Goneril winced. "You must stop apologizing," she said. "And I look just the same as you, so if you think I look like a queen sitting here, then you must know that means you do, as well. Stop being so hard on yourself; you don't deserve it."

Fiona sat back studying Goneril for a moment. "I think the oddest thing about this," she said, "is that you don't move when I think you should. I suppose most people have such an idea of what they look like that it's . . . surprising, when you suddenly realize what's in your mind is not the same as what's in the flesh."

Goneril smiled, a little shyly. "The problem for me is that I don't think I'm actually as pretty as I thought I was," she said. "My skin is sort of blotchy and my shoulders are too broad."

Faolin, who had been up until now bearing up patiently in the middle of what was devolving into a very frilly, intimate conversation about gowns and complexions, tried to distract himself by keeping an eye on the incoming cooks, in hopes that they might at least set the first course on fire.

"You wrong yourself, my lady," she replied politely. "I just wish I could let you have the dress as a keepsake when this is all done."

Goneril smiled. "It's all right," she said. "It wouldn't fit. Anyhow, there's nowhere I could wear something this fine at home," she said. "I'd look like a fool."

"You forget, I missed that conversation while I was out getting lost and Faolin was locked up with you," she said, half in jest. "Why couldn't you? I assume you don't have events like this. And all things compared I do not think the fashion would pass muster, if this is any comparison." She brushed down her dressfront.

"Well, yes," Goneril said. "It's a very different fashion, and much too fancy for anything I would ever be at. I've been to weddings, of course, but they're country weddings. Nice dresses are...well, ones with a little lace at the cuffs."

"Well, perhaps your wardrobe will expand soon," she said cheerfully. "You are going to have a different circle if you stay long in Avalon."

"What, Queens and Countesses and the like?" Goneril asked. "I think it will be a few weeks, that's all." She looked to Faolin for a moment, then back to Fiona. "How long are you planning to stay?"