The elves from the Crystal Mountain were first, and placed ornaments on the tables in the form of crystal trees, intricately made with great detail. The Firestorm elves followed, and their gifts were also ornaments in the shape of dragons. The gifts from the Ice Mountain were also ornaments in the shape of snowy owls in a frosty looking crystal. The Brightstone elves made up the set with fairy ornaments carved from the rock so it would glow at night.
Alex realised the gifts were more of a competition to see who were the most skilful, but each gift impressed him equally. ‘These are stunning.’
‘There is another gift for you, and the other warriors,’ said Torgon. ‘We have armour for you all.’
‘That’s a mighty gift, but I thought leather was scarce.’
‘Indeed it is, but all four kingdoms have enough spare, and we can modify any for you and the gnomes.’
‘That’s very kind of you, and now it’s our turn with the gifts.’
Joseph, dressed in robes, walked up to the tables and placed a strip of leather and a piece of wood on the tables in front of the elves. ‘Please note, these are only tokens as the wood and leather would more than fill up this tent.’
Torgon nodded at the other elf leaders. ‘We have already received ours, and it is more wood than we have had since we moved here.’
Thalion picked up the strip of wood. ‘And much-needed it is too.’
‘It will be in all your kingdoms when you return,’ Alex told them.
‘We thank you so much for this,’ said Marakus.
‘It makes our gifts so small,’ said Roscoe.
Alex stared at the detail in the ornaments. ‘Only in size but not in beauty. Where we come from I can buy anything we need, but not these gifts. They’re amazing, and I feel very privileged to receive them.
Fergal walked over and placed the spice racks down the tables. ‘These be also only tokens as the spices we be giving you will come in much bigger containers.’
‘This is a mighty gift, also,’ said Thalion, ‘and from a mighty friend we have not seen for such a long time.’
Fergal winked. ‘It has been an honour and delight to come here.’
‘Now us,’ said Daisy, with Lark on her shoulder.
Ellinor beamed at them. ‘Of course, my friends, please come forward.’
The puca did, placing a piece of paper in front of the elves, and Lark placed a pencil with an eraser on one end down on the table.
‘These are also what they said, and there’s a lot more to give you, and if you write something with the pencil you can rub it out with the other end,’ said Daisy, very quickly.
Tyra couldn’t help smiling at them. ‘It’s like magic, and it’s something we have not had in a long time, we thank you.’
‘Now we feast,’ said Torgon, as extra tables were brought inside the tent and many more placed outside.
~~~~
‘The traders can go to their stalls as the fair is now open,’ Rasmus announced.
‘No dinner for you,’ James told Claire.
She shrugged. ‘The stall comes first.’
‘Do not worry, all us stallholders will eat,’ said a female elf. ‘Everyone takes their turn as there are only so many spaces at the tables, and it is best we get trading first.’
‘What do you trade?’ Claire asked.
‘Scents, we make our own, I am Lilicus.’
‘I’m Claire, and this is Paige. We’re trading buttons, belts and buckles plus a few other things.’
Lilicus’s eyes grew big. ‘Do you have some gold coloured buttons?’
‘Yes, we have lots of them, how many do you need?’
‘Six, I will give you a bottle of scent for each.’
‘I really don’t think we could accept that many bottles, but I’ll put the buttons aside for you.’
~~~~
Alex leant back feeling full. He enjoyed the meal, and for a change he got to wash it down with ale even though it was daytime.
‘We have to move now,’ Torgon said to him.
‘What, so soon?’
‘Yes, I am afraid so, as there are others waiting for our seats.’
Alex smiled. ‘Ah good, I thought you meant the dance.’
‘No, that’s after everyone has eaten, we just take a stroll around the fair.’
‘That I can handle,’ said Alex, and they all stood as the tables were cleared.
They walked through the tents looking at the stalls with Alex and Carrie being offered something off all the stalls.
‘It’s not that I don’t want any of these things, but I haven’t brought anything to trade. I’m sure my friends have most likely traded with you,’ he said, not knowing how this all worked. If all the stall holders had to trade items, shouldn’t they be trading with each other?
‘These are gifts to you,’ said Thalion. ‘You have already traded, as you gave them wood.’
Carrie dragged Alex over to another stall with a hand over her mouth.
Tyra noticed and joined them. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘Yes, of course, it’s just something Thalion said,’ Carrie whispered, as she tried not to laugh.
‘Is it humorous or shocking?’ said Tyra, with Ellinor standing beside her.
‘Can I whisper it to you?’
‘Of course, it makes it more interesting that way.’
Carrie told them, and explained what it meant. The two female elves looked shocked, and Alex blushed. She turned to the elf. ‘Lord Thalion, can we call it timber and not wood?’
‘It is just Thalion now, not lord, and might I ask why?’
‘You gave everyone timber, sounds better, but I’m not sure how much better,’ she said, and the two female elves started laughing.
Thalion arched an eyebrow. ‘Did I miss something?’
Tyra grabbed his arm. ‘I will tell you later, dear.’
Alex and Carrie accepted the gifts, and Rilien stood there with a box to put them in.
‘That’s kind of you.’
‘You do let me watch films,’ said the elf.
‘You don’t have to do that just to watch a film.’
‘I like to do it as a thank you.’
Marakus sniffed the air. ‘What’s that wonderful smell?’
Alex pointed at Summer’s stall. ‘Cakes.’
‘This I have to try.’
Alex stepped over to the stall. ‘How’s business going, ladies?’
Summer put a slice of cake on a paper plate. ‘Too good, I just hope I have enough for everyone.’
‘Well, you’ve got a few here who want to try.’
‘They’re welcome to try whatever they fancy.’
‘Have you received much in return?’
‘Loads, it’s hard to say no.’
‘I find it easier to say thank you,’ said Claire, at the next table.
‘I have noticed that, too,’ said Alex, pointing at Rilien holding a box.
‘How did you get those? You’re not even trading.’
‘You don’t want to know,’ said Carrie.
‘I have a friendly face,’ said Alex, realising this really wasn’t a trade fair but somewhere that they could give away the stuff they make, and hope whoever takes it will enjoy it just like Summer’s stall. Claire and Paige’s stall was one of the only few which had items on that anyone actually needed.
Carrie received another small bottle. ‘I have so many new scents.’
‘What do you need them for?’ Alex asked.
‘It’s always nice to try a new one.’
‘But you don’t need one.’
‘All ladies like a new scent,’ said Ellinor.
‘But I love Carrie’s smell, I always have.’ Alex said it before he thought about it.
‘That is a lovely thing to say,’ said Ellinor, ‘but would a different scent make that much difference.’
Marakus dabbed his lips with a napkin which came with the cake. ‘Of course it does, like mint sauce, you try putting any of those other s
auces on my food and I won’t be happy.’
Ellinor shook her head. ‘I hope you don’t intend to eat the ladies.’
‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’
‘Mint sauce and a scent for a woman are completely different, and I do hope you are not getting Lady Henga to wear that.’
‘No, of course not, she always smells lovely. I never know what it’s called, but I always like it.’
Carrie looked at Alex whose arm she was still holding. Her hand slid down and took his hand in hers. ‘Did you really mean what you just said?’
‘Well, yeah, I’ve always loved your smell,’ said Alex, and he breathed in her scent once more, her face was so close to his.
‘I think you’re going to be so much fun here,’ said Thalion, as he put his arms around both of them.
Alex looked away from Carrie, almost embarrassed. ‘I don’t think elves are going to be what I expected.’
Carrie pursed her lips. ‘Not very good on their timing.’
Thalion removed his arms. ‘My brother Torgon is everything you would want to know about an elf. I love him very much, but we’ve had no fun here in a long time, and you already have them arguing.’
Alex rubbed his chin. ‘You’re brother might surprise you, he’s been a lot of fun since we’ve been here.’
‘Yes I imagine so, and I blame you for that. Tell me, are you looking forward to the dance?’
‘Not particularly.’
‘Why not, when you have such a beautiful woman to dance with?’
‘It’s a shame that some of our own kind are not as charming as elves,’ said Carrie, as she looked at Alex.
Alex grimaced. ‘Yeah, I can see the dance has some merits. There are no other formalities afterwards.’
Thalion nodded. ‘There is, and it’s the fun part.’
Alex raised both eyebrows. ‘And what’s that?’
‘We drink of course, lots of it.’
‘That we can do,’ said Carrie, almost sounding relieved.
Torgon shook his head. ‘No drinking for a while, as you had one with your meal.’
Thalion raised both eyebrows. ‘It is what we have always done, or are you changing the rules.’
‘Yes, Brother, we have a tournament, and I don’t want you getting drunk beforehand.’
Marakus rubbed his hands together. ‘What kind of tournament?’
‘One that you will enjoy, but not until after the dance, and one hopes that you might want to replace the dance with this tournament in years to come.’
‘Can we skip the dance, then?’ said Thalion, somewhat excited.
‘My lord, you cannot ask that,’ said Rasmus, somewhat shocked. He was one of the oldest looking elves with grey hair.
Torgon put a comforting hand on the older elf’s shoulder. ‘Do not worry, my old friend, the dance will go ahead for this year at least.’
‘Believe it or not, I am not over fond of the dance, but others look forward to it. Many will be upset if it does not take place.’
‘Dear Uncle, I would never want to upset you,’ said Thalion. ‘And as I get to dance with my beautiful wife, I will always take part.’
‘Someone older than you,’ Alex whispered to Torgon.
‘At least a thousand years older from what I remember, he is not our real uncle but my parent’s closest friend, and he counselled us after they went away.’
‘Where did they go?’
‘They had some tasks to do with the new worlds, but I never found out what they were, not long after that they died.’
Thalion put his arm around his brother. ‘We will talk about that at a more suitable time.’
The dance only lasted ten minutes. Alex decided he liked dancing as he got to keep his arms around Carrie longer than he had before. Asima made James dance, just as Morven did with Adair. Paige and Claire also joined in as did Joseph, Daralis, George, Luella, and the Stevens. Everyone walked beyond the tents, where ten targets were being set up with nothing behind as the elves did not want any accidents. The visiting elves looked taken aback when they saw the bows and arrows.
