"Master, the peril is past. Yet let us not tarry to complete this adventure."
So they went through the castle and slew all that foul company except such as were willing to become Christian men. And they found there vast treasure of gold and silver. Then the dwarf brought a golden basin, fit for an emperor, and a well-tempered sword, and fell on his knees before Gawain, and said:
"If ever I did aught for thee, take this keen sword and strike off my head."
"Now God forfend!" exclaimed Gawain. "Not for all the red gold would I have thee slain."
"Have done, my master. I have no dread. In this basin let me bleed and thou shalt see a new play."
Sorrowfully, Gawain took the brand, and with one blow he smote off his head. And when the blood fell into the golden basin, the dwarf stood up in his own guise of a stalwart knight. Sir Gromer he was hight.
"Blessed be thou, Sir Gawain. Well hast thou quitted me for my aid."
Then they went throughout the castle and released many a captive knight and lady who had been held there in dolour. And after they had feasted they crossed the ocean water and returned to King Arthur's court, where there was great joy of the seventeen bright ladies thus restored.
Sir Gromer, the former dwarf, went down upon his knee before Arthur: