The King sent his letters by his messenger to Lancelot. The messenger
sought him until he found him in the kingdom of Oriande, and delivered
him the letters and the seal of the King. So soon as he knew that which
the letters say, he took leave of them of the land, that were right
sorrowful. He departed thence and came back to Cardoil, bringing with
him all the knights that he had in charge, and told the King that he
had reconquered for him all the islands, and that the King of Oriande
was dead and that his land was attorned to the Law of Our Lord. The
King bade Briant of the Isles that he should make forty knights come
armed under their cloaks ready to take Lancelot prisoner as soon as he
should command them. The tidings come to Lancelot, there where he was
in his hostel, that the King had made knights come all armed to the
palace. Lancelot bethought him that some need had arisen and that he
would arm himself likewise, so he made him be armed and came to the
hall where the King was.
"Sir," saith Briant, "Lancelot thinketh him of something, for he hath
armed himself at his hostel, and is come hither in such manner and at
such time without your leave, and he may do something more yet. You
ought well to ask him wherefore he wisheth to do you evil, and in what
manner you have deserved it."
He biddeth him be called before him. "Lancelot," saith the King,
"Wherefore are you armed?"
"Sir, I was told that knights had come in hither armed, and I was
feared lest some mishap had befallen you, for I would not that any evil
should betide you."
"You come hither for another thing," saith the King, "according to that
I have been given to wit, and, had the hall been void of folk, you
hoped to have slain me."
The King commandeth him be taken forthwith without gainsay of any. The
knights that were armed did off their cloaks and leapt toward him on
all sides, for they durst not disobey the King's commandment, and the
more part were men of Briant of the Isles.