It was some weeks later. Spurred on by Maria's advice, Leevana had begun dating eligible bachelors from among the Duchess' noble contacts. The hag had had a bit of a crisis in self-confidence at first when it came to dating: "I dunno, Maria… I've lived as a recluse for so long … I don't know anything about courting except what I've read in old books. I'll just embarrass myself."

Maria had been insistent: "Don't be absurd, Leevana. Any man would be fortunate to win a pretty and kind girl like you."

So Lee went on various first dates, but the first few weren't altogether successful… But she got on well with Lucas Galashiel, an eligible bachelor who was an elderly widower. They had held down a solid conversation about Ostinian literature last time. She decided to make a special effort for their next date. Make a nice surprise for him.

00O00

Lee worried about exactly what was going on with her, ever since that ghoul, the shade of the tyrant Isaac the Dreadful, had struck her with his Sceptre of Doom. She was always hot and uncomfortable and perspired all the time. And her heart beat a lot faster now. Why? Obviously no mortal doctor would have a clue… She had soaped her hair and scrubbed her entire body very thoroughly before going out again, and Maria had been generous enough to give her the most expensive perfumes to cover up her body odour, but it didn't seem to have worked.

Before going out, she donned her skin-tight leather leggings and leather top that left her green arms and tummy bare. These had been custom made to fit her massive body. Hopefully she wouldn't sweat as much this way. She was very self-conscious about how she much she must smell.

She was looking forward to making Lucas happy with her gift. She had worked very hard to carve it in time.

Porson, the Butler, originally from a Grey Isles household, answered the door.

"Good evening, Miss." He had to look up to make eye contact with her. Any man had to look up to make eye contact with her.

"Heyyyy, Porson." She grinned at the butler and pulled him into a one-armed hug (she was still clutching her gift in her other arm). He stiffened. Oh dear. Wasn't she supposed to hug him? Rosewood etiquette could be confusing sometimes. She released him. "Great to see you again. How're things?"

"Likewise, I am sure, Miss." He gave a curious glance at the carved doll under her arm.

Lucas was in the marbled reception room. "Heyyyy, Lucas, darling." She lunged forward and pulled him into a hug as well. Oops. She had accidentally pushed his face into her bosom. She definitely had not intended to do that. She felt her face grow even hotter through embarrassment. Lucas' silver moustache seemed to bristle. "Sorry," she said, biting her lip and shifting on her large feet. Being in a mortal dwelling always brought home how tiny they were. She felt so big and out of place. She held the carved doll out to him. "Um… here, my dear… I – I want you to have him … as a gift."

"'Hem. Yes, well." He took the doll and placed him on a chair. "I must get myself ready." He left to go upstairs. Did he not like the doll? Lee hung her head, wishing she had known exactly what to give him. Anyway, she knew she was supposed to wait until Lucas had got ready. Only the big sofa was large enough to accommodate her, so she sat herself down on it, having to spread her long legs out about half-way across the room. But then she heard familiar footfalls and leapt to her feet. It was Jason, Lucas' youngest son who still lived with his father. A lovely young man.

She grinned widely as he came in. "Heyyyy, Jason." She picked him up in her arms and kissed him on the cheek and then they pressed their noses together, chuckling.

"You're really sweaty, Lee. It makes your face look shiny. Are you alright?"

"I hope so, darling."

They sat on the sofa and she put an arm around his shoulders. "By the Moon, it’s great to see you again," she said, smiling down at him. "How's the studying going?"

He wrinkled his freckled nose. "Hard and dull. I'd rather just have fun."

"I hear you, darling. I just wanna make toys."

Jason nodded at the doll sitting on the chair opposite them. "Is he one of yours?"

Lee sighed. "Yes. I thought your father would be pleased with him. Shows what I know."

"It is really impressive craftsmanship," said Jason. "Those eyes especially, they're really realistic. But Father has a bit of a hang-up about realistic dolls. I think it's linked to his fear of clowns."

Lee slapped her forehead with her other hand. "By the Moon, I feel so stupid." Still – at least she hadn't created a doll which moved on its own.

"Don't feel stupid. I thought he would have told you he doesn't like clowns and marionettes and things. I would have told you."

They gazed at each other. Lee took in his freckled nose and cheeks, his strong jaw with just a hint of shadow, his shimmering, light hazel eyes, his wavy, honey brown hair that she could run her fingers through… She realised she'd only asked him about his studies, and there were more important things. "And how is Jason in general?" she asked softly.

