"Che," Electra said, "your sire is preparing to destroy the mountain, level by level, if he doesn't get you back. I'm sure Gwendolyn is a nice girl and happy for your company, but how do you feel about this captivity?"

"I had some trepidation about entering the mountain," Che replied. "But my concern has been abated. I am being well treated, and I like Gwenny. I am in the process of deciding whether to agree to be her companion."

"But that doesn't count, when they are holding you captive!" Gloha protested. "Cheiron won't accept that."

"It is a problem," Che said. "Because it proved to be beyond me, I have delegated the decision to another."

Godiva was startled. "You have? Who?"

"Jenny Elf."

Electra, Gloha, and Godiva stared at Jenny. "You are deciding for him?" Godiva asked.

"Well, he asked me to," Jenny said, abashed.

"And what do you propose to tell him to do?" Godiva asked.

"I don't know. I haven't decided either."

Godiva shared a look of bafflement with Electra. They were on opposite sides, but neither saw much sense in this.

Electra returned to Che. "What happens to you if you agree?"

"I will remain here as Gwenny's companion, but we may travel outside if we wish, later."

"But she can go outside by herself or with another goblin!" Electra protested. "She doesn't need you!"

Che shrugged. "That is as it may be. Jenny will decide."

"How can you be party to this, Jenny?" Electra demanded. "I thought you were his friend!"

"I am his friend," Jenny replied.

Gloha was equally baffled. "What happens to you if you say no?"

"I am uncertain. It may be that I will be released."

Electra turned grimly to Godiva. "What happens if he says no?" she repeated.

"I haven't decided," the gobliness said.

"Mother!" Gwendolyn said angrily.

Godiva paused. Then, reluctantly, she answered. "I will release him."

"Good!" Electra said. "Jenny, tell him to tell her no, and we'll all leave now, and the siege will be lifted and no one will be hurt."

But Jenny shook her head. "I can't tell him that. I haven't decided."

"Which side are you on?" Electra demanded, baffled and upset.

"Why don't you marry Dolph?" Jenny asked her in return.

"Because I can't just—" Electra broke off and regrouped.

"That has nothing to do with this!" But she was shaken, for it was the last response she had expected from Jenny. Was the elf in some similar situation?

She pondered. Suppose the goblins had threatened to kill them all, Electra and Gloha included, if Che refused what they demanded? But Che didn't want to do it. Then he would be unable to say either yes or no. So he would say he hadn't decided. In which case Electra and Gloha had better get out of here as fast as they could.