Once upon a time…

This post is a WIP.

The great advantage of horseback riding, over driving a car, is that you don’t perpetually have to look where you’re going. This proved fortunate for Erec. As he spent the entire journey, staring at Enide as if to memorize her every form and feature. Enide likewise did little to restrain herself, the two competed as to who would admire the other more.

They spoke only a little. Words won’t suffice to speak the welling up in Erec’s heart, and what could young Enide say to this stranger who had suddenly taken possession of her heart and life.

They journeyed on in joy of one another.

Yder Arrives at Court

Now let us hurry on ahead through field and wood to the court of Arthur. Gawain and Kay were looking from the parapet across the countryside, and towards the wood where it seemed to them a knight, a damsel, and a dwarf were riding towards the castle. The knight looked sorely battered and beaten.

Gawain remarked to Kay. “I believe this must be the trio of which Queen Guinevere spoke. Let us inform her majesty.” When Guinevere heard. She did not delay, but went with Kay to the parapet where Gawain awaited. “Indeed, those are the three,” she said, “and Erec has beaten that knight and sent him here to me a prisoner, or else that knight has beaten Erec and comes to gloat, but surely he has been in a fierce battle.”

Now Yder arrived at the gate. Dismounting, he knelt and surrendered himself to the queen. She inquired about Erec, and he told the full tale. He told them also that Erec would be coming soon with a maiden by his side. “More beautiful than any I had seen before.”

The Wedding

Thus, Camelot was prepared when Erec arrived, and he was greeted with joy, and Enide also. Arthur himself lifted her out of the saddle, and set her laughing upon the ground. At Erec’s request, and to the Queen’s great pleasure, Guinevere took Enide to her chamber and dressed her in a lovely garment of her own.

After this she goes before Arthur and all the knight’s of the Round Table. Enide blushes before so many bold admiring eyes, but though she’s lived a secluded life she knows well how to conduct herself. Her parents raised her dreaming of her noble heritage.

The time for the wedding draws near. Erec sends word to delight Enide’s parents. They are escorted to Camelot, with all honor. The wedding is a fine affair and after that a tournament. Erec gains yet more renown. At last, the wedded couple bid farewell to Arthur, his Queen and court. And travel to the land where Erec was born. King Lac meets his son and new made daughter upon the road. Then, all together, they return to the kingdom of Erec’s birth. The king delights greatly now he knows his son’s new queen. And so do all the knights. The roads are thronged with people to greet them. Enide is overwhelmed by the change in her condition. She’s radiant with joy.

At this point, another tale might have had enough.

Such a tale might claim that they lived happily ever after and with that make an end. This is not that sort of tale. This is only a prologue to the great adventure. Marriage is the subject of our story. One full of folly, and many reckless pains. The adventure has only just begun.

Now it cannot be doubted that Erec loved his wife, indeed he hardly ever got out of bed before noon. Men spoke ill of him for that. They said that since his marriage he neglected tournaments that he no longer took away the prize. He did not fight the wars he ought to fight, he no longer sought adventures abroad with his knights. He spent night and day with his love whom he had made a sweetheart, a mistress and a wife. Some called it regrettable, others reprehensible. Enide grieved to hear their talk and sickened at conversations suddenly cut short at her approach. Soon every smile offended her. She didn’t have a clue what she ought to do and no longer took pleasure in her lord’s caress. She wanted to speak but never had the courage to displease him.

Confession

One morning, one late morning, as the bright day streams in through the open window, as the courtyard bustles and sounds like noontime, as she waits for her sleeping love to wake, such thoughts as these and many more well up within her breast and she cannot contain her misery, “Alas! I was born to shame the noblest knight in all the world. Unhappy man to marry me.”

Now Erec stirs at her sound and seeing his pretty one in tears, he puts his arms about her, strokes her hair and wishes to know the secret of her grief. Enide tries to put him off, she protests, “It’s nothing!” And wipes away the tears. Now Erec presses her, he will not be denied.

At last the girl delivers her long pent up complaint. “My lord,” says she , “When we walk in the castle or ride along the hedges, in the court or in the town. Do you not hear what men say of you! You no longer act as a knight should! In tournaments you leave the prize for others, of wars you are neglectful. It is the talk of all, and every knight and squire, the very serving men and women cast the blame of it on me! They say you are so wrapped up in me, that I have so seduced you, that all your knighthood goes to ruin.” Her words trail off into silence. All the softness in Erec’s eyes has gone.

