"But it is. The wolf you know was just a spell," Zora uttered sad. "I apologize if my appearance deceived you. I was worried that my friend and I would get eaten if I told you the truth."
The wolf brothers turned their heads, offended. "What do you take us for? Human worshipers?" the oldest said.
Zora glanced at him sternly. "That was not nice."
"We are fierce animals. Not people pets. Leave us be!" The largest of the wolves tucked his head into his chest and entered the cave. The second and the third followed, solemn.
"Have a nice life," the youngest said turning his head towards the entrance.
Zora sighed. Prince Aidan stepped forward and gently stroked hear hair. She turned and felt better, seeing his compassionate face.
"Let's go," he softly said. The three headed uphill.
"Damn this cinder. Walking through this will take ages. And it will ruin my dress too," Anna complained. "Lucy, do you mind turning into a wolf so we can ride you? It will be quicker?"
The fair-haired princess grumbled and puffed. "Alright," she stated grumpy.
Later that same day, the prince and two princesses reached the castle of the Nearby Hill Kingdom. The overjoyed ruler received them not hiding his enthusiasm. He immediately ordered a festive feast.
"... And then I held up my sword. It's blade as sharp as a tack..." the prince spoke, hoisting his sword high in the air as the crowd awed in unison. They clappedas he recounted his adventures, mimicking the story with his hands.
Meanwhile, while the others gawked at the charismatic speaker, Zora and her childhood friend stood out at the very end of the table.
Anna looked around at the servant girls tending to the tables. "Oh God... You have no idea how happy I am that I am no longer obliged to lift a finger," she whispered to Zora, who nodded.
"... We went to sleep and, to my surprise, I woke up in an entirely different location. Naturally, I investigated and..." the prince continued as the crowd hung on his every word. The king was sitting on his throne, isolating himself from the rest, but still very much invested in the story.
"Is your father alright?" Zora whispered. Anna glanced at him and sighed. "Not really. He's happy I'm alive but is still mourning for all the treasure he lost," she said looking at the wooden fork and spoon in her hand. "I feel so guilty. Perhaps we should have tried to save some."
"It's not your fault. It's not like we could have slid two tons worth of gold," Zora said in a comforting tone.
Anna sighed. "The important thing is that the dragon is gone. My father is a skilled merchant. Now that the threat is gone, he will surely regain his wealth in a couple of years," the princess stated with confidence.
"... I was about to meet my demise from this swarm of bats, when-" Aidan stopped, remembering his tiny friend. "So anyway, I managed to make them take me to their queen. And you would think the bat queen is a massive old bat with a crown, but oh no. How fooled you would be at first glance... By the way, avoid that cave at all cost. I say that with utmost sincerity," Aidan told the crowd.
Princess Anna looked at her boastful rescuer, who seemed to thrive on the attention of others. She then turned to her friend, who simply wanted to get away from it all. "I must admit, Zora, you and your spouse are a strange couple."
Zora giggled. "Yes. We do seem that way, don't we?" she affirmed wholeheartedly.
"... It was a rope, my dear audience. A rope!..." Aidan explained dramatically. "Can you even imagine it?..."
"And you can tell he is completely smitten with you. You truly are lucky to be so beautiful," Anna continued their conversation.
Her friend pondered for a moment. "I hope that's not all he finds attractive about me?" she aid blunt.
Anna looked nervous, as if worried how to answer.
"... And then the dragon lifted his head," Aidan exclaimed, laughing. "You should have seen the look of terror in his eyes as his precious home flew away. He was wailing like a banshee. My home! My home! My beautiful, beautiful treasure!..." the imitated his raspy cry, still finding it hilarious."... Haha, and only his facial expression when..."
"Of course. He must be in love with your soul. No doubt about it," Anna finally replied.
Princess Zora thought for a while and said, "You see, when I became his wife-"
"What an adventure that was!" her friend smiled.
"Well, yes… After that" the other declared. "I had a crystal clear realization of something."
"And what was that?" princess Anna asked.
"When two people love each other, it does not matter how different or similar they are. Hearts can be of any shape, but if the parts that touch fit – like puzzle pieces, everything else should fall into place."
The unmarried princess hummed. "Wise words. I only wish someone will be willing to value me as Aidan does you."
"... Ha! I could have overcome two of them if I had the chance. No scaly lizard could can take things from me and live. Yet, what an amazing adventure that was!..." Aidan sighed in his heroic pose with the crowd's jaw still on the ground.
"If only there were such brave warriors in our land," one of the nobles commented.
"Thank you, my good man. But do not forget. It is not enough to be brave. The prince must be both clever and resourceful to outwit even the scariest monster. You see, a prince like me is a rarity in these modern time-"
His boasting was interrupted by a bird's tiny but sharp beak, who pecked at his rib. He flinched in pain. Tittering, he rubbed the hurt area, acting as if nothing happened. "Must be heartburn," he tittered.
"Thank you for letting us take the harp," Zora told her friend at the far side of the table.
"Do not even mention it. Consider it a gift along with my undying gratitude," Anna said graciously.
Zora smiled and excused herself. "I'm going to go and get some fresh air. No need to come along."
"Already? Alright," the princess mumbled.
Aidan was still standing at the table, talking to the crowd. He turned his head, noticing that his wife was heading towards the balcony.
The night sky was covered with stars. She stepped outside, with a serene smile and placed her hands on the balcony.
"I don't know what shines brighter – you or all these infinite stars," Aidan said softly.
"You charmer," she puffed.
"What. Don't you know it is true?" he teased before looking at her better. "How are you my dear? We did not have a chance to talk alone."
"Yes, these past few days were pretty hectic," Zora said. "Still, I see you regained your spirit. Having fun at the party?"
"Immensely," he grinned.
"That is quite a story you told. If I didn't live it with you, I might have not believed it," she said.
"You know, one of the greatest benefits of surviving such hardships is the story that is left behind. And this one? Completely amazing. I shall be able to retell it to ten more generations without them losing interest!"
Zora smiled. "Calm down, dear. It is good but not that good," it was her turn to tease. Turning away and let out a long relaxed sigh. "I have to say, after all we have been through, a peaceful night like this feels even better. More earned."
Aidan looked at her in a good mood. "Do you know what would make this evening even better?"
"What?"
"To hold the woman who helped me survive it all," he said gently caressing her. Zora smiled eager. She pressed her lips to his. Opening her eyes, only for a moment, she gasped, grabbing his shoulders.
Aidan pulled away, surprised. "What is the matter? Is it your wolf powers again?"
Her trembling hand pointed at the sky. It was almost a full moon.
"Just how many days did we asleep in that cave?" she said with a whimper.