"Yes," they both replied.
"Then this is my decision. Let the lady stand between you and make her own choice. The one she chooses, he shall have her."
This was done, and at once the lady turned from the knight and went to the dwarf. Then the dwarf took her and went singing away, while the knight rode in grief and sorrow into the forest.
But the adventures of that day were not ended, for soon afterwards two armed knights rode from the forest, and one of them cried out loudly,—
"Sir Gawaine, knight of King Arthur, I am here to joust with you. So make ready."
"Since you know me, I shall not fail you," answered Gawaine.
Then the knights drew apart, and rode so furiously together that both were unhorsed. Springing up, they drew their swords and continued the battle on foot.
Meanwhile, the second knight went to the damsel and asked why she stayed with that knight, and begged her to go with him.
"That I will do," she replied. "I like not the way Gawaine acted just now, when one brave knight was overturned by ten dastards. So let us go while they fight."
The combat continued long, and then, as the knights seemed evenly matched, they ceased in amity, the stranger knight inviting Gawaine to spend the night at his lodge. As they rode thither he asked his host,—