Months later, Gretel has been traveling without knowing or caring where she’s going. Stopping in a tavern, she hears talk of a dragon terrorizing the kingdom and learns she’s back in Grimm. Meanwhile, Hansel, with gold apples and barrels of wine from the grateful villages he helped, heads toward Grimm; he comes upon the tavern just as Gretel steps outside. Overjoyed to see one another, they share their stories as they head toward the castle.

Parts of the kingdom are broken-down and burned. Gretel gives a needy family a gold apple, and they recognize her and Hansel as the missing prince and princess. The family leads the carriages to the castle, and more people join the procession, all elated Hansel and Gretel have returned.

The king and queen joyfully welcome their children home. Hansel and Gretel aren’t ready to forgive them, instead asking about the dragon. Their parents explain all the destruction the dragon has caused, and Hansel and Gretel vow to stop it. When their parents object, Hansel and Gretel explain the dangers they’ve faced. They say that their parents haven’t experienced anything similar, and that they’d “better leave this to us” (178).