Over the next few days, Snow and Ferdinand rewarded their soldiers and allowed them to decide whether to stay or not. Many of the Germonians went back home, but a few stayed, including Heinrich, who Snow officially appointed as an advisor, giving him quite the promotion. He was sent to Germonia to get his family so that they could be her honored guests at her wedding, which would be held in three weeks' time. The rest of the council was sent home to make arrangements for as many people as wanted to see their queen be married. In the meantime, preparations were in order.

Florián took no time in procuring whatever Doc and the others needed to craft a crown that would be befitting of Snow instead of the trash his parents had unwittingly paid for. They were granted access to the palace forge, an honor that they intended to make full use of. Rolling up their sleeves, they set to work crafting a crown for Snow.

Though Grumpy wasn't willing to go into the forges with the brothers, that didn't mean he wasn't busy. He helped Bastian organize the thieves and talk to them about what they wanted to do with their lives now that they were free of the guild. Most of the younger thieves would be easy to place, as there was always a demand for young apprentices, but for thieves like Bastian, it would be a lot harder. Many of them had been thieves for so long that they didn't know what to do with themselves.

One day, Bastian came hurrying in with a grin, his eyes dancing. "I have great news."

"Eh?" Grumpy asked, glancing up from his notes.

"Zander's here!"

"Zander?" Grumpy asked. He thought for a moment. "That kid from Castell?"

Bastian burst out laughing and turned to call through the doorway. "Told you he'd remember you."

Zander came in, and he stared at Grumpy with wonder. "Guess it was worth it."

"What was?"

"Finding those treasures."

Grumpy looked up sharply. "Don't go jokin' about that."

"I'm not," Zander said, and he pulled out a roll of papers. "And I did you one better than that." He held out the papers. "When I promised them whatever they wanted made by Dwarfs, they gladly designed what they wanted in exchange for the treasures."

Grumpy dropped his notes and snagged the papers, his eyes roving over the information as he shuffled through them. There were four family names jotted down, and they lived in several different towns in Germonia, all wanting Dwarf-made jewelry. Another family lived in Findersland. That was the family with Doc's pocket watch. What they all wanted in return was extravagant, but he couldn't blame them.

"How am I supposed to make this?" Grumpy asked, wilting. Then he snapped his fingers. "I know what I'm askin' Snow for. Come on, both of you."

He hopped up and they headed for the palace. The guards nodded respectfully to Grumpy and Bastian, keeping an eye on Zander. Grumpy sent out a burst of magic to find her then hurried to her room and knocked. She answered, her smile becoming a bit cautious when she saw Zander.

"I need to talk to you," Grumpy said. "I know what I'm askin' for, but I need to explain."

"Go to the red parlor. I'll meet you there in ten minutes," Snow said.

Grumpy did so, tugging on the bell pull when he got there. As Zander stared around the fine room in wonder, a girl came to the door. "Yes, sir?" she asked Grumpy.

"We need tea," Grumpy said. "Whatever Snow likes best."

"Right away, sir," she said, curtsying.

Grumpy sat down and shuffled through the papers again. The designs were exquisite, and they would be simple for the brothers to follow. Crafting them was another matter entirely. But if Snow was willing to go along with his idea, he could give them the surprise of a lifetime. Depending on how the summer and autumn went, he might even be able to do it during the winter holidays.

Snow came in, followed by the servant girl pushing a cart with tea and snacks. "Thank you, Leila," she said. "You are dismissed."

"Yes, your highness," Leila said, and with another curtsy, she left.

Snow peered at Zander then turned to Grumpy. "Is your request to place him somewhere specific?"

"This is Zander," Grumpy said. "And he found their treasures."

Snow's mouth fell open and her eyes lit up. "Oh, did you really?" she asked. "Well certainly that deserves a reward!"

"Oh, no, miss! I mean, uh, your highness," Zander said quickly. "I don't know what we're doing here. He said to follow, and I followed."

"What is your request then, Grumpy?" Snow asked.

Grumpy handed over the papers, and Snow took the time to read the notes and take in the designs. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"I'd like you to help me surprise them," Grumpy said. "Say those designs are from your friends, and they can make them themselves. Then you tell me to deliver them personally, I go off and trade them, then get home and surprise them."

Snow peered at Grumpy then laughed. "You needn't waste your request on that. I will gladly do this for you."

Grumpy relaxed. "Thanks. Let me see those." He scanned the papers carefully. "Ain't nothin' about their treasures on the designs," he said. He took out the pages of notes about the families then handed the designs over. "Give them out to them. That's one for each of them. Except Dopey."

"Did I miss one?" Zander asked in alarm.

"Naw. Dopey never got one. His pa died before he could make him what he wanted," Grumpy said.

"Oh. That's unfortunate," Zander said. He scratched his head. "What are you going to do for him if you can't surprise him like the others?"

Grumpy shrugged. "Don't know. I'll think of somethin'."

"I'll give these to them tonight, and I shall express my fervent desire to have these gifts be the best they can be," Snow said.

