The History of Valentine and Orson (1806)/Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Valentine conquers his brother in the Forest of Orleans.
Now was Valentine grown a lusty young man, and by the King was greatly beloved as if he had been his own child; commanding him to be taught the use of arms, in which he soon became an expert, that few in the court dared to encounter him; which made Hufray and Henry, the King's bastard sons, exceedingly envy him.—At this juncture great complaints were made against the Wild Man, from whom no Knight had escaped with his life that had encountered him; which made the King promise a thousand merks to any one that should bring him dead or alive; which offer none dared to accept; but Hufray and Henry desired King Pepin to send Valentine, with a view of getting rid of to powerful a rival in the King's favour; but his Majesty seeing their malice, was very angry; telling them, he had rather lose the best baron in the land.
However, Valentine desired leave of his Majesty to go to the forest, resolving either to conquer the Wild Man, or die in the attempt. Accordingly, having furnished himself with a good horse and arms, he set forward on his journey, and after hard travelling, he arrived in the forest; in the evening he tied his horse to a large spreading oak; and got up into a tree himself for his security, where he rested for that night.
Next morning he beheld the Wild Man traversing the forest in search of his prey, at length he came to the tree where Valentine's horse stood, from whom he pulled many hairs, upon which the horse kicked him, the Wild Man feeling the pain, was going to tear him to pieces, which Valentine seeing, made signs as if he would fight him, and accordingly he leaped down and gave him a blow; but the Wild Man caught him by the arm, and threw him to the ground. Then taking up Valentine's shield, he beheld it with amaze, in respect to the colours thereon emblazoned.
Valentine being much bruised, got up, and came to his brother in great anger; but Orson ran to a tree, and then they engaged; but both being terribly wounded, gave out by consent; after which Valentine signified to Orson, that if he would yield to him, he would order matters so as he would become a rational creature.
Orson, thinking that he meant no harm, stretched forth his hands to him. Upon which he bound him, and then led him to Paris, where he presented him to King Pepin, who had the Wild Man baptised by the name of Orson, from his being taken in a wood.' Orson's actions, during their stay there, very much amused the whole court, so that at length the duke of Acquitain sent letters, importing, that whoever should overcome the Green Knight, a fierce Pagan champion, should have his daughter Fazon in marriage. Upon which proposition, Valentine set out for that province, attended by his brother Orson, by which means he came to the knowledge of his parents, as we shall find hereafter.