Final answer:
Chrétien de Troyes' literary works on the Arthurian legend do not include the 'return of the king' element, focusing more on chivalry and romance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The version of the Arthurian legend that does not include the "return of the king" element is that of Chrétien de Troyes. Chrétien de Troyes, a French poet, is well-known for his contributions to the Arthurian romances, bringing characters like Lancelot to the forefront in his works. Unlike the other authors listed, Chrétien's tales focus more on the chivalric and romantic aspects of the stories rather than the overarching narrative of King Arthur's potential return.