Grumpy grinned. "Sounds good, Snow." He sipped his tea. "Now you can reward Zander," he said.

"What?" Zander asked, flushing.

"Of course, of course," Snow said. "What sort of work would you like to do?"

"Work?" Zander asked blankly.

Bastian began to explain about the help Snow was giving the former thieves in rehabilitating now that the guild was gone, but Grumpy studied the notes, determined to memorize the information. The less he took out these notes, the better. He'd seal them away in the magic portion of his pack so the brothers wouldn't accidentally find them and ruin the surprise. It would be perfect.

After half an hour, Zander left with Bastian, assuring Snow he would think about what he'd like to do with the rest of his life. Snow leafed through the designs as Grumpy continued to silently study the notes.

"He found them," Snow said as she returned to the sofa. "He actually found them."

"I know," Grumpy said. "Didn't expect him to." He paused. "Persistent kid."

"Oh, he's not a kid anymore," Snow said.

"Nope. But he still is persistent," Grumpy replied. He sat back and rubbed his eyes, trying to conceal the tears that suddenly threatened to fall. "I can't believe he did this for me."

"Do you know why?" Snow asked.

Grumpy chuckled and looked at her. "I gave him money in Castell that day. He was dared to steal from me by some older gang members. Hazing thing. Anyhow, I stopped him and gave him some money instead of thrashin' him."

"That's very kind of you," Snow said sincerely. Her time at Cliffside had drastically changed her view on the lives that Grumpy and the other thieves' had lived and the codes they lived by. Thieving inside the guild was 'handled at the discretion of the wounded party,' as several people had told her during her stay. It was matter of fact, but it was ugly to Snow and the brothers. They didn't dare say anything about it. How could they?

"Guess it was," Grumpy said dismissively. "But I didn't expect this."

"You never know when an act of kindness will be returned," Snow said. "That's why you should be kind to everybody." She paused. "Father told me that. And I tried to be kind after he was gone. But sometimes…"

"I know," Grumpy said. "You're only human."

"Oh, and I suppose Dwarfs are different," Snow teased.

"Not really," Grumpy said absently as his eyes went back to the notes. "We're all a mess."

"That's true," Snow said.

They passed the afternoon talking about the designs, and Grumpy told her which treasure should be made by which brother. She listened attentively and agreed to everything, so by the time the brothers came in from their work in the forge, it was all planned.

They had stopped by their own rooms to wash before joining Snow and Grumpy for supper. Doc looked particularly happy, and he came over to kiss Snow's cheek.

"How are you today, my peer, erm, dear?" he asked.

"Very well. I met with some very important people today and have decided to grant some special requests. I was hoping you could help me fulfill them."

"Oh, we would be fighted, um, delighted to help. What is it?"

Snow handed out the designs, giving one to everybody but Dopey, who wilted a little in disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Dopey. I only received five. But I'm sure you'll be able to help."

The brothers all peered at the designs they'd been given while Dopey flitted from one to the other, peeking over their shoulders.

"Oh, gosh," Bashful breathed. "Look at this." His face turned red as he turned to Snow. "Tell me you didn't promise these soon?"

"I assured them the highest quality, so they are more than willing to wait," Snow said smoothly.

That eased the stress that had appeared on the brothers' faces as they'd studied intricate, delicate designs.

"That's good," Sneezy said, sniffling. "Because this will take a long time to get perfect."

"Gonna be trickier than your crystal and gold coffin," Sleepy muttered, running his fingers across the page.

"But it's possible?" Snow asked.

Grumpy held his breath. If even one of the designs wasn't viable, that would change all of his plans. The six brothers studied each design carefully, murmuring to each other. There was a final nod of agreement from all of them, then Doc turned to Snow.

"We would be honored to accept. Some of these will take more rhyme, uh, time. Are they all due together or is there a particular order we should adhere to?"

Snow shook her head. "Oh, all at once please. I'm going to send Grumpy to deliver them when they're all done. He wanted so badly to help."

Grumpy scoffed and flushed, crossing his arms as he looked away.

"As long as he promises to come home, I think that's a wonderful sting, erm, thing he can do to help," Doc agreed at once.

"Course I'm gonna come home, as long as you'll have me," Grumpy said.

"Then it's settled," Snow said. "I expect regular updates once we get home. But for now, let's ring for supper. Then I'll summon Leila and we'll see how the wedding preparations are going."

"Sounds good to me," Happy said, rubbing his hands together. "We've certainly worked up an appetite."

"Dopey?"

The youngest Dwarf bounded over and rang the bell. As they waited for the servant, Doc showed Grumpy the treasure he'd been given to make.

"It's a treasure fit for a wing, urm, king," he said. "I wonder what they're giving in return for this. Money wouldn't stew, ah, do."

"No," Grumpy agreed, hiding an eager smile. "It wouldn't do at all."

What they were offering was far more valuable than even these treasures, if the brothers only knew it. Grumpy wondered to himself just how he would keep this secret until he actually had the treasures in his grasp again. No matter what, he was going to do it. For the Dwarfs he considered to be his brothers.