So they went to supper, Sir Launcelot and the old lord, his son, Sir Lavaine, and his daughter Elaine, whom they of the place called the Fair Maid of Astolat.  As they sat at meat, the Baron asked Sir Launcelot if he rode to the tournament.  “Yea,” answered Launcelot; “and right glad should I be if, of your courtesy, ye would lend me a shield without device.”  “Right willingly,” said his host; “ye shall have my son, Sir Tirre’s shield.  He was but lately made knight and was hurt in his first encounter, so his shield is bare enough.  If ye will take with you my young son, Sir Lavaine, he will be glad to ride in the company of so noble a knight and will do you such service as he may.”  “I shall be glad indeed of his fellowship,” answered Sir Launcelot courteously.

Now it seemed to the fair Elaine that never had she beheld so noble a knight as this stranger; and seeing that he was as gentle and courteous as he was strong, she said to him:  “Fair Knight, will ye wear my favour at this tournament?  For never have I found knight yet to wear my crimson sleeve, and sure am I that none other could ever win it such honour.”  “Maiden,” said Sir Launcelot, “right gladly would I serve you in aught; but it has never been my custom to wear lady’s favour.”  “Then shall it serve the better for disguise,” answered Elaine.  Sir Launcelot pondered her words, and at last he said:  “Fair maiden, I will do for you what I have done for none, and will wear your favour.”  So with great glee, she brought it him, a crimson velvet sleeve embroidered with great pearls, and fastened it in his helmet.  Then Sir Launcelot begged her to keep for him his own shield until after the tournament, when he would come for it again and tell them his name.

The next morn, Sir Launcelot took his departure with Sir Lavaine and, by evening, they were come to Camelot.  Forthwith Sir Lavaine led Sir Launcelot to the house of a worthy burgher, where he might stay in privacy, undiscovered by those of his acquaintance.  Then, when at dawn the trumpets blew, they mounted their horses and rode to a little wood hard by the lists, and there they abode some while; for Sir Launcelot would take no part until he had seen which side was the stronger.  So they saw how King Arthur sat high on a throne to overlook the combat, while the King of Northgalis and all the fellowship of the Round Table held the lists against their opponents led by King Anguish of Ireland and the King of Scots.

Then it soon appeared that the two Kings with all their company could do but little against the Knights of the Round Table, and were sore pressed to maintain their ground.  Seeing this, Sir Launcelot said to Sir Lavaine:  “Sir Knight, will ye give me your aid if I go to the rescue of the weaker side?  For it seems to me they may not much longer hold their own unaided.”  “Sir,” answered Lavaine, “I will gladly follow you and do what I may.”  So the two laid their lances in rest and charged into the thickest of the fight and,