Gawaine and Gaheris, along with their greyhounds, were sent out to find the hart. The hart, however, made its way into the castle, where a knight came out of his chamber. The knight then slew two of the greyhounds and chased the remaining hounds out of the castle with his sword. The knight returned to where the hart lay and spoke to it apologetically. He then left and came back fiercely, as he was angered that the greyhounds had killed his hart-- a gift given to him from his wife.

Gawaine asked the knight why he killed his hounds, and said that it would have been more appropriate for the knight to take his anger out on him, instead of the hounds. The knight agreed, and Gawaine then prepared to fight the knight.

Gawaine struck the knight with his sword and caused him to fall to the ground. The knight cried out for mercy and for his life to be saved, but Gawaine responded by telling him that he will die for killing his hounds. The knight offered to make amends, but Gawaine would still show no mercy. As Gawaine swung to cut off the knight's head, the knight's lady ran out and fell onto the knight. Instead of killing the knight, Gawaine killed the lady. Gaheris told Gawaine that the shame of the act should never leave him, and that he should give mercy because it is his duty as a knight. Gawaine then offered to give the knight mercy, but the knight declined the offer.  Gawaine had taken his love who meant the most to him in the world. Gawaine told the knight to go to King Arthur and explain that he was overcome by the knight who was searching for the hart.  Gawaine sent him on his way, and his last words were, “What is your name?” The knight replied, “Ablamar of the Marsh.”