- When the Saracens get to Charlemagne, they find him chilling in an orchard with 15,000 Franks, sitting on a gold throne and happily stroking his beard: yo, just conquered Spain, dudes!
- Blancandrin explains the scheme and suggests that it might be time for Charlemagne to take it easy back home in Aix instead of seizing Saragossa.
- It sounds like a sweet deal, but Charlemagne is a careful dude. How can he know this promise is for real? Blancandrin offers hostages, including his own son, and promises that on St. Michael's Day Marsile will be at Aix, ready to be baptized a Christian.
- The next morning Charlemagne summons his Twelve Peers (Frankish nobles who serve as his right-hand military men and advisory board) to help him make a decision. He admits that he cannot know whether Marsile is speaking truthfully or not.
- Count Roland, Charlemagne's nephew, speaks up first and condemns Marsile for past treachery, remembering that he murdered two Frankish envoys earlier in the war. The only response is total war against Saragossa.
- But Ganelon, Roland's stepfather, has a different opinion. Why distrust Marsile, who has sent men and gifts? Besieging Saragossa will only cost Frankish lives.
- Duke Naimes is also persuaded by Marsile's offer of Saracen hostages. If he's willing to send his own men, that must mean he's serious. He sides with Ganelon and argues that Spain is broken and begging for mercy. He even offers to go himself to Marsile, but Charlemagne wants him nearby to give more advice.
- Roland offers to go, too, but his close friend Oliver points out that he is too hotheaded for diplomacy. Archbishop Turpin also volunteers but is turned down. Charlemagne wants a vote.
- When Roland suggests Ganelon, everyone is on board but Ganelon himself, who splutters with anger and threatens to get even with Roland when he returns. Roland is unfazed. We don't know why Roland and Ganelon are getting on like Cinderella and her stepmother, but it seems like Ganelon is referencing some old beef between them.
- Ganelon accepts the command but seems to be disturbed by the fate of the murdered envoys. He is publicly upset about the likelihood that the Saragossa Saracens will murder him on sight. Angry at Roland, he challenges him in front of the Peers in three separate stanzas. See "Writing Style" for more insight into this poetic technique.
- Charlemagne hands Ganelon his glove and staff, but Ganelon in his anger and fear drops the glove. Bad move—the Franks recognize this as a terrible omen.
- Arming himself for his mission, Ganelon asks some friends to bring messages back to his wife and son if he does not return.