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He told him that nothing was too big a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.16 Hence, their wedding was proclaimed17, and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:
What a woman really wants is to be in charge of her own life.18
Everyone instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared.19
And so it was. The neighboring monarch granted Arthur total freedom.
What a wedding Gawain and the witch had!
Arthur was torn between relief and anguish.20 Gawain was proper as always, gentle and courteous.21 The old witch put her worst manners on display, and generally made everyone very uncomfortable.22
The honeymoon hour approached. Gawain, steeling23 himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But what a sight awaited him! The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen lay before him!
The astounded24 Gawain asked what had happened.
The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she'd appeared as a witch, she would henceforth be her horrible, deformed self half the time, and the other half, she would be her beautiful maiden self.25
Which would he want her to be during the day, and which during the night?
What a cruel question!
Gawain pondered his predica-ment.26 During the day, a beautiful woman to show off27 to his friends, but at night, in the privacy28 of his home, an old witch?
Or would he prefer having by day a hideous witch, but by night a beautiful woman with whom to enjoy many intimate29 moments?
What would you do?
What Gawain chose follows below, but don't read it until you've made your own choice.
Make YOUR choice BEFORE you read Gawain's answer!
Noble Gawain replied that he would let her choose for herself.
Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.
