The clouds cleared into the calm mist of morning. The first bird chirped its carefree song. Tension in the air eased into a tranquil breeze and Katelyn gazed at the grand castle in the distance. The first sliver of the sun rose behind it as a tearful smile spread across her face. The destination wasn't so far away anymore. It was so close.

"I did it," she spoke in no more than an exasperated whisper. She laughed, crying out the powerful emotions she'd bottled up behind her facade of fearlessness. She allowed herself to fall on her knees and wrap her arms around herself. Euphoric happiness danced in her chest.

Garroth, Zane, and Vylad shared in the joy. Zane pulled his mask down, revealing a smirk, "Not bad."

Her horse came bounding over to Katelyn, burying its nose affectionately in her hair. She gasped, her blue eyes glimmering in gratitude, "I'm so glad you're okay!" She gently rubbed his neck and rested her head on his side. She sat there for a minute, reflecting and catching her breath. Then she stood up, her posture straight and tall.

Her figure against the sun was majestic. The light shone on her shoulders, and her shadow traced the silhouette of a hero. Her hair and cape danced along the waves of the wind. She dropped her sword onto the ground with a clank.

Garroth ran up from behind squeezed Katelyn in a tight hug, "I'm so proud of you!" He cried, overjoyed. "Thank you so much!"

Katelyn smiled a strained, "You're welcome," and winced at her sore skin.

Vylad caught her eye. "Let me help you," he stepped up as Garroth stepped back. He swayed his wand gracefully until a trail of white light chased after it. With the wand alight, he rested it on Katelyn's head. Warm magic poured down and around her limbs and face, erasing every scrape, burn, and bruise. It alleviated the pain in her body and lifted her spirits.

Katelyn studied herself, "Thank you," she said sincerely, sinking into a curtsy. Her focus shifted back towards the castle. "He's in that tower?" She asked, eyeing the tallest.

Vylad nodded, "Yes, but it's okay if you want to rest first." But Katelyn was already running down the path toward the gates. A new kind of adrenaline flowed from her heart. The roses pointed her in the right direction as she blew past, pink flowering in her cheeks.

The gates of King Terrance's castle welcomed Katelyn with open arms. The guards remained fast asleep and so she strolled through effortlessly. She raised her hand over her eyes to shield them from the rays of the sun that poked ever so slightly from behind the mounds of soft, fluffy clouds.

There, high in the pale pink and blue sky was the tower that held the prince. Led by the small fairies, Katelyn entered through the castle doors and dashed through the hallways. She climbed up the large winding staircase, more ready than she'd ever been in her life.

Katelyn and the fairies parted ways, allowing her space. Rows of windows looked out onto the sleeping kingdom below. Duty became more apparent as Katelyn elevated. Her enthusiasm dwindled as she couldn't deny that a certain worry overcame her when she remembered what she had come to do. A bit of doubt plagued her. What if her care for him was not enough to awaken him? How could love so young and so new be true? Perhaps she wasn't the one meant to free him from the curse.

But when Katelyn caught sight of Travis again, endearment assured her nerves.

Travis was perfectly still aside from the weak rise and fall of his chest. His pale, soft-featured face was as if it was turned to stone with his blank, almost saddened expression.

Katelyn approached him anxiously and sank to kneel by his bedside. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes with fidgety hands. "Please wake up," she whispered softly, a small, hopeful smile escaping her lips.

Katelyn leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Travis' forehead. She drew back slowly. Her eyes gazed solemnly on him, her heart pleading for him to come back to life; to come back to her. A long second passed, dragging on into another. Time ticked on slowly and silently. Anticipation hushed her breathing.

Sunlight began to beam through the windows. The room illuminated with a breathtaking glow of gold and glimmered in Katelyn's glossy blue eyes. The twinkling streams of water sprouted once more from the castle's fountains and flowers' petals reopened to show off their beautiful vibrant hues. Crowds rose to their feet, waking up as the clouds cleared into a blue sky. A sea of voices arose in between them.

Then, Travis' crystal white eyes fluttered open. Life lit them up like a sunrise overcoming nightfall, and a small smile returned with color blooming beneath his wondrous constellations of freckles.

"Good morning," Katelyn nearly cried as she laughed joyously.

Playfulness twinkled in Travis' disbelieving eyes, "Am I awake? The girl of my dreams is standing right in front of me," he smiled, astonished.

