Valanice barely noticed the throne room doors opening or the gnome who had entered until he was standing right in front of them. It took considerable effort to raise her head to look at him; whatever he had to say, she didn't care. She could never care about anything again.

"Your Majesties, fantastic news! The Princess is safe and on her way home right now!"

Valanice blinked at him. Rosella was… alive? Did she dare believe it? But what reason would he have to lie? She wanted so badly to believe he wasn't mistaken, that her daughter was truly only minutes away from returning home safe and well.

Before she could decide how to respond, he continued. "There's more… "the little gnome glanced back and forth between her and Graham, and she looked over at her husband.

The King looked highly unwell. His skin was gray-tinged, and he still sagged on his throne. Had he not heard, or did he not believe it?

"Go on," she prompted. Tears, dried up hours ago, started to prick her eyes again. Shining stars, please let this news be true.

"The dragon is dead. Killed by yer son."

Of all the things he could have said, none could have surprised her more. She stared at him, barely able to process his words. The dragon, dead? By… by their son? That wasn't possible. Whoever this man was, he would be another imposter trying to claim his way to the throne.

She looked over at her husband. He hadn't moved an inch and was still staring unseeingly into space. "Graham? Did you hear what he said?"

No response. Valanice shook his arm, and Graham turned his head to look at her blankly. He was sweating slightly. She was starting to think something was wrong, something more than just despair. She felt his face; it was cold and clammy to her touch, and he still wasn't responding to her.

She called for a guard and instructed him to fetch Ren. At that, Graham's eyes finally focused on her. "Was… was there something about the dragon?" He asked, his voice weak.

Now she was definitely concerned. "Yes, the dragon is dead, and Rosella is on her way back."

His eyes finally lit up. "She's all right. Oh, thank the stars, she's all right." His eyes widened further. "Saved by our son! Valanice, did I hear that right? Our son!"

She didn't have the heart to remind him that this wasn't the first time someone had claimed to be the Prince. She wanted to wait for Ren, at least.

As if the physician had heard her thought, Ren rushed through the throne room doors and headed straight for the King. As she watched him enter, she noticed the gnome still standing before them, waiting patiently for her attention.

"Is she… are they ok?"

"They seemed well enough, given the circumstances," he answered.

"Our deepest thanks for this news," she said, dismissing him, and turned her attention to her husband, who was trying to rise despite Ren's insistence that he stay seated.

"No need for all this fuss. Just a tad bit lightheaded," Graham said.

"Your majesty, I do think it would be best for you to stay seated. Until I've finished my examination, at least."

"Really, I'm fine! Now I would very much like to-"

He stopped as they all heard approaching footsteps and looked up to see Rosella rushing toward them.

"Rosella!" Graham cried, and finally managed to pull himself to his feet. As their daughter fell into his arms, Valanice felt the tears that had threatened earlier finally pouring down her face. Her daughter was all right, by some miracle. She enveloped them both in a hug of her own.

After finally pulling herself back, Rosella said, "Father, the dragon's dead. So you don't have to worry about it anymore. Are you all right?"

"I'm just glad you're here and safe. That both my children are here," he replied.

Valanice turned to the young man who had followed Rosella in. He had stopped well short of them, looking nervous and uncertain. Like Rosella, ash and dirt marred his face, and his clothes were torn in several places. Several locks of his black hair had pulled free to fall about his face. He was thin, too, to the point that he probably weighed less than Rosella, despite being taller.

Valanice ignored all this as she stepped before him and cupped his face with her hand. Behind the ash and the wary look in his eyes, she saw something that sent a thrill of hope rush through her: a face that looked rather like her husband's when they first met. Looking into his eyes, she knew. She didn't need a birthmark to confirm it; this was her son.

"Oh, Alexander…" she managed to say before she near fell into him in her rush to finally hug the boy she had longed to hold for almost eighteen years. The only reason they didn't end up falling to the floor was Rosella and Graham joining in.

She didn't let go until a flash of light had them craning their heads around to find the source - the magic mirror. The darkness that had clouded its surface was starting to fade. "The mirror!" She exclaimed in surprise. "It's working again!"

Beside her, she heard Alexander say something to himself, a name. Man-something? Was that who was behind his kidnapping, behind the mirror going dark nearly eighteen years ago?

"Alexander, Rosella, believe it or not, this old hat and I have been through a lot together. Now, it's time he had a new traveling companion," Graham said as he retrieved his feathered adventuring cap.

He tossed it toward the twins, though which one would have caught it, she couldn't say as a sudden cry from her husband demanded her attention. Graham clutched his chest as he collapsed.

Ren, who had been watching all of this in astonished silence, beat her to his side.

"Graham!" She cried, but he didn't respond, and she was beyond grateful she'd already sent for the physician. Ren immediately began to examine the stricken King, feeling for a pulse.

Looking toward the throne room entrance, she saw two guards already peering in. Honestly, she wouldn't have been surprised if they'd been watching since Rosella returned, and she didn't care one whit if they had. She motioned them forward.

"He's breathing," Ren said after a moment, relief evident in his voice. "But best to get him in bed, I think."

Valanice looked to one of the guards, who nodded and ran off.

She took one of Graham's hands and held it to her lips, hoping against hope that he would be all right, but her heart fell as Ren continued.

"His heart… all the stress… I'm afraid there's little I can do other than administering painkillers and advising rest," he said.

A guard returned with a litter and helped transfer the King onto it.

As they wound their way up through the castle to their bedroom, Valanice felt her own heart would fail at any moment. She didn't think she could take more surprises; already, she wondered if this entire day was nothing more than a bizarre nightmare. Or was it a dream come true? How could one day hold such extremes of joy and despair?

Once Graham was transferred to the bed, Ren looked him over again before concluding, "He's stable for now, but I would like to consult the court wizard. I'll be back shortly."

"Of course, Ren. Thank you," Valanice replied, more out of habit than anything.

Rosella pulled in a third chair from the first room, and Valanice sat by her husband's bedside with her two children as he slept on.