Chapter 4

 

 

Jena and Dom stood still as stone, looking up at the giant figures of Eldor and Nyssa with frightened expressions. They didn’t know what to expect from them or whether they were in trouble. But Nyssa could see they were scared and quickly smiled, her eyes warm and friendly.

 

‘Hello,’ she said. ‘My name’s Nyssa. Are you really gnomes?’

 

Jena nodded.

 

‘Yes… yes, we are,’ she replied hesitantly. ‘My name is Jena and this is my brother, Dom.’

 

‘Where have you come from?’ Nyssa asked. ‘No-one has seen your folk in Lendor for hundreds of years!’

 

‘We’re lost!’ Dom exclaimed breathlessly. ‘We got trapped in this huge wooden bowl and were swept down the Swift River… till it carried us right underneath the mountains…  then we got out and followed a trail to your cottage.’

 

‘Good wizards, what a mouthful!’ Eldor grinned at him.

 

‘You’ll have to excuse my brother… he gets carried away sometimes when he’s excited,’ Jena said, giving Dom a frown.

 

‘Well, it all must have been very frightening,’ Nyssa said.

 

‘It was, but now we don’t know how to get home,’ Jena said. ‘Our parents will be really worried about us.’

 

‘Well, I’m sure we can help you somehow,’ Nyssa said and looked up at Eldor enquiringly.

 

The wizard was looking at both of them with a suddenly odd expression. It was almost as if he was frightened of something Jena thought. But the look was quickly gone and he smiled at them.

 

‘Well, I’m sure we can,’ he replied, then waved a hand at the disturbed food. ‘But first, it seems you are a little hungry.’

 

‘We’re sorry we ate something without asking,’ Jena said. ‘But we haven’t eaten...’

 

‘... for days!’ Dom exclaimed.

 

‘Days, eh!’ Eldor chuckled. ‘Well, in that case you must be about to fade away. I imagine you won’t say no to joining Nyssa and I in some soup then?’

 

‘We certainly wouldn’t!’ Dom agreed heartily.

 

* * *

 

It didn’t take long for the table to be reset for the two guests. Nyssa found two eggcups, placing them upside down for them to sit on. Then she put saucers on top of teacups to act as tables and plates. Eldor found them some very tiny spoons he said he used to feed injured animals with. He also found them two sewing thimbles to drink from.

 

By then night was beginning to fall and the sky beyond the window was twinkling with a few early stars. Nyssa lit some candles on the table and above the fireplace and then Eldor served the soup.

 

It was a vegetable one and the gnomes tucked into it hungrily. They had two helpings each and wiped their saucers clean with pieces of bread. Then with dinner over Nyssa picked them up and carried them over to some cushions on the floor before the fireplace. Eldor put some fresh logs on the fire and then settled into the rocking chair.

 

‘So, you must tell more about your journey,’ he said as he looked down at them at his feet.

 

‘Yes, I would like to hear about the underground river,’ Nyssa said as she pulled up a stool from the kitchen table.

 

Jena and Dom took turns in telling their harrowing tale. How they had discovered the huge bowl and took shelter in it during the storm. How the wind broke off a branch and knocked the bowl into the stream. Then being swept down the Swift River and the terrifying discovery that it flowed under the mountains.

 

But to Dom’s surprise however, Jena told a very different story when they got to the waterfall. She said that they fell down it and luckily landed in the river again. He didn’t say anything as he thought she must have a good reason for not telling the truth.

 

‘Anyway...’ Jena went on. ‘... the river carried us to a bridge near here and we escaped the bowl. We followed the forest trail to your cottage and well... here we are!’

 

‘Good elves, what an adventure!’ Nyssa said.

 

‘Indeed!’ Eldor agreed. ‘You were very lucky to have survived.’

 

‘But what shall we do now?’ Jena asked. ‘How will we get home again?’

 

Nyssa looked up at Eldor.

 

‘There must be something we can do, Eldor,’ she said.

 

‘I’m sure there is. But let’s not worry about it tonight,’ he replied. ‘I’ll go and have a look at the waterfall tomorrow and see if there is way up the mountains from there. For now, let’s get some sleep as I’m sure you’re both tired.’

 

Jena and Dom did suddenly feel very tired and the thought of sleep was a welcome one. Eldor said they could sleep on the cushions where the fire would keep them warm. Nyssa wished them goodnight as she blew out all the candles and then went off to one of the beds.

 

That left Eldor still in his rocking chair, which it seemed, he slept in. In the ruddy glow of the fire he was looking at Jena intently.

 

‘That’s quite a nice bracelet you have, Jena,’ he said. ‘Have you had it long?’

 

‘Oh, not long. My grandmother gave it to me on my last birthday,’ she replied.

 

‘Your grandmother, eh?’ the wizard said thoughtfully, but said nothing more.