Katelyn beamed. She looked askance, blushing the same color as the rose in Travis' hands.

Travis giggled before shyly adding, "I don't know what happened but...thank you."

Katelyn smirked, "Sure, I don't mind kissing you."

Travis' eyes widened. He blushed a beat red and exclaimed, "You kissed me?" He stared, dazed.

Katelyn teased, "Maybe on the forehead," she added quickly, "I-I don't know blame whoever made up the curse." They both looked away, flustered.

"But there's a whole welcoming celebration going on downstairs for you! We should probably go down there."

Travis blinked back to reality, "There is?"

Katelyn smiled, "Duh! Everyone's been waiting to see you. Being the prince and all." Katelyn helped him out of the bed.

Her voice softened, "That and there's a lot of people who care about you," she tenderly took his hand in hers.

Their fingers intertwined. It was a very long moment, gazing into one another's eyes. Something, perhaps it was the way their hearts beat in unison or how no matter how many times they caught sight of the other they still couldn't help but smile. They were meant to be. Nothing could ever—

"Oh my Irene! Here you can have this, um, my lady," Travis suddenly offered her the rose. Katelyn burst into laughter.

"It's Katelyn," she announced. Satisfaction weighed her words.

"Travis," he smiled, sweeping his hair out of his eyes.

They took the first steps out of the room hand in hand. They blushed profusely, exchanging banter as they traveled down the colorfully carpeted steps and towards the magnificently lit hallways of the main castle.

King Terrance had just woken up. He quickly acted alert and straightened himself up in his throne, confused with himself for dozing off. "I'm sorry, Eric. What were you saying?"

Eric yawned widely, "Ah, probably the wine or somethin'. I mean, my Sugar Pea has decided on marrying some—!"

The beautiful girl of sea-blue locks and the handsome boy clothed in a royal green appeared on the regal staircase. Katelyn and Travis smiled as all eyes turned to them and caught their contagious grins. Music enlivened the room, excited chatter humming alongside it. From an onlooking balcony, Garroth squealed beside his brothers.

Terrance stopped in awe at the sight of the boy. It was his boy. Tears came to his eyes as the brightest, most genuine smile he'd locked away for sixteen years appeared on his no longer weary face. He held back a sob as best he could and stood to greet his son.

Travis stopped beside Katelyn. The man before him was like a familiar reflection. The same hair, the same eyes. And beyond that, pure good. He appeared kind and loving and he held his arms out welcomingly, light shimmering in his eyes. Travis padded over to him cautiously. Tears overtook him as he suddenly rushed forward, throwing his arms around his father.

Terrance's surprise almost immediately turned into relief and then flooded into cheerfulness. He hugged Travis back, embracing him adoringly, "You are so much more incredible than I could ever ask for." He cried sincerely.

Travis stepped back slightly to see his father's overjoyed face. He was unable to form such feelings into a response.

"Katelyn! You— you're?! But!" They turned to Eric, who stared at Katelyn in utter bewilderment. "But I thought you said—!"

Katelyn shot a playful glance at Travis and squeezed her father in a tight hug, simply replying, "Yup."

"It's nice to meet you Sir Mr. Katelyn's Dad," Travis said, coming up behind Eric.

With a small wave to the confused king, Travis continued forward to where Katelyn awaited him. He took her hands and began to guide her in a lovely waltz.

Eric sputtered, "I don't understand! I—!" He faced Terrance yet stopped at the King's ecstatic expression. He looked up at the fairies who too were enchanted. Eric shrugged it off and join his friend's side, appreciating the happiness that radiated from the twirling young prince and princess and swayed back and forth along to the music.

Garroth wiped his tears on his shirt, "Look at them! Two young people sharing their beautiful love for each other!"

Vylad laughed, crying, but not quite as passionately as Garroth, "You were right, Big Brother."

Zane nudged Garroth's shoulder, "You're such a big baby," he teased lightheartedly. Though, he couldn't help but feel prideful and even a bit emotional himself. He averted his attention back to the ballroom floor where he saw a certain familiar pink-haired maiden smiling at him from the crowd. She winked before tilting her head to the prince and princess.

And as Travis and Katelyn danced on, twirling and laughing, and basking in their love for one another, this tale came to a happy conclusion. They truly, without a doubt, lived happily ever after.

After all, they'd dreamt it once upon a dream.