Inside the cottage, Fauna was lighting the candles on the cake, which started to melt down. She tried to hold it with a broom.

Fauna turned to her sisters. "Well, what do you think of it?"e

Merryweather was still standing as a dolly in a bad joke of a dress.

Flora's eyes widened slightly. "Why, it's a very unusual cake, isn't it?"

"Yes. Of course it'll be much stiffer after it's bake."

"Of course, dear. What do you think of the dress?"

"Well, it's not exactly the way it is in the book, is it?"

"Well, I improved a bit! But perhaps if I added few more ruffolds? What do you think?"

Fauna nodded. "I think so. What do you think, Merryweather?"

Merryweather struggled out of the dress, which fell to pieces. "I think we've had enough of this nonsense. I think we ought to think of Rose, and what she'll think of this mess. I still think what I thunk before. I'm going to get those wands."

She stormed off angrily upstairs.

Fauna sighed. "You know, I think she's right."

"Here they are, good as new," Merry said, waving them about gleefully.

Flora snatched them away. "Careful, Merryweather! Quick, lock the doors. Flora, you close the windows. Pluck up every cranny, We can't take any chances!"

She turned to Flora. "And now, you take care of the cake."

Merryweather smiled. "While I …"

"Clean the room, dear, And I'll make the dress. Well, hurry!"

Merryweather shortly got angry but then started cleaning up, knowing there was no point in arguing with Flora.

"Come on, bucket, mob, broom, Flora says, clean up the room!" They immediately started to sweep everything clean.

"And now to make a lovely dress, fit the grace of fair princess." Flora worked another sheet of pink cloth with her wand.

"Eggs, flour, milk," Fauna said and the ingredients came walking. "Just do it the way it's here in the book. I'll put on the candles."

The cake started to bake itself.

Everything proceeded smoothly and quickly, but then Merryweather saw the dress.

"Oh no, not pink. Make it blue." She made it blue.

"Merryweather! Make it pink." Fauna returned it to pink.

"Blue."

"Pink!"

"Blue."

This time Flora stood before the dress and got blue herself. They started fighting over the color and blazes of light went through the chimney. From the outside, Diablo happened to be flying overhead and easily spotted the fireworks. Inside the house, the 'war' continued, until they both hit the dress at the same time, with the result that it looked like two cans of color were emptied on it.

Flora was furious. "Look what you've done!"

"Shh, listen!" Fauna suddenly gasped, hearing Briar Rose humming her 'once upon a dream' song.

"It's Rose!"

Flora forgot the argument and went into a flurry of motion. "She's back, enough of this foolishness."

she looked at the dress. "Make it pink. Now hide, quick."

"Blue," Merryweather murmured as she ran past and changed it once again.

Outside, Briar Rose hurried toward the house, excited about her news.

"And Flora," she called.

Inside, the mob was still sweeping the floor.

"Good gracious, who left the mob running?" Flora snapped.

Merryweather was fast. "Stop, mob!"

Briar Rose opened the door and entered, oblivious to the dark raven lurking behind her.

"And Flora, Fauna, Merryweather! Where is everybody?" Rose called. She turned and saw the dress and cake. "Oh!"

"Surprise, surprise!" the fairies called, coming out of their hiding places.

Fauna was beaming. "Happy birthday!"

Briar Rose smiled and hugged them gratefully. "Oh you darlings, this is the happiest day of my life. Everything's so wonderful, just wait till you meet him."

Fauna froze. "Him?"

Merryweather was stunned. "Rose!"

"You've met some stranger?" Flora stuttered.

Rose shook her head, grinning. "Oh he's not a stranger, we've met before."

"You have?" Flora said darkly.

"Where?"

"Once upon a dream!" She started singing, and danced with Fauna, imagining her prine dancing with her.

"I know you

I walked with you

Once upon a dream …"

Fauna was horrified. "She's in love."

Merryweather deflated. "Oh no."

Flora shook her head in disappointment. "This is terrible!"

Rose was startled. "Why? After all, I am sixteen."

Flora sighed. "It isn't that, dear."

Fauna braced herself. "You're already betrothed…"

The princess frowned. "Betrothed?"

Merryweather nodded. "Since the day you were born."

"To prince Phillip, dear."

"But that's impossible! How could I marry a prince, I'd have to be …"

Merryweather smiled knowingly. "A princess."

"And you are dear!"

Flora bowed slightly. "Princess Aurora. Tonight, we're taking you back to your father, King Stefan."

Diablo, having what he came for, flew off into the night.

Briar Rose was outraged. "But, but I can't! He's coming here tonight, I promised to meet him."

Flora shook her head. "I'm sorry, child, but you must never see that young man again."

"Oh, no, no! I can't believe it. No, no!" Briar Rose ran upward to her room, crying heartbroken sobs.

Merryweather looked after her, distressed. "And we thought she'd be so happy."

Upstairs, Briar Rose laid on her bed, crying until the time came for her to leve.