Possibilites of change and mint humbugs........

There was no doubt about the matter - the gnomes of the forest were facing a turning point that could possibly affect them all. Eleanora was more grateful than ever for Hector's presence at her side - because he was a city dwelling gnome, and in many ways it has to be said, much more in touch with modern human behaviour and beliefs - his advice and humour and basic optimism was proving ever more precious by the day. After all the meetings and airings of all manner of proposals, (some very wild indeed) what it came down to was a rather stark choice. Either the gnomes of the forest moved out (possibly up to the the more un-populated North) or they faced a future of integration with humans on their home turf.

Here Hector had waxed lyrical about city humans needing access to wild nature and how the forest was in a strong position to be saved because of the Old Lady owner and her son already having a deep love and history with the trees. Archimedes had had to step in and curb some of Hector's rather more long winded descriptions of terrorist gardening and the joys of abseiling, but even some of the hot headed young gnomes were beginning to find the idea of more human interaction somewhat attractive.

The trouble was that Aunt Mildred, for all of her unorthodox behaviours, was deeply resistant to facing any possibility of change to her home. She didn't trust humans much and in her experience, though the odd human was an exception, most were only out for their own interests. As far as she was concerned humans didn't even care about what gnomes looked like, all those statues of pot bellies and ugly noses, really the idea of closer interaction was more than she could tolerate. Hortensia and Archibold were taking her for a stroll through the snowdrops, as they walked and the gentle breeze and Spring sunlight eased their sadness, they discussed some of the realities that faced them.

'The problem is, that humans like to think that they own the land and sometimes that is a great folly. We know, because we have seen them come and go and the trees continue. Still they are capable of great damage when they move to make their mark, and sometimes as Archimedes says, in the long term who knows what is for the good?' Aunt Mildred snorted at Archibold's very muddled explanation and sucked fiercely on a mint humbug. 'Either we adapt, or we disperse - and our community is changed either way, pesky people thinking they know what is right'. Hortensia and Archibold smiled, by Aunt Mildred calling humans pesky, they knew she was beginning to let her feistiness override her fears.

They walked home in the golden light, cherishing the clarity and freshness of the afternoon. Soon the leaves would be in bud and there would be much work to be done. Hortensia was thinking of a nice onion soup for tea with cheese on toast and possibly some wild berry crumble for pudding. She tucked her arm around Aunt Mildred and gave her a hug, 'it will be alright in the end, you never know we might even like being with humans more!" Aunt Mildred smiled at her, but doubted very much that she would like being around humans on a daily basis, never-the-less her kindly niece was trying to cheer her up, so she sniffed loudly and offered her a mint humbug to make amends.

The excitement of guests and the joy of hat tossing...

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.

A time of peace and preparing for change.............

Hector and Eleanora gazed down on the forest. They had climbed up a tall fir tree on the edge of the valley to catch the last of the evening's winter sunshine and also a good view of the forest before they settled down for the night. They had stopped to make camp rather then arrive at Persimmon Heights in the dark. Always a good idea to arrive in the morning if possible after a long journey, that way there was still a chance of doing something useful after all the greetings and celebratory cups of tea.

The two gnomes settled down beside their fire, their dinner of winter barley and dried herb broth and melted cheese on griddle cakes was laid out on a low stump of wood covered by a pink handkerchief. Behind them, strung between trees were their travel hammocks. Hector had collected enough wood to keep the fire going through the night as they were expecting a hard frost, and now Eleanora was gazing into her Blue Seeing Stone to check what might be happening with the all the gnomes that were in her care.

'Time to put on our cloaks Hector, even with the fire roaring I can feel the chill creeping all around.' Hector  had hung the cloaks up like curtains on a nearby bush to warm up before they put them on, so as they wrapped themselves around with their thick and very sensibly lined woollen cloaks, they felt instantly warmer. 'Oh Hector I am so very glad that you have come along too, it makes the world of difference.' Hector grinned at her and popped some flat stones near the fire to warm up before he tucked them into the bedding of their hammocks to keep their feet warm - for as we all know, gnomes hate having cold feet and have been known to succumb to grumpiness and glumness when their feet are cold.

The moon was rising in the clear sky and Hector left Eleanora to dream and think by the fire as he went to listen to the trees and the wind. There were changes coming and Hector knew that that if the gnomes were going to adapt and succeed, that they would have to be in harmony with the deeper music and the slow time of the earth all around.

He could hear Eleanora singing a gentle song of peace to all that dwelt in the forest and knew in his heart that he had done the right thing by joining her on her mission. 'She will have to tell them of the changes' he thought, 'best that I am with her to support her, besides I could do with a good escapade myself!'. Hector was looking forward to going out on the river with Archibold and Stephanotis and to an adventure or two or even three or four! After his life in the city, he felt a longing for the wildness and freedom of a bit of white water rafting.

The brother and sister settled down for the night, soon Hector was snoring and Eleanora fell into a gentle slumber as she gazed into the flickering flames of the fire, safely tucked in her snug hammock. Tomorrow was a big day and she felt grateful for the peace and time to prepare.

Decisions and careful packing....

Hector had been thinking about Eleanora and how much she was worrying about what the future might hold for the Forest Gnomes, ever since she had left on her onward journey he had felt out of sorts. Eventually he had stopped rushing about being busy, and sitting down and resting under a holly bush, he had begun to seriously consider a new possibility. 'Perhaps some company might be of assistance, perhaps I could help with negotiations....' The more he thought about it, the more he realised that he wanted to be with Eleanora on her visit south. 'Well, the moment has come - I must set out at once!'

Hector very carefully set about packing, having spent many years living with his human, he had copied many of his particularly useful ways of doing things. Of course Hector didn't have to travel on a motorbike, but he still packed as though everything might have to fit into a small space. He was wearing his favourite black leather outfit with a jaunty black cap with red leather piping. 'Want to maintain standards, been years since I've given Aunt Mildred a shock!' He thought with fondness of Aunt Mildred's valiant efforts to persuade him to wear a pointy felt hat. 'No reason to conform to humans expectations' he had told her the last time she had presented him with a green felt floppy 'normal' hat.

Of course it is true that all gnomes love a good hat, in fact they find them an essential item of clothing. Humans seem to have an expectation that all gnomes wear pointy hats - this is of course ridiculous. Much as they love a pointy hat, gnomes wear hats of all shapes and sizes and materials. Hat making is a favourite winter activity and can lead to more than a bit of competitive planning and construction. Hector packed a large selection of spotty handkerchiefs and stripy socks, popping his comb into his top pocket  for he had very unruly red curls, and then making a final check of the plants under his care, set off to catch up with his beloved sister Eleanora.

Eleanora laughed out loud for when stopping for a little rest and a biscuit, happened to look into her Blue Seeing Stone and saw Hector huffing and puffing as he rushed to catch her up. 'Oh what a delight! I'll just rest here and wait for him - poor Hector, he hates leaving the city, he must really want to come along.' Gnomes when travelling long distances usually follow the same ancient paths, so she settled down for a little snooze to wait for Hector's approach.