Roscoe stopped in his tracks. ‘How have you got weapons here?’
‘I do not see any weapons,’ said Torgon. ‘Only a piece of wood and string so we can play a game.’
Marakus folded his arms. ‘A bow and arrow is a weapon.’
‘Not today, are you going to argue about it or would you like to take part?’
The archery competition got under way with all the leaders going first. Thousands of elves watched and took part. The tournament carried on for most of the day, and each participant had ten shots before letting someone else have their turn. Jodie never missed, tying her for first place with seven elves. They had a drink before making their way to the city to drink more. There were tables all around the city, and Alex understood why they needed wood if they celebrated often. He heard music but couldn’t see where it was coming from. Fergal was dancing as were a few other gnomes, mainly due to Luella who had out drank them again.
They sat at one of the many tables outside Brightstone tavern.
‘It would be nice to hear the rest of your story again,’ said Thalion.
‘What part would that be?’ Alex asked.
‘You mentioned demons, and Lady Carrie mentioned a troll and other creatures.’
‘I believe James would be better at telling it.’
~~~~
James talked for nearly two hours. The elves who listened were riveted in their seats, and afterwards they had much more respect, especially for the women of the mansion.
One hooded elf had more interest than all of them before he slipped unnoticed into the shadows.
~~~~
Many elves visited the mansion over the next few days, mostly wanting to try the machines and watch films. Michelle had ordered more bows which had arrived. They were plain bows with no sights. Torgon stood watching elves practice when Soren appeared.
‘My lord, you have to come back now,’ he said.
‘What’s wrong?’ said Torgon.
Soren smiled. ‘Nothing is wrong, you just became a grandfather.’
House took them back immediately and returned for whoever else wanted to go. That night they had another celebration. The members of the mansion did not go over until they took a shopping trip for baby stuff, and even though none of the clothes looked like the elves normal clothes, they were very happy to receive them, and the many, many, cuddly toys.
The following day the rest of the wood arrived, and Alex took Thalion, Roscoe, and Marakus, to one side so House could take it to their kingdoms, as well as anything else they didn’t want to carry when they returned. He offered to take all their people back, but was not sure about the effect it would have on the horses. A few elves offered to take the horses themselves, but they declined as it was custom to ride back. That was until Alex told them they would get to spend the five days there with the newborn instead of travelling, and the elves decided not all customs needed to be kept.
After House took most of the elves back to their kingdoms, Alex found himself and most of the others from the mansion having a quiet night on the sofas. He brought up the subject of the coach incident.
Joseph looked with keen interest. ‘That’s a strange tale indeed.’
‘Something like it happened before when Asima was arrested,’ said Alex. ‘The police left the girls to the mercy of a group of men.’
James nodded. ‘We only got there in time because of Alex’s vision.’
Sally sat crossed legged next to Luella. ‘Yes, and you jumped out on them from some trees.’
‘Our trees are a lot smaller than the other world.’
Adair stroked his beard. ‘Then House comes along, and they’re normal again?’
‘On the coach yes, but he wasn’t there the first time,’ said Alex. ‘George got Asima released, and the police officers were suspended, but the next day they had no recollection like those last week.’
&
nbsp; Luella narrowed her eyes. ‘Last week, and you tell us now.’
‘You tell me a time we could speak like this over the last week.’
‘You could have told us in private.’
‘No, I couldn’t, we have to be together on these things, not alone in private. No secrets, maybe a few delays in the truth, we’re a team.’
Claire turned and looked at him. ‘I don’t know if I like that explanation, or if it sounds cheesy.’
‘You could’ve told them, in fact you can tell them why you didn’t.’
‘No, I like your explanation.’
‘So how did House change them?’ Daralis asked.
It was like someone was controlling them, and I broke the link, said House.
Luella looked up. Most of them did when talking to the spirit. ‘You make it sound so easy.’
My psychic powers have grown of late, and all I had to do was enter their mind and the other intelligence left them.
Claire laughed. ‘You’ve been too close to the wolves.’
Why do you say that?
‘We got our powers from being around them.’
No, you got them from being around someone else, said House, and they all looked at Alex.
‘The wolves have some blame in this,’ he said, and Rho just looked at him, saying nothing.
‘Have you been lying to us?’ said Claire, half-heartedly.
‘No, others could talk to the wolves long before I did,’ said Alex. ‘And are you forgetting the time you stole my energy.’
‘That was after we got our talent.’
‘You got that from the wolves.’
No, they didn’t, said Rho. I believe we helped, but it was always inside all of you.
‘Do you have any idea what the incident on the coach means?’ said Joseph.
Alex shook his head. ‘No, the sergeant accused me and the children of trying to stop the Final Destiny.’
‘I‘ve never heard of that.’
‘Neither have I, but it doesn’t sound good.’
‘It might have been a mistake,’ said George. ‘Many of us have left here without House.’
Other Worlds: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Two - Fantasy Page 34
