Sir Launcelot sends a damosel and a dwarf to ask Arthur and Sir Gawaine for peace on his behalf for committing adultery with Guinevere.  Gawaine rejects his plea, telling the damosel that it was far too late to ask for peace and that he will not leave until either Launcelot or himself has been slain. 

Launcelot weeps at the news from the damosel. His knights offer their help to fight Arthur, Gawaine, and the rest of the knights in battle.  Still, Launcelot doesn’t want to fight against Arthur, because it was Arthur who made him a knight. 

The next day, Launcelot’s knights see that Gawaine has laid siege to Benwick.  Gawaine is outside of the gate on his steed with his spear.  He challenges any of the knights to fight against him.  Gawaine calls to Launcelot, but instead, Sir Bors comes out.  Gawaine defeats him and almost slays him.  Then Gawaine defeats Sir Lionel.  He continues to defeat each knight that challenges him.

            Gawaine once again challenges Launcelot, looking for his revenge.  This time, Launcelot decides that he must defend himself.  Launcelot explains to Arthur that even though he doesn’t want to fight against his own blood, he must fight to defend himself because he can’t take it anymore.

            Gawaine and Lancelot prepare to fight a battle to the death. 

Elizabeth Gallagher Class of '07