"I don't know," Goneril replied. "Maybe people do respond how they're meant to. Because, you know. The characters in books never see it coming. If they did, there would never be any quarrels in books. So just because we don't see it coming doesn't mean that, well, someone reading us, if we were a story, wouldn't."

Fiona wasn't certain whether she should be amused or disturbed by the idea. "Well, plainly whoe'er was writing things would know," she said, reasonably. "I suppose they could have everyone respond just as they like, no matter how little sense it made. It just wouldn't be a very good story, is all.

"Oh, well, yes, in a story, yes," Goneril agreed. "I'm talking more about us. That maybe people do say the things they're meant to say. Take us, for example. Everything's worked out all right, hasn't it?"

"More or less," said Fiona, who was still stranded at trying to determine how this related to Faolin's preferences in women. Her eyebrows went up again, her face relaxing. "Ah, I see. I think. If things worked out after all then whatever was done was the right thing to do, yes?"

Goneril's face brightened. "Exactly! And, sometimes the things people are meant to do...well, they don't work out as we'd like, but it doesn't mean they're not meant. If that makes sense?" She scratched her head. "I don't know if it does. Maybe I'm going too far with this analogy."

The queen laughed brightly. "I think you might have done. I was all out to sea for a moment there." She limped back to the table and used its edge to carefully lower herself to the bench. "Pass me my cane, an you would. There is a saying: 'don't think too hard about where the seeds fall, so long as the corn comes up.' I think it's much the same idea."

Goneril nodded. "Yes, that actually sounds a bit better," she agreed, and reached for the other girl's cane, passing it over to her. "Did your talks go well yesterday? I heard a little from Faolin, but that's not the same as hearing it from you."

Fiona did not quite grimace, but her gaze moved discreetly to the side. "It went very well indeed. Both Her Majesty and the countess were extremely amenable. Of course we hardly asked for much. But for the first time any of us had e'er sat in the same room . . . of course I think Her Majesty Pepita badly needs about two more baird set to her, but I think the countess felt the same. There were times she seemed embarrassed on her Queen's behalf." Fiona shot her a sharp look. "And that was very candid of me, I know. I mean no insult to the lady Queen, but please, I pray you, don't repeat it."

"I wouldn't," Goneril replied. "I don't know anyone to repeat it to. It...sounds like a step in the right direction?" she said brightly. "And the Queen is almost as new here as I am; I am sure she'll learn."

She looked thoughtful. "Well, I am sure his lordship your brother and the countess felt the same . . . but that doesn't give me the right to go around saying it." She smiled. "We shall see how she improves. She is also coming for Imbolc. I don't know what I am going to do with all this company, Goneril! And a halfling Queen to boot." She hesitated, then said, shyly, "You two were not back before I went to bed."