Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 79

Lumi smiled and reached out to grab his shoulder. They passed over the ridge where, as Joulupukki had said, a small hamlet clung to the side of the mountain about equal distance to the valley below . The half elf guided the sleigh close to the tree tops and angled it toward a small plateau that jutted from the side of the mountain just above Nordgrend. He lead the team of deer straight down the mountain with the plateau between them and the hamlet, keeping the sleigh from the town's view. The sled glided to a smooth stop. “We will not be here long,” he said to Lumi as he opened the door and stepped to the ground. He walked to the back of the sled and removed the death box from the cabin and started dragging it toward his mother's grave. “Wait, let me help,” Lumi offered, “what's the hurry.” The half elf stopped and let his friend lift the other end of the box. As they carried it to the grave, Lumi could feel his King's discomfort. “Talk to me, Joulupukki, what is bothering you? Have you started hiding things from me now?” “No my friend, it is something from my past, before I met you. There is nothing that can be done about it and I didn't wish to cause discomfort for you.” “What is it,” Lumi continued?” They laid the box down and Joulupukki stared at the headstone, 'Aisling' was all he could think to carve on it so long ago. It still seemed right. Tears filled his eyes as he stood there, then wiping them away, he noticed flowers arranged in a vase beside the stone. They were fresh. Someone had placed them there recently. Unlike any place that they had lived before, his mother was well loved here. Many people came to show their respect for her when she first departed, but it had been over a year now. Perhaps it was Raðulfr. He knew the shop keep had special feelings for his mother and may very well have loved her in his limited way. More than likely it was Jessica. Her bond with his mother had become very strong as well. He glanced at Lumi and started to explain. “When I lived here some time ago, I met the most beautiful, caring and free spirited woman I have ever known. I fell deeply in love with her, but I have thought about this for a long time, and I think it would be best, with all that has happened, to leave her with her peaceful life here. She may have already married, or this time of year she may be off in a caravan bartering for winter goods," but seeing the flowers he had second thoughts about the caravan. "I wish her happiness, but regardless, what would she want with a half-ling like me. Let's just leave it like that.” Lumi's eyes grew wide and he started to cover his ears but stopped in mid motion as the human woman stood looking straight at him. There was neither fear nor antipathy in her expression. Joulupukki saw the look on his face but before he could turn he heard the woman speak. “No, I am not away on the caravan. I decided not to go because I was waiting," she hesitated, "waiting for you, ...for you to fulfill your promise. You said that we would be together again, but I guess it is not yet time. It seems you will leave without even coming to see me. You must have a good reason, so, I will wait. And, no, I am not married. There is only one for me and I will stay as long as it takes, even if he never returns for me, because I love him. So,” with what sounded like half chuckling and half crying, she reached out her hand and laid it on his back, “leave with your elf and your flying deer. I will remain here, until you are ready for me, and I will wait.” There was no anger in her voice, only pain and disappointment. Tears obscured his view as he listened to her. He did not want her to see him cry but finally turned to face her. She was walking away. “Stop,” he said gently, “please, don't leave.” She turned to look back at him. “I have never been happier than the time I spent here. The time I spent with my mother, ...grandmother, and with your father, but mostly with you. I wish I could turn back time to those beautiful days, but that is not possible. I have learned much about myself, Jessica, and I have found out who I am. I am not that simple toy maker you knew when I lived here. I am half elf and half human. Does that not bother you?” “Is that what created those beautiful blue eyes?” she asked. He laughed to himself, “I guess.” “Then I don't care what you are. At least your not a goat,” she teased. At that moment he saw her for the woman she was, the woman he knew. The woman he loved. He reached for her and kissed her, listening to Lumi laughing in the background. “I am sorry my love. I do love you.” “I know,” she said, “I have always known, plus I heard what you said to your elf friend.” They laughed together as she turned and reached out her hand to Lumi, “I am Jessica,” he took it in his. “Lumi,” he said. “Very nice to meet you Lumi.” Quickly Joulupukki explained to Jessica about their adventure to retrieve both his father and mother's remains to re-inter them together in the Village where they belonged. “You have been to this elf village,” she asked him? “Yes, but it is a very long story that I will tell you at a different time.” They talked as they worked eventually placing Aisling's box in the cabin next to Erlenkönig's. “Will you be joining us for the next leg of our journey,” Lumi inquired of Jessica. “Where are you going,” she asked? “We have to find an elf that we need back in the Village. No one knows where he lives. They only know that he moved north and was thought to be living in a cave.” After hearing this she insisted, “Joulupukki, you must speak to my father before you leave.” She started down the path to the hamlet, dragging Joulupukki along side of her. “He has a tale I think you should hear. He will be so happy to see you.” She sounded almost giddy as she spoke with him.