One day, there came to Sir Lancelot seven brethren, brave knights of Wales, who had joined their fortunes to his, and said: “Sir Lancelot, bid us sally forth against this host which has invaded and laid waste your lands, and we will scatter it; for we are not wont to cower behind walls.” “Fair lords,” answered Lancelot, “it is grief to me to war on good Christian knights and especially upon my lord, King Arthur. Have but patience, and I will send to him and see if, even now, there may not be a treaty of peace between us, for better far is peace than war.” So Sir Lancelot sought out a damsel and, mounting her upon a palfrey, bade her ride to King Arthur’s camp and require of the King to cease warring on his lands, proffering fair terms of peace. When the damsel came to the camp, there met her Sir Lucan the Butler. “Fair damsel,” said Sir Lucan, “do ye come from Sir Lancelot?” “Yea, in good truth,” said the damsel; “and, I pray you, lead me to King Arthur.” “Now may ye prosper in your errand,” said Sir Lucan. “Our King loves Sir Lancelot dearly and wishes him well; but Sir Gawain will not suffer him to be reconciled to him.” So when the damsel had come before the King, she told him all her tale, and much she said of Sir Lancelot’s love and goodwill to his lord the King, so that the tears stood in Arthur’s eyes. But Sir Gawain broke in roughly: “My lord and uncle, shall it be said of us that we came hither with such a host to hie us home again, nothing done, to be the scoff of all men?” “Nephew,” said the King, “methinks Sir Lancelot offers fair and generously. It were well if ye would accept his proffer. Nevertheless, as the quarrel is yours, so shall the answer be.” “Then, damsel,” said Sir Gawain, “say unto Sir Lancelot that the time for peace is past. And tell him that I, Sir Gawain, swear by the faith I owe to knighthood that never will I forego my revenge.” So the damsel returned to Sir Lancelot and told him all. Sir Lancelot’s heart was filled with grief nigh unto breaking; but his knights were enraged and clamored that he had endured too much of insult and wrong, and that he should lead them forth to battle. Sir Lancelot armed him sorrowfully and presently the gates were set open and he rode forth, he and all his company. But to all his knights he had given commandment that none should seek King Arthur; “for never,” said he, “will I see the noble King who made me knight, either killed or shamed.”