r Knights agreed,
and by the advice of Sir Lancelot they hid themselves in a wood close
by the town till they saw what King Arthur would do. Meanwhile Sir
Mordred, who had managed to escape the sword of Sir Lancelot, rode,
wounded and bleeding, unto King Arthur, and told the King all that had
passed, and how, of the fourteen Knights, he only was left alive. The
King grieved sore at his tale, which Sir Mordred had made to sound as
ill as was possible; for, in spite of all, Arthur loved Sir Lancelot.
'It is a bitter blow,' he said, 'that Sir Lancelot must be against me,
and the fellowship of the Table Round is broken for ever, as many a
noble Knight will go with him. And as I am the judge, the Queen will
have to die, as she is the cause of the death of these thirteen
Knights.'

'My lord Arthur,' said Sir Gawaine, 'be not over-hasty; listen not to
the foul tongue of Sir Mordred, who laid this trap for Sir Lancelot,
that we all know to be the Queen's own Knight, who has done battle for
her when none else would. As for Sir Lancelot, he will prove the right
on the body of any Knight living that shall accuse him of
wrong--either him, or my lady Guenevere.'

'That I believe well,' said King Arthur, 'for he trusts so much in his
own might that he fears no man; and never more shall he fight for the
Queen, for she must suffer death by the law. Put on, therefore, your
best armour, and go with your brothers, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth,
and bring the Queen to the fire, there to have her judgment and suffer
her death.'

'Nay, my lord, that I will never do,' cried Sir Gawaine; 'my heart
will never serve me to see her die, and I will never stand by and see
so noble a lady brought to a shameful end.'

'Then,' said the King, 'let your brothers Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth
be there.'

'My lord,' replied Sir Gawaine, 'I know well how loth they will be,
but they are young and unable to say you nay.'

At this Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth spoke to King Arthur: 'Sir, if you
command us we will obey, but it will be sore against our will. And if
we go we shall be dressed as men of peace, and wear no armour.'

'Make yourselves ready, then,' answered the King, 'for I would delay
no longer in giving judgment.'

'Alas!' cried Sir Gawaine, 'that I should have lived to see this day';
and he turned and wept bitterly, and went into his chamber.

So the Queen was led outside the gates, and her rich dress was taken
off, while her lords and ladies wr