Autumn of Elves

by Joanne Vruno

  We walked to the village. Fredek came out to greet me. I shook his hand, then told him I was sorry but I had to leave. He smiled in acknowledgement as I immediately transported myself home into my room. I was so grateful I didn’t have to be near Fredek too long.

  I hated the secrecy of the guardianship as I walked to the kitchen. I tried to approach my mom as if I had been in my room studying all along, “Mom, how long have you been home? I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Studying hard again? What’s today’s subject?”

  “Social studies, ancient civilizations.”

  “Oh, I loved American history, but the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries frustrated me. Too many civilizations to remember. It always seemed like every hundred years a new government took control. I guess there are benefits living in one of the newer countries—less history. Though it’d be fun to learn more about the Native Americans,” said Mom, peeling potatoes.

  “Do you need any help?” I asked.

  “Sure. Do you want to peel some? I can get the chicken frying then.”

  “Will do,” I said. I started peeling potatoes. I always enjoyed cooking, creating something from scratch.

  After dinner I headed back into my room to start on English homework. I was settled at my desk and starting on the first essay questions on our class’s latest novel when Lina appeared. She looked around the room for her children. I informed her that they were hanging out with Emily. She asked me what I had learned from Koppor.

  I told Lina of our conversation. When I was finished, Lina asked, “So what do you think? Do you believe Koppor? Do you think Fredek did it?”

  “I don’t know what to think. I do believe Koppor. She seemed very torn. She honestly was shocked we even suspect Fredek could have hurt Alvit. She did say he’s been angry of late, but didn’t know why. What will happen if we find out it was him?” I asked.

  “We’d need to send him to King Klas for trial. We need more evidence before that. It’d seem the elves would have been from the village, but Alvit was away from the village at the time. It could’ve been rock elves in the area by chance. Just because we haven’t had any around here, that we know of, doesn’t mean they weren’t in Canada and in those woods. Rock elves would know swan maidens are on the light elves’ side, so Alvit would be considered an enemy.”

  I said, “Koppor cried in relief that the lost elves were found. If they hadn’t lost their guardian, she said she was going to bring them back, even if it caused trouble between her and Fredek.”

  “Well, she should feel bad,” Lina grumbled. “I hope she realizes their actions towards the lost elves is what’s causing questions about their characters now. Fredek wouldn’t be under suspicion, and we would’ve assumed it was rock elves who attacked Alvit.”

  “So true. Could we bring Fredek to Alvit and watch their reactions?” I asked.

  “We may, but I would feel bad if it upset Alvit. It wouldn’t upset Fredek if he’s not guilty. He did know her before the attack, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to visit.”

  “I don’t think it’d be easy getting him there. He didn’t want us to approach Alvit’s sisters, even though it was clear they were related,” I said.

  “That by itself makes him seem guilty,” said Lina. “Well, Dolph’s visiting the new colony tomorrow. He wants to see the makeup of the colony, if it’s united or split. He also wants one-on-one time with Fredek. He wants to talk about their colony’s trials over the years. How Fredek answers may solve why he suddenly seems angry and could tell us if he was capable of ordering the attack. If some of the light elves have attacked other creatures like the tree sprites it might have become a common practice. Dolph’s going to try to investigate all this. I guess we wait for his answers and thoughts. Now, you get back to your school work. Tell my children I love them. Don’t worry too much about this. It may be weeks before we have it solved.” With that, Lina was gone.

  Concentrating on my writing was close to impossible, but somehow I answered all the questions. I was too tired to read over my answers and just prayed they were all right.

  Twenty-two

  Except for a hockey scrimmage on Saturday night, I spent the weekend at home. No news from the creature world, and my mind was filled with all kinds of scenarios, so I was happy to see Grand­ma’s car in our driveway after school on Monday. I knew some of my questions would be finally answered.

  Grandma stepped out of her car as I approached, “How was school today?” she asked.

