astle beside Camelot; and all was to that intent
to slay Sir Lamorak. The Queen of Orkney was there but a while, but Sir
Lamorak wist of their being, and was full fain; and for to make an end
of this matter, he sent unto her, and there betwixt them was a night
assigned that Sir Lamorak should come to her. Thereof was ware Sir
Gaheris, and there he rode afore the same night, and waited upon Sir
Lamorak, and then he saw where he came all armed. And where Sir Lamorak
alighted he tied his horse to a privy postern, and so he went into a
parlour and unarmed him; and then he went unto the queen's bed, and she
made of him passing great joy, and he of her again, for either loved
other passing sore. So when the knight, Sir Gaheris, saw his time, he
came to their bedside all armed, with his sword naked, and suddenly gat
his mother by the hair and struck off her head.

When Sir Lamorak saw the blood dash upon him all hot, the which he loved
passing well, wit you well he was sore abashed and dismayed of that
dolorous knight. And therewithal, Sir Lamorak leapt out of the bed in
his shirt as a knight dismayed, saying thus: Ah, Sir Gaheris, knight
of the Table Round, foul and evil have ye done, and to you great shame.
Alas, why have ye slain your mother that bare you? with more right
ye should have slain me. The offence hast thou done, said Gaheris,
notwithstanding a man is born to offer his service; but yet shouldst
thou beware with whom thou meddlest, for thou hast put me and my
brethren to a shame, and thy father slew our father; and thou to lie by
our mother is too much shame for us to suffer. And as for thy father,
King Pellinore my brother Sir Gawaine and I slew him. Ye did him the
more wrong, said Sir Lamorak, for my father slew not your father, it
was Balin le Savage: and as yet my father's death is not revenged. Leave
those words, said Sir Gaheris, for an thou speak feloniously I will slay
thee. But because thou art naked I am ashamed to slay thee. But wit thou
well, in what place I may get thee I shall slay thee; and now my mother
is quit of thee; and withdraw thee and take thine armour, that thou were
gone. Sir Lamorak saw there was none other bote, but fast armed him, and
took his horse and rode his way making great sorrow. But for the shame
and dolour he would not ride to King Arthur's court, but rode another
way.

But when it was known that Gaheris had slain his mother the king was
passing wroth, and commanded him to go