When the Princess Rescued the Prince - fantasyREADERS

sickness, till finally his injury worsened and he became
quite ill.
In his illness the prince would not accept any food or
nursing, nor any physician except the Bear. Finally his
mother had his bed carried to the garden pavilion, and the
Bear took charge of his care. Her animal friends brought
him herbs, fresh fruits, and honey. Soon the prince was as
good as new, and his mother thanked the Bear and gave
her a hug.
Jerome asked the Bear, “May I kiss you too, please?”
Shyly the Bear nodded. The prince kissed her and
kissed her again, so hard and so many times that finally
the wooden clip fell out of her fur. There in his arms she
changed into a beautiful woman.
“You sweet girl! What is this?” said the prince's
mother. “Why were you disguised as a bear? Are you in
trouble?”
Now Preziosa's memories came back, and she told
them the whole story.
“You were quite right to run away from your father!”
said the queen.
The prince just said: “Will you marry me?”
Preziosa agreed, and then and there they knelt down
before his mother and she gave them her blessing. They
sent for the old nurse to come and live in their castle, and
Preziosa and Jerome were married in a splendid wedding
in the pavilion, with all the animals from the glade in
attendance.
Soon after, the queen gave them her kingdom to rule;
but they all continued living in the castle by the forest, in
great joy and gladness for the rest of their lives.