Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 47

“Well, Joulupukki, how do you feel about the conversation we had with Seileach, at evening meal, the other night?” They had not spoken much for the last few days, Dyndoeth concerned with the safety of his cottage and family, and Joulupukki practicing his magic. “I must admit, when I brought up the idea of deceiving Rian about moving the throne, I thought the veins on his forehead might burst.” Dyndoeth laughed. They were standing in the protected room while they spoke, but there was really no reason, the Elder had seen to it that the entire cottage, including the stable were by now well protected from spying eyes. “My first thought was that, with the best of intentions, he would immediately take the information back to the Council for their opinion. As it stands now, I am not so sure.” “I feel the same said the elf. If Rian had been informed of moving the throne there would surely have been some kind of backlash from him by now.” “That would also suggest that, as yet, the throne has not been moved,” added the half elf. “Do you know when the next full day recess will be?” “No,” responded DynDoeth. “They set their own schedules so that the days they meet allow for all members to attend, usually five or six out of seven days.” Later that evening Ceridfen heard the chime that announced that someone was waiting at the door. When she answered it, she saw an elf she did not know standing there with some papers in his hand. Looking past her scanning the room, she could feel his magic's gentle touch probing the inside of the cottage. “May I help you,” she asked? “Um,” he started, “I have been sent by the council to deliver these papers to Joulupukki, I understand he lives with you.” “That is correct, I will be happy to take them to him,” but the Elf, still probing the gathering room of the cottage said, “I am sorry, but I must deliver them to the hands of Joulupukki and no on else. I will be happy to wait inside while you get him.” The elf took a step forward and Ceridfen blocked his way. “No you will not!” she exclaimed, undaunted. “You will wait outside and I will return with him shortly.” As soon as she closed the door, to several of the older children sitting in the great room she said in a soft but urgent tone, “go find DynDoeth, Joulupukki, Gwaldon and Lumi. Quickly!” she said. “The rest of you go to your rooms.” Through the clamor of little feet and the complaints of a couple of the children, Gwaldon appeared almost immediately. “What is it Ceridfen,” He asked quickly, concern visible on his face. “There is an elf that I have not seen at the door with papers that he claimed were from the Council. He insisted on giving them to Joulupukki. He was probing the Cottage with his magic and attempted to enter the room. I think there may be more of them hiding in the shadows, but I'm not sure. When he tried to step through the threshold, I told him he would wait outside and slammed the door in his face.” “That's my girl,” he said with a smile, speaking to her as if she were sixteen again. Joulupukki and DynDoeth hurried into the room and joined the others, Lumi arriving just before them. Ceridfen explained what the urgency was about to all of them, once again. Joulupukki reached out with his magic as well as did the other elves, searching through the door and probing the surrounding area. They all found traces of residual magic but the elves that had been there had already departed, all except the one just outside of the door. “Lumi,” Dyndoeth pulled him aside, “with all of your stealth, find the Lead Council Guard, give this note to him.” He grabbed a quill from the side table and scribbled a short note on a scrap of paper, handing it to Lumi and urging him to be careful but swift. The young elf sprinted to the back of the cottage. “What was that,” Gwaldon asked? Joulupukki was the one who answered, “If the elf outside has actual papers from the council and he is not from the council than there is a guard, somewhere out there, from whom they were taken.” “Exactly,” said Dyndoeth, “hopefully the guards can find him before it is too late.”