The porter thereupon returned and opened the gate.  And Kay went in by himself, and he saluted Gwernach the Giant.  And a chair was placed for him opposite to Gwernach.  And Gwernach said to him, “O man, is it true that is reported of thee, that thou knowest how to burnish swords?” “I know full well how to do so,” answered Kay.  Then was the sword of Gwernach brought to him.  And Kay took a blue whetstone from under his arm, and asked whether he would have it burnished white or blue.  “Do with it as it seems good to thee, or as thou wouldst if it were thine own.”  Then Kay polished one half of the blade, and put it in his hand.  “Will this please thee?” asked he.  “I would rather than all that is in my dominions that the whole of it were like this.  It is a marvel to me that such a man as thou should be without a companion.”  “O noble sir, I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art.”  “Who may he be?” “Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know him.  The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and will descend upon its shaft again.”  Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered.  And Kay said, “Bedwyr is very skilful, though he knows not this art.”

And there was much discourse among those who were without, because that Kay and Bedwyr had gone in.  And a young man who was with them, the only son of the herdsman, got in also; and he contrived to admit all the rest, but they kept themselves concealed.

The sword was now polished, and Kay gave it unto the hand of Gwernach the Giant, to see if he were pleased with his work.  And the giant said, “The work is good; I am content therewith.”  Said Kay, “It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me, that I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new ones.”  And he took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the other hand.  And he came and stood over against the giant, as if he would have put the sword into the scabbard; and with it he struck at the head of the giant, and cut off his head at one blow.  Then they despoiled the castle, and took from it what goods and jewels they would.  And they returned to Arthur’s court, bearing with them the sword of Gwernach the Giant.

And when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, “It is a good beginning.”  Then they took counsel, and said, “Which of these marvels will it be best for us to seek next?” “It will be best,” said one, “to seek Mabon, the son of Modron; and he will not be found unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his kinsman.”  Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors of the island of Britain with him, to seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they came to the castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was imprisoned.  Glivi stood on the summit of his castle, and he said, “Arthur, what requirest thou of me, since nothing remains to me in this fortress, and I have neither joy nor pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats?  Seek not, therefore, to do me harm.”  Said Arthur, “Not to injure thee came I hither, but to seek for the prisoner that is with thee.”  “I will give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up to any one, and therewith shalt thou have my support and my aid.”