by Joanne Vruno
“Well, Silver, I don’t know about you, but I want to let my village know of all these new developments. I’m going to say goodbye now,” said Agda, and she quickly went outside and was swooped away on the back of a cardinal.
I smiled as I thought about the difference in these two lead female elves. A cardinal fit Agda’s personality while Asa, the hawk, fit Silver’s. And right then, as if on cue, Asa landed outside the front door and Silver made a quick exit on him.
“Well, we need to get these girls eating to regain their strength,” said Lina as she went into the kitchen and started putting a meal together. Grandma’s tomtes had such a kinder life than ours. Elsa and Enar always needed to stay hidden from our parents, so they only ate small amounts from the fridge and cupboards so as not to be noticed, while their parents had full run of everything in Grandma’s house.
Lunt stayed and joined us at the kitchen table as we told all the others about the swan maidens’ homes and families.
Chapter 9
After another light nap I had to see the wolf. For me it had been three days, for him just yesterday when we were together last. He was lying in the snow by the gazebo and looked up immediately when he saw me. He stood and gracefully walked over to me and gave me a rub. He kept sniffing my clothes while he stood next to me. The he looked up at my face as though he wanted an explanation of my scent.
I pet his back as I spoke to him in my head, I can tell you’re curious of my scent. I smell of Murkwood because that’s where I’ve been. I wonder if you’ve ever been to Murkwood. I wonder where your home is.
His eyes were glued on my face when I spoke silently to him. Can you hear my words? I asked silently.
He licked my hand, then looked into my eyes again.
You can understand me, can’t you?
The wolf again licked my hand and stared into my eyes.
If you can hear my voice in your head, I want you to sit.
The wolf sat down right in front of me and looked as if waiting for me to speak again.
Are you a descendent of Fenrir? If so, stand up! I silently said.
The wolf stood up and almost seemed to smile at me. His tail wagged as he again waited for the next question.
If you have magic, lie down, I silently said.
The wolf lay right by my feet and waited again.
I sat down next to him, and the wolf set his head on my lap. I gave him a hug around his neck as I silently spoke. You are magic! You do understand me! I know you won’t hurt me, and I will never hurt you!
The wolf lifted his head and licked my cheek.
“Now I’ve seen it all!” said Lunt from the garage doorway. “That wolf’s no threat to you, but more of a pet.
“He can understand me when I speak to him silently!”
“He can understand you when you speak out loud to him, too,” smiled Lunt. “You can understand all of us, can’t you, big guy?” chuckled Lunt as he joined me in petting the wolf.
“He can?” I asked, looking at the wolf who gave me another lick at that moment.
“I think he just answered that question,” said Lunt.
“I wish you could speak to me. We want to know where you live so we can send you home when you’re healed. I really wish that was possible,” I said, giving him another hug.
Oh . . . but I can, came a deep baritone voice in my head.
My face must have shown my surprise because Lunt asked, “Aly, what did he say?”
“He can speak to me! You can speak to me?” I asked in shock, looking into the wolf’s face.
I can, but only in your head. I only speak wolf out loud. I have had the power to speak to others all of my life but very few can ever hear me, silently said the wolf.
I looked at Lunt and said, “He can only speak silently to people in their heads, otherwise he speaks wolf.”
“Well, you found the right girl for that, didn’t you?” asked Lunt, patting the wolf.
“What is your name?” I quickly asked the wolf.
Fen. My mother named me after my grandfather.
I looked at Lunt, “He’s named Fen after his grandfather.”
“Well, hello, Fen. I’m Lunt and this is Aly. May we ask where you’re from?”
Murkwood, replied Fen.
“So that’s why you were sniffing me so closely. I smell of your home. Where in Murkwood are you from?”
From the foothills of the mountains.
“I never saw the mountains. I was in the village area visiting the swan maidens. Do you know the swan maidens?” I asked.
I’ve heard of them but have never met them, replied Fen.
“Are you one of Queen Elin’s wolves? Or are you on your own?” asked Lunt, watching the wolf’s movement as he stood and faced the gnome. “Don’t worry. I knew Queen Elin many years ago. I know the story of how she saved Fenrir’s children from Odin.”
Queen Elin sent me to warn you of the troops of dwarfs and rock elves hunting you. They came to Murkwood searching for light elves, Fen told me. As we had a whole village hidden from all the other creatures of Murkwood with Queen Elin’s magic, we couldn’t take a chance of being captured. Queen Elin told me and my twin brother, Fir, that she was going to move the village someplace no one should find them. She wanted us to go out and search for the other light elves to warn them of the rock elves’ hunt. We were then told she’d bring us to her when the hunt ended.
You see, King Helmar doesn’t know Queen Elin is still out there with a whole village of light elves. She’s stayed hidden with us wolves for all this time using her magic. First, it was because of Odin’s wrath for taking all the wolf pups, then she wasn’t certain all the gods were gone. Now it’s because of the rock elves, said Fen.
I turned toward Lunt and repeated what Fen had told me.
“I knew Elin was strong enough to escape Odin!” beamed Lunt.
Fen looked surprised.
“Queen Elin and I were friends at one time. When word reached me about her taking Fenrir’s pups, we all knew Odin would retaliate somehow. I didn’t know if he banished Elin with the wolves or what had happened. I did know deep down inside of me she was still out there somewhere.” Lunt looked at me. “Aly, Queen Elin was the first light elf known to have the strong magical healing powers like Koppor has. Her powers were known throughout the kingdom. I often wondered if she could have dragged out all the hatred imbedded in Fenrir. I think she could look at you, Fen, right now. She raised all you pups to be good, didn’t she?”
Fen licked Lunt in the face right then, which made me laugh.
Turning a bit red in the face, Lunt asked, “Where is your brother?”
When I was shot by a farmer north of here I told Fir to go on without me. I was sure I wasn’t going to make it. I didn’t know where to find someone with healing powers. Fir was sad, but I convinced him to go. I slowly moved south until I saw a light elf riding a bird. I tried to follow it and knew I was close to a village. I tried communicating with the light elves watching me but none could hear me. When you showed up, Aly, I just hoped you could help somehow. I knew the elves knew you, but I didn’t know why. How do you have magic? asked Fen.
“I’m a guardian of a light elf village. I protect the light elves and heal them if they get hurt,” I answered and then told Lunt Fen’s story.
“We have two villages here. Aly’s the guardian of one and Alice, Aly’s grandmother who you met, is the guardian of the other,” Lunt told Fen. “King Klas has sent us word that we are being hunted. Because of dwarfs’ relationship with the rock elves, we assumed they’d be involved. Are any other creatures working with them that you know about?” asked Lunt.
In Murkwood the creatures were told to inform the dwarfs of any news on light elves, but as far as we know it’s only dwarfs and rock elves on the hunt, sai
d Fen.
As soon as I restated the words to Lunt he asked, “Did you know dwarfs were searching for you with rock elves?”
No! How do you know this? asked Fen, his ears perking up.
“Right after we brought you here, dwarfs were spotted in the woods where we found you. Our birder elves noticed movement on the dwarfs’ shoulders and saw rock elves riding on them. They must have picked up your scent, which is why Aly and Alice sent your scent away. We hoped the dwarfs would follow it away from the villages. So far, they haven’t returned. We need you to stay hidden in this yard for right now,” said Lunt, looking directly into the wolf’s eyes.
Won’t they find me here?
“No,” I said. “We put a spell on the yard to keep you hidden. Queen Elin isn’t the only one who can hide villages. Both our villages have spells on them, too.”
The wolf nodded.
“I must leave now. I need to eat and rest more. The magic I used to transport myself from Murkwood drains my energy.” I yawned as I stood up and returned to the house.
Lunt quickly followed me to share the news of the wolf. I smiled as he talked but didn’t make it to the end of his words before I was asleep again.
Chapter 10
By the time I awoke, it was almost time to head home. I quickly washed the sleep from my face. I didn’t want my mom to know I was napping. She’d think I was sick. Emily was ready and waiting for Mom to arrive. Our routine was to open the front door, say thanks and goodbye to Grandma, and then quickly go to the car. Having Mom come inside the house with the wolf in the backyard was probably not a good idea.
The car pulled up, and we followed the routine. Grandma waved from the front door as we jumped into the car.
“Did you girls have fun? You didn’t wear down Grandma too much, did you? Did you get any sleep?” asked Mom.
Emily and I looked at each other and almost laughed at the “any sleep” comment.
“We slept really good, and had fun with Grandma making cookies. Tomorrow we’ll bring some home for you,” I answered.
“Oh, I can’t wait! Num . . . Do you two mind us stopping off at Target for a few more Christmas presents, not for either of you two, but I need to get a co-worker a small gift, maybe a candle or something,” said Mom as she negotiated traffic and thought of what to get.
“You know we like going to Target with you anytime you want,” said Emily.
“Can we buy a gift for Chica while we’re there?” I asked.
“Of course. I forgot to pick up a bone or something for her. Thanks for remembering,” said Mom.
“Emily and I will get something for her while you look for something for your friend. I may pick up a few items for Grandma too,” I said.
“Well if you’re going to do that, I’ll grab some groceries, also. I’ll meet you by the registers,” said Mom.
Emily and I hurried to the candy aisle first to pick up some treats for Enar, Elsa, Alf, and Aina. Grandma would have treats for all the creatures who lived with her. Then we went to the dog food area and picked out a new stuffed toy for Chica and a big dog bone for the wolf. After our day together, I wanted to get him something. I had some of my summer money in my pocket so I gave Emily the Chica toy and sent her to find our mom while I quickly paid for the other things. I was glad they had the holiday burgundy bags so Mom wouldn’t question my gifts.
I waited at the end of the registers for Mom and Emily.
“Seems you bought quite a few things,” noticed Mom.
“It’s gift time . . . so I can’t share what I found. You never know who a gift is for,” I smiled at her.
“You’re right. This is the one time of year secrets are allowed. Hmm . . . there’s a strange shape to that gift,” Mom said as she pretended to study my bag. Little did she know none of the items were for her.
It was nice to be home. Chica started jumping up and sniffing us as soon as we entered the house. The smell of Murkwood and the wolf were driving her crazy with excitement and maybe a bit of concern.
Mom watched her and scolded her to stay down. “That dog . . . she’s just like a small child at this time of the year, sensing something is about to happen. Since we put the tree up, she’s acted strangely,” said Mom, shaking her head as she started putting the food away.
Poor Chica, Emily said silently to me. We must smell extra strange this time. I even went and met Fen today while you slept. So both of us have wolf scent on us. He’s so big! But also so nice.
I smiled at Emily as I turned quickly to Mom and asked, “What’s for supper tonight?”
“I thought I’d break down and buy pizza. I’m tired tonight. Who should we order it from?”
“Has Dad left work yet? We could have him pick up Cossetta’s,” Emily said.
“Good idea, I’ll call him right away. Pepperoni?” asked Mom, punching in Dad’s work number.
“Definitely,” replied Emily.
Emily and I smiled to each other as Mom started talking to Dad. I started taking down plates and set the table as Emily put out the glasses. Then we went downstairs to watch some television until our dad arrived.
“Aly, our life is really strange. One day we’re in Murkwood, then with a wolf at Grandma’s, and now home. Is it always going to be like this?”
“Pretty much, Emily. We can definitely say we’re not bored with our lives. I always feel we jump back and forth between two worlds.”
Enar and Elsa showed up then, and Enar asked, “When are we going to hear about your adventure in Murkwood?
Emily and I started whispering the adventure to the twin tomtes while looking toward the steps in case Mom was coming down. We ended with Emily’s comment, “Cooler than Murkwood is that Fen can speak to us in our heads. He’s so cool to talk to!”
“Who’s Fen?” asked Elsa.
“Oh, that’s right. You don’t know. He’s the wolf at Grandma’s. He first spoke today to Aly, and then when she fell asleep I got to go visit him,” said Emily.
I smiled at Emily, realizing what a big moment that had to be. She had been wanting to be included with the wolf for days and today she finally had been.
“Anything happen around here?” I asked.
“No, not really, besides staying on high alert because of the dwarf and rock elf sighting. As far as we know they haven’t returned to our area,” said Enar.
“Hopefully they never will,” I said. “I really don’t want to see any more dwarfs, and I’m not looking forward to seeing a rock elf. That King Helmar seems like a piece of work. Why does he hold so much anger? From what I’ve been told, he chose to leave the life of being a light elf for riches from the giants. The light elves’ only riches are the ability to heal things and love others and life. Is he so jealous of love?”
“That might be it. Jealousy drives all to hatred down the line. It’s a terrible thing that eats at one’s soul,” said Elsa.
“So why do the others follow him? Why don’t they just say no? They don’t have any reason to go after light elves,” said Emily.
“They may be frightened of their leader, scared they’ll be hunted down if they leave,” said Enar. “Wars are fought by followers of leaders who want control and power all the time.”
“Well, I wish King Helmar would find love and happiness so he gives up this war!” said Emily. “After all, it’s Christmas time!”
I laughed at that. “Emily, I doubt King Helmar celebrates Christmas or will ever get the Christmas spirit of giving.”
“You’re probably right,” sighed Emily.
Dad called down the stairs right then, “Pizza’s here!”
Both Emily and I hurried up the stairs to eat. Our appetites were enormous of late, and we hoped Dad bought more than one pizza. I was happy when I saw he had two.
He gave each of us a hug and
said, “I missed you gals. Did you bring home any cookies?”
Mom laughed. “Funny, I hoped for some, too. They said they will tomorrow.”
The rest of the evening was hanging out as a family looking at the Christmas tree. For Emily and me, we had been gone for days, but for our parents it had been just one night. We both were glad to be home.
Chapter 11
As we arrived at Grandma’s house the next morning I suggested we have a baking day. I told Grandma how our parents were looking forward to cookies. As if she read my mind she had already made dough for sugar cookies and spritz cookies. We turned on Christmas music and sang as we baked. By eleven we had already made six dozen cookies cool enough for frosting—the ones not already covered with sprinkles, that is. Laughter filled the room due to some of our outrageous decorating, but after all, that was what was fun about it. Emily and I decorated as Grandma made the spritz cookie Christmas trees and wreaths.
We were done. Cleanup came next. With the counters and table full of cookies, we just dropped the mixing bowls and cookie sheets into the double sinks. The kitchen was a complete mess, and flour dusted everything. Emily and I started dish duty while Grandma made sandwiches for lunch. A half hour later we were relaxing in the living room eating with the tomtes.
Grandma decided she would take a break while Emily and I rushed outside to hang out with Fen. He may not have voiced it but we could definitely see he was glad to see us. The temperature had increased, and the snow was almost gone. We sat on the grass petting him as he licked the sugar remnants off of our pants and shirts.
“Have you ever tasted sugar before?” I asked.
Is that what this is? It’s good! Why do you have it on you? silently asked Fen.
“We were baking cookies, a sweet thing humans make,” said Emily.
I think I’d like to try one sometime, if it tastes like the stuff on your clothes, said Fen.
“What do you normally eat?” asked Emily.
I usually hunt for my food. This life of sitting around all day and eating food from a dish isn’t normal for me. Queen Elin always had water around for us in dishes, but our food was our responsibility. That way, if we lost her, we’d be able to survive, said Fen.