A Tale of True Love for Valentine’s Day, “Sir Gawain and the Lady Ragnell”

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nd so it was… that the winter solstice was approaching in the times when the good King Arthur and his knights of the round table ruled Britania. he spirits and hearts of the people lay cold and hard as the winter ground itself. None more so than the good King Arthur. But there was one knight, Sir Gawain, who refused to let the winter dampen his very being and brought smiles and warmth to everyone he encountered. His very name meant the "Hawk of the May" which his mother had the foresight and wisdom to bestow upon him as he lay in her womb, waiting to be born.

e approached his lord one day and said to Arthur, "My king, let us go hunting in the green woods as I know that your heart is always lifted when we chase after good sport. It might be this very day that we will find the white stag." Arthur smiled at the knight with a new joy lit on his face and said; "Ah Gawain, you always know how to bring back the sun when I feel nothing but the cold. It is a fine idea to pursue this hunt and we will be blessed by the Lady herself if we were to find the white stag." The white stag was a creature made of magick and whomever slay him, was assured powers and a long life of vitality and health. Arthur told his servants to prepare him for the hunt and with Gawain by his side, rode forth into the greening wood covered by winters frost.

he horses pranced eager to be out for a ride after their long dormancy in the stables. The air they breathed from their nostrils practically froze as soon as it hit the cold winter woods, it was that cold. Arthur and Gawain felt the cold seeping into their bones as well, but with the excitement of what lay ahead, nothing could deter them from their purpose. The hours flew by as the king and his knight awaited for the appearance of the white stag, but he was elusive that day and they knew it was time for them to end the chase and return to the castle.

efore they were to leave the forest, Gawain suggested to the king, that just because the white stag lay out of reach for them, it would still bring them both pleasure to hunt down the next stag they found and bring it back to the castle for a feast. Arthur, always up for the game and pursuit of a hunt quickly agreed to this, and so as soon as they came upon a stag worthy of their hunt, killed him and prepared him for the long journey back to the castle.

he courtiers met them with good cheers and praise for them both, when they reached the castle, hailing Arthur and Gawain for their skill at bringing back such a noble animal. The beautiful ladies sighed with longing glances at Gawain as he was their favorite knight, wishing that each of them would become his chosen lady and wife. Gawain greeted each one of them, smiling and courteous as always, yet remained pure of heart and mind, for he had not yet found the right woman to become his true hearts delight and wife.

s the feast commenced, laughter and tales of merriment passed among the king and his people long into the night. And then when the moon rose full in her dress of winter white, a great clamour was heard at the castles door, causing a silence to pass among them all as they awaited to see what the disturbance may be. The doors flew open and lay splintered on the ground as a destrier, black as coal, standing thirty hands high, with eyes flashing like lightening and rearing high in the air, causing everyone who saw him, great fear and fright. The knight who rode him, was as tall and as big as any nightmare could be. Green of color was his skin, his eyes pierced and bore through everyones soul he glanced upon, the armour he wore was black as a ravens wing and the sword and lance he held in his hands surely had to be created by the underworld lord himself.

rthur!" his voice booming and ringing through the great hall. "You dare to enter my forest and slay one of my creatures? There is a price to pay and I am here to collect it from you this very night. Prepare for your death."  King Arthur stood still behind his tables, appearing calm to everyone's sight, yet all knew that their king was a mere mortal and therefore filled with the dread of one who was to die. The knights who protected the king, surrounded Arthur, prepared to protect him, yet none of them approached this fearsome Green Knight to challenge him and silence lay among them. Arthur strode up to the Green Knight and addressed him thusly;

o, it is YOU, who should approach me with great humility and beg for my forgiveness in coming here and laying threats before me as I am the king who rules this land. And it is my right to hunt and slay whatever creature I desire. Who are you so bold to come here threatening my people and challenging me to die?" Arthur replied. The Green Knight jumped off his stallion who pawed the ground causing flames of fire and smoke all around. Arthur despite his great words of courage, knew he was no match for this knight of death.

