Once Geriba was safely locked in the cell with Ava and Louis Baba Yelka, the others returned to the dormitory and kept watch through the fairies’ mirror. They could see the two fairies at the bottom of the hill laying out a length of spun fibres Baba Yelka had given them: they carefully rolled it out across the pathway before returning to their hiding place nearby. On the other side of the hill they could see the third fairy crouched down behind the large rock, keeping watch over the entrance to the fairy camp. The sun darkened as it started its journey down towards the horizon, and with a strong wind pushing the clouds across the sky the hillside was cast in intermittent shadows, creating an eerie half-light.
Finally, the silence was broken with the sound of voices and the heavy thud of horses’ hooves. As Ferreira and several guards emerged from the entrance, they gathered outside, chatting for several minutes before Ferreira led them cautiously down the gravel pathway. The fairy in hiding waited till Ferreira had passed by before standing up and throwing a large stone, hitting Ferreira’s horse. He quickly scrambled back over the top of the hill. The horse reared up, gave out a high-pitched neigh, and bolted forward with Ferreira clinging on, trying in vain to gain control. The guards just seemed to freeze, their mouths wide open, a look of disbelief on their faces as they watched Ferreira racing down the hillside. All of a sudden one of them snapped out of it and gave chase with the others following. The horse slowed down slightly as the pathway swept round the side of the hill and continued down. As it passed by, the fairy was making his way from the top and over to a large pile of rocks above the pathway. He started to rock the stones backwards and forwards until suddenly they rolled forward, gathering momentum on their way down and disturbing huge lumps of slate and debris, causing a landslide which came crashing onto the pathway, blocking it off completely. He laughed out loud as he made his way down to the pathway and ran to join his two companions. Ferreira was still trying to bring his horse under control as he approached the two fairies who were hidden from sight a few metres from the pathway. And as his horse reached the spun fibre lying on the road, Baba Yelka, watching in the mirror, flicked her wand and screamed out a rhyme. The spun fibre shot up from the pathway, catching Ferreira by the throat and knocking him from his horse, leaving him rolling on the ground totally winded. The two fairies ran from their hiding place and slipped on the amulet just as the third fairy arrived, panting out of breath, with a huge grin on his face. But his expression changed as he heard shooting, and turned to see the guards charging down the pathway on foot, their weapons drawn.
The three fairies managed to drag Ferreira to his feet but he couldn’t move: he was still struggling for breath. They lifted him bodily up and carried him down towards the gulley with the guards closing rapidly on him, and as they ran through the portal, the fairy at the back screamed out and one of the guards attacked him with his sword.
Baba Yelka quickly closed the portal just as the guards reached the spot, but the injured fairy fell flat on the floor, screaming in pain as the blood spurted from a wound on his shoulder. Baba Yelka bent over him.
‘Cut away his clothing, try and stop the bleeding, I will be back shortly,’ she said as he headed for the door. The two fairies knelt over their friend and started to open his jacket and cut away his clothing. They rolled up a piece of the cloth and held it tightly against the wound, with the injured fairy starting to slip into a dangerous state with the loss of so much blood. There was a sigh of relief from the fairies as Baba Yelka entered the room, carrying an old jug. She removed the cloth and poured the contents of the jug over the wound, and the injured fairy’s eyes shot wide open and he screamed out in pain. The blood continued to flow but, as Baba Yelka waved her wand towards it and mumbled a strange, incoherent rhyme, those in the room gasped in amazement, as right before their eyes the blood stopped flowing and the wound slowly disappeared completely. The wounded fairy stood up to look at his shoulder, felt it and shook his head: now they all realised how powerful her magic was. She brushed them aside as they tried to thank her.
‘Come,’ she said in a sharp voice. ‘Bring Ferreira, we will take him to join his friends.’ She managed an evil cackle before ambling out of the room, with the fairies escorting Ferreira following close behind.
