"Ithel!" Brinn yelled in horror. She, Devrim, and Alvar had ridden up unnoticed just moments before. Even with the unicorns' silent hoof-falls, Ithel should have heard them coming, but he was too engrossed in persuading Aurora. The trio had watched as the Empress pleaded and prepared to defend herself. Now Alvar looked embarrassed, Brinn was still shocked, and Devrim was livid. The man had already reached for Alvar's sword to challenge the prince when Brinn had stopped his hand and cried out. Ithel had no idea how close he had come to tasting steel and not Aurora's lips.

Brinn marched over and slapped her brother across the face. Surprised, Ithel released Aurora and brought his hand to his cheek. "How dare you!" Brinn shouted. "That poor girl is nothing but nice to you, and you repay her by assaulting her!"

"I…" the prince was at a loss. No one spoke to him in such a manner. "I am sorry!" He said quickly. He searched for the dark-haired girl only to see that she had sought the safety of the man and Alvar. His countenance fell as at last he saw the fear in her eyes. His intent had been to bring happiness, not pain. He had made an egregious error.

"We came to call you back to the palace," Alvar spoke to break the tension. "Perhaps Your Highness and Brinn can go first, and I will follow along in a moment with the humans."

Brinn grabbed Ithel by his pointy ear before he could argue. She dragged him and his unicorn out of the clearing. The act was humiliating, but Ithel did not put up a fight. The two elves and their mounts disappeared from the clearing as choice words from Brinn floated through the air toward the rest of the party.

Alvar looked around uncomfortably and cleared his throat. "Princess Brinn has given me instructions to allow you some time alone. I will be close if you need me." Alvar took the three remaining unicorns and also left the clearing.

Aurora did not take time to ponder the elf's words. Instead she flung herself in Devrim's arms and sobbed uncontrollably. The grey-eyed man held her gently and led her over to a fallen log to sit. He could count on one hand how many times he had seen her truly cry, and he was filled with compassion. Devrim would have done anything to help, but being there was enough.

"I am not supposed to be afraid; I am the Empress." Aurora said as her sobs grew softer. "But the prince is so strong, and if you had not come when you did… I could feel his breath on my neck! Oh Devrim, I was so scared!" Fresh tears fell down the girl's face, but they were silent.

"You are braver than me," Devrim said as he rubbed her back soothingly. "I have been terrified since the moment we set foot out of the palace."

"Really? You don't look it." Aurora was skeptical.

"I am an excellent actor," Devrim said with a half-smile. "And do not sell yourself short. I saw that maneuver you were going to make with your knee. I think I rather would have liked to see Prince-Kissy-Face writhing on the ground with his hands protecting his most delicate parts."

Aurora chuckled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I am glad you are here. And I am very glad Ithel did not kiss me." The Empress adjusted her body to lean against Devrim with her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her lovingly.

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"If he had kissed you, he would have answered to me. No one should touch you without your permission," Devrim said with a tinge of guilt. "Which brings me to what I have been wanting to say. I am sorry of taking advantage of the moment and stealing a kiss myself. I am no better than the prince." Devrim hung his head in shame.

"You and Ithel are not the same. We have had years together, and you have never once made me feel uncomfortable. As for the kiss, what took you so long?! I would not object if you never stopped kissing me." Aurora hid her face, she could feel that it was redder than Brinn's hair.

"Really?!" Devrim's heart nearly burst from joy. His wildest dreams were coming true. "Aurora, there is something I want to tell you…" he paused. The world around them had grown dark except for the moon, but out of the corner of his eye, Devrim saw small specks of light moving through the trees. "What are those?"

Aurora smiled. "These are the fall fairies. They have come to change the leaves." Sure enough as they watched. The leaves on the trees lit up. Before their eyes the foliage changed from shades of green, pink or purple to bright red, orange, yellow or even brown. Even the grass glowed and turned from a luscious green to a flaxen gold. The fairies made quick work of the plants as they came close to the humans. Their energy was mesmerizing. Aurora stood up and held out her hand. A single little firefly landed on her fingers and transformed into a creature resembling a tiny woman with wings. "Hello," Aurora greeted, dipping her head to show respect.

The fairy curtsied with her short tulle skirt and took off once more. She covered the humans with some sort of dust and their clothing began to shimmer like the leaves. Devrim stood and took the Empress's hand. Instantly all the fairies circled the humans, creating a dazzling display of lights. Aurora's eyes twinkled as she looked at Devrim. "You wanted to tell me something?" She asked with a hint of encouragement.

Devrim could take it no longer. A more perfect moment would never arise. "I love you," he said without hesitation. "I love you and have for a very long time. I do not want you to marry Ithel or anyone else that may come along. I want to be the one who walks through life with you, the one who you tell all your secrets and fears, the one you turn to when thing are difficult. I want to be the one you love."

"You are," Aurora told him happily. "I love you, Devrim. Oh how I have longed to hear you say those words!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he in turn put his around her waist. The swirling fairies slowed their circuitous path, and time seemed to stand still.

"I want to kiss you," Devrim said with his eyebrows raised in question.

"Please do." Aurora answered as she pressed her lips to his.

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

From outside the clearing, Brinn, Ithel and Alvar looked on. They watched the humans' exchange and now saw them kiss. Brinn placed her hand on Ithel's shoulder, "That is love," she told him. "She cannot love you, and she won't. Her heart forever belongs to that boy right there."

Ithel knew she was right. "I like her very much, but I cannot ever love her." He sighed. The prince realized that marrying Aurora would be condemning her to a life of sadness and longing. "Thank you for teaching me something," he said humbly to his sister. Brinn was surprised. Ithel had never admitted he was wrong before.

"You have got to let her go," the red-haired elf said gently.

"I know," Ithel agreed. They watched on in silence, unaware of how embarrassed the humans would be to know that they were being viewed.

Alvar slid close to Brinn and allowed his hand to brush against hers. Her fingers interlaced with his. "Could that be us someday?" Alvar whispered, nodding toward the loving couple.

"Perhaps," Brinn responded without looking his way.

"Does that mean you'll marry me?!" Alvar asked excitedly.

"Do not push your luck." Brinn glanced at him sidelong, but did not outright refuse him. Alvar smiled victoriously. Just then, the fall fairies pulled away from the humans and continued their journey. Unfortunately, the elves realized too late that they were next in the fairies path. Like the humans, a fairy covered them in stardust, illuminating them in the night.

The humans' eyes grew wide as they saw their audience. 'Busted,' Brinn thought as she moved toward the humans.

"How long have you been watching?" Aurora demanded to know.

"Come on, Empress! We have better things to do do than peep at you lovebirds." Brinn said. Aurora put her hands on her hips. "Ok fine, sorry, but we had a good reason!"

"I cannot wait to hear that explanation." Aurora responded regally. She cast her gaze haughtily toward the he-elves, and suddenly they felt very small. They each took a step back unconsciously. On the other hand, Brinn gave a lopsided smile.

"Look on the bright side, Your Majesty," Brinn insisted, "At least now I cannot tell my parents that you two are not intimate. That was quite a kiss!"

"…"