` My lord , ' said Kai , ` let me throw the water on the slab , and receive the first adventure that may befall . ' ` Thou mayest do so , ' answered Arthur , and Kai threw the water . Immediately all happened as before ; the thunder and the shower of hail which killed many of Arthur 's men ; the song of the birds and the appearance of the black knight . And Kai met him and fought him , and was overthrown by him . Then the knight rode away , and Arthur and his men encamped where they stood . In the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to try to overcome him , which Arthur granted . But once more he was unhorsed , and the black knight 's lance broke his helmet and pierced the skin even to the bone , and humbled in spirit he returned to the camp . After this every one of the knights gave battle , but none came out victor , and at length there only remained Arthur himself and Gwalchmai . ` Oh , let me fight him , my lord , ' cried Gwalchmai , as he saw Arthur taking up his arms . ` Well , fight then , ' answered Arthur , and Gwalchmai threw a robe over himself and his horse , so that none knew him . All that day they fought , and neither was able to throw the other , and so it was on the next day . On the third day the combat was so fierce that they fell both to the ground at once , and fought on their feet , and at last the black knight gave his foe such a blow on his head that his helmet fell from his face . ' I did not know it was thee , Gwalchmai , ' said the black knight . ` Take my sword and my arms . ' ` No , ' answered Gwalchmai , ` it is thou , Owen , who art the victor , take thou my sword ' ; but Owen would not . ` Give me your swords , ' said Arthur from behind them , ` for neither of you has vanquished the other , ' and Owen turned and put his arms round Arthur 's neck . The next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make ready to go back whence they came , but Owen stopped him . ` My lord , ' he said , ` during the three years that I have been absent from thee I have been preparing a banquet for thee , knowing full well that thou wouldst come to seek me . Tarry with me , therefore , for a while , thou and thy men . ' So they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain , and spent three months in resting and feasting .
And when it was time for them to depart Arthur besought the countess XXXXX she would allow Owen to go with him to Britain for the space of three months .
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