The Minstrel approached Castle Camelhot, stopped when he found his way barred by the moat, and rang the bell. A second later, Cinder and Clinker looked out over the ramparts.

'Who goes there?' said Clinker.

'It's me, the Minstrel!' the Minstrel called, waving his lute at them.

'Just a tick!' Cinder called back.

Moments later, the drawbridge came crashing to the ground. The Minstrel stepped onto it and made his way into the castle courtyard, remarking to himself, 'Looks like Cinder and Clinker haven't changed since I've been away. Oh, and here's Flicker, still running around after everyone. What's going on in Camelhot today, I wonder?'

'Hello, good, you're here,' said Flicker, skidding to a halt in front of the Minstrel, for he had indeed been running. 'Did you just ask what was going on? I thought you would have been told.'

'The letter just said it was a royal ball,' said the Minstrel. 'Well, I suppose that's all I need to know… except perhaps which songs I ought to play.'

'Goodness, I don't know,' said Flicker. 'Romantic ones, I suppose. Come on, I'm supposed to take you to the ballroom.' He turned and began leading the way into the body of the castle.

'Why romantic ones?'

'To encourage Sir Blaze to fall in love with someone.'

'Really? Who?'

'Anyone.'

'A girl, I suppose,' said the Minstrel.

'Of course a girl,' said Flicker.

'I see. Queen Griddle is looking for a daughter-in-law. Hmm.' The Minstrel stopped walking, and looked thoughtful. 'Something tells me Sir Blaze isn't looking forward to tonight.'

Flicker stopped also, and turned to face him. 'What makes you say that?'

'Oh, nothing,' said the Minstrel. 'I was just thinking out loud.'

'Are you going to do that a lot?'

'I don't know. I'll try not to. It's an old habit.'

'You didn't do it when we met you in Ireland,' said Flicker.

'No,' said the Minstrel. 'It's coming back here, I suppose. I'm sorry, Flicker - I really will try to keep quiet. Lead on.'

Flicker carried on walking, and the Minstrel followed.

'At least it's not a ball for Princess Flame, eh?' he said. 'How is she these days? She must be pretty fed up waiting by now.'

'You seem very well informed,' said Flicker, 'considering how long you were away.'

'I know a lot about this place, Flicker, and all of you who live here. But perhaps I shouldn't talk about it so much. It's just that when I was here before, no one really took any notice of what I was saying, so I never had to keep things to myself.'

'Well, discretion is the better part of valour,' said Flicker. 'But before you shut up completely, please tell me one thing. Just how much do you think Sir Blaze is dreading tonight?'

'Oh, a lot,' said the Minstrel. 'An awful, awful lot, Flicker.'

'Poor Sir Blaze,' said Flicker. 'I thought so. He's hardly been himself since he found out what this party was for. Well, anyway, let's go - I'm not supposed to dawdle.'

He turned and led the Minstrel on down the corridor.

In his private quarters, Sir Blaze was lying facedown on his bed while Princess Flame sat next to him, speaking in soothing tones.

'Look, it's really not that bad,' she said. 'You can just tell Stepmother Griddle you didn't like any of the maidens at the ball. Surely she's not going to make you rush into marrying just anyone.'

Blaze lifted his head, and said, 'She may not make me rush, but she's determined that I should marry, and if I do it'll have to be just anyone. I know I shall never fall in love, Flame. Don't ask me how I know - I just do.'

'I wasn't going to,' said Flame. 'You can keep on stalling her, can't you? It's not all that hard. I've got out of her matchmaking schemes a few times now.'

'But it's different for you. One of these days you're going to shut her up by actually getting married. I'm not. I need a more permanent solution. Last night, while I was soaking in a nice hot bath, I seriously thought of running away.'

'Oh, Blaze, you mustn't!' said Flame. 'You tried that once before, remember? I missed you very much, and Stepmother Griddle was distraught - and I don't think you had a very good time of it either, did you?'

'No,' said Blaze, 'not very. You and Flicker helped me out then, didn't you? I don't suppose you've got any bright ideas this time.'

