War in Colgilor

by Colin Gibbons

  Shaun stretched his arms and yawned. ‘I don’t feel very hungry. In fact, I don’t think I could eat anything. The sooner I get this over with, the better. I’m more worried about facing Ava than I ever was facing the Trolls or the Dark Wizard.’

  The Grey Elf laughed out loud. ‘Not hungry? That must be the first time ever. No one in Colgilor would believe that but I think you should relax and try to eat something before you speak to her, otherwise you will make things worse for both of you if you are downbeat.’

  After reluctantly following the Grey Elf into the dining room and managing to eat a little, he had to admit he felt better, still feeling sad but a lot more settled than he had been. The Grey Elf waved him over and he trudged silently behind the Elf as they returned to the magic room.

  He took a deep breath as he sat in front of the portal and forced a smile as Ava’s face lit up on the screen, they just sat looking at each other for a few moments before Ava broke the silence. ‘Are you not coming back to see me as you promised? I assume you’ve made up your mind, so just tell me.’

  Shaun’s stomach was doing somersaults and his heart was beating so fast he thought it would burst out of his chest. Finally he sighed out, ‘I’m so sorry–’

  But before he could utter another word, Ava burst into floods of tears, jumped up and disappeared from the screen. Princes Elba appeared. ‘I’m sorry, Shaun, but Ava has run away. She is heading down towards the waterfall. I think she just wants to be alone. So you have made your mind up: you’re returning to your homeland. I understand but I feel it will be a long time before Ava gets over it – that is if she ever does.’ A smile crossed her face. ‘But you must do what is right for you. I wish you well and hope you find what you are looking for back home.’ With that, her face faded and the portal closed.

  Shaun turned to the Grey Elf, his face creased with sadness. ‘I just hope she is okay. I would never forgive myself if something happens to her. This is my worst nightmare. The sooner I leave, the better.’

  The Elf nodded in agreement. ‘Very well. Just entertain yourself while I prepare for your journey home. There are a few things I need to do to make sure you arrive there safely.’

  Back at the Elves’ Kingdom, Princess Elba and Ellena, escorted by several of the Elven Warriors, headed down to the waterfall, but there was no sign of Ava. Ellena dropped her head as she dashed through the curtain of ice-cold water to find Ava at the other side staring over the lake. Ellena threw her arms around her. ‘Thank goodness you are okay. We were worried about you.’ Ava turned and forced a smile. ‘I’m sorry. I was stupid but I thought when Shaun had to make a final decision he would not be able to leave me again.’ She pointed over to the other side of the lake. ‘That is where Shaun, Louis and myself first laid eyes on this beautiful idyllic place when we were on Louis’ Quest. I just fell in love with it. I did say to Shaun, could we not stay here for the rest of our lives? The magical, alluring atmosphere seemed to take over my whole being.’ She turned to Ellena. ‘Does that make sense?’ Ellena hugged her tightly. ‘Of course it does, because although you didn’t know it at the time, you were born here. This is where you belong. I suppose Shaun has the same feelings for his homeland.’

  Ava nodded and a half-smile spread across her face. ‘Yes, you are right, I will just have to accept that, but it doesn’t make it any easier.’

  Ellena took Ava’s hand in hers and led her back through the waterfall, giggling as the cold water spray engulfed them. Princess Elba was waiting for them and they headed back up the grassy meadow. They were stopped in their tracks when there was an explosion of cheering and screaming coming from the Elves’ camp, which was over the brow of the hill just out of sight.

  Princess Elba waved the warriors forward while she, Ellena and Ava followed close behind. Although they were all trying to guess what had caused the uproar, nothing could have prepared them for what came into view as they reached the hilltop. All the Elves were rushing out of their houses and running down to join the warriors who were gathered in the centre of the camp, all shouting and cheering as Princess Elba, Ellena and Ava drew near. The crowd opened up and standing in the middle was Shaun, dressed from head to toe in elven clothing.

  Ava screamed out loud as she ran as fast as her legs would carry her, and she leapt into Shaun’s arms, knocking him off his feet. They ended up on the grass, laughing and crying at the same time.

  Ava wiped her eyes. ‘Why? How?’ she whispered.

  Shaun squeezed her so tight. ‘In the end I just couldn’t leave. You and I belong wherever you are. If I’m honest I was never really happy when I returned home before but the work I was doing helping the vulnerable, bullied children seemed to blank out the pain in my heart and the continuous feeling of how pointless life was without you.’

  Princess Elba raised her hand and the camp died down into complete silence. She helped Shaun and Ava up on their feet before turning to the crowd. ‘This is the greatest day in elven folklore. Shaun, the hero of Colgilor, who led the army of our warriors and the warriors of the other Kingdoms into battle against the army of the evil Dark Wizard and was victorious, clearing our wonderful land of evil and, although all the Kingdoms have offered him a home, he has chosen to stay with us. We will have the biggest celebration that we have ever put on with lots of music, dancing and of course the main thing, especially for Shaun, a huge banquet.’ She paused a moment, a mischievous grin on her face. ‘No, we need two banquets, one for Shaun and the other for the rest of us.’ The whole camp once again burst into laughter and cheers.

  ‘Ava turned to Shaun. ‘It’s remarkable: all the heroic things you have achieved in Colgilor, but you are most famous for your appetite.’ She slapped his tummy, turned and ran away with Shaun following her.

  The following morning all the Elves were busy preparing for the celebration which was to be held on the large, grassed area inside the ring of toadstools, with dozens of tables and chairs placed around the perimeter and in the centre a decorated bandstand. Some of the Elves were filling the tables with plates of food and drinks. They were all dressed with brightly coloured clothes and flower chains around their necks; others were gathering the wild flowers nearby to make beautiful coloured garlands.

  When Ava and Shaun stepped out of their house Ava screamed with delight as she looked down on all the activity. ‘Oh how wonderful all this is for you, Shaun. Isn’t it fantastic? And look, the musicians are heading for the bandstand. Come on, we don’t want to miss any of it.’ She grabbed his hand and dragged him forward.

  Princess Elba and Ellena were waiting for them and led them over to one of the tables that had been specially prepared for them. As soon as they sat down, two Elves came over with armfuls of garlands and placed one around each of their necks. Once they were settled, Princess Elba waved over to the dozens of Elves waiting outside the area, and they flooded in, taking their places on the tables. When everyone was finally seated and wearing their garlands, the musicians began to play. Ellena and Ava dragged the reluctant Shaun up and started to dance. Shaun’s face said it all: he would have preferred to eat first, and anyway, dancing was for females, but he had little choice and forced a smile as he shuffled around, constantly glancing down at the plates of food.

  Sometime later he was rescued by the musicians. They finished one of their medleys and waved Ava over to give one of her solo performances. Ellena escorted Ava over to the bandstand, and Shaun took his seat at the table with a huge smile on his face. As Shaun tucked into the delicious food the sound of Ava’s magical melody floated through the air and the whole area slipped into a hypnotic silence.

  Shaun sank back in his chair, enjoying his meal. As he glanced over to the bandstand the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as the ball of sun above the bandstand cast a golden halo around Ava’s head as her fingers ran up and down the flute. Truly a sensational setting and her music was a wondrous, magical thing: he had seen and heard this before when he first laid eyes on her at the auditions for t
he Cork band back in Ireland. He sighed out loud as he realised how lucky he was living in this wonderful paradise with these special friends and the food – oh, the food, that was heavenly!