All these messengers had now departed save only Gandalin; he went to the garden wherein the Tower stood, and where as you have heard no man permitted to enter without the especial leave of the Princess; the entrance being kept only by women. He coming to the garden gate bade those within say to Mabilia that Gandalin was preparing to sail for Gaul, and would speak with her before his departure. When Mabilia repeated this to Oriana, she was right glad of Gandalin's coming, and gave orders that he should be admitted. So he having entered, fell on his knees before her and kissed her hand, and then said to Mabilia according as his Master had commanded him. Upon that Mabilia said aloud to Oriana that all might hear, Gandalin is going to Gaul, what now will you say to the Queen and to my cousin Melicia? Oriana replied that she should rejoice to have the opportunity of sending to them, and then she went and joined Mabilia and Gandalin as they were talking apart. Ah friend Gandalin, said she, what think you of my froward fortune! the thing in the world which I have most desired, is to be where thy Master should never be out of my sight, and now that fate has thrown me into his power, we are so circumstanced that both for his honour and for my own I dare not see him! If you could know what my heart suffers because of this, sure am I that you would pity me. Now tell him this, to comfort him, and to excuse me, and tell him to devise some means that he and the other Knights may visit me, and that we may talk in presence of all without suspicion. Ah Lady, Gandalin replied, great reason have you to give comfort to that Knight! much greater sorrow would you feel than you now suffer if I could tell you what he has endured in the fortunes that we have passed through; the feats in arms which he atchieved are such that no other could have performed, or even in his heart imagined them, in such straits hath his absence from you placed him. But it is useless now to talk thus; do you only shew kindness to him, for verily I believe that your life depends on his. My true friend, quoth Oriana, that you may truly say; without him life would be to me far more grievous than death. But go tell him what I have said. Howbeit before he went, Oriana said to him in a loud voice, that she would write to Queen Elisena and to the Princess Melicia, and Gandalin requested that she would speedily send the letters, for the other Messengers were already departed, and he alone remained.