The Forest Princess

Return to the Palace

When Larimar returned to her childhood home, one day after her 28th birthday, she hardly recognised herself. She was no longer the princess she had been at 21. So much had happened in those seven years.

Larimar had become a woodcutter's wife and lived a simple life. She had gained and lost two children. She had fought to get them back. She had been given a difficult task and fulfilled it.

The princess had lived with the people of Jasper. She had seen their struggles and dreams. She had felt their despair and joy. She had experienced their generosity and wisdom. The children of the villagers had played in her house and eaten at her table. Nothing could have prepared her better for her job as the Queen of Jasper.

Queen Ruby had arranged a birthday party for her daughter's return. It wasn't a big and pompous event. Just the closest members of the family were invited. There were only three of them, the cousin of Larimar's father, King Heliodor of Upala, and his two children, Prince Topaz and Princess Crystal.

The young royals of Upala were still only nineteen and twelve years old. They had been frozen in time in the frozen kingdom.

"I am still wondering what happened to you after I came to the Ice Palace to get my children," Larimar said to her uncle after the birthday lunch. "I mean, what was it that melted your frozen heart?"

King Heliodor looked at his niece and took a deep breath. "It happened in two stages," he said. "At first there was your incredible love for the children. I knew Tilia was not your daughter. I could see you loved Carnelian with all your heart. Yet you took the girl. You rescued the child of another mother. I was puzzled about that. Then I heard about your promise, and something in my heart just cracked up."

Larimar nodded. "It was the most difficult decision I ever had to make," she admitted.

"Then Tilia's mother came and told me her story," Heliodor continued. "That was the final straw. It broke my spell."

"Why was that?" the crown princess asked.

"Well, I had been living like a dead man for so many years. I had my children but couldn't connect with them. I couldn't feel my love for them." the King of Upala explained. "Then this dead woman comes to my frozen palace, and her love was still alive beyond her death. The love of Tilia's mother was still alive, even beyond her death. When I saw that, my frozen heart cracked up. Everything just started to melt. I couldn't stop it. I didn't want to stop it."

Larimar took her uncle's hand and squeezed it gently.

"I am so grateful to you all," said the king. "You and Tilia and her mother have given us our lives back. Not just mine, but my children's lives as well. We will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done for our family. Can you ever forgive me for what I did to yours?"

"Thank you for being here," the princess replied with a warm smile.