Have I prolonged the suspense long enough? 😂😂 Here is the final chapter! Hope that you all like it and that I did it justice... if not, I'll work on it some more! I will admit that I cried... and that my heart rate when up! Blessings, A. R. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Heather woke slowly, wanting to go back to sleep. But in her semi-conscious mind she knew she had work to do. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, slowly sitting up when she felt something was off. Looking up, she almost screamed. “Emma! Don’t scare me like that!” She whispered, trying to calm her racing heart. Emma smirked. “Sorry.” Heather smiled and stood up, hugging her friend. “Don’t worry about it.” Then, she was puzzled. “Emma, what are you doing up so early, and why are you here?”      Emma smiled, her eyes beholding some sort of sweet mystery. “Well, I decided you need a day off.” Heather cocked her head, completely flabbergasted. “Really?” She nodded, smiling a little as she went to the small desk in the room, a basket sitting on top. “Emma, what’s going on? What’s that?” Heather asked, trying to peer over her friends shoulder but Emma turned around quickly, blocking her view. “Nothing. Get dressed in this,” she instructed, pulling out from behind her a folded… something.      Heather studied the object in her hands, confused. Emma sighed impatiently. “C'mon, Heather! Just trust me and put it on.” She finally began to dress, slipping the dress over her head. When she looked down, she gasped. “Emma! Where did you get this?” She asked as she smoothed the violet skirt. Emma smiled. “It’s a surprise. Now, you’ll be waited upon by someone at the courtyard gate in about twenty minutes.” She explained as she collected her basket, about to leave. But Heather stopped her. “Emma, seriously! What’s going on?”      Emma smiled and held Heather’ shoulders, looking at her with sisterly fondness. “Heather, just roll with it. You’ll find out soon enough as it is.” Heather could see tears in her eyes. “Okay,” she whispered, hugging her friend before she left. Heather looked down at her dress again and sighed, not sure what to think of the coming day.        Smalls waited outside the palace, his satchel full and waiting on a bench behind him. The sky had turned a pink and golden color, clouds of mingled yellow and blue scattered across the spectacular expanse. Smalls smiled, anticipating a beautiful day with a beautiful doe. He frowned, his stomach knotting with anxiety. What if she says no? He wondered with dread. He shook his head. It will play out the way it will play out. Just stick with what you’ve planned. He heard footsteps and turned. His breath caught.      The dress Emma has chosen looked amazing on her. The violet and purple dress brought out her eyes incredibly and her smile was warm and happy. Heather looked absolutely stunning.      He finally snapped out of the trance he found himself in and smiled, approaching her with a bow. “Might I have the pleasure of taking you out today?” He asked, kissing her hand gently. Heather blushed and smiled. “I’d be delighted! This is such a surprise! Finding Emma in my room this morning, now finding you ready to take me- wait, where are you taking me?” She asked, suddenly looking puzzled. Smalls smiled. “That’s the surprise.” He slipped his satchel over his shoulder and held out his hand to her. She smiled and took it and they made their way out of the courtyard and down the road.      Heather and Smalls walked for a couple hours, chatting as they went, until Smalls stopped suddenly. “Alright; I know you wont like this, but I need to blindfold you.” Heather raised her eyebrows in mock distaste. “Blindfold me?” Smalls feigned horror. “It would ruin the surprise!” Heather smiled and shook her head. “Okay.” He tied a scarf around her head, covering her eyes and grasped her hands, leading her carefully off the path and into the forest. She smiled, wondering what he had in mind. Smalls looked at her and smiled too, glancing over his shoulder to see where he was going.      A few seconds later, he stopped. “Alright, we're here.” He untied the scarf and let it fall from her eyes. Heather gasped.      A beautiful, large meadow full of wildflowers and tall, green grass stood before them. The trees around were beautiful and full, slightly changing color due to the changing season. The sun sat high up, pushing all shadows away from this little haven.      Smalls smiled at her awestruck expression, putting an arm around her. “You said you wanted a peaceful meadow; luckily we found this one.” He said quietly, turning to look at her with a tender expression. Heather nodded and slowly turned to him, smiling wide and tears in her eyes. “Its beautiful! Thank you!” She whispered as she hugged him. He held her close for a minute before pulling back, taking off his satchel.      “What more do you have for surprises?” Heather asked, a tease in her voice. Smalls chuckled. “How about a picnic?” He suggested as he withdrew a blanket. Heather gasped, then started  laughing as she helped him spread it on the lawn. After setting everything up, they sat down in the warm sun. Heather closed her eyes and inhaled the air, its scent sweet and fresh. The breeze was gentle and teasing, the sun warm and welcoming… and Smalls there to enjoy it beside her. She opened her eyes and turned to him, reading his expression.      “You’re thinking.” She said softly. Smalls smiled, a hint of mischief in his gaze. It gave her butterflies. “Well, we have to solve something that’s been on my mind for some time.” Heather cocked her head playfully. “What’s that?” Smalls smiled and looked across the meadow. “Picket told me your very fast, and that you’ve beat him in races. I’ve never raced, but I’ve run lots. I promised your brother we would determine who’s faster. That is, if you aren’t too tired from the walk we just had.”      Heather smiled and sat up, looking determinedly at him. “I think I can run. You?” Smalls scratched his ears, trying to look distracted. “I can give it a shot.” They stood up and Smalls charted a route. “Let’s start here, and run along the outskirts of the meadow. First one here wins.” Heather smiled. “You’re on!” They stretched their legs and cracked their knuckles, taunting each other playfully. “You ready?” Smalls asked, winking at her. Heather grinned. “Ready.”      They got to their marks, glanced at each other, and Smalls held up his hand. “Ready… set… GO!” He called, dropping his arm as they shot off. Heather ran hard, smiling as the breeze brushed past her and her heart began to race. Her heart soared as she tore along the forest edge. She could see Smalls about the same pace as her. She caught his eye and he surged forward, leaving Heather a couple paces behind. Heather furrowed her brow determinedly as she pushed herself, not wanting to lose too badly. They ran along the meadow, tearing up the ground behind them. Splashes of greens and yellows sped by in their vision as they closed in on the picnic blanket. Heather smiled and forced herself faster, passing Smalls slightly.      He laughed and called out her name as he reached out to grasp her arm. But they stumbled and fell, rolling over and over as a mess of fur, laughing silly as they landed on the picnic blanket. Heather laughed uncontrollably, trying desperately to catch her breath but couldn’t. It was such a funny outcome, tumbling onto the blanket in a mess. Smalls too was laughing hard as he rolled over, trying to breath. “Some… race, huh?” He asked through breaths, squinting up at the sky as he began to breath easier. Heather giggled and laid back, smiling wide. “Yeah!” She agreed, looking up at the sky. She turned her head to face him as he turned to look at her. They made eye contact and burst into laughter.      A while later with their picnic of fruit, cheese, and sweet rolls having vanished, they sat in the sun, talking. Heather looked across the meadow, smiling at the peace they found themselves enjoying. “Its beautiful, finding places like this to sit and act like children without having to worry about wolves or birds of Prey.” Smalls nodded, looking out over the meadow as well. “Yes, it is.” They listened to the breeze as it whistled quietly along through the grass, the flowers dancing in the air. Heather sighed. “It will be such a joyful occasion at your coronation,” she added, turning to look at him. Smalls heart began to pound. Here it is, the moment I need. He tried to smile, but he felt like his heart was in his throat. “Really?” He asked, trying to sound teasing. Heather smiled and nodded. “Yes. Natalia will finally have the king we’ve desired for so long, and rabbit kind will be free.” Smalls inhaled shakily as he shifted slightly, sitting upright.       “What about a queen?” He asked.      Heather looked at him, a little bewildered. “What?” came her shaky response. Smalls looked at her, worry and sincerity in his eyes as he shifted to one knee. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out something small.      He raised his head and looked deeply into her silver eyes, swallowing.      “Heather Longtreader, I’ve grown to love, cherish, and care for you over these months and I… I want you by my side. I want you as my bride, and queen. You’re smart, kind, brave, and beautiful and…” he choked, tears filling his eyes. “And I want you. I love you with my whole heart and want to spend the rest of my days with you in this Mended Wood. You have… you-" he choked again. “Heather Longtreader, will you marry me?” He asked as he held up the gold band in his hand.      Heather gasped and covered her mouth, tears rolling down her face as she looked from him to the ring he held. Smalls withdrew a handkerchief and handed it to her, his heart racing. “I love you so much and want to marry you, Heather, and protect you. There isn’t much evil in the world anymore but…” he stopped, his emotions getting the better of him. Heather wiped her eyes and inhaled, her eyes wet as well as her face. She managed to smile.      “I love you too, and… and I’d be honored.” Smalls tried to blink away the tears, but he couldn’t. “Yes?” He asked hoarsely. Heather nodded and pinched her lips, a fresh torrent of tears starting  over again. Smalls knelt in front of her and grasped her hand, slipping the ring on her finger as he wrapped her in his arms. She buried her face in his neck and sobbed, holding onto him tight. Smalls smiled as his own tears rolled down his face and onto her shoulder, leaving watermarks on her dress. He pulled back and held her face in his hands, gently wiping the tears from her eyes. He smiled.      “I love you,” he whispered. Heather smiled back. “I love you too.” And their tears salted their kiss.        Heather sighed as she snuggled closer to him. They had been napping in the sun for most of the afternoon, occasionally waking to wonder about plans for the wedding and coronation. But she woke to say something else.      “Smalls?”      He opened his eyes and smiled, blinking, before sitting up. The sun was beginning to set and they would have to return soon to their duties. “What?” He asked. Heather smiled. “Nothing.” He cocked his head. “Nothing?” He repeated. Heather grinned. “Well, there is something…” Smalls grasped her hand, looking at her with deep affection and admiration. “I love you,” she whispered. Smalls chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling the top of her head. “And I love you.” The End!