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Chapter XIV
ButwhenSirGawainheardofhisbrethren’sdeathheswoonedforsorrowandwrath,forhewistthatSirLancelothadkilledtheminmalice.Andassoonasherecoveredheranintotheking,andsaid,“Lordkinganduncle,hearthisoathwhichnowIswear,thatfromthisdayIwillnotfailSirLancelottilloneofushathslaintheother.Andnow,unlessyehastetowarwithhim,thatwemaybeavenged,willImyselfalonegoafterhim.”
Thentheking,fullofwrathandgrief,agreedthereto,andsentlettersthroughouttherealmtosummonallhisknights,andwentwithavastarmytobesiegetheCastleofLaJoyousGarde.AndSirLancelot,withhisknights,mightilydefendedit;butneverwouldhesufferanytogoforthandattackoneoftheking’sarmy,forhewasrightlothtofightagainsthim.
Sowhenfifteenweekswerepassed,andKingArthur’sarmywasteditselfinvainagainstthecastle,foritwaspassingstrong,itchanceduponadaySirLancelotwaslookingfromthewallsandespiedKingArthurandSirGawainclosebeside.
“Comeforth,SirLancelot,”saidKingArthurrightfiercely,“andletustwomeetinthemidstofthefield.”
“GodforbidthatIshouldencounterwiththee,lord,forthoudidstmakemeaknight,”repliedSirLancelot.
ThencriedSirGawain,“Shameonthee,traitorandfalseknight,yetbeyewellassuredwewillregainthequeenandslaytheeandthycompany;yea,doubleshameonyetoslaymybrotherGaherisunarmed,SirGarethalso,wholovedyesowell.Forthattreachery,besureIamthineenemytilldeath.
