called Sir Lancelot and bade him to challenge
that Knight to combat. But Sir Lancelot said that though the Knight
had come off victor in every fight, yet his limbs must be weary, for
he had fought as a man fights under the eyes of his lady, 'and for
this day,' said Sir Lancelot, 'he shall have the honour. Though it lay
in my power to put it from him, I would not.'

Then they paused for a while to rest, and afterwards the tournament
began again more fiercely than before, and Sir Lancelot was set upon
by two Knights at once. When Sir Gareth saw that, he rode in between
them, but no stroke would he deal Sir Lancelot, which Sir Lancelot
noted, and guessed that it was the good Knight Sir Gareth. Sir Gareth
went hither and thither, smiting anyone that came in his way, and by
fortune he met with his brother Sir Gawaine, and knocked off his
helmet. Now it happened that while he was fighting a Knight dealt Sir
Gareth a fierce blow on his helm, and he rode off the field to mend
it. Then his dwarf, who had been watching eagerly, cried out to Sir
Gareth to leave the ring with him, lest he should lose it while he was
drinking, which Sir Gareth did; and when he had drunk and mended his
helm he forgot the ring, at which the dwarf was glad, for he knew his
name could no longer be hid. And when Sir Gareth returned to the
field, his armour shone yellow like gold, and King Arthur marvelled
what Knight he was, for he saw by his hair that he was the same Knight
who had worn the many colours. 'Go,' he said to his heralds, 'ride
near him and see what manner of Knight he is, for none can tell me his
name.' So a herald drew close to him, and saw that on his helm was
written in golden letters 'This helm belongs to Sir Gareth of Orkney';
and the herald cried out and made proclamation, and the Kings and
Knights pressed to behold him. And when Sir Gareth saw he was
discovered, he struck more fiercely than before, and smote down Sir
Sagramore, and his brother Sir Gawaine. 'O brother,' said Sir Gawaine,
'I did not think you would have smitten me!' When Sir Gareth heard him
say that he rode out of the press, and cried to his dwarf, 'Boy, you
have played me foul, for you have kept my ring. Give it to me now,
that I may hide myself,' and he galloped swiftly into the forest, and
no one knew where he had gone. 'What shall I do next?' asked he of the
dwarf. 'Sir,' answered the dwarf, 'send the Lady Lyonesse back her
ring.' 'Your counsel is good,' said Gar