  “Good,” I said. I let her in with my house key. “Well, what did Dolph find out?” I asked as soon as the door was shut. Elsa and Enar suddenly appeared.

  Grandma greeted the twins and told us she brought some apple crisp for us. “I have another for your family for dessert. We can dig into this one right now.” She lifted a bowl from her cloth bag. “Sit down and I’ll dish some out.”

  We all sat down and enjoyed each scrumptious bite.

  “Dolph hasn’t come to any sure conclusion yet,” Grandma admitted. “Some of Fredek’s behavior was ­because he wanted to impress a female elf. He told Dolph he was so lucky to have Silver. Koppor and Fredek have become more like siblings over the years. A romantic relationship never developed. He fancied a much younger elf, and she seemed interested in him, too. To impress her, he said he became tougher in his leadership to seem stronger. He thought that would seal her interest in him. Instead it turned her away from him. So, basically, now Fredek’s frustrated. This was the only female in a thousand years who caught his eye. Dolph told him females want strength in protection but kindness towards others. Fredek never confessed to exiling any elves, but Dolph thinks that was when the female elf lost interest in him.”

  Elsa dropped her spoon to her plate. Angrily, she said, “Fredek sounds like a buffoon! He thought he could impress an elf by banishing colony members? He has no idea how to deal with others. The banished elves could have been her friends or family! Did he really think being tough and making an outrageous order would make this female like him? Who does he think he is?”

  Enar patted Elsa’s hand, “Calm down, sister. Apparently he didn’t grow up with sisters or female friends. He must have the notion power attracts, so he used his completely in the wrong way. You’re right calling him a buffoon.”

  I said, “Does this make him out of control? He’s not thinking clearly about his responsibilities. He’s a danger to the colony.”

  Enar said, “Definitely. He never gave the colony a thought. His ego overrode any idea of what’s best for the colony. Only what he wanted mattered. He risked others’ lives!” Enar shook his head in disgust. “What if some of the exiled elves had died? I don’t think either Fredek or Koppor should stay in charge. She should have had the strength to stand up to him for the safety of the elves and made sure the colony stayed true to elf philosophy. She knew what he was asking was against all light elves ways. She doesn’t have the strength to stand up to him. Maybe she can change now she’s seen the result of her weakness, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

  “Good point, Enar,” said Grandma. “Your parents have taught you well. The wellbeing of the colony is supposed to be lead elves’ number one responsibility. Both Koppor and Fredek failed at that. The question, is who can take their positions? We don’t know the elves in their colony. Silver and Dolph have some elves I think could do the job, but would the other colony accept them? And what do we do with Koppor and Fredek? If we send them to King Klas, it’ll cause problems having two elves suddenly appearing out of nowhere. How does one explain where they’ve been? If Silver and Dolph have them join their colony, the lost elves will be uncomfortable, and Koppor and Fredek may not cooperate being under other lead elves.”

  “Has Dolph ruled out Fredek being involved in Alvit’s attack?” I asked.

  “No. Fredek’s kind of a live wire right now. His frustratio
n is ruling his mind. Being unhappy can cause one to do things they normally wouldn’t. We need to see if he has followers loyal to him. If he does, he’ll be thought of as guilty. He’d have to be sent to King Klas with his followers. We have no place to keep them from doing harm to others here. So that’s our job to investigate. We’re now trying to figure out how to discover the truth.”

  “Set a trap,” voiced Elsa. “Have some creatures venture close to the village, maybe even set up a camp. See how the elves react. Normally, they’d be ignored. If Aly has a protection shield on the village, they shouldn’t feel any outside creature is a threat. They’ve never met or heard of us. Enar and I could be the bait.”

  Enar chipped in. “Lunt and Alf have undetectable gnome speed. Even if they’ve seen Lunt in the past, he knows how to stay hidden like nobody else. I’m sure being Alf’s dad, Lunt’s taught his son his tricks. They can be our sentries. Alice, you and Aly can be close by. The two of you can handle any attack before it gets out of hand.”

