Tommy knew he only had a short time home, so he tried his best to make the most of it. Roy seemed disappointed that he only had a month, but he didn't complain or protest.

 Over a few days, Tommy told Roy in parts everything about Lady Floor and her castle. He talked about the gardens and the many rooms of the castle and his meals and conversations with Lady Floor.

 "She doesn't sound so terrible as she seemed," Roy remarked. "Perhaps she was lonely and in need of a friend like you."

 "I think she and I are friends now," Tommy said. "When she discovered you were ill, she didn't have to tell me. If it happened before that conversation in the pavilion, perhaps she wouldn't have. But she found a way for me to come visit you. It's only right if I keep my promise."

 Tommy found that after so much time away, he had nearly forgotten his old daily routines and how the work was. Roy was still in recovery and couldn't do much, so Tommy got used to running around doing chores again. Simone came by often, which was a good thing since she was a far better cook than Tommy. The two had never spoken to each other often in the past, but he found he liked her. If anyone was going to be looking after Roy, he was glad it would be Simone.

 A few days after his return, Tommy stopped in to see Thomas. The farmer was obviously surprised to find him standing on his doorstep, but invited him in and said, "I take it you escaped from wherever you were being held captive?"

 "I didn't have to," Tommy replied. "Lady Floor let me go."

 Thomas raised his eyebrows. "So, she is still alive. I heard plenty of stories about her as a lad, but she's mostly forgotten these days."

 "I know. I heard the story you told Roy when he was looking for me in the woods. Thank you for going out there to help him, and for telling that story. It helped to clear up a lot of things between Lady Floor and I."

 Tommy imagined Thomas must have wondered about all that, but he was polite and didn't ask any prying questions. Perhaps he thought it was better if he didn't know what exactly had happened.

 Throughout his time home, Tommy was asked several times where he'd been for so long a time. He would give a broad smile and say, "I was kidnapped by a horrible beast!". Of course, everyone thought he was joking, but he didn't care. All the better for Lady Floor; no one would be going tracking her down. 

 Tommy grew more anxious as his month came to an end. A part of him wanted go back to the castle, to see Lady Floor again; the other part wanted to stay here, with Roy and Simone and Thomas and everything he still considered home.

 On his last day, Tommy and Roy sat together on the fence, watching the sunset, just as Tommy had done the day Roy told him he was going away to the city. To think, if Roy had never gotten any letter, none of it ever would have happened.

 "It's all right, you know," Roy said. "I'll miss you, of course, but I don't have to worry as much this time. You've promised me that you were safe there, and I believe you."

 "But you're still going to worry about me, anyway," Tommy said. "Are you sure you're really feeling better?"

 "Yes, I've told you, I feel completely better now. I'd rather you didn't go, but if you have to, I'll be all right. I promise."

 When Tommy got into bed that night, he looked at the ring on his finger. He never took it off, in case he should lose it. He held up his hand and stared at it for a while. And he went to bed without turning it back around again.

~~~~~~

 Roy was surprised to get up the next day to find Tommy in the kitchen.

 "You said you had to go back," he said.

 "I know. But if I stay a few extra days, or maybe a week, I think Lady Floor would understand. And I'm still keeping my promise, because I am going to go back."

 "Are you sure this magic can work that way? The way you talked about it, it doesn't sound like something very controllable."

 "I think it will work," Tommy answered. "I just wish there was a way I could write to her, or get a message to her so she'll know I'm staying a little longer."

 So, Tommy decided to give himself an extra week. It couldn't hurt, he thought. He was going to keep his promise and go back, really he was. It would just be a little longer.

 On the sixth night, Tommy dreamed of the blue woman again. But she looked different. Her hair was no longer pinned up in tired neat bun, and her face was worn and haggard.

 "You haven't come back," she said in a weak voice.

 "Lady Floor!" he cried, startled by her appearance. "What's happened to you?"

 "One month," she said. "It was supposed to be one month. And you haven't come back."

 "But I am going to come back," he said. "I promise I am."

 "Come back, Tommy. Please, come back."

 Tommy awoke with a jolt, her last words echoing in his mind. What happened? Was she ill? First Roy, now Lady Floor?

 But Roy hadn't been so bad off; he had friends now, people who did care. Lady Floor was alone in her castle.

 The sun was just rising, so it was too late now. But Tommy knew that he should return to the castle as quickly as possible.