Arthur sends his knights to seek the Grail. Two years later, some stagger back to Camelot, wounded, dazed, and reporting strange visions. Lancelot has not returned. Gawaine returns first and tells his tale. He, Uwaine (his cousin), and Gareth came to the Castle of the Maidens, where Galahad had driven forth the castle guards. Gawaine and his comrades slayed all seven of the guards, and the three knights then went their separate ways. Gawaine then encountered a holy man who chastised him for his excessive killing—the reason for his failure to find the Grail. He then learned of the death of Uwaine. Lastly, he encountered Galahad at a tournament, and Galahad wounded him.

Sir Lionel returns next with his tale. When his brother, Sir Bors, came upon Lionel being beaten by two knights, he chose to rescue a maiden instead. Afterward, Bors, thinking Lionel was dead, took him to an abbey to be buried. Bors then faced a moral dilemma: make love to several women—Bors was chaste—or let them die. He chose his own chastity.

When Lionel recovered from his beating, he sought to kill Bors for leaving him to die. Bors, however, would not fight his own brother.