Winter of Elves

by Joanne Vruno

  Emily took a bit longer to return to the house. As she entered, I think she was surprised the living room was filled with Beck, Silver, Lunt, Lina, and Berg. She looked curiously at me as she quick sat down and waited for the others to start the conversation.

  Grandma was the first to speak. “Aly and I realized something today. When we transport someone away, such as a dwarf, we erase the reason they were here, along with our location and who they saw. So would the dwarfs we sent away last week know they are hunting light elves and wolves anymore? Or would they just think they are in the woods, walking around and hunting like they did in the past? Would Fredek and the other light elves who attacked Alvit know they committed the attack? Would their minds still be filled with anger or hatred, causing them to attack others? Or would they have the light elf ways restored within them?”

  “Are you suggesting we bring Fredek and his followers back?” asked Beck. “My village couldn’t take them in. He did such damage that their presence would disrupt everyone.”

  “I wasn’t thinking of bringing them back. I was thinking we could send them to King Klas,” said Grandma. “We already sent a message through the swan maidens of what took place here,so we let the king judge if they have returned as true light elves. Otherwise, isn’t it wrong for them to be left alone in the wild if they have lost their evilness?”

  “Now that’s a good question,” said Berg. “Were they always evil and it finally surfaced, or did living in isolation drive them that way? Even if they may not remember their evil acts, what’s to say they still would commit more evil deeds?” Berg’s children, our home’s tomtes, had been the last creatures attacked by them.

  Lunt stood up. “Alice, this is a really interesting situation. Maybe these creatures moved away and returned to a former self or maybe they didn’t. They were sent away because of their threat to others here. I have a feeling they returned to the life they left, like the dwarf Aly sent away after it captured Silver. When it returned to this area, it went after Chica and Aly. It didn’t change into a kinder dwarf.”

  “Fair example,” said Grandma. “I guess I was hoping there was some way we could incorporate this into a tool to change our enemies’ views, but, Lunt, you’re right. That dwarf didn’t change one bit!”

  “Alice, if this were possible, we’d take a chance on Fredek, but the evil would still be there,” said Silver. “The only things that’d be eliminated in their heads would be their crimes. I know seeing Koppor change a few elves makes one wonder if others can change, too. I think we can only leave it to a great healer to decide if a creature has good inside or not.”

  “I think our more pressing issue is what to do with two giant wolves,” Lunt said. “They need to be wild again. It’s not fair to them to stay in captivity in your yard, Alice. The problem is where to send them when Fir’s healed. Our area has way too many dwarfs roaming around. The wolves need someplace more isolated.”

  “Murkwood is out!”said Emily. “The swan maidens told us there are dwarfs and rock elves everywhere.”

  “And that’s our problem. We don’t know where the dwarfs are hunting,” said Lunt.

  “Maybe Peder or one of those other elves knows which direction they were supposed to travel,” I said.

  “I’ll ask them if they knew of any orders. Their memories haven’t been altered, so they may have some ideas,” said Beck, “but as far as I can say, everywhere has a chance of being searched.”

  “Why would Queen Elin send them loose? She knew of only one village and it could take years for either wolf to run across it. I have to wonder how they were to return to their pack, or were they sent for added protection?” asked Silver. “Have you fully gained their trust yet? Wolves are one of the least likely creatures to learn to trust others.”

  “I think Fen trusts me,” I said. “But he’s still trying to figure out what my duty is and Dolph’s the only light elf he’s met so far. He knows I went to protect light elves after he saw the birds fly. Neither wolf has any love for dwarfs, but I don’t know what other creatures they’ve been introduced to. I just sense Fen knows he’s safe here and won’t harm him. Don’t you agree, Grandma?”

  Grandma nodded. “He’s taken to you much more than to me. He still watches me with mistrust. Fir has little trust of any of us. He didn’t mind Emily being near him, but he also watches as though he expects us to harm them. It’ll definitely take time with that one to fully trust anyone besides his brother. Neither have talked about their time with Queen Elin or their relationship with her. If they’ve lived in secrecy all these years in Murkwood, as Fen said, it’d be normal for them to be this guarded,” said Grandma. “I have no reason to distrust them. I’m just careful because they’re wild creatures.”

