Winter of Elves

by Joanne Vruno

  The only good about this frenzy of a hunt was that no other creatures would venture into an area with so many humans. From Thursday to the following Wednesday, the parks endured the abuse. Wednesday it was announced the medallion was found near one of the bridges crossing Battle Creek in the park near Silver and Dolph’s village.

  I visited Agda and Beck’s village after school and was met by very saddened elves. “Aly, just look what they have done!” said Agda, pointing at all the destruction as the healers were out saving the bushes, trees, and dug-up ground. “Why did they do this?”

  I tried to explain that a treasure hunt was like a game to the humans but the elves couldn’t understand it. Tears were in some of the healers’ eyes as they moved from one area to another.

  I transported to Grandma’s before I returned home, feeling so sorry for the elves. Grandma was at Silver and Dolph’s village, so I explained what I saw to Lunt, Lina, and Berg.

  “The poor elves, all this destruction for a prize. Leave it to King Boreas to cause such chaos. He always was self-centered,” said Lunt.

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “There really is a King Boreas? And you know him?”

  “Yes, he wanted to turn our area in Sweden to his winter wonderland before coming here,” Lunt grumbled. “King Klas would have nothing of that and sent him away. Imagine trying to make a place with four seasons turn into constant winter! He only thought of what he wanted. I’m glad your carnival ends up with Vulcanus Rex shooing King Boreas away.”

  “Where is he now?” I asked.

  “Who knows? Those gods of the past were so into power, they really destroyed their own kingdoms. They always fought with each other and themselves. I’m not sure any survived. The tales say he’s on Mount Olympus, but to be honest, it seems like they all vanished,” said Lunt.

  “Aly, you better get home. Look at the time,” said Lina. “Your mom will be getting there soon.”

  “You’re right. Tell Grandma I’ll see her soon,” I said right before transporting home.

  I made it just in time.

  “Where have you been? At the village?” asked Emily.

  Before I could answer, our mom walked in the back door. After taking off her coat, she asked, “Do you two want to go skating down at Rice Park this evening and see the ice sculptures? The Red Bull Ice Crash thing is going on again this year and seems to draw the crowds there, so it may not be as crowded in the park.”

  “Yes, I love to see the park lit up with the castle behind it,” said Emily.

  “It really isn’t a castle, Emily. It’s the Landmark Center,” Mom said, smiling.

  “Well, I like to think it’s a castle. It looks like one,” said Emily.

  After dinner we stepped into the human version of magic. The park was beautiful. The trees sparkled with white lights on both sides of the sidewalk. Then we entered an area with fabulous ice carvings all lit up. I loved the one that looked like a giant loon taking flight. Then we headed to the ice rink, which had families out skating with music in the background.

  As we sat on a bench and put on our skates Emily said, “See, it looks like a magical castle with a land of ice and snow.”

  “It does,” I replied, looking at how the city had transformed it into a magical fantasy land.

  “I wish they had a ice palace this year for you two to see,” said Mom. “Hopefully they’ll construct one next year. It’s very expensive, so they can’t make them every year. Hauling the blocks of ice off a lake takes large crews of workers.”

  “Someday you girls will see one,” said Dad, “but today let’s get out and skate!”

  My legs were strong again and I wanted to go fast but this rink was not meant for that, so I joined the others in a slow skate in a giant circle. It was peaceful and relaxing moving to the beat of the music, and I was glad we came.

  Chapter 26

  I was so excited to be back in a hockey game the first Saturday in February. I had been practicing with the team for the past three weeks, but Mom and Dad wanted me to wait until February to get into a game. I kind of understood since I had been injured by two opponents in my last game.

  We were playing against Hastings at their rink. It was the second time our two teams played against each other this year.

  The first time out in the game felt so good! Our rhythm was right on as though nothing had changed. I knew where my teammates were and the puck was going back and forth between us. Molly was in perfect placement for a shot. I sent it to her and Bam! she scored the first goal. I had an assist. I congratulated her as we stepped off the ice.

  “I’m glad you’re back, Aly,” said Molly as we sat down on the bench.

  “So am I,” I replied with a smile. I had never been on a team I enjoyed this much. We were lucky to have been playing together for two years now. Each year we would gain someone new and lose a few players who moved up into the next age bracket, but in time we joined them.

  We cheered our teammates from the bench as we waited for our next turn. Hockey was a fast-paced game where no one ever got bored. The constant movement made the periods fly by. Soon we were in the third, and nobody but Molly had scored. Hastings was getting more defensive as the clock ran and some cheap shots were starting to turn up. The refs were doing their job and players were ending up in the penalty box.

  It was our turn out. Within minutes I was checked up against the boards. I heard several parents yell to the refs. I knew if I got hurt again, hockey might be a thing of the past for me. I decided to increase my speed and keep away from the boards as much as I could. I stayed out front by the net, which turned out to be a good spot when Annie sent me the puck. I shot it in. The buzzer rang to announce the end of the game right after my shot, and the whole team went to the center of the rink in a pack of joy.

  We shook hands with the other team and headed for the locker room.

  “Aly, when you got checked out there all I could think of was, don’t hurt her!” said Molly.

  I nodded. “I kept thinking if I get hurt again my parents aren’t going to let me play! I decided then to stay by the net.”

  “Well, it was good you did. That was a nice goal.”

  “Thanks,”

  The parents and families cheered us as we walked out of the locker room.

  I walked up to Dad hoping he wouldn’t say anything about the check. Luckily for me he didn’t.

  I was so happy to be part of the team again.

  When we got home Mom asked right away how the game went. I told her we won and that I got the second goal. I waited to see what Dad might say, but he just commented it was a really good game and our team held off the other one with great defense.

  I know he saw my smile at that comment, though he didn’t acknowledge it. I was so relieved he never mentioned the check, but then again it wasn’t a bad one, so really it shouldn’t have mattered that much. It was just part of the game.

  Chapter 27

  On President’s Day we stayed with Grandma, and I had the opportunity to spend more time than usual at Agda and Beck’s village. I was introduced to all the new light elves and saw what positions they chose in the village. Everyone seemed happy except Peder. I asked him to follow me. We went to the edge of the village to sit and talk out of earshot of the others.

  “Peder, is something wrong?” I asked.

  “I just wish I had the opportunity to share this life with my family.”

  “Would you like us to bring them here? We could,” I said. He surprised me by not looking excited.

  “The truth is, my family has always been in the military,” he told me. “I’m not sure there is light still in them. I guess I’m scared to know if they could be changed or not. I think my mom could, but I’m not sure about my dad. He’s worked himself up in the ranks. I wonder if that might have faded his light elf herit
age. If I brought my mom here, my dad would be lost without her. He loves her so much. But I miss them,” said Peder.

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “Two sisters. They would probably still be able to change. It’s just my dad I worry about,” Peder said as he looked down at the snowy ground.

  “I could bring your whole family here and have Koppor check your dad to see,” I offered. “Want to try? A small group like that I can transport fairly easily. It’s up to you.”

  He was still trying to decide when Koppor approached. “Is everything all right?” she asked.

  “Peder’s trying to decide if he wants us to see if his family can be transformed,” I told her. “He’s worried his dad may not be able to change back into a light elf.”

  “Well, that’s a tough decision, but my advice is to try. What if he can and you never checked? Think of your life now and your life on the shoulder of a dwarf. Where would you like your dad to be?” asked Koppor.

  “Here, of course, but what if he can’t stay?” asked Peder.

  “Then he can’t stay, but at least you’d know you tried,” said Koppor.

  “All right, let’s do it,” said Peder with a sigh.

  “Aly?”

  “Bring Peder’s parents and sisters here. Bring Peder’s parents and sisters here. Bring Peder’s parents and sisters here,” I chanted. Poof! “Slumber now!” I quickly said, and a flash of my amulet made them fall asleep.

  Koppor checked Peder’s sisters and gave us a thumbs up. They could become light elves. Then she checked his parents. She gave us no sign but suddenly lit up and joined with Peder’s dad.

  Peder was smiling, tears falling. All of his family was changed to light elves.

  I told him to approach all of them as I woke them with an “Awaken now!” The flash had them all opening their eyes and as they saw Peder they ran to give him a hug.

  “We were so worried about you when you were assigned to a dwarf. Are you all right? Where are we? What happened?” asked Peder’s mother, looking around.

  “You’re light elves now!” Peder said happily. “We don’t have to follow King Helmar’s orders anymore. Did you ever know that in past times all elves were light elves? They were. Now we’ve returned to our heritage and have powers to heal nature instead of constantly living a life of being at war.”

  Koppor stepped forward and showed them how they could feel the life in trees. I sat in wonder at how different their lives had become. I realized not one elf who had been changed objected to their old life being taken away. They could, after all. Nobody had given them a choice. This made me wonder how hard their old life must have been.

  Peder quickly ran over and gave me a hug as he said, “Thank you. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me today.”

  I hugged him back and said, “I’m so glad I could help. We all need our families.”

  I transported myself shortly afterwards to Grandma’s house to share the experience with the others. As I appeared in Grandma’s living room, Dolph was there catching Grandma up on his village. It was important as guardians that we knew all the events in the villages we protected.

  “Aly, will you call Lunt and Emily to join us?” asked Grand­ma. I knew something was happening.

  As I returned with Emily and Lunt from the backyard, I noticed Agda had also been called. We all had concern on our faces. Lina and Berg arrived with juice for all before Dolph started to speak. “We have been very lucky the past few weeks with not having any new dwarf sightings, but that has now changed. We sent a sentry farther south to see if he could find the two bands of dwarfs we took members from, and he found they’ve united in one large group and appear to be backtracking this way. We have a few days before they’ll be in our area, though their scouts may arrive at any time. We need to have our sentries take the utmost precautions not to be seen. Luckily for us, crows are noisy, large birds and can usually be spotted quite easily. I know you’re back in school tomorrow, Aly, so if any are spotted by your village, Agda will send word to Enar and Elsa. Aly, you may be needed to send a scout or two away. Alice, we’ll do the same and call you if need be. Moving the scouts will help us not to be discovered.”

  “I’ll have Koppor teach our new elves in the village,” said Agda. “They’re learning our safety measures but have never been hunted, as I would call it, by dwarfs. I may ask Peder and some of the others who were riders to describe dwarf strategy, if there is any. Their insight may come in handy. We also just acquired today a new military light elf who was an officer in King Helmar’s army.”

  “You have a new light elf?” asked Dolph.

  “Four new light elves. Aly brought Peder’s family to our village today. I take it you didn’t have time to tell them, huh?” asked Agda.

  “No, Dolph asked me to summon the others,” I said.

  “Well, Agda, your village is definitely growing. I hope you can express the urgency for safety measures to the new members,” said Dolph.

  “I think they’ll follow what we say to the last word. They know what dwarfs are capable of more than we do. All but the last few also have witnessed Aly in action and Koppor in healing. I can definitely say they’re all in awe of both of them,” said Agda, smiling at me.

  Before anyone could say another word, the living room was suddenly filled with over a hundred elves. They surrounded us. Emily quickly grabbed my hand as both Dolph, Agda, and Lunt stood up and bowed. They said in unison, “Queen Elin, Your Majesty.”

  To be continued . . .

  Acknowledgements

  I am so grateful my fellow author/poet, Jeannie E. Roberts, took time to write a beautiful poem on the gray wolf for this novel. She portrayed the wildlife conflict like wolves face in today’s world. Jeannie is a wonderful nature poet.

  I feel fortunate for having family and friends who take time to read over manuscripts. Dan, Jessie, Shirley, Linda, and Mike, you are so helpful in producing these novels.

  Corinne and Anne, I also appreciate the time you put into taking a manuscript and turning it into a book.