“Then this, lady, is the matter of your grief?” He says.

Enide sits still. Silence now seems best to her.

His next words bring little comfort to his wife, “this rebuke is just. I will heed your warning.”

Erec calls a servant to the door, “Ready my lady’s palfrey! She has present need of it.” Then rising, he commands his wife to clothe herself in her finest garb, and curtly leaves the room.

Now she’s all alone. The sunlight streams in as before. Out below her window the sound of midday bustle ignores the silence of her empty bower. At last the distraught girl cries aloud, “What! Have I complained that my lord loves me more than I desire? Foolish girl, now you will pay for your presumption! Surely my lord is ashamed of me! In shame he will drive me out, Oh, God! He will banish me!” Now again collecting herself she wipes her tears, rises, seeks out her loveliest raiment and dresses herself in obedience to Erec’s command.

Erec Prepares an Adventure

Now Erec summons to himself squires and arms, horse and lance. Swiftly he arms himself swifter he leaps upon his steed. The great black stallion whinnies with excitement and Erec has much ado to keep the animal on all fours. “Go, to my lady.” he bids the squire standing by, “bid her come to me, this delay vexes me.”

Enide meets the hasty lad upon the step, the boy knows well when he sees the start of a story. He bows to her and conveys her lord’s command. Enide listens in surprise. The knights who attend her, urge her to make haste, they wish to see their lord in arms again. Thus Enide enters the courtyard beautiful, cheerful, not a trace of tears. She knows well how she ought to seem. Erec looks on her and his anger falters. “Lady…” he says, and hearing him her heart beats faster. He heeds not his knights as they urge him to command them, his thoughts are for her alone. She offers up a hopeful smile, but Erec scowls and turns away in anger.

Off at Last

A voice cries from the hall “Son! My son!”, and from the step the old King Lac comes hastening. “Why such haste, why have you failed to bid your knights make ready? You have neither men nor provisions neither gold nor pavilions!” Now Erec tells them precisely his intention, how he wishes the thing to happen.

“I want no company but my wife. I seek adventure, Do not urge companions upon me, but if my wife returns to you alone grant her honer and wealth out of love of me.”

Now they all begin to weep, father, knights and the gathering crowd!

Erec grows perplexed, “Lady, I await you,” he motions Enide to mount her palfrey, it is saddled and ready. “Father do not weep, I’m neither slain nor in prison, I will return when God wills and when I can.”

A Strange Command

So Erec and Enide left the castle of king Lac, leaving sorrow behind them. Now they are upon the road and Erec commands Enide to lead the way, to go on ahead of him, to ride quickly, and not to dare speak on any account. Thus they ride on in silence for a while, Enide leading, she knows not whither.

Peril upon the Road

Then it chanced that three knights, who were camped in ambush at the side of the road, saw them.

One said to the others, “Do you see those two? A knight and a lady, very fair and well dressed? Their horses are not bad either. Allow me the honor. I will attack the knight. First. His armor will be mine.”

The other two willingly agreed. At that time, it was the custom among chivalrous brigands to attack honorably, one by one. It would have been deemed a great treachery if the three were to attack Erec all at once. Thus, one rode ahead while the others waited in reserve.

Her First Transgression

Now, Enide, looking back, saw them coming up behind her husband. And a fright took hold of her.

“What am I to do?” she thinks. “My lord has commanded me never to speak, but that violent knight will strike him from behind if I do nothing.”

And so, after a little debate within herself, she at last calls out, “My lord. Do you not see that they are coming upon you from behind? Defend yourself!”

Erec glares at her. “What is this you’ve said? Did I not command you to keep silent?”

Then turning, he rushes upon the knight.

The First Battle

The two issue their challenges and rush together, but the foe misses Erec with his lance, where Erec strikes him square upon the shield, splitting it in two and piercing his breast with the spear. The knight falls from his saddle, he will not rise again. The steel has drunk his life’s blood.

Now, the second knight spurs his horse and rushes to the assault. But Erec’s lance catches him beneath the jaw. Blood spits forth from his neck, and the man drops instantly. The third knight, seeing the fate of his comrades, turns tail and flees, but Erec pursues him hotly.