  Beck stood slowly. “Silver, I think we’re the wrong light elves to be here today. Our spouses are known for having a softer side. I think it’s time to trade places with them and to have them meet the wolves. I know Agda can draw good out of almost anyone with her motherly ways. Maybe she’ll have the power to reach into these wolves’ hearts. I mean no disrespect, of course. I just know that you are similar to me, more businesslike.”

  Silver met Beck’s remarks with a smile.”No negative feelings here. I agree with you. Let’s leave now and have the others replace us.

  With that, Grandma transported them both to their separate villages and brought Agda and Dolph to us five minutes later.

  “So we’re the kind ones, huh, Agda?” smiled Dolph across the room toward Agda.

  “Seems so,” laughed Agda. “Let’s go and meet these wolves. Aly, will you join us for introductions?”

  “I’d be honored,” I smiled as we walked to the back door.

  Dolph turned around and said, “Not that we don’t enjoy all of your company, it just may be easier on the wolves to get to know us in a small group.”

  As we entered the garage, I burst out laughing at Lunt’s final comment: “Beck’s right, they’re nicer than he and Silver. Both of them would have ordered us to stay here!”

  Chapter 17

  Both wolves were lying down and lifted their heads as we entered the cramped tent. Fen sat up, giving us more space, while Fir stayed lying down, watching our every movement.

  I took a spot next to Fen and started petting him before I spoke. “I know, Fen, that you’ve met Dolph before, but Fir, you haven’t yet, so this is my friend Dolph.”

  “Hello again, Fen,” Dolph said, patting the great wolf’s paw with a smile. Then he turned toward Fir and said, “I’m honored to meet you, Fir. Welcome to our area.”

  Agda walked up to Fen and stood right next to me as I spoke. “Fen and Fir, this is another light elf friend, Agda.”

  “Oh, my, you two are magnificent wolves! When I was younger I actually saw your great-grandfather Fenrir. He was also magnificent. I cried at what Odin and the other gods did to him, tying him up like that,” said Agda, shaking her head, “He was meant to be free. I think captivity made him attack. No creature should be treated the way they treated him. I suppose it was due to fear of his strength, but it was wrong.”

  Her words drew both wolves to her. Fen licked her, which almost knocked her over, and Fir sat up as if waiting for her to come to him, which she did. Fir nuzzled her as she reached out and pet the fur on the top of his nose. Both Dolph and I smiled at the sight.

  You remind us of Queen Elin, said Fen silently, but all three of us heard his words.

  “Now that’s a compliment! She has always been my heroine, going up against Odin to save your family,” said Agda out loud. “A true light elf, to save others from extinction. I always think of her as a role model. Are you two close to her?”

  She’s what humans would call a grandmother to us. She helped our parents raise us. We come from a pack of wolves. Queen Elin has kept us safe. She has magic like Aly here and can keep our location hidden fro
m others. She had to, or Odin would have found us, said Fen in our heads.

  “Is this your first time out in the human world?” asked Dolph.

  Yes, and we were both soon injured. I don’t think Queen Elin realized how many humans there are now. In Murkwood there were only the swan maidens’ families. We learned about the creatures in Murkwood but never knew of the human world. I worry about our family, also. Queen Elin must be learning that our pack is not easy to hide. I often wonder where they are and if they are safe, said Fen.

  I hugged his neck at that statement.

  “Did Queen Elin send you out to find a home in addition to finding light elves?” asked Dolph.

  She was so upset to know dwarfs with rock elves were searching for her nephew, the future king, that she just chose us two, said Fen, since we’re brothers and good hunters, to search for light elves. She didn’t want to be the only light elf left. She wanted us to help protect the light elves from the dwarfs and rock elves. We know how you protect nature, and we’ve seen what Queen Elin can do when she plants seeds or cleans lakes. She’s taught us not to hunt too much in one area, to leave some animals alone for the future balance. We understand light elves but have not learned much about battling creatures—only how to avoid them. I never knew dwarfs were such good hunters, did you, Fir? asked Fen.

