Then Sir Launcelot smiled upon Sir Tristram very kindly and said, “I do bid thee come with me away from here,” and Sir Tristram said, “I will go.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram quits the forest with Sir Launcelot] So Sir Launcelot bade the swineherds clothe Sir Tristram in such a wise that his nakedness might be covered, and he bade them give Sir Tristram hosen and shoon, and when Sir Tristram was thus decently clad, Sir Launcelot made ready to take his departure from that place.

But ere the two left, all those good fellows crowded around Sir Tristram, and embraced him and kissed him upon the cheek; for they had come to love him a very great deal.

Then the two went away through the forest, Sir Launcelot proudly riding upon his great horse and Sir Tristram running very lightly beside him.

But Sir Launcelot had other business at that time than to seek out Sir Tauleas as aforetold.  For at that time there were three knights of very ill-repute who harried the west coast of that land that overlooked the sea toward the Kingdom of Ireland, and Sir Launcelot was minded to seek them out after he had finished with Sir Tauleas.  So ere he returned to the court of King Arthur he had first of all to go thitherward.

Now you are to know that the castle of Tintagel lay upon the way that he was to take upon that adventure, and so it was that he brought Sir Tristram to the castle of Tintagel, where King Mark of Cornwall was then holding court.  For Sir Launcelot was minded to leave Sir Tristram there whilst he went upon that adventure aforetold of.

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram comes to Tintagel] And Sir Launcelot was received in Tintagel with very great honor and acclaim, for it was the first time he had ever been there.  And King Mark besought Sir Launcelot for to abide a while in Tintagel; but Sir Launcelot refused this hospitality, saying:  “I have an adventure to do for the sake of my master, King Arthur, and I may not abide here at this present.  But I pray you to grant me a favor, and it is this:  that you cherish this poor madman whom I found in the forest, and that you keep him here, treating him kindly until I shall return from the quest I am upon.  For I have great love for this poor fellow and I would not have any harm befall him whilst I am away.”

Then King Mark said:  “I am sorry you will not remain with us, but as to this thing it shall be done as you desire, for we will cherish and care for this man while you are away.”  So said King Mark, speaking with great cheerfulness and courtesy; for neither he nor any of his court at that time wist who Sir Tristram was.

So Sir Launcelot went upon his way, and King Mark gave orders that Sir Tristram should be well-clothed and fed, and it was done as he commanded.

* * * * *

Thus it was that Sir Tristram was brought back to the castle of Tintagel again.  And now it shall be told how it befell with him thereat.