In the middle of the repast the Earl began to bid Owain welcome.
"Then," said Owain, "behold, it is time for thee to be cheerful."
"Heaven knows," said the Earl, "that it is not thy coming that makes
us sorrowful, but we have cause enough for sadness and care." "What
is that?" said Owain. "I have two sons," replied the Earl, "and
yesterday they went to the mountains to hunt. Now there is on the
mountain a monster who kills men and devours them, and he seized my
sons; and to-morrow is the time he has fixed to be here, and he
threatens that he will then slay my sons before my eyes, unless I
will deliver into his hands this my daughter. He has the form of a
man, but in stature he is no less than a giant."

"Truly," said Owain, "that is lamentable. And which wilt thou do?"
"Heaven knows," said the Earl, "it will be better that my sons should
be slain against my will, than that I should voluntarily give up my
daughter to him to ill-treat and destroy." Then they talked about
other things, and Owain stayed there that night.

The next morning they heard an exceeding great clamour, which was
caused by the coming of the giant with the two youths. And the Earl
was anxious both to protect his Castle and to release his two sons.
Then Owain put on his armour and went forth to encounter the giant,
and the lion followed him. And when the giant saw that Owain was
armed, he rushed towards him and attacked him. And the lion fought
with the giant much more fiercely than Owain did. "Truly," said the
giant, "I should find no difficulty in fighting with thee, were it
not for the animal that is with thee." Upon that Owain took the lion
back to the Castle and shut the gate upon him, and then he returned
to fight the giant, as before. And the lion roared very loud, for he
heard that it went hard with Owain. And he climbed up till he