he Green Knight hefted his sword upon his shoulder, as if it weighed no more than a feather. "I am the Lord of the Forest and not one of your mewling subjects to bow before you. Because you have not offended me before by killing one of my creatures, you still yet have a chance to live if you answer this question correctly I will now ask you. If you give me the false answer, I will take this sword and cut off your head so that your people can watch it roll on the ground before them." A dreadful silence lay in those few moments before the Green Knight spoke again.

hat is the one thing that a woman desires most?" challenged the Green Knight. "Remember, if you give me the wrong answer, your life is forfeit tonight." Arthur knew that if he were to give a quick answer, the knight would strike him dead on the spot and said back to the Green Knight. "Sir, I cannot answer this easily and truthfully right now as I suspect that whatever answer I give you will be the wrong one. I therefore ask you to give me one year to give you the answer you now pose before me."

veryone held in their breath tightly, as they waited to see how the Green Knight would respond. The knight laughed with a low growl, "Very well, Arthur, I will grant this one favor. I know that you will never truly know what I ask. But, when I return in a year, and you give me the false answer, I will proceed with my plans and take off your head. Before Arthur could say anything, the Green Knight mounted his horse and turning him around rode off into the night away from the castle, laughing all the way.

t first no one dared to more or speak after the shock of what just transpired. And then all at once, loud murmours arose as everyone guessed aloud the question of  "what is it that women desire the most?" King Arthur listened to what was said aloud as his own knights approached him with their own answers. Arthur said nothing for a while and then proclaimed, "I give great thanks to each of you for your wisdom and courage with the challenge that was laid before me. But, I know I must ride among the whole land and ask every woman I meet, what it is she most desires. I will take the years time, this 'knight" challenged before me and when the year is up, I will return with the true answer and face the Green Knight."

e turned to his knights and chose a few among them to accompany him on his quest. Sir Gawain was the first knight he chose to ride with him. As preparations were made, Gawain came before his King and said, "My king, you have trusted my bravery and honesty ever since you knighted me. Let me go forth to find the answer, so that you may stay here and rest with ease. And then I will face this Green Knight when the year is up. If I give him the false answer, then let my life be forfeit so that you may live."

rthur smiled at Gawain and said, "Sir Gawain, never have I trusted you more than I do now, but I know that I must stand before the Green Knight and lay forth what I know to be the answer to what it is women desire most." Gawain knew that there would be no convicing his king to turn aside from this journey and readied himself to what lay ahead.

nd so Arthur and his knights rode throughout all the kingdoms he ruled, approaching each women they came across, asking them the question 'what is it that women most desire?' Every answer imaginable was given; 'true love," "riches and wealth," "to be a mother," "long lasting beauty," and on and on the answers were given. And yet, Arthur knew that none of these amswers felt right to him. The seasons were rapidly moving along and in a months time, the winter solstice would be occurring, and he would have to face the Green Knight with the true answer or he would be killed.

ith a heavy heart, Arthur and his men, made the journey back home to Camelot. Sir Gawain, attempted to lighten the darkness that surrounded him with assurances that truly they were ready to face the Green Knight with the right answer, but Arthur just smiled at him sadly and said no more until the castle. That December seemed to be even colder and crueler to the people then ever before. They all saw their king and his knights silent and looking ill at ease and they knew that Arthur had not found the right answer to the Green Knights question.

n a weeks time, the Green Knight would come barreling through the castle doors ready to see if Arthur knew the true answer to his question. A sense of gloom and heaviness overtook everyone at the court knowing that their king may die. Three days before the winter solstice, a strange and frightening figure appeared at the castles door asking to have an audience with the king. Those who saw her, drew back with disgust and immediate loathing with this person. For she had immense weeping pustules on her face and body, her teeth looked like small yellow fangs as she talked, her breath was as fetid as a dead mans corpse rotting in the sun, her gray hair lay lank on her scalp appearing in patches and her body was as stooped and hunched over making her appear like she was constantly taking a low bow to some unknown god on the ground.

