Angelica brushed the last of the dirt and grass away from her clothing. She flicked her long brown hair out of her face and sighed with relief – she was clear of the overgrown muddy field.
The sunset shone through the trees. It reflected on the river and rocks before her. She tapped her brown leather boot on the wooden plank. Old planks lay a few inches above the water, creating a small wharf.
For fishing perhaps. I wonder what fish you’d find here.
Rocks glistered as the clear water flowed downstream. Angelica moved closer to gauge its depth. She rolled up the sleeves of her blue cotton top and knelt down, clasping a few handfuls of water to wash her arms and face.
Ahhh… That’s refreshing.
A group of small fish swam in between the weeds and rocks.
Oh…Too small to eat.
Angelica followed the river upstream with her gaze. The river bent around the trees and up north-west into the forest. She watched the forest life on the other side of the river. Small rocks and moss covered the ground. Bunches of pink and purple flowers grew around the base of the old tall trees. Angelica kinked her neck, trying to see the top of the trees. The lanky forest trees before her stretched up high, obscuring the sky above her, making the atmosphere seem whimsical.
A cool breeze blew in from her right, taking her attention to the stone path. It guided the walker north-east, around the trees and over to a small group of long wooden stools in a lush green clearing further upstream on the riverbank.
A place for contemplation, maybe.
Pain emerged from Angelica’s sore feet. The day’s walking had caught up to her.
I need some contemplation time. Or a brief rest, at least.
Angelica slide her bag off her back and stowed it under the closest tree by the rocks. She sat on the edge of the wharf and rolled up her grey cotton pants to her knees, then took off her boots and socks. Shuffling into a comfortable position, she put her feet in the water one by one.
“Ahhhhh. That’s nice!” Angelica relaxed as her feet cooled in the water. She looked around some more, taking in the atmosphere.
Angelica spotted more of the pink and purple flowers scattered about the forest. The coloured contrasted against the thick moss and green floor.
I wonder how many days it’ll take to get through the forest?
It’s so dense.
Angelica kicked her feet in the water.
I wonder if I meet anyone else…
“Nice evening for it!” A small voice took Angelica by surprise. “Bit cold for me, but you know what they say. It might not be my cuppa tea, but it might be yours. Or something like that.” The small, mature male voice chuckled.
Angelica yanked her feet out of the water and stood. She observed her surroundings, listening for the source.
“Speaking of a cuppa. I think it might be time for one. Care for one?”
Angelica searched around. “Um, I don’t mean to be rude. But where are you?”
“You humans aren’t the best at seeing. Are you?” The voice chuckled again. “I’m over by the rock. The other side of the river. ”
Angelica looked over.
I don’t see anything…
“Near the tree closet to the river.”
Angelica discovered the tree. She tilted her head in a curious matter.
“No, down here.”
Okaaaayyy…..?
Angelica followed the tree trunk down with her eyes. Her gaze meets a small but very blue-haired creature. “Oh, hello!”
A blue-haired gnome waved at her, grinning. “Ah, now you see me. Hello to you. How about that cuppa?”
“I’d love one.” Angelica walked over to her bag to get her cup and kettle. “Where’s the campfire?”
“I’ll come to you. We can make it on your side.” The gnome walked behind the tree to retrieve something before waddling over to the edge of the riverbank. His blue beard sagged, almost reaching his knees. He grabbed the end of his beard and twisted it around his neck like a scarf. And with two feet, he jumped onto the first mossy rock in the river, his belt jiggling with the sound of metal. He jumped again onto the next rock, making his way across the river.
I’m impressed! Look at him go, with such.. ease.
Almost like there’s something… guiding him…
The gnome had a slight mystery about the way he jumped. He floated a little higher in the air. More than just an ordinary gnome jump.
The gnome came to the last rock.
“Surely a little far away for a gnome to jump?” Angelica stared in disbelief.
The gnome checked his beard was okay, patting it down with his hands. He fumbled around his waist, looking for something. On finding it, he held it out and flicked his hand.
A brief gentle breeze whirled around the gnome, bringing with it petals from the nearby flower bush. The petals encircled him. The tender air lifted him off the ground and settled him onto the riverbank. He concluded by bowing to Angelica with a big grin.
“Nice work friend.” Angelica sat back down on the wharf.
“Thanks. Merdie is the name. Professor Merdie Gretterson. But you can call me Merdie. Or Prom. The students call me that. One student thinks of one nickname and it sticks for centuries. Haha.” Merdie walked over to Angelica. He reached up and shook Angelica’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Merdie. I’m Angelica.” She shook his hand, trying not to squeeze it too much. Merdie’s aged hand was the third of hers.
