Over the distant seas and lands of the Outer Isles, a comm channel came to life. "I am speaking to the parasite craft that detached from Geryon," the speaker said. The voice was Meliboia's. "Do I speak to Lady Nopalina?"
The Maiden turned on the transmitter. "Yes," she said. "I have turned off the transponders, both of them. You will not be able to track me. You aren't my Meliboia, are you?"
"No," the voice answered. "I am calling from the emergency control center of the Limos sub-vessel. We are preparing for emergency landing."
"Is Kiv alive?" Nopalina asked.
"We don't know," the Mirror Meliboia said. "Several observers have reported seeing his ship descending under apparent control. We cannot calculate the likelihood of survival."
"It doesn't matter," the Maiden said. "I've done too much. He might forgive me, but my King won't."
"Only Ajax can decide that," the other Mel said. "His Queen has confirmed that you saved Prince Robert. It will count for something."
"It's not enough," Nopalina said. "What would I be if he did let me go? An Attendant? A Queen's stand-in? There's nothing for me in that. I have to move forward, like I should have with Kiv. Start with a clean slate; isn't that your line?"
"Of course," Mel said. "But moving on isn't the same as running away."
"Tell me one thing," Nopalina said. "Do you know Kiv where you came from?"
The reply was guarded. "Yes."
"Then when you get back, talk to him," the Maiden said. "Tell him I loved my Kiv. Tell him there's at least one person in two worlds who thought he's more than a screwup. It's the one chance I know I'm going to get. Isn't it?" There was only silence. "You aren't arguing. Good. I'm turning you off now. So long." And she pushed the stick forward to accelerate the craft, toward dawn and beyond.
In the light of dawn, a fiery streak descended over the islands far to the south of the Middle Kingdoms. Anyone with instruments to discern it could have recognized the front section of the Halcyon Dawn. Amazingly, it still held a discernible course, propelled and steered by what had originally been retro rockets and maneuvering thrusters. It banked and pulled up just enough to skip upon the surface of a brackish lagoon instead of bellyflopping to the bottom. It skipped once more before it skidded onto the beach. It came to a halt at the edge of the tree line. Explosive bolts blew off the canopy. Kiv embraced his metal copilot, weeping, until the first of a rain of coconuts came down on their heads.
To the rear, a groan could be heard from the portside ball mount. "Yo, Joe," a voice called out plaintively.
After a moment's silence, an answer came from starboard: "Yo, John…"
The escape pod of the Halcyon Dawn descended over the coast of the Lindorm Realm. Already, the components of the Geryon were laid out end to end. "Look," the Mirror Hector said, "the whole reason Aurelius thought he could rebel is that you didn't take being High King seriously. Make them know there's a High King on the throne, and they will stay in line."
"Maybe," Hector said. "But I never put anything behind Daffy and the kids. You can't tell me that wouldn't make your life easier."
"Sure," his Double answered. "You know, it's been good to talk."
"Yeah, at least now I know what could be different," the High King said. "There's just one thing I don't understand… What's the whole deal about the litter box?"
The Double sighed. "Do you have any idea what it's like to put diapers on a Lindormling…?"
They stepped out into the midst of a busy scene. Still, all parted as a trio of ships descended. There were Alexander, somewhat battered, and Hippomenes, seemingly unscathed. Beside them was a crescent-shaped craft clearly on its last legs, the bridge of Amphion.
The two Daffodils emerged first, carrying Prince Robert. They both kissed him on the cheek, and gave each other a parting embrace. The two High Kings raced to meet them. The Mirror Double embraced his Lady. Hector hoisted his son, who squealed, "Daaa!" Then the two Meliboias emerged, one white and one black. The latter carried Infra. The feminoid was completely inert, except for a blinking light in her tiara-like headpiece.
Mel turned to her Double. "So," she said, "the others had their big moments. What about us? Is there anything different about you?"
The Mirror Image raised her visor. "I never met Ajax," she said. "I have been happy out there."
"So, I suppose you never got married," Mel said.
"What are you talking about?" the Double said. "I've had my mate all along, you're the one who tried going solo…"
"Hold on," Mel said. "Did you stay with Kiv?"
The Royal Clipper arrived at mid-day. It transported the Wishing Mirror, as well as the equipment that Ultra and Infra had left behind. The last proved to consist of two holding tanks, one with a second replica body of Ultra, the other empty. "Place her in the empty tank," Meliboia said. Her Double placed the feminoid inside. Cables descended to connect to the headpiece. Simultaneously, the body came upright. Meliboia took control of a console that was not quite right for her height.
