TristanChapter 9

Tristan decides to leave Parmenie and go back and party at Mark’s court.

When Morold comes from Ireland to collect tribute, Tristan challenges him to a one-on-one battle

Though younger and less experienced, Tristan is not afraid

They do battle on an island.

Tristan is severely wounded, but kills Morold

Tristan is dying from a poisoned wound only Queen Isolde of Ireland can cure it

But Tristan killed the queen’s brother Morold, so he must go to Ireland alone and in disguise.

Chapter 10: Tantris

Tristan goes to Ireland as the minstrel Tantris.

Queen Isolde cures him of his wound

In return, Tantris tutors the Princess Isolde

When Tristan returns to Cornwall, he describes the beautiful princess to his uncle Mark.

The nobles are jealous of Tristan, who is now heir to the throne

They want King Mark to marry, and he finally agrees in order to protect Tristan.

Chapter 11

Tristan is sent to Ireland to obtain princess Isolde as a bride for King Mark.

This task will be difficult, as the Irish, still mourning the death of Morold, have declared anyone from Cornwall should be killed on sight.

Tristan is allowed ashore when he bribes the local official with a chalice

Tristan and Isolde

Chapters 12-15

Chapter 12: The Dragon

A dragon has terrorized Ireland

The King has promised his daughter Isolde to whomever slays the beast

Many men have tried and failed to slay the dragon

Tristan plans to slay the dragon and claim Isolde for Mark

Tristan kills the dragon

But his horse is toast

Tristan cuts off the dragon’s tongue

The tongue emits poisonous fumes

And Tristan stands paralyzed in a pond.

Meanwhile, a cowardly steward who had earlier fled the dragon returns

He is afraid, even though the dragon is dead

But, he has a huge crush on Isolde and wants to marry her

So he approaches the dead beast

And cuts off its head.

The steward announces to the court that he has killed the dragon, and claims Isolde as his bride

Both Isoldes freak, because the steward is such a dweeb

Isolde tells her mother she will kill herself rather than marry the steward

Queen Isolde has a dream that the steward did NOT kill the dragon

The ladies go out to discover the truth

They find the dead horse

And the dead dragon

And the pond

Isolde discovers and rescues Tristan.

The ladies take “Tantris” back to the castle and take care of him

At the assizes, when the steward claims Isolde as his bride, the queen promises to

produce the real dragon slayer in three days

Chapter 13: The Splinter

The two Isoldes take good care of Tantris

Princess Isolde has plenty of opportunities to check out Tantris’ body.

Princess Isolde makes a thorough check of Tantris’ equipment…

She finds that Tantris’ mighty sword is missing a sliver

And then she discovers that the missing piece is exactly the same as the splinter embedded in her dead uncle Morold’s head!

Princess Isolde ponders the handsome young minstrel’s name

And realizes

She shows the sword to her mother.

The splinter is compared to Morold’s skill

And the name change is explained.

Tantris = Tristan

The women are furious

Princess Isolde grabs a sword and vows to kill Tristan.

Tristan is taking a bath

Naked in the tub, Tristan is helpless while the women rage

Princess Isolde wields a sword, but she can’t bring herself to kill the handsome minstrel

Tristan reminds the queen of two facts:

1. The queen has guaranteed his life.

2. Tristan can dispute the doofus steward’s claim to marry princess Isolde.

Brangane convinces the queen not to sacrifice her honor.

Tristan tells the ladies that his king wants to marry Isolde

The queen and Brangane are thrilled.

Young Isolde seems less excited, however.

Tristan sends Curvenal to bring gifts

Chapter 14: The Proof

The day of the duel arrives

A well-dressed Tristan enters the hall.

The ladies gasp in admiration— what a hottie!

The steward arrives

The steward claims lovely Isolde as his bride.

The Steward displays the dragon’s head

But Tristan displays a giant tongue…

Isolde swoons

As Tristan is declared the winner.

Chapter 15: The Love Potion

Princess Isolde does not want to leave Ireland

In order to encourage her, her parents will send Brangane along

The queen concocts a love potion

She wants to make sure that King Mark and Isolde will fall in love

She gives it to Brangane, with strict orders to guard it carefully

It is to be drunk only by Mark and Isolde on their wedding night.

Tristan will escort the ladies on board ship

Tristan and Isolde drink the potion when Brangane leaves it unguarded