'Our idea didn't work last time… or at least, not in the way we planned. Mind you, Flicker and I have cooked up some pretty successful schemes together before. I'll tell you what. If you promise me you won't run away, and you just stall Stepmother Griddle for tonight, Flicker and I will put our heads together and try to think of something. How's that?'

'It's very kind of you,' said Blaze, 'but I wasn't being serious. I mean, what can you possibly do?'

'Well,' said Flame, 'I'll tell you when we've thought of it. I'll go and talk to Flicker about it now, shall I?'

She went to the door and pushed it open. Then she paused as, smiling weakly, Blaze said, 'Thanks, sis. I mean, even if you can't think of anything, thank you for the talk.'

Flame returned his smile, then turned and exited the room. When she pushed the door shut behind her, Count Geoffrey's Evil Spy was standing there, but Flame didn't turn round and see him. He waited until she was out of sight, and then crept away.

In the ballroom, Cinder and Clinker were helping Flicker to arrange trestle tables along one of the walls. They were no longer in their guards' uniform, but had changed into their jesters' caps and jumper in the short time since they were at the ramparts. The Minstrel stood on the bandstand, tuning his lute. When he glanced up at the window, he saw Blaze and Flame's eavesdropper creeping away over the hills.

'Hmm,' said the Minstrel. 'Looks like Count Geoffrey's Evil Spy is off to divulge the latest of Camelhot's secrets.'

'Did you say something over there?' Flicker called across the room.

The Minstrel turned away from the window and, grinning sheepishly, he called back, 'Sorry, Flicker! Old habits die hard.'

'Flicker!'

Flicker turned round, and saw that Princess Flame had entered the room. She walked up to him, grabbed both of his hands and said, 'Hello. I've told Sir Blaze we'll try and think of a way to stop Stepmother Griddle trying to make him get married.'

'What, for good?'

'Yes. It's a tall order, I know.'

'Taller even than the bonfire I built for St. George's Day,' said Flicker. 'Well, I'll think about it, Flame, and maybe we can discuss it tomorrow. But not today, I'm afraid. Sir Loungelot volunteered me to Queen Griddle to set up for this party, and on top of that he expects me to do all my regular work and get him looking desirable for all the maidens tonight.'

'Even you can never manage that, Flicker,' said Flame.

'Don't,' said Flicker, trying to suppress a smile. 'There are about half a dozen rules in the Code of Chivalry that prohibit me from laughing at that.'

'Sorry. Well, I'd better go and let you get on with it, hadn't I? Honestly, I don't know how you can stand to be so overworked all the time.'

'I can stand it because I know I'll get my reward in the end. It feels so close now, I think I could put up with anything. I can practically smell that knighthood, Flame!'

'Now that's more like it!' said Flame. Then she kissed him on the cheek, let go of his hands and went running across the room, shouting, 'Hi, Minstrel! Long time no see!'

'Flame!' Flicker called after her. 'Can you please pretend I didn't say that? The Code of Chivalry -'

'I don't care!'

Some time later, the party was underway. The Minstrel was still on the bandstand, where he had been joined by a drummer and saxophonist. Many of the guests were helping themselves to items from the buffet, while a few took the trouble to dance. Sir Blaze was talking to a red dragon who was dressed in bright colours, and Sir Loungelot was dancing with Queen Griddle. King Allfire kept to one corner, where Flame was keeping him company.

'I never did like these sorts of affairs much,' he said.

'Me neither,' said Flame. 'I only came to give Blaze some moral support. Gosh.' Her eye fell upon Flicker, who kept running in and out of the side entrance to replenish the buffet. 'He looks exhausted.'

'Who, Blaze?' said Allfire. 'He looks all right to me.'

'No,' said Flame. 'Flicker. Sir Loungelot's squire.'

'Oh.' Allfire looked at Flicker. 'That boy works hard, doesn't he? Well, he might get a couple of days off soon. Loungelot told me he was planning a little trip.'

'Oh, but he'll take Flicker with him, surely.'

