Chapter 16: Winter Once Again
Winter had finally returned to San Theodoros once again. It was not too long before the waters of the ocean were now filled with ships moving cargo and people about the kingdom. Everyone was finally happy that they could finally see the beautiful white snow once again.
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On one of the ships, a dignitary had tossed Ian into a small cage on the upper deck. Now Ian sat alone inside his cell aboard a ship that was preparing to return to the Northern Isles.
"Now I will see to it that I return this scoundrel back to his country," a dignitary told the royal handler. "Aye, of course," the royal handler replied in agreement. "Now we shall see what his twelve brothers will think of his behavior!"
From nearby, soldiers from the San Theodoros castle were escorting Rastapopoulos and his two guards back to their ship. "This is unacceptable!" Rastapopoulos protested angrily. "I am innocent! I am a victim of fear! And—oh, my neck!" He paused to rub at his sore neck. "I demand to see the queen at once!" he declared.
"Oh, yes, of course," the royal handler told him. He took out a piece of parchment and unfolded it in front of him. "I do have a massage from the queen herself: 'San Theodoros will henceforth and forever no longer do business of any sort with Brandelare.'" "Brandelaria!" Rastapopoulos shouted while he was taken aboard the ship. "It's Brandelaria!"
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Meanwhile, in the village square, Malina eagerly hurried through the streets, leading a blindfolded Young behind her. "Come on, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up!" she exclaimed. Without looking, she accidentally slammed Young right into a pole! "Ow!" Young said, rubbing his head. "You know, you're not a very good blindfold guide!"
Finally, they stopped. "Ready?" Malina asked. She pulled the blindfold off of Young and revealed the surprise. "Ta da!" Malina exclaimed. Before them stood a brand new wagon! "I owe you a new wagon!"
Young was awestruck as he saw Chabela gesture to the new wagon. "Are you serious?" he asked. "You're too kind, but I can't accept this." Malina laughed and said, "No, you have to. No returns. Queen's orders." She then showed Young a royal medal hung around Chabela's neck. "And by the way," Malina said, "she's named you the official San Theodoros sailor master and deliverer."
"That's not even a thing," Young said. "Well, of course it is," Malina said. "And the best part is that it can turn into a sled for wintertime. And it even has a cup holder! Do you like it?" "Like it?" Young said, hugging Malina. "I love it! I could kiss you right now!" he paused, feeling rather bashful. "I mean, I'd like to. May I? I mean, may we? Wait—what?"
Malina leaned over and gave Young a quick kiss on the cheek. "We may," Malina said. Young grinned. Then, he leaned in and gave Malina a kiss right back. But this kiss was real, sweet and romantic, and perfect for Malina.
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Not too far away, Rascal was now enjoying the winter weather, with help from the little red fire orb of flames floating over his head. He paused and stooped down to see a big bouquet of beautiful flowers before him. He picked up the bouquet, held it to his nose, and took a big sniff. Suddenly, he sneezed…and his kerchief shot right out of his neck!
Chabela stood nearby and caught the kerchief in her mouth with a quick movement of her head. For a second, she looked like she was going to chomp on the kerchief. Instead, she gave it back to Rascal, who happily wrapped it back around his neck.
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Just past Rascal, Malina raced back to the castle. As she got there, she was astonished to find something really amazing! The castle gates were already open wide. Alex stood in the courtyard. She raced up to her eagerly. All around, people were putting on their ice skates. Parts of the castle that were destroyed earlier were now fully repaired…with red crystal!
"Are you ready?" Alex asked everyone. She raised her arms in the air, swirled them around, and created beautiful red crystalline sculptures and a glowing orb of sun in the air! Malina joined in and pressed her foot down on the floors, creating a beautiful big ice rink in the courtyard!
Malina ran to her sister. "The gates are open," she said. "I like the open gates." Alex put one arm on Malina's shoulder and smiled. "We're never closing those gates again," she said. "Oh, and one more thing," Malina said. "What?" Alex asked. Malina waved a hand and created ice skates for her sister! Then, she pulled Alex toward the ice rink and they skated together.
Behind them, Young and Chabela ventured along. But young wasn't too keen on ice skating. He struggled to maintain his balance, careful not to fall. But soon, he finally got the hang of it.
Last came Rascal, who slid next to Malina and Alex as they skated together. Together, they all happily skated across the ice, amidst the warm and tropical sun. Winter—as well as happiness, peace, and love—had returned to San Theodoros at last.