Things must happen when it is time for them to happen. Quests may not simply be abandoned; prophecies may not be left to rot like unpicked fruit; unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever. The happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story.” The Lady Amalthea did not answer him. Schmendrick asked, “Why not? Who says so?” “Heroes,” Prince Lír replied sadly. “Heroes know about order, about happy endings—heroes know that some things are better than others.
