And my lord Gawain promises his service to him, as to his
lord and friend, and then Kay does likewise, and all the rest.
Then the king commends them to God as they start upon their way.
After these three, he bids the rest farewell, and then turns his
face toward home. The Queen and her company do not tarry a
single day until news of them reaches the court. King Arthur was
delighted at the news of the Queen's approach, and he is happy
and pleased at the thought that his nephew had brought about the
Queen's return, as well as that of Kay and of the lesser folk.
But the truth is quite different from what he thinks. All the
town is cleared as they go to meet them, and knights and vassals
join in shouting as they approach: "Welcome to my lord Gawain,
who has brought back the Queen and many another captive lady, and
has freed for us many prisoners!" Then Gawain answered them:
"Gentlemen, I do not deserve your praise. Do not trouble ever to
say this again, for the compliment does not apply to me. This
honour causes me only shame, for I did not reach the Queen in
time; my detention made me late. But Lancelot reached there in
time, and won such honour as was never won by any other knight."
"Where is he, then, fair dear sire, for we do not see him here?"
"Where?" echoes my lord Gawain; "at the court of my lord the
King, to be sure.
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