Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 88

“Lumi, what food do we have left in the sleigh,” Joulupukki asked the elf. “A good deal of it, dried meat, bread, jam, nuts and most of the dried fruit. Why?” Then it dawned on him, “we do not have enough to fill these Trolls.” “What if we multiplied it?” “Multiplied it,” Jessica asked? “Yes, elfin magic cannot create something that does not exist, but, as long as there is something to work with, it can multiply that item almost without limits, just as he did for your father.” “That's amazing,” she said. “Joulupukki, to create enough food to satisfy those Trolls will take me days, with what we have.” I believe I can help with that,” Bréagán offered. “It's kind of my specialty. I also have some food that they can have.” The two elves moved back toward the sleigh, Jessica yelling, “I'll help.” They looked back at her with questioning expressions. “I can help carry the food,” and under her breath she said, “I can probably carry more than either one of you two can.” Joulupukki heard this and snickered. He then reached out with his mind again touching the Trolls' magic following it to its source deep within the Trolls' mind's. He did this with each one of them until he found the one that was most feared in the group. This must be the leader he thought. There were eight of them, five adults, two children and one very old one. They stood and watched Joulupukki for a while before they went back to hammering their fists against the barrier. One of the smaller ones found himself too close to what appeared to be a female when she kicked him so hard he flew through the air landing next to the old one. The old Troll stayed well clear of the rest of the group. Without warning the young Troll grabbed the old ones right leg and bit it off just below the knee. The old one made no sound, but the two young ones began fighting over the leg until they were noticed by the leader. He bellowed incomprehensibly and ran after the two who dropped the leg and ran as if they were running for their lives. The leader picked up the leg and moved over to the old Troll. He grabbed his bleeding stump and tried to figure out how to re-attach his leg. He puzzled over it and turned it first in one direction then in another, looking at his own leg trying to figure out how it should fit. After spending several hours at his task his interest began to wane and he left the old Troll lying unconscious on the ground. He stepped back to the cave entrance and realized he still had the leg in his hand and started banging it against the magic wall as if it were a club. The more he beat it against the barrier the more blood spewed from the leg. Then as if a new thought developed in his simple mind he started using his fist to pound the wall while licking the leg clean. The pile of food had been gathered and with Joulupukki's and especially Bréagán's help they had amassed a considerable amount for the Trolls to eat and not too few toys to go with it. “You should take what you need, Bréagán,” Joulupukki suggested. “I have reconsidered your offer,” Bréagán told him. “I will join you on your journey back to the Village. I will need none of this, but thank you, my King.” “That is wonderful news,” Lumi said and Joulupukki smiled and nodded his agreement. “In a moment if you will release your magic I will invite these creatures in to enjoy a meal. We must be on our toes. They do not seem very bright but they are still dangerous. Be ready with the sleigh Lumi and Jessica stay close to him.” Lumi and Jessica moved back to the hreinin deer and mounted the sleigh. “If you will,” Joulupukki gestured to the old elf.