In the first of these interrelated tales, Merlin falls dotingly in love with the maiden Sir Pellanor brought into court, Nineve. She is afraid to lie with Merlin because he is a devil's son, and in his company she is "ever passynge wery of him," but she hides her disgust in order to learn the secrets of his art. She travels with him to the court of Sir Ban, where Merlin predicts fame for Ban's son Launcelot. Afterward, through magic, Nineve seals Merlin in a cave.
Meanwhile, Arthur goes to war against a league of five kings. Since Arthur leaves for war in haste, in advance of his allies, the enemy has the advantage; but by pure luck, Arthur, Kay, Gawain, and Gryfflet encounter the five kings alone. Gawain advises flight, but Kay vows he'll kill two of the kings, evening the odds, and does so. Arthur and the other knights kill the remainder, and Guinevere gives Kay her formal and characteristic praise: he is well worthy of some lady's love.
The host of the five kings is easily destroyed, and the eight Round Table knights who die in this action are replaced. One of the knights elevated to Round Table status is Tor. At his advancement another minor knight, Sir Bagdemagus, is angry. He leaves the court, resolving not to return until he has proved his worth. He finds a sign of the Grail — evidence that he is right in his judgment of himself — and later finds the cave where Merlin is sealed up alive. Merlin tells him that no one but Nineve can free him, and Bagdemagus rides on.
