When they were come into the great hall where Arthur sat, with Sir Gawain and other great lords about him, Sir Launcelot led Guenevere to the throne and both knelt before the King; then, rising, Sir Launcelot lifted the Queen to her feet, and thus he spoke to King Arthur, boldly and well before the whole court:  “My lord, Sir Arthur, I bring you here your Queen, than whom no truer nor nobler lady ever lived; and here stand I, Sir Launcelot du Lac, ready to do battle with any that dare gainsay it”; and with these words Sir Launcelot turned and looked upon the lords and knights present in their places, but none would challenge him in that cause, not even Sir Gawain, for he had ever affirmed that Dame Guenevere was a true and honourable lady.

Then Sir Launcelot spoke again:  “Now, my Lord Arthur, in my own defence it behoves me to say that never in aught have I been false to you.  That I slew certain knights is true; but I hold me guiltless, seeing that they brought death upon themselves.  For no sooner had I gone to the Queen’s bower, as she had commanded me, than they beset the door, with shameful outcry, that all the court might hear, calling me traitor and felon knight.”  “And rightly they called you,” cried Sir Gawain fiercely.  “My lord, Sir Gawain,” answered Sir Launcelot, “in their quarrel they proved not themselves right, else had not I, alone, encountered fourteen knights and come forth unscathed.”

Then said King Arthur:  “Sir Launcelot, I have ever loved you above all other knights, and trusted you to the uttermost; but ill have ye done by me and mine.”  “My lord,” said Launcelot, “that I slew Sir Gareth I shall mourn as long as life lasts.  As soon would I have slain my own nephew, Sir Bors, as have harmed Sir Gareth wittingly; for I myself made him knight, and loved him as my brother.”  “Liar and traitor,” cried Sir Gawain, “ye slew him, defenceless and unarmed.”  “It is full plain, Sir Gawain,” said Launcelot, “that never again shall I have your love; and yet there has been old kindness between us, and once ye thanked me that I saved your life.”  “It shall not avail you now,” said Sir Gawain; “traitor ye are, both to the King and to me.  Know that, while life lasts, never will I rest until I have avenged my brother Sir Gareth’s death upon you.”  “Fair nephew,” said the King, “cease your brawling.  Sir Launcelot has come under surety of my word that none shall do him harm.  Elsewhere, and at another time, fasten a quarrel upon him, if quarrel ye must.”  “I care not,” cried Sir Gawain fiercely.  “The proud traitor trusts so in his own strength that he thinks none dare meet him.  But here I defy him and swear that, be it in open combat or by stealth, I shall have his life.  And know, mine uncle and King, if I shall not have your aid, I and mine will leave you for ever, and, if need be, fight even against you.”  “Peace,” said the King; and to Sir Launcelot:  “We give you fifteen days in which to leave this kingdom.”