Chapter Chapter 153 · How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other

. How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other

to King Arthur, and of the appointment of their wedding.

And among all these ladies she was named the fairest, and peerless.

Then when Sir Gawaine saw her there was many a goodly look and goodly

words, that all men of worship had joy to behold them. Then came King

Arthur and many other kings, and Dame Guenever, and the Queen of

Orkney. And there the king asked his nephew, Sir Gareth, whether he

would have that lady as paramour, or to have her to his wife. My lord,

wit you well that I love her above all ladies living. Now, fair lady,

said King Arthur, what say ye? Most noble King, said Dame Lionesse, wit

you well that my lord, Sir Gareth, is to me more liefer to have and

wield as my husband, than any king or prince that is christened; and if

I may not have him I promise you I will never have none. For, my lord

Arthur, said Dame Lionesse, wit ye well he is my first love, and he

shall be the last; 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; an I

have not you and wield not you as my wife, there shall never lady nor

gentlewoman rejoice me. What, nephew, said the king, is the wind in

that door? for wit ye well I would not for the stint of my crown to be

causer to withdraw your hearts; and wit ye well ye cannot love so well

but I shall rather increase it than distress it. And also ye shall have

my love and my lordship in the uttermost wise that may lie in my power.

And in the same wise said Sir Gareth’s mother.

Then there was made a provision for the day of marriage; and by the

king’s advice it was provided that it should be at Michaelmas

following, at Kink Kenadon by the seaside, for there is a plentiful

country. And so it was cried in all the places through the realm. And

then Sir Gareth sent his summons to all these knights and ladies that

he had won in battle to-fore, that they should be at his day of

marriage at Kink Kenadon by the sands.

And then Dame Lionesse, and the damosel Linet with Sir Gringamore, rode

to their castle; and a goodly and a rich ring she gave to Sir Gareth,

and he gave her another. And King Arthur gave her a rich pair of bee of

gold; and so she departed.

And King Arthur and his fellowship rode toward Kink Kenadon, and Sir

Gareth brought his lady on the way, and so came to the king again and

rode with him.

Lord! the great cheer that Sir Launcelot made of Sir Gareth and he of

him, for there was never no knight that Sir Gareth loved so well as he

did Sir Launcelot; and ever for the most part he would be in Sir

Launcelot’s company; for after Sir Gareth had espied Sir Gawaine’s

conditions, he withdrew himself from his brother, Sir Gawaine’s,

fellowship, for he was vengeable, and where he hated he would be

avenged with murder, and that hated Sir Gareth.