 

Jena rolled onto her side and looked up at the window. In the sky she could see stars twinkling brightly. A wind was sighing about the clearing outside and it soon lulled her to sleep. But not before she wondered whether Eldor knew something about her bracelet.

 

* * *

 

Moonwing’s hooting woke her in the morning from a deep, sound slumber. She opened her eyes in time to see him glide out through the window. Then she heard Eldor and Nyssa talking outside the cottage, their voices carrying inside.

 

‘I’ll be gone for a couple of days, Nyssa,’ the wizard said. ‘Keep a close eye on Jena and Dom till I return.’

 

‘Of course, Eldor... but why are you worried about them?’ Nyssa asked.

 

‘I won’t go into it now, but the gnomes of old disappeared from Lendor for a reason,’ he replied.

 

Jena looked to see if Dom was awake on the other cushion. He was and he winked slyly at her as Eldor continued.

 

‘The fairies will be very concerned to know they have returned. Mogrom on the other hand might be very glad.’

 

The gnomes heard Nyssa gasp sharply.

 

‘Good elves! What would she want with them?’

 

‘That’s a story I hope will never have to be told,’ Eldor replied in grim tone. ‘I want to return Jena and Dom home before she does.’

 

‘Can we go for a walk?’ Nyssa asked. ‘I was thinking about taking them up to Emerald Hill.’

 

There was silence for a few moments and then Eldor replied.

 

‘Very well, but just keep your eyes open.’

 

‘You know I will, Eldor,’ Nyssa replied.

 

‘Good, then I’ll see you when I return,’ he said and the gnomes heard his footsteps heading down the path.

 

Nyssa came back inside the cottage with a merry whistle. Dom gave a huge yawn as he sat up, pretending to have just woken up.

 

‘Ah... you’re awake!’ she smiled at him as she went over to the stove.

 

‘So am I,’ Jena said as she sat up.

 

‘Well, if you want breakfast you can have a wash first,’ Nyssa said. ‘You’ll find a bowl of water, soap and towels out the front by the door.’

 

They were quickly up at the thought of breakfast. It was another fine spring day outside, the sky blue and the air cool and fresh. They gave their faces and hands a good wash, the cold water chasing away the last traces of sleep. As they were drying themselves, Dom poked Jena with a finger.

 

‘Why did lie about what happened at the waterfall, Jena?’ he asked.

 

‘Because I think we should keep it a secret for the moment, Dom,’ she replied. ‘You heard Eldor say he’s worried about our sudden appearance and this Mogrom person doesn’t sound very nice. I’d just as soon get home before we find out why.’

 

‘Mmm... I guess you’re right,’ Dom said.

 

They heard Nyssa calling to say breakfast was ready and whether they wanted it hot or cold. They hurried back into the cottage and Nyssa lifted them onto the table. Once again places had been set for them and they were quickly enjoying egg and mushroom omelettes.

 

‘Has Eldor gone up to the waterfall, Nyssa?’ Dom asked as they ate.

 

The elf nodded.

 

‘He’ll be back in a couple of days,’ she replied. ‘Whilst he’s away we’ll explore some of the forest. How does that sound?’

 

Jena and Dom readily agreed, though of course they already knew they were going to a place called Emerald Hill.

 

* * *

 

They shortly left, both gnomes riding on Nyssa’s shoulders and hanging onto a braid of her hair. She followed a narrow trail that wound the forest and as the morning passed Jena and Dom telling her more of Gnome Hollow. Nyssa in turn told them more about the land of Lendor and the folk who lived in it.

 

‘My folk, the elves, live in a huge forest far to the north called the Forest of Rivers. Most elves live in my city, which we call Leaf-Fall, though there are scattered villages all through the forest. My father, Nemon, is our king and one day I shall be queen.’

 

‘The elves sound like a wonderful folk,’ Jena said.

 

‘Why, thank you, Jena,’ Nyssa smiled at her. ‘But we aren’t the only folk in Lendor. There are folk called dwarves who live in the Chill Mountains to north of my forest. It’s a pity you didn’t arrive several days ago as you missed meeting one of my best friends. His name is Lore.’

 

‘What are dwarves like?’ Dom asked, quite intrigued by their name.

 

‘Well, they are a little like gnomes actually, Dom,’ Nyssa replied. ‘They are short folk, a head shorter than elves, but very broad in the chest and shoulders like you. They are great miners and make fine jewellery and weapons. Lore is the heir to throne like me and his father is King Brodon. Then there are folk called fairies who live in the Quiet Woods to the east of the Forest of Rivers. They are your size and fly on large silver wings.’

 

Jena and Dom shared a look between them. The fairies sounded very much like the girl Jena had seen in her dream.

 

‘So why are you here staying with Eldor?’ Dom asked.

