Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

342 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[397]Owain and the Black KnightOwain was, of course, fired by the tale of Kymon, and nextmorning at the dawn of day he rode forth to seek for the sameadventure. All passed as it had done in Kymon's case, but Owainwounded the Black Knight so sorely that he turned his horseand fled, Owain pursuing him hotly. They came to a “vast andresplendent castle.” Across the drawbridge they rode, the outerportcullis of which fell as the Black Knight passed it. But so closeat his heels was Owain that the portcullis fell behind him, cuttinghis horse in two behind the saddle, and he himself remainedimprisoned between the outer gate of the drawbridge and theinner. While he was in this predicament a maiden came to himand gave him a ring. When he wore it with the stone reversedand clenched in his hand he would become invisible, and whenthe servants of the lord of the castle came for him he was to eludethem and follow her.This she did knowing apparently who he was, “for as a friendthou art the most sincere, and as a lover the most devoted.”Owain did as he was bidden, and the maiden concealed him. Inthat night a great lamentation was heard in the castle—its lord haddied of the wound which Owain had given him. Soon afterwardsOwain got sight of the mistress of the castle, and love of her tookentire possession of him. Luned, the maiden who had rescuedhim, wooed her for him, and he became her husband, and lordof the Castle of the Fountain and all the dominions of the BlackKnight. And he then defended the fountain with lance and swordas his forerunner had done, and made his defeated antagonistsransom themselves for great sums, which he bestowed amonghis barons and knights. Thus he abode for three years.The Search for OwainAfter this time Arthur, with his nephew Gwalchmai and withKymon for guide, rode forth at the head of a host to search fortidings of Owain. They came to the fountain, and here they metOwain, neither knowing the other as their helms were down.