arged the queen and all her knights that none of all her fellowship
should depart from her; for full sore he dread Sir Launcelot du Lake,
lest he should have any knowledging. All this espied the queen, and
privily she called unto her a child of her chamber that was swiftly
horsed, to whom she said: Go thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear
this ring unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me that
he will see me and rescue me, if ever he will have joy of me; and spare
not thy horse, said the queen, neither for water, neither for land. So
the child espied his time, and lightly he took his horse with the spurs,
and departed as fast as he might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so
flee, he understood that it was by the queen's commandment for to warn
Sir Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed chased him and shot at
him, but from them all the child went suddenly. And then Sir Meliagrance
said to the queen: Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I shall ordain
for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you. And then he
rode with her, and they all, to his castle, in all the haste that they
might. And by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an embushment the best
archers that he might get in his country, to the number of thirty, to
await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they saw such a manner
of knight come by the way upon a white horse, that in any wise they slay
his horse, but in no manner of wise have not ado with him bodily, for he
is over-hardy to be overcome.

So this was done, and they were come to his castle, but in no wise the
queen would never let none of the ten knights and her ladies out of her
sight, but always they were in her presence; for the book saith,
Sir Meliagrance durst make no masteries, for dread of Sir Launcelot,
insomuch he deemed that he had warning. So when the child was departed
from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance, within a while he came to
Westminster, and anon he found Sir Launcelot. And when he had told his
message, and delivered him the queen's ring: Alas, said Sir Launcelot,
now I am shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from
dishonour. Then eagerly he asked his armour; and ever the child told Sir
Launcelot how the ten knights fought marvellously, and how Sir Pelleas,
and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde, fought
strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none withstand him; and
how they all fought till at the last