... I reach Thidrek and grab his arm. He is still burning with dragon fire, but he turns and blinks at me.

"Now I really think you ought to get some rest," I tell him sternly. "It is not in your hands anymore! Justice will have its course!"

I check that young Aoibheann is safe with her family, then bow deeply to Queen Desdemona. "Thanks for the entertainment, my queen, but now we shall retire... my champion here has overexerted himself."

Thidrek smiles weakly but proudly. He bows in his turn, extending invitations to everybody when he will have a kingdom again, then lets me steer him out of the hall.

"So you had your fight," I tease him, fondly.

"Yes," he replied, a flicker of fire in his eyes. Then a yawn. I see. Why, o why must he always end up in this sorry shape when he is with me? I hold him by the waist, his tired arm around my shoulder, as we disappear in the night.