n one day
there rode up to the Castle a band of horsemen sent by the King to
bring her to his Court, and at the head of them Sir Lancelot du Lake,
friend of King Arthur, and winner of all the jousts and tournaments
where Knights meet to gain honour. Day by day they rode together apart
and he told her tales of gallant deeds done for love of beautiful
ladies, and they passed under trees gay with the first green of
spring, and over hyacinths covering the earth with sheets of blue,
till at sunset they drew rein before the silken pavilion, with the
banner of Uther Pendragon floating on the top. And Guenevere's heart
went out to Lancelot before she knew. One evening she noted, far
across the plain, towers and buildings shining in the sun, and an
array of horsemen ride forth to meet her. One stopped before her
dazzled eyes, and leaping from his horse bowed low. Arthur had come to
welcome her, and do her honour, and to lead her home. But looking up
at him, she thought him cold, and, timid and alone, her thoughts
turned again to Lancelot. After that the days and years slipped by,
and these two were ever nearest the King, and in every time of danger
the King cried for Lancelot, and trusted his honour and the Queen's to
him. Sir Lancelot spoke truly when he told Elaine that he had never
worn the badge of lady or maiden, but for all that every one looked on
Sir Lancelot as the Queen's Knight, who could do no worship to any
other woman. The King likewise held Sir Lancelot bound to fight the
Queen's battles, and if he was absent on adventures of his own,
messengers hastened to bring him back, as in the fight with Sir Mador.
So things went on for many years, and the King never guessed that the
Queen loved Lancelot best.

[Illustration: LANCELOT BRINGS GUENEVERE TO ARTHUR]

It befell one spring, in the month of May, that Queen Guenevere
bethought herself that she would like to go a-maying in the woods and
fields that lay round the City of Westminster on both sides of the
river. To this intent she called her own especial Knights, and bade
them be ready the next morning clothed all in green, whether of silk
or cloth, 'and,' said she, 'I shall bring with me ten ladies, and
every Knight shall have a lady behind him, and be followed by a Squire
and two yeomen, and I will that you shall all be well horsed.' Thus it
was done, and the ten Knights, arrayed in fresh green, the emblem of
the spring, rode with the Queen and her ladies in the ear