Soea departed from us the next morning. I was almost sad to see him go. He had given us such a good time last night, not to mention he completely healed me and charged not a single Swowth. He was so generous and entertaining. I began hoping he would mysteriously appear again sometime soon. But as we journeyed up the mountain, I didn’t see him once. But I noticed the gradual change in temperature. It was becoming exceptionally comfortable, almost perfect. The farther up the mountain we got, the more perfect it seemed. By the time we reached the tip of Mount Geot, we would never want to leave!
“I’ll race you to that stump ahead!” I heard Conrad challenge Adda. Without a response she kicked up a cloud of dust. The hearty laugh of Conrad and the little giggles of Adda reached my ears.
“Do you have anything to drink in that sack of yours? And nothin’ with flowers in it, now.” Sir Iopie hollered in my ears. I tossed him a full flask of wine. He guzzled it down and wiped the red liquid trickling his beard with the back of his hand.
“Here,” he said suddenly, surprising me by tossing me my little book back. “Educate yourself before we get there. I want a warm welcome.”
I felt so un-royal out here. I was given commands. It didn’t really bother me, just took me by surprise. I opened the book which rested in my palms, and a bubble rose. It showed a man Elf with a monocle and a book. He seemed to be reading out loud. I was taken aback when sound accompanied the picture.
“Elves eat only one meal, in the middle of the night. Elves dress in light colors and thin fabric. Elves…”
I had turned to the right page. The education channel. I continued listening to the book.
“Elves wear high shoes to make them seem taller. Elves are very self-conscious about their weight. Elves never drink wine.”
I spun on Sir Iopie, and he looked at me with annoyed and guilty eyes. He tore the flask from his lips and said, “I won’t bring it in.”
“Not if you want a warm welcome. The Elves are very strict. See? Listen.” I held up the book. “Elves are very stringent, but kind and forgiving,” it said.
He rolled his eyes. “Aye.”
“Layla!” I heard a small voice scream. Adda. I turned my head forward. For a few seconds I saw a hazy, silver mist, then I was enveloped in it. I closed my eyes out of reflex. I heard high, merry voices, and the sounds of feet on trodden earth. I opened my eyes to see a sight that stole the air from my lungs. My mouth opened in a slight smile wide as my eyes. There were awkwardly tall Elf children grinning and waving at me as I trotted forward slowly on my tired horse. I looked over and saw Adda already off Dido and playing with them. Conrad was flirting with a tall, slender Elf that had long golden hair that rested gently on her silvery body.
“Welcome to Geoterilavus, Queen Layla!” An extremely tall Elf was bowing in front of me with his hands clasped in front of him.
Thinking quickly, I tried to say their greeting. “May the rain fall for luscious life,” I fumbled for the words.
“May the rain fall for luscious life,” he echoed.
I looked back at Sir Iopie who was still behind me. To my horror he still had his wine flask in his hand. I shot him a horrific look. He looked surprised, forgetful and embarrassed all at once as he took a look at the flask, then at the Elf, then shoved it behind his back and smiled. “Let it rain,” he said.
I forced myself not to laugh, but bite down hard on my tongue. I dismounted Clupint and held the reins in my hand.
“What brings the fair queen to our humble mountaintop?” The Elf asked. I assumed him to be the king. He reached forth a willowy, graceful hand to take Clupint’s reins from me and handed them to another elf. I noticed a large, red signet ring on his middle finger. It had a hideous creature on it, all bent over with cruel fangs that dripped with blood thirsty saliva. I couldn’t tell exactly what color it would be in real life, but it seemed to be ebony and hairy. It was a monster I had never seen nor heard of before. I gazed at the ring questioningly, not wanting to ask about it, but terribly curious.
“Gkantrolt,” The Elf said, drawing his hand nearer to him, rubbing it both nervously and defensively. “It is a Gkantrolt. They are a mythical creature of our ancestors.”
I nodded, though slightly bemused. He was acting very strangely about it. Tense, uneasy. But suddenly that faded as trumpets began to blast in time with a million feet running to greet me and lead me to their castle. In a matter of seconds I engulfed by skinny, lofty shimmering figures. They were so silent and beautiful, such graceful and gentle creatures. They were so close to me that I could smell them. Like peppermint figs and goat’s milk. Very sweet. Their many voices floated all around me, suave and syrupy like honey. My head starting swimming in a sea of murmuring glee.
“Come, Queen Layla! Another meal will be scheduled in your honor!”
I was swept away over a hill to where their castle was in view. I gasped. Their castle was beyond heavenly. It was floating on several blue clouds, hovering a few feet above the ground. As I walked towards it, I, myself, felt as if I were floating. My feet glided an inch over the long, thin grass. Grass that was like thin, blonde hair. Golden hair. My thoughts were fuzzy; a place like this wouldn’t let you think straight. It was too extravagant. I didn’t even bother to look around and see what Adda or Conrad was doing. Or to make sure Sir Iopie didn’t have his wine flask back out. I just kept my eyes on the sight in front of me.
“The Castle of Blithe!” An Elfish voice cried out.
The Castle of Blithe.