Well, such a to do - time had flown by as the gnomes rushed to gather in the last of their precious harvests before the Autumn gales and cold weather settled in. Archibold in particular, had taken to standing in the pantry with a huge grin on his face as he rejoiced at the display in front of him. Shelves and baskets full of drying fruit and oven dried berries, hanging circles of smoked cheeses and delectable mushrooms, little discs of dried crab apples and pear - oh what a mouth watering array - Archibold was almost beside himself as he patted the sacks of barley and flours. 'Oh my, oh my, hazelnut cake with blackberry jam, oh I do love winter.' Archibold gave a little skip and tucking a biscuit into is waistcoat pocket, carefully shut the door on his emporium of delights.
Hortensia also loved Autumn and she was spending as much time as possible outside. She especially loved the changing colours of the leaves, the different smells and most of all the radiance of a blue sky on a fine Autumn morning. She always took a basket with her, ready to gather late greens, mushrooms and herbs for drying. Aunt Mildred had brought in a bountiful harvest of green walnuts (Archibold had made a boat for baby Harriet out of one of the shells, he was never too busy to make new toys or play with his Darling Daughter), Hortensia was planning to make a tasty pickle of the walnuts as a winter treat.
Throughout all their grateful gathering and storing, the gnomes were very aware of the pressing challenge in front of them. They had only a few days left to propose any ideas for the resolution of the dilemma that they all faced. The next Gathering of the Venerables was fast approaching and a decision would have to be made and 'A Grand Plan' set into motion. Serious times were ahead, and the gnomes were all listening to the whispers carried on the wind and to the rhythms of the earth below their feet for guidance and the right timing for the way ahead.
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