by Clark Graham
“You Majesty, this is the rest of my army. We intend not to fight you in any way. We have a land without farmers on this side of the border. You have farmers without homes on that side of the border. You also have a lot of farmers, dressed up as soldiers, in captivity. My peace proposal is make those who burnt the farmers homes to the ground rebuild them, so that your farmers can get on with their lives, and then send them back here, without their weapons so those farmers can also get on with their lives.”
The King thought for a moment and then said, “You are wise beyond your years, Queen Emily. I will accept your proposal, with only two adjustments. I want the Shadow King in my dungeon, not yours, and I want part of my army stationed on this side of the border until I feel that this land will never again be a threat to mine.”
Emily looked over at Sardenien. He gave her a slight nod, indicating that he agreed with everything said.
“Very well, I agree,” she said. “Only there is one small thing more. When I cross the border with my family, I will no longer be Queen of this land. I will make Sardenien King in my stead. I have found him to have a good heart and he is faithful and obedient.”
King Gustaff looked long and hard at Sardenien. He saw a kind face; much like the old King’s face had been when he was alive.
“Well Sardenien,” King Gustaff said, “I will follow you to your palace, where we will discuss the future of your land.”
“I look forward to it,” Sardenien said.
A Parting of Ways
Sardenien turned to Emily and said, “Thank you for all you have done for my people. We did not deserve it after what we did to your home and family. Some day I will make it up to you.”
“They will rebuild my home; I will grow up a simple farm girl like I was always meant to be. I wish you luck in all your endeavors.”
“Thank you Your Highness. My drivers will take you and your people home,” Sardenien said, and then he turned his horse back towards his palace.
Groli turned to Emily and said, "My army is here; my I take my leave?"
Emily smiled, "You have been a model prisoner, Groli son of Tharn. I release you to return to your people."
He stepped off the wagon and gave her a deep bow and then headed towards the army of the Dwarves. When he arrived, Tarnic was there to greet him.
"You overthrew the Shadow King?" Tarnic asked.
"I exposed the fraud of an Imp," Groli said.
"An Imp? The Shadow King was an Imp? You have fulfilled your assignment much better than I had ever expected. I release you from further service. You can go and help your father in the mines. Of course, that is, after you have given me the full report," Tarnic said.
Groli bowed, "Thank you very much."
The armies made way and the wagons began rolling again. The Dwarf army turned and followed, going back to their mountain home. King Gustaff and half his army continued their journey towards the Palace of King Sardenien. The other half of the Royal Army turned and started marching back towards the Castle. It was a major parting of the ways. That day Emily went from being a Queen to just being a farm girl, but the drivers still treated her like a queen the rest of her journey home, by cooking her meals and caring for her and her family.
When they arrived back home, prisoners were sent to each of the farmers to help rebuild the houses. They built each bigger than it was before. Then the prisoners were sent back home to rebuild their lives. Emily's father was able to finish planting the field and they say the harvest that year was one of the best ever. When Emily's father rode into town to sell his crops, he stopped to buy a book, like he always did. Instead of the normal books about Princes and Princesses in lands of far away, he saw a book that were titled, The Adventures of Queen Emily. Another one was Emily and the Shadow King. He was so proud of his little girl that he bought them both and took them back to show his daughter.
One day, late in the fall, there was talk in the nearby village that Dwarves were walking around on the streets. Emily and her mother were working in the garden. When they came around the house, there on their doorstep stood Groli. Emily rushed up and hugged him. He had no helmet or battleaxe, and his hair was done up in a nice braided ponytail.
"You have grown," he greeted her. "You are now taller than me."
"Oh Groli, I am so glad to see you."
"They did a good job rebuilding your home," he said.
"Yes and they made it bigger than it was before. Thanks for coming to visit us.'"
"I had to," he said, "I have something very important to give you." The he held out a gold coin to Emily. "I want you to have this."
She took it and looked at it, it had Groli's name on it and the date it was minted. Emily knew right away how important it was, "Oh, Groli!" she exclaimed and hugged him again, as tears rolled down her face.
If you enjoyed this book you will also enjoy:
The Dwarves of Elvenshore
A Scout from the human city of South Fort stumbles upon a group of Dwarves lost in the untamed forest of the Westwood. He saves them from getting killed and rescues a Dwarf Prince. For these actions he is adopted by the Dwarves and helps them in their wars and battles to save the kingdom.
Set in Elvenshore, A mystical place settled long ago by the Elves and later abandoned by them. This story tells the tale of battles with new and old foes as the Dwarves try and retake their kingdoms from the evil things that roam the forest and mountains of Elvenshore.
Other Books by Clark Graham
Fiction
Jack Warden Detective Novel #1
Winning Numbers Deadly Numbers
Jack Warden's first major case. A twisted tale of murder in a small town, when a couple wins a lottery jackpot and others are trying to get their hands on the winning numbers. Who will die next?
Jack Warden Detective Novel #2
In a Sea of Troubles
A serial killer is on the loose in Manila, a bomb maker is found dead, a girl is on the run from hit men, and Jack Warden is on a cruise, heading into a sea of troubles.
Strange Kin
Something for everyone, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense and Fantasy.
Strange Kin
A boy grows up knowing he's different, but does not know why. One day he gets a visit by someone claiming to be his father, His father is not the loving kind one that a boy hopes to have, but someone who might be out to kill him to hide an ancient secret.
Guardian of the Portal
A man guards a portal into another dimension, not knowing that it is a place where there is a better life. But why is no one ever returning?
The Long Drought
After a long drought, in a small town, animals are acting funny and people are starting to disappear.
Child of the Visitor
A visitor holds secrets that only his nurse is beginning to understand.
Spanish Gold
A pact that a group of soldiers took when they discover a bag of gold while hiding in a barn in Germany during the war. But is the gold cursed?
Nick Spool Private eye
an investigator tries to solve a murder, but is shocked when the truth isn't a simple who done it. There could be intergalactic consequences.
Non Fiction
Unexpected Tales and Feel Good Stories
Life does not come with an instruction manual. When I found skunks in my crawl space, I could not refer to page 98 to see what to do about it. I couldn't find a chapter about how to tell your neighbor that you accidentally burned up his yard. There was also no instruction on not climbing on a firetruck in the dark, because you might fall and break your finger off. You may not be able to laugh at the time, but life's unexpected events make the best stories, at least looking back.
Contact Author at: [email protected]
From.Net
