Good Knight

No Place Like Home

When they entered The Fable Keeper's library, Penelope realized it was time to say goodbye to this fantastic world. Sir Theodore was going home with her and he was all in one piece. She looked over at Prince Misereoux carrying Princess Peppermint. He placed her down on one of the sofas. She was coming back to her senses. Sir Theodore knelt down next to Penelope.

"Would you like to say goodbye?" he asked. She turned to Teddy and smiled, feeling fully relieved. Although it would be difficult to leave, she was ready to go home. Penelope nodded and walked over to the royal couple. Princess Peppermint reached for her and Penelope accepted her hand.

"Thank you, Penelope. My curse . . . Prince Misereoux's curse, could have never been broken without your help," Peppermint said.

"And I couldn't have gotten my Teddy Bear back without all of you," Penelope replied. She hugged the princess gently so as not to irritate her wounds. She turned to Prince Misereoux, who still appeared tired and worn-down, but content with the result of the adventure. She hugged him a little tighter because it seemed he needed it the most.

"Goodbye, Penelope," he whispered to her. "I'll be sure to make the best dreams for you."

The knights approached her one by one. They too, seemed tired and also sad to see her go. Sir Puck knelt down and embraced her, only with his uninjured arm.

"Thank you, Penelope," he said. She frowned in confusion, wondering what she did for him. She felt she didn't really do anything for any of the knights and that she should be thanking them.

"What for?" she asked.

"For giving me the quest of a lifetime," he replied with a smile. Penelope smiled in return and moved on to the next knight. Sir Nunight kneeled down and kissed Penelope on the cheek. She blushed.

"You saved all of us," he added. Sir Zippy was next in line to say goodbye. He embraced her, but remained speechless. Penelope looked into his eyes and could tell that he was sad to see her go. She moved on to Lady Rosie.

"Sir Zippy is not very good at goodbyes," she explained. Penelope turned back to Sir Zippy, who seemed on the brink of tears.

"Then we won't say goodbye . . . we can just say good night," she said. Lady Rosie smiled and Sir Zippy forced a laugh.

"Goodnight, Penelope," he said. She smiled back at him and turned to Lady Rosie. She bent down and kissed Penelope on the forehead.

"Goodnight," Lady Rosie said. Lastly was Sir Tuffy, who was waiting patiently at the end of the line. When Penelope approached him he knelt down as he did when they first met and took her little hand into his own and kissed her fingers.

"Sweet dreams, little princess," he said. When she turned back to the center of the room, The Fable Keeper stood there waiting with Penelope's storybook in hand. The little girl made her way over. The Fable Keeper managed a bittersweet smile.

"You will be greatly missed, Penelope," she said. She hugged her tightly, knowing that this would be the last time Penelope would be in her library.

"I'll never forget any of you," Penelope promised. As The Fable Keeper placed Penelope's storybook open on the floor, the magic shone brightly illuminating the pages. Sir Theodore scooped her up ready to carry her home. She took one last look around at all of her new friends she never knew existed. The Knights, the Prince who made dreams, the Tooth Fairy Princess, The Fable Keeper. She would never forget the adventure.

Sir Theodore stepped into the light and before she knew it Penelope was looking at her bedroom. The knight placed her down so she could explore her room. She went to the window and looked outside. There was no evidence of a storm. Penelope turned back to Sir Theodore, worried that he would no longer be standing there.