aside his sword
and shield and took Sir Ewaine into his arms and embraced him before
them all, even as Sir Ewaine had embraced him. Then either kissed the
other upon the face, and after that all the others of those who were
one-time companions of Sir Ewaine came forth and also gave him greeting,
rejoicing beyond measure to see him again.

Then Sir Launcelot brought Sir Ewaine to where was the Lady Elaine and
he made the one acquainted with the other, and Sir Ewaine took the Lady
Elaine's hand into his and kissed it with a great ardor of love. After
that they all sat down together in full amity of discourse.

Then Sir Launcelot said to Sir Ewaine: "Messire, I prithee tell me how
it is that you have come hither and are now dwelling here as the
champion of this fountain. For certes, it is a very strange thing to
find you thus engaged."

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine telleth his story._]

To this Sir Ewaine made reply, "I will tell thee." And thereupon he told
them all that had befallen him since he had left Sir Percival to go upon
that Adventure of the Fountain in the which Sir Sagramore had failed to
achieve success as aforetold. Meantime all they listened to him with
great attention and with close regard. And when he had ended, all said
that that was as wonderful an adventure as ever they had heard tell of
in all of their lives.

Then Sir Ewaine said: "Gentles all, I pray you of your courtesy that you
will wend with me to the castle where dwelleth my fair beloved lady, for
certes it would be a great honor to her and to me to have you become
acquainted with her."

[Sidenote: _They come to the castle of the Fountain._]

So said Sir Ewaine, and all agreed with great joy to what he said, so
shortly afterward they departed from that place and betook their way
down that Valley of the Fountain to the castle of the Fountain as Sir
Ewaine asked them to do, and they arrived at that place somewhat past
the noon of the day.

There they were received with great joy and rejoicing, and after that
for several days there was feasting and merrymaking and pleasant sports
of all sorts at the castle of the Fountain.

* * * * *

Now after several days had passed thus joyously at the castle of the
Fountain, it chanced that Sir Ewaine and his lady and Sir Launcelot and
the Lady Elaine were together in the garden of the castle, and no one
else was there but they. So as they sat in discourse Sir Launcelot said