Knightly Virtues (long post, sorry)

[Winterfell]

A long time ago I came across a story about the Irish Red Branch Warrior Cuchulain.
In the story King Conchobar of Ulster had to decide between three of his bravest warrious as to who would be champion. As the story goes Conchobar sent a request to the King of Munster, a man of supposed magic, for help yet recieved no answer.
Finally one winters's eve whilst everyone was feasting in the great hall a gian came bursting through the door, asking for a champion who was as good as his word. The challenge from the giant was that anyone may cut off his head so long as he was allowed to do the same the next day. Immediately one of the three contenders, Loegaire, stepped forward took the challenge and struck the giants head off. After which the giant got up took his head and ax and left the hall. The next night the gian returned whole, and Loegaire was no where to be found. Once again the challenge was issued and the second contender of champion, Conall stepped forward and cut the giants head off. Like before the giant got up and left with his head. The third night the gian returned, and Conall was not to be found either.
The Giant looked at Cuchulain who told him that it was a fool's game, and was called a coward by the giant for it. With pride and rage for being called a coward, Cuchulain struck off the giants head. And as before the giant picked up his head and left.
The next night, the giant came back and found Cuchulain sitting in the great hall waiting for him and prepared to honor the arrangement. But just before the gian cut off his head, he stopped, and turned into the King of Munster and declared Cuchulain champion for these reasons:
Cuchulain knew not to accept a foolish game with nothing to gain. Only in the defense of honour did Cuchulain strike, and once the deed was done Cuchulain had the valor to accept the consequences of his actions.
This story has been later altered and adapted into Gawain and the Green Knight of Arthurian legend. But I find the moral of the story to be hallmarks of true knight hood. I try to live up to these ideals, and I rather expect other folks to do the same. (With varying degrees of success) I have seen other people who have called themselves knights act pretty much like Loegaire, they strike at what they feel they can defeat without much effort, and when it comes back just as strong or stronger they cannot stand up and flee.

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"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics