Well, here we go. This is the Perky-Thief here, with the third and final chapter of Dreams & Beyond. Actually, this chapter is more of an epilogue, so to speak. But either way, here's the end. I hope you've liked this story so far.

Without further ado, enjoy Chapter Three.

Enjoy!!

Dreams & Beyond

Epilogue

Many years had come to pass since Selene's final departure from Noreen's window. Noreen was no longer the heart-broken little girl she'd been so long ago. Time had passed, bringing many new things with it; Noreen was now happily married and spent her days enjoying the 'finer things in life.'

Inside, though, she knew it wouldn't bother her if Selene ever did decide to come back. Even thought Noreen had denied it to everyone who asked, she never truly stopped believing in her little world of make-believe. She still held onto all of her old storybooks, opting to pull them out and read them whenever she felt lonely.

The fresh dew from the afternoon rain created a warm spring night outside. Noreen had just finished reading a bedtime story to her daughter, Adrianne, now fast asleep. She, like her mother years ago, had a passion for fantasy and loved to hear stories of the famous tales.

Noreen had inherited the house from her father, and the very same room that she once played in now belonged to Adrianne. It pleased Noreen to even have the same mystical pictures on the walls.

She took a seat in the old wooden rocking chair by the fire and began to do some knitting. It was a faint tinkle that had distracted her from her work, but when Noreen glanced towards the window, she saw nothing. Feeling it was merely the wind, she resumed her work until she heard it again, this time near Adrianne.

When she looked at her daughter, a familiar sight greeted her eyes. Selene sat calmly above Adrianne's head, working her magic.

At Noreen's glance, Selene flew towards her and plopped down on the yarn basket. Her eyes had a pleading look in them, though she said nothing.

Noreen smiled. "Hello, old friend."

"Hello," Selene whispered. "It's been a long time."

"Yes, I am quite aware." Noreen looked tenderly at the little faerie, obviously pleased to see her. "Too long, I'm afraid."

"When you grew up," Selene started, shuttering at the word, "I didn't want to be rid of you forever and since you still believed, I remained alive. When Adrianne was born, I immediately offered to be her guardian."

"And I'm quite glad." Noreen's smile slowly faded. "I should never have pushed away and forced you out of my life. As I'm sure you can tell, I never truly wanted you to leave. Can you ever forgive me, friend, for the way I treated you back then?"

Selene beamed, her pearly wings fluttering fast in response. "Of course, but only if you forgive me for abandoning you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Noreen said, smiling.

Adrianne rolled over with a soft moan, twisting and turning the blankets with her legs.

"Oh, my baby…she has such terrible dreams," Noreen said with a slight grimace, as any mother would. She stood up and walked towards the bedroom door, pausing within its frame. "Go protect her for me, won't you?"

"With pleasure." Selene glided towards Adrianne and worked her magic on the nightmare, forcing it out of the innocent child's mind.

Abruptly, the seven year old sprang up in bed, a tear resting beneath her eye. When she noticed Selene sitting behind, she picked up the blankets and threw them over her head.

Selene got down to face her and said, "Please don't be frightened, little girl. I meant not to scare you."

Adrianne slowly pulled the blankets from her eyes. "What are you?"

"You silly girl, I'm your Dream Guardian."

"What's that?" she asked, her voice emitting curiosity.

Selene smiled sweetly and glanced towards Noreen, still standing in the doorway. When she looked back at Adrianne she said, "Well, calm down and I'll tell you."

O0O

For years Adrianne and Selene shared many wonderful conversations. Eventually, she grew up, but always believed, and Selene became a Dream Guardian for her daughter, Elizabeth.

One day when Elizabeth has a daughter (so long as she believes), Selene will be her Dream Guardian, and so on and so forth. For that was how it was and will be, forever and ever, until one day someone stops believing for good. But that time is far from now; so for the time being, we'll just watch the chain grow with pride and happiness.

Because all who know Selene, stay children forever in their hearts.

THE END

And that's the end. I hope you've enjoyed my story. Don't forget to Review if you did.