Who Controls the Green Knight?

As the Green Knight drew back his ax-blade,

he contemplated the action of killing Gawain.

Would the killing of this man be just?

The majestic green one "lifts his ax lightly and then allows

it to fall" severing the head from the body.

Gawain's head rolled down the grassy knoll,

it stopped at a rock, facing the Green Knight.

The Green Knight could see the last bit of light

in Gawain's eyes. Kneeling down, whispering in Gawain's

ear the Green Knight calmly states, "If this was my choice,

I would have spared you, my friend"

Unbeknownst to Gawain the Green Knight was not acting

on his own accord, but following the instruction of another.

Walking away from the body the Green Knight wonders.
Was this the right thing to do?
Was Gawain the knight that he had been looking for?
No, he failed the test, and the instructions were clear.
The Green Knight could not present an unworthy man
to the one who placed this task upon him.
As the Green Knight returns to his home he looks upon
that grassy knoll, where the head of Gawain remains.
This was not the first time the Green Knight had
challenged a brave soul, and tricked him with falsehoods;
and it would not be the last. As the world turns so does the
Green Knight, looking for a gallant individual to pass his test.
Then, and only then will the true king of Britain be found,
and the Green Knight be rid of the curse that was put upon
him so many years ago.