Winter of Elves

by Joanne Vruno

  “Just played outside. Hey, is that why you and Mom sat so far away from us?” asked Emily.

  “We were hoping you didn’t notice but . . . yeah!” Mom said. “Look, Chica’s even keeping her distance from you two!”

  Chica sat at the top of the basement steps.

  “Sorry, I’ll take a quick one so Emily can clean up soon, too,” I said as I ran up the stairs.

  “Remember to put your clothes in the wash!” Mom shouted up to me. “I already started washing your jackets.”

  “Will do!”

  Finally, after baths, Emily, Enar, and Elsa joined me in my room for the lowdown of what happened with the dwarfs. I told them of Fen speaking to us, the dwarfs, what the rock elves looked like, and finally what Koppor could do with her power.

  “So Koppor can really change rock elves to light elves? Are you sure they’re really changed and not just pretending? You know they could be posing as spies.” Emily stated.

  “No. If you saw them, they even changed in appearance. They can see in the light and don’t need hats. Their eyes have lost the darkness in them. You can actually see their pupils. Their features softened. It’s really strange to see the difference. The problem is that not all can be changed—or at least we don’t think all can. It’d solve everything if they could,” I sighed.

  “What do you mean?” asked Emily.

  “Just think if we could change all rock elves back to light elves. There’d be no more war. The elves could go back home. The threats would be gone. Wouldn’t that be great?”

  “Aly, threats will always be there even if all the elves could be changed,” said Enar. “We still have dwarfs. They aren’t going to change. Neither are all the other creatures out there who are just full of hate and always have been.”

  “I didn’t think of that. I suppose just like people there’ll always be someone fighting someone else. But it’s good we have three more light elves now,” I said as I yawned.

  “It is,” said Elsa as I finally fell into the deep sleep my body could not hold back anymore.

  Chapter 13

  Christmas Eve day was busy getting ready for the evening dinner. Emily and I spent most of the day helping Mom get things together. It was work neither of us minded doing. Dad had to work until four o’clock, and Grandma was coming over at that time so dinner was set for four thirty.

  The turkey was roasting in the oven, potatoes were peeled and on the stove, along with the corn and Mom’s cranberry sauce. Cookies filled platters. Pies cooled on the counter. All that was left for Emily and me to do was make the punch and set out some nuts.

  The day went by quickly with all the activity and soon both Grandma and Dad arrived at the same time.

  “Smells great in here, doesn’t it, Mom?” Dad asked as he walked into the home.

  “Very good! I’m starving and can’t wait. First, I have to put some gifts under the tree,” said Grandma.

  “We can take those, Grandma.” Emily and I offered.

  “Hmm . . . and guess what they are? I think I’ll carry them over there.”

  “Why is it at Christmas nobody trusts each other on the gifts?” Emily asked.

  “I wonder,” said Mom, smiling. “Maybe it has to do with two girls sneaking out of bed and opening gifts in the middle of the night?”

  “We were only six and eight when that happened. We’re both much more mature now,” I said, standing tall as if to prove the age difference.

  “Two more hours and the gifts under the tree will be opened. I think you two can wait to touch gifts,” laughed Dad.

  Dinner was the best! I thought that every year. After cleaning up the kitchen, we all surrounded the Christmas tree. Emily was handed the first gift. She quickly tore open the wrapping paper and found Grandma gave her the new Pokémon game for the Wii. With excitement she went over and gave Grandma a hug and kiss. “Thank you so much! I was really hoping I’d get this game! Who wants to play it later on?”

  “Let’s see what everyone else gets first,” said Mom. “Aly, here’s one for you.” She handed me a box-shaped gift.

  I found a pair of new hockey gloves inside. “Does that mean I can play again?” I hopefully asked. I had just about given up on being able to attend practices or play again after I was injured. The time period of returning to the team was almost up. Had Mom really changed her mind after I ended up in the ER this fall?

  “Dad told me that injuries like you received from those other girls don’t happen very often, and I’ve seen your face when you’re out on skates so I just couldn’t continue to restrict you from hockey. I just hope I never see you banged up that way again. I know it wasn’t your fault. I just wish the leagues banned the hard checking and doubling up on a player. I’m going to campaign for that,” said Mom.

  I stood up and gave her a hug. Mom said, “We didn’t give them to you, though. Grandma did.”

  I ran to Grandma and gave her a hug, too.

  “So this weekend, are you in for putting up the boards to make the ice skating rink in the backyard? I could use some help,” Dad said, looking at both Emily and me. Even if Emily didn’t want to play hockey, she still loved to skate.

  “I’ll help. How about you, Emily?”

  “I’m in, too,” Emily replied with a smile.

  Grandma opened her gift from Emily and me—a birdfeeder that was perfect for her backyard. Mom was happy with a new espresso machine from Grandma, and Dad gave his mom a big hug after he opened up a new drill. “Perfect timing! I’ll use it to make the rink.”

  It was tradition that we only opened gifts from Grandma on Christmas Eve, and the rest stayed until the morning. Grandma always returned by noon for the Christmas dinner.

  I kept looking at the gloves and smiling. I missed being on the ice so much. I ran to look at the schedule to check the next team practice and saw the winter tournament was next week. With all the creature events, I hadn’t realized it was tournament time. Even though it was the end of the hockey season, the tournament was the largest this holiday season and was always fun. I felt a bit sad knowing I was not ready to hold my own on the ice and would be on the bench through the games, but at least I maybe could attend. Mom didn’t want me to participate at all during my recovery period because she did not know if I was to return. I wondered when she changed her mind. I knew Dad was behind me playing again. I’d thank him later.

  We all ventured downstairs to a new tournament, a Pokémon one. Emily ended up being the champ, which was no surprise to any of us. After all, she knew every pokémon by name and their skills.

  Soon Grandma was ready to go home. I snuck quickly to my bedroom and got the gift for Fen. Grandma slipped it inside her coat before either of our parents noticed it. I knew she’d give it to him in the morning. I felt good giving him something. His days were long and boring right now, not being able to leave the yard. He also must miss his brother and Queen Elin.

  Emily and I returned to playing her new game on the Wii while Mom and Dad rested in the living room. Enar and Elsa came down to watch. After we thought our parents might have gone to bed, they joined us in playing. When we became tired of playing, Emily and I motioned them to follow us upstairs to my bedroom. After the door was closed, we gave them their gifts of candy we had bought at Target. We both received hugs for the gifts. It seemed strange that they had seen us every Christmas from the time we were born, but this was the first one we could actually celebrate with them. All those years they waited for us to be able to see them. That made this Christmas an extra special one for us all.

  Chapter 14

  Emily and I slept in longer than we ever had on a Christmas morning. Mom and Dad were sitting in the living room enjoying watching the snow fall outside.

  “You two must have stayed up late last night. You’ve never missed waking us up on Christmas morning. Does that
mean you aren’t excited to open gifts?”

  “Never! Of course we want all the gifts we can get!” said Emily.

  “Well, let’s get started then,” said Dad as he grabbed the first present for Emily.

  The room was filled with paper and gifts after the last present was opened. Present-opening time seemed to fly by more quickly the older I got. When I was little it seemed to take forever. I was helping pick up the torn wrapping paper when Chica suddenly went nuts barking at something outside the window.

  Dad and I quickly went to her side to see what was the cause. I didn’t realize how much snow had fallen and still fell. It was another large-flake snowfall. The ground that had turned bare the last few days was now white again.

  “Has it snowed all night?” I asked, trying to calm Chica, who was still in a frenzy over something.

  “It sure looks like it. I think we need to shovel before Grandma arrives,” said Dad. “I don’t see what’s setting Chica off. Do you?”

