With slow progress, the prisoners and the victorious army headed for Valiant. Since the city was still empty of human citizens, there was no fanfare or grand welcome for them. That was fine; they were all just happy to be one step closer to being home.

Only a small skirmish awaited the Imperial Army from those left behind. The palace was easily reclaimed without the catastrophic results of the last battle fought there. The sight of the large human force in the wrong shade of blue made the gnomes flee immediately, and those left of the ill-named New Emperor's Army only put up minimal resistance.

The servants on the inside of the palace, seeing their rescuers in sight, freed those in the dungeon and set off a myriad of traps and clever devices that had been left behind by the scientist but never deployed.

One such device covered the unlucky recipient in a slimy goo that made them slip and slide, never able to stand in that area again. Renat was thoroughly chastened for it later and forced to create an anti-slime solution to clean it up.

When the Council spotted the coming victory, Ezer led the group (minus the cowardly Councilman Meder) to break free of their gilded prison. Even Nanny joined in the fray, breaking an ancient glazed pot across an unsuspecting guard's head. The "Councilmen's Charge" would later be put into myths and legends by a certain enthusiastic general.

As a result when the army arrived, there was really not much left to do. The servants had even turned the Empress's room back to its former glory before she knew how it had been changed.

Overall, the transition back into the palace was somewhat seamless.

"So this is the Castle Valiant," Lord Fedelmid said to his sister as they stood on one of the balconies. "I never thought I would see it."

Duchess Ashleigh smiled and hooked her arm on her brother's elbow. "Here it is. Allow me to tell you if its former glories even as we see the current ones unfold."

-------------------------

While the peace treaty was being drawn up, the Imperial Army used the empty city to process and cut loose those who seemed to be the mildest offenders. The conscripts were released on certain conditions and allowed to return home with penalties. In the end, only the most egregious of the human offenders were kept and imprisoned long term.

With the last ink stroke finished and all the papers signed with protocol in mind, the gnomes were also released to go back home. It had taken just over a month, but in the end, everyone seemed satisfied.

King Lukoss had been the picture of decorum, at times showing up even the elves with his regal bearings. Unable to let the moment pass before he left, Brinn asked the question that clung to her mind.

"So, what happened with Mahsa? Will you be having a fairy Queen, Your Majesty?" Brinn's tone was a hint of teasing mixed with genuine curiosity.

Lukoss's face flushed. "There is no fairy tale ending for me, I'm afraid. Mahsa does like me very much, but she misses her family. She promised to come back some day, but I will not hold out too much hope."

"I am sorry," Brinn said, and she was.

"Do not worry. If she liked me, surely someone else will too. And with the power of being king, I am practically irresistible." Lukoss winked.

Brinn's mouth dropped open and she rubbed the back of her neck. "That's the spirit, I guess…"

Unaware of the uncomfortable moment they had come upon, Aurora and Devrim met the pair at the palace's front gate. The gnome king bowed before the Empress and she curtsied slightly.

"I do not suppose you will see me again, Your Majesty," Lukoss said respectfully.

"If all goes well, then that is true. But if you step out of line, you will quickly see me leading my army toward you on the horizon," Aurora did not hold back her words.

The gnome gave a lopsided grin. "The fairies and the elves made the same threats when they said their goodbyes to me. Trust when I say that we will not be an issue." Lukoss reached out and took the woman's hand, bringing it to his bent forehead. "Farewell." He then turned and walked through the gate.

Looking out at the newly released gnomes, Lukoss raised his hand. "Time to go home!" As one, they disappeared beneath the ground and rumbled northward, never to be seen among humanity in mass again.

Watching the curious new gnome king finally be gone, Brinn sighed, "I suppose we should head home as well. Queen Lanassa, I mean Mother, is quite anxious for our return. We sent a messenger ball to tell her of everything that happened, but she really wants us to come home."

"I am sure Her Majesty is looking forward to seeing her sister and the rest of you." Aurora could only imagine how happy that reunion would be.

"Yes, and she wants to get Father back so she can tend to his care herself. You know elven doctors are far superior, after all." Brinn rolled her eyes.

Aurora knew what her friend meant. She sighed. "I am sad that Zoltan is no longer able to walk, but he seems to be doing alright with that rolling chair Renat made and his wind magic."

"The chair was most helpful. Thank you for all you have done," Brinn hugged her friend.

"There are my wife and Their Majesties!" Alvar called happily. Standing next to his brother-in-law, the handsome he-elf smiled wide as he spotted them.

The three returned from the gate and walked back toward the two elves waiting for them in the courtyard.

"Prince Alvar and King Ithel," Aurora greeted them with a dip of her head. "We just said goodbye to the King of the Gnomes."

Both males looked uncomfortable with their titles.

"I am not officially a prince until the elven wedding next month. You will come, won't you, Your Majesty?" Alvar asked both on his own behalf and that of his bride.

"I would not miss it for the world," the Empress assured them. Though it would not be as easy as passing through the Storehouse like before, she realized. Her Fates' chain had disappeared with Alaron.

