Chapter 19: True Love Conquers All

As Jamie, the fairies, Connie, and Lars went along their initial path, they stopped at the same spot where White Diamond had blocked them, to which they were intent on getting rid of the remaining thorns. But as the fairies prepared their wands, something magical happened. To everyone's surprise, the thorns moved out of their way, clearing the path that led to Blue Diamond's castle. But there was more, for the thorns also began to blossom beautiful pink roses, the same flower that Steven gave to Lapis as a promise, which he had thoroughly kept.

"Well, this just made our job easier," Amethyst said cheekily. "Not to mention it makes the thorns look more pleasing to the eye."

Then, she and the others began to head along the path, with Garnet and Bismuth helping to carry Jamie by his arms, for he was still exhausted from his battle with White Diamond. They kept on sprinting until they reached the castle drawbridge. After many hours of search and rescue, they finally arrived at their destination.

"Here it is, the royal castle," Jamie said to the others as the magenta and periwinkle fairies lowered him down gently to his feet. "And somewhere inside, Lapis is waiting for me."

Not wanting to waste any more time, the rescue party entered the castle, where they moved quietly through the main hall, where the party guests, including the queen and duchess, were still fast asleep. Lars and Connie were amazed by how such a large gathering as this, could be easily put to sleep by fairy magic. Once they left, the fairies began directing Jamie on which way to go, where they sped through numerous castle halls as well as up and down various staircases. At last, they came across a particular flight of stairs, which lead to the highest tower room, where Rose Quartz was awaiting their arrival.

"Here it is Jamie," said Steven. "Once you reach the top of this staircase, you and Lapis will be together again."

"Thank you, Steven," replied Jamie. "And thank you all, for both rescuing and aiding me throughout this crazy journey."

"It's no trouble at all," Garnet added, to which the other fairies along with Connie and Lars agreed with her.

Ecstatic to see his true love again, Jamie raced up the stairs, with the others following closely behind him. It took them quite a while to climb, but Jamie wasn't bothered, all that mattered to him, was that he reached Lapis in plenty of time. Once they reached the top of the tower, Rose Quartz greeted the rescue party, before praising her son, her subjects, and Jamie's friends for their part in rescuing him and for ridding the kingdom of White Diamond's evil magic. Then, she turned directly to the stable boy, who bowed in the presence of the fairy queen.

"Congratulations, young man," she spoke greatly. "For you have put yourself through thick and thin, all in the name of true love."

"Oh, it was no problem, Your Majesty," Jamie replied anxiously. "I just did what I did to ensure that I would get to Lapis quickly and free her from White Diamond's curse."

Rose could only chuckle in response to this truthful claim. "In that case," she added. "The princess awaits you."

So, the fairy queen moved to one side, leaving Jamie amazed by what he saw in front of him. For across the room was a small canopy bed, with its drapes drawn back. Lying on the bed with its silk cover placed up to her waist, protected by Rose's magical aura, and holding Steven's rose in between her hands, was none other than Princess Lapis Lazuli. Recognising her delicate features as well as the same dress she wore when they first met, Jamie was astonished, for he thought Lapis looked just as beautiful asleep as she was awake. He carefully made his way to the sleeping princess, with everyone watching in suspense. The stable boy knelt at Lapis' bedside and placed his hand on hers.

"You don't have to fret anymore Lapis," he whispered. "For I've come to break your spell."

But just as he was about to kiss her, Jamie became hesitant and began to have second doubts.

"What's wrong Jamie?" asked Connie worryingly. "Isn't this the same girl you met in the forest?"

"It is," the stable boy replied. "But are you all certain that I'm her true love? I'm just a stable boy, and she's a princess."

Soon both Rose and her son went up to Jamie, intent on giving him some reassurance. "Young man, from what I've seen from my projections, you chose to put Lapis' life before your own, without taking your position into account," said the fairy queen. "Therefore, you are the ideal sort of person to break the sleeping spell."

"Yeah," added Steven. "Someone with a thoughtful mindset like that is more than deserving of Lapis' love."

