Geraint, the son of Erbin (Continued)

Now this is how Arthur hunted the stag.  The men and the dogs were divided into hunting-parties, and the dogs were let loose upon the stag.  And the last dog that was let loose was the favorite dog of Arthur; Cavall was his name.  And he left all the other dogs behind him and turned the stag.  And at the second turn the stag came toward the hunting-party of Arthur.  And Arthur set upon him; and before he could be slain by any other, Arthur cut off his head.  Then they sounded the death-horn for slaying and they all gathered round.

They came Kadyriath to Arthur and spoke to him.  “Lord,” said he, “behold, yonder is Guenever, and none with her save only one maiden.”  “Command Gildas, the son of Caw, and all the scholars of the court,” said Arthur, “to attend Guenever to the palace.”  And they did so.

Then they all set forth, holding converse together concerning the head of the stag, to whom it should be given.  One wished that it should be given to the lady best beloved by him, and another to the lady whom he loved best.  And so they came to the palace.  And when Arthur and Guenever heard them disputing about the head of the stag, Guenever said to Arthur:  “My lord, this is my counsel concerning the stag’s head; let it not be given away until Geraint, the son of Erbin, shall return from the errand he is upon.”  And Guenever told Arthur what that errand was.  “Right gladly shall it be so,” said Arthur.  And Guenever caused a watch to be set upon the ramparts for Geraint’s coming.  And after midday they beheld an unshapely little man upon a horse, and after him a dame or a damsel, also on horseback, and after her a knight of large stature, bowed down, and hanging his head low and sorrowfully, and clad in broken and worthless armor.

And before they came near to the gate one of the watch went to Guenever, and told her what kind of people they saw, and what aspect they bore.  “I know not who they are,” said he, “But I know,” said Guenever; “this is the knight whom Geraint pursued, and methinks that he comes not here by his own free will.  But Geraint has overtaken him, and avenged the insult to the maiden to the uttermost.”  And thereupon, behold, a porter came to the spot where Guenever was.  “Lady,” said he, “at the gate there is a knight, and I saw never a man of so pitiful an aspect to look upon as he.  Miserable and broken is the armor that he wears, and the hue of blood is more conspicuous upon it than its own color.”  “Knowest thou his name?” said she.  “I do,” said he; “he tells me that he is Edeyrn, the son of Nudd.”  Then she replied, “I know him not.”