The morrow would be the last day of the year. I was eager to ride forth in quest of the Green Knight; but the lord of the castle stayed me with hospitable words: 'I swear by mine honour as a true knight that upon New Year's Day you shall come to the Green Chapel long ere the hour of noon. So stay in your bed tomorrow and rest in my castle. I will up with morning and ride to hunt the fox: so let us make once again our bargain to exchange all the winnings that may be ours to-morrow. For twice have I tried you and found you true; but the next is the third time and that shall be the best. The day of the New Year came in with storm: bitterly the winds howled and the sleet lashed against the window pane and I who had slept but little, rose at the first light. I clothed myself warmly and buckled on my armour, setting the green lace about my waist in hope that its magic might protect me. Then I went forth into the courtyard, the squires brought out Gringalet, well fed and well groomed, and helped me to mount. The drawbridge was let down, the gate flung wide and I rode out of the castle with a squire to guide me. Through the bitter dawning we rode beneath treews, dripping drearily and across meadows where the wind moaned as it bit them to the bone and they came to a great valley with cliffs at one side of it, all filled with mist.