'I wouldn't be so sure about that. You can ask Loungelot if you like - he's finished dancing with the Queen, look. Hello, dear,' Allfire said, as Griddle approached.

'This is ridiculous!' she yelled at him. 'Blaze has been talking to the Earl of Doncaster all evening! Why isn't he talking to the eligible maidens?'

'Why don't I go and give him a nudge?' said Flame.

'All right,' said Griddle, 'but no tricks. I know what you're like about marriage.'

Flame crossed the dance floor, grabbed Blaze's elbow and said, 'Sorry to interrupt, Blaze, but Stepmother's miffed that you're not talking to any girls.'

'But I don't know what to say to the girls,' said Blaze, pouting. 'Besides, I'm having a rather stimulating chat with Donkey at the moment, about anti-ageing remedies.'

'Come along, Blaze,' said Flame. 'If you don't talk to the girls, you can't convince Stepmother Griddle that you don't like any of them, can you?'

'Well,' said Blaze, 'I suppose not. All right, fine, I'll talk to them.'

'Good man.'

Flame gave him an encouraging squeeze on the arm, and then walked off. Blaze watched her go until a young dragon lady caught his attention, saying, 'So you're the eligible bachelor this party's for, are you?'

'Yes,' said Blaze, sounding far from happy about it.

'What's the matter?' the lady asked. 'Don't you want to get married?'

'Well, no,' said Blaze, 'but I probably shouldn't tell you that.'

'It's all right, you can tell me,' said the lady. 'But don't tell all the girls, or your mother will find out, and she wouldn't like it, would she? Listen, if you're looking for a permanent solution to this problem…'

Blaze's eyebrows twitched upward. 'Yes?'

'Well, why don't you come out onto the balcony with me? Then we'll have some privacy, and you'll look like you're making an effort to fall in love with someone.'

With that, she turned and began to walk away. Blaze, his face steeped in confusion, followed her to the balcony.

'Sir Loungelot,' said Flame, approaching the knight as he helped himself to a plate of sausage rolls. 'Your squire looks very tired. Perhaps you should let him off duty.'

'What's all this "your squire" stuff?' Loungelot asked irritably. 'I know perfectly well you and he are on first name terms.'

'My father says you're going to give him a few days off,' said Flame. 'Is that true?'

'It might be. Why, what are you planning?'

'Nothing. He needs his rest.'

'Does he indeed?' said Loungelot. 'Well, if you're that bothered, Your Highness, you can go and tell him from me that he's allowed to go up to bed. But don't say anything to him about days off, mind - I haven't completely decided yet.'

Flame didn't reply. She gave Loungelot a sharp look, then crossed the room once again, heading in Flicker's direction.

Sir Blaze and his new friend were sitting side by side on the balcony. The young lady was holding up a sparkling silver shoe, which Blaze was looking at with interest.

'Oh, I like that,' he said. 'It looks nice and sparkly.'

'It's more than just a sparkly shoe,' the lady said. 'It's your ticket out of having to get married. Ever. You've fallen in love with the girl who wore it tonight, you see, and all you have to do is give your word of honour as a knight that you will marry none but the woman who fits this shoe.'

'Oh, but that won't work,' said Blaze. 'That shoe probably fits loads of people.'

'It certainly doesn't,' said the lady. 'Now, don't shout about it, but I'm actually a bit of a sorceress, and this is a magic shoe. It won't fit anyone unless I tell it to.'

'Goodness! So you're telling me that if I try this shoe on every girl in the world, it won't fit any of them?'

'That's right - unless I tell it to.'

'But you won't?'

'Well, I'm rather planning on disappearing after tonight.'

'If I give my word of honour,' said Blaze, 'I'll have to stand by it. The King wouldn't have it any other way - he doesn't even let Mumsey overrule him on the conduct of his knights. All right, this sounds good… but what's in it for you?'

'Well,' said the lady, 'I'd charge you for the spell, of course.'

'Yes, of course, that's fair enough. Well, suppose I bought the shoe and it didn't work. How would I find you?'

'The shoe works, Sir Blaze - be sure of it. You can trust me on that.'