  Grandma said, “Elsa, Enar, sometimes you shock me what geniuses you are. This is a perfect plot!”

  “It is!” they said together.

  “Your parents won’t approve,” Grandma said. “We might have to convince them. I’ll meet with them and Dolph to discuss it. I think it’ll work, though. If nothing happens, then most likely the attack on Alvit was by rock elves. If there is an attack, Aly and I will remove Fredek and his followers from the area, then figure what to do with them.”

  “Maybe exile,” said Enar.

  “That’d keep the Kingdom of Ijus safe,” said Elsa.

  “I’m amazed how you two have grown. I’m proud to have seen it and have been a part of it. Your parents may not like your plan, but they’ll be proud of you also,” said Grandma.

  We heard the front door. Emily came in. “I smell apple crisp. Is there some for me?”

  Laughter filled the room. We sat at the table while Emily ate and shared her day with us. After everything was cleaned up, Grandma left minutes before Mom arrived home.

  “Grandma stopped by? Hmm . . . that smells good,” said Mom as she entered through the kitchen.

  “It tastes good, too,” said Emily, “Grandma gave us a sample when we got home.”

  “Lucky ducks. I may need to try a spoonful before I start making supper,” said Mom, reaching for a large spoon.

  Twenty-three

  Lina and Berg were not happy their children were part of the trap, but they were proud of the plan they had devised. We were told it was going to take place on Friday night when Mom and Dad were heading up to the Grand Casino in Hinckley for the night. One of their favorite bands, Trampled by Turtles, was giving a concert. Dad and Mom had seen them when they first played up in Duluth at the UMD campus. It was just luck that the band was playing at the casino the same night as my parents’ anniversary. Both Emily and I would be at Grandma’s for most of the weekend, along with Chica.

  On Friday, the plan was set into action. I went to the village right after school and visited with Koppor and Fredek. During the time I was there, Elsa and Enar appeared down by the creek. Not once did they look up toward us, but made themselves visible to the elves. When they arrived I commented, “It looks like you’ll have visitors in the area tonight. They must be looking for a new home. Tomtes are rarely out on their own unless they’re in search of a new family to guard.”

  “More and more creatures,” muttered Fredek. “I enjoyed the old days when we were left to ourselves.”

  “Don’t worry. They have no idea your village is here. My guess is they’re just passing through and will be gone sometime tomorrow,” I said as I watched them move farther into the park. I knew the gnomes were hidden close to where the tomtes were setting up camp.

  “I guess,” sighed Fredek.

  Koppor looked at me, nervous. It made me wonder if something had happened in the last few days, but I couldn’t stay and ask. “I’m sorry, but I need to get going. It looks as though you’ve settled in nicely in your new home. I’ll check in sometime next week.” I quickly poofed to where Grandma was waiting for me at the end of the park. Grandma had spread a blanket and a picnic on the ground for us. Emily remained at Grandma’s house with Lina and Berg.

  “Now we wait.” said Grandma. We ate our supper. The sun was already close to setting. October nights were not really cold yet, and a jacket was all we needed. Grandma and I rested while we listened to the night sounds. We didn’t talk because we didn’t want any village sentry to hear us. We were fairly hidden with brush around us and hoped we hadn’t caught the eye of a sentry when we arrived.

  When we tired, we wrapped ourselves in another blanket. One of the gnomes would wake us if there was a need. We knew exactly how we would react. The plan was formed. So into peaceful slumber we went.

  I woke startled. I heard a crunching noise close by. I opened my eyes to see a doe eating leaves off a bush. She didn’t even sense we were near. The moon was full, so it was easy to see her. Then she was startled by a noise and ran away. I tried to see what frightened her but was careful not to draw attention to myself. Grandma pointed up. An owl sat in the tree above us. We smiled.

