Thus he was for a long time without speaking a word to any Christian. Therefore he lost his color and his aspect, through extreme longing after the Court of Arthur, and the society of the lady whom best he loved, and of his companions. Then he proceeded toward Arthur’s Court, and on the road there met him Arthur’s household going on a particular errand, with Kai at their head. And Peredur knew them all, but none of the household recognized him. “Whence comest thou, Chieftain?” asked Kai. And this he asked him twice and three times, and he answered him not. And Kai thrust him through the thigh with his lance. Then, lest he should be compelled to speak, and to break his vow, Peredur rode on without stopping. “Then,” said Gwalchmai, “I declare to Heaven, Kai, that thou hast acted ill in committing such an outrage on a youth like this, who cannot speak.” And Gwalchmai turned back to Arthur’s Court. “Lady,” said he to the Queen, “seest thou how wicked an outrage Kai has committed upon this youth who cannot speak; for Heaven’s sake, and for mine, cause him to have medical care before I come back, and I will repay thee the charge.”

Afterward Arthur and his household were going to mass, and they beheld a knight who had raised the signal for combat. “Verily,” said Arthur, “by the valor of men, I will not go hence until I have my horse and my arms to overthrow yonder boor who has raised the signal for combat on a holy day.” Then went the attendants to fetch Arthur’s horse and arms. Peredur met them as they were going back, and he took the horse and arms from them, and proceeded to the meadow; and all those who saw him arise and go to do battle with the knight, went upon the tops of the houses, and the mounds, and the high places, to behold the combat.

Peredur beckoned with his hand to the knight to commence the fight. The knight thrust at him. And Peredur spurred his horse, and ran at him wrathfully, furiously, fiercely, desperately, and with mighty rage, and he gave him a thrust, deadly wounding, severe, furious, adroit, and strong, under his jaw, and raised him out of his saddle, and cast him a long way from him. Then Peredur went back, and left the horse and the arms with the attendant as before, and he went on foot to Arthur’s Court.

Then Peredur went by the name of the Dumb Youth. And behold, one day, Angarrad of the Golden Hand met him. “I declare to Heaven, Chieftain,” she said, “woeful is it that thou canst not speak; for couldst thou speak, I would love thee best of all men; and by my faith, although thou canst not, I do love thee above all.” “Heaven reward thee, my sister,” said Peredur, “by my faith I also do love thee.” Thereupon it was known that he was Peredur. And then he held fellowship with Gwalchmai, and Owen, the son of Urien, and all the household, and he remained in Arthur’s Court.