“Nice to meet you, too. Angelica. If you’ll forgive me, it’s been a while since I’ve talked to a human. I haven’t seen you lot come this way for years.” Merdie swooshed his wand around and created a wooden chair to sit next to Angelica. “That’s better. A little higher. I don’t have to yell as much.”
Angelica looked Merdie up and down. His pale green shirt and brown trousers looked old and torn under his patchy, dark grey cloak. His boots were dark brown leather, similar to hers. Merdie untangled his rough, unbrushed beard. It matched his long, wild blue hair with tiny plaits hanging by his ears.
“If you don’t mind me saying. You look taller than the Gnomes of the West.”
“Well, that’s because we are. By about half. Don’t know why. Theres one myth that has made the rounds plenty of times. The Gnomes of the West were the favourites of the gods. In the olden days, that is. The gods patted them on the head. Supposedly for all their good deeds. Where my lot fooled around and misbehaved. And got kicked up the backside.” Merdie chuckled. “And If you don’t mind me saying, you look a little short to be a fully grown human. How old are you, anyway? 15- 16. And why are you by yourself?” Merdie glared up at Angelica.
“I’m 27. I’m just short and younger looking than most.”
“hmmm… 27, hey? Most of my students are younger than you. But that’s Gnome life years, not human. Like I said, it’s been ages since I’ve seen a human.”
“When did you last see one?”
“When did you last see an old and wise blue-haired gnome?” Merdie smirked. “It’s been a while. Decades, I think. You lot used to come through the before the Green War. I’ve had a cuppa tea with all sorts. Guards, warriors, Bakers, Cooks. Those Guards had some stories to tell. Needed a few rounds of tea for those. Their stories would go on long into the night.” Merdie stared out over the river as if lost in a memory.
I wonder what exciting stories and memories Merdie has.
And if he’d share some…
“How long have you been a professor for?”
“Oh. Years Angelica. And that’s human years. Long before you and your parents were born.” Merdie patted his beard and sighed. “I’ve thought about retiring. You know, a gnome my age can get a lovely little setup on the southern side of the river. Fishing during the day, playing cards and drinking tea in the evening.”
“That sounds lovely.”
I can picture it!
A little wooden cottage on the river bank with a nice warm cosy fire inside and a comfy bed.
“Ahh.. It does.” Merdie fiddled with his beard some more. “But where’s the challenge Angelica? I’d get bored. I can’t just go fishing every day!”
“Don’t retire then. Stay a professor and… greet and drink tea with all who come into the forest.”
“Hmm… I like you Angelica. That’s a fine idea.” Merdie beamed. “Shall we get this fire started for that cuppa?”
“I’ll find some wood.” Angelica went to stand, but Merdie put his hand out to stop her.
“No need, my friend.” Merdie took his wand out of his pocket and whooshed it around in a circle. Rocks and pebbles shook on the ground in front of them. With a quick tap of the wand, they rolled around. Angelica watched on as rocks and pebbles formed a circle.
“Now, a little help from our tree friends.” Merdie reached up to the sky with his wand and moved it around like he was conducting an orchestra. Branches and twigs flew in from the trees above and landed in the centre of the rock formation, creating the beginnings of a campfire.
“And now to light it!” Merdie puffed the end of the wand like it was an ember. It illuminated with heat and a flame danced from the tip of the wand. Merdie blew more on the flame, it became stronger and brighter. He nodded in approval of the flame, then flick the wand to transfer the flame to the campfire, lighting it up in big orange and yellow flames.
“Wow. Nice fire!”
“I needed the practise, anyway. It’s like what my old mentor use to always say. If you’re going to be a professor of natural magic, you better be good at what you do.”
“You are excellent at magic!” Angelica reached for her kettle. “But here’s the test. Are you any good at making tea?”
“I’d say the best in the forest. It would make most human tea creations taste like mud.”
Angelica stared at Merdie, and he stared back, both with serious faces.
Merdie was the first to break. He smiled. Angelica smiled. Merdie started laughing. Angelica joined in.
“Well, let’s test out that theory of yours.” Angelica passed her kettle to Merdie.
Angelica and Merdie sat merrily by the fire, making tea and cracking jokes. The flames echoed on the river water as night creeped in. Jokes turned into tales of friends before the Green War. And tea turned into a tasty stew with dumplings. The newly acquainted gnome and human formed a bond. A bond that would last a lifetime.
