And so the year passes and winters’ chill was in the air
As silently snow laid it’s billowy white skirts everywhere.
Time’s gentle reminder to Sir Gawain that his return meeting
With the green knight was near, impressing on him that his time was fleeting.
Arthur was loath to bid his favourite knight farewell
Unknowing of the future he feared his cousin may be riding into hell.
He well recalled the Green Knights’ visit at Christmas time the the year before.
Brave Gawain saluted his king and told him to just pray for him, he had taken the challenge and he knew the score.
So brave Gawain set off into the unknown to find The Chapel Green
Having no idea what lay in store for him, he was not too keen.
Through trials and tests he made his way, ever onward in search of his fate
He had to find the Green Chapel he only had one chance he could not be late .
Tired and weary with only four days left to spare
Gawain, our brave knight happened upon a castle in the middle of nowhere.
From out the shadow came a kindly Lord, Bertilak de Hautdesert by name
He invited our hero in for a bite to eat , he asked “where are you going Sir Gawain “
In the warm and welcoming hall the lord and lady made Sir Gawain comfortable.
As they ate and drank and spoke of his travels Gawain notice an old woman at the far end of the table.
No one introduced her but she was treated with great respect
Gawain noticed she was an ugly crone and on this he did reflect.
Please Sir knight Bertilak entreated do stay here a while the Green Chapel is but one day’s ride from this place.
Gawain was tired and this offer he did embrace.
The next morning the lord of the castle had gone hunting, he left word that he would would give Gawain whatever he might catch that day.
If Gawain would give to him anything he had gained during that day.
The lady of the castle visited Gawain in good grace With all her female guile she tried to seduced him.
Being a knight of honour and of loyalty he refused her not wanting to commit a sin.
Gawain though sorely tempted refused the lady’s charms but to so as not to hurt her he accepted a kiss.
On Bertilak’s return he presented Gawain with his spoils in return Gawain gave him a kiss, the lord asked not from whence it came nor took it amiss.
The second and the third day too Bertilak repeated his terms, that he would present his hunt spoils to Gawain for what ever Gawain that day had earned.
The lady of the Castle also tried to give herself, each day, to honourable Sir Gawain.
Each day he turned her down allowing only an extra kiss each day though he did find it a strain.
The lady grew more amourous and Gawain, only a man, but he refused her each time and
Both evenings he gave Bertilak the kisses he had received for the hunts spoils that were put into his hand .
Then upon the third morning when the lady begged his favours she offered him her sash of green
She told him it would keep him alive and safe , with his impending doom, this hope to take, he was keen.
Gawain took the sash and bound it around his waist. He hoped it would help survive the Green Knight’s axe.
That evening on his return Bertilak received three kisses again he did not ask from whence they came
To be continued ………………………………………………
willowdot21 