#like at one point there are two damsels they are not adressed independently

[justmebeingcurious]

Reading Amadís of Gaul Cap. 3

So, I forgot to mention the dream King Perión had in the last chapter, but it is very relevant now, let me recount it. Perión dreams of a being entering his chamber via secret passage, rips out his heart and tosses it into the river, which scares the shit out of him. Naturally the Kings asks why that being did it and they reveal that he is a time-lord, having two hearts, one left in his chest.  

Still very distraught by this dream, that sure as heck has meaning, given that we already know what that heart in the river could mean, right?

So, Perión does what every King does, he gathers people around himself to, to be precise, three, get the reference, to interpret his dream. And they do, more or less.

“Know then, said the master, that what you saw cast into the river, is the child which she has had by you. And that other heart that remained? what should that be? You may interpret the one by the other, answered Ungan (the Picard): you will have another son, who will in some manner be taken away against the will of her that caused the loss of the first. Strange things hast thou told me! said Perion, and may it please God that the latter part, the misfortunes of my children, prove not so true as what thou hast told me concerning the lady whom I love. The master answered, None can alter the things which were ordained by God, nor know where in they shall end.”

A damsel appears, does some prophesying to King Perón: “When thou recoverest thy loss, the kingdom of Ireland shall lose its flower!”  

I am pretty sure, that the countries they reign and live in has meaning, but honestly, I couldn’t care less. Perión works with people from Ireland. Either I missed it, where it was stated which land Perión rules, or it is not mentioned.

And then the point of view is changed to Scotland, where Gandales is raising Amadís. I maybe should have mentioned that in the last part.

“He was called the Child of the Sea, for so they had named him, and with much care was he brought up by that good knight and his wife, and he grew and became so fair, that all who saw him marvailed.”

Weird flex, but okay. I will let that pass... If I had a penny for a knight of royal descent and water themed event in his backstory, I would have two pennies. Which is not a lot, but it is weird that it happened twice. Nah, this is way to loose.

So, King Gandales rode out, in the beginning with King Languines, but they part ways, and meets the damsel who prophesied to King Perión, she tells him that “Ah, Gandales if many great personages knew what I know, they would cut off thy head! Where fore ? quoth he. She replied, because thou nourishest their death.” And then she leaves. He is like what the heck was that and rides on.  

But alas the damsel returns, this time in great peril, because now she is followed by a knight who is about to kill her. (Honestly, my dear, what did you expect? That every knight is going to be too dumbfound to react? You kinda had this coming. At this point it doesn’t matter if she is a woman, telling such prophecies would get everyone into trouble. This sidenote is getting out of hand, but genuine question, was Merlin warmly received, when he announced Arthur´s birth? Just wondering...)

Back to the plot: King Gandales seperates the two and starts to fight the other knight.

“What? said the other, wouldst thou protect her, who by her art has made me lose body and soul? Of that know I nothing, said Gandales, but protect her I will, for women are not to be thus punished, even though they deserve it.” King Gandales supportes women´s wrongs? I wonder how that is gonna play out.  

The other knight retreats back into the forest he came from, there another damsel hands him his shield and lance and starts to attack King Gandales. And they fight.  

The prophesying damsel intervenes, orders the foreign knight to kneel in front of her, which he gladly does, throwing shield and lance away. Next, she tells him to get rid of that damsel in the forest, which he does. Leading the forest damsel to cry and ride away, thinking her friend was under some kind of spell. Then the prophesying damsel does some more prophesying.  

“I tell thee, he whom thou foundest in the sea shall be the flower of knighthood in his time; he shall cause the strongest to stoop, he shall enterprize and finish with honour that wherein others have failed, and such deeds shall he do as none would think could be begun nor ended by body of man. He shall humble the proud, and cruel of heart shall he be against those who deserve it, and he shall be the knight in the world who most loyally maintains his love, and he shall love one answerable to his high prowess. And I tell you that on both sides he is of kingly parentage. Now go thy way, and believe that all this shall come to pass, and if thou discoverest it, there shall happen to thee therefore more evil than good.”

SHE IS IN LOVE WITH THE (fair) KNIGHT GANDALES FOUGHT???? And she is forcing her love on him? Or am I misunderstanding this: “howbeit I cease not for that to bring him to my will, whatever he can do”

Her name is Urganda the Unknown. AND SHE IS KEEPING UP A FALSE APPEARANCE??

“Doubt not that, said Urganda, I love him more than thou canst think, for I shall soon receive aid from him twice, which none else could give me, and he shall receive two guerdons to his joy.” Could you, my dear, please stop prophesying, this chapter is already way too long.

“Gandales, seeing his head disarmed, thought him the goodliest knight that he had ever beheld”

They part and, on his way, home to the castle he sees the other girl who is out for some revenge because dare this prophesying lady take her friend away. He warns her not to act out her revenge.

Little Amadís runs towards Gandales who pickes the kid up and hugs him. Overjoyed Gandales starts crying, thinking of all the good the child will do. Meanwhile lil Amadís dries his tears.  

For the fifth birthday both boys, Amadís and Gandalin will receive bows.

When they are seven years old, King Languines and Queen travel the country, Gandales hides the kids in the courtyard. The Queen still gains sight of the kids and notices the child of the sea, because the boy was good looking, very good with his bow and the best dressed. (Dressing the child you find in the sea better than you own offspring might have consequences... I presume.)  

The kids take a moment to rest and drink water, one kid takes Gandalins bow. Naturally Gandalin does not like that and wants his bow back. The unnamed kid hits Gandalin. Amadís hits the unnamed kid, because Gandalin calls the child of the sea for the help. They fight for a while. Crying the unnamed kid runs away, meets a tutor and snitches.

“The tutor went towards him with the strap in his hand; How is this, Child of the Sea, said he, that you dare beat the boys? I shall punish you! But the child fell upon his knees; I had rather you would strike me, said he, than that any one before me should dare to beat my brother; and the tears came in his eyes. The tutor was moved and told him to do so no more.”

And the Queen wonders why they call him Child of the Sea instead by his own name. Which is a good point.

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