Baba Yelka and the remainder of the army were seated on the Dwarfs’ bed watching the mirror as the servant returned to the kitchen with the Prince’s two guards; the servant set the table in the corner beside the cauldron with three bowls and three goblets as the guards pulled up their chairs. He filled the bowls and carried a large container from the cupboard to fill the goblets before sitting down beside them. They laughed and chattered as they proceeded to eat the contents of the bowls, stopping now and again to take a drink; after just a short time they began to sway a little and struggled to keep their eyes open. One of the guards realised there was something amiss and tried to stagger to his feet, but collapsed in a heap on the floor. The other guard and servant sat still, sunk back in their chairs, before, as if in slow motion, slid down onto the floor.
The door to the food store quietly opened and the three Dwarfs crept out and over to the motionless bodies on the floor. Once they had checked they were sound asleep, they stripped off the servants’ clothing and the Dwarf taking his place swapped with his. The servant had already set down the Prince’s tray, a beautiful, ornate, golden tray with matching bowl and goblet which was standing on a small table beside the cauldron. The servant filled them, picked up the tray and turned to his companions.
‘What do you think? Will I pass?’
They both nodded. ‘His own mother couldn’t tell the difference,’ one of them said as he smothered his laughter. ‘It really is incredible but remember, say as little as possible to the Prince, just place the tray down, bow your head, and ask if there will be anything else. Leave the room as fast as you can, but not too quickly: don’t look as though you are in a hurry.’ The servant bowed his head with a mischievous grin before turning and slipping out of the room. Accompanied by the two guards, they made their way along the passageways to the Prince’s room: the two guards stayed outside, one either side of the door. The servant nodded his head after he had prepared himself. He knocked and the Prince ordered him to enter. He took a deep breath before quietly opening the door and slipping inside. He closed the door and froze for a moment, his heart beating like a bag of hammers as he glanced warily over to the Prince. Surely he would know it wasn’t the real servant, he thought, as he started to shake, fighting to stop the tray crashing down onto the floor.
‘Come in,’ said the Prince in a soft, friendly voice which helped ease the servant’s fears. ‘You can put the tray down, I feel quite hungry. Then go and prepare my weapons and armour ready for the night patrol.’
The servant bowed his head. ‘Yes sire,’ he answered in a quaky voice as he placed the tray on the table and disappeared into the bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. He watched as the Prince strode over to the table and sat down. Luckily, the Prince was hungry and he was soon tucking into the bowl. After he had finished he sank back in his chair and took a drink from the goblet. His head was wobbling slightly as he fought to stay awake but realised there was something wrong.
‘Guards!’ he shouted. ‘Guards, quickly!’ The door swung open and the two guards marched inside.
‘What is it, sire? Can we help?’
The Prince was so strong physically and mentally, and able to fight the effects of the witches’ brew. ‘Go tell my father something is amiss. No! You stay here: send the servant, we might have intruders.’ One of the guards slipped out the amulet while the Prince was instructing the servant, keeping it out of sight. He nodded to the other guard and they shuffled closer to the Prince who, by then, was sliding further down the chair.
‘Can we help, sire?’ he said as they took hold and eased him back up, but as the Prince tried to stretch and straighten himself up, the guards pounced, one grabbing his arm while the other clamped the amulet on. By this time
his strength had all but gone: all he could muster was a clumsy attempt to strike the guard before Baba Yelka took control.
The servant quickly checked the passageway before waving the two guards, who were virtually carrying the Prince, to follow as they made their way back to the kitchen and through the portal. There was a huge cheer from the army as they entered the dormitory and for the first time a broad, satisfied smirk spread across Baba Yelka’s face. This was the final piece of her plan and the most important one: the King would have to give her the magic hammer now and that, along with her powers, would make her indestructible, something all sorcerers craved for: ultimate power. She gave out a spine-chilling cackle as she led the Prince out of the room.
Back in the orphanage, Shaun was becoming increasingly worried. He had tried twice over the past week to make contact with Ava without success. He would try once more that evening. So after he had finished his lessons and had tea, he retired to his study, sank back in his chair and made himself comfortable. He closed his eyes and took hold of the leprechaun’s shoe he wore in a chain around his neck. Louis’ father, the King, had given Shaun and Ava the charms – one right foot, one left – and he told them as long as they wore them around their necks they would always be able to feel the presence of the other. But sadly again he could feel nothing: his mind was racing nineteen to the dozen. Why would she take the chain off? He had been back for two years and always when he held the shoe he immediately felt her with him and could see her face in his mind’s eye, but now nothing at all.
