meadow, where Luned was. And when he came there, he
saw a great fire kindled, and two youths with beautiful curling auburn
hair, were leading the maiden to cast her into the fire. And Owain asked
them what charge they had against her. And they told him of the compact
{47} that was between them; as the maiden had done the night before.
"And," said they, "Owain has failed her, therefore we are taking her to
be burnt." "Truly," said Owain, "he is a good knight, and if he knew
that the maiden was in such peril, I marvel that he came not to her
rescue. But if you will accept me in his stead, I will do battle with
you." "We will," said the youths, "by him who made us."

And they attacked Owain, and he was hard beset by them. And with that
the lion came to Owain's assistance; and they two got the better of the
young men. And they said to him, "Chieftain, it was not agreed that we
should fight, save with thyself alone, and it is harder for us to contend
with yonder animal, than with thee." And Owain put the lion in the place
where the maiden had been imprisoned, and blocked up the door with
stones. And he went to fight with the young men as before. But Owain
had not his usual strength, {48} and the two youths pressed hard upon
him. And the lion roared incessantly at seeing Owain in trouble. And he
burst through the wall, until he found a way out, and rushed upon the
young men, and instantly slew them. So Luned was saved from being
burned.

Then Owain returned with Luned, to the dominions of the Countess of the
Fountain. And when he went thence, he took the Countess with him to
Arthur's Court, and she was his wife as long as she lived.

And they took the road that led to the Court of the savage black man. And
Owain fought with him, and the lion did not quit Owain, until he had
vanquished him. And when he reached the Court of the savage black man,
he entered the hall: and beheld four and twenty ladies, the fairest that
could be seen. And the garments which they had on, were not worth four
and twenty pence. And they were as sorrowful as death. And Owain asked
them the cause of their sadness. And they said, "We are the daughters of
Earls, and we all came here, with our husbands, whom we dearly loved. And
we were received with honour and rejoicing. And we were thrown into a
state of stupor, and while we were thus, the demon who owns this Castle,
slew all our husbands, and took from us our horses, and our raim