And now on a day Arthur bade us note that the said witch was growing
weary of him, and he bade me look to it; for, said he, she is turning
her face toward thee, brother. My heart burned with rage at that
word; I said nought, but made up my mind that I would try to bring
the matter to an end.

That same night befell what Arthur had threatened; for the feast
being done in the evening, the witch drew me aside while the music
was a-playing, and caressed my hand and my shoulder, and said: I am
yet wondering at you Champions, that ye must needs follow after those
three wretched thralls, whom never will ye find, for they. need ye
not, but will flee from you if ye have sight of them, as they did
that other day; and therein they are scarce in the wrong, whereas
they may well think that if ye find them they should fall into my
hands; for easily may I take them any day that I will, and then I
have a case against them, and may lawfully chastise them according to
the law that has been given unto me; and then shall they be in
grievous plight. Wherefore the rede We give unto you three now is
the rede of friendliness that ye make yourselves happy in Our Island,
and then will We do everything We may for your pleasure and delight;
and if ye will that We make Ourselves even fairer than now We be,
that may be done, and shall be a reward unto you for your yielding
and obedience. And if ye will women thralls for your pleasure, that
also may be gotten for you; for We be not wholly without power in
these waters, though We have no keel or ferry upon them. And now,
thou fair lad, We give thee this last word: Ye Champions have been
dwelling in Our house a long while, and that while have ever striven
to thwart Us. We now counsel you to make an end of it, and it shall
be better for you.