That night all in the castle was quiet, not a single noise was made. Baby Winter was sound asleep in his cradle with Wendy faithfully watching over him while Gray hid behind the curtains of the nursery window. Hours passed, Gray and Wendy waited in the silence of the night hoping that whatever they saw would explain the strange happenings in the castle. At last their patience was rewarded and Juvia appeared.

She walked to the cradle that held her son and gently stroked his cheek. As soon as he felt the soft touch of his mother's fingers brushing against his cheek, Winter opened his blue eyes and began to smile and coo at the sight of his loving mother. Juvia smiled back at him but then her smile faded and she began to shed tears.

"Our beautiful baby, my heart breaks to think that I'll never be able to see you again. You or my darling husband or my dear brother. I hope that one day you and your father can forgive me for leaving you." She gave her baby son one last kiss. "No matter what happens I'll always love you."

She then stood up from the cradle and began to walk away but Gray was determined not to let his wife leave without explaining to him what was happening.

"Stop!" He called after her as he stepped out from the curtains. "Juvia what the devil are you talking about? Why are you acting so strange lately? Everyday you act cruel and won't even look at our son but every night you become the kind woman I fell in love with and dote on Winter. Tell me what's wrong? Please you're frightening me!"

To Wendy's surprise Juvia turned around and looked at Gray right in his eyes something that she only did with Winter until now.

"Oh my prince the woman who lies in my bed is not me. She is my stepsister and the truth is for the past few days I have been missing."

"Missing? Why did you leave?"

"I didn't leave I was taken."

"By who?"

"My stepmother. She attacked me the other night and took me away from you then she put my stepsister in my place."

"But you're here now right?"

"No I'm on the forbidden mountain where she left me to die."

"But I see you here."

"Not me. What you see is the strength of my love for our son and for you. My mother was a good fairy and I inherited some of her magic. My love for my family and that magic allowed me to briefly leave my body and come here to feed our son but it's brought me as far as it can. My body won't last much longer."

"Then take mine! I'll give up my body, my heart, and my soul if it will bring you back." He embraced her desperately terrified of losing her. "Don't go! Your love is the only thing we'll ever need!"

She began to cry into his chest then pulled back to show him her tearful face.

"You're so beautiful." He said wiping her tears away. "Please Juvia we need you."

"Oh my darling I would stay if I could but I can't and after tonight you shall never see me again. Please take care of our son and my little brother, let them know that no matter what happens my love is always with them."

"Juvia don't leave me!"

"Goodbye Gray. I love you, goodbye."

And just like that she vanished from his sight. Gray angrily turned over a table and smashed a window.

"No! I will not allow it!" He shouted enraged.

He then charged into the bedchamber and ripped off the veil covering the face of the woman in bed exposing her hideous self. Gray was further enraged as soon as he saw her and he immediately pued her from the bed.

"Alright you! What have you done with my wife?!" He demanded.

"Whatever do you mean?" She asked trying to look innocent.

"Don't lie! My wife is gone and you know exactly where she is! Now tell me!"

"What does it matter? She'll be dead soon."

Gray grabbed her roughly by her collar and gave her a look the spelled death.

"Now listen to me you witch if you want your head to remain on your shoulders you better tell me where she is! Now!"

That managed to successfully scare her into complying. So after putting her in chains, Seilah led Gray and his men to the mountain where Juvia was. Now the mountain was very treacherous and dangerous but there was nothing in the world half as frightening to the prince as the thought of losing his beloved wife.

While his men stayed behind to keep Seilah from escaping Gray and Lyon climbed up the mountain to search for Juvia.

"Are you sure she's up here and not somewhere on the ground?" Lyon asked nervously.

"I am. Why? Are you afraid?" Gray asked.

"No it's just uh...Heights make me a little uncomfortable."

"Lyon if you're that uncomfortable then you can go back."

"No. No. I won't abandon you your highness."

"You're loyal til the end Lyon. Thanks." As they got closer to the top they began to call out for Juvia. "Juvia!"

"Your majesty can you hear us?!" Lyon called.

"Juvia! Where are you?!"

They called and searched for what seemed like forever. At last Gray came upon a cave where he found his wife lying on the cold, rock ground. Gray immediately ran to her, dropped to his knees, and took her into his arms.

"I'm here my love." He told her softly. "I found you."

At the sound of his voice she opened her eyes and smiled weakly when she saw him.

"You came." She breathed. "So you really do love me."

"Of course I love you. I'll love you always and forever." He vowed and then sealed that vow with a kiss.

At once all of Juvia's wounds were heald and she, her husband, and his men we're instantly transported back to the castle.

"Oh I've missed you so." Juvia said embracing her husband.

"Juvia! Juvia! Come quick!" Juvia went to Romeo's call and her heart swelled with joy when she saw him. He was no longer a deer but instead a young boy between the ages of twelve and thirteen. "Look at me Juvia! I'm back to normal!"

She ran to Romeo and threw her arms around him while crying tears of joy. Then she went to the nursery and went to hold and kiss Winter who cooed with happiness at being held by his mother again. It was the happiest day of Juvia's life. But our story doesn't end here. There was still one loose end that needed to be tied up.

Kyoka had returned to the castle saying that she was the mother of the princess. They played along with her charade and allowed her into the castle and the prince asked to speak with her.

"Tell me woman what do you think would be a fitting punishment for a woman who tried to kill the princess?" He asked her.

"Take her to some barren land where nothing grows and leave her there to starve." Kyoka said.

"You think so? That severe?"

"No! That's too merciful! "Have her tarred, feathered, tied to a horse's tail, and dragged through town!"

"Very well then. Guards! Make sure that exact punishment befalls this hag and her daughter!"

"What?! What is this?!"

"I'm merely just giving you the punishment you picked out for you and your daughter! Guards take her away!"

And so Kyoka and Seilah were indeed, tarred, feathered, tied to the tails of horses, and dragged through town before spending the rest of their days in the dungeon. Gray's undying love for Juvia had saved both her and Romeo and Kyoka and Seilah would never again be able to harm Juvia or Romeo because they were protected by their love for each other and the love of Prince Gray and baby Winter. For you see as strong as evil maybe it can never be as strong as pure and unselfish love. Prince Gray and Princess Juvia spent their days ruling the kingdom with wisdom and kindness while loving and raising their precious son. Romeo became the royal squire who's favorite pass time was playing with his nephew and he became bethrothed to Wendy for he had been in love with her all along. Needless to say they all lived happily ever after except for Kyoka and Seilah of course.