Lillian found Dama in the guest-room they had set aside for her work. She was panicked, but not crying as yet. Lillian waited while the fairy calmed herself down.

"Give me that orb," said Dama. Lillian handed it over and Dama held the orb to her head. For a moment, nothing happened then her eyes flew open and she stared open-mouthed at something in the distance. Lillian realised that whatever the fairy was looking at, it was not in this room. Dama shook herself and looked down at the ball in her hand. "I can't release him. He's in Simon's court – a mindless slave still under Maria's influence and doing everything Simon tells him to! If I free him, Simon will realise that Charming's no longer a mindless idiot and kill him instantly!" Lillian put an arm around Dama to comfort her and fought back the phrase 'you're sure Simon would notice the difference?'

"At least let's free Merryweather. And your link to your son may lead us to Simon." Dama nodded and gently placed the orb she was holding into a pocket. She took up Merryweather's orb.

"Go down to the dungeons. Merryweather will need your support Lillian. Charming will be safe so long as Simon believes he's still under Maria's spell." As Lillian ran out, Dama walked to the window and looked out. Somewhere out there, her son was in the same room as her old enemy – a man who had held nations under his control until she had finally defeated him. But now he was back and she was not altogether convinced she could beat him a second time. Particularly if the life of her son was hanging in the balance. She looked down at the glass orb in her hand and traced the name Merryweather with her finger. It was a small hope that Merryweather would be able to help, but a hope none the less. She held the orb out of the window and let go, watching as the glass glinted in the morning light and smirking at the sound of breaking glass. Somewhere in the dungeons, a woman screamed.

Meanwhile, Shrek and Harold looked over a map of the kingdom. Highlighted in red push-pins were all the recorded sightings of Simon or of those who had been affected by his magic. A large circle surrounded the walled city, with the newer pins coming dangerously close to the walls.

"Not good," said Shrek as he studied the map. "Not good at all." Harold stepped up next to him and pointed at a pin just a few centimetres from the model wall – in reality, just less than a mile from the castle.

"This was the latest report. A woodcutter's family were seen tearing down trees at lightning speed. When questioned, they would give no answer and even turned against our guards that were sent to investigate. They are now in the dungeon."

"I know," said a voice from the door. "And next time you're thinking about imprisoning some cursed in our own home do you think you could mention it to me first?" Lillian stormed up to the table.

"Sorry dear," said Harold, reaching his arm behind his neck and glancing at the floor nervously.

"I forgive you." Lillian fussed with Harold's collar a moment before touching her nose to his and kissing him lightly. Shrek tried not to look and busied himself with studying the map.

"Good morning Harold," said Dama, flouncing into the room.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," said Shrek, trying to smile encouragingly. Then he tried to smile welcomingly. When neither worked he grinned sheepishly and turned back to the map.

"Good morning ogre," replied Dama coolly. "We need to find Simon. I think he's in a castle or tower of some sort and it must be nearby."

"There's an old watchtower," said Harold, striding around the table and pointing out the tower with a finger.

"You're getting used to this being human again thing aren't you Harold?" Lillian smiled at her husband.

"Yes I am dear. And thank-you by the way," he turned to Dama, "I really wasn't expecting you to do this for me," he gestured down his body.

"A deal's a deal. I help you become human and you help me to find a wife for my son. I'm still going to hold you to that, even if Fiona is already married and you have to find another princess for Charming."

"I'm sure he could find someone himself Dama," said Lillian. "Perhaps it is best not to meddle."

"I'm not meddling, I'm helping."

"How many times have we heard that before," quipped Merryweather as she entered the room. "The queen very kindly told me of the fate of my sisters and what you did to Maria. How can I help you to defeat Simon?"

"I'm not sure yet. First we have to find him. By then, I should have worked out some way of beating him at his own game. But before I try to take on Simon, I need to rescue my son."

"I've just thought of another problem," said Lillian.

"What?"

"Didn't you send Kyle out to find Charming last night?" There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Does anyone have a crystal ball I can borrow?" said Dama calmly.

"In my room," answered Merryweather.

"Take me there now. And I will need all the information you have on that watchtower Harold. Blueprints, floorplans, whatever you have." She followed Merryweather out of the room. A pregnant pause.

"Should I tell her I have nothing other than a vague idea of where the watchtower is?"

"Probably not yet dear," answered Lillian.

In Merryweather's room, Dama was trying the magical equivalent of dialling a mobile 'phone number when you've forgotten the last three digits and know there's a six in there somewhere. Finally, after many wrong numbers, she saw Kyle's face surrounded by what appeared to be heavy snowfall through the clouds in the ball and shouted out to him.

"Kyle? It's me. Get back to the castle."

"But I haven't found him yet."

"You're not going to. Where are you?"

"North-west of the castle. Some villagers said they saw Charming riding this way a few weeks ago."

"Well done. Now get back here quickly!"

"Of course. Love you!"

"Love you too," she answered, ending the call with a swish of her wand. She saw the look on Merryweather's face. "Oh be quiet," she muttered.

"I didn't say a word. Snow?"

"The mountains. He should be back in an hour."

"Why did you install a crystal ball on the carriage?"

"Let's just say it's come in useful sometimes."

"What now?"

"Now we find out where the watchtower is and form a battle-plan."

"Can we win?" asked Merryweather. She bit her bottom lip and looked up at Dama. "I need to know my sisters did not die in vain – that we will defeat Simon and free the others."

"We can but try," answered Dama, heading downstairs to meet with the new war council.