Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 11

Lumi's hand pressed upon his shoulder in a surprisingly firm grip guiding him into the dining area and to the second of two long slender tables where sat five older elves including DynDoeth. “Come, sit, join us. You must be starving for some good food,” the elf said. “Please, help yourself, what is ours is yours.” Lumi pulled out two chairs pointing at one for the man to sit, but, before Lumi could take his own, another of the older elves cleared his throat and looked sternly at him. This elf made DynDoeth look the age of a teenager, his wrinkled skin like that of a dried piece of fruit. Again he cleared his throat leaving no room for others to speak and asked, “So you think you can join us at our table now?” The question took Joulupukki by surprise and he looked at Lumi who explained, "This is the elders' table with the chairs,” Lumi said as he motioned to the other table surrounded by benches and said, “this is where the young ones sit.” Joulupukki leaned forward keeping his aggression in check and spoke directly to Lumi's uncle. “I sincerely thank you for your kindness and your offer. I would also like to consider you friend, as I do Lumi,” he realized the truth of his statement as he spoke it, “but,” turning to the older elf, “I will sit where Lumi sits.” Lumi looked aghast at this obvious insult to the Elder Elf, as Joulupukki turned to sit at the other table. He stopped only when the Elder spoke again. “Perhaps, you should sit there Joulupuuuukkkkiiii,” pointing at the bench in front of the children's table, and drawing out the name as if to emphasize pukki, goat, “until you learn some manners.” Turning, facing the elf, he considered his words carefully, “I have laughed sincerely with all of the jokes about my name. I willingly laugh along with you and deprecate myself before you, knowing I am no more than are you. I am in your house and do not wish to offend any who live here, but I will not laugh at the expense of my friend.” DynDoeth smiled gently at his words before butting in, “Friend you are, Joulupukki. To Lumi, to me and to all of my kin. Do not let this old,” he hesitated for a moment and continued chuckling, “Pukki, upset you. He was just miffed at Lumi's decision to perform his naming ceremony without his elders. I think you will find his sense of humor to be quite funny, if a bit irreverent when you get to know him and perhaps you may even be able to call him friend in time. So please, join us.” He stood and motioned to the chair. As he and Lumi sat, the older elf chuckled and said in a soft tone, “I hope you're happy, I will likely be known as Pukki from this day forward.” They all laughed. Through the doorway where the food was being prepared stepped a short, lightly rounded, moderately aged woman holding a large terrine filled with the most wonderful smelling stew. She placed it on the table by DynDoeth who playfully and tenderly slapped her on her hip. She gasped and glared at him. “In the company of our guest?” She asked. “You will not find women like this anymore,” DynDoeth stated. “Sound and strong and as fair as a butterfly on a warm summers day.” “...and as round in hip as a real woman should be.” came from the other side of the table. Her glare intensified as she leaned across the table. The elf who had spoken raised his hand in supplication as she started to reach for him but slid into DynDoeth's lap instead. “As for you my love,” she reached up and gently tugged his ear, “if you do that again I will have your ear.” They all laughed as Joulupukki dug into the stew, handing it to Lumi and noticing that for perhaps the first time in his life he felt truly contented. If only his mother could have lived to see this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sun sets hobbledehoy the colors askew, twisted and knurled at this moment of joy in this sad, evil world ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nine days passed quickly as Joulupukki sat carving a toy bear for one of the elfin children who sat before him. He loved bringing joy to the life of all children but now he began to grow restless. His hosts, he found to be the kindest of people and made him want for nothing. In just nine days he felt his slim body gaining weight. Whenever he tried to help in any way, including menial tasks such as cleaning the dishes or sweeping the floor, DynDoeth or his wife would admonish him and tell him to rest. “You've spent many months traversing the desolate winter desert of the north-land. Your body needs to recuperate and regain its strength. There will be more than enough for you to do much sooner than you think,” they would insist. “If your legs get restless go visit the stables,” Dyndoeth would tell him. Sprinteren was always a pleasure to visit, snuggling up next to him and nuzzling his muzzle into Joulupukki's hand, listening to the gentle tinkle of his sweet sounding bell. He would always take him a carrot or some sweet beets as a treat. So, here he was, pulling down on the tail of a small toy bear making the legs move as if it were running and, to their delight, chasing the laughing children around the room. He had not seen Lumi for several days and when asked, no one would provide him with an answer as to the where-abouts of the elf. He would get only cursory responses like making arrangements or taking care of business. What business was he up to? DynDoeth said he had to be careful because of Rian, who-ever he was, if he was caught in the city again, they would not leave him in a snow drift. This time he would likely be stripped of his magic which for an elf would be worse than death. Joulupukki asked DynDoeth if he could help in any way, perhaps he could help Lumi, but was met with the same, “Just relax for now, preparations are under way and you will need all of your strength for the coming events.”