And upon the morn early Sir Lancelot departed and rode until he came to Astolat and there it happened in the evening, he came to the castle of an old baron, who was called Sir Bernard of Astolat. As Sir Lancelot entered into his lodging, King Arthur saw him and knew him full well. “It is well,” said King Arthur unto the knights that were with him. “I have now seen one knight that will play his play at the jousts to which we are going. I undertake he will do great marvels.” “Who is that, we pray you tell us?” said many knights that were there at that time. “Ye shall not know from me,” said the King, “at this time.” And so the King smiled and went to his lodging. So when Sir Lancelot was in his lodging and unarmed him in his chamber, the old baron came to him and welcomed him in the best manner, but the old knight knew not Sir Lancelot. “Fair sir,” said Sir Lancelot to his host, “I would pray you to lend me a shield that were not openly known, for mine is well known.” “Sir,” said his host, “ye shall have your desire for meseemeth ye be one of the likeliest knights of the world and therefore I shall show you friendship. Sir, I have two sons that were but late made knights and the elder is called Sir Torre and he was hurt that same day he was made knight, that he may not ride and his shield ye shall have, for that is not known, I dare say, but here, and in no place else. And my younger son is called Lavaine and if it please you, he shall ride with you unto the jousts and he is of age and strong and brave; for much my heart giveth unto you that ye be a noble knight. Therefore, I pray you tell me your name,” said Sir Bernard. “As for that,” said Sir Lancelot, “ye must hold me excused at this time and if God give me grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall come again and tell you. But, I pray you, in any wise, let me have your son, Sir Lavaine, with me and that I may have his brother’s shield.” “All this shall be done,” said Sir Bernard. This old baron had a daughter that was called at that time the fair maiden of Astolat and her name was Elaine. So this maiden besought Sir Lancelot to wear upon him at the jousts a token of hers. “Fair damsel,” said Sir Lancelot, “if I grant you that, I will do more for you than ever I did for lady.” Then he remembered him he would go to the jousts disguised. And because he had never before that time borne the token of any lady, then he bethought him that he would wear one of hers, that none of his blood thereby might know him. And then he said, “Fair maiden, I will grant you to wear a token of yours upon mine helmet and therefore what it is, show it me.” “Sir,” she said, “it is a sleeve of mine, of scarlet, well embroidered with great pearls.” And so she brought it him. So Sir Lancelot received it and gave the maiden his shield in keeping, and he prayed her to keep that until he came again.