'I am looking for the adventure which is called the Joy of theCourt,' Erec told Yvain. 'Not far from here lies an enchanted orchard surrounded by a hedge of mist, a wall of air - no-one knows exactly what it is. I have had many adventures, but this will be the greatest of all.
A
year ago I married a beautiful girl named Enide. I loved her so much that I
wanted to do nothing but see her face and hear her voice and lie in her arms.
At last people began to say that I cared no more for adventures or fighting
and the things a knight ought to do in the world. Even my wife heard these
whispers about me and came to me weeping. She could not bear to be the cause
of my shame and begged me to go out into the world and prove myself a knight
once more.
I was angry with her then, but I took her advice, and so my adventures began. Last night I stayed with King Evrain in the city of Brandigant- it is not far from here. My wife is waiting there for me now. Everyone who goes to that city has to try to claim what they call the Joy of the Court. Many knights have tried but none has ever come back alive.'
