Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.
Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur , it seemed an impossible query.
But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.
He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester.
But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.
The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!
He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur .
He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.
Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur 's life would be spared.
And so it was, the neighbouring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.
The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom.
The beauty replied that since h e had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.
During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch?
Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?
OKAY?
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.
