The sight took his breath away. The girls had mentioned it a few times, but never had he imagined it would look like this. The sun was just peeking out from behind it, making it look that much more beautiful. There were more towers and turrets than he could count. The windows and catwalks were never ending. The village was 5 times the size of the castle. It was at least a mile from here to the castle. Even at this early hour though, folk were bustling around, doing; well, morning folk stuff.

He was distracted from the marvel in front of him by Winter, who was yawning and stretching. Bleary eyed, she looked at Jasper and he smiled. "Welcome home." Winters expression remained neutral. Jasper started worrying; did she not want to be here? Is her memory slipping?

But then, as if her brain had just finished loading his words, her eyes got big, her back straight, and her jaw dropped. Anticipating what was about to happen, Jasper jumped forward and clamped a hand on her mouth, just before she screamed. "No Winter! We don't need everyone knowing here!" But Winter wouldn't have it. She shoved his hand away from her mouth and quickly shook Arianna. "We're here, we're here, come on Ari, let's go!" Even Morning was in on the action, stamping his feet and neighing, almost as if he had arrived home too.

Arianna opened her eyes. Realization dawned on her quicker than Winter, and without warning, slapped Mornings reins. They took off, leaving a trail of dust behind them, as well as Jasper.

Morning may have been tired from walking all night with two people on his back the entire time, but her sure didn't show it. He galloped down that hill, faster than any horse Winter had ever ridden. She clung to her sister in front of her, thinking of what a disappointment it would be if after surviving all that, she falls of a horse and dies.

Winter felt Arianna's hair in her face, and quickly removing one hand from Arianna's waist, took her princess bun down, letting her long hair out and into the wind, where it flew beautifully. She marveled at the feeling of freedom it created in her. She felt the muscle of the beast below her, combining with the new sun's rays, making her feel one with her surroundings.

Quickly, too quickly, the ride was over, and they arrived at the drawbridge. Suddenly Winter felt self – conscience. The guards were simply staring at them, not making a sound. She understood; it wasn't everyday that someone looking like her arrived, looking to enter a castle.

Finally they spoke. "Who are you and what do you want?" Ok, so they don't recognize us, thought Arianna. She decided to speak. "It is Princess Arianna and Winter Blossom, and we wish to enter our castle." She made sure to project her voice so it would carry to the guards.

After another long moment, they were permitted to cross. The drawbridge was lowered, and Morning clip – clopped across. Arianna was slightly surprised there wasn't a welcome party. They had been missing for some time. But she didn't waste her time on it. The girls jumped off Morning and handed him to a stable boy. He nodded and scurried off.

The girls looked around them, seeing there was no one there. Grinning and sharing a look, they grabbed their skirts and began to run. Flap flap flap went their flats, repeatedly hitting the cobblestone. Taking a left turn, they continued up stairs, entering the enclosed portion of the castle. Winter was elated. Home, she was finally home! She could smell the sweet fragrance of her mother's perfume, and she also thought she detected apple pie in the air.

The princesses slowed to a walk now, seeing more people. They went down one long hallway after another, finally reaching their fathers study/the library. Arianna and Winter took a moment to catch their breath. Taking a deep breath, Arianna raised her hand to knock, when Winter's hand shot forward, stopping her. "Ari! I've just realized! We mustn't enter attired like this! Daddy will kill us!" Arianna smiled, not only because her sister was right, but also because she had fallen back into the 'royal language.'

Nodding, the sisters raced down the hall and up a flight of stairs, reaching their room. For the next hour, they washed, changed, did their hair and makeup, until they decided they were presentable. They then walked back down the stairs and across the long hallway, back to their fathers study. A bit apprehensive, Arianna knocked on the door. A voice boomed, in a gentle, almost sad way, "Come in." Arianna opened the door and together they entered. A maid scurried around them and quietly shut the door.

King Kiel was in a chair facing away from them, so he didn't know who it was. Winter took the moment to again marvel at the beauty of this place. It wasn't a normal study, with a few bookcases and a desk. No, this was the largest study known to man. 1 million+ book were all stacked neatly on their shelves, going from the floor to the ceiling, 35 feet above. They were all against the walls, and the longest walls were 78 feet long. Several mighty floor to ceiling windows stood on the far wall, showing off the beauty of the Armarlda Mountain Range. There were 3 huge square rugs on the wooden floor, each separate by about 2 feet. On each rug were 3 or 4 chairs, a coffee table, and a long table, meant for books and other written things.

Arianna took a deep breath. She was slightly nervous, though for no known reason. She had arrived home, that's all. Maybe she thought something fishy was going on. No. she wasn't about to let her strange thoughts interrupt her joy at returning home. Taking a step forward, she made their presence known.

"Daddy."The crowned head got visibly straighter. "Ana?" His pet name for his daughter. Winter spoke up. "Hey daddy." Arms gripped arm rests. "Winifer?" His pet name for his adopted. Together they said, "Hello daddy!" 

 The man jumped up and turned around, and there were his two beautiful daughters. Overcome with joy, he started running forward. The girls ran to meet him in the middle. They collided in an entanglement of arms and tears.

Down the hall, coming out of her room, Queen Asha heard a sob from the direction of her husband's study. Alarmed, she quickly walked forward to the door and opened it. There, she saw her 2 lovely daughters in the arms of her husband, all of them weeping. They turned their heads at the sound of the door opening, and Arianna help open her arms, indicating Asha was welcome. Bursting into tears, she neglected all her royal training and fell into the arms of her family. They stayed like that for a long time, no one saying anything, just simply marveling in the beauty of being together again.