She Comes Bearing Gifts

Throm coughed, changing the subject. "So, you were about to say, earlier?"

"Before I answer, I would like to request that not one word of this gets spread to the others." Robin narrowed her eyes at Quinn.

He held up his hands in defeat. "Hey, you're the boss. I know better than to piss off my employer. Especially when it involves food. I've known this all along and haven't breathed a word yet. Can't you trust me?" Quinn protested.

"Hmmm. But, you are only in it for the food, after all. There's a chance you might try to blackmail me." Robin joked.

"I would never!" Quinn exclaimed indignantly. "That is an insult to the food!"

"Good that you know." Robin turned back to King Throm, removing her mask. "I suppose reintroductions are in order. Robin, adopted niece of Queen Ayva, at your service." She bowed again.

"No need to bow anymore. A niece of Ayva's is a niece of mine." Throm waved his hand. "Though, I noticed ye said adopted son earlier...does King Zephron not know?"

"Two words." Robin replied, holding up two fingers. "Queen Emeline."

"Ah." Throm nodded. That was all that needed to be said for him to understand. Queen Emeline had even been the matchmaker between him and Ayva, so he understood how meddlesome she could be.

"I heard that you saved my Darling Ayva, and the whole city while I was gone? You even dug out Thorn as the perpetrator, while you were at it" He asked, examining Robin's face.

"I only did what I felt was right. Most of the credit goes to the king slimes, and to the quick response of your subjects in dealing with the infestation. Queen Ayva also did quite a lot to keep then from getting interrupted. So, really, the only thing you could probably commend me for is being in the right place, at the right time, with the right companions who had the proper skills to deal with the problem." Robin replied.

"That in itself is something to be commended for." Throm pointed out. "There are not many who can fulfill all such conditions in times of crisis. Even less that would willingly lend a hand without asking for anything in return."

"Not at all. As the hero, I find it only natural to do so, as a part of my job. Anyone who sees such a situation and chooses to ignore it is not qualified to be a hero. I'm just glad everyone is all right now." Robin counter-argued.

"Don't try to offer a grand reward or something. Robin is particularly stubborn about this sort of thing." Quinn pointed out. "In fact, she'd much rather you got to the point instead of dancing around the subject."

"Ahem! I hear from Ayva that you wanted to meet me, even before all of this happened?" Throm finally began "Is there anything that you would like to request of me?"

Robin grinned. "I thought you'd never ask. Though I am the hero, it's true, my presence here is somewhat of an accidental problem. Rather, it's an accident I ended up here at all. Mainly, it puts a strain on the relationship between humans and demons. Even though I don't want to cause any trouble, both sides might take my appearance as a sign that war is brewing again, which would be a disaster."

"Indeed. That could very likely happen, considering..." Throm mused.

"After consulting the top experts in Ekkinshire, they are not aware of any way to return me to my home. But, they think the demon lord may be aware of a method. So, I am trying to meet with the demon lord to discuss whether she may know of a way for me to return home...only..."

"To even speak with Her Highness, the Demon Lord, ye'll be needing my approval, isn't that right?" Throm finished.

"That is indeed so." Robin nodded.

"Hmm...while I personally have no problem with et, mah dad is tha real problem. Ah'll need a good reason as can satisfy tha pride of a dragon, or else he'll stomp himself in here, right as rain, and trouble me ta no end." Throm laid out his only issue.

"Understandable." Robin nodded. "Originally, one of my companions had prepared a gift for you, as we hear that any dragon or dwarf is not opposed to collecting golden things of beauty."

She brought out the golden flame crown. "I'm not sure if this would be a good enough reason?" She asked.

"Oh my!" Ayva gasped. It was indeed a lovely piece. It was even more beautiful when seen under the soft yellow light of the glowing crystals. It was as if the gold flames had come alive. Throm's eyes widened in pleasant surprise.

"Ta have such skill with metal and gems, which dwarven genius did yah commission?" He asked.

"Twas no dwarf, but a dragon." Robin replied.

"Yah slayed a dragon fer this?" Throm frowned. If this was from a dead dragon's hoard, it might incense instead of pacify his father.

"No, no! He is very much alive!" Robin explained. "He made this when he heard that you liked golden things of beauty."

"Ho? May I?" He asked, wanting to examine the crown.

"But of course!" Robin agreed, handing it over for him to examine.

"Hmmn. Adjustable size...not too heavy...and just tha perfect color ta match with mah war armor. And tha crux of it all is this here flame pattern which almost looks alive. Most impressive!" Throm nodded.

Ayva prodded him. "Dear? Is it good enough?"

Throm lifted his head, having forgotten Robin as he examined the crown.

"-Ah. Yes. This'll be sufficient. But, A quick word of warning: now that yah've given me a treasure like this, ye'll need something twice as impressive if'n ye want ta win over mah dad. He's got his reputation ta hold among dragons, ya see..."

Robin thought of the magic gems in her storage bracer. "I think that can be arranged." She nodded.

"Ho? Now Ah'm curious. What sorta beauty will that dragon friend of yers make next, Ah wonder..." Throm smiled in anticipation, as he took out his seal and tossed it over.

"Thank you! And, from what you've told me, a certain red-scaled dragon might just stomp over here just to brag about it. After all, he has a reputation to uphold." Robin pointed out.

"Aye....that he might." Throm chuckled. "In that case, business is over now. Would yah mind joining us fer dinner? Ayva kin show ye the castle sights while we wait."

"Not at all. Always a pleasure to spend time with family." Robin said with a genuine smile.

"Yes indeed! Come with me, you'll absolutely love the garden we have here." Ayva dragged Robin off down a side hall.

"You've been keeping an eye on her?" Throm asked. "Is she always like this?"

"Well, so far as I've observed." Quinn replied. "Her creed is to respect those who respect her in kind."

"And those who oppose?" Throm asked.

"Funny you should mention that." Quinn nodded. "Just disagreeing with her won't fluff her dander, as she treats it a discussion between equals. When dealing with petty nasties, she doesn't blow things out of proportion, but she might resort to mischief in order to shut them up. The only person I've witnessed her being truly angry with is this Trader fellow. And he's a downright plague in himself. She speaks first, and will not resort to violence unless there is no other choice...As opposed to the earlier hero, I rather prefer this one, actually."

"This isn't because she's tamed you with food, right?" Throm asked.

"She's treated my fellow King Slimes as comrades and not pets or conquests. Did you know? They chose to accompany her of their own volition. She didn't even realize thry had tagged along until I pointed it out."

"So I've heard." Throm's wrinkled brow relaxed a bit. "In that case, I can feel relieved leaving her with Ayva."

"Mmn. That you can." Quinn replied. "Now, are you going to eat those?" He asked, looking at the small satchel of truffles in Throm's lap.

"Shove off! Yah've got twice as much as I do!" Throm growled.

"I've got a separate stomach for sweets." Quinn smirked.

"An' I've got me a hammer as can do away with yer clone. Off with ye, afore I decide ta use et!" Throm threatened.

"Sigh, my dear Throm, must you always resort to violence?" Quinn joked as he disappeared.

"Hmmph!" Throm ignored the slime's parting jab. He turned his attention towards the truffles in his lap.

.....

"By mah firey golden crown! These are delicious!" His voice rang out in the empty hall.