A moment of tension and the cracking of a heart...

Well there it was - a miracle of sorts, but in the most dangerous of circumstances. Harold gazed into the violet blue of little Harriet's eyes and smiled. To most of us a smile is not such a big event, but to Harold, a human who had lost his joy and given over to bitterness, a smile was the cracking open of his heart.

Hortensia's heart was in danger of cracking too, but for very different reasons. Gnomes do occasionally allow humans to see them, confident in the knowledge that will forget or imagine that they have been dreaming, but never do they allow their precious children direct contact. Hortensia was almost consumed with anxiety and protective fervour.

She quickly climbed up onto Harold's jacket and raced to hold Harriet in her arms. Harriet though, had other ideas and true to her independent nature, she crawled into Harold's outstretched hand and held onto to his finger to steady herself, as she continued to smile back and gaze into his eyes. Later Hortensia would describe to Archibold how Harold seemed to have violet blue eyes too for a while, instead of his usual pale watery ones.

Harold let out a long breath that he had been holding in his wonderment. 'Who are you, Little One, haven't I met you before, what is your name.' Harriet gurgled and Hortensia, who was unable to bear her feelings of anxiety anymore, rushed to explain. 'Her name is Harriet and she is my daughter, she is only a baby and can't speak yet - she seems to have taken a real shine to you.' This was true because Harriet had taken to sitting upright in the palm of Harold's hand and was blowing kisses at him. This was all very embarrassing, but Harold seemed charmed and gently bringing his hand closer to his face exclaimed, 'Well Little Harriet what a brave and beautiful baby you are.' Harriet of course blinked gently at him, Hortensia began to wonder if her small daughter was going to continue with her escapade when Harriet suddenly turned around and held out her arms to be picked up by her Mother.

'We have to go now, it is time for her tea,' Hortensia paused and then gathering her courage, quickly added 'what you remember is meeting all of us before when you were a boy, we used to play with you, you even knew all of our names - you were our friend. We have been trying to remind you of the fun we used to have together so that you wouldn't destroy our homes'.

Harold gazed at Hortensia in a daze, the truth was he did sort of remember something, except he thought that he had read it in a book. His scepticism was returning, but Harriet and Hortensia continued to look directly at him and he was faced with the reality that whatever his doubts, he was having a conversation with a small and feisty being with a most beautiful baby in her arms. 'I don't know what to say or think - will I remember this, meeting Harriet and you?'

At that point, Aunt Mildred, Uncle Humperdinck and Archimedes stepped forward followed by many of the other gnomes of the forest who felt brave enough to face a human who was awake. 'If you promise a solemn promise to tell no one, we can meet again tomorrow here in this glade. There is much we would like to tell you and to discuss with you. Harriet has chosen you as a friend and trusts you, we will abide by her choice and honour you.' Archimedes stood as straight as he could and put his hand on his heart, 'will you agree to come and to tell no one?'