Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 44

“I apologize for any offense I have given to your wife,” DynDoeth. DynDoeth just smiled. Joulupukki, after listening quietly since the meal began, spoke up. “Seileach, Ceridfen has a wicked sense of humor. She was just pulling your leg.” “Pulling my leg,” he said confused? “A human expression, it means good humored ribbing ...joking with you. She is an exceptional cook but not even she could create a meal like tonight's without a little magical help.” “Oh, I'm relieved she was not hurt by my remark.” DynDoeth added, “No, she is not upset.” “Did you know,” Seileach started again, “in the land across the sea between the North and South Clans I worked for a while with native humans. They have hybridized a grain that was once nothing more than grass and has now been transformed into a large core surrounded by fingernail sized kernels. It is sweet when it is fresh but it can also be dried and pulverized into flour for making dough and breads.” Excitedly, DynDoeth cut him off, “Yes, I know this grain. A relative from the Northern Clan brought some of the dried seeds to me some time ago. I gave them to the Garden Elf and he grew them into short trees. Each one had seven or eight edible fruits filled with seeds. He dried most of it and manipulated it with his earth magic. He was working with the Stable Elf who was looking for a new source of food for the deer, but when he fed it to one of them, the deer left the floor and started floating near the ceiling of the stable. It was a devil of a time getting him down and they had to tie a heavy pack on his back to keep him on the ground. There was no harm done to the deer, in fact, he seemed to enjoy it, and the effects wore off in a few days.” “I would have liked to have seen that,” “Me too,” said Joulupukki. With the food having been consumed and the drink mostly gone, the conversation took on a more serious tone, “I have enjoyed this very much, Seileach, and you must come back again, but now we must discuss the reason for your being here.” Dyndoeth started with the lullaby and explained its meaning with occasional interjections by Joulupukki, mostly when Seileach asked him a question. “We believe that Erlenkönig had a secret vault hidden in the old throne room, but the only way to find it is by relocating the throne to its original location. By allowing the morning rays of the sun to pass through the mural and then through the carved sun on the back of the throne, the light should point to the location of the vault. We believe that the only magic that will be able to open the vault is his son's, Joulupukki's. Inside I am certain you will find additional documents that will help to clarify who the real King is.” “A compelling argument you have offered me,” said the Elder Councilman. “If I agree to this, it will not be easy to convince Rian to move the throne. It will also be difficult to position it exactly where it stood the last time Erlenkönig saw it.” “We thought it best if the throne is moved on the next full day recess of the council. I understand that Rian remains in his suite during these days. With a little luck he will not even know until the Council reconvenes to hear my evidence.” Joulupukki humbled himself before the elf. “I will have to think about this.” Seileach pushed back his chair and stood. Dyndoeth stood beside the tall elf and with a sincere tone he offered a warning to the other, “Rian will stop at nothing to gain control of the elves. He intends to be king. I know there are doubts in your mind about this and I know you are fare and give all elves the benefit of the doubt. I also know that you will find it difficult to believe what I am about to tell you. At our first meeting in the Council room Rian sent forth a strong stream of magic into his staff, its destination, you. He attempted to see to your demise.” Seileach looked confused and a bit troubled. “I felt no magic that day, except the guard's protective magic against this young gentleman here,” gesturing to Joulupukki with a nod. “You must be mistaken, DynDoeth. Why would he want me eliminated? I have backed all of the reasonable requests he has made.” “Neither did I feel his magic,” conceded DynDoeth, “but you did not agree with him when he wanted to strip my magic from me which infuriated him. Anger is reason enough for creatures like Rian.” “His request was not reasonable.” The Elder Council Elf agreed. “But did you not notice how he fell back onto the throne clutching his head at the end of the meeting? Luckily Joulupukki was watching Rian during the entire proceeding and realized he was getting very angry and he might use his magic. I won't try to explain how he did it, but trust me when I say Joulupukki has magic that the elves have never seen before. He managed to reverse the attack and send Rian's energy streaming back against him.” “Are you the match of your father, I mean, Erlenkönig?” Seileach asked.