Then Sir Tristram requested them to take off their helms; and when they did so, they were Sir Lancelot and King Arthur. So they were joyfully welcomed, and there was much merry talk about the tournament and other things.
“For what cause,” said King Arthur, “are you, Sir Tristram, against us? You are a Knight of the Round Table, and of right should be with us.”
“My lord,” said Sir Tristram, “here are Sir Dinadan and your own nephew, Sir Gareth, that have made me be against you.”
“My lord,” quoth Sir Gareth, “though I have the blame, it was Sir Tristram’s own will.”
“And that have we cause to repent,” said Dinadan; “for this unhappy Sir Tristram brought us to the tournament, and many great buffets hath he since earned us.”
At that all laughed mightily. Then said King Arthur to Tristram, “What knight was it that fought so sturdily with you—he with the silver shield?”
“Sir,” answered Tristram, “he is sitting at this table.”
“What?” cried the king. “Was it Sir Palomides?—Ah, sir, that was unknightly of you.”
“Sir,” answered Palomides, “I knew not Sir Tristram, because he was so disguised.”
“That might well be,” said Lancelot, “for I knew him not.”