After seven grueling years in Spain, Chiarlymaen's army is finally about to set out for France, following the pagan king Marsli's apparent claim of defeat. Witness Gwenlwyd in action, as he ensures Rolant's presence in the rearguard, which is to be ambushed by the heathens.

Chiarlymaen... called his barons to inquire of them who should remain as protector behind the host. "There is no one of us," said Gwenlwyd, "who is better able than Rolant, and there is no one of us who may presume to bear better than he a burden as great as that." And then Chiarlymaen looked angrily upon him and said: "You speak like a mad man," he said, "and it is evident from your speech that there is devilry in you. Who will be protector," he said, "of the van if I would leave Rolant as protector of the rearguard?" "Oger of Denmark," said Gwenlwyd, "who merits before anyone that honor."

And after Rolant had heard the decisive speech by Gwenlwyd, he thought to corroborate the speech in deed: "O good stepfather, you have deserved to be loved by me for judging to me an honor as great as that - by balancing a labor as great as that with my strength. And although that honor be onerous, I shall accept it gladly; and besides, no one will be found who wishes or dares to interfere with the honor that was adjudged to me. And where I am left as protector of the rearguard, Chiarlymaen will not lose the worth of a penny - to my way of thinking - without my avenging it immediately with my right hand and my sword." "We know one thing for certain," said Gwenlwyd, "that you are speaking the truth about that; and there is no one of those who know you who does not know that you are speaking the truth about that."

And then Rolant said to Chiarlymaen: "Good, mighty, noble king," he said, "present me with the honor that Gwenlwyd adjudged to me, if it seems to you that I am worthy of it. And invest me," he said, "with the bow which is in your hand; and I promise you firmly that the bow will not fall from my hand as the letter fell from Gwenlwyd's hand out of fear." And Chiarlymaen did not answer him at those words but turned his face sadly from him toward the ground, without being able to keep from weeping.

And at that, Prince Naim came to Chiarlymaen to commend Gwenlwyd's speech concerning Rolant, with these words: "Why, lords, do you anger Rolant against his will regarding the matter of giving him the charge of the rearguard, which none of us, moreover, would dare [to do] after it was judged and named to him? Honor the good, noble vassal with that onerous honor and present him the bow which is in your hand; and leave him a part of your cavalry which may insure his praise." And at the prince's words, the king presented the bow to Rolant and he accepted it gladly.