CHAPTER XIV

The War between King Arthur and Sir Lancelot and the Death of King Arthur

Within a while thereafter was a jousting at the court, wherein Sir Lancelot won the prize.  And two of those he smote down were Sir Agravaine, the brother of Sir Gawain, and Sir Modred, his false brother—­King Arthur’s son by Belisent.  And because of his victory they hated Sir Lancelot, and sought how they might injure him.

So on a night, when King Arthur was hunting in the forest, and the queen sent for Sir Lancelot to her chamber, they two espied him; and thinking now to make a scandal and a quarrel between Lancelot and the king, they found twelve others, and said Sir Lancelot was ever now in the queen’s chamber, and King Arthur was dishonoured.

Then, all armed, they came suddenly round the queen’s door, and cried, “Traitor! now art thou taken.”

“Madam, we be betrayed,” said Sir Lancelot; “yet shall my life cost these men dear.”

Then did the queen weep sore, and dismally she cried, “Alas! there is no armour here whereby ye might withstand so many; wherefore ye will be slain, and I be burnt for the dread crime they will charge on me.”

But while she spake the shouting of the knights was heard without, “Traitor, come forth, for now thou art snared!”

“Better were twenty deaths at once than this vile outcry,” said Sir Lancelot.

Then he kissed her and said, “Most noble lady, I beseech ye, as I have ever been your own true knight, take courage; pray for my soul if I be now slain, and trust my faithful friends, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine, to save you from the fire.”

But ever bitterly she wept and moaned, and cried, “Would God that they would take and slay me, and that thou couldest escape.”

“That shall never be,” said he.  And wrapping his mantle round his arm he unbarred the door a little space, so that but one could enter.

Then first rushed in Sir Chalaunce, a full strong knight, and lifted up his sword to smite Sir Lancelot; but lightly he avoided him, and struck Sir Chalaunce, with his hand, such a sore buffet on the head as felled him dead upon the floor.

Then Sir Lancelot pulled in his body and barred the door again, and dressed himself in his armour, and took his drawn sword in his hand.

But still the knights cried mightily without the door, “Traitor, come forth!”

[Illustration:  But still the knights cried mightily without the door, “Traitor, come forth!”]

“Be silent and depart,” replied Sir Lancelot; “for be ye sure ye will not take me, and to-morrow will I meet ye face to face before the king.”

“Ye shall have no such grace,” they cried; “but we will slay thee, or take thee as we list.”

“Then save yourselves who may,” he thundered, and therewith suddenly unbarred the door and rushed forth at them.  And at the first blow he slew Sir Agravaine, and after him twelve other knights, with twelve more mighty buffets.  And none of all escaped him save Sir Modred, who, sorely wounded, fled away for life.