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Audrey finally felt satisfied. Leaning against the worn rail of the Queen's Revenge, the Princess-turned-wanderer sighed contentedly. Approaching from a distance, Auradon's horizon hadn't changed. It still gleamed in the sunlight, the whitish stones reflecting back at her like thousands of gems. The bridge to the Isle of the Lost was now bustling with people, all of them traveling back and forth on a path that was once forbidden. Smiling at the thought of what Ben and Mal no doubt accomplished, Audrey opened her palms.

They were hard and calloused over from weeks working at sea, and even more time on horseback, or climbing up forgotten walls to reach a hidden treasure. It was just like what she had always imagined as a little girl, the thrill of it all overriding her need to be a Princess. After days surrounded by rough men and women already beaten down into hardy companions, Audrey wasn't even called Princess anymore. She was just Miss Audrey to the Avalorian sailors whom she had hired. There was no use for fancy titles on board a working vessel.

It was easy to forget, what with how young she still was, that the Queen's Revenge was indeed her very own vessel. She had bought it from an elderly sailor while in the Kingdom of Avalor, who wished to sail but couldn't fund his journey on an elderly captains wage. And what with all of the wealth she had acquired by crawling into places no one else dared, she had enough to buy the boat, the crew, and still had some left. And not a penny of her families money had been touched.

"Miss Audrey? We're approaching port."

"Thank you. I think I'll observe the docking from here."

"Yes ma'am."

The sailor tipped his hat and left her to her thoughts once more as she sighed. Looking below, the water was barely rippling with how smooth their arrival back into Auradon was. Her reflection was someone Audrey didn't even recognize. A year in the tropics did wonders to ones complexion, and her skin had darkened up to a perfect burnt almond hue. Her hair had grown back into its natural color, and was intricately braided back away from her eyes with gold and silver beads. There was a long whitish scar right down the side of her neck where a rope had struck and cut her deeply, and another across her forehead where she faced a cave-In on one of her expeditions. But Audrey cherished these marks almost as much as she cherished her ship.

Leaning on her elbows as the well kept docks came into view, Audrey felt a smile slip easily onto her face. It felt good to finally be home, though she had to admit she'd grown fond of the warmer climates. Observing the Avalorian men as they tossed ropes to the hands below, Audrey almost couldn't believe she was finally back. It hadn't been that long, but it felt like ages. Of course she'd sent letters back, but her phone had been practically dormant for all of her traveling, as service wasn't really a thing on the open sea. Audrey had a newfound respect for the written word.

But even coming home, the former Princess didn't feel a single inkling of emptiness in her heart. She was full of contentment, practically ready to burst at the seams with love and excitement. She was already planning another journey to the North, where she would see Arendelle, and then bank around and head South to visit the twelve Southern Isles. Her Captain was already mapping the trip, happy to be of service and more then pleased to chart a new course.

"Ho! Lowering the planks! Stand clear!"

Leaning further over the side, Audrey heard the satisfying clatter of wood on stone. A small group of onlookers had already gathered, admiring the Queen's Revenge as she was a foreign vessel. Turning slightly on the heel of her boot, the metal trinkets strung about Audrey's waist tinkled slightly. She hardly wore that which she would have before leaving, draped in a loose fitting white blouse with a hand embroidered maroon skirt. If she wasn't aware of her status, she'd almost mistake herself for someone who had never been to Auradon before.

"Miss Audrey." Her Captain greeted, standing by the planks as the men began to start their primary inspection of the ship, "we'll be taking to the sea again after the winter, as you've requested."

"Fantastic. The ice in the North should be thin enough in the late spring to sail without issue. Will you be remaining on the ship for that time?"

"Aye Miss, a Captain never leaves her charge unattended in a foreign port."

"Very well. I'll come to check on repairs every so often, but I'm hoping to find a place in Auradon to settle for a while until we sail again."

"Of course. The crew are happy with their current wages to wait a few seasons to continue traveling,"

"Excellent, please keep me updated. And shall an emergency arise, we will deal with it promptly so our schedule isn't not affected."

"Yes ma'am. Enjoy your stay in Auradon."

"Be well, my friend. Until I return."

Nodding her head, Audrey lifted her skirts and walked down the plank. She felt relief swell up in her as her boots hit familiar territory. And though she considered her ship to be her home away from home, Auradon would always have a special place in her heart. Not bothering to hail a cab, Audrey took the somewhat lengthy trek back to the Palace to regain her bearings on land. So many days at sea did little when it came to once again growing two feet. But eventually she was walking normally, one foot in front of the other.

Beast's Castle looked the exact same as when she had left it, with the exception of a few new bushes in the garden, as well as a new stained glass window on the highest floor. Wondering if the guards would even let her enter dressed as she was, the former Princess was glad when she was brought inside and left in the hall to wait. The blue royal motifs had been replaced with purple and gold, and some of the banners had been switched out. But otherwise it was the same building which she had drunkenly stumbled into a year prior, ready to end it all.

"...and if you could just sign here, I'll get this sent off to the Council..."

Evie's voice wafted through one of the doorways as Ben appeared from inside his office. Mal was on his arm, looking neat in a dark purple suit with her hair pulled up. Ben looked royal as ever, and had grown a beard. Evie's hair was in two thin braids, the Royal Ambassador making sure Ben signed papers as they walked. She had always been a multi-tasker.

"If this is a bad time, I can always come back next year." Audrey announced, hand on her hip as all three heads snapped up at her voice.

"Audrey?" Ben breathed, the paperwork forgotten as he looked at her from across the hall.

"Surprise!"

"Oh my goodness, Audrey! You look so well traveled." Evie said, hurrying forward to take up her hands immediately, "and that skin. What's your secret?"

"Hours under a jungle sun with no sunscreen." Audrey laughed, embracing Mal who appeared before her in a very unladylike way, "Mal, how is being Queen treating you? Not too terribly I hope?"

"Not at all. Wow, look at you."

"I know, I know, I'm a bit more roughed up then when I left."

"What is this? I like it." Mal questioned, feeling the rope scar as Audrey laughed happily.

"That is a story I have to tell over a good dinner and a bottle of wine." The sailor insisted, smiling even more as Ben approached. The King of Auradon was shy, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do. Rolling her eyes, Audrey gladly threw her arms around him in a tight embrace, "don't be dumb Ben," she mumbled into his ear, feeling his arms close around her waist as he clutched her back.

"I was so worried." He said after a moment, releasing his friend as he held her at an arms length. Audrey could practically see the way his eyes instantly found the scars, and how his thumbs trailed over unfamiliar hands, "are you ok?"

"Ben. I've never felt better in my life."

"So you found what you were looking for out there?" Mal asked knowingly, her head tipping to one side as Audrey nodded.

"I did. I finally made something that's mine; something my grandmother can't ever take away from me. I have my own ship now, and my own crew. And I can go wherever I please."

"You have your own ship?" Evie queried, eyebrows lifting as Audrey nodded again.

"Mmhm. You'll have to come and see her, Evie. She's the most magnificent schooner you'll ever set eyes on. But, first we have a bit of business to discuss. Isn't that right Mal? I didn't sail halfway back around the world just for the sake of it."

"So you did get my letter!" The Queen exclaimed, smiling broadly as Audrey scoffed slightly, but still smirked anyway.

"I don't know how you did it, Mal. But magic or no magic, yes, I got your letter. And I think it's time you explain to the King why I'm here."

"Am I missing something?" Ben asked lightly, knowing already something was going on as Mal turned to him and sighed deeply. Holding both his hands in hers, she looked into his eyes lovingly.

"Ben. I'm pregnant."

"What?" The King was struck speechless as Audrey once again rolled her eyes. Typical Ben, so innocent at times.

"We're going to have a baby, Ben. You and me."

"So...you both knew about this?" Ben asked, a smile breaking into his face as he pulled Mal closer, holding her tight.

"Mal told me first. I went with her to have it confirmed," Evie said lovingly, "and then we went to the FG to see if we couldn't find a way to get a letter back to Audrey with the news."

"And here I am." Audrey finished, "after all, what kind of Aunt would I be if I didn't come back to see the birth of my niece and or nephew."

"Mal, that's amazing. You're amazing. I'm going to be a father!"

Picking Mal up and spinning her around, Evie sighed dreamily, then turned to Audrey was was watching with a happy sense of satisfaction.

"So, Audrey, anyone special in your life?"

"Other then my ship and the sea? Not really. But Evie, you have to see some of the foreign guys — total eye candy."

The girls giggled together as Ben finally set Mal down, still giddy with elation as he straightened himself out.

"So. Audrey, how long will you be staying with us?"

"About a season I think, we'll be setting sail for Arendelle after the winter storms blow through."

"So not long then?" Ben said, frowning a bit as Audrey gently squeezed his arm.

"I'll be here for when the baby is born, and for a little while after." She explained, "I'm planning to buy a place here for when I decide to come and stay awhile. And besides, once I have a niece or nephew I'll have to come back and spoil them with treasures from abroad. I'll be their favorite aunt."

"Ohh dear, what will we ever do about that, Ben?" Mal said with a deep chuckle, nudging the king who looked downtrodden, "Het. Weren't you saying something earlier about bringing on an International Ambassador?"

"I was?"

Elbowing Ben in the side, the King grunted and finally got the hint as Audrey rolled her eyes. He was still so Ben — adorably clueless, "yes! I was. Audrey, since you're already so well traveled would you maybe be interested in becoming an international ambassador for Auradon? You'd be fully funded by the crown of course, compensation wouldn't be an issue..."

"Ben," reaching out and placing a hand on the Kings shoulder, the boy stopped blabbering as Audrey smiled up at him, "I would love to discuss it in detail with you. Preferably not in the hallway."

"Right. Yes. Would you like to do that now? Or I mean...we could also worry about it tomorrow."

"You know," thinking about it for a moment, Audrey couldn't help her grin as she bobbed her head, "let's discuss it now. Why worry about it tomorrow?"

"Great plan." Mal said, leaving Ben's side and looping arms with Evie, "we'll start some tea."

Watching them both leave for the kitchen, Ben held out an elbow for Audrey to take.

"Shall we discuss in the study?"

"Of course, your majesty."

Walking arm in arm, Audrey let her head fall lightly onto Ben's shoulder as he squeezed her hand.

"I'm really glad you came back, Audrey." He mumbled, removing something from his pocket and holding it out, "even if it's just for a little while."

The brass compass quivered in his hand as Audrey felt the glass top with her hand. It had been one of the hardest decisions of her life to leave Auradon. But she was glad she'd done it, and she wouldn't change anything that had happened.

"I'll always find my way back to Auradon, Ben." She insisted, stopping as Ben gently pressed a kiss to her forehead in front of the study door, "even in the darkest times, I'll always come back."

"I'm glad. So let's worry about what happens next tomorrow, hm? Right now, it's time for official Auradon business."

Opening the door for her, Audrey chuckled.

"Indeed it is, King Ben. Indeed it is."

-End-

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A/N: ITS OVER! Thank you all so much for reading this story to its completion. Though I could have taken this chapter longer, into the birth of Mal and Ben's child, I felt like that would open up more opportunities for chapters, and I really wanted to end this with Audrey's return to a new life in Auradon. I may write a sequel? Or maybe a short separate Epilogue story, but for now this is the end.

For any of you wanting more of my writing, I'll be starting a new story called 'Words of Warning', if you'd like to check that out. Or look into my other two stories 'Who I Am' and 'Auradonian Mirrors'. Thank you all for reading! And until next time, cheers!

-R