Erec calls after him in challenge, lest he strike him from behind. The rider heeds him not and keeps on galloping, so Erec catches up and strikes him such a blow upon the spine that the man topples from his horse to the ground.

Erec cares no more about him, but collects the three horses, and gives them into the charge of Enide, to lead upon the road. Warning her never to be so bold as to speak again without permission. And so they continue.

In those days, the roads were very bad.

There was little law and order once you left the town, and so it chanced that five more knights spotted them, and these were like the former awaiting adventure (as it was called in those days) by the side of the road. They were greatly delighted at the sight of Enide and the horses. They divided it all among themselves right then and there. One would take the black horse, another one the dappled, another the white. Another would take the girl and yet another would take the armor of the knight. Then they drew lots, and he who had the honor of the first attack rode out to assail Erec.

Now, Erec perceived them, but pretending to be oblivious, he kept silent. and bowed his head, as if in thought. So when Enide saw that yet more knights were coming after her lord, and that he was unaware of them. She began to torment herself with doubt and debate.

Her Second Transgression

“What shall I do?” she thought. “If I say nothing, this knight will come up behind him and strike him down. And yet, he has commanded me to keep silent. He has become so mad and senseless I do not know but he would even kill me! I dare not transgress his command a second time. But if I do not? What will become of me? It would be better to be killed by my lord than fall into the hands of these ruffians. God, why do I delay? Whatever my fate I should deserve it if I do not speak.”

And so, softly and tentatively, “My lord,”

“What is it?” Spoke Erec, harshly.

“I only wished to tell you,” she said in as timid and inoffensive a voice as she might manage, “that there are five knights coming up behind you. True, only one of them is… actively charging at your back, but… nonetheless, the other four will quickly aid him if the need arises. I thought you ought to know.”

Now, Erec was very angry. “Did I not tell you not to speak? Why do you bother? It has not earned my gratitude. Another time, be silent. I will forgive you this once more. But do not count on such clemency a third time.”

Slaughter

Then Erec turns and rushes upon his foes. One by one, he dispatches them. The first, he strikes down with his lance. Another, he chases till the fleeing horse tumbles into a brook drowning its rider amid the torrent. Yet another, fleeing helter-skelter leaps from his horse, drops his weapons, and runs off unarmed into the woods. Erec lets him go he takes no interest in an unarmed man. He rounds up all five of the horses, leaving his enemies dead, wounded and scattered. Again, he delivers the horses to Enide. She has much ado to lead all eight of them. And thus, they continue a little longer.

End of the First Day

Now Erec, after so many fights, grows weary. At earliest evening, he draws rein beside an oak tree. “Come, he says, we’ll rest here. Do thou sleep, and I will watch.”

But Enide positively refuses. “My lord, she says, it is not for me to sleep, but for you, who are more weary. I will hold the horses and stand guard.”

This pleases Erec greatly, and he lays himself down at the foot of the tree. Enide lays a cloak over him, and watches all the night. lamenting and berating herself for her foolish word when she questioned her lord’s valor.

“Did I not know,” she thinks, “that he was the best knight of them all? And here I have just seen him defeat eight knights, one after another, as if it had been no trouble at all. What a fool I was to speak out, for I had everything even his love. And now I am in disgrace, I have nothing, aside from this herd of horses.”

To be continued…

One springtime Gwynevere and her maiden were riding along a wooded glade listening to the hounds and the horns of Arthurs hunt. Erec, the young knight, kept them company. As they went on their way a strange cavalcade appeared on the road ahead, a knight, a damsel, and a dwarf. The knight was a haughty fellow, the damsel held a sparrowhawk, and the dwarf carried a scourge. From a distance Gwynevere hardly saw these interesting details, but she sent her damsel on ahead to inquire who the trio might be.

The Insult

Now just as the girl would open her mouth, the dwarf bars her way raises his whip and even strikes her, sending the maiden in tears back to her mistress. Gwynevere, stubborn in her anger, urges Erec to try once himself.

“I wish to know who this knight may be!” She insists, but Erec fares no better, he gets a blow across the face.

Now Erec dared not draw his sword for he was unarmed and he saw that the other knight was a proud fellow and armored from head to toe in mail.

Erec chose the better part of valor and retreated to the Queen. My lady he said, “I will follow this knight and once I find someone who will lend me a hauberk and helm then this knight will pay for his insolence.” The Queen commended Erec to God, more than five hundred times says the text, and off he went on this adventure.

