Slivery light and gentle thoughts......

Lady Eleanora was standing in the bright moonlight, stroking the twin of the blue stone that was shining so brilliantly in Harriet's crib. 'All goodness and joy to you Little One, always look to the light to keep you safe and guide your way', and with that she carefully placed the shimmering stone in a basket of moss and started on her way home.

Eleanora loved walking in the the moonlight, the clarity of the sound and the beauty of the river as it glinted and flowed over the rocks, even the pine trees seemed to whisper in the soft, silvery light. As you can imagine, she was very beautiful. She was the most rare of creatures - the kindness and wisdom of her spirit illuminated all that she did. She had lived a long time ( even by gnome standards), and her knowledge of the great mysteries was legendary - as was her generous and humorous nature. To soon have a new apprentice had put a lift in her step and a flutter in her heart. She had been waiting for Archibold to visit and was thrilled to have been able to advise him on the best course of action for the future happiness of the Dwellers of the Forest.

'What times we live in' she thought 'so many humans now, we are indeed lucky to live so far north and still have the space and freedom to live as we will'. Because she had lived for a long time, and because she had worked with the mysterious qualities of light for most of her life, Eleanora could seem almost see-through as she walked by - all apart from her eyes of course. A gnome could lose their way gazing into her eyes, such pools of deep violet blue full of starlight and sparkle, and it was well known that no one could tell a lie if they were looking into her eyes.

Eleanora stopped by one of her favourite great trees and carefully sat down to have a little think. Gently she started to sing, weaving a dance of harmony and peace in the air with the beauty of her voice, 'Not long before the changes begin' she thought and fell silent as she sat for a long time looking up at the stars and the great moon full with enigmatic radiance - and wondered about all manner of things above and below and all around.