noon
Thou knowest that Hugh the Green Knight hath come with my she-friends seeking us all the way from under the Green Mountains , and he hath left there goods that he needs must have and folk whom he loves ; and now he would go back thither , and fetch all that away hither , and see to his matters as soon as may be . And I would have thee counsel us what to do , whether to build a barque , as perchance we may get it done , and sail the lake therein to the Castle of the Quest or thereabout , and thence to ride to his land ; or else to take thy guidance and safe-conduct through the wood , and to bring his folk back the same way . Said the wood-wife : As to the way by water , I may help you little therein , and meseemeth that way be many traps and wiles and many perils . Wherefore I bid you try it not , but let the Green Knight come up hither to this tree to-morrow before noon , all horsed and armed and arrayed , and there shall he find three men armed in green gear , horsed well , and leading two sumpter-beasts with them ; and they shall be his until he giveth them back unto me . But if he doubteth any thing betwixt the wood 's end and under the Green Mountains , let him wage what folk he will besides , for these my men will have money enough of his with them . But by no means let him send them away till he hath done with the wood altogether , both betwixt here and the western dwelt-land , and here and Utterhay , save thou be with him . But while these be with him , both he and whatsoever money he bringeth shall be sure from all peril whiles they be in the wood .