# XXXII: Of the Fight in the Forest and the Rescue of Those Friends from the Men of the Red Company explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

At dawn, Birdalone and Arthur hear rough voices and women's shrieks. They ambush a band of the Red Company who have captured Atra, Aurea, and Viridis. Birdalone blows a horn that summons green-clad men-at-arms, and together they defeat the captors. Arthur rescues Atra, and Birdalone frees Viridis. They then find Sir Hugh bound to a tree, and after freeing him, the group reunites in joy and relief.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone actively participates in the rescue, using her bow and horn, and takes charge of freeing Viridis.

### Journey and Quest

The chapter advances the quest to rescue the captured women and Sir Hugh, a key part of the larger journey.

### Class and Servitude

The Red Company treats the captured women as 'two-legged cattle,' highlighting themes of exploitation and power.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Keeps the last watch, hears the captors, ambushes them with Arthur, blows the horn for rescue, and frees Viridis.

### Arthur the Black Squire

Fights alongside Birdalone, rescues Atra, and later frees Sir Hugh.

### Atra

Captured by the Red Company, rescued by Arthur, and leads the group to free Sir Hugh.

### Aurea

Captured and bound, rescued and comforted by Birdalone.

### Viridis

Captured and swooning, rescued by Birdalone and revived.

### Hugh the Green Knight

Found bound to a tree by the rescuers, freed by Arthur and Atra.

## Key lines

> Light was growing on the dawn of the next day, and the colours of things could be seen, when Birdalone, who was holding this last watch of the night, stood still and hearkened, deeming that she could hear some noise that was neither the morning wind in the tree-boughs nor the going of the wild things anear them in the wood.

At dawn, Birdalone, on the last watch, hears unusual noises distinct from the wind or wildlife.

_Sets the scene for the ambush._

> But or ever she touched him, broke forth a sound of big and rough voices and laughter, and amidst it two shrieks as of women.

Before she could wake Arthur, loud voices and women's screams erupted.

_Signals the arrival of the captors._

> Then she stayed her feet, and set the horn to her lips and blew; and the oliphant gave forth a long singing note which was strange to hear.

She stopped, blew the horn, and it produced a strange, singing sound.

_Birdalone uses the horn to summon help._

> But Arthur, when he saw Birdalone on her feet, and unhurt by seeming, went to Atra, and cut her bonds and loosed her, and set her on the earth, all without a word, and then stood before her shyly.

Arthur silently frees Atra and stands before her shyly.

_Arthur's rescue of Atra and their emotional reunion._

> Then cried out Atra: Keep up thine heart, Viridis! for now we go to fetch thee thy man safe and sound.

Atra encourages Viridis, saying they will rescue her man.

_Atra leads the group to free Sir Hugh._

## Links

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- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se
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