he guards wanting to protect their king tried to bar her from entering, but she calmly and with great strength again demanded to see the king. Arthur hearing the commotion, approached this creature and asked her what she wanted of him. In a voice that was clear and steady introduced herself as "Lady Ragnell" and told Arthur that she knew the true answer to the Green Knights question. He was her half-brother and so she knew that she could save the kings life. The king drew her aside and listened intently as she gave him the right answer and a smile that stretched across Arthur's face assured him that Lady Ragnell was indeed the Green Knights relative and answered honestly.

y now everyone at court had seen Lady Ragnell and even though they were repulsed by her, drew closer to her and the king, curious to see what she had told him. Arthur called forth Sir Gawain and introduced her to him. When Lady Ragnell gazed upon Gawain's face a strange light appeared on her face and she made a clumsy curtsy. Arthur announced to everyone that Lady Ragnell was a guest that was to be treated with the highest respect and courtesy that they would extend to any of their kings visitors.

ir Gawain inwardly drew back from Lady Ragnell, but he politely asked for her hand and when she extended it, he gently kissed it and made a low bow back to her. Lady Ragnell's eyes never left Gawains face after that. Arthur announced that there would be a grand feast in honor of Lady Ragnell that very night. That night everyone was laughing and drunk with happiness because they knew their king would be saved from the Green Knights sword. During the middle of the feast, Lady Ragnell drew King Arthur aside and asked for an audience with him and Sir Gawain.

he king lead Lady Ragnell and Sir Gawain to a room where they would not be disturbed. She looked at both of the men and said; "Just because I freely gave you the answer you sought, does not mean that I don't expect anything in return." Gawain and King Arthur both bristled at Lady Ragnell's demand but quietly listened on to her. She said, "I want the boldest, kindest and most honorable of your knights, King Arthur to willingly marry me." A shock of silence passed between the two men and then Arthur spoke.

y dear Lady Ragnell, while I am most humbly grateful for the help you have provided, I cannot demand that any of my men fulfill your request and marry you." Lady Ragnell looked the king directly in the eye and said, "if I do not receive what I asked for, then a horrible plague will sweep the kingdom and all your people will suffer and perish." King Arthur knew that she had the power to do so and was silenced because he did not know what to do. Sir Gawain stepped forward and said, "I will marry you Lady Ragnell, with your consent if you would allow me to do so." Arthur spoke out loud to Gawain, "No, you cannot do this. As much as we are in debt to Lady Ragnell, I will not ask this of you."

ir Gawain replied, "My king, this lady has bravely stepped forth and has given us the means to escape the Green Knights wrath and it would be my privilege to take her for my wife." Gawain then took Lady Ragnell's arm under his own and walked back to the feasting courtiers. He announced loudly to everyone that he and Lady Ragnell were to be wed the night before the Green Knight was to make his appearance. Once again, a cloud of shock and silence overtook everyone. How could Sir Gawain, one of the most beloved of King Arthur's knights want to marry this hideous creature? Arthur looked at each of them, willing them to silence and gave his consent to the betrothal of Lady Ragnell and Sir Gawain.

he wedding day approached and everyone was busy with gossip as they prepared for the ceremony and following feast. Sir Gawain's fellow knights attempted at being happy for Gawain while among themselves they felt great pity that he would have to marry Lady Ragnell. The women of the court were helping Lady Ragnell to prepare for the wedding. They created a dress for her to fit her misshapen body and showed only the utmost respect for her. Lady Ragnell beamed with happiness and talked of her love for Sir Gawain. She refused to see their looks of  distaste and malice they were feeling for taking away one of their most cherished knights.

ach moment dragged on as they all awaited for the Green Knight to make his appearance. And when the Green Knight once more broke down the castle doors with his devilish steed, everyone stood deathly still, except for Lady Ragnell, who gave her calm smile as she sat next to her beloved Gawain. The Green Knight had not yet seen Lady Ragnell and with large strides came to face King Arthur. It was only then he saw his half-sister and an ugly look of anger appeared on his face, for he knew that tonight would not be the night he would get to slay King Arthur.

