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.

Rags to Riches

I think the story could have had a different overall theme by changing the ending in a small way.  The story I am telling starts when Arthur calls in all of the women to try on the mantle.

“Now every single lady shall try on the mantle.”

All the fairest and most beautiful women in the world try on the mantle, but it does not fit well on any of them.  One after another the men are confident that their beloved will be the first to be true and faithful to him, but one after the other, each woman and man is ashamed of the result.

Behind the scenes while everyone was distracted by all the women trying on the mantle, a rather poor and unattractive woman wanders into the King’s court after hearing all the commotion from outside.

After all of the fair maidens, dressed in the queens most elegant clothing, fail to fit the mantle, Arthur realizes that there is still one woman left to try on the mantle.

“Excuse me miss, all the women have tried on the mantle so you will too.”

Many of the men object to this because she is not a fair maiden and think she does not deserve to wear the mantle.  However, Arthur brushes their wishes aside and she puts on the mantle.

The mantle fits perfectly as the woman has always been truly faithful to her lovers.  Suddenly the men no longer worry about her looks and are very attracted that they have finally found a woman who is loyal.  They all wish for her to be their own beloved knowing that they will not have to worry about her being unfaithful.

The Modern Mantle Saga

If the Saga happened today, it would probably be a Miss America pageant:

The final five contestants stand in a line on the stage. Arthur, the night’s host, takes center stage with a big smile. “We have one question left to ask you, ladies, then we will decide who is our next Miss America.”

The audience applauds as the ladies grin and wave in nervous excitement.

“Contestant number one, please step forward.”

She does and the spotlight follows her to the standing mic.

Arthur takes the question card from his blazer pocket, does a double take at the card, and tries to keep a cheerful tone as he reads, “The final question for contestant number one is… um… ‘how many men have you slept with?’”

The audience gasps. The contestant’s smile falters. She gives a nervous laugh and says, “I’m not sure I’m comfortable answering that question, Arthur.”

“You know what, you’re right. Let’s ask our judges.”

Judges Meon, Kay, and Valven put their heads together and discuss for a moment. “Nope, we want to know the answer to this question,” says Kay. “We want to make sure that our new Miss America is not a disgrace to her beloved.”

“Well, okay then,” says Arthur. “Contestant, do you have an answer?”

The contestant smiles and leans toward the mic, “None but my beloved Paternas.”

In an instant, the spotlight turns red.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It seems you’ve lied,” says Arthur. “Next contestant?”

The remaining contestants try other answers to please the judges, but each one gets a red spotlight. The audience murmurs in disappointment. Kay, especially, is disapproving of the contestants.

“It would appear that none of our contestants can tell the truth about this matter,” says Arthur. “Therefore, we will have to search for a new Miss America. Tune in next week to find out who it is!”

Who is the real winner Culhwch or Ysbaddaden

How It Should Have Happened – Just Skip the Hunt and Kill Ysbaddaden

In order for me to get the permission of Ysbaddaden to marry his daughter I need to get a bunch of resources for him Culhwch explains.

Arthur sighs and explains, “You know I love you, but I do not have time to get all those resources for you. I have greater responsibilities than journeying all over to get things for Ysbaddaden.”

Culhwch, frustrated, leaves Arthur and goes back to talk to his father. “What are we to do? I am not going to wed my stepsister!”

His father shrugs, leaving Culhwch even more frustrated. Culhwch storms off and returns to Arthur to attempt to persuade Arthur to help.

“Arthur please,” Culhwch begs, “my stepmother wants me to wed her daughter!”

Arthur laughs. Culhwch, angrily clears his throat and puffs out his chest and states, “I will not settle for anything less than Olwen.”

“Give me some time to think,” Arthur says.

“Why don’t you send your troops over to kill Ysbaddaden? That would take far less time than me searching for all the resources Ysbaddaden has requested. Also, you will be viewed as a feared leader because you can have his land and power,” Culhwch bargains.

Arthur, Culhwch, Merlin and the troop set out on a quest to kill Ysbaddaden and take his daughter. Once they reach the gatekeepers, Arthur says from his horseback, “You will go retrieve Ysbaddaden at once. Tell him that I am here to talk with him and I will not wait.”

 “You will give us Olwen now or we will take her by force” Arthur demands.

 “Fine,” he says, “we will return tomorrow and negotiate again.”

However, when it nightfall came, King Arthur and his men charged the castle, killing several people before ultimately murdering Ysbaddaden. The battle was over when the sun just started to rise. Merlin wandered his new home while Culhwch wandered to find Olwen to consecrate their marriage at once. 

Page 34- “It’s easy for you to do that, son” said his father to him. Arthur is your first cousin