Summary: Chapter 21
Elaine has decided to become a nun and does not think
much about Lancelot anymore. One day, she comes across the wild
man asleep in her father’s robe and immediately recognizes him as
Lancelot. She tells King Pelles, and he summons doctors to heal
Lancelot’s spirits. Lancelot finally wakes from his madness, completely
unconscious of anything that has occurred since he went berserk.
Summary: Chapter 22
Lancelot and Elaine eventually move into Sir Bliant’s
castle, and Lancelot goes by the name of Le Chevalier Mal Fet, which
means “the ill-made knight.” A young knight tells Lancelot that
he has uncovered Lancelot’s true identity. Lancelot asks him to
respect his wish to remain incognito. The young knight apologetically
promises to keep Lancelot’s secret.
Summary: Chapter 23
In the spring, Elaine arranges a huge tournament. Lancelot,
in disguise, defeats everyone else at the tournament, and the others
leave, grumbling about the mystery knight. Elaine cries at this
social fiasco, then finds Lancelot standing on the castle ramparts,
where she sees that the symbol on his shield is that of a knight
bowing before a queen. One day, two knights come to Bliant Castle
and ask to fight with the mysterious Chevalier Mal Fet. They are
amazed by his prowess, and he eventually reveals that he is Lancelot.
The two knights turn out to be Sir Degalis, one of the Round Table
knights, and Sir Ector de Maris, who, not to be confused with Arthur’s
old guardian, is one of Arthur’s knights and also Lancelot’s brother. Elaine
watches the joyful reunion, knowing that these knights will break
her heart by taking Lancelot away.
Summary: Chapter 24
Sir Degalis and Sir Ector de Maris urge Lancelot to return
to Camelot with them. Lancelot feels doggedly obliged to Elaine
and says he will return. One day, a squire appears and sits at the
castle moat, saying he is waiting for Lancelot. Elaine asks Lancelot
what she should do about Galahad if Lancelot does not return. Pretending not
to know what she is talking about, Lancelot assures her he will return. The
squire turns out be Uncle Dap, who has brought all of Lancelot’s
armor, polished and patched. Guenever has stitched a mantle onto
the back of his helmet, and when he sniffs it, Lancelot is reminded of
her. He rides away with Uncle Dap without looking back.
Summary: Chapter 25
Fifteen years pass and England has grown much more civilized. Instead
of thieves and murderers and towers going up in flames, the new
civilization has scholars and hospitals. Arthur is now accepted as
a great king, and Lancelot as a legendary hero. A new and eager generation
of knights comes to Camelot, among them Gareth and Arthur’s son,
Mordred.
Summary: Chapter 26
Arthur tells Lancelot a little about the Orkney boys and
describes how they are so violent and unhappy because of Morgause.
Of Morgause’s children, Lancelot thinks the least of Mordred, though
he is unaware that Morded is Arthur’s son. Lancelot casually tells
Arthur that Morgause has seduced King Pellinore’s youngest son,
Lamorak. Arthur is aghast—it turns out that Pellinore killed Lot
by accident in a tournament and was in turn killed by one of the
Orkney clan. Arthur worries that Lamorak may be in danger.