  Fir said, I never thought they were so persistent. It didn’t seem to matter how fast and far away I ran. If the snow hadn’t been falling so hard, they’d be here now searching for me. The snow helped me escape from being caught, but I’m sure they haven’t given up on finding me. In time they’ll come our way again.

  “Do you think they know you’re not just average wolves?” asked Agda.

  Fir answered, They know I’m Fenrir’s heir. That was why I was hunted so strongly. In their mind I’m a trophy wolf. I even heard one dwarf say he wanted to wear my skin to show his friends he was able to kill me. They forgot about light elves after they spotted me. Right now they have to be desperately searching for my scent or any form of tracks. I lost them by the river, but as you saw, I was bleeding, and they can smell blood.

  Chills ran up my back to hear that. “So they may come to my house. The blood is still under our pine tree. I hope it isn’t too late. I need to send the blood away when I get home. Chica has already battled one dwarf and almost died. I need to protect my family.”

  “You’ve actually battled a dwarf? Not just sent them away?” asked Agda.

  “Yes, and I barely survived. If it wasn’t for my powers, I wouldn’t have.” The memories made me shiver. Both Dolph and Fen were at my side trying to let me know I was safe. I was just hoping no dwarf made it to my house. I knew Chica was safe inside, but I worried about our gnomes, Alf and Aina.

  As if Dolph read my thoughts, which he might have, he said, “Alf and Aina have gnome speed and many hidden areas in your yard. They’ll be fine. As soon as you get home, move the wolf blood to the river. If the dwarfs stay by the river, they could hunt there for weeks. I think you and Alice should also send the wolves’ scent there today. It’ll keep them from your home.”

  “I’ll get Grandma now,” I said as I ran inside.

  Grandma came back outside with me and we immediately sent the scents toward the river and farther south, away from the Cities.

  “Now relax, Aly. The scent is strong at the river and it’ll mask the blood scent. All will be fine,” said Dolph.

  I wished I was as confident. I looked at Grandma and asked, “Can I quickly go home now and send the blood away?”

  “I’ll go with her,” said Lunt, appearing out of nowhere.

  I smiled at my protector I realized he had heard the conversations in the yard and knew there could be a threat.

  “I’ll send you two so you save your strength,” said Grandma. “Ready?”

  We both nodded as we were transported to my backyard.

  Alf came out quickly from the side yard, motioning us to follow him. He led us to the garage’s back door, which I mmediately opened. While quietly standing in the garage, we could hear the dwarfs. They were right outside, in the front of the house and garage. We couldn’t see them, but they were moving closer to the main garage door. My heart beat faster and faster. I quickly ran to the only window in the back and peeked out. All was clear. The dwarfs were in the front. Chica was barking in the house. I could hear a dwarf say, “I can smell the wolf more now, it must be close!”

  I looked at Lunt and Alf and pointed to myself, almost in tears. I lifted my shirt to my nose to let them know it was me the dwarf smelled. I had just left the wolves and their scent was strong on my clothes.

  I wished I knew how many dwarfs were out there. I knew I had to approach them because the smell would not let them go. I pointed to the back door. Lunt seemed to understand my thoughts as he quickly went out the door while I stayed put. I knew by staying still, my scent would keep the dwarfs in the front so Lunt could view them from the side. Lunt returned within a second and held up three fingers and then placed his hand on his shoulder and held up another three fingers. I knew he meant there were three dwarfs with a rock elf on each of their shoulders. Next, he moved around by the garage door to let me know where they were on the other side.

  I formed a plan. I pushed the garage door opener as I quickly lay down on the floor and held the amulet out. I flashed it on each dwarf’s feet, “Slumber now!” I yelled. One after the other fell to the ground. When the door was fully opened all three were asleep, but not their rock elf friends. I quickly flashed them with the amulet before they could escape. and all three joined the others in sleep.