The Town of Lalut

Now at last Erec came upon a town, it seemed to be the destination of the trio. It was a fair sight, surrounded by pavilions with flags flying and knights and fair ladies all in bright colors, with hawks and falcons upon their wrists.

Just beyond the throng and press of the town and its surrounding festal camp, he found a long, low house and a white-haired old gentleman sitting outside upon the step.

Now Erec rode into the yard. He gave the man good day and asked, if he might stay the night, for the man seemed kindly and like a generous host. And so the old man proved to be! He welcomed Erec and called his daughter from the house to take the man’s horse and give it feed and water.

Now Enide appeared, laughing in the doorway. Her face and figure were most beautiful. Her skin was white, her cheeks were red. Her little face shone in the light of her eyes. Her hair was golden and wreathed her face, dropped to her shoulders, and fell past her waist. She pleased Erec mightily from head to toe. She wore a plain white shift, and over it a torn and tattered kirtle, secured about the waist with a piece of rope.

Hospitality

So soon as she sees the young well dressed knight, she, the laughing maiden quickly sobers up. and quietly hurries to take his horse’s bridle. Erec has quite forgotten himself. He simply gazes on the maiden at his saddlebow. He little thinks to stir. She blushes a little and hides her smile. The old man chuckles, not a bit displeased. Erec, coming to himself, alights, but his eyes do not leave the girl until she’s led the horse into the stable. The old man smiles to see the young knight’s wonder, and in the house he introduced him to the girl’s mother.

Now they eat and the evening passes pleasantly. Erec will not hide his pleasure at the sight of his host’s lovely daughter.

Admiration does not stop his tongue however, he inquires regarding all the commotion in and about the town, the pavilions and the flags, the falcons and the knights. Most of all he inquires about that one haughty knight with his damsel and his dwarf. These questions quickly find their answer. The old man tells him everything.

It seemed there was a tournament held annually in this town for the possession of one fine bird, that was to belong to the fairest lady in the land. Now this same knight whom Erec was seeking, had without a contest taken away the prize for his lady two years in succession, and should he succeed a third year the bird would belong to his damsel once and for all.

Hearing this and looking on Enide, Erec’s mind at once begins to work upon another quarrel.

A Bold Request

“Noble host,” announces Erec, “I do not like that knight! If you know where I may find a set of armor, poor or fine it does not matter, I would enter upon the contest for the bird tomorrow. I would teach that proud knight a lesson. Nevertheless I am alone, but had I your daughter by my side I would make a just quarrel and prove her alone in all the world worthy of this prize.”

The young girl blushed and looked at the ground. Erec’s boldness pleased her greatly. She listened in suspense to her father’s reply.

“Indeed, I have a set of armor,” the old man slowly replied, “and you are most welcome to it. A horse as well should you have need of it. I am not so poor as I may seem to you. I do not mix with my wealthy kinsfolk, it is true. My daughter has grown up in seclusion, she is my treasure and I guard her jealously. What is your lineage, from where do you come. Many a noble man has sought her hand before this! I have refused them all. If your confidence comes through disdain for my condition, this suit will not go well for you.”

Then Erec replied, he’s not at all abashed.

“Little do you know what kind of stranger you have taken into your home, good sir. I am Erec, son of King Lac, a knight of Arthur’s court. I wish to make your daughter my wife in time to come my queen.”

Now Enide was delighted and her father astonished.

“We have heard before now of Erec,” he exclaimed. “Then you are indeed that most valiant knight? Many knights and nobles have come to seek my daughter’s hand, but they were all brash fellows, with words greater than their deeds. I have kept her patiently waiting for the best, now gladly I consent to your request. If she wishes it, my daughter will go with you tomorrow.” Anyone could see the maiden wished it, her blushing smile filled all of them with joyous laughter.

Now it was late. And the old man commanded his daughter to show Erec to the room prepared for him.

She lights a taper and leads the way. He will not keep his eyes from the lovely guide. Now she comes to the door and opens it, she waits for him to enter. He looks down upon her face as he moves by her. The candlelight gleams in her smiling eyes and golden light flickers in her hair as it tumbles about her breast. She shuts the door, and Erec is left alone. He does not sleep at all that night. He tosses and turns with thoughts running past tomorrow.

