"You know Archibold, there is very little that matters as much as this" Hortensia snuggled deeper into Archibold's waistcoat and thought how handsome he looked with his deep blue eyes and soft white beard, " We may be older but so is our love!"
"Humph" answered Archibold, "That's quite enough of that!" but he gave her a big squeeze as he held her securely in his arms.
They had woken up early on a late summer's morning to see the beauty of the early dawn lift the sky from pale blues into gold and apricot. "We are so lucky really, still to live here and be guardians of the wood" thought Hortensia, but ever being a practical gnome, she remembered that she had promised to make myrtle pancakes with honey for breakfast!
"Oh my goodness Archibold, everyone will be arriving for our breakfast party and I won't have got the pancake batter ready!" and with that she lept up, straightened her apron and cajoled Archibold into rushing home!
There in the cool of the early morning Archibold had set out benches and tables, Hortensia's oven was lit ready for her to set her skillet on the hob. "My oh My Archibold, quick boil the kettle for tea, I can hear voices!"
There was an abundant selection of teas: rose hip, nettle top, mints of various varieties, lavender, blackberry leaf and fresh Dandelion leaf, Archibold was in charge of the teapots and of course the tables were set with cups and saucers all ready for their guests.
On the side table were set out a huge pyramid of fluffy scones, apple cake and blackberry pie. Gnomes believe in generosity and never want a guest to leave unless they are happily full. Each table had several jugs of fresh elder flower cordial and as a centre piece, a bowl of this years precious mint humbugs. For as you know, a good humbug can help resolve the riskiest of situations or problems, and revitalise body and spirit whatever the weather.
Soon the gnomes had gathered in the glade and Hortensia was banging her spoon on an old saucepan, "Pancakes are ready, take your places!" and an orderly queue formed of very hungry gnomes."Three each for starters and more if you fancy them"
Soon the air was filled with the sound of soft murmurs from the contented gnomes and perhaps, the occasional burp. Archibold stood up, " today, Hortensia and I are celebrating having been together for a hundred and thirty nine years and we wanted to thank you our friends and family, for all the joy that you bring into our lives!"
Well, with that there was great cheering and hat tossing and of course soon a most wonderful song was echoing through the tall trees. The gnomes sang of the delights of summer, of the comfort of friendship, and most of all, of their gratefulness for their beloved wood and each other.
