Epilogue

"T he end," Hilde said. She took a swig of water from the bottle she held in her hands, her throat parched and her voice tired from telling the story.

Marigold blinked sleepy eyes. "But what about Roderick and Snow? Did they live happily ever after?"

"Yes, they did," she said.

"Did they get married?" she asked around a yawn.

"They did. And Snow created a beautiful garden with all sorts of flowers. Roderick became the master blacksmith for the Mystic Vale. Eventually, he hired an apprentice who would learn how to make enchanted blades like he did."

"Was he an Artificer?"

"He was," Hilde said. "Roderick was happy to find others like him."

"What sort of flowers were in the garden?" she asked.

The girl was always full of questions when she finished a story. Almost as though she thought the stories were real and the people in them lived on. Well, she wasn't wrong.

"Roses, tulips, peonies and—"

"A hedge maze?" the girl asked.

For a moment, Hilde was taken aback. She peered down at the girl wondering where she had seen or heard of a hedge maze.

"I've always wanted walk through a hedge maze," she said, closing her eyes and slipping her hand under the pillow.

It struck her then how grown up her niece sounded when she said that.

The Mystic Vale gardens were some of the most spectacular, cultivated and overseen by Snow White herself. The lawn was immaculate. The hedges trimmed to perfection. The roses fragrant and colorful. There was a gazebo with climbing ivy and an arbor with pale blue morning glories winding up and around it.

"Yes, there was a hedge maze." Hilde rose and tucked her into the hospital bed. "Now, you get some rest. Your mum will be here soon."

"And will you stay?"

"I will for as long as I can." She kissed her forehead. "Now, sleep."

Moments later, Marigold was out. Hilde sat back in the chair and watched her sleep. Perhaps she shouldn't tell the girl fanciful stories, but then what fun was that?