'Bed,' said Flicker, leaning against the nearest trestle table. 'That sounds good.'

'You must have been working twelve hours straight,' said Flame. 'It isn't right. I think I'll put a note into the Code of Chivalry suggestion box about dragon knights not overworking their squires.'

'I've been trying to think how we can help Sir Blaze with his problem,' said Flicker. 'But every time I've had a sniff of an idea, I've ended up drawing a blank.'

'A sniff is more than I've had,' said Flame. 'I mean, what can one do about it?'

'Well, I was wondering about him getting engaged to someone who'd do us the favour of disappearing for twenty or thirty years, but it's not very practical. Oh, look.' Flicker nodded towards the balcony, where Blaze was just coming in with the dragon lady. 'He's playing along, it seems.'

'Good,' said Flame. 'It'll make things easier for him in the short-run, at any rate. Flicker, do you think he looks a bit…?'

'A bit what?'

'I'm not sure. Oh, never mind, don't worry about it - you go to bed like I told you to. I'm going to have a word with Blaze.'

With an almighty yawn, Flicker turned and headed for the side door, while Flame walked over to Sir Blaze. Their paths met by the bandstand.

'Who was that?' asked Flame.

'I don't know,' said Blaze. 'She wouldn't tell me her name.'

'Really? How rude.'

'No, no, it's better that I don't know it. Much better.'

'Blaze,' said Flame, 'what are you talking about?'

'I think I might be off the hook,' said Blaze.

'Why? What have you done? Why are you holding that hideous shoe?'

'It's a nice shoe, sis. And not only that - it's my saviour!'

Smiling stupidly, Blaze brushed past her and made his way back towards the Earl of Doncaster, clutching the shoe to his chest.

'Blaze!' called Flame. 'Oh, for goodness' sake! I have a bad feeling about this.'

'And bad feelings rarely bode well, I find.'

Flame started, then turned sharply round, and found herself looking at the Minstrel.

'What are you talking about?' she said.

The Minstrel looked up in surprise, but kept on playing as he said, 'Nothing, Princess. Or at least, nothing important.'

'You just responded to what I said. Minstrel, do you know what Blaze is up to?'

'Sorry, Your Highness, I missed that part. I didn't think I was supposed to be keeping track of everything this time.'

'You're not,' said Flame. 'Don't worry - just forget it. If Blaze has done something stupid, we're bound to find out about it sooner or later.'

'Aye, and consequences will occur.'

'Are you sure you don't know anything?' asked Flame.

'I don't know anything specific,' said the Minstrel, 'but since you mention it, I do have reason to believe that Count Geoffrey is planning something.'

'Oh, really?' said Flame. 'And you didn't think to mention it before because…?'

'Er… sorry, Your Highness. I'm just not used to -'

'Forget it!' Flame said, through gritted teeth. Then she went storming off.

'Poor Princess Flame,' said the Minstrel, smiling sympathetically at her retreating form. 'It's all getting on top of her. Well, the party's going to be a bit boring from now on, so why don't we just skip to next morning?'

King Allfire and most of his knights were assembled at the Square Table. Flicker stood by Sir Loungelot's shoulder, staring at Sir Blaze's empty seat.

'Where's Blaze?' asked Allfire.

'He's reporting back to Queen Griddle about which girls he liked last night, sire,' said Sir Hotbreath.

'Well,' said Loungelot, 'that shouldn't take long.'

Barely had he finished speaking before Blaze came dancing into the room, clutching the silver shoe to his chest and twirling round every so often on his way to the table.

'Oh, I love her, I love her, I love her!' he said. 'Morning, everyone! Isn't it fantastic being in love?'

Griddle entered the room behind him, looking quite delighted, but no one acknowledged her. All eyes were on Sir Blaze. Flicker stared at the theatrical look of bliss on his face; then his eyes moved down to the shoe in Blaze's hands.

'Job for someone!' said Griddle, and all eyes turned to her, except for Flicker's; he could not take his gaze away from Sir Blaze. 'My son fell in love with a girl at the ball last night, and the silly thing ran away and left her shoe behind. So now all we have to do is find the girl it fits, and hey presto, I'm a grandma!'

