A/N ~ Okay everybody, this is the last chapter, so – enjoy! I hope you like it!

            "To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you – the rose that belongs to me. But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses: because it is she that I have watered; because it is she that I have put under the glass globe; … because it is she that I have listened to , when she grumbled or boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing. Because she is my rose."… "It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery in The Little Prince

Wren finished getting the fire started and sat back, enjoying the warmth. Connor came to sit beside her. He put his arm around her, and she leaned her head on his shoulder. "How long do you think it will be before we get to the Palace?" she asked.

            "Should only be about a week," Connor answered.

            "Good. I can't wait to see Teressa and Tyron again."

            Connor smiled, and nodded in agreement. They sat together in contented silence for a couple more minutes, then Wren sighed. "I guess I'd better refill our water supply." She got up and went to get the canteens. Then, she walked the small distance to the nearby stream. As she was kneeling down to fill the canteens, she suddenly felt a voice in her head. Wren.

            She started and almost dropped the canteens. She gazed down into the stream. Laris?

            Wren! I'm so glad I got through to you! I thought for sure you'd be too far away.

            We're about a week away. What's wrong?

            Nothing's wrong! Nothing at all. Connor's with you then?

            Yes, he's here. Why?

            Well, you're coming here, right?

            Yes, we're on our way.

            Good. You should be here on time.

            For?

            You'll see. An important royal event.

            What?

            See you soon!

            Wait, Laris! But she was gone. Wren sat down on the bank of the stream in frustration. What could be happening at the castle? It couldn't be something bad, or Laris wouldn't have sounded so calm. What then?

            It took Wren and Connor much longer than they'd expected to reach their destination. It was mid-spring and the weather was horrible. The rain was almost constant, causing many roads to be closed, so the travelers were forced to take a lot of detours. After at least two wet weeks of walking, they finally reached the capital city, where the palace was. Despite the rain, the city seemed amazingly busy, even more so the closer they got to the castle. They were getting increasingly curious about what could possibly be happening.

            Trying to keep out of the rain, while at the same time casting curious eyes all about them, the two made their way to the Palace gates.

            The guard stationed there was surprised to see them. "Prince Connor!" he exclaimed when he recognized them. "Welcome back! Are you here for the wedding?"

            Before a confused Connor could respond to this puzzling comment, a second guard rushed up. "Miss Laris has requested that I bring you directly to her if you were to show up, although, frankly, we were beginning to think you weren't coming at all." He led them through the gates and into the palace.

            Inside the palace, there were people rushing all over the place with various items, shouting to each other. Wren and Connor stared about them in wonder, as the guard took their soaking wet cloaks, and went to hang them somewhere.

            Laris rushed up to them, with a huge smile on her face. "Wren! Connor! I'm so glad you're here! What kept you?"

            Connor seemed too disoriented to answer, so Wren said, "A lot of roads were blocked because of the weather, so it took longer than we'd expected." She stared as a tall woman ran past with an armload of fake roses. "What's going on? The guard at the gate said something about a wedding."

            Laris just grinned and said, "Come on. Let's go somewhere where we can talk in peace. And get you some dry clothing." She took them both by the arms and pulled them along after her.

            Fifteen minutes later, they were sitting, dry and warm, in a small quiet sitting room. Laris smiled. "I'm so glad you got here on time! This is excellent!"

            "Why? What are we on time for?" Connor said, exasperated.

            Laris' eyes were shining. "For the royal wedding tomorrow!" Connor and Wren stared at her.

            "Royal wedding?"

            Laris nodded. "Yes. Her Majesty, The Queen is getting married tomorrow."

            "As in, Queen Teressa? As in Tess? Our Tess?" asked Wren wide-eyed. "She would never!"

            "It's a special arrangement. The King will only be King in title. Teressa will keep her ruling power. The King will have a different job." Her eyes glittered mischievously.

            "Oh, come on. You can't be serious," said Connor. "Who would agree to that?"