Preparations for Battle

Now, as soon as Erec heard the sounds of waking and of morning life. He rose from bed. And went to greet his host. Together they go to church and attend the Mass, but when they return, the old man brings Erec to a storeroom. There he shows him an excellent hauberk, a helm, all that he needs for the battle. There also he finds Enide and she dutifully arms him, fastening the straps of his greaves and lacing on the metal veil that guards his face.

When Erec is armed and ready, he leaps upon his great black horse, Enide rides a little palfrey. There is nothing remarkable in the saddle, the little horse is got up as plainly as she is.

They go through the town. And knights and ladies look with admiration. Some say, “this knight will take away the prize…” And others, “Surely, he must win or else suffer shame, such a lovely damsel is by his side!” Now they come to the open place where the battle is to be fought. The rude knight is there, fully armed. The contested sparrowhawk is set upon a perch where all may see the prize.

The Battle with Yder

Now that all have gathered, the reigning champion calls to his lady, “Go, take up the hawk. For it is thine. You are more worthy of it than any in the world. None will contest this, no man will dare to trouble you.” Now, the damsel would have reached out her hand to take the hawk, but Erec interjects in a loud voice. “Stop right there, young lady. For that hawk is not yours. It belongs by right to this maiden, here with me, for she is far more beautiful than you not to mention more intelligent.”

Now, Erec’s chosen foe grows red behind his metal mask. Words do not long suffice these two. And after a few more bitter taunts, they rush upon each other like arrows loosed from bows, reaching out, seeking one for the other with their lances. They strike with such force that both are knocked backward, shatter their saddles behind, and tumble, falling to the ground.

Up they leap again at once, and drawing swords, they come together. Smashing shield on shield, and hammering blade on helmet and shoulder. It is a bitter conflict and lasts a long time. Their armor protects them only a little. They’re all black and bruised and bloody beneath. Their shields are knocked to kindling! Now the weary warriors have spent their blows, Erec hangs like millstone upon the others neck and that one fights to keep afoot.

Exhaustion

At last Erec’s foe struggles free of this burdensome embrace “Wait!” Shouts the knight, “Let us rest a moment. These blows we deal are far too weak. Do you feel no shame to fight so sluggishly before your lady! Let us rest!”

Erec, grants the justice of this, “Truly,” he replies, “I grow ashamed of grappling.” His eyes sting with bloody sweat. Stumbling from the field he falls from his aching legs upon a bench. Enide rushes to him, unlaces the linked metal from his face and gives him water. She weeps not knowing what do or how to comfort a man all covered in metal and blood.

Seeing his ladies grief, Erec is on fire again to fight, he thinks upon that knight’s insolent dwarf and he calls out, “Let us finish this battle, we have rested too long already!”

“That is no hardship for me,” says the other knight, not quite truthfully, and they stand together once more.

Finale

At once the other strikes Erec such a blow that it shears off a corner of his helmet and hacks off a rasher of the hauberk from his side. Quickly Erec repays him, smiting him so hard upon the helm that it splits, and then again and again, tell his blade penetrates the bone, but not the brain. His foe staggers, stunned by the trauma. Erec leaps upon him at once, knocking him to the ground! Erec tears the helmet and mail from his foes face, and would have slain him then and there, had not the knight cried out, and surrendered himself. “I am within an ace of killing you!” seethes Erec.

The knight protests, “What ill have I done, that you should bear me mortal hatred!” Then Erec reminds the knight how his dwarf had insulted him on the road, but all the more Erec’s beaten foe begs for forgiveness and for his life. At last, Erec lets him go, but commands him to present himself at Arthur’s court, and yield himself to Guinevere, the queen.

Journey to Camelot

There’s much rejoicing that evening at the old man’s house. The count and many knights and ladies come over to keep them company. Enide dallies with her hawk, the bird Erec has won for her, she feeds it with a plover’s wing.

She is the joyous center of attention. One of her cousins would have given her a fine silk gown, but Erec refuses, “I wish to present her to the queen, even as she is, even as I found her.” And so that’s settled. But nonetheless. Her cousin gives her a fine palfrey with an elegant saddle. Erec does not object to this. And the evening goes on merrily.

In the morning Erec wishes to depart. Enide’s parents are grieved to let her go, and weep much, though they are glad, for they know their daughter will someday be a queen. Now at last Erec and Enide set forth on the rode to Camelot!

To be Continued…