"What really happened?" Daffy asked.
"Ultra must have planned to take over the Geryon by having Infra transfer his core sentience to the ship's computer," Meliboia said. She sighed. "It could have worked, but it would have been strictly one-way. She transferred herself instead. We will do what we can."
She pressed a key. The light on Infra's headpiece became steady. A corresponding light on Ultra's helmet went on, its color yellow. After a few moments, the light went green. Ultra's head turned toward Infra. Her light had gone dark. He looked down at his body. "He is not the being you met before," Meliboia said. "He and Infra were as one. Now, there is only him. If he could speak, he would probably be screaming, or asking to die."
Daffy knelt before Ultra, tears running down her cheeks. Prince Robert toddled to her side. "I thank you," she said. "We owe you more than we can repay." The tank swung open. Ultra reached out and took Prince Robert's hand. The High Queen turned her head to the Myrmidoness. "What about you?" she asked.
"I am all right," Mel said. "It doesn't matter."
They came together in the provincial praetorium where Lemmia had assembled her council. The two Prunas stood before the Wishing Mirror, together with Lemmia. Before them, the Doubles gathered. "We have monitored the Mirror while you engaged Aeacus," the Mirror Pruna said. "Matters have stabilized in the world from which you came. The Empire Xaja built has been restored, as an equal Union of the Mushroom Realms and the Realms of Arzai, under the rule of Hector and Lemmia. The Biarmamen are pushed back to their former borders. Empress Hama of Savai has made peace with her daughter. I will hold the Palace of Prunus, as a neutral host and mediator in any disputes."
"In our world, too, peace is at hand," the other Pruna said. "Lord Morel has been defeated and captured in the Lavender Realm by the combined arms of the Red Realm, the Sky Marines and an expeditionary force of Lindorms. The Biarmamen were likewise driven back by the forces of Azure and withdrew in fear that the Lindorms would cross their southern borders. Finally, my Lord and Emperor Naam has freely resigned his throne to Lemmia. It is his wish and mine to retire in the lands of the Red Desert, among the most loyal of his former subjects, so that he can better attend to me and the child that I am to bear."
"Now," Lemmia said, "we must ask that all who have come to our aid from the Mirror World return, of course with our utmost gratitude."
"Fine with me," the Mirror Hector said. He stood arm in arm with the Mirror Daffodil in her human form, beaming. "I am ready for some time alone with my Lady." She blushed, but went with him as they disappeared into the Mirror.
The dark Meliboia bowed to her counterpart. "Go forward in peace," she said. "I have made mine."
The warrior Queen removed her helmet in respect. "I have seen the path I could have traveled," she said. "It is a good one. Return to the love you have found." Her double disappeared.
"I'm sorry," said the Mirror Cerasa. She stood smiling beside her Double. "But I would like to stay. I like it here, and I was tired of being Empress of a whole world anyway. Xaja is still an ass, but this Cerasa is lovely company." Beside them, Xaja blushed. Lemmia gave Hector a questioning look.
"If she stays, she is Xaja's responsibility," the High King said. He looked to the Mirror Pruna. "What about you?"
"I wish to remain a little longer to study the Mirror," she said. "There is still the problem of the third Pruna inside the Mirror. Ajax is concerned with giving her freedom if possible."
"Very well," Hector said. "If you wish, you may retire to continue your studies. I would suggest that you come with me to my Palace. There, you will have my Mages and the Royal Library."
"Yes, we had considered it ourselves," the Empress Pruna said. She turned to Meliboia. "Now, faithful Misthia, you have saved me, my Emperor, my sister, and my nephew. Is there nothing we can give you in return?"
"Your gratitude is its own reward," Mel answered. "Anything else you might owe, you have repaid with the peace you have brought my king. Think well of me, and visit us, you and your sister. I want to see the little Prince grow old." Prince Robert giggled as she tickled him.
Soon enough, King Ajax and his warrior Queen were alone again. He embraced her. She hoisted him up as she hugged him in turn. "I am so glad you are safe," he said. "I feared losing you. I feared it would be what finally destroyed me. But you gave me strength I did not have before, enough to go on with or without you."
Mel tousled his hair. "And you are still an idiot," she said. "But you did a good save. I might let the Princess thing go."
Ajax lifted her, armor and all. "But you are my Princess!" he said. "And my castle is where you are!"
"Yeah, you just got yourself a ticket to bed," Mel said. Her face grew stern. "But it's going to have to wait."
"If it is time, it is time," Ajax said.
"There will never be a better one," Mel said. "And I'm sorry, you can't come with me." She straightened. "Now, I am going to see my father."