"And the title King will need to be solidified by a coronation," Ithel reminded them. "Protocol dictates it must be so, though I would have been happy to be a prince forever. Father may have been sedated when he said the things he did, but it seems he meant every word."

"Can you stay just a few more days?" Devrim asked, seeing his wife's countenance fall. "We still need to have our victory feast and Junayd's retirement party." Devrim wiggled his eyebrows up and down enticingly.

"I think we can manage a little more time while we prepare to move father," King Ithel agreed easily.

"While Bolemir may need to get back to his family (that selfish fairy!), I can stay as long as you need me, Your Majesties!" Reyan offered selflessly as he grew from a speck to normal size. No one bothered to comment on the old fairy's eavesdropping or his unsolicited offer to be an eternal freeloading guest.

"Do not think that you will be getting rid of me so easily. You know I will come and visit soon," Brinn tilted her head with a mischievous grin.

"Thank you." Aurora took both Brinn's and Devrim's hands and looked at the group. "Thank all of you. I am not sure what I would have done without you."

"Well you are stuck with me," the Emperor joked, placing a peck on his wife's cheek.

"And I will visit so much that you'll beg for me to go home," Brinn promised.

In the distance, Aurora could see Mairwen kissing Renat goodbye. He was headed off to as the Royal Envoy to reestablish the university of science to the south east. Then, when it was back up and running, he hoped to take as many classes as he could. Like Devrim, Renat wanted to prove himself a worthy companion of the lady he loved. His thirst for knowledge would allow him to do just that while improving his mind as well. It would be a year-long assignment.

When the young couple finally parted company, Mairwen noticed the Empress and smiled at her warmly.

Aurora could not help but smile back as she returned her attention to the group beside her. "With both my given and chosen family," she said as she squeezed the hands she was holding, "I am truly, truly blessed."

——————

As promised, the elves stayed for the victory banquet and Junayd's retirement party. While the former was rather stuffy and hosted whatever nobility could attend, the latter was a raucous and informal affair.

The royals along with as many soldiers as would fit in the banquet hall filled the air with carelessness and joking camaraderie.

"I do wish you would join me in retirement. You are older than me," Junayd said to Nurlan.

Having eaten his fill, the younger general sat back in his seat casually. A lovely woman next to him had her arms draped across his shoulder and chest as she smiled up coyly at him. While Junayd healed, Luna had found herself in his arms more and more and in the water less and less. She still took evening swims in the river, but even those were not as frequent.

Nurlan, for his part, was looking fondly at Phoca, who was sitting primly beside her gentleman. He squeezed her hand before scoffing at the other man's suggestion. "No retiring for me, old man. I did not get nearly gutted like a fish, like some foolish people. I will serve my mistress until I die or she forces me out."

"Here here!" Aurora laughed as she raised her glass of juice to toast his words. "May neither of those days ever come."

Junayd nodded thoughtfully, "It is just as well. In my new position as one of the Emperor's advisors, I will basically be your boss. I quite like the sound of that."

"Ha, you are more like the Emperor's glorified yes man. Never in a million years would the likes of you be my boss. We defeated tyranny, remember?" Nurlan shook his head.

"I have never been called a tyrant before! I had no idea you thought so well of me!" Junayd beamed.

Nurlan shrugged indifferently. "A tyrant fool maybe, but a tyrant nonetheless," he added as his lips curved upward.

As the meal finished, the guests chatted, laughed and milled about the room. Everyone congratulated Junayd on his retirement from the army and wished him well in his new position.

Devrim stood up on a chair and gathered the company's attention. "Today we honor the retirement of one of Valiant's finest. Junayd has been a brave soldier and an even better friend to this lowly Emperor. Raise your glasses high to the man of men, General Junayd. To Junayd!"

"To Junayd!" The others echoed as glasses clinked.

"As his last act before he hangs up his helmet, I would make one final request. General, would you sing us a song?" Devrim grinned widely as a new mandolin was brought by a servant and offered to the burly soldier as a gift.

Junayd feigned embarrassment. "Oh my! I have nothing prepared," he claimed even as tuned the beautiful instrument.

His denial was met with cheers of encouragement.

Junayd shrugged and pursed his lips. "If you insist…" He strummed the strings with satisfaction, playing a slow, sweet tune.

"My last song as a soldier

Will give my fondest wish

To be remembered as I am

So handsome, devilish

I did not die a hero

But, man, did I come close

So when you make my statue

Be sure my armor glows

Of course I am just kidding

Am I? It's hard to tell

I see the Emperor smirking

He knows me far too well

Today we honor Valiant

And all who love her still

I'll serve her till the day I'm gone

With heart and soul and will

And then I'll join the fallen

My duty set aside

So….when you make my statue

Please capture my good side!"

There was an uproar of laughter.

Junayd looked at the Empress expectantly. "Well, Your Majesty?" He asked brazenly.

Aurora arched her brow and eyed him critically. "How…how long have you been thinking about making this request?"

The now former general raised his shoulders innocently. "Not that long, You Majesty. Only since the day we met!"