Referred to as one of the "noblest knights" (Norton 159) in King Author's land, Sir Gawain intends to keep his word in the beheading game and is essentially losing his life to protect King Author and secure Camelot's reputation. In a year and a day, Gawain must go to the Green Chapel to return the favor of resisting the blow of the Green Knight's axe. Staying true to his word, Gawain continues to undertake this journey in danger and alone, as a noble knight would. His departure reveals the importance of self-sacrifice for honor. “He rode far from friends, a forlorn man, climbing many cliffs in strange lands… he had mortal struggles with dragons, he fought battles with wolves” (Horton 48). His tenacity and endurance serve as an example of his honor, considering he could have easily failed to resist his end