The celebrations were subdued. Arry greeted Marcus with real gratitude and delight, but once the hugs were over, he was so very much inclined to put his arm around Princess Nina-Rose in a proprietorial fashion that Marcus had to work hard not to feel rejected. Prince Albion refused to stop being indignant and demanding decapitation for all and sundry, until at last the Ancient One sent a message asking him to come to room seventeen on his own. He came back looking pink and was obsequiously grateful to both Marcus and Gracie. Prince Tertius and Princess Fedora endlessly gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes and took no notice whatsoever of their surroundings.

“Do you think they even noticed that they were turned into frogs?” Marcus asked under his breath. Gracie giggled and went on passing out chocolate cake.

Little Prince Vincent was the only one who was excited by his adventure. “Imagine me being a frog!” he kept saying. “Ribbit, ribbit!” Then he’d fall over laughing at his own joke until it was time to try it again. Gracie caught Marcus’s eye, and he had to smother his laughter with a napkin.

When the irrepressible path had finally been persuaded to lie down and widen itself, and the royal carriages were able to come rolling up through the green mist, the Royal Families were reunited with hugs and tears.

“Well done, Marcus m’boy,” King Frank boomed, over and over again. “Arioso says it’s all thanks to you that he’s back to normal! Well done, m’boy!”

“Actually,” Marcus said, “it was much more Gracie. And —” He looked around for Gubble, but Gubble was nowhere to be seen.

“He’s in hiding, kiddo,” whispered Marlon, who was happily perched on Val’s shoulder, with Millie on the other side.

“I’m sure the little lady was a great help,” King Frank said, looking disapprovingly at the bats. “But we must be off! Hop into the carriage — there’s a lad.”

Marcus stood up straight and bowed. “Excuse me, Father, but I won’t be coming back with you. Glee’s here, so I shall ride him back later. Perhaps tomorrow or the day after. Please give my very best wishes to my mother, and”— he suddenly grinned hugely —“to Professor Scallio. Tell him the map was amazing.”

King Frank looked long and hard at his second son. “Hmm,” he said at last. “D’you know what? You’ve grown up, m’lad. Come back when you’re ready.” He tucked Nina-Rose’s arm in his. “Oh — and about that map. Better keep it. Think you deserve it.”

There was a wonderfully peaceful feeling in WATER WINGS after the princes and princesses had gone. Elsie sat back and helped herself to another piece of cake. “Wouldn’t be royal if you paid me,” she observed. “Don’t know how you turned out so well, young Marcus.”

Marcus shrugged. “I had a good tutor,” he said, and glanced at Val. She looked anxious, but Marcus smiled. “He is your brother, isn’t he?”

“Sure is,” Val replied.

Marlon chipped in. “Best prof ever! Taught me everything I know!”

“And now we’re going to live happily ever after, ain’t we, Dad!” Millie said, and she fluttered a wing against Val’s cheek.

Gracie began clearing up the plates and cups. “That’s so nice,” she said, and was pleased to note that she didn’t sound at all wistful. “Happy-ever-afters are the best. . . . Oh! Where’s Gubble?”

Elsie laughed. “He’s in with the Ancient. They’re talking about old times. She’s promised him a cupboard in room four for his very own, and he’s one happy troll.”

Millie made a sudden swift zigzagging flight from Val to Gracie. “You’d be ever so welcome to come and share with us, Miss. Wouldn’t she, Miss Val? And Dad?”

“Sure thing, kiddo,” Marlon said. “Be a real pleasure. An honor. Absolutely.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Gracie said slowly. “It really is. But I think, if it’s OK, I might stay here for a while. If you’ll have me, of course.” She looked across at Elsie, who nodded reassuringly. “It’s odd,” Gracie went on, “but I kind of need to know that Foyce is all right . . . that she settles down as a crone. Is that silly?”

“Foyce?” Elsie stared at Gracie, then slapped her forehead. “Oh, my goodness me. If we haven’t forgotten all about her. Just look at the time! She’ll be about to pop up any moment! Marlon, be a good bat and warn the Ancient One. And Val — run back to the web so the Ancient’s free!” She jumped up and hurried out of the room. After a moment’s hesitation, Gracie followed her.

Outside room thirteen, Elsie paused with her hand on the door handle. “Are you sure you want to see her again, sweetie?” she asked. “She may be a little — shall we say — cross? Not dangerous, though. She’ll be too sand-soaked for that.”

“I’ll be fine,” Gracie said. All the same, she held her breath as Elsie opened the door and led the way into the room.