CHAPTER NINE: Green Eggs and Ham.
Rowan led Jude, Branwell and Ruby to a dwelling where they could stay for the night. It was typical of the other elvish houses Jude had seen with the entrance easily mistaken for an oval knot in the trunk. It had two stories; the ground floor was dark and cosy, partly in the inside of the trunk of the tree and partly in the earth. It had two rooms, divided naturally by part of the trunk, and it contained beds of bracken with woollen blankets. The upper room was in the branches of the tree, the floor being the top of the trunk of the tree and the branches curved around and upwards to form the walls and roof. It had the sense of being an outdoor terrace with views over the rest of Aldea and the woods. It had a wooden table and chairs, which were organic in form as they were made from natural uncarved branches. There was food waiting for them on the table; fruits, vegetables, nuts, bread and cheese, plus an elegant ceramic pitcher. Jude hadn’t realised how hungry and thirsty he was until he saw the meal before him. After being assured that they had everything they needed Rowan left them, with instructions to call his name if they needed anything, he would hear them.
All three sat down to eat with relish. The bowls and cups had been beautifully crafted from clay and had organic designs taken from nature on them. Jude thought at first that the pitcher contained just water, but it tasted like no water he’d had before. Like sunshine on flowers was the best description he could come up with and it make him feel warm inside. Branwell ate and drank in silence deep in thought. But Jude and Ruby both enjoyed their meal, trying a bit of everything and enthusing over how nice it was. Even though Jude had eaten most of the foods before, the Elves’s food seemed to taste so much nicer than any he’d had before, even taking into account how hungry he was. Branwell left them without a word as soon as he’d finished eating. Jude and Ruby watched him stride purposefully away from their tree; he obviously had something to do and knew where he was going. They looked at each other, Jude shrugged.
“He’s a bit… odd isn’t he?” he said tentatively.
“Odd?” she asked puzzled. “What do you mean by odd?”
“Well…you know…” he looked at Ruby and thought this probably wasn’t the best conversation to have with her. Rapidly changing the subject he said looking up.
“You can see so many stars from here can’t you?”
Ruby looked up with him, the nature of the house made it ideal for stargazing.
He came to stand behind her so he could point over her shoulder.
“Look up there, those three stars in a row, that’s Orion’s Belt.”
“Oh really,” she exclaimed excitedly. “What are the other ones called?”
Her hair brushed his cheek.
“Erm, I don’t what any of the others are called,” he admitted. “That’s the extent of my astronomy.” He could smell her cinnamony scent, it was intoxicating.
“Even better, we can make them up ourselves. Now what about that pretty group of five stars over there?” She asked pointing. “What shall we call them?”
She turned around, green eyes looking into his.
“How about ‘Ruby’?” he asked quietly, holding her eyes.
“He, he. You’re sweet.” She smiled and stroked his cheek with a finger. “Your turn, you pick a group of stars.” She said turning back to look up at the heavens, but he was sure she’d moved just a fraction closer to him. He could feel her body heat. He cleared his throat.
“What about that really bright one over there with the three smaller ones near it,” he said pointing, his arm brushing her shoulder.
“Where? Oh yes. I think we’ll call that constellation…..Green Eggs and Ham.”
Jude laughed out loud.
“I do not like that Sam I am.”
She turned around laughing too. She was very close to him now, facing him and he found his arms around her. They looked into each other’s eyes and stopped laughing. His fingers and toes were tingling and Jude wanted to kiss her very badly. Suddenly a voice behind them said.
“It’s late. You should rest. We could have a busy day tomorrow.”
It was Branwell. In his usual silent way, he had returned and now went directly to bed. Jude and Ruby sprung apart, avoiding further eye contact.
“Erm, he’s right. We should probably turn in,” he mumbled leading the way down to the bedrooms.
Branwell was already laid on one of the beds, wrapped up in a blanket. His swords and a curved, engraved dagger were laid carefully next to him. He appeared to be sound asleep. Jude took the other bed in that room, leaving the bed in the other room for Ruby.
“Goodnight,” she said smiling at him.
“Goodnight.”
Jude found his bed surprisingly comfortable and warm, and he was soon fast asleep. He was only disturbed once in the night by mumbles of “No, eight legs. No, no, many eyes. No, no, no, hairy legs.”
When Jude awoke in the morning, feeling refreshed. Branwell had already left his bed. Jude heard a rustle of movement and he glanced in that direction. It was coming from Ruby’s room; he could see her through the partition. She had her back to him and was taking off her blue hospital top. Jude could see a tattoo of a pair of wings on her back; he looked away quickly and pretended to still be asleep until he was sure she’d finished getting dressed. When he heard her step he opened his eyes and looked at her smiling. “Good morning.” She was wearing a simple Elvish robe the same green as her eyes.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” she said smiling at him. “I wonder what’s for breakfast, I’m starving.”
She climbed up to the top floor to find some breakfast, leaving Jude alone. He proceeded to get out of bed, quickly got dressed and followed her. The sun had just risen and was bathing the woodland in a gentle light, just starting to feel warm. Ruby was stood facing the sun with her arms outstretched; her head bent back and her eyes closed. A smile on her face, Jude could see she was enjoying the warmth. He could see a delicious looking breakfast spread out on the table before him.
“I thought you said you were starving,” he said.
“If you can eat sunshine by basking in it, that’s what I’m doing,” she replied smiling. She turned round and sat down with him at the table to eat.
They had nearly finished eating when Rowan arrived and bid them good morning. After enquiring if they’d slept well and enjoyed their breakfast, he informed them that their was a gathering that morning that Taule wished them to attend.