He sat there for several minutes. What would he do? What could he do now? He was really concerned as he squeezed the golden shoe: instead of the happy feeling he had experienced in the past there was now a negative feeling filled with despair.
‘Louis!’ he shouted out loud. ‘Of course, I can contact Louis. Now what did he tell me to do?’ He again closed his eyes as he tried desperately to picture their last moments together: he could see Louis taking off his belt and placing it around Shaun’s waist. ‘I have granted you one wish. You still have another two: when you decide to use one, place both hands on the belt, close your eyes and say your wish out loud, and if you need my help twist the belt buckle and I will come to you as fast as I can.’
‘Of course,’ thought Shaun, ‘that’s it.’ He sank in his chair, closed his eyes and gave the buckle a firm twist, but nothing happened. He waited and waited, all the time becoming more and more anxious. ‘The Grey Elf could help: he knows everything that goes on in Colgilor. How can I contact him?’ He pondered for a moment. ‘A wish, of course, a wish.’ He placed both hands on the belt, closed his eyes and shouted out loud, ‘I wish I was with the Grey Elf in Colgilor! Please work this time.’ He sighed as he waited and waited, becoming increasingly desperate. He knew something really bad had happened and he must find a way back. ‘Louis’ father when he placed the chain with the shoe around his neck said he would grant me a wish. Maybe he can: it’s worth a try.’
So once again he sat back and closed his eyes as he took hold of his shoe. ‘Please could you grant the wish you promised me? Transport me back to the Grey Elf’s castle,’ he said in a loud, emotional voice. Again he waited and waited. Just as he was about to give up hope the room started to shake and vibrate as a swirling carpet of fairy dust rose from the floor, lifting Shaun out of his seat and spiriting him towards the ceiling. All of a sudden there was a loud bang and he disappeared. What happened next was indescribable: it was like an out-of-body experience. He was inside a sphere of golden fairy dust hurtling skyward. He thought the ride on the magic carpet over the rainbow on his first visit to Colgilor was something special, but this was something else. It all seemed to be happening in slow motion as he floated up through the clouds before picking up speed and shooting off, skimming over the tops of the clouds up and down like a fairground ride. Was this really happening? he thought. Maybe it was a dream but he felt so awake, so alive, as the adrenalin coursed through his body. And as he glanced down through a gap in the clouds he could see Blarney Castle below. ‘How strange,’ he thought but then it all became clear as a rainbow burst forth up through the clouds and to his amazement the sphere slipped inside. He laughed out loud. How remarkable: this must be the same rainbow he, Ava and Louis travelled inside over to Colgilor.
Sure enough, the rainbow arced across the sky before dropping down and ending up in the beautiful garden at the foot of the mountain that towered over the Grey Elf’s Castle. As the magic carpet had done previously, the sphere floated up to the mountain which opened up and through to the tunnel which wound its way, twisting and turning, along to the castle, coming to rest in the huge entrance lobby. As Shaun stepped out of the sphere, the Grey Elf appeared, his wrinkled face creased into a huge, warm smile as he put his arms out and walked towards Shaun. His dark grey eyes suddenly lit up.
‘I’m so glad to see you,’ he said as he wrapped his arms around him in a firm embrace. ‘Come,’ said the Grey Elf, leading him through the huge, ornate doors into the dining area. ‘If I remember rightly, you will be hungry: you were always hungry,’ he said with a mischievous chuckle. ‘We will take refreshments and I will tell you what I know.’
They took a seat at the table and two elves appeared carrying plates of food and drinks, but for the first time food was not top of Shaun’s priorities. The Grey Elf looked a little perplexed as Shaun pushed away the plate and turned to him.
‘Have you heard from Louis or Ava?’
