of God, I will make good my words upon your body, when we have thrust
the pagan from the land and peace is within our borders once again.'

While the thunder of his noble anger still rolled through the wide
hall, King Arthur arose, and men marked the resolution in his eyes.

'I will that there be no more war,' he said, and he looked sternly at
Gawaine. 'Geraint hath spoken the truth, and the truth shall prevail. I
repent me that I have so long forgotten the needs of my kingdom. Do
thou now, good bishop, go to Sir Lancelot, tell him that I will make
peace with him and that I will receive back my queen. And do thou, good
Geraint, fare south again. I thank thee from my heart for what thou
hast done. Would to Heaven that all my knights were as clean-souled and
as single-minded in devotion unto me as thou art. Do thou go and fulfil
thy great office. Watch thou the coasts as hitherto thou hast watched
them; and soon I will follow to aid thee, should the foul and savage
pagans strive again to break into my realm.'

But, after all, Sir Gawaine had his way in part. The bishop took the
king's assurance, sealed with his great seal, whereby he promised Sir
Lancelot that he should come and go safe from murder or sudden onset,
and desiring him to bring the queen to the king at his hall at
Carlisle. But in that parchment was no word of reconciliation with Sir
Lancelot. Sir Gawaine fiercely told the king that the day on which he,
the king, should clasp the hand of Lancelot in friendship, he, Sir
Gawaine, with all his vassals and his men, would leave the kingdom. So
deep and burning was the hatred which Gawaine bore Sir Lancelot that he
even threatened that, if his will was not granted, he would join the
pagans and fight against the king.

So shamed and saddened was the king at these words that, to put an end
to his nephew's rage, he consented to do as he desired. Therefore,
though the bishop strove to persuade the king to make his peace with
Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawaine's will was done, and the bishop went sadly to
Joyous Gard.

He showed his writings to Sir Lancelot and the queen, and both were
sorrowful in that no word of reconciliation was said.

'I will do my lord's desire,' said the knight, 'but I see that Sir
Gawaine's hatred of me is in no way abated. Nevertheless, do thou ride,
my lord bishop, to the king. Commend me unto his good grace, and say to
him that in five days I will myself bring my lady, Queen Gwenevere,
unto hi