Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 54

“Would you like to try?” The elf gave him a nasty look and began his own attack. This lasted for only a short period before he gave up, wearing himself out quickly. The Northern elf took a different approach. He tried to probe the magic and the box itself thinking he might be able to nudge the lid open, to no avail. The Village elf took a more direct approach as did Rian, only he did his best to melt the lid of the box, only to be met with Erlenkönig's glowing magic. “Erlenkönig's magic is yet strong even after being gone for so long. I will admit even your magic may not be able to open this box,” Dyndoeth admitted to his doubts, as he whispered to his friend. The Southern Councilman tried pressing the floor around the vault and not attacking the box directly, but this did not work any better than any of the others. Joulupukki thought about what Dyndoeth had said and an idea began to form in his mind. He looked more closely at the lid of the vault. It had numerous letters seemingly haphazardly placed on tiles that looked like they could be moved. There was one empty space that allowed for the repositioning of each of the other tiles. He recognized this. “Seileach, if you would please, I would have no doubts about the outcome when I open the vault. Seileach's effort was strong but half hearted with no better result. “Dyndoeth, you knew Erlenkönig, perhaps you will have better luck.” “You are right, Joulupukki, I think perhaps I did know him best and for that reason I will decline. Erlenkönig's magic is far beyond me.” “May I," he looked for permission from Seileach who simply nodded his head. He turned to the Erin Elf and asked him, “If you are attacked by another elf what would you do?” In a contempt filled tone he responded, “I would return his attack.” “With magic,” he continued? “Of course with magic,” the elf responded again. “Dyndoeth, you and Ceridfen seem to be good parents and you have many children who live in your house. When you run out of rooms for them to sleep in what do you do?” Wondering at what Joulupukki was leading to he answered, “We create more, Joulupukki.” “Oh, you take hammer and nails and wood and construct new rooms onto your cottage.” “No,” there was a bit of an edge developing in his voice. “I use magic to expand the rooms.” Turning to Seileach he inquired, “If someone drops by for dinner uninvited,” the Elder elf blushed lightly as he listened, “but you have already finished cooking the meal, what would you do?” “I would make a sufficient amount more with my magic, Joulupukki. Where are you going with this?” “I'm glad you asked. How could my father know what kind of magic I would have as I grew older. Would it be like his or maybe a hybrid. Aisling had no magic but how would that mix with his. Would it make me weak? He had no way of knowing. What he did know and admired about humans was their ability to overcome obstacles. They have no magic, but they are clever and imaginative. He believed that no matter what the elves did to the humans, they would find a way to overcome it. A good example was the destruction of the Ibero Kingdom. When elves require a solution to a problem, they always reach for their magic. Humans have no need for magic, they have ingenuity. I believe he used that when creating this vault.” Joulupukki stepped over the hole that Rian had created and knelt down beside the vault. “He assumed that any elf that tried to open the vault would naturally use magic to open it, but I am only half elf. I am also half human.” “A Freak,” every one heard Rian say.