            "Someone who was marrying her for love," said Laris, simply.

            "But, who?!" cried Wren.

            "And what do you mean 'a different job,'" asked Connor.

            Laris grinned. "The King will, in fact, be the Queen's Magician." Connor and Wren stared at her again.

            "Tyron's the Queen's Magician," stated Connor. Laris nodded.

            "So, what you're trying to tell us is that Teressa is marrying Tyron," said Wren.

            Laris nodded again, her eyes shining. "Now, we have to keep them from seeing you until tomorrow, because I want it to be a surprise."

            That night, for the first time in what felt like eons, Wren and Connor slept in real beds. Wren tossed and turned, unable to get to sleep. She wasn't used to this. She and Connor hadn't been this far apart in a very long time. She found herself missing him, and then scolded herself for such silliness. He was right down the hall, and anyway, she would see him tomorrow.

            She sighed and turned over again. Then she noticed something. Her ring! It was glowing! Connor! It had to be. Teressa and Tyron didn't know they were here. She got out of bed quickly and hurried into the hall. Using the ring to lead her, she made her way through the palace, and found herself in the garden. She made her way through the rows of dying roses, and found Connor seated on a bench, staring at the sky.

            "Connor?" she whispered. He looked up, and smiled.

            "Hey. I missed you."

            Wren laughed, even though that was exactly what she had been thinking, and said, "Connor, we've only been apart for a couple of hours."

            He nodded. "I know, but-" he shrugged, "It just felt weird."

            Wren sat down next to him. "I know what you mean."

            "It's just – I couldn't stand being away from you, even for a couple hours. I – I can't imagine being away from you for longer than that."

            Wren smiled fondly and slipped her hand into his. "I missed you too."

            He squeezed her hand, and looked her in the eyes. "Wren," he whispered. "I – I love you."

            Her whole filled with joy at those words. "I love you too," she whispered back, as her lips met his. And, though they couldn't see it then, something miraculous happened in the dark garden.

Teressa woke up on the morning of her wedding day, and sensed something different in the air. She dressed quickly and hurried out of the room. She met Tyron on her way out to the garden. He followed her outside, and when they stepped through the doors, they stopped, suddenly, and stared.

Wren woke up to find herself still sitting on the bench next to Connor with her head resting on his shoulder. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, and immediately felt that something was different, but she couldn't quite place it. Connor was starting to wake up, beside her.

Then she her a voice cry in astonishment, "Tyron! The roses!"

Wren looked around her. That was it. The roses that had been dead the night before were now in full bloom. Then she recognized the voice.

Teressa was laughing with joy, as she came around the bend with Tyron right behind her. And again she stopped to stare in astonishment. Wren looked at her calmly. "Good morning," she said.

"Wren!" cried Teressa. Wren grinned, and stood to embrace her best friend.

Connor was rubbing his eyes and yawning. "What's going on?" he muttered. Tyron was laughing and grinning.

"When did you guys get here?" he asked.

"Yesterday," said Wren. "Laris didn't let us see you. She wanted it to be a surprise."

Teressa grinned. "I can't believe you're here!"

Wren smiled. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I guess this must seem a little weird to you guys, huh?"

Wren looked at Connor and smiled. "Not so weird."

Tyron was looking thoughtfully at the roses. "Iyon Daiyin magic," he muttered. "Did you guys do this?" he asked Connor.

Connor stared around at the roses. "Huh," he said. "You know, I think we did." He looked at Wren. "Just like on that mountain." Wren's eyes widened as she realized.

"Right," she said slowly.

"I wonder why we didn't think of that before," said Tyron. "It must be some ancient kind of Iyon Daiyin magic. I don't suppose you know what, exactly?"

Connor smiled. "I do actually," he said. "It's the oldest there is –" he looked at Wren, "love."

THE END

A/N ~ Yes, I know, that was extremely corny. I'm sorry. I apologize for anything that was inaccurate. I realize that there probably wouldn't have been any fake roses, but, oh well. I hope you liked it!