His pretty eyes look sad. "I haven't told anyone else yet and I'm not sure I'm ready to tell anyone else, so keep that in mind … but… Odette and I are no longer an item." Odette was his girlfriend.

"Oh, Jason," said Leevana, putting her arms around him. He sighed and leaned his cheek against her bosom. She stroked his wavy hair. She just wanted to keep holding him protectively and comfort him. It felt so right.

Lucas arrived at that moment, followed by Porson the butler. Lee and Jason looked up, Jason still in Lee's arms. The Butler raised his eyebrows and Lucas coughed and looked away. Now Lee felt awkward and embarrassed. The etiquette expected of the nobility in Rosewood kept confusing her. But she forced herself to grin at them. The three of them were to stroll down to the Eastern style restaurant.

Lee wasn't sure whether she was supposed to take Lucas by the hand or not. She glanced sideways at him, hoping he'd give her a hint, but he didn't.

"Great weather we're having, this um… Spring, hey?" said Lee. The weather… she was talking about the weather.

"Does it make you wish you were back amidst the snowy peaks of Ostinia, Lee?" said Jason, trying to stifle a laugh. "Amidst the glaciers and searing winds?"

Lee grinned at him. "If only I could take you there, Jason. You'd see the beauty of it." Without thinking, she took his hand in hers.

He gazed up at her, a smile playing around his cute lips. "I think I see the beauty of the mountains already."

Lee hoped Lucas was feeling comfortable. "If the horrendous politics of Ostinia are ever sorted out, you should both come with me," she said offering Lucas her other hand. He took it and they walked along holding hands. Lee looked anxiously at Lucas. Was he uncomfortable? They were drawing a lot of staring, but that was to be expected – a seven foot green woman strolling down the highstreet was something the mortals weren’t used to. "Would you like that Lucas? We could – uh – I could read to you in my cave… um…" she bit her lip. She didn't think Lucas was feeling any more comfortable.

"So glad you let me tag along, father," said Jason, grinning. "I've been looking forward to this all day."

Leevana immediately felt better and beamed at him.

00O00

The Eastern style restaurant seemed to be serving a lot of fish and it was hot and steamy inside. No longer in the open air, she was conscious of how much she was sweating... Jason took Lee by the hand and led her to the buffet. The night-hag peered at the fish. It was all raw, but that didn't trouble her. She picked up an eel and swallowed it. Almost like spaghetti. Oops. She was getting laughter and pointing again.

"You're supposed to take the fish to the cooks over there, Lee," said Jason, laughing and patting her arm, his hazel eyes crinkling.

Everyone in the restaurant was pointing at them now. "Sorry about this," murmured Lee. "Guess I'm brand new to this etiquette thing, hey?"

A little girl with fair hair pointed and squealed: "Mama, it's the brave green lady who stopped Isaac the Dreadful."

The girl's mother brought her over to Lee and Jason. "You're a real heroine, young lady. My daughter thinks so."

Lee felt a warm glow of emotion well up in her, at the same time feeling a lump in her throat and her eyes tearing up. It was just so touching, the little girl looking up at her, her little dimpled face adoring. She hugged Lee round the leg – all she could reach – and the night-hag picked her up in her arms. Little mortal kids were so beautiful – so delicate. Even compared to the adults. This girl was so fragile and perfect that she reminded her of Karl when he was little. Lee didn't think she'd ever want to let her go. The girl stared at her, wide-eyed. "Why are you so big and green?"

"I am a night-hag. A magical being descended from giants," said Lee smiling at her.

"What did you want to say to the brave night-hag?" said the mother.

"Do you love me?" said the little girl, her blue eyes wide.

"Yes, I do," said Lee softly.

"Good, I love me too," said the girl, satisfied.

00O00

Lee was aware that with all the commotion around her at the restaurant, she and Lucas hadn't had time to talk quietly like they should have done. Get to know Lucas better, like she wanted. But they weren't going to get that chance. Unfortunately, Lucas suffered a headache suddenly coming on when they got back and announced that he would have to rest.

"Oh, you poor thing," said Leevana, bending down to peer into his eyes. It was sometimes possible for a night-hag to tell how bad a headache a mortal had if she peered into his eyes, but Lee couldn't make anything out this time. "I should sit with you while you rest. Make sure you're OK."

