Tristan and Isolde ask Brangane to take Isolde’s place in Mark’s bed so that Mark will not notice that Isolde is not a “virgin.” Brangane agrees, and she tells the two about the love potion that they drank.

On the night of Mark and Isolde’s marriage, Brangane takes Isolde’s place in bed as planned. After having sex with Mark, Brangane leaves to allow Isolde back in.

Isolde begins to worry that Brangane may betray their secret, and she orders two men to take Brangane into the forest and kill her. However, the men take pity on Brangane when she pleads for her life. After arguing with Isolde, they bring Brangane back to court, and the two women reconcile. Brangane remains devoted to Isolde and Tristan and helps them set up their meetings.

The people at court do not suspect anything between Tristan and Isolde, and the two lovers pass through the normal range of disagreements and reconciliations of lovers.

When Tristan is out hunting one day, a knight by the name of Gandin visits from Ireland. He carries with him an instrument, a rote, that he refuses to put down during the entire feast held in his honor.