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Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 45

Joulupukki began, 
     “I don't...,”
DynDoeth interrupted, 
     “Far beyond his father.”  As stoic and emotionless as the Forest Elf was, 
DynDoeth caught a glimpse of fear in his eyes.
     “Even if I believe what you tell me, there is no proof.  I can not act on hearsay,”
was the Councilman's response.
     “Please, for your safety, do not confront Rian.  That was not the purpose of my telling you this.  I tell you only to warn you to be very careful around him.
I feel that he may be getting a sense that his plans are beginning to unravel
which will make him a very dangerous elf.  If you need proof of what I've said,
look to the crystal in his staff, it was broken in the exchange of power.”
Seileach's eyes grew wide at the thought of power that could break a crystal.
“He has also reinforced his position by bringing Dark Elves from Erin.  Be careful walking the streets tonight.”
He escorted Seileach to the door.  As he reached to open it, he hesitated.
“One more question for you.  About fifty human years ago did Erlenkönig
return to the Village for a naming ceremony for his son?”
     “Why do you ask,” he defensively returned a question with a question.  
     “We have located Joulupukki's Wish Amulet and your magic was a distinct part of it.”  Dyndoeth prodded.
The Councilman stood there unmoving and quiet until the minutes ticked by 
and the silence became uncomfortable.  Then he seemed to come to a decision.
     “I do not intend to offer undo help in connecting you to Erlenkönig,
I made a promise to him to not discuss this with anyone else, but sadly
he is gone now,” he said looking at Joulupukki.  
That amulet had a different name embossed on it.
     “Klaus,” the half elf offered.
     “Yes, it was Klaus.  Where did you find it?”  
     “It was attached to Sprinteren's collar.” Joulupukki stared at the elf.
Dyndoeth offered, 
     “He is the deer that protected Aisling and her son after Erlenkönig was gone.” 
With a slight hesitation Seileach began, 
     “It was the strangest naming ceremony I have ever taken part in and initially I refused.  Erlenkönig contacted me by sending a note attached to a deer's collar.  Along with the note was a Wish Amulet that was embossed with 
Erlenkönig's name, Aisling's name and the first letter K which was strong
in his magic.  He requested I take a private vote of the Council excluding Rian
and the Erin Councilman because he new they would not agree to the name he had chosen, 'Klaus', people of victory.  I voted along with the remaining Councilman and we all agreed the name to be acceptable.  The Amulet was first given to the Village Councilman and he embossed the second letter.  With all of the turmoil in the Village at the time we decided to send a letter back to Erlenkönig with the amulet attached.  Over the next three years the deer came and went until all but one of the letters found their way onto the tag.  I was reluctant to emboss the last one, but finally decided that a child should not have to suffer for the misgivings of one old elf and I added the S.  Keep in mind, this proves that Erlenkönig had a son.  It does not prove that you are he.”  He opened the door.  On his way back to the Keep he greeted several elves that he did not recognize.  He thought it might be wise to heed DynDoeth's advice.

Copyright © James Inman | Year Posted 2021

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