Later that evening, as they ate their dinner at a small inn on the other side of the pass, Sandorin was glad of the high value of Elven currency when he surveyed the mountain of empty platters on Gokur's side of the table.

"This is so good!" Gokur exclaimed. "I didn't know Humans had such good things to eat."

In between his numerous helpings, Gokur told them about how he had ended up in the Stone Man's Lament. "I'm not able to grow to my true size," he said. "I forget how many healers and shamans my mother brought to the palace, trying to find one who could fix me. She tried to hide it from my father, but one of the shamans told him. He was furious, and declared that something so puny could never be his heir."

"I don't understand how he could turn his own son to stone," Gojen said. "I've heard stories about other Giants who never achieved their true height; they end up living among Human men, and I don't think they fared too badly."

"But none of them were the King's son," Gokur said, and his earlier merriment faded. "To him, I was an embarrassment, something to get rid of before the other Giants found out. I guess I'll have to live among men now, for if he knows that I have returned to life he might turn me back to stone, and smash me to bits." He gripped the edge of the table, his gaze once again wide and fearful.

"He will never know," Sandorin said, "for he is dead. Three moons ago, Demons killed him and stole his Jeweled staff." He told Gokur of the other attacks against Komon and the Dwarven King, and the purpose of his journey.

"He is dead?"

"Yes, lad," Gojen said. "I won't offer you my sorrows, because I am glad he can't hurt you again."

Sandorin watched a mix of turbulent emotions sweep across Gokur's handsome face.

"I will not grieve for him," Gokur finally said, "for he is not worthy of my sorrow." He looked over at Sandorin. "Will you let me come with you? I promise I will be useful."

Sandorin had loved his father dearly—and had been dearly loved in return, so he couldn't begin to imagine how it must have felt for Gokur to have his love cast aside, to have his life's breath stopped by the man who had sired him. "You may accompany us," he said, and as he watched Gokur's downcast demeanor change to beaming happiness, something shifted in his mind, allowing room for the notion that Gokur's warm, golden eyes were the color of sweet summer mead.

The innkeeper could only offer them one room, with two beds and a pallet for Gokur, and although there were two other places nearby Gojen suggested that they take the available room. "This place is the nicest of the three, and he's got a better reputation as well," he murmured to Sandorin.

"Very well," Sandorin said.

It didn't take them long to settle in, and Gojen quickly fell asleep. Sandorin lay awake in his own bed, listening to Gojen's snores, and Gokur's restless shifting on his pallet.

"Are you uncomfortable?" Sandorin asked quietly.

"I'm fine," Gokur whispered back.

But Sandorin continued to hear him moving around, and after a bit he leaned over the side of his bed to peer at Gokur. "What is it?"

Gokur looked up at him with the wide gaze of someone who could not see in the dark. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to keep you up."

Sandorin, of course, could see just fine, and he watched Gokur worry his plump lower lip with his teeth. "Something is bothering you," he said, keeping his voice low.

"It's foolish, but… " Gokur paused, biting his lip again. "I'm afraid to go to sleep," he admitted. "I'm afraid that this is all a dream, and I'll turn back to stone."

"It is foolish," Sandorin said, "you need to get some sleep. I can't have you tumbling off your horse tomorrow." He hesitated a moment, and then said, "Come up here."

Gokur did not need a second invitation, and moments later he had burrowed under the covers.

"Keep on your side," Sandorin ordered.

"I will."

"Don't snore."

"I won't."

Sandorin allowed himself a small smile a little while later when Gokur began to snore.

Later, he woke in the middle of the night to discover Gokur pressed up against him. Sandorin felt the warmth of Gokur's body alongside his own, and the not unpleasant weight of Gokur's arm draped across his waist. Gokur had stopped snoring, and his now-quiet breaths floated across the back of Sandorin's neck like a sigh. Something else shifted inside Sandorin; this time it was a spark of arousal that curled low in his belly.

It had probably been a mistake to allow the young Giant to share his bed, Sandorin allowed, as he lay there in Gokur's sleeping embrace. But the warmth against—and within—his body was pleasant, and Sandorin he decided it wasn't worth the bother to make him move.