It was the middle of the night when there was a knock on the door. Marcia, who had just gotten up to nurse the newly hatched gillbaby, bustled to the door in her nightgown.
"Can I help you?" she asked the man on the doorstep. He stepped into the light, and Marcia realized he was a messenger from the king. "Oh!"
"One of the king's finest knights has fallen in battle. He and others went against a dangerous warlock. The others were fine. He was not."
"Why are you telling me this? In the middle of the night, no less?" Marcia asked tartly. The messenger held out a woven basket.
"Your mothering skills are legendary. Please take care of him while the king's wizards work on a reversal."
"He was..."
"Turned into a toddler. He needs care. No one in the kingdom is as fine a mother as you. If you agree to this task, you will be rewarded handsomely." Marcia lifted the blanket covering the toddler in the basket. Her eyes widened. "His name is Patrick."
"I will take care of him as though he was my own," Marcia said gleefully, taking the basket from the messenger. The messenger looked relieved.
"I will let the king know." He turned around and walked away. Marcia closed the door, giddy with excitement. Sir Patrick was a toddler, and one under her care, no less! Finally, she could get her revenge. She wrinkled her nose. Once she changed his diaper.
Before long, Patrick was placed in a crib with the second youngest gillbaby and Marcia went back to bed with Bufo. Bufo, wakened by the noise, asked what was going on. Marcia explained. Bufo kissed her, excited by the money they would be receiving from the king.