The Lady of the Fountain

The Lady of the Fountain by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton

Kynon, a bold young knight who believes no feat beyond him, rides into unknown lands and reaches the castle of the Man in Yellow, where he is splendidly entertained by the lord and twenty-four beautiful damsels. Seeking proof of whether any man is his superior, Kynon is directed through a wood to a huge one-footed, one-eyed black warden who commands innumerable wild creatures. The warden tells him to find a fountain beneath a green tree and cast water from a silver bowl upon a marble slab. Kynon performs the act, bringing thunder and a deadly hailstorm that strips the tree bare. Birds then gather and sing, while an unseen voice accuses him of ruining the place. A Black Knight appears and immediately defeats him, carrying off Kynon’s horse. Humiliated, Kynon returns to the Man in Yellow’s castle and eventually rides back to Arthur’s Court. After hearing the tale, Owain resolves to seek the fountain. He follows Kynon’s path, endures the storm, and fights the Black Knight. Owain gives him a mortal wound and pursues him to a castle, but the falling portcullis kills Owain’s horse and traps him inside. A maiden named Luned gives him a ring that makes him invisible and hides him from those seeking to kill him. The wounded Black Knight dies, and Owain sees the dead knight’s beautiful Countess mourning because her lands will lack a defender for the fountain. Luned persuades the Countess that a knight of Arthur’s household can protect her, then secretly presents Owain as such a warrior. Though the Countess suspects that he killed her former lord, Luned argues that his strength makes him the proper replacement. The Countess and Owain marry, and for three years he guards the fountain, defeating challengers and generously dividing their ransoms among his followers. Arthur, saddened by Owain’s disappearance, leads his household to seek him. At the fountain, the Black Knight overthrows Sir Kai and the other knights until Gwalchmai fights him. When Owain sees that his opponent is his cousin, he reveals himself and rejoins Arthur. Arthur visits the Countess’s castle, then asks leave for Owain to spend three months at Court. Owain stays away for three years, forgetting his wife and the People in Yellow. Luned rides into Arthur’s hall, takes back the magic ring, and denounces him as faithless. Ashamed, Owain wanders among barren mountains until he becomes ragged, weak, and nearly lifeless. A widowed Countess finds him in her park and sends a maiden with precious balsam, clothes, and a horse. Restored to health, Owain learns that a neighbouring earl has seized the Countess’s lands because she refused to marry him. Borrowing arms and a horse, Owain captures the earl and gives him to the Countess. In exchange for his life, the earl restores her earldoms and yields half his own domains, along with his treasure. Owain again rides into wild places and finds a lion threatened by a serpent. He kills the serpent, and the lion becomes his devoted companion, bringing him wood and food. Owain then hears the imprisoned Luned, who explains that the Countess’s pages confined her in a stone vault after she defended Owain’s honour; unless Owain rescues her by a set day, she will be killed. Seeking lodging, Owain reaches an Earl’s castle and learns that a giant has captured the Earl’s two sons and demands his daughter. Owain and the lion fight the giant, and the lion finally kills him, saving the children and their sister. Owain then returns to Luned as two young men prepare to burn her. He offers to fight in Owain’s place. Though hard pressed, he is aided by the lion, which breaks free from confinement and kills both opponents. Luned recognises her rescuer, and she, Owain, the lion, and the Countess of the Fountain live happily together.

By E.M. Wilmot-Buxton · First published 1905 · Genre: Arthurian Romance, Welsh Mythology and Legend, Chivalric Romance · 5,918 words

First lines

I. The Tale of Kynon

Kynon was the only son of his father and mother, and a very brave and daring young knight. He thought there was nothing in the world too mighty for him to do; and after he had achieved all the possible adventures in his own country, he equipped himself with horse and armour, and went forth to journey in desert and unknown lands.

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Celtic mythology · Arthurian legend · Welsh folklore · medieval romance · fairy tale · chivalric adventure · King Arthur's court · Caerleon-on-Usk · enchanted fountain · knights-errant · magical ring of invisibility · quest for honor

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The Lady of the Fountain is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton, dated 1905 CE.

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