Jude and Ruby followed Rowan back to the hall of the silver birch trees. Sunshine shone through the leaves flooding the hall with a pale greeny-silver light. More Elves, plus some Sprites and Branwell were assembled in the hall when they got there, all with grave expressions on their faces. Taule, sat on his throne in the centre of the group, especially looked grave.
Jude felt a gentle touch on his hair; he spun his head around and came face to face, again, with a familiar little face with a mop of brown curls. They both started.
“Blue hair,” said the Sprite hovering in front of Jude. He recognised his as the one that had been the means of introducing him into this fantastical world.
“Hi,” said Jude.
“Blue hair.”
“Erm…yes, I’ve got blue hair,” said Jude uncertainly. The Sprite seemed happy with this and smiled.
“It’s you isn’t it, I saw you in the woods?”
“It’s me.”
Jude reached under his shirt and pulled out the amulet. “Is this yours?” he asked. “Did I get this from you?”
“Mine.”
Jude took it off and gave it back to the Sprite. He took it in his small hands and examined it, making it catch the light and smiling to himself.
“You caught me.” He gave a sigh and gave it back to Jude. “You keep.”
“Wait a minute, you tied my legs together and made me fall over, didn’t you?”
The Sprite’s face lit up in a cheeky grin and he flew away with a giggle.
The hall was a hubbub o
f people talking in small groups and a sudden silence fell over the room. Taule stood up and everyone turned to listen to what he had to say.
“Greetings friends. We have had some grave tidings recently. Our suspicions regarding the Orcs have unfortunately been confirmed from both our own sources and those outside our realm. He seems the current peace and contemplation of Aldea is to end. It appears the Orcs are preparing for war against the humans and once they have overrun this land, they will not be content to long leave us in peace. The humans know nothing of the storm, which is gathering on the horizon. They don’t even know of the existence of the Orcs, so well hidden are they by the magic they stole from us. They are unprepared for what is about to descend on them.” Taule paused looking at everyone gathered around him. “So the question before us is; do we battle on their behalf?”
“Why should we help them?” spoke up an Elf in a short russet robe indignantly. “They have little respect for the trees, they chop them down; they pollute the air and the water. The land would be better off with out them.”
“And Orcs would look after the land and trees better would they?” said another Elf Jude recognised as Rowan.
There was much muttering amongst the group, some for and some against. It had never really occurred to Jude that the Elves wouldn’t help them against the Orcs. If they didn’t help what could he do. How would he be able to convince anyone that they were in danger? He felt he wouldn’t get away with a patronising pat on the head and some pills if he came up with an even more fantastical story this time. He thought the SAS would probably do quite well against the Orcs but by the time any one in authority could be convinced they were under attack from ugly green monsters it would probably be too late. The Elves were their only hope to stop the Orcs. Jude continued to listen to the debate raging around him.
Taule had not joined in with the arguments at all; he had sat silently and listened. His eyes darted from group to group; Jude had the impression that he was able to listen to all the arguments at once. Ruby was stood silently by him, with a solemn expression on her face. As the arguments had become more heated she had taken a step closer to his side. Jude could see Branwell stood to the side with his arms crossed. He was not joining in any of the debates, but waiting patiently for them to come to a decision, he’d obviously made his.
Eventually Taule stood up. All discussions ceased.
“I have listened to what everyone has to say. It seems inevitable that a war with the Orcs is approaching us; on this we are all agreed. The question is when we will fight. Do we help the humans or not? Yes some are greedy and uncaring of this lands resources, but some are not and do care for it. Should we disregard the wheat with the chaff? The humans do have weapons they could help us in this battle. I think we should fight the Orcs now, before they over run this land.” Taule looked around at everyone assembled before him. “Will you all abide by my decision?”
Jude held his breath. All the Elves placed a hand on their chests and bowed their heads to Taule. Jude let out his breath with relief.
“We need to prepare for war against the Orcs,” stated Taule. “I propose we rally our allies. We should warn the Dwarves, they are also under threat from the Orcs as we are, and request their help.”
“I will go to the Dwarves,” said Branwell stepping forwards. “I will have no problems travelling to the Dwarf Kingdom.”
“So be it,” said Taule. “But you should take companions with you. Perhaps ones who would be able to give eye-witness accounts of what we have discovered.”
Jude followed the direction of his eyes to where Jude’s mischievous, but bored, Sprite was attempting to undo the bootlaces of the Elf with the russet robe.
“Connor,” said Taule sharply. “Would you go to the Dwarf Kingdom with Branwell and tell him of what you have seen?”
Connor quickly flew away from the Elf with his hands behind his back, and towards Taule.
“Yes,” he said proudly, his head in the air.
“You know it is an honour to be my representative to the Dwarf King?”
Connor nodded vigorously, his curls dancing.
“You would not do anything in the Kings Court to sully that honour would you?” said Taule looking closely at Connor.
Connor shook his head. “Be good.”
“And what about you Jude?” Taule said turning to him and looking at him keenly. “Would you also go to the Kingdom of the Dwarves to see Thorgar the King of the Dwarves?”
“Hmm…Yes,” said Jude startled.
“Good.” Taule smiled at him. “You are a witness and also live in the human world, you should make an impression.”
Jude noticed Taule didn’t mention if it would be a good or bad impression. What had he just agreed to? To go to see the Dwarf King? What had he let himself in for? Where on earth would a whole kingdom of Dwarves be hidden? His mum was going to kill him. But he couldn’t help feeling curious about the Dwarfs.