Snoozes and a calling.............

'Oh Archibold, not so fast, I'm still trying to take it all in, what did he mean about Isabel and me?' Stephanotis was trying to keep up with Archibold who was hurtling down the steps at great speed, he was already behaving as though he was on a mission and thinking about his new teaching responsibilities very seriously. 'Lets go Lad, we'll get back to the boat and out the kettle on and have a proper cup of tea - we can have a good talk then and sort it all out.'

The two gnomes set to putting up their hammocks by the water's edge, making a roaring fire and putting the kettle on to boil. 'Perhaps a bit of toast and melted cheese might help us settle our stomachs after Archimedes' tea - might be good for the joints but always makes me feel a tad queasy.' Archibold was making a pot of his best peppermint tea, Stephanotis thought that melting cheese on toast sounded sublime, the truth was he felt a bit shaken up, so doing something useful like cutting some thick slices of bread seemed rather calming after what he had just been through.

Several mugs of tea and slices of tasty cheese on toast later, the two gnomes settled into their hammocks, they both thought the moment had come for a serious talk, but as they began to relax an overwhelming need for a snooze overtook them both. Soon the little camp echoed to the sounds of their gentle whistles and snores, Up in his tree house, Archimedes smiled to himself, 'best thing for them both - sleep always settles the spirits, young Stephanotis will feel much better after a nap - such a good idea I think I might just have a little snooze too.' And with that happy thought he settled his chin into his beard, snuggled into his chair, and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Archibold was dreaming about Hortensia, she was looking so fierce and calling his name so loudly that he woke up with a start, 'Oh my, Oh my, OH MY, I have forgotten to let her know where we are, we have been away much longer than a normal escapade, we must make haste Stephanotis, roll your hammock and stow the tea things in the boat.' The two gnomes quickly tidied up, soon leaving no trace of the little camp, 'Your first lesson Stephanotis, make time to be still and always listen for the bigger music, we forget at our peril - always the bigger harmony - no matter how deeply you are involved in what you are doing.'

As they paddled home, Stephanotis' mind was racing. A Keeper of Time and Memory, he had a feeling in his tummy that his life was changing forever, for everyone knew that meeting The Venerable Archimedes Bonaparte was a calling to action, the times required a commitment and that he had been chosen for a very special task - he felt humbled, excited and not a little awestruck.