Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 67

The half elf watched as Lumi spoke with Chroí; then, in the center of the circle the soil began to move and from it appeared the Garden Elf. He said nothing, he never spoke. The elf turned to Gwaldon and Gwaldon gestured for the circle to touch hands. Lumi took a step back from Chroí, as the circle began to chant. The Garden Elf stretched his arms toward the bright light in the sky. A beam of energy emanated from his finger tips and expanded toward the light. The elves in the circle began to glow as their energy grew to join the Garden Elf's. Joulupukki watched, amazed, at the extreme power exerted by the Garden Elf as he reached for the light. As they worked their magic. their demeanor began to change. He watched as tears began to flow down each elf's face. He caught Dyndoeth's gaze who gave him a questioning look. They watched as even Gwaldon began to show signs of distress, moving slowly around to join him. The glow of the Garden Elf's magic began to wane as he slumped in the center of the circle, tears freely flooding his face. Across the grass he saw Chroí call out as she turned and fell into Lumi's arms. Dyndoeth saw this as well as he reached for Gwaldon's arm to help support him. “Gwaldon?” Joulupukki questioned, “What is happening? Are you well?” “The Garden Elf?” He responded. They looked to the middle of the circle and caught only a glimpse of the dirt moving as the elf burrowed his way back into earth. With a sigh of relief, Gwaldon said, “I will be fine, please, Joulupukki, check on the others and, Ceridfen if you and Dyndoeth would, please help me into the cottage.” Glancing around Joulupukki saw all of the elves with tears in their eyes but otherwise seeming uninjured, except for Chroí who lay in Lumi's arms unmoving. He sprinted across the circle and leaned down to check on the young elf. “Joulupukki, help her, please help her,” the tears on Lumi's face did not come from the same place as those of the other elves. Joulupukki checked her carefully. She had strong breath and her skin was warm. He pinched her lightly on her palm and her fingers curled inward. He rubbed his thumb nail across the inside of her calf and felt her muscle respond. He turned to Lumi and said, “I believe her magic has just been drained and she fainted. Where does she live. We need to get her home where someone can take care of her for the next few days until she can regain her strength. I think she will be fine. He started to lift her but Lumi hefted her in his own arms and said, “I will take her. She lives alone in a small house on the edge of the village. There is no one to take care of her.” “Take her in the cottage and find Ceridfen. She will find a place for her. She does not need to be alone for now.” Lumi did as he was told as Joulupukki checked each remaining elf to be sure they were well enough to make their way back home. When he had finished he went in side and found Dyndoeth and Gwaldon sitting in the Eating Room. “I can't explain the feeling,” Gwaldon was saying to Dyndoeth as he sat down in front of them. Ceridfen stepped into the room behind him and laid a warm cup of broth in front of the two elves and asked Joulupukki if he would like some. “Do not go to any trouble for me, Ceridfen. How is Chroí?” “She will be fine after a few days of rest. It is no trouble. I need to take some upstairs anyway, in case she wakes.” She went back to the other room for the broth. Gwaldon Continued. “I have never experienced such complete desolation. The object we touched seemed nothing more than an enormous rock covered in ice. No life what-so-ever. The Garden elf simply could not bare the desolation. A world that was completely devoid of life. No magic to be found anywhere. That is why we all became so distressed. The object was not the cause, it was the pain that we found in the Garden Elf.” A tear ran down the old elf's face and he wiped it away. “I will check on him as soon as I regain my strength.” “He will not be poking his head out of the soil for days or even a week as drained as he must be.” Dyndoeth told him. “You have time to rest.” Ceridfen made her way back to the table and laid a mug in front of Joulupukki, who promptly stood in front of her and said, “Sit here. I will take the broth to Lumi. You are tired, so sit and enjoy this broth,” pushing his own mug in front of her. When I return I will put together a small smorgasbord and we can have dinner.” She smiled at him and handed him the two mugs for Lumi and his friend. Laying a hand on his arm she sat in the vacated chair and directed him to the room they were in at the top of the stairs.