All this was told to Tristram by his squire Gouvernail, who had heard it from people of the country.
"Truly," said Tristram, "no man in England could bring me better tidings, for the king of Ireland will be glad of my aid, since no knight of this country not of Arthur's court will dare fight with Blamor. As I wish to win the good will of King Anguish, I will take on myself his battle. So, Gouvernail, go to the king for me, and tell him there is a champion ready to assume his cause."
Gouvernail thereupon went to Camelot, and greeted King Anguish, who returned his greeting and asked his errand.
"There is a knight near at hand who desires to speak with you," was the reply. "He bade me say that he was ready to do you knightly service."
"What knight may he be?" asked the king.
"Sir, it is Tristram of Lyonesse. For the grace you showed him in your country he is ready to repay you here, and to take the field as your champion."
"God be praised for this welcome news!" cried the king. "Come, good fellow, show me the way to Sir Tristram. Blamor will find he has no boy to handle."
He mounted a hackney, and with few followers rode under Gouvernail's guidance till they came to Tristram's pavilion. The knight, when he saw his visitor, ran to him and would have held his stirrup, but this the king would not permit. He leaped lightly from his horse and took Tristram warmly in his arms.
"My gracious lord," said Tristram, "I have not forgot the goodness which you formerly showed me, and which at that time I promised to requite by knightly service if it should ever be in my power."
"I have great need of you, indeed, gentle sir," answered the king. "Never before was I in such deep necessity of knightly aid."