The Forest Princess

A Royal Birthday

On the day of her twenty-first birthday, the King and Queen of Jasper had arranged a magnificent party for the Crown Princess. They knew it might be the last time they would celebrate a birthday with her. In a final attempt to change Larimar's mind, they had invited a range of royal bachelors.

There would be music and entertainment, plenty of food and drink, of course. Additionally, the royal master of ceremony had announced some great surprises.

The crown princess of Jasper was not looking forward to the evening. Her mother had chosen and commissioned a special gown for her from the royal tailors. When she saw the pale pink and white lace dress, made of thousands of black elder blossoms, she couldn't help but fall in love with it. Did Queen Ruby know anything about Aurea, the black elder fairy?

When Larimar entered the royal ballroom, looking like an elder fairy herself, she was met with the next big surprise. Peregrin and Tilia were among the guests. The King and Queen had decided to invite common people from the Kingdom of Jasper to this joyous occasion. The woodcutter and his daughter were top of the list.

The princess wanted to fly into Peregrin's arm, but she stopped herself. They hadn't seen each other for four and a half years. He had never asked her to marry him. Maybe he had only accepted the invitation out of duty? All of a sudden she was doubting the decision. She had felt so sure about it that very morning. If she could only look into the smart box Aurea had given her. She had left it in the secret drawer in her bedroom.

Then Peregrin and Tilia saw the princess. The woodcutter hadn't changed at all, apart from wearing a forest green suit and tie. The baby had grown into a gorgeous little girl. She wanted to run towards Larimar, but her father was holding her back.

The crown princess smiled at the little girl as she had done all those years ago. Her smile melted the woodcutter's grip, and Tilia flew into Larimar's arms. All doubts were blown away in that moment.

The princess looked at the wood-cutter. He took her hand. The music started, and the three of them began to dance their first dance. They danced and chatted, they hugged and laughed. They didn't eat or drink very much. Their love filled the royal ballroom. It was the happiest royal birthday party ever, that's what all the guest said.

At midnight the master of ceremony raised his hand. King Obsidian wanted to make an important announcement. The King took his glass and called his daughter to stand next to him.

"Larimar Silvana Magnolia of Jasper wants to announce her engagement," said the king.

The musicians stopped playing, the conversations died down, all eyes were on the crown princess, waiting for her announcement. This was the biggest surprise of all. Even Larimar had not been told about her father's plans.