Epilogue
Thus ended the reign of the evil Queen, and a new era of prosperity began under the good King Makellos and his seven royal advisors.
Almost immediately, King Makellos had the palace storehouses inventoried, and the excess food was sent to all corners of the kingdom to help those who had been suffering most under the famine.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, ground flour, salted meats, cheeses, and even spices were sent far and wide.
It would take time for the country to regain the prosperity it had once had, but Makellos knew it would be easier for everyone to do the work with a full belly and no worry about where the next meal would come from.
Much had changed in the twenty-two years that the little men were away from the city.
Grimwald and Der’s families were gone, as was the acting troupe Bernhardt had once traveled with.
Makellos knew that their losses were sometimes heavy upon their hearts, but they still lived and loved every day and did their best to improve the lives of all of the citizens of Falchovari.
Sigurd and Sigmund’s family had returned to Hallin shortly after the brothers were taken. Letters were sent to them informing them that the two were alive and well, and plans were made for them to come to Falchovari soon for a visit.
Sigmund sought out Florian, the fiancé he had been forced to leave behind twenty-two years ago. Florian was married now, with four beautiful children, and Sigmund became their dear uncle.
Dagobert worked with scholars and local storytellers at the behest of the king, and, over the course of several years, he wrote the history of Falchovari, the reign of the evil Queen Schon, and the rise of King Makellos to the throne.
There was a search for his family as well, to find if they were still in the country.
That information was never found, but Dagobert knew he always had a family in the six little men and the king who loved him so dearly.
It was while searching the archives that he happened upon a family tree that he brought to Makellos’ attention. One of the merchant nobility families had a son, the name written in flowing script, with a wife and daughter attached to it. Hardwic.
“You had a noble title this whole time? Why did you not tell me?” Makellos asked Hardwic, and the little round man flushed.
“Forgive me, your majesty. It was always my desire to serve at court, despite what I knew of the Queen. I thought that my family’s station would be enough to protect me from her scrutiny.
However, I was obviously very wrong.” Hardwic’s usual bright demeanor was serious and somber.
“I was ashamed of my views and the things I did to try to win favor, and the loss of my wife and daughter were bitter pills to swallow. The mines, well… They were a chance for me to start over again, to re-evaluate what I wanted and who I was. Perhaps it was wicked of me to keep it a secret from everyone, but I wanted to take the second chance I had been given.”
“But you told Der?” Makellos asked kindly.
“Yes. He recognized me right away, but he didn’t say anything all of those years we lived together.”
“And he still loves you,” Makellos said. “As do I.”
Hardwic gave him a beaming smile. “Then I am the happiest of men.”
Under the new king, Falchovari began to flourish once more.
The seven little men took on their roles as Makellos’ advisors with aplomb.
There were many changes to be made to help the country thrive again.
They worked on plans to reinvigorate the kingdom’s various trades, from lumber to mining to medicine, as well as to establish more education options for the children of both the rich and the poor.
Makellos worked closely with Ulrich, Zel, and the Thieves Guild to use magical enchantments on the fruits and vegetables of the kingdom to help them grow larger and faster.
The kingdoms of Falchovari and Hallin forged many strong treaties and trades under the reigns of King Makellos and King Adalwin, who became friends and were both well-respected leaders.
And throughout the lands, love continued to grow in its many forms. Deep in the forest, an archer and his wolf created their own family.
In a tower outside the city, a sorcerer and his beloved made magic flourish.
Two step-brothers became lovers and avengers against brutality.
Two elves and their quiet shoemaker basked in their hard-earned peace.
A prince and a vigilante together built a new life of love and justice.
A cursed royal heir found love and became a king.
A shadow geist found freedom, his name, and his Heart.
And the fairest of all shared all of himself with his seven true loves.
Each story was unique, but the love created between them was everlasting. And they all lived happily ever after.