The Black Swan

by Mercedes Lackey

  Odile nodded; she had met with that more than once. Those who had never experienced what magic could do to someone had nothing in common with those who had. And those who had only heard of magic in tales tended to look on those who had lived with it as odd at best, and suspect at worst.

  "Please stay," Wolfgang said, taking her other hand. "You have no notion how wonderful it is to have a fresh mind about! And I could use some help with those ancient monuments Siegfried chose to appoint as Councilors. They seem to think nothing should ever change!"

  "Please stay," Benno said softly. He didn't move, but there was something in his eyes that made Odile's heart beat just a little faster. "I would really be very grateful to you if you would. We could all use a friend like you."

  Then he grinned, and his eyes sparkled with silent laughter. "Besides, you still haven't taught me to swim, and you promised."

  "If you'll stay, I'll not only appoint you to the council, but I'll appoint you Court Magician," Siegfried said firmly. "Maybe even Seneschal, if I can hammer it past the council. I've already talked to Father Timon; he says that he'll vouch for you to any ecclesiastical authority if they challenge you. He'll even get a dispensation from Rome for you to practice magic."

  "If you'll stay, I'd like you to take the Dowager's Tower," Odette said. "It would be absurd for you to try and do anything in just one little cubby of a room. You need space for a workshop, a library, a stillroom—well, lots of things. You know what you'll need better than I. You'll have all the privacy and space you need, and a very nice view as well."

  "All I can promise is splendid conversation, and a great deal of contention," Wolfgang admitted. "But it won't be dull, I pledge you that."

  Benno shrugged. "I can't promise anything but my company, if you enjoy it," he said, and left it at that. But once again, the glance he gave her promised more than that. She was glad that the brisk wind cooled the heat she felt rising to her cheeks.

  These people are my friends, she thought with wonder. There was no reason for them to ask her to remain here—as Siegfried had inadvertently admitted, having an openly-practicing sorceress in his court and on his council had the potential to cause serious problems, not the least with the Church. Odette could just as easily have preferred to see the daughter of the man who had imprisoned her go far, far away.

  And what had she expected to find in travel? A chance to see more than the narrow world of von Rothbart's manor—to learn new things, and see new sights, to speak with other scholars. All those things were here, after all.

  She smiled at their expectant faces; if they had not already known what she would say, they had at least known that they had gifts of their own to offer her—the most important of which was themselves. And those gifts were far, far too precious for any sane person to reject.

  "I don't believe that there is anyone in the entire world who could offer as much to me as you do," she said, with a wide smile. "So—I suppose we'd better go evict the rats from the Dowager's Tower and prepare to appall the rest of your Council, Your Majesties!"

  Benno gave a great whoop of joy, and flung his hat in the air. The wind caught it and it sailed into the moat, where it astonished a family of ducks. Odette linked arms with her, and they led the way down the stairs followed by the men.

  "You'll have to have a title, of course," Siegfried continued blithely, clearly as happy with her answer as Benno. "Otherwise the other Councilors will be insulted—I made Wolfgang a baron, but—"

  "No," Odette and Odile said together, and laughed. Odile continued. "Please, not baroness."

  "A title alone won't serve; she'll have to have land as well," Wolfgang reminded him. "Being landed will give her weight enough with the others for her to be taken seriously."

  "I don't want to claim the sorcerer's land, either," Odile said forcefully. She didn't have to state the rest; Odette squeezed her hand in understanding.

  "I know what will serve!" Siegfried said, and as they paused on the landing, he took her shoulder and turned her towards him. "I hereby grant to you the royal holdings of the town and environs of Schwarzbaum; I change the name to Swan Lake, and I endow you with the title of countess. Countess Odile von Schwannsee, and that even gives you an entirely new name; how does that strike you all?"

  "Wonderful!" Odette applauded. Benno and Wolfgang nodded, pleased.

  "Countess Odile von Schwannsee," Odile repeated, softly.

  Nothing less like the name of von Rothbart could possibly be imagined. "I like it, Your Majesty," she said, with a heart so full that her spirit sang. Is this what real joy is like? She wondered, and laughed for the pure, spirit-soaring pleasure of it. "I like it very much indeed!"

  She lifted her face to the sky and took in an intoxicating breath of spring air so full of life that it purged the last of her old self completely away. The story was not at an end—it was just beginning.

  And we will all live happily ever after.