Heroic

He did not become a True Hero by slaying the Dragon of the North or capturing the Werewolf of the West. Despite his exploits, the Wisest Witch still shook her head whenever he came to beg his ratings in her crystal ball.

“Sorry,” she murmured, while the not-yet-true-enough hero tore his beard in frustration.

Eventually, he rescued a queen and became her captive in turn. They had twelve rambunctious children who all grew up to seek adventure.

Then the Witch came to his lonely castle, patted his white-knuckled hand kindly and said, “Now you know what True Heroism is.”