d likewise of all the rest.
And when he comes to take his leave, the Queen is careful to express
her gratitude for all the kindness he has shown to her, and throwing
her arms about his neck, she offers and promises him her own service and
that of her lord: no greater promise can she make. And my lord Gawain
promises his service to him, as to his lord and friend, and then Kay
does likewise, and all the rest. Then the king commends them to God as
they start upon their way. After these three, he bids the rest farewell,
and then turns his face toward home. The Queen and her company do not
tarry a single day until news of them reaches the court. King Arthur
was delighted at the news of the Queen's approach, and he is happy and
pleased at the thought that his nephew had brought about the Queen's
return, as well as that of Kay and of the lesser folk. But the truth is
quite different from what he thinks. All the town is cleared as they go
to meet them, and knights and vassals join in shouting as they approach:
"Welcome to my lord Gawain, who has brought back the Queen and many
another captive lady, and has freed for us many prisoners!" Then Gawain
answered them: "Gentlemen, I do not deserve your praise. Do not trouble
ever to say this again, for the compliment does not apply to me. This
honour causes me only shame, for I did not reach the Queen in time; my
detention made me late. But Lancelot reached there in time, and won such
honour as was never won by any other knight." "Where is he, then, fair
dear sire, for we do not see him here?" "Where?" echoes my lord Gawain;
"at the court of my lord the King, to be sure. Is he not?" "No, he is
not here, or anywhere else in this country. Since my lady was taken
away, we have had no news of him." Then for the first time my lord
Gawain realised that the letter had been forged, and that they had been
betrayed and deceived: by the letter they had been misled. Then they all
begin to lament, and they come thus weeping to the court, where the King
at once asks for information about the affair. There were plenty who
could tell him how much Lancelot had done, how the Queen and all the
captives were delivered from durance by him, and by what treachery the
dwarf had stolen him and drawn him away from them. This news is not
pleasing to the King, and he is very sorry and full of grief; but his
heart is so lightened by the pleasure he takes in the Queen's return,
that his grief concludes in joy. When