The king ordered his envoys to be sent to the duke, dispatching Vasco Martins de Melo and Lourenço Eanes Fogaça with letters and a message, which ended by saying that he was greatly pleased at the duke's arrival and at his object in coming. He added that it was important that they should meet in order to come to an understanding and consult each other about how best to prosecute the war against Castile. The envoys made their way to Galicia and reached the duke's lodging just as he was finishing dinner. They received a good welcome from the duke and the noblemen present and forthwith handed the letters to him at table and explained to him all the reasons for their mission. Without further ado the duke held council that very day. With the envoys agreeing, they deemed it best if they were to meet at Ponte do Mouro between Melgaço and Monção, some 19 leagues from Oporto. The duke was requested to make his way there, and likewise the king would set forth from Oporto and head for the same place. Then in the duke's dining hall, and in his presence, they ate the supper which he ordered to be prepared for them and for the great lords from his council. After taking their leave of him, they went back with his reply.

Now, some say that the suggestion that the king might marry one of the duke's daughters was already raised at this stage and during the envoys’ visit, but, whenever it was, the king held a royal council on the matter, in which many of his counsellors urged him to marry Princess Catalina, the granddaughter of King Pedro. They declared that in this way he might subsequently get the opportunity to govern the kingdoms of Castile. Others advised him to marry Princess Philippa, but the conclusion reached by everyone was that it was his prerogative to choose whichever of them he preferred.

The king said that, since the choice was his alone, as was only right, he was disinclined to marry Princess Catalina because he felt such a marriage would involve the turmoil of never-ending warfare for any man who married her, owing to her mother's claim to inherit the kingdom of Castile.