"No, no, it will clear up soon, Father needs his privacy, that's all," said Jason, taking her long green hand in both of his and pulling her in the direction of the back door. They two of them took a turn around the garden and sat together on the iron bench. The one that Leevana definitely wouldn't break by sitting down on it. Jason clutched her green arm in both of his. The moon shone down, bathing them in a silvery radiance.

"I don't get what went wrong," said Jason suddenly. "With Odette and me. It was going so well." His eye, such a pretty shade of light hazel, were now shimmering with just a hint of tears. Leevana took him into her strong arms. She could easily take any guy into her arms. Probably a lot of men could easily fit on her knee. She held Jason round the middle and he put his arms round her broad shoulders, staring into her eyes.

"I'm always here to listen, Jason dear."

He spoke in a rush. "She said I wasn't a high flier, but there's something else bothering me…"

"Tell me."

"Could I have done anything different?"

She held him close to her as they gazed into one another's eyes. His warm breath tickled her face. His beautiful eyes looked wide and anxious. Her heart swelled within her. "Listen to me. I know you. You are a smart and beautiful, lovable young man. I know that it can't have been your fault." She spoke from the heart. Of course it could not have been his fault. There were so many things to love about Jason. Lee loved his excitement and wonder whenever he accompanied her on outings, his cheeky grin, his impish humour, his pretty eyes, his freckled face…

"There is literally no other woman like you," he breathed. "And that is wonderful."

00O00

Back at Maria's mansion, Karl was waiting up for Lee when she came back to their apartments. Although it was late and she was only wearing the leather top that left her tummy, arms and broad shoulders bare, the night-hag's green face glistened with a sheen of sweat and when she they hugged and kissed, her skin felt uncomfortably hot and slippery. She had been like this ever since Isaac the Dreadful struck her with the magical blast from his sceptre. What had the fiend done to his mother?

"How is my lovely boy?"

"I'm fine? But are you sure you're alright?"

She grinned at him. "Yes, Karl. I'm really happy right now." There was a faraway look in her blue eyes for a moment. "Although…" she gave a wry smile. "Lucas didn't like my gift."

Karl patted her green arm. "Ah well, never mind."

He showed her he had taken care of Twiggy, the broom, even polishing the weird thing.

Lee picked it up in her strong arms as if she were cradling it and cooed at the ugly little carved face. "There. Didn't I say. Your big brother always looks out for you."

Even though they did have servants to attend to them, Lee preferred to supervise his bathing herself. Karl supposed the whole thing with Grandmama trying to find her a husband was in part to alleviate her anxiety about his growing up or moving out… His mother was definitely happier with someone to look after. A new family of her own would be perfect.

Lee now had an extra-large tub to wash herself in and extra-large towels for her own use too. After she had bathed herself, she sat on her bed, wrapped in a massive pink towel, another wrapped around her head, making her look even weirder. The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting her lurid green face in a ghostly light. "I'm afraid Lucas didn't really enjoy our date tonight," she said sadly. "I wish I could have helped him feel comfortable. This noble etiquette sure is confusing for an old recluse like me, hey? And when we went to the restaurant, I drew a crowd and we never got the chance to talk."

"You are the eligible, green bachelorette about town," said Karl. "And a celebrity. Far from a recluse and outcast, like in Ostinia." He picked up the newspaper article, the one praising the brave green woman who defeated Isaac the Dreadful. Great headline material. "You will get noticed, Mum."

Lee cupped her face in her long, green hands. Her blue eyes were thoughtful. "You're right, my love. I should have thought of that. On our next date I'll take charge and arrange something special. You always set me right, Karl."

Karl sat on her bed beside her and took hold of her green hand. "I'm having to learn etiquette just the same as you." Of course they faced the same challenges with Rosewood etiquette. Lee had raised him since he was six and spent all her time nurturing him. The night-hag was the person he had spent the greatest part of his life with. His royal mother had had other kids and duties, so wasn't with him the entire time. Feeling tired now, he leaned against the night-hag and she put her arm around him. Her heart was still beating more rapidly than previously. "But we'll get the hang of etiquette. I think we've dealt with scarier things?"

"By the Moon… we certainly have, my little love." He supposed he was still little compared to her – in years and in size. "But we can arrange a nice surprise for Lucas and Jason, too."

"Jason? The youngest son? Twenty years old?"

"Yes… a lovely young man… so sweet and fun… so devastatingly handsome… so warm and kind… I just want to hold him in my arms and tell him everything is alright… "

OK… What was that tone of voice she was using? It sounded like she was talking about a happy dream. There was a faraway look in her blue eyes. What did it mean?