Excerpt: Keincaled's Rider

He hurried through the castle to the throne room. He wasn't sure where to go from there, but only a moment after he had entered, Merlin called out to him.
“Gawain, just the man we were looking for. Do come and join us."
He and Arthur were sitting a a small table . Gawain moved over to join them, picking up a chair on the way.
“King Arthur, Lord Merlin.” He nodded to them before sitting down.
“Now look here, Merlin,” Arthur said, “we simply can't do it this way. It's entirely unreasonable. Better to risk it, I say. Gawain's not some kind of animal.”
“No, no, Arthur. You must at least give him the choice. As you say, he is not some kind of animal.”
“I can't ask anyone to do that, Merlin. Be reasonable man.”
Gawain watched the argument curiously. “I think you might as well tell me whatever it is, Sire. It's bound to get out sooner or later – everything does – and it'll be better all 'round if you tell me what it is.”
“You do have a point there, Gawain. I suppose you will have to know, but please bear in mind that I am disgusted by the entire affair.” He pushed his chair away from the table and leaned back.
“You may remember that during your time away from Camelot we hunted a white stag. Well, what is not so widely known is what transpired after I brought the stag down. I was alone, because the men had gone on just after I spotted the stag, and I hadn't had the chance to call them back. I hadn't taken any weapons with me. In hindsight that was a foolish act, but I didn't think much of it at the time; at least, not until I was accosted by an armed man calling himself a knight.
“The brief version of the story is that this Sir Gromer Somer had taken some personal offence to me – it wasn't entirely clear why. I'm afraid the man is not entirely well in his mind. He therefore decided to track me down and kill me. I eventually persuaded him not to do so, as you may imagine, since you see me here.” He grinned, but the smile faded quickly.
“He demanded a ridiculous quest, however, and it's this quest that has caused such turmoil. By a year from the date I first met him – which is only a matter of weeks from now – I must meet him unarmed, in the same place. If I cannot answer for him the question of what it is that women truly want, he will kill me. No, hold.” He raised a hand as Gawain began to speak.
“I have travelled all over England, and even somewhat beyond, seeking this answer, but no two women say the same; finally I have come across one who surely knows the answer that Gromer Somer wants – I believe she is his sister. Herein lies the problem.
“This Lady Ragnell is incredibly ugly. She is old beyond her years. Her hair has fallen out and her weight bulges from all around her. She is so fat that she cannot stand up straight, and so dirty that even a pig would abhor the stench. Wise she may be, but acceptable she is not. She will give me the answer to the riddle on one condition. It is that – but no, I can't ask this.”
“She wants to marry you, Gawain,” Merlin said.
“Then so be it,” Gawain said quietly.