'I love her!' Blaze said again. 'I will marry none but the girl who fits this shoe. On that, I give my word of honour as a Knight of the Square Table!'

At this, Flicker's blank stare turned into a grimace.

'Sir Blaze, are you sure?' said Allfire. 'You can never break your word of honour.'

'I know!' Blaze said delightedly.

'So,' said Griddle, 'we'll need a carriage, a red velvet cushion and a reliable knight to take the shoe round to all the girls in… well, everywhere, until you find her.'

'I could do it myself, Mumsey,' said Blaze.

'Certainly not!' said Griddle. 'That isn't how these things are done. Loungelot, you will go. I can trust no one else with this important mission.'

Loungelot looked irritated only for a moment. Then his expression cleared, and he said, 'I live only to serve you, Majesty. I shall go at once.'

Loungelot stood up, went over to Blaze and, giving him a withering look, held out his hand for the shoe. Blaze handed it over as though it were nothing more important than an old newspaper.

'Goodie!' said Griddle, beaming. Then her voice and expression hardened slightly as she said, 'Don't forget the cushion!'

With that, she turned and trotted out of the room. Once she had gone, Loungelot turned to King Allfire and said, 'Shall I go now, Your Majesty?'

'I think you'd better, Loungelot,' Allfire said wearily.

Loungelot turned to Flicker. 'Come on, squire. You'll be on cushion duty.'

Princess Flame was sewing in her bedroom when there came a knock at the door. She got up to answer it, and found Flicker on the threshold.

'Sorry to bother you in your bedroom, Flame,' he said.

'Now, Flicker,' she said, 'you know I don't mind you bothering me in my bedroom.'

'Yes, well… this might sound silly, but I was wondering if you had a red velvet cushion I could borrow.'

Flame blinked. 'A what? Oh, wait, do you mean for the shoe?'

'That's right. You've heard, then. It doesn't sound right, does it? You thought Sir Blaze looked funny last night, didn't you? What did he say when you talked to him?'

'Nothing at all helpful,' said Flame. 'I'll talk to him again, shall I? I think that's about all I can do for the moment. And you're off to try this shoe on girls, are you?'

'It should be interesting,' said Flicker. 'For all that it's so suspicious, I can't help thinking that this shoe ought to fit quite a few girls.'

'That's why Stepmother Griddle's so happy. I didn't spoil her mood by pointing out that it looks a better fit for a human than a dragon. Blazing dragons, Flicker - what do you suppose he's gone and done?'

'I wouldn't like to guess,' said Flicker, 'but from what we know, one thing seems obvious to me: he must be expecting that shoe not to fit anyone. He isn't really in love - I can tell you that much.'

'You don't have to tell me,' said Flame. 'I know the symptoms as well as you do.'

'Of course, Milady,' Flicker said awkwardly. 'So, um… about this cushion…'

'Oh!' said Flame. 'Sorry. Wait there.' She dashed back inside her room, and returned moments later with a red velvet cushion, perfectly sized for the silver shoe. 'I sewed that myself. You can keep it when you've finished with it… if you like.'

'Thank you,' said Flicker. 'I -'

'Flicker, there you are.' Sir Loungelot came bustling up behind him, still holding the silver shoe. 'Are you quite sure you ought to be here?'

'It's quite in order, Sir Loungelot,' said Flame. 'I was just giving him my cushion.'

Loungelot looked at her through narrowed eyes. 'I'll just bet you were. Well, come on then, Flicker - let's get this over with.'

'Sir Loungelot,' said Flame, halting the knight as he turned to go. 'You must have realised that this is a very suspect situation. You will do everything in your power not to let things get out of hand, won't you?'

'Your Highness, I shall,' said Loungelot, sounding quite sincere, 'but my power in this case isn't much. Queen Griddle has given her orders, and Sir Blaze has given his word of honour as a knight.'

'I know,' said Flame. 'But you must try.' She looked at Flicker. 'Both of you.'

'We will, Flame,' said Flicker. 'I promise.'