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'If it be that I must think of wedding again so soon, sighed the countess, 'go then to King Arthur, and find me such a knight. But let him be gentle as well as brave, with fine and courtly manners a man, indeed, whom I can really love. Elined went and kissed the flushing cheek of her mistress. 'Trust me for that, she said gently. 'I would do that as much for myself as for thee, my dear Carol.
'This is my meaning, said Elined. 'Thou knowest that without a man of knightly prowess and bravery, thou canst not hope to guard the fountain and keep these wide dominions in the power of thyself. Thou art the prey and booty of any bold bandit lord that chooses to make war upon thee, and to capture and wed thee.
But it was not the knight whom the countess had expected, but a stranger, with a courtly and gentle manner and a winning smile. Then from behind him came Elined, full of smiles, with a look of triumph in her eyes. 'My lady, she said, bowing low, 'this is the knight, Sir Owen of Wales, from the court of King Arthur, whom I have brought to protect you and wed you.
This knight called himself the Earl of Drood, but Elined was in the crowd of gaping townspeople that saw him enter, and she knew him for the old insolent lover of her mistress, whom the countess had ever despised, Sir Dewin of Castle Cower. Sir Dewin disguised himself so that the countess did not know him.
'My name is Elined, said the maiden, 'and since thou bearest the Blue Stone of the Little Folk, I must aid thee all I can. At that time she would tell him no more, but shortly left him to his rest, saying she would come to attend upon him again at the dawning.
At which Sir Dewin, though full of rage, must needs seem content. And the countess hoped that, in the space she had named, Elined would have returned with the knight of her choice, and she herself could choose him for her lord, if she thought he was the man whom she could most trust and love.
Elined was advanced to the place of Chief Lady of the Household, while Decet was made Head Huntsman, because he loved the forest, and knew the ways of every bird and beast that lived therein. It befell on a time that King Arthur made proclamation of a great joust and tournament which should be holden at Camelot fifteen days after the Feast of the Assumption.
'Indeed, thou art brave and bold, sir knight, said the maiden, 'and much may you win, if you are as faithful in your service and devotion to her as you have been in the service of your king, the great Arthur. And when it had passed midday, Elined said to Sir Owen: 'You must keep this chamber while I go and woo for thee. Stir not out into the city lest ill befall thee.
For did it not often go to my heart to see thee pine for gentle speech and affection, and sorrow at the harsh words thou didst suffer? I will set forth at once to Caerleon, and him that I bring shall be worthy of thee. And all others that may come and woo thee, do thou keep at arm's length until I return. Elined departed from the castle, but she did not go beyond the town.
With the master words which move the living rock, the troll caused the stone to open, and Elined stepped forth, exceeding glad to see Sir Owen and her brother again, and to feel the free air upon her cheeks. When it was morning they went on their way with great gladness.
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