 

‘Oh, he often has an elf or dwarf or both staying with him when he’s at home here in the Deep Woods,’ she replied.

 

‘How long have you known him?’ he went on, keen to find out more about the wizard… and what a wizard was.

 

‘Oh... ever since I was born. But elves, dwarves and fairies have known him for hundreds of years. My father says that he has been alive far beyond any elf’s memory.’

 

‘What is a wizard exactly?’ Jena asked.

 

‘Well... it’s hard to describe really. He’s very wise and has powerful magic at his command,’ Nyssa replied.

 

‘Magic?’ Dom enquired.

 

‘It’s a sought of power, Dom,’ Nyssa explained. ‘Eldor has a special bond with things of the earth, plants and animals, even rock and stone.’

 

‘That sounds amazing!’ Dom said in wonder.

 

‘Are the fairies magical?’ Jena asked.

 

‘Yes, they are. Why do ask, Jena?’

 

‘Oh, no reason,’ she replied. ‘I was just wondering.’

 

‘Is Mogrom magical?’ Dom asked without thinking and Nyssa eyed him sharply.

 

‘So… you were listening to Eldor and I this morning, were you?’

 

‘Well... I couldn’t help it really,’ he replied a little guiltily.

 

‘Mmm... well since you’ve heard her name you might as well know a little bit about her,’ she said. ‘Mogrom is magical too and is a sorceress. She can control the weather and can cast spells to control folk. She lives in the Midnight Mountains with goblins.’

 

‘Goblins?’ Jena asked a little nervously, not liking the sound of their name at all.

 

‘They are a wicked and dangerous folk… always causing trouble in Lendor,’ Nyssa replied.

 

‘They don’t sound very nice,’ Dom said.

 

‘They’re not,’ Nyssa replied firmly, but then added with a reassuring smile. ‘But don’t worry, we won’t see any so close to Eldor’s home.’

 

They soon arrived at the foot of a large hill, the trail winding up it through the trees. The trees ended about half way up and here the gnomes’ eyes opened wide in wonder. The top of the hill was almost completely bare and covered in thick, bright green grass. On its very crown grew a huge solitary oak.

 

‘Welcome to Emerald Hill,’ Nyssa said with a wave of a hand. ‘From here we can see much of the surrounding lands.’

 

They climbed up to the tree and Nyssa sat down under its shade. The gnomes jumped from her shoulders and looked out beyond the hill. The Deep Woods spread south as far as they could see, whilst to the east they could see the high peaks of their mountains.

 

But to the west lay another range of mountains and Jena got an unpleasant feeling about them. They were made of a very dark, almost black stone and seemed almost threatening.

 

‘Are they the Midnight Mountains?‘ she asked, pointing at them.

 

Nyssa nodded with a grim expression.

 

‘They don’t look very pleasant,’ Dom remarked.

 

‘They’re not,’ Nyssa agreed. ‘But we won’t be going anywhere near them. Come on, let’s eat.’

 

They moved down the hill a short way to sit in the sun to have lunch. Nyssa spread out a blanket on the ground and unpacked a basket she had brought with her. Shortly they were munching away on slabs of cheese, sweet green pickles and hunks of fresh bread. To wash that down they drank some delicious blackberry juice.

 

But as they ate they were being watched. Perched on a branch of the oak was a large raven, black as night. It eyed them intently for a while, then suddenly leapt into the air away from where they sat. It headed westwards, winging its way swiftly toward the Midnight Mountains.

 

* * *

 

It was late that afternoon when the raven approached a huge castle high in the mountains. It gave a harsh caw as it flew over its high walls and glided toward a tall tower rising from its centre. A single open window lay just below its crown and it glimmered red like a menacing eye.

 

The raven glided through it and cawed loudly as it settled on a perch on a wall. The air was lit by bright red lanterns hanging on the walls and in one wall was a large fireplace. Standing before it was a figure in purple robes and a hooded cloak. Mogrom the Sorceress turned and crimson eyes gleamed from under her hood.

 

‘Ah, one of my pets returned from some spying, eh?’ she said in a cackling voice.

 

The raven cawed in reply and Mogrom stepped up to it, her eyes flickering brightly.

 

‘Have we seen something interesting, eh?’ she asked as she gazed deep into the raven’s eyes.

 

She gave a sudden snarl of disgust.

 

‘Bah! One of those horrid elves!’ she snapped.

 

Then her eyes blazed fiercely and she gave a wicked cry of delight.

 

‘Gnomes! Gnomes have returned... and the bracelet! The bracelet is with them!’

 

She stretched out a bony finger toward the raven and gave it a scratch under its beak with a long nail.

 

‘Well now, my pet!’ she cackled. ‘Perhaps this time it will be mine!’

 

The raven agreed with a long, rasping caw.