon the borders of Devon; wherefore the Prince craved leave of Arthur to return to his own land, there to put down wrong and oppression, and maintain order and justice.  And the King bade him go and secure to every man his due.