Lunete

The heronine of the French romance called Knight of the Lion. Lunete was the companion and confidant of the Lady of the Fountain (Laudine). In the Welsh and English versions of the tale, her name was Luned.

When Arthur and his retinue stayed at the castle of the Lady, Chretien de Troyes described Lunete as "...a winsome brunette, very sensible, clever and attractive." Chretien also described her as the moon, just as he compared Sir Gawain to the sun.

When Yvain (Owain) mortally wounded Laudine's first husband Esclados the Red, Yvain found himself trapped in his enemy's castle. Only Lunete offered counsel and aid to Yvain. While the mob in the castle sought to avenge their lord, only Lunete helped Yvain to escape their notice by giving the hero a magic ring to make him invisible.

While Yvain was invisible, he saw and fell in love with Esclados' beautiful widow. With Lunete's help, Yvain won Laudine's hand and married the Lady. Lunete became the Lady's closest friend and adviser.

However, when Yvain over-extended his absence at Arthur's court, the Lady asked her husband to never return to her. This separation with her husband also caused Lunete to lose favour with her Lady, since she had advised Laudine to marry the hero.

In the lady's court, the seneschal was jealous that Lunete was the lady's favourite adviser. Now the seneschal managed to have her accused of treason. She was due to be burnt at the stake, when Yvain fought and defeated the seneschal and his brother in combat. Lunete not only won her freedom, but also was able to renew her friendship with Laudine.

With resource and cunning, Lunete later helped Yvain to win his wife's love back by tricking Laudine into reconciling with her husband.