And the maiden took up her abode in the palace; and she had many
companions, both men and women, and there was no maiden more esteemed
than she in the Island of Britain.

Then spake Gwenhwyvar. "Rightly did I judge," said she, "concerning
the head of the stag, that it should not be given to any until
Geraint's return; and, behold, here is a fit occasion for bestowing
it. Let it be given to Enid the daughter of Ynywl, the most
illustrious maiden. And I do not believe that any will begrudge it
her, for between her and every one here there exists nothing but love
and friendship." Much applauded was this by them all, and by Arthur
also. And the head of the stag was given to Enid. And thereupon her
fame increased, and her friends thenceforward became more in number
than before. And Geraint from that time forth loved the stag, and
the tournament, and hard encounters; and he came victorious from them
all. And a year, and a second, and a third, he proceeded thus, until
his fame had flown over the face of the kingdom.


And once upon a time Arthur was holding his Court at Caerlleon upon
Usk, at Whitsuntide. And, behold, there came to him ambassadors,
wise and prudent, full of knowledge, and eloquent of speech, and they
saluted Arthur. "Heaven prosper you," said Arthur, "and the welcome
of Heaven be unto you. And whence do you come?" "We come, Lord,"
said they, "from Cornwall; and we are ambassadors from Erbin the son
of Custennin, thy uncle, and our mission is unto thee. And he greets
thee well, as an uncle should greet his nephew, and as a vassal
should greet his lord. And he represents unto thee that he waxes
heavy and feeble, and is advancing in years. And the neighbouring
chiefs, knowing this, grow insolent towards him, and covet his land