“Why?” said Elaine.
“I have great cause,” said Sir Gawain; “the knight that owneth this shield is the most honorable knight of the world.”
“So I thought ever,” said Elaine.
“But I dread me,” said Sir Gawain, “that ye shall never see him in this world and that is the greatest pity that ever was of earthly knight.”
“Alas,” said she, “how may this be? Is he slain?”
“I say not so,” said Sir Gawain, “but he is grievously wounded and more likely to be dead than to be alive and he is the noble knight, Sir Lancelot, for by this shield I know him.”
“Alas,” said Elaine, “how may this be and what was his hurt?”
“Truly,” said Sir Gawain, “the man in the world that loved him best, hurt him so, and I dare say, if that knight that hurt him knew that he had hurt Sir Lancelot, it would be the most sorrow that ever came to his heart.”
“Now, fair father,” said Elaine, “I require you give me leave to ride and to seek him and my brother, Sir Lavaine.”
“Do as it liketh you,” said her father, “for me sore repenteth of the hurt of that noble knight.”