Jamie's attention soon turned to the other fairies and his friends, who all had hopeful expressions on their faces. Although he was becoming more reassured, the stable boy still had one final query before he could wake Lapis.

"Wait, don't I need consent from Queen Blue Diamond before I can kiss her daughter?" he asked kindly.

"There is no need," replied Garnet, to which Pearl added, "We are Lapis' trusted guardians; therefore, you have our permission to kiss her."

With the kind words of everyone encouraging him, Jamie was now more than ready to awaken his true love. He closed his eyes and gave Lapis a gentle kiss on her smiling lips. From that moment, White Diamond's wicked spell was broken. Jamie took one step back as he and the others watched in pure wonder. Suddenly, the magical aura surrounding Lapis disappeared, her eyelids fluttered open, and she gave out a small soft yawn, having now been freed from the enchanted sleeping spell. When she saw Jamie kneeling by her bedside, she couldn't help but look into his deep black eyes and give him a heartfelt smile.

"It's you!" Lapis cried excitedly. "I can't believe you're here at last."

Overjoyed, the blue girl lifted herself out of bed and went to embrace her true love.

"You're safe now, Princess," said Jamie. "No longer will White Diamond's magic ever hurt you again."

"Oh, thank you," Lapis replied happily. "I am forever grateful for what you, your friends and my guardians have done for me and the whole kingdom."

As the two lovers reconciled, everyone else started cheering, happy that their beloved princess was now free of White Diamond's curse. Just then, Lapis went over to see Steven. The fairy prince was so delighted that his best friend was now awake, that he began to shed tears of joy as he ran towards Lapis to hug her.

"Oh, Lapis!" Steven cried. "I'm so glad you're okay, I've missed you so much."

"And I missed you too, Steven," Lapis replied joyfully whilst also tearing up, knowing that her best friend was safe. Everyone else turned towards them, pleased that the two friends were at last reunited with one another. Once Lapis and Steven wiped away their happy tears, the princess went back to her bed, picked up the rose that the fairy prince gave her and presented it back to him.

"Here," she spoke sweetly. "Consider this as a thank you for keeping your promise to me. It means a lot."

"Thank you, Lapis," Steven replied. "But I'd like you to keep it, as a token of our long-lasting friendship."

The others couldn't help but admire Steven's generosity, as Lapis humbly accepted his request, before giving him a friendly kiss on the cheek, which made Steven blush. Once the two friends finished their reunion, Lapis went to thank her fairy guardians, Connie, and Lars for their part in coming to her rescue.

"Oh, it was nothing, Your Highness," said Connie politely.

"Indeed," added Lars. "We came to help as a symbol of our friendship with Jamie and for the sake of the kingdom."

As Lapis giggled at the stable hands' charming response, Garnet approached the blue girl with a somewhat solemn look on her face.

"Lapis," she said. "We would like to apologise for what we said to you earlier regarding your true love, we didn't intend to hurt your feelings."

"Agreed," added Bismuth. "We also should have left Steven and Peridot to watch you during your sadness, that way White Diamond wouldn't have led you away to the spindle so easily. We're truly sorry."

Lapis gave a small smile to the fairies and told them, along with Pearl, Amethyst, and Peridot that she forgave them, for she felt their search to find Jamie more than made up for their mistakes. The fairies could only express their gratitude by giving the princess a reconciling group cuddle. With everything now settled with her loved ones, Lapis returned to Jamie and the two lovers once again embraced tenderly.

"By the way," Lapis asked. "I never got to ask this during our time in the forest, but what is your name?"

"Jamie, Your Highness," the stable boy replied, to which the princess considered it a lovely name, as both she and the stable boy looked into each other's eyes dreamily. Meanwhile, Rose, who had noticed Steven admiring the happy couple, went up to her son with a gentle smile on her face.

"Steven, I'm so proud of you and the others for what you have done for Lapis and Jamie," the fairy queen said gracefully. "I know that someday you are going to be a great ruler for the fairies."

Steven didn't know how to respond to this, so he gave his mother a warm hug. Then everyone turned to one of the castle tower windows and saw that the sun was starting to rise, implying that a new day of joy was to occur within the kingdom, one that showed how true love can conquer all.