  I felt like I stayed awake for most of the night just taking in nature. As I finally fell asleep, our signal came. Lunt appeared. We knew Fredek had taken the bait, and it was now time to act. Both Grandma and I jumped up and chanted together, “Send Fredek and the attacking elves to the lake where they attacked Alvit. Send Fredek and the attacking elves to the lake where they attacked Alvit. Send Fredek and the attacking elves to the lake where they attacked Alvit.”

  With our first words, Lunt was off to check on the tomtes. Grandma and I hurried in the direction we knew Elsa and Enar’s camp would be. I was shocked to see a scuffle had occurred, but relieved to see they weren’t badly hurt. Grandma and I preformed our healing magic. Soon they were sitting up and looking around.

  “Where did you send them?” asked Enar.

  “To where they attacked Alvit. We figured they should experience the same fear Alvit did. They’ll have no memory of the village, but they may remember what they did to Alvit. They’ll now become the hunted, not the hunters. The trap you thought up was a good plan. Are you sure you two are all right?” Grandma asked.

  “A little sore, but we’re fine,” said Elsa.

  Lunt and Alf appeared out of the woods. “We checked for any stray elves. None. We got all of them.”

  “All right, let’s head to Grandma’s then,” I said. Poof, all six of us were in Grandma’s living room.

  Lina hugged her children. “Dolph showed up before you arrived. Elsa and Enar, are you all right? Your father and I are so proud of you two.”

  “Silver was on Asa, high up in the sky, but she saw the whole attack take place. When Alice and Aly appeared she came home to inform me,” said Dolph with a sigh. “I was so hoping it wasn’t Fredek and his elves.”

  “So now what do we do?” I asked.

  “Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an eventful day. We’ll go to the village in the morning and deliver their new lead elves to them,” said Dolph.

  “Who are they going to be?” I asked.

  Dolph said, “We thought hard about this. Silver, Alice, and I felt it should be Beck and Agda, the couple that led the lost elves. They were true to what a light elf should be, and they know the members of the village. They may not be warriors, but they have experienced the working and makeup of how the village sustained itself all these years. With our village close by, they can lean on us for advice and help if trouble arises.”

  “What’s to happen with Koppor?” asked Lina.

  Dolph said, “She’ll be given a healing job of some form and hopefully become a valued member of the new village. She’ll learn to work under Beck and Agda. Beck and Agda have good hearts and said they’d help her transform into a vill
age member. All in the village will know of Fredek and the others he enlisted in crime. That’ll be a shock to some but a relief to others. The village will take awhile to heal, but it will be a more united village with everyone having more of an equal say.”

  Grandma sighed. “So, all to bed now. Elsa, Enar, and Alf, I’ll send you home. Let Berg know I’lI transport him here in forty-five minutes so you’ll have time to update him on tonight’s events. I know he must be waiting for news.”

  “Here you go, then” said Grandma as all three disappeared. Dolph asked to be sent to his village, which Grandma did. I was sound asleep by the time Berg arrived back at Grandma’s house.

  Twenty-four

  Emily woke us around ten o’clock. She said it was strange being the only one awake in the house. Even though we were exhausted, we knew we needed to get to the new village to explain where Fredek and his band of elves had disappeared to.

  We quickly grabbed some breakfast to keep our powers at full force, but we didn’t expect problems.

  Soon Grandma and I transported ourselves to the village. Dolph and the new lead elves had not arrived yet. The village elves looked at Grandma and me with puzzlement. Koppor soon appeared. “Aly, Alice, Fredek and some elves are missing! Do you know where they might be?”

  “Yes, we do,” I answered. I turned to gathered villagers and spoke in a louder voice. “I need everyone to stop what you’re doing and listen to something important.”

  All eyes were on Grandma and me. With a rumbling of whispers all the elves drew closer.

  Grandma looked at me to speak. “As you know, I’m your new guardian,” I told them. “I know all of you had a chance to see Alvit, the beautiful swan maiden sent by King Klas to assist you in finding me. What most of you may not know is Alvit was attacked by a group of elves.”

  Gasps rose from the village. Koppor’s face turned completely pale.