  “No,” I answered, but she was definitely riled up. I searched the front yard until I saw movement by the large pine tree. Something big and brownish-gray was hiding underneath it. I noticed it took up most of the space under the bottom branches. As I watched it I suddenly saw a pair of eyes. It had to be Fen’s brother! It’s eyes were the same color and it had mostly the same coat color. How can Dad not notice it? I wondered. Is it because it is a magical creature? He heard Fen howl. I can’t take the risk on him noticing it.

  Chica’s barking became stronger as the wolf moved. Dad was searching the yard. I leaned down to Chica’s ears as if calming her down and quickly whispered, “Send this wolf to Grandma’s backyard. Send this wolf to Grandma’s backyard. Send this wolf to Grandma’s back yard.” Poof! The wolf disappeared and Chica calmed down.

  “Well, whatever you said to her calmed her down,” said Dad. “What was it?”

  “I offered her a treat if she quieted down,” I smiled at my Dad, feeling guilty to have lied to him, especially on Christmas.

  I stood up and went into the kitchen with Chica behind me. As I got a few dog treats for her, I let out a sigh, wondering if that was really Fen’s brother. I knew Lunt and Fen would see the wolf immediately and Lunt would get Grandma if it was injured. I just didn’t know how it found our house.

  Emily soon joined me and asked telepathically, Is everything okay? You look worried.

  I soon silently told her what Chica was barking at. Her eyes got really big.

  “Hey, Dad, you stay inside. Aly and I will shovel the snow. Think of it as another gift from us!” shouted Emily as she grabbed my arm to get our winter gear on.

  “Thanks, Emily and Aly,” Dad said, looking toward our mom. “Beth, I think I’m dreaming. Emily wants to shovel!”

  “I shovel at Grandma’s and once in a while here. Just enjoy the newspaper. Here it is!” said Emily as she threw Dad the paper from the front door as she exited the house.

  I looked at her with curiosity. She was up to something.

  “Dad’ll be busy with the paper and Mom’s cleaning up,” she said. “Let’s go look around the tree.”

  As we headed to the tree, the snow was really falling heavily. We both walked around the whole tree but there was no sign that a wolf had been there moments ago.

  “So, do you think it was Fen’s brother?” asked Emily as she started throwing a shovelful of snow at the side of the driveway.

  “Hey, watch where you’re aiming!” shouted Alf, brushing snow off of his clothes.

  “Alf, what are you doing out front?” asked Emily. Usually the gnome stayed in the backyard.

  “Checking on our visitor. Where did he go?” asked Alf, staring at the tree.

  “You saw him, too? I sent him to Grandma’s. Do you think he could be Fen’s brother?” I asked

  “He was definitely big enough, though I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Fen. I’ve heard about him from my dad,” said Alf.

  Lunt would have described him in every detail as he spread the news about the wolf to his son.

  “My parents get all the excitement in their yard. I just wonder why he came here. Can he sense a guardian is near?” asked Alf as he searched the snow under the pine tree. Before anyone could answer, Alf held up some pink snow in the palm of his hand. “The wolf was injured. I suspected that. He must have backtracked to find his brother. Maybe he detected wolf scent outside your house. It’s been strong of late.”

  “Really? Mom and Dad commented on that, too. Why are Emily and I oblivious to the scent?” I asked.

  “Maybe because it isn’t a bad smell in your mind. You have Chica’s smell on you all the time and are used to it. Or maybe the excitement of the wolf fades your sense of smell. I don’t know, but Alma and I have smelled it when you arrive home from your grandma’s. Our senses are much more acute than a humans’, though,” said Alf. “I had better disappear again. You two need to keep shoveling.”

  Just like that, the gnome was gone.

  “Can Mom and Dad see Alf?” asked Emily.

  “No, but other creatures can.”

  “How about the wolf?” asked Emily.

  “That I don’t know. The wolf isn’t entirely magical. He has some normal wolf blood in him. Mom and Dad can smell him, too. I saw him under the tree and Dad didn’t, though, but maybe we were looking in different directions. We’ll have to ask Grandma, Lunt, or Fen that tomorrow. I’m curious what Grandma says about him when she arrives here. We have to figure out a way for one of us to get alone with her or ask her telepathically about the wolf.”

