Page 30 - Three of Happiness

But just as the Queen was about to reach the Dragon, the Dragon realized that the rider on the horse was not alone. In fact, there were hundreds of others with swords and clubs charging up the hill.
The Dragon had never been confronted by anything like this. It had no idea how to deal with such a force. An instant before the Queen reached him, the dragon turned and with all of its considerable speed, ran away.
The peasants who were with the Queen cheered and cheered. The Queen got o of her horse to address them. “We have done a wonderful thing today. We have run o the Dragon but it may return or others like it may raise their ugly heads to threaten us.
We may have to do this over and over again. And if we ever don’t do it, they will come and take over our countryside again. What we have done is good and brave but we must be ready to do it whenever the need arises.”
The Queen could tell that some in the crowd understood and would follow her again, that some would weaken just as she had done in the past and would not be willing to face another dragon.
The Queen thanked them again and told them to return to their homes. Then she mounted her horse and returned to the castle. Once she was back at the castle, she took o her armor and dressed in her best gown. She then hurried into the forest in search of the TREE OF HAPPINESS.
She found the Elf sitting next to the tree dozing. “Hurry,” she said, “Give me the key to the TREE OF HAPPINESS!” Slowly the Elf opened one eye and asked, “Why should I?” The Queen, with much excitement in her voice said, “I have completed all of the tasks and trials.” “Oh? Tell me about them and then I will decide if I should give you the key,” replied the Elf. “All right,” said the Queen, “If I must.” “You must,” smiled the Elf.
And the Queen then began to tell the Elf of all the things she had done to accomplish the ‘’Tasks.”
She told of how she had not listened to her advisors and had built the Road. She told of how the grateful workers had allowed her to lay the last stone. She told of how they had trained workers and how they completed the Monument. She told of the fear she had felt when going all over the world to find the Best Books.
She explained the loneliness of being so far from home.
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