Lancelot: The Knight of the Cart by Chrétien de Troyes - Part 6

Lancelot: The Knight of the Cart by Chrétien de Troyes

Part Six.

Lancelot and his two companions journey to the Sword Bridge. It is perilous and the two brothers are fearful for Lancelot's safety, as it looks impossible to cross. The bridge is suspended over a raging stream and is as sharp as a sword the length of two lances. Worse still, two lions are tied up on the other side. Lancelot is not discouraged, but will he survive the treacherous pass and the beasts that guard the way to the kingdom of Bademagu?

Lancelot manages to cross the bridge, though he is badly cut and bleeding. He discovers that the lions are not real and that they were all under an enchantment. His ring from the Lady of the Lake helped him to uncover the spell.

King Bademagu and his villainous son Meleagant see Lancelot approaching and witness his valorous deed. Bademagu pleads with his son to hand the Queen over peaceably to Lancelot, but Meleagant will not give her up without a fight.

Bademagu sympathizes with Lancelot and offers him aid and protection and warns that his son will fight him for the Queen. Lancelot does not wish to delay, but the King urges him to wait until the next day and calls his doctor to assist him.

Meleagant is resentful of his father's interest in Lancelot and is anxious to battle him. Still, Bademagu tries to stop his son again to no avail. Meleagant wants a fight and so does Lancelot. Spectators come from all around to witness the great conflict, while Lancelot rests for the night.