ith a growl, the Green Knight said; "King, once more I will ask you, what is it that women desire most? And if you give me the false answer, I will slay you on the spot." He swung his killing sword in front of him and waited for Arthur's reply. King Arthur feeling confident said, "Oh, that is easy to answer…all women want to have lasting beauty." The Green Knight picked up his sword just waiting to kill the king and yelled "WRONG!" Then Arthur said quickly, "No, what women want the most is sovereignty. The right to be their own person, owned by no man."

ll the courtiers waited to see if this was the right answer. The Green Knight lifted up his great sword and smashed the table in front of him with frustration and rage. "It is only with the monster Ragnell that you knew the right answer, King," the Green Knight said. "You have been saved from death tonight, but if I ever catch you in my woods again, you will not be so fortunate and I will slay you on the spot." With flames of anger shooting forth he rode out with his horse cursing Lady Ragnell and everyone within. King Arthur shouted out to everyone, "now let the wedding ceremony begin and then let us feast and dine in celebration of Sir Gawain and the Lady Ragnell."

fter the wedding ceremony took place and the feast began, Lady Ragnell turned to her new husband and with love in her eyes said, "I am not hungry for food. I will wait for you up in our bed chamber, please don't keep me waiting for too long," and strode up the stairs to their wedding chamber. Even though Sir Gawain willingly married Lady Ragnell he still felt a sense of dread that he was now her husband and would have to bed her that night. His friends ralleyed around him, encouraging him to drink so that he might have the courage to face the wife that waited for him in their chamber.

lowly, Sir Gawain, not fully drunk, walked up his wedding chamber to meet his new wife. The chamber was completely dark excpet for a few lit candles sitting next to his bed. He heard his wife say, "come husband, I have been waiting for this night for a long time now. Come and kiss your bride." Gawain made his way over to the bed and looked at his wife illuminated by the candle light. Before him, stood the loveliest lady he had ever seen. Her hair tumbled beneath her shoulders, rich and brown as new spring earth, her eyes shone out at him now clear and beautiful, her skin was the color of the finest alabaster, her lips rosy and sweet and her body evoked desire in him with her generous curves.

"hat devilment is this, lady? Who are you and what has happened to my wife, Lady Ragnell?" he gasped at her. She smiled and said with gentleness, "I am your wife, Lady Ragnell. You now see my true form. It is my half-brother the Green Knight who out of anger because I would not obey him, cast a curse on me so that I would appear in the form you knew me as before. It could only have been broken when a man full of courage and honor would willingly take my hand in marriage, which you have done."

he stepped forth to quiet anything Gawain might say and with gentleness and love kissed him on the lips. Lost in her beauty and magick, Sir Gawain made passionate love to her throughout the night.When the morning light made its way through their chamber, Gawain turned over to see his wife to make sure she was still as he remembered and not an illusion caused by too many goblets of drink from the night before. She smiled at him and he took her in his arms.

e said, "we must hurry below to show everyone your true beauty where they will adore you as much as I do." She was quiet for a minute and said, "Gawain, my beloved, listen carefully to what I'm going to ask you. With your faith you broke half the curse my brother laid upon me, but there is one part more. Either I can appear like this, during the day time for all to see or I can stay like I am now, only for your eyes alone in the night time. Please my love, answer my question carefully."

nly a moment paused before him when he replied; "my lady, it is not my decision to make on how you appear. Now, that I have seen your true beauty and have come to love you, I leave that decision to you."  Tears slowly fell down Lady Ragnell's face as she took his face between her hands. She gazed at him with complete devotion and love and said, "you have answered the way I knew you would. Because you have honored me with sovereignty I may stay in my true form, both night and day for all to see." Gawain held her closely in his arms and knew he had found his hearts only desire.

nd they lived happily ever after, more often than not…

(The Wedding of Gawain and Lady Ragnell or "Sir Gawain and the Lady Ragnell" was originally a late 15th century Middle English Arthurian legend. This is my version and retelling of the story.)

This has long been my favorite love story and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I do.

May each of you have true love with the one who knows you for your true beauty…

And so it is.

© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.

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