"We shall not part so lightly," said Marhaus. "I shall bring you through the forest, and mayhap ride farther with you."
For seven days more they rode onward without adventure. Then they found themselves on the borders of a still greater forest, in what was known as the country and forest of Arroy and the land of strange adventures.
"It is well named," said Marhaus. "For it is said that no knight ever rode into this country and failed to find adventures many and marvellous."
They rode onward into the forest before them, and in good time found themselves in a deep and stony valley, traversed by a fair stream of water.
Following this upward, they soon came to a fair fountain, the head of the stream, beside which three damsels were seated.
Of these, the eldest was not less than threescore years of age. She wore a garland of gold upon her head, and her hair was white beneath it. The second damsel was thirty years of age, and she also wore a circlet of gold. The third was not over fifteen years old, and her garland was of flowers.
The knights halted and looked at them in surprise, asking them why they sat by that lonely fountain.
"We are here to await knights-errant who come in quest of adventures," they said. "If you three knights are in search of things strange and stirring, each of you must choose one of us. When this is done we shall lead you unto three highways, one of which each of you must take, and his damsel with him. This day twelvemonth you must meet here again, and to all this you must pledge your troth, if God give you your lives to return."
"You speak well," said Marhaus. "Adventures we seek, and no true knight-errant hesitates before the unknown and the dangerous. We shall do as you say, each of us choose one of you, and then, whatsoever fortune wills, let it come."
"As for me," said Uwaine, "since I am the youngest and weakest of the three, I choose the eldest damsel. I have more need of help than either of you, and her age and knowledge may aid me well."
"Then I shall take her of middle age," said Marhaus. "She fits me best."
"I thank you both," said Gawaine. "You have left me the youngest and fairest, and the one most to my liking."
This said, each damsel took the reins of her knight, and they led them to the parting of the three ways. Here the knights took oath to meet at the fountain that day twelvemonth if they were living, kissed each other, and departed, each knight taking his chosen lady on his steed behind him. Of the three ways, Uwaine took that which lay west, Marhaus that which lay south, and Gawaine took the way that lay north.