Tales from the Valley of Wonders
The Acquisition of Aldor
"We have been driven from land to land for thirty years, and now you will
sell us this splendorous isle for a kiss?" Queen Elwyn straightened.
"Your majesty, it is not any kiss. The Princess Julia remains untouched by
any mortal. Only a few have beheld her. Do not think this is a trivial
request," the Chief Regent bristled, puffing his cheeks.
Ham, the Halfling priest, remained motionless in
his bow, his face in the dirt. A tiny smile crept quietly across his
face.
The astonished Queen turned; realizing her benefactor remained bowing, she
said, "Please, friend, arise."
Ham lifted his eyes, "It is a costly request, I know, but the Islands have
been in my family for centuries. I fear I might offend many if I do not
obtain a hefty price."
"You see, your majesty, it is a good price," said the Regent pointing to the
dirty-faced Halfling.
"We have gold; we will pay you gold when we settle here," Queen Elwyn
offered.
Ham shook his head. "We kept the gold in the earth for you, where it
belongs. It troubles no one in the earth." Then looking up at the stunned
elves, he straightened and said with a tone of correction, " Not that I would
preach to you about gold, My Blessed Lady. You may do with it as you please.
I desire only the kiss."
"For thirty years, we have wandered. We have died and suffered greatly. And
now this place - I can scarcely believe our fortune. Can it be true?" Queen
Elwyn smiled. Her abundant gratitude brought the crowd to tears. A sigh of
smiles warmed the air.
"Thirty years. It is a short time to Elves, is it not?"
"They have been thirty thousand to us. Everyday another of our kind has
died. We are chased like Wolves. We, who once ruled all. And you simply give
us this glorious place?" A thousand tales of hardship creased the Queen's
flawless face.
Ham waved a stubby finger. "Not give" he said, "the kiss."
The Queen bowed her head, "You will have it."
Ham said with the slightest tone of scolding, "Perhaps next time you need
something, you will come to the Halflings first, instead of wandering around
for thirty years."
From behind the queen a figure appeared. Draped in the finest linen and
veiled in cobwebs of gold, the figure flowed over the grass
as though gently breathing upon the delicate
blades.
Ham grinned widely, then pointed to the veiled girl standing behind the
queen. "Now?"
The head beneath the veil nodded, then spoke with a voice of purest song,
"You honor me, Friend Halfling."
Ham blushed, then stepped back as Princess Julia approached.. His breath
caught as the shimmering silk weave lifted to reveal eyes like emeralds, and
the face beyond the wonder of any flower. Ham's lower lip quivered slightly
as he stepped forward.
Every Elf in the company stopped breathing.
He reached up, gently disappearing behind the golden silk for a moment, them
fell to the earth. The Elves gasped in chorus. Julia reached down, and helped
Ham to his feet.
"Than you, kind one. We shall not forget the Halflings' generosity on our
behalf," Queen Elwyn said, stepping between her daughter and the enchanted
priest.
"Generous? My kin will call me a liar; I am so greedy. They will never
believe this. I would have given this place to glimpse her cheek. Your
servants need to learn to bargain; they will be taken many times if they
persist so shabbily." Ham sighed and fell to the earth once more. " I am a
wealthy man, indeed. Aldor is your forever."
Queen Elwyn smiled broadly, then turned to her company. Raising hr arms
skyward, she proclaimed, " We are home."
Game Images | Protagonist Characters
Originally appeared on pg. 277 of the Official AoW Strategy Guide. Reprinted with permission.