mandeth counsel of them what he may do. Messire Ywain
saith that he killed Meliant in the King's service, as one that warred
upon his land, albeit the King had done him no wrong, and had so made
common cause with the King's enemies without demanding right in his
court. Nor never had Meliant appealed Lancelot of murder nor of
treason, nor required him of the death of his father. Rather, Lancelot
slew him in open war, as one that warred upon his lord by wrong.

"Sir," saith Messire Ywain to the King, "Howsoever Lancelot might have
wrought in respect of Meliant, your land ought not to be called to
account, for you were not in the kingdom, nor knew not that either had
done other any wrong, and therefore say I that King Claudas will do
great wrong and he bring plaint or levy war against you on this
account."

"Messire Ywain," saith Briant of the Isles, "matter of common knowledge
is it that Lancelot slew the lord of the Waste Manor and Meliant his
son after the contention that was betwixt King Arthur and me. But,
after that he had slain the father, he ought of right to have taken
good heed that he did no wrong to the son, but rather ought he to have
sought peace and accord."

VI.

"Briant," saith Messire Gawain, "Lancelot is nor here; and, moreover,
he is now on the King's business. Well know you that Meliant came to
you and that you made him knight, and that thereafter he warred upon
the King's land without reasonable occasion. The King was far away
from the land as he that made pilgrimage to the Graal. He was told
tidings that his land was being put to the worse, and he sent Lancelot
to protect it. He accordingly maintained the war as best he might
until such time as the King was returned. Meliant knew well that the
King was come back, and that never had he done wrong to none in his
court that wished to demand right therein. He neither came thither nor
sent, either to do right or to demand right, whether he did so for
despite or whether it was for that he knew not how to do it. In the
meanwhile he warred upon the King, that had never done him a wrong nor
refused to do him a right. Lancelot slew him in the King's war and
upon his land in defence thereof. There was peace of the war, as was
agreed on between you and the King, but and if any should therefore
hold Lancelot to blame of the death of Meliant, meseemeth that therein
is he wrong. For the others are not held to answer for them that they
slew; but