Chapter 18

"The Return to Ursalia"

The next morning, King Gregor and several of his top dignitaries accompanied Cavin, Calla, Sunni and Cubbi on the long journey back to Ursalia. They would have all taken the quick cars, but Cavin and Calla decided that it was best that they all travelled on horseback which would be much longer and would take a few days as opposed to a few hours. But, for Cavin and Calla and their Gummi friends, it felt good to be wearing their normal clothes again as opposed to their formal clothes when they returned to Dunwyn a few days earlier. For the most part, the journey back to Ursalia was very uneventful despite the weather not cooperating at several points during the journey. A few days later, the group arrived at the repaired bridge back into Ursalia that was quickly repaired thanks to Gruffi and his knowledge of repairing bridges.

Upon entering Ursalia, King Gregor and the rest of the Dunwynian dignitaries were surprised and amazed by the technology and architecture that the Gummies possessed. The king got off his horse and with his knights on high alert, he walked through the streets of Ursalia, trying to find a Gummi Bear to talk to.

"Hello!" he called. "We come in peace, Gummi Bears. Do not be afraid, we want to make peace with you at all costs."

A hushed silence fell over the group and just then, Gruffi appeared and approached King Gregor for the first time.

"Cubbi, Sunni, where were you for the last few nights?" he demanded. "Grammi and the others were worried sick about the both of you."

Several of Gregor's knights raised their swords at Gruffi and he quickly backed off at the sight of them.

"I don't want any trouble," he said. "I only want to ask where Sunni and Cubbi had been, that's all."

"Raise down your arms," ordered King Gregor. "This Gummi Bear wants no trouble at all."

So, the knights lowered their weapons and King Gregor approached Gruffi. He had seen King Gregor several times in secret and at one point saved his life from Duke Igthorn with the help of Princess Calla.

"Your majesty," Gruffi said hesitantly, bowing and taking off his hat. "I am honored to finally meet you after all this time."

"I come in peace my friend," replied King Gregor. "I mean no harm."

"This is the first time we have met you," said Gruffi. "And yet, I feel like we know one another."

"We have heard so many stories about you Gummi Bears," replied King Gregor. "I have heard moments that you have secretly saved us in moments of crisis."

"Yes, I am Gruffi," he replied extending his paw out to King Gregor's. "We are pleased to have finally met you."

The king and the Gummi Bear shook hands and at that moment, more Gummi Bears came out of hiding despite being on high alert with the shock and horror of the previous night still fresh in their minds. The Gummies each bowed and curtseyed at the sight of King Gregor and his dignitaries. They were all still nervous that a group of good humans came into Dunwyn, but King Gregor was determined to show the Gummies that they meant no harm and to prove that he meant no harm, he waived his hand to Sir Victor, who ordered all of the knights to hold their weapons down and not reveal them unless necessary.

Just then, Foxglove and Night Wing emerged and approached Gruffi and King Gregor doing the same thing as the other Gummies, although King Gregor felt it was quite enough despite all that.

"Your majesty," said Foxglove. "I am Foxglove, chancellor of New Gumbrea and a member of the Great Gummies and on behalf of the Gummi Bears of Ursalia and New Gumbrea, I bid you welcome."

"Thank you for your kind invitation," replied King Gregor. "I am Gregor, king of the kingdom of Dunwyn and my daughter and her page have had frequent encounters with you and since they are friends with two of you, I wish to befriend all of you and form an alliance and together, we will learn from one another as much as my daughter and her page have learned from their friends."

"We are honored to have you here today, your majesty," added Foxglove. "But, we have much to discuss. Would you and your daughter please come this way?"

So, King Gregor and Princess Calla followed Foxglove and Night Wing into the main hall of Ursalia's largest building that was frequently occupied by the Barbics, but because King Gregor was on his way, they had to clear the room so that King Gregor and the Great Gummies could meet in private as there were matters that would be discussed in that manner.

A little while later, the rest of the Gummies waited for the private meeting to be over and the suspense was killing several of them including Sunni and Cubbi.

"What do you think they are saying in there, Grammi?" asked Sunni. "I can't wait any longer."

"We just have to be patient, Sunni," replied the matriarch of the Glens. "There are times where some need to have privacy to discuss tricky matters."

"I can only imagine what those humans are saying," said Gritty, a large bandage and sling on his left arm visible from the battle. "They'll probably back down."

"Please, Gritty," said Ursa. "There is still time for them to clear up their matters. Whatever happens from here on in is something we just have to get used to, I suppose."

"That's coming from someone who's a primitive Prima Donna," added Gruffi. Ursa scowled at him when he said those words.

"Shush, Gruffi," whispered Zummi. "They are dalmost done, er, almost done."

A little while later, the door of the main hall opened and Foxglove, Night Wing, King Gregor and Princess Calla emerged from the room.

"Well?" Zummi asked. "What did you discuss?"

"I was told of the whole story about what had happened to Gummi Glen and I must say that we are going to do everything in our power to restore your home to its former glory."

A loud squeal was heard from Sunni and Grammi elbowed her to be quiet, but Foxglove raised her hand and stopped her.

"It's all right, my dear," she said. "She is just excited to be having her home rebuilt."

"What Duke Igthorn did to Gummi Glen was extremely unforgiveable and had he survived the battle of Ursalia, he would have been returned to Dunwyn and be tried by a jury of Gummi Bears and humans. He would have most likely been convicted and put to death for his crimes, but perhaps it was best he and his allies died at the hands of those he tried to commandeer," explained Foxglove.

"But, the physical damage and emotional damage was severe enough for both sides," continued King Gregor. "We have decided that the good people of Dunwyn and the Gummi Bears of Ursalia would come together and support one another in this moment of crisis. Now, as we recover from the events of the past few days, we must remember and never forget those who died in both of our kingdoms."

"In addition," continued Princess Calla. "I have been approved by my father and his dignitaries to become the human queen of not just the kingdom of Dunwyn, but of all Gummi Bears as well and I am to be coronated once the repairs to Gummi Glen have been completed."

Sunni could not help but swoon at what she had just heard and although it was a brief scare, she quickly recovered and was overcome with joy over what her friend was now about to fulfill.

"If we are going to see a beautiful young women like Calla coronated," said Grammi. "Then, we will have to prepare ourselves for it. First thing we will have to do is repair our formal clothes. We need to look our best for your big day, Calla."

"Thanks, Grammi," replied Calla. "It's a big honor not just for me, but for all of us as well."

"So, when do the repairs to Gummi Glen start?" asked Cubbi.

"They will start immediately," replied Foxglove. "We need to be ready for Princess Calla's coronation and the rebirth of Gummi Glen. This is a major period for both Gummi Bears and humans and with Duke Igthorn and Lady Bane gone, a new era of peace is about to begin."

So, the preparations were now underway for the rebirth of Gummi Glen and the coronation of Princess Calla from princess to Queen of both Dunwyn and all Gummi Bears.

Soon, a new era was about to begin.