Chapter 3, How the Lady of the Lake Took Back Her Necklace from Sir Peleus The next day, true to his word.
In response to the Lady Attard's taunts, Sir Gawain challenged Sir Peleus to a fight and Peleus accepted.
Everyone watched as the two great knights and former friends faced each other.
The Lady Attard watched from a distance, but as Sir Peleus once again wore the magical necklace—
She found herself wishing that he would win.
The two men crashed together in the middle of the field.
At first it seemed that Peleus had won.
So Gawain's spear broke and he was pushed forcefully off his horse, hitting the ground as though dead.
But as Peleus rode off, he realized that he too had been injured.
The tip of Gawain's spear must have pierced his armor and broken off in his side, for he was in great pain and bleeding heavily.
Parsonette and a dwarf happened to be riding through the forest at just that time and came upon the suffering Peleus.
The dwarf knew of a holy hermit healer who might be able to help, and they carefully brought Peleus to the hermit's home.
They arrived too late, however, for Peleus was already in his final death swoon.
"'I'm afraid nothing can be done,' the hermit said."
Just then the door opened and a beautiful lady strode in, dressed all in green, with arms covered with bracelets of emeralds and opals.
She had an ivory face and her eyes were as sparkly and as black as her hair.
The hermit knew immediately that she was no ordinary human.
Give me just a few minutes with this man, she begged.
I can help him.
I promise not to use any bad magic.
The hermit agreed.
Once left alone with Peleus, Nimue first took her necklace from around his neck and put it back on her own.
Next, she pressed a magical stone to Peleus's wound and watched as the spearhead was pulled out.
Upon the blood that quickly followed, Nimue pressed a square of a magical cloth.
Finally, she brought forth a small tube filled with a blue potion.
Pouring a drop onto Peleus's dry lips.
She watched as the wounded knight came back suddenly from the edge of death.
There was no denying, however, that he had come back as someone different.
Am I dead?
Peleus asked her.
No, Nimue replied.
But you are no longer what you were.
In order to save your life, I had to give you a potion that made you only half man.
You are also now half fairy.
Nimue now wore the magical necklace, and as Ser Pellius gazed upon her, he felt nothing but gratitude and love.
In fact, as half fairy, he felt better than he ever had.
His body was as light as air and his soul was filled with joy.
Can I now come to live with you?
He asked.
Since you have saved my life, can I now give you that life forever?
Nimue whispered.
Since the first time I saw you, that is all I have ever wanted.
The two sealed their new love with a kiss.
Meanwhile, Parsonat and the dwarf, unaware of Peleus's recovery, had made their way back to Grantmessel with the news of his coming death.
Sir Gawain, still weak from his fall, was beside himself with guilt.
"'First I betrayed him,' he said, "'and now I will be responsible for his death.
I must go and seek his forgiveness.'
Gawain stopped first at the hermit's home and then continued on in the direction.
The hermit told him that Peleus and Nimue had gone.
He was happy to learn that Nimue had healed his friend, but he still needed to find him and make things right.
Gawain rode until the forest began to grow quite dark.
Suddenly there appeared a pale blue light, seemingly for Gawain to follow.
In that light, which shone brighter and clearer than the moon, Gawain was able to see every petal of every tall flower that surrounded him.
Arriving finally at a beautiful blue lake, Gawain realized that he must be in the land of the fairies.
Suddenly he saw Nemue and something that looked like a spirit come out of the lake.
Realizing that the spirit was Peleus Gawain happily rushed forward to hug him, but Peleus stopped him gently.
Peleus explained to Sir Gawain that he was now only half human.
He told Gawain that he loved and forgave him, but that his life would now be something else.
Something lived with Nemue.
But where will you go?
Sir Gawain asked.
I will be there, Sir Peleus said, pointing to the lake where Sir Gawain saw only water but where Peleus promised there was a wonderful city of gold and blue and fields full of flowers.
Sir Gawain looked into the face of Sir Peleus and saw that it was now ivory as well, with jet black eyes that sparkled like jewels.
But he also saw true happiness there.
Promising Peleus that he would apologize to Guinevere, Sir Gawain turned to go.
He watched both sadly and happily as Peleus and Nimue turned and walked off into the water.
Therefore, Gawain and the other men returned to Camelot where, true to his promise, he made a fragile peace with Queen Guinevere.
Sir Marhaus was made a companion of the round table and went on to become one of its most famous knights.
And with all of the other knights gone and the Lady Attar looking favorably upon him again, the long-suffering Sir Angamore quickly married her and became the Lord of Grant Messel.
