"You wanted to speak with me?" Tara sat in her library, a book in her hand. Aidan came in, closing the door behind him.

"Yes your Majesty."

"Please, just call me Tara," she said. "Surely you know me well enough by now to leave off the 'majesties.'"

Aidan smiled, and took a chair next to her. Though her face bore the same features as the woman who had come so close to murdering his wife, she couldn't have been more different. She was gentle, and unassuming, and seemed much more at home here in her library than she ever did seated on her throne. "Tara, then."

"What did you want to discuss, Aidan?"

He rearranged his wings, feeling a little bit nervous. He hoped that she wouldn't take what he had to say the wrong way. "I... We, that is Flame and I, we want to leave the Queen's Own."

"I see." She looked at him. "Why?"

"Because... well, because of a lot of things. For me, because I haven't been much use. I've been rescued more often than I've actually contributed. I don't really feel like I belong in the Queen's Own. I'm just a thief, I'm not a hero."

"Aidan," she put her hand over his, "You don't have to be a hero to be in my Queen's Own. You just have to be wiling to help."

He sighed. "I guess. And if that were all, I might stay, but..." His eyes looked haunted as he remembered seeing Flame fall, remembered being certain she was dead. "Flame came very close to dying. Too close. And you've probably heard... she's pregnant, and we've wanted a child so much, for so long. What if she had lost the baby because of that? And what if she'd died and I'd lost them both? I can't face that any more. And I can't risk my own life, and leave my child fatherless and Flame alone. I just... can't."

"Oh Aidan...." She squeezed his hand warmly. "You know it pains me to ask you all to risk yourselves, but somebody has to, for the good of all my people. But I understand. You've served me for nearly three years, and Flame for many years before that. You've given very generously of yourselves to my people. You have done more than most people ever do, and I can't possibly begrudge you the chance to raise a family in peace. If that's what you want, then go with my blessing."

Aidan relaxed. He had worried that she might be offended, or might try to convince him to stay. "Thank you."

"And Aidan?" He looked up and she was smiling at him, her brown eyes warm and caring. "Once you're part of the Queen's Own, you are always part of it. I am happy to let you retire, but I still consider you one of my special friends. If you ever have need of me, or of the others, you have only to ask. We take care of each other, always."

"Thank you Tara," he said softly, and smiled back.