reached the top of the Earl's hall, and thence he got to the top of
the Castle, and he sprang down from the walls and went and joined
Owain. And the lion gave the giant a stroke with his paw, which tore
him from his shoulder to his hip, and his heart was laid bare, and
the giant fell down dead. Then Owain restored the two youths to
their father.

The Earl besought Owain to remain with him, and he would not, but set
forward towards the meadow where Luned was. And when he came there
he saw a great fire kindled, and two youths with beautiful curling
auburn hair were leading the maiden to cast her into the fire. And
Owain asked them what charge they had against her. And they told him
of the compact that was between them, as the maiden had done the
night before. "And," said they, "Owain has failed her, therefore we
are taking her to be burnt." "Truly," said Owain, "he is a good
knight, and if he knew that the maiden was in such peril, I marvel
that he came not to her rescue; but if you will accept me in his
stead, I will do battle with you." "We will," said the youths, "by
him who made us."

And they attacked Owain, and he was hard beset by them. And with
that the lion came to Owain's assistance, and they two got the better
of the young men. And they said to him, "Chieftain, it was not
agreed that we should fight save with thyself alone, and it is harder
for us to contend with yonder animal than with thee." And Owain put
the lion in the place where the maiden had been imprisoned, and
blocked up the door with stones, and he went to fight with the young
men, as before. But Owain had not his usual strength, and the two
youths pressed hard upon him. And the lion roared incessantly at
seeing Owain in trouble; and he burst through the wall until he found