So the Prince and Princess advanced at a gentle trot until they were quite close to the others, and the Owl sat on her shoulder.
When they were quite close the knights tried to get one behind the other just as if they had done something they ought not to have done, and were each afraid of being punished first.
In particular the Princess noted the giant and dwarf, the ambassadors of the evening before; they tried to hide themselves behind the others altogether. For the dwarf this was easy enough, but for the poor giant, he could not manage it at all, he was so very big.
However, she did not look at all angry, and she only said:
‘Good-morning, my lords.’
And they replied in chorus:
‘Good-morning, your Majesty.’
So she went on:
‘I have come to ask you why you have assisted my rebellious subject, and what grievance you have? If there is any I will try to redress it.’
One of the nobles replied: