Winter of Elves

by Joanne Vruno

  “Queen Elin seems very smart,” I said

  That she is, said Fen, looking out towards the woods. Something’s wrong, he suddenly said. Look at the birds taking flight. There’s danger out there. Something’s upsetting them.

  “Aly, Emily, go inside!” ordered Lunt, who appeared out of nowhere. “Fen, be on guard. We have unwanted visitors!”

  As I entered the house, Grandma shouted out orders. “Emily, you need to stay with Lina and Berg. Eat for strength. You may need it. Aly and I may need you for healing us or others. Aly, check on Agda and Beck’s village. Remember to transport all dangers away from our area. Send them to the closest swamp. We have none near us, so let the magic decide where that’ll be. Their memory will be erased from being in our area, and we should be safe. I’m off to Dolph and Silver’s village. As soon as all is safe, return here. Lunt, protect the yard and the wolf.”

  “One, two, three, go!” Grandma and I said our chants. Soon I was in Agda and Beck’s village. I used the amulet to double seal the view from others. Agda and Beck noticed my arrival with a look of relief. “The dwarfs have backtracked,” Agda told me. “Two are in our woods searching for signs. We don’t know where the others are, but we’re sure they’re not far away. The families are down deep in the tunnels under the village. Only the scouts and warriors are still aboveground. Koppor stayed on the surface to help with healing.” Agda nervously held onto Koppor’s hand while Beck shouted out strategic plans to protect the village.

  My nerves were so heightened at that moment, I chanted to myself, Stay calm. Stay calm.Stay calm. My body took the command. I pulled Beck aside and asked, “Is it better I go out and find these dwarfs so no birder elves get injured, or stay here?”

  “I think you’re safer here. A dwarf could easily sneak up behind you. I think we should take action as soon as we see one close by. We think there are only two, but one never knows. If they can’t see the village, they won’t know where the magic’s coming from, and we’ll keep hidden. If they can’t sense us, they might just move on. Do you know if any are near Dolph and Silver’s village?”

  I shook my head, uncertain. “The wild birds took flight suddenly and Fen, the wolf, stood on guard. Fen told us danger was in the woods. He and Lunt are guarding Grandma’s house. Grandma’s with Silver and Dolph at their village,” I stated.

  “Thank goodness two full guardians are here. Your magic is much stronger than a dwarf’s. I guess now we wait,” said Beck.

  Our wait was short. We heard the thunder of running feet before we saw a dwarf plowing down the hill chasing a bird with an elf on its back. I quickly took my stance as I repeated, “Send this dwarf to swamplands. Send this dwarf to swamplands. Send this dwarf to swamplands!” Poof, the dwarf was gone. The elf on the bird quickly turned around and backtracked to the hill as it swooped down and caught something on the ground. Soon I was face to face with the first rock elf ever in my presence. He dropped to the ground by my feet and was surrounded by the village warriors. His face showed more fear than anger or hatred.

  “Please don’t kill me. I was just following orders,” said the rock elf, holding his arms high.

  Koppor approached the circle and asked to enter. She had a healing glow which grew brighter and brighter with each step she made toward the rock elf until she looked like bright light, not in elf form anymore. We couldn’t see what she was doing. It almost looked as though she and the elf were one light for a moment. When they parted, the rock elf fell to the ground.

  Sighs of concern filled the village. At that moment I even wondered if Koppor had just killed the rock elf. Koppor stood over the elf as he slowly regained consciousness and started to move. He smiled at her as he stood. “Thank you!” he said, grabbing her hand. “You didn’t kill me.”

  “Why would I want to kill you?” asked Koppor, looking puzzled. “I heal things. I would never kill anything!”

  The elf looked at his hands and realized he had changed. “How did you heal me?”

  “I took away all your hatred. Now you have the ability to love others again. Do you feel like hurting us now?”

  The rock elf looked around. “No.”

  Koppor took his hand and brought him to the closest tree, “Touch the tree.”

  The rock elf held out a hand to the tree and jumped back after the touch. “It’s alive?”

  “All of nature is alive. You just were taught to hate. Now with love you can feel others. You can heal life just as all light elves do. You see, you were once one of us, but you were never told about the hidden powers of healing you’ve always had deep inside of you. I could see that in you because I was like you not long ago, following orders and not knowing the joy of healing, the joy of giving life to nature. Light elves are not made for fighting. Instead, we’re built for protecting life in nature. You are now one of us. Your power for healing will start growing stronger and stronger inside of you. Soon, all you’ll be concerned with is taking care of living things in nature,” said Koppor.

  The elf looked at her with the knowledge she’d changed him.

  The villagers stood with wonder. Was Koppor really able to change a rock elf to a light elf?

  Beck walked up to the elf and asked, “What is your name?”

  “Peder,” said the elf shyly, looking around at the elves encircling him.

  “Welcome to your new home!” beamed Beck as he patted Peder on the back. “I’m Beck, the leader in this village, along with my wife, Agda, standing there.

  “We can always use another hand in our village. Welcome,” said Agda as Peder was pulled into one of her hugs. The new light elf stood in awe of what just happened.

  “Koppor, can I speak to you please?” I asked as I led Koppor to the edge of the village away from the circle.

  “Yes, Aly?”

  “Can you change all the rock elves? Should I not send them away?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. I could see a dim light in Peder. That’s what made me believe I could turn him. I have no idea if it, this magic, is something that’ll work on the next rock elf or not. We can only try, right?” asked Koppor with a hopeful smile.

  “Right,” I answered, smiling back at this talented elf who was full of confidence now that she had discovered her magical abilities. It made me happy to see she had found her gift and grew more and more powerful with it. She had regained all the respect she’d lost while being a lead elf. She was now one of the most highly regarded members of the village.

  Koppor’s eyes suddenly got larger as she pointed to the trees behind us. Our movements may have been detected as we were at the very end of the magical barrier hiding the village. Standing three feet away was the largest dwarf I had seen so far. He was bent over sniffing the ground, then tasting the dirt, “They’re here . . . and close by, those sneaky, sniveling, light elves. We have ’em now,” the dwarf sneered, looking at the rock elf on his shoulder, who smiled back.

  Koppor whispered, “Aly, there is no light in that rock elf.”

  “Did you hear something?” the dwarf asked.

  I knew I had to be quick so as softly and fast as I could speak I repeated, “Send this dwarf and rock elf to swamplands. Send this dwarf and rock elf to swamplands. Send this dwarf and rock elf to swamplands!” Poof! The second threat was gone. I turned to ask how many more might be out there and saw the village light elves and their newest member looking in shock at me.

  “Now that was close, dear,” Agda said, sighing with her hand on her heart. “He was in full charge at you! How did he know you were there?”

  “We were too close to the barrier. A dwarf’s hearing is more acute than other creatures. We all need to be aware that the center of the barrier is the safest, and when a dwarf’s around we all should stay silent.” I turned around and started shaking when I noticed the footprint left in the dirt was very close to where I stood. />
  Koppor hugged my leg as she sighed, “You did it, Aly.”

  “No, Koppor, we did it today. We are an awesome team!”

  We smiled at each other, then walked to where Peder stood.

  “Peder, how many more dwarfs are in the area? Are they near here like these two?” I questioned.

  “These were the only ones this near. The wind blew the wolf scent our way last night, so we broke up to search. Did you know of the wolf?” asked Peder.

  “Yes, we did. How many dwarfs in total are around?”

  “Six, now four. Where did you send them? How can you do that magic? You’re just a human girl.”

  “Now that you’re part of my village, let me introduce myself. I’m Aly, this village’s guardian. I’m gifted with the powers to protect light elves. You’ll see me here often, but I don’t live here,” I replied. “So the threat is gone from this village, right?”

  “Right, but the others may not be far away.”

  Just then birder elves flew in from two directions. “They’ve turned and are coming this way,” one warned us. “I heard one of the dwarfs say the wolf scent has moved back here.”

  At first I thought Fen may have been coming to help me but then it dawned on me: I smelled of wolf! I had just left Fen. “Go quick and let Silver’s village know it’s me who’s drawing them here. I smell like wolf! I just left him minutes ago!”

  The birds quickly took flight toward the other village.

  “I’m so sorry. I’m attracting the dwarfs to the village. I think I should leave,” I said. “I’m putting you all in danger.”

  “Aly, you’re not going anywhere! You’re safer here under the invisible cloaking spell than out in the open. They may smell you but they can’t detect you, and help is coming,” said Beck.

  “He’s right. We can’t lose you. We’ll all fight! Remember, there are only four dwarfs left,” said Agda, with Koppor nodding along next to her.

  “Get ready, elves! Here they come!” announced Beck.

  The dwarf and his rock elf partner came running along the creek toward us. I immediately made my chant at first sight of them. Poof! They were gone.

  The next two dwarfs running behind them froze at the sight of their companions disappearing. They looked around to try to detect where the magic was coming from. Beck was right, I was better hidden under the invisible spell. I was feeling weaker now and knew my powers would soon be drained, so I pulled out the amulet and pointed it at the two dwarfs and their rock elf riders. I wasn’t sure I could zap them all, but it was worth a try. “Slumber now!” I yelled as loudly as I could. The amulet flashed a stream of light to the four creatures. I heard the thuds as the bodies fell to the ground.

  “Smart move, Aly!” Grandma said as she appeared right next to me. “I have the last one, kiddo. Sit down and rest.”

  Grandma banished the last dwarf-and-rock-elf duo to the swamplands. She was about to have me wake up the four sleeping intruders when Koppor came forward. “Alice, I want to see if the rock elves can be changed,” she said. “Please, let me look closely at them before you do anything.”

  “Changed to what, Koppor?” asked Grandma, confused.

  “A light elf like me,” said Peder as he walked to Grandma. “She changed me, and I hope she can change them, too.”

  I started to explain to Grandma what happened as Koppor and Agda walked over to the sleeping creatures. I said, “When I transported the first dwarf, I forgot to include ‘rock elf’ in the statement. Peder was left here, but Koppor saw he had light inside of him. She healed his hatred and showed him how he now holds the power to heal others. It was amazing to watch, but you can see the results for yourself. Watch Koppor.”

  Grandma turned to watch Koppor start to glow and get stronger and stronger. Soon she was connected to one of the rock elves, and then parted. The rock elf was still under the slumber spell and had no idea he had been changed. Koppor walked over to the other elf and repeated the process.

  “She sure has come a long way! Unbelievable!” said Grandma as she watched the magic.

  Koppor stood back and motioned Peder to her. “You know these two,” she said to him. “They’re going to need your help in understanding the change. Aly, you can wake them up now!”

  “Let’s move them away from the dwarfs first. We only want the elves to wake up, not the dwarfs yet.” I said as I rose to help move them a good distance away.

  When I was satisfied, I held the amulet toward them and said, “Awaken now!”

  The two former rock elves stood looking at us all with fear until Peder approached them. “Relax, you two. You’re safe and amongst friends. Look at your skin. It’s changed, pinker. Take off your hats! Your eyes won’t hurt from the sunlight anymore. Magic has changed us back to our true form. Agda here,” said Peder, holding Agda’s hand, “has told me why. At one time we were light elves and our ancestors broke away and went to live with the giants in the mountains. We mined for them, along with the dwarfs, and that’s why we were named rock elves. We never knew we had light elf powers. Come here and touch this tree. Do you feel the life in it?”

  The two new light elves nodded.

  “We have powers to heal nature. Koppor healed us from the hatred we were raised with. I would rather spend my days healing trees than hunting light elves for King Helmar, wouldn’t you?”

  “Won’t Helmar hunt us now?” asked one of the elves.

  “Yes, but we have magic with us. Look at those sleeping dwarfs. They didn’t kill them. I just saw the others be transported to a swampland. Nobody had to die. I want this new life, don’t you?” asked Peder

  “Yes, but how did this happen?” asked the other elf.

  “I saw the light in you and so I transformed you,” answered Koppor. “Even if you wanted to return to where you’re from, you’d return as a light elf. All the negative parts of your being have left. Come with me. It’s time for me to show you what powers you now hold,” Koppor continued, taking all three new light elves with her into the woods.

  “Amazing, is all I can say,” said Grandma, watching them walk away. “Now to the dwarfs. Aly, I want you to shine the amulet only at one at a time. I’ll send them away so you can regain your strength in case more visitors arrive.”

  I took out the amulet and let the sun direct the shine to just one dwarf. “Awaken now!”

  Grandma did her chant, and the dwarf vanished before he was fully awakened. We did the exact same procedure for the last dwarf. The woods were free of danger at the moment.

  Silver swooped down on Asa shortly after. “Is all safe?” she asked. “I saw the last two disappear.”

  “We’re fine, and now we’ve gained three new light elves!” I smiled at Silver.

  “Aly, what are you talking about?” asked Silver.

  “Your sister transformed three rock elves into light elves with her healing power. Here she comes now with the new elves,” I said, pointing to the wooded area.

  Koppor returned with three excited elves. They were free! They were no longer under King Helmar’s control.

  Agda pulled Silver aside to explain it all as Grandma and I said our goodbyes and headed back to her house.

  Chapter 12

  Grandma and I arrived back right as Mom’s car pulled up. Emily had the cookies in a big plastic container and was ready to leave. “Now that was cutting it close,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if Mom came in today. How would I explain you and Grandma being gone with Grandma’s car in the garage?”

  “I’m just glad we made it before that happened,” sighed Grandma, “Take it easy tonight, Aly. I’ll inform the others what happened today. I’ll see you two tomorrow at your house for Christmas Eve.”

  Grandma hugged us both before we rushed to the car.

  I s
ighed as I sat down in the backseat of the car. It was going to be a tough trying to stay awake when my body wanted to rest. I decided to enlist Emily’s help. I telepathically spoke to her. Emily, can you do the talking tonight with Mom and Dad? I’m shot. I only hope I don’t fall asleep at dinner.

  Got it, Aly. How many creatures did you send away?

  Three dwarfs and one rock elf. Wait ’til we get home and I can tell you and the twins all that happened. A dwarf almost caught me before he was sent away!

  Mom interrupted our silent conversation. She scrunched her nose and said, “You two must be spending most of the day outside. You smell majorly like a wet dog! I say jackets get washed along with you two tonight. Whew!”

  “Sorry, Mom, it was beautiful outside today. I wonder if we’ll have snow for Christmas. Look how fast it’s melting!” I said.

  “Sad, isn’t it? I heard on the radio light snow could to fall tonight. To me it seems too warm, though,” replied Mom.

  “I hope it snows. I want a white Christmas!” said Emily.

  Soon we were all singing, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know . . .”

  By the time we got home, we were on our third Christmas song and laughing along with singing. We made dinner while still singing and were still in that mode when Dad arrived.

  “I was just wondering when the Christmas spirit was going to hit this house. Sounds like it just happened. Anybody up for watching White Christmas tonight?

  Mom, Emily, and I burst out laughing and could hardly stop.

  “What did I say?” asked Dad.

  Between laughter we told him.

  After dinner we all sat downstairs and watched the traditional movie. I was surprised I stayed awake for the whole show. I guess the Christmas spirit gave me some extra energy.

  I called first bath when the movie ended. Dad laughed as he said, “Good. You two really smell! I didn’t want to be mean, but what did you do today?”