Book 18 Summary

The Round Table begins to come alive again as knights that were on the quest return to the Court of King Arthur and Queen Guenever. However, for all of Launcelot's spiritual devotion on the Quest, he still loves Guenever. "...ever his thoughts were privily on the queen, and so they loved together more hotter than they did to-forehand, and had such privy draughts together, that many in the court spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine...."

To squelch the rumors that are beginning, Launcelot, much to the Queen's displeasure, spends more time away from court helping maidens, mostly to protect the Queen from the talk of the Court when they spend time together. Guenever, however, is furious with him and sends Launcelot from the court in anger.

Launcelot retreats to the hermit Sir Brasias until Bors can bring him news of Guenever's...