A Garter as a Lesser Gift

A World War II mmf retelling of Gawain and the Green Knight.

Gawain Orkney, an impetuous flight lieutenant in the RAF, can't say no to a bet. That's how he finds himself spending his precious Christmas leave searching for a mysterious Green Chapel, where he's supposed to finish the shooting contest that was interrupted when Gawain shot his opponent in the face. (His opponent, an uncanny man clad all in green, was not noticeably discommoded by the injury.)

And when Gawain puts up for the night at a peculiar old tower, well, he can hardly refuse when the bluff, hearty lord of the manor suggests a wager. He'll give Gawain all he catches on his hunting in the next three days, if Gawain will give him in return anything he is given in the tower.

The wager seems simple enough until Gawain receives his first gift: a kiss from his host's flirtatious redheaded wife…