This was the verdict of the judges, and the prize of that day's tourney was by all voted to the noble Sir Tristram.
Then the trumpets blew to lodging, and the knights left the field, while Queen Isolde was conducted to her pavilion. But her heart burned hot with wrath against Palamides, all whose treachery she had seen. As Tristram rode forward with Gareth and Dinadan, Palamides joined them, still disguised.
"Sir knight," said Tristram, "you are not of our party, and your company is not welcome. So begone."
"Not I," he answered. "One of the best knights in the world bade me keep fellowship with you, and till he relieve me from that service I must obey him."
"Ha, Palamides, I know you now!" said Tristram. "But, by my faith, I did not know you before, for I deemed you a worthy knight and not a traitor. I could have handled you well enough, but you brought Lancelot to your aid against me."
"Are you my lord, Sir Tristram?" said Palamides, in a tone of surprise.
"That you know, well enough."
"How should I know it any more than you knew me? I deemed you the king of Ireland, for you bear his arms."
"I won them in battle, from his champion Sir Marhaus," said Tristram.
"Sir," answered Palamides, "I fancied you had joined Lancelot's party, and that caused me to turn to the same side."