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Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 101

Later that evening Seileach enjoyed a giant mushroom dinner with Joulupukki, Ceridfen, DynDoeth, Gwaldon, Bréagán, Chroí, Lumi and the two humans.  It was a large gathering with many other friends and family and the event went on until a few hours before sun rise.  They discussed many topics but most importantly Seilach discussed the arrangements he had made for Erlenkönig and Aisling.  In two days they would have the ceremony and re-inter his mother and father. 
     “I hope you will like the new death boxes that I have arranged for with the Carpenter Elf.  He said it was very short notice but has requested help from two other master carpenters.  He said it will be ready for the ceremony.  He stopped all of his other work to concentrate on this.”
     “We will have to thank him and his associates appropriately for their help.”
     “Yes, I think it only fair but I'm not sure they will take anything you offer.  
They were so proud to be asked to take part in this great honor I don't know if they will accept any compensation for the job.”
     “I'll think of something,” Joulupukki intended to recognize everyone who had helped bring his parents back to the Village.
Seileach found Jessica and her father to be delightful.  Both, intelligent and quick witted and unlike most of the elves he dealt with, able to see his own wit and humor.  It had been a very long time but the Elder Councilman was familiar with humans.  He had worked with them in the western land masses for several years, trying to help them slow their inevitable decline.  They had so much potential but also so much hate for their fellow man.  They had great prowess with numbers and exceptional night gazers.  They had nearly mapped the entire sky, but they were constantly at war with one tribe or another dwindling the strongest and most capable of their young people.  If that was not enough they were very superstitious, killing each other at will to appease their gods.  He predicted the end of their civilization within just a 
few hundred years, and perhaps their culture as well; such a shame for such a rich heritage.  He spoke at length with Raðulfr about his travels along the northern sea when he was younger being particularly interested in the plants and animals that he had seen.  He listened carefully as the 'Tale of the Northern Trolls' was begun by Bréagán who soon turned over the telling of it to Jessica.  Her whispered voice drawing the attention of all of the elves from the youngest to the most elderly.
     “We traveled north, always north,” her profound whisper giving an air of importance and perilous intensity to the tale.  The group had moved from the eating hall to the great room before she had taken over from Bréagán and every eye and ear was on her as she began.  She recounted the events of their encounter with the trolls just as it happened but with a flare that entranced her audience.  Even Gwaldon, Bréagán, and Dyndoeth were drawn into the story like a stream is drawn into a river and the river is drawn into the sea.  Ceridfen sat enthralled, and Seileach could not take his eyes from the human.  The young ones laughed and jumped as the tale cycled through intense emotions, ending with more than a few tears shed for the trolls and Joulupukki's attempt to help them.
     “... and it is up to you whether you believe me or not, but that is the truth of the 'Tale of the Northern Trolls'.  I know for I was there.”

Copyright © James Inman | Year Posted 2021

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