On the way down, Prince Henri continued with his stories of history, but now he explained how this incident with Queen Cecelia was paralleled in other nearby kingdoms. Tobias, however, was not listening as closely as he had on the way up. His thoughts were on the queen and her request. Why had she asked for him to come back alone? Did she know of his lie?

The elders were surprised at the queen's rejection of Prince Henri. Because he was the last of the three suitors, the village had been sure that she would marry him, and all the people had begun preparations for a joyous celebration.

"What does she want?" the elders asked Tobias and he told them. "I don't know," said Tobias, "I only know that she wants me to return immediately."

"But Duvid is better again," they said.

"No," Tobias shook his head. "She said she wanted me to return."

One week later, Tobias returned to the queen. She greeted him in a small chapel. She was wearing a brown monk's robe, kneeling and praying.

"Come, kneel beside me, Tobias."

He did so. He summoned his courage, and spoke, "My Queen, you should know that Prince Gregor was so angry at your rejection that he began a war with your kingdom, but he said he would end the war if you apologized. I tried to come and ask your advice, but the path was frozen. After two weeks, I decided to return and apologize for you. I lied and told him you had sent me."

Tobias folded his hands and waited. He knew he had disobeyed her and disgraced himself. Whatever she decided, he would accept.

Queen Cecilia was quiet a long time, then she said, "You are forgiven."

Tobias sighed with relief. She turned to him and said, "What is the best way to take care of the world we live in?"

Tobias felt his heart stop. She was asking him the questions she had asked her suitors. What did this mean? He took a deep breath.

"We should work for peace."

She nodded. "As you did when you ended the war. What is the difference between right and wrong?"

"That is a hard question my queen. Three of the wisest princes have given you answers."

Queen Cecelia smiled. "You risked losing your priviledge to carry my messages when you went to Gregor, and that task means everything to you. You also risked your life to go to Prince Gregor's castle. You do right when you sacrifice the things you love to serve the ones you love."

She took a deep breath and asked, "Where can beauty be found?"

Now Tobias smiled, "My lady, why do you ask me these questions?"

Queen Cecilia spoke. "Sometimes the winds carry things to me, the thoughts of princes, the songs of birds, the crying of newborn babies. I listen carefully, for that is my task. A song came to me on the wind one day, it sang these words, 'Her words are more beautiful than the sun, moon, and stars to me.'"

A tear fell from Queen Cecilia's eye, "Tobias, you are the man I will marry. You have learned about the plants and animals of this region. You are wise in the ways of nature and of God. You know the history of our people and the best way to rule them. You alone have known the answers to my questions." She turned back to Tobias. "And you have captured my heart."

Tobias turned to her, speechless.

"Carry this message with you, interpret it with your heart, and fulfill each detail."

Tobias nodded eagerly, "Yes, what is it?"

Queen Cecilia kissed him softly, and he embraced her.

Several weeks later, the people of the kingdom celebrated in their streets. When bells sounded in the queen's chapel, they cheered, and as they did so flower petals descended like snow in their streets. The scent of the flower's perfume is still in the air to this day.