Thus reminded of his dereliction, Parzival immediately left the hall, to renew the quest which had already lasted for many months.

He was closely followed by Gawain, one of Arthur's knights, who thought that Parzival had been too harshly dealt with.
[Sidenote: Gawain's quest.] Four years now elapsed,--four years of penance and suffering for Parzival, and of brilliant fighting and thrilling adventures for Gawain.

Seeking Parzival, meeting many whom he had helped or defeated, Gawain journeyed from land to land, until at last he decided that his quest would end sooner if he too sought the Holy Grail, the goal of all his friend's hopes.
On the way to Montsalvatch Gawain met a beautiful woman, to whom he made a declaration of love; but she merely answered that those who loved her must serve her, and bade him fetch her palfrey from a neighboring garden.

The gardener told him that this lady was the Duchess Orgueilleuse; that her beauty had fired many a knight; that many had died for her sake; and that Amfortas, King of the Holy Grail, had braved the poisoned spear which wounded him, only to win her favor.

Gawain, undeterred by this warning, brought out the lady's palfrey, helped her to mount, and followed her submissively through many lands.