The Grey Elf shook his head his face folded in a frown. ‘Afraid not, but both have gone missing, just disappeared.’
‘How could they both disappear?’
Again the Grey Elf shook his head. ‘It is a mystery but that’s not all. I have had reports of others going missing. A long time ago all the Kingdoms were at war fighting for their lands or the evil element forming renegade groups attacking and destroying the habitat of peaceful, law-abiding groups. So once the Kingdoms finally made peace with one another, I set up magic mirrors for each of their leaders so they could contact me in times of trouble. As the only way out of Colgilor is through my castle. I could prevent any of them escaping or in this case make sure no one could be smuggled out of the land against their will.’
‘Who else has gone missing?’ Shaun said as he finally gave in to his hunger and began clearing one of the plates.
‘Geriba from the goblin kingdom, Ferreira from the fairy camp, and the Prince from the Dwarfs’ forge.’
‘The Prince!’ spluttered Shaun, nearly choking on a piece of cake. ‘How could that happen? I can understand the goblins and even the fairies, but the Dwarfs: who or what could possibly go against the power of the Dwarfs?’
‘Yes, that troubled me. Obviously magic must have been used for, as you say, there is no army in Colgilor that could or would dare go face to face with the Dwarfs. I doubt very much if all the armies together would consider such folly.’
Shaun continued eating, listening intently to every word, and all of a sudden the penny dropped. ‘The witch – the wicked witch – she has magic and do you see, all those who have gone missing were involved with our quest. And furthermore the last words of the witch as we left her lying defeated on the floor, banging her fists on the ground, were: “Get out, get out! Enjoy your little victory but I swear to all that is evil I will have my revenge. You will all feel the pain I am feeling and much more.”’
The Grey Elf stroked his beard. ‘Of course it must be her: she is a powerful enemy and her defeat made her the laughing stock of Colgilor. She was always thought of as one of the most feared, but along comes a leprechaun, a young boy and a young elf, and they totally humiliate her. Yes, thinking about it now, it must certainly be her.’
‘So what can we do? It is me she wants. Maybe I could swap places with her prisoners.’
The Grey Elf leant over and squeezed his arm. ‘Your courage never ceases to amaze me, but it would be a fruitless gesture. She would take you, but never let the others go. We must work out a plan. I’
m sure with all of the Kingdoms anxious to defeat her, we will be able to succeed. First of all, we need to find out where she is holding them, so we will need to use your courage to the full. Would you be willing to go back into her house?’
‘Of course,’ Shaun said, jumping to his feet. ‘No time like the present.’
A broad smile crossed the Grey Elf’s face. ‘No, it won’t be that easy. Remember you had the Dwarfs’ magic hammer last time, so we need to think of another way to protect you. Finish your meal and just enjoy the rest of the day while I sort out a safe way for you to enter the house. It will take me some time. We will talk again in the morning after you have had time to sleep and recover from your journey.’
The following morning the Grey Elf, carrying his crooked staff, led Shaun out of the dining room after breakfast along the corridor. ‘I don’t need to blindfold you this time. You have earned my trust. I have been working most of the night and I believe I have come up with a plan.’
They continued through the twists and turns of the passageways, coming to a halt in front of a stone wall. The Grey Elf raised his staff, and an opening appeared. He ushered Shaun through into a large cave which housed the magic room. It was exactly as Shaun remembered on his first visit. Several large, flaming torches hanging on the walls cast an eerie light across the floor. The stone bench where they had sat with a row of old chests lined up against the wall opposite. The magic square with the glowing artificial light slowly moving around, and in the middle of the square stood the huge, ornate mirror with the shelf attached. The Grey Elf ambled over to one of the chests and the lid creaked loudly as he lifted it up. He bent over and took out a flimsy silk roll of material, and as he carried it over to where Shaun was seated, the flickering light from the torches seemed to engulf the material from the sides of the cave. To Shaun’s amazement the silk unrolled itself, swaying and swirling as it shimmied to the movement of the light and, finally wrapping itself around the Grey Elf like a shroud, he disappeared.
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