The Candle in the Wind is a fantasy novel by English writer T. H. White, the fourth book in the series The Once and Future King.

[2] King Arthur is tied up in a siege on Lancelot's Joyous Guard, as Mordred seeks to create trouble.

Mordred faces scorn and anger from his half-brothers, who are furious with him for turning in the Queen and accuse him of being a coward for running away from his fight with Lancelot.

When Mordred learns that Lancelot will return to prevent Guinevere's execution he demands that Arthur put more guards in the town.

Much to Gawaine's horror, it is discovered that in his haste to reach the Queen, Lancelot has killed Gareth and Gaheris before he could recognize them.

After spending several mornings taunting Lancelot as a traitor and a coward, Gawaine receives a blow to the head that gravely injures him.

To make sure that his legacy lives on, even if he dies in the battle, he explains his ideas to a young serving boy, Tom of Warwick, who is Thomas Malory of Warwickshire.

The book ends with Arthur sending Tom away to safety and becoming ready to face the coming battle "with a peaceful heart".

Arthur acknowledges that he will perhaps come again to try to create another perfect Round Table, and remembers the times he spent with Merlyn.

The Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot is largely based on The Ill-Made Knight and The Candle in the Wind.