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I considered the question.

"Maybe."

"And if they don't?"

I smiled.

"Then I'll keep it until someone does."

He nodded.

I turned the compass over one last time.

Roots hold when kingdoms fall.

My grandmother had carried those words through her own difficult years.

Then she'd placed them in my hands when I needed them most.

One day, perhaps, I'd place the compass in my child's hands.

I hoped they would never need it for the reasons I had.

I hoped they'd carry it on adventures they chose for themselves, with a warm bed waiting whenever they wanted to come home.

Guy's hand settled gently against my stomach.

I covered it with mine.

From the courtyard came another burst of laughter.

Someone shouted for Little John to sing something else.

He responded by beginning the same song again.

I groaned.

"We're going to have to stop him."

Guy sighed.

"I could have him arrested."

I looked up at him.

"On what charge?"

"Disturbing the peace."

I laughed.

"Then you'd better arrest Margaret too."

"Don't tempt me."

He stood and offered me his hand.

I took it.