and Peredur were equipped, they set forth to follow him, by reason of
their fellowship and of the great friendship that was between them.
And they did not go after him in company together, but each went his
own way.

At the dawn of day Gwalchmai came to a valley, and in the valley he
saw a fortress, and within the fortress a vast palace and lofty
towers around it. And he beheld a knight coming out to hunt from the
other side, mounted on a spirited black snorting palfrey, that
advanced at a prancing pace, proudly stepping, and nimbly bounding,
and sure of foot; and this was the man to whom the palace belonged.
And Gwalchmai saluted him. "Heaven prosper thee, chieftain," said
he, "and whence comest thou?" "I come," answered Gwalchmai, "from
the Court of Arthur." "And art thou Arthur's vassal?" "Yes, by my
faith," said Gwalchmai. "I will give thee good counsel," said the
knight. "I see that thou art tired and weary; go unto my palace, if
it may please thee, and tarry there to-night." "Willingly, lord,"
said he, "and Heaven reward thee." "Take this ring as a token to the
porter, and go forward to yonder tower, and therein thou wilt find my
sister." And Gwalchmai went to the gate, and showed the ring, and
proceeded to the tower. And on entering he beheld a large blazing
fire, burning without smoke and with a bright and lofty flame, and a
beauteous and stately maiden was sitting on a chair by the fire. And
the maiden was glad at his coming, and welcomed him, and advanced to
meet him. And he went and sat beside the maiden, and they took their
repast. And when their repast was over, they discoursed pleasantly
together. And while they were thus, behold there entered a venerable
hoary-headed man. "Ah! base girl," said he, "if thou didst think it
was right for thee to entertain and to sit by yonder man, thou
wouldest not do so." And he withdrew his head, and went forth. "Ah!