Gwaine followed Arthur into the king's rooms. "Sire, you're back! We've been worried sick. Where have you been?"
Arthur threw his pack onto a chair and flopped unceremoniously onto his bed. From behind a pillow his weary voice answered "Hunting."
"You went hunting alone? You're not supposed to be doing that, Sire."
"Believe me, I know," said Arthur.
"Merlin made me swear I'd look after you while he's gone. Do you have any idea what he'll do to me if something happens to you?"
Arthur only groaned in reply.
"Forgive me, Sire. I'll let you rest." Gwaine winced. The word "sire" was still difficult for him to say comfortably. He had lately been making a real effort to speak with due respect to the king, if only for the sake of the younger knights who seemed to watch his every move.
"No, Gwaine, please stay a few minutes. I think I should talk to you. Please sit down." Arthur got up and sat in his chair at the table. Gwaine sat down obediently.
"I just wanted to get out for a while, get some air. Gwen and the ladies have been completely wrapped up in preparations for the holiday feast. They kept asking my opinion about terribly important things like matching napkins to table linens and table linens to centerpieces."
Gwaine groaned.
"And to make things worse, any opinion I foolishly ventured was promptly disregarded. I was in serious danger of going mad. When the idea of hunting occurred to me, it was just too good to resist. I thought I'd slip out for a quiet afternoon in the woods and be back before anyone missed me."
"So what kept you away so long?"
"I got into a bit of trouble, I'm afraid. I had been tracking a deer and I followed it a little further than perhaps was wise. I found myself in a clearing. I had just decided it was time to turn back when an enormous baron wielding a huge ax stepped out of the trees and accosted me. I gave him my best, but he quite honestly beat me. He had me pinned on the ground and I could not move. Then he swung up that mighty ax and I thought that was the end for me."
Gwaine was appalled. Arthur continued.
"But the Baron stopped. He said if I could answer his riddle he'd spare me. What else could I do? I agreed to try. I must return to meet him in the woods on New Year's Day. If I answer correctly I'll go free. If not..."
Neither of the men considered any idea of the king simply refusing to return on the appointed day. Arthur had given his word, and Gwaine knew he would keep it.
"We must find the answer to this riddle," said Gwaine. We've almost two weeks. Surely we can find it by then."
Arthur groaned and rested his head on his folded arms on the table.
"What is the riddle, Sire?"
"It is (and I quote): 'Bring me word what thing it is that a woman most desires'."
It was Gwaine's turn to slump onto the table. "Oh no," he said.