Chapter 17

Heroes of Galatia

"So you've slain the, rescued me, and defeated the witch," Vanessa reviewed. "Now, we do we go from here?"

"I guess we'll head back to Greg's cottage and see how Derek is doing?" Aria replied even though she had a feeling that's not what Vanessa was talking about.

"That's not what I meant. Are you going to live here from now on?"

This was the very question Aria wanted to avoid. Sure, she use to dream of being a princess when she was a little girl, but now, Aria could not stand the thought of never seeing her family or friends again.

"I'll have to talk to Adora about it," Aria replied.

Understanding her best friend did not want to discuss this any further, Vanessa changed the subject. "Hey, I just thought of something. We know about another dimension."

"Yeah, so…?"

"So, we know something Walter doesn't know!"

"Wow, I never thought that day would come," Aria acknowledged. After all, Walter's the smartest person she had ever known. "Though it's too bad we can't tell him."

"Yeah," Vanessa agreed. "He would think we've both gone insane. Remember, he thought I was nuts for believing in psychics. Speaking of which, I wonder if there are any fortune tellers in this world?"

"Considering there's magic, dragons, and portals between worlds, that wouldn't surprise me."

The girls continued to discuss the wonders of this new world as they headed back to Greg's cottage. When they arrived an anxious Adora came out from inside.

"Aria, do you have any idea how worried I've been!" Adora exclaimed with rage. "What were you thinking, going up against the most dangerous witch in these lands?"

"I won," Aria protested weakly. "This sword Greg made kept Myrtle's magic from harming me."

Adora sighed, "Very well then. I assume you finished Myrtle off for good, right?"

"Actually I just banished her from these lands," Aria replied then held up Myrtle's wand. "But I took her wand so she can't use her magic anymore."

"I'll take that," Adora said as she took the wand from Aria's hand. She then looked at Aria and smiled. "You're very brave, Aria. Probably the bravest princess I have ever met and that wasn't even one of your gifts."

"Thanks," Aria replied and then remembered something. "By the way, how's Derek?"

"He's recovered quite smoothly. Would you like to see him?"

Both girls nodded and then walked into the cottage.

"What happened to Derek?" Vanessa whispered to Aria as they entered the cottage.

Aria answered, "His arm got burned by the dragon."

"Is he going to be okay?"

"I hope so."

As Aria and Vanessa walked into the wizard's living room they were relieved to see a conscious, smiling Derek sitting upright on the couch waiting for them.

"So, how did it go?" Derek demanded eagerly. "Did you win?"

"Yes, Myrtle has officially been defeated," Aria answered with a smile. "How's your arm?"

"Good as new," Derek held it up with a grin. "Man, that wizard fellow sure knows what he's doing."

This time Vanessa spoke, "I know. You should have seen the way that sword deflected Myrtle's magic. It was amazing!"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have defeated her without it," Aria added.

The three fell silent for a moment before Vanessa asked, "So, what now? Are you going to live here from now on?"

This was the question Aria feared most. Sure, it's every little girl's dream to be a princess, but she couldn't just leave everyone in her world.

"I'm not sure," was all Aria could think to say.

"I wouldn't worry about that now," Adora said as she entered the room. "Right now, its time for you to go to the kingdom and meet your parents. I'm sure they are anxious to finally see you. We'll discuss we you will live after the celebration."

"Celebration?" Aria looked at Adora curiously.

"Why of coarse there's a celebration! After all, you just rid the kingdom of Myrtle's evil magic. The people are anxious to greet their hero. Not to mention the return of their long lost princess."

xXx

Aria, Vanessa, Derek, and Adora rode in glory on a chariot through the gates of the main kingdom where King Richard and Queen Gretel awaited anxiously for their daughter's return. As they entered, the crowds of people went wild as their heroes waved to them.

"I kind of feel like we're steeling your glory," Vanessa said to Aria. "After all, you were the one to actually fight and defeat both the dragon and Myrtle."

"Yeah, but I wouldn't have been able to do any of that if you and Derek had not come to rescue me from the tower," Aria assured. "We're all heroes. All three of us showed a tremendous amount of courage in this situation."

Aria observed the other three fairies sitting by the king and queen. Based on what Adora told her about them, it was pretty easy to guess who they each were. The one standing up the straightest, properly clapping her hands together was Verna. The blonde one constantly fooling with her hair trying to get the guards' attention was likely Freya, and the one holding the harp with a songbird perched on her shoulder was Thelma. Aria waved and smiled at all three of them and then looked to her birthparents, the king and queen.

King Richard arose, took his wife's hand and together they approached their long lost daughter as she stepped down from the carriage.

"Welcome back, my daughter! Welcome back!" he exclaimed as they embraced.

Aria felt warmth and love from both her parents. Part of her did not want to leave this world, but another part of her knew if she stayed, she would miss Vanessa, her adopted parents who cared for Aria her whole life, and even Derek. Aria decided best wait until after the celebration to discuss this as Adora instructed.

As they entered the palace for the grand feast, Aria introduced her parents to Vanessa and Derek. They all sat around the table as the king prepared a speech.

"For my lovely daughter and her brave knight, Sir Derek. I declared they shall be married in the spring."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank to this, even Aria and Derek at first, but when the king's words hit them, they both choked on their drinks while Vanessa burst out laughing.

"Wait a minute, your highness, I mean Father," Aria coughed. "We can't get married!"

"Well, why not?" Queen Gretel inquired curiously. "He was the one who's kiss woke, was he not? That makes him your true love, right?"

"I don't …" Aria had no idea what to say to this.

Luckily Adora interjected, "Your Majesty, if I may, I must inform you that in the world where your daughter was raised, love works quite differently, much more slowly, actually. Normally, people there date a few years before even considering the idea of marriage. It is quite uncommon for someone of Aria's age to be married."

"How odd," the queen replied. "Very well, then. Aria, its up to you when you want to be married."

"Thank you," Aria breathed more calmly now.

After that, the rest of the feast went by quite smoothly. Aria laughed and talked with both Vanessa and Derek. She had never tasted such well-cooked food in her entire life. Everything about this world was absolutely perfect. She could easily see how people could live happily ever after here, but the question remains now, could she? Aria decided best to enjoy the moment for what it is now and worry about her future another day.