  “Now how do I wake them and move them quickly enough?” I asked.

  Both gnomes were still looking at me in surprise.

  “Aly, what you just did was really something,” said Alf, smiling. “Who knew my guardian was so quick?”

  “I think she’s been hanging out with me so much she’s actually starting to acquire our speed,” chuckled Lunt.

  Alf shook his head at his father before he spoke. “Get rid of the wolf blood first,” he directed me. “We don’t want any more visitors arriving. These threw me for a loop when they arrived. I wasn’t sure how to handle them, and I didn’t want them to be here when you and Emily came home.”

  I walked over to the tree and quickly sent all the blood to the river. My next move came almost instinctively. I brought Koppor from the village to me. She arrived a bit stunned at first, but I asked her to see if there was any light in the rock elves. In seconds, Koppor herself lit up and joined with two of the three rock elves, transforming them into light elves.

  “Thank you, Aly, for giving me the chance to transform two of these elves,” she said. “It feels so good when we can bring them back their true nature. When they are awake, you can send them and me directly to the village. We can handle them there as we introduce them to their new life.”

  I moved the two elves away from the others and held the amulet pointed towards them as I said, “Awaken now!”

  Just as the elves started to move, I transported them and Koppor back to the village.

  I then carefully pointed the amulet at only one of the dwarfs, making sure the spark would not hit another, and said, “Awaken now!” Just as the dwarf started to move, I quickly said, “Send this dwarf far away from here. Send this dwarf far away from here. Send this dwarf far away from here!” Poof! One dwarf was gone.

  “You’re doing well, Aly. Keep it up!” said Alf, who had never seen me in action like this.

  I let out a sigh before moving to the next dwarf, the largest of the three. I made the mistake of actually looking at this one, and I started to shake a little. He was very menacing in appearance, and I noticed his clothes were all made of skins. Is this the one who threatened Fir? I wondered.

  I held out the amulet and quickly said, “Awaken now!” The flash g
ave me an idea as I quickly said, “Send this dwarf to a deserted island. Send this dwarf to a deserted island. Send this dwarf to a deserted island.” Poof! It disappeared.

  Lunt smiled as Alf asked, “Why a deserted island?”

  “Because this dwarf threatened one of Aly’s pet wolves!” Lunt said with a chuckle. “Never mess with a guardian’s creatures!”

  “He isn’t my wolf! I’m just healing and protecting him.”

  I looked and focused on the last two creatures, a rock elf still on the shoulder of the dwarf he was riding. I knew I had to wake them simultaneously and send them away together as quickly as I could.

  I aimed the amulet so the spark would hit them together. I took a big breath to calm myself before I said, “Awaken now!” As soon as the spark left the amulet I said, “Send these two far, far away. Send these two far, far away. Send these two far, far away.” Poof! They were gone. I was also out of energy and dropped to the ground.

  Lunt shouted to Alf, “Stay with her. I’m going to tell Alice to transport her to her house!” With that, Lunt was gone.

  Alf stayed at my side, keeping an eye on me and the yard.

  “Don’t worry, I just need food and rest,” I whispered. “I’ll be fine.”

  I saw Alf’s smile for just a second before I landed in Grandma’s living room.

  “I’m all right, just hungry!” I smiled at Grandma as Lina handed me a banana.

  As I lay on the couch, Lunt told everyone what happened, even about the deserted island.

  “We need to get her more food!” Grandma exclaimed. “Aly, try to stay awake and let the food revive you. We have two hours before your parents arrive. Three dwarfs! My goodness, girl, I should have gone with you. I thought you’d only be transporting the blood away. Three dwarfs!”

  “Grandma, I’m fine, just tired.”

  “I’m going to tell the wolves what you did!” said Emily, all excited as she left the house.

  “I was surprised when you brought Koppor to see if some of the rock elves could be changed,” said Lunt.