Hortensia felt particularly happy. firstly for it was a most radiant day - full of the clarity of Spring Sunshine, then on her early morning walk, she had found a drift of snowdrops, pure and gently smelling of honey and lastly, and most importantly of all, their beloved and venerable friends Eleanora and Hector were on their way for a visit - what more could one ask for a happy start to a day?!
She and Archibold has buffed and polished, fluffed and arranged, and their home smelled of beeswax and lavender. Hortensia had sprayed some rose essence on their guests pillow slips for sweet dreams and Archibold had been overtaken with anticipatory excitement and baked six loaves of his best seedy loaves and about twenty four buns - for they not only expected their esteemed visitors but all sorts of casual gnome drop-bys for cups of tea, and he liked to be prepared for sandwich making. To that end Aunt Mildred had delivered some of her foot and chest balm and six of her best cakes. 'On My' thought Hortensia 'I am never sure about her beetroot loaf, but four of her apple and spice cakes and an elderflower sponge, what a delight, what treats we shall all have!'
Because of Eleanora's keen interest in baby Harriet's future, she had dressed her in a blue smock to match her eyes of course, with a lavender bonnet edged in pink rosebuds, 'Must look your best Little Darling, a very important visitor is coming to stay'. Baby Harriet blinked and gurgled and did her best to try to keep up with all the activity in their house, she had taken to crawling at an alarming speed and Archibold had to almost run to keep up with her.
At last they felt everything was in tip top order and they set out to meet their guests. By the time they had reached the edge of the forest they had been joined by all the gnomes of Forest, all dressed up in their very best clothes and waving and cheering. For in the distance they could just make out the shapes of Eleanora and Hector making their way towards them. What excitement, what joy, such a feeling of homecoming and heart swelling that the gnomes all started to sing. Well, when gnomes sing in harmony it makes even the birds stop to listen and the air still as the the sweetest sound fills the ethers - enough to make one cry even if heard in a dream - which is mostly the only time humans ever hear them.
Truth to tell Eleanora and Hector both felt a little emotional as they heard the song of welcome. 'We have left visiting them too long, Hector, what a welcome they are giving us, we are honoured by such a song'. As they drew near Aunt Mildred, Uncle Humperdinck and Archimedes all stepped forward and bowing low saluted them with the formal gnome greeting 'Peace in your heart, peace in your home and peace all the days of your life'. After that of course there was much leaping about and embracing and mass huggings and hat tossings - well it was joy all around! For you see, they gnomes had been through very trying and fearful times and the love of their friends meant even more than every before - they knew in their hearts that it was all that really mattered.
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