Then those three knights mounted upon their horses and rode away, and when they had done so the gates of the manor were opened, and Sir Launcelot and Sir Kay entered in.  But when the old lady who was his hostess beheld Sir Launcelot come in, she was very greatly astonished, for she wist he was still asleep in his bed-chamber.  Wherefore she said:  “Sir, methought you were in bed and asleep.”  “So indeed I was,” said Sir Launcelot, “but when I saw this knight in peril of his life against three knights, I leaped out of my window and went to his aid.”  “Well,” said his hostess, “meseems that you will sometime be a very good knight, if you have so much courage whilst you are so young.”  And at that both Sir Launcelot and Sir Kay laughed a great deal.

Then the chatelaine set bread and wine before Sir Kay, and he ate and refreshed himself, and thereafter he and Sir Launcelot went to that garret above the gate, and there fell asleep with great ease of body.

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot takes Sir Kay’s armor] Now before the sun arose Sir Launcelot awoke but Sir Kay still slept very soundly.  Then Sir Launcelot beheld how Sir Kay slept, and he had a mind for a jest.  So he clad himself in Sir Kay’s armor altogether from head to foot, and he took Sir Kay’s shield and spear, and he left his armor and shield and spear for Sir Kay to use.  Then he went very softly from that room, and left Sir Kay still sleeping.  And he took Sir Kay’s horse and mounted upon it and rode away; and all that while Sir Kay knew not what had befallen, but slept very deeply.

Now after a while Sir Kay awoke, and he found that Sir Launcelot was gone, and when he looked he found that his own armor was gone and that Sir Launcelot’s armor was left.  Then he wist what Sir Launcelot had done, and he said:  “Ha! what a noble, courteous knight is the gentleman.  For he hath left me his armor for my protection, and whilst I wear it and carry his shield and ride his horse, it is not likely that anyone will assail me upon my way.  As for those who assail him, I do not believe that they will be likely to find great pleasure in their battle.”

Therewith he arose and clad himself in Sir Launcelot’s armor, and after he had broken his fast he thanked his hostess for what she had given him, and rode upon his way with great content of spirit.

(And it was as Sir Kay had said, for when he met other knights upon the road, and when they beheld the figure upon his shield, they all said:  “It is not well to meddle with that knight, for that is Sir Launcelot.”  And so he came to Camelot without having to do battle with any man.)

[Sidenote:  How Sir Launcelot travels toward Camelot] As for Sir Launcelot, he rode upon his way with great cheerfulness of spirit, taking no heed at all of any trouble in the world, but chanting to himself as he rode in the pleasant weather.  But ever he made his way toward Camelot, for he said:  “I will return to Camelot for a little, and see how it fares with my friends at the court of the King.”