The other three agreed, and Morgan le Fay cast her spell. Then
the four women lifted the knight upon his horse and went with him
to the castle of Morgan le Fay. They put the knight in a richly
decorated chamber and left him.

In the morning he awoke and wondered where he was. Soon a fair
damsel entered with food, and he asked her to explain how he came
to be in that place.

"Sir, I cannot," she said. "But I can tell you this much: you are
under a spell. In twelve hours the spell will break, and perhaps
I can help you then."

After the damsel had gone out, the four ladies entered. They were
clad in most beautiful robes. One had on silk that looked like
the foam of the sea. Another had on velvet that seemed like moss
from the forest. The third wore satin that was the color of maple
leaves in autumn. Morgan le Fay wore a robe that looked like a
storm-cloud, and her diamonds were like stars.

"Choose one of us for your wife," she said, "and you shall be
very happy."

But Sir Lancelot said:

"Fair ladies, I have no wish to marry. I would rather fight for
my good King Arthur who needs me."

At this the ladies were angry.

"You shall stay here till you choose," they said. "And if you
will not choose, then you shall die in prison."

They went out, and Sir Lancelot remained alone all day. At dusk
the fair damsel came to him.

"My lord," she said, "the spell is broken now, and I can help
you. These ladies are not kind to me, and I am going to run away.
I will take you with me on one condition."

"Name it, damsel," he said.

"I am a king's daughter," she said. "My father is King
Bagdemagus."

"He is a good man," Sir Lancelot said. "I know him well."

"My father has been fighting in a tournament," said the maiden,
"and has been overcome, with all his knights. He feels very sad.
Now, in two days there will be another tournament at which he
must fight. If you help him, he will surely win and be happy
again."

"I will gladly help him," said Sir Lancelot.

Then the damsel bade him walk softly with her. She opened twelve
great doors one after another. Each had a lock with a key so
heavy that the maiden had to use both hands to turn it. At last
they reached the courtyard, and there she gave Sir Lancelot his
horse and armor. She also mounted a horse, and the two rode away.

After riding all night, they came to the court of King
Bagdemagus. He was overjoyed to welcome Sir Lancelot, for well he
knew that none co