  Emily and I kept on shoveling. It was a non-stop snow. No matter how much we shoveled, more piled up. After what seemed like forever, we gave up. We had cleared the whole length of the driveway once but by the garage, where we had started, it seemed untouched again. That was when we decided to head inside.

  Dad laughed at us when we entered. “You two are completely covered with snow!”

  “It doesn’t stop! Do you think Grandma can make it here with all this snow?” asked Mom, looking out the window.

  “I’ll give her a call,” said Dad, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. He walked into the living room as he talked, while Mom had us busy hanging up all our wet outer clothes and then changing the ones underneath because we were soaked through.

  When we came out of our bedrooms in clean, dry clothes, we found our parents in the basement watching the weather on the television.

  “It looks like Mother Nature has decided to give us a huge present today. This snow isn’t going to let up until tonight. We’re in for a motherlode of snow, up to fifteen inches. That’s still not as much as the Halloween blizzard in 1991 when we got over thirty inches, though,” Dad told us. “Grandma decided it was safer to stay put today. It’s supposed to end tonight, and the plows will be out by the morning. We’ll see what condition the roads are in the morning. Just think, we get one of these huge storms every thirty years or so. Now you can say ‘remember when. . . .’ Your Mom and I lived through the Halloween blizzard and all our friends still talk about it to this day.”

  “Don’t look so glum, girls,” said Mom. “We’ll still have our Christmas dinner, and Grandma said she has some special treats like her fruitcake at her house so she isn’t bummed. We can play games and have a fun day!” said Mom.

  “What game are we playing first?” asked Emily, grabbing two boxes containing her newest games. Emily loved playing games.

  I looked at Mom and asked if I could help her with dinner. I always chose to keep busy while my mind was wondering what I was missing. Plus, very few people could ever beat Emily in a game. Dad was the only one in the house who had accomplished it. Mom and I usually shied away more because of that. So the two of us headed to the kitchen and started making the day’s huge meal.

  It ended up being a fun da
y of games, good food, and laughter with just the four of us, but I kept hoping some information would arrive about the wolf. I thought about transporting over to Grandma’s and coming back at the same time I left, but was still pretty tired from the day before. I just couldn’t stop wondering why it came to our house. Was it all right? Was it Fir? I had hoped Lina would arrive, but she didn’t. Instead I went to sleep hoping the plows would have the roads open to get to Grandma’s in the morning.

  Unfortunately, in the morning the snow was still falling. Mom and Dad were sitting at the kitchen table drinking their morning coffee when they saw me looking out the window. “Kind of exciting, huh?” Dad asked. “The roads aren’t plowed and the forecast is for snow to keep falling until this afternoon. The storm stalled over the Twin Cities. Most Minneapolis and St. Paul businesses are shut down with a travel advisory throughout the area. Looks like we have another day of relaxation, though we need to rest up for clearing the driveway later. This is the one time I wished we had a snowblower.”

  “I think I’ll call Grandma to see if she’s doing all right,” I said, grabbing the portable phone and heading toward the living room in hopes of talking in a code or something. I knew I couldn’t take the phone into my room without raising suspicion.

  As soon as Grandma answered, I quickly inquired, “Are you all right over there?”

  “Yes, Aly. The wolf you sent is Fir, and he has been badly injured. I wish you were here to help with the healing. We still don’t know how he arrived at your house, but I’m glad he did. You did the right thing sending him over here. Fen hasn’t left his side. I can tell the brothers are very close.”

  “I heard the Cities are shut down. It was smart you stayed put yesterday. Your car or ours could have ended up in a ditch with all this snow. It’s crazy, isn’t it?”

  “You know, Aly, you could be a great actor,” laughed Grandma. “Let them know I’m fine. Hopefully you can get here tomorrow. I’d transport you here but the risk is too large. Your parents can’t know any of this. Let them think I’m drinking my holiday glogg and watching movies today.”