"What is the prize?" asked Sir Geraint.
"A hawk, a sparrow-hawk made of gold. This nephew of mine is very strong and has always overcome every knight who has opposed him in these tournaments, which are held yearly. It is because he has won the prize so often that he is called the Sparrow-hawk. But tell me, is there some lady whom you love?"
Then Sir Geraint said:
"I love this child of yours, my lord, and will gladly make her my wife if you will permit it."
The earl was very glad, but Enid was afraid, for she thought she was not worthy of such a great knight. Yet, she knew she loved him, and said so, and soon promised to go with him to Arthur's Court within three days.
The next morning, the earl and Sir Geraint and Enid went to the field where the tournament was to take place. Many knights and ladies were there. The ladies sat under a pavilion which was draped in purple velvet ornamented with gold, while the knights were on horseback. A herald blew a trumpet, and the knight who was called the Sparrow-hawk galloped into the field.
He rode around it three times, and then went up to the pavilion and said to his lady:
"I give you the gold sparrow-hawk again, because no one dares to fight with me for it."
Then Sir Geraint rode forward in his rusty armor and said:
"I will fight with you."