thing else that thou mayst have to say to me."

* * * * *

So Sir Ewaine abided at that place and he defended the Fountain so well
that no one came thither to assail it who was not overthrown, and from
all whom he thus overthrew, Sir Ewaine took horse and shield and sent
them away from that place afoot.

And Sir Ewaine dwelt in the Valley of the Fountain for nigh a year, and
in that time he and the Lady Lesolie of the Fountain were betrothed to
one another with intent to be wedded when the year was ended. And ever
Sir Ewaine loved the Lady of the Fountain more and more, and ever she
loved him more and more.

Yet oftentimes Sir Ewaine bethought him of the King's court and of his
friends thereat and at those times he would long for them with a very
great passion of desire. So it befell upon a day that Sir Ewaine and the
Lady Lesolie were in the garden of the castle and Sir Ewaine sat sunk in
deep and silent thought concerning those friends and that court. And
meanwhile the lady watched him askance. Then by and by she said: "What
is it that lieth upon thy mind, Messire, that causeth thee to take so
much thought to thyself?"

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine longeth for the court of the King._]

Then Sir Ewaine aroused himself and said: "Lady, it is that I think much
of my friends and companions of the court of King Arthur. For now nigh
to a year hath passed and in all of that time I have heard no single
word of any of them."

Then the Lady Lesolie said, "Ewaine, art thou discontent with us at this
place?" He said: "Nay, lady, thou knowest I am very well content and
more than well content to be thus forever with thee. Yet ne'theless I
would that I might have word of my companions, for I know not how it
fareth with them. And furthermore, I would fain know whether they who
went in quest of Sir Launcelot with me have yet heard anything of that
noble and worthy champion."

Then the Lady Lesolie said: "Ah, Ewaine, I fear me that thou thinkest so
much of thy friends that thou wilt, in a little while, be discontent to
remain with us any longer." To which Sir Ewaine said: "Lady, thou
knowest very well that that could never be." And she said, "Art thou
sure of that?" "Yea," quoth Sir Ewaine, "I am well assured of it."

Then the Lady of the Fountain said: "Ewaine, I have it in my mind that
thou shalt go and visit thy friends at the court of the great king. For
after thou hast seen them and hast satisfie