eth; 'take it to her, and
commend me to her grace, and say I will come when I may, and bid her
to be faithful to me, as I am to her.' After that Sir Gareth rode
deeper into the forest.

Though Sir Gareth had left the tournament he found that there were as
many fights awaiting him as if he had remained there. He overcame all
his foes, and sent them and their followers to do homage to King
Arthur, but he himself stayed behind. He was standing alone after they
had gone, when he beheld an armed Knight coming towards him. Sir
Gareth sprang on his horse, and without a word the two crashed
together like thunder, and strove hard for two hours, till the ground
was wet with blood. At that time the damsel Linet came riding by, and
saw what was doing, and knew who were the fighters. And she cried 'Sir
Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave fighting with your brother Sir Gareth.'
Then he threw down his shield and sword, and ran to Sir Gareth, and
first took him in his arms and next kneeled down and asked mercy of
him. 'Why do you, who were but now so strong and mighty, so suddenly
yield to me?' asked Sir Gareth, who had not perceived the damsel. 'O
Gareth, I am your brother, and have had much sorrow for your sake.'
At this Sir Gareth unlaced his helm and knelt before Sir Gawaine, and
they rose and embraced each other. 'Ah, my fair brother,' said Sir
Gawaine, 'I ought rightly to do you homage, even if you were not my
brother, for in this twelvemonth you have sent King Arthur more
Knights than any six of the best men of the Round Table.' While he was
speaking there came the Lady Linet, and healed the wounds of Sir
Gareth and of Sir Gawaine. 'What are you going to do now?' asked she.
'It is time that King Arthur had tidings of you both, and your horses
are not fit to bear you.'

'Ride, I pray you,' said Sir Gawaine, 'to my uncle King Arthur, who is
but two miles away, and tell him what adventure has befallen me.' So
she mounted her mule, and when she had told her tale to King Arthur,
he bade them saddle him a palfrey and invited all the Knights and
ladies of his Court to ride with him. When they reached the place they
saw Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine sitting on the hill-side. The King
jumped off his horse, and would have greeted them, but he swooned away
for gladness, and they ran and comforted him, and also their mother.

The two Knights stayed in King Arthur's Court for eight days, and
rested themselves and grew strong. Then said the King to L