Gnome-Trek: Episode 7. Into the Plague: Chapter 19

Bristol. The Final Destination.

These are the continuing voyages of the Flying-Brick ‘Gnome’, friend of the elves.

Chapter 19: The Elf's Tale

She was a daughter of the Eldar from the eastern edge of middle earth, from Jelenia Góra deep in the Giant Mountains, bordering the land of the Pôles. Thankfully she was no dancer.

She came to the Land of the Angles in search of wisdom and riches, but fell instead into the enchantment of Luke, a human with the power of animation. 

They bore an Elfling and all was well.

Then came the great schism, the battle between all that was good and unifying and all that was evil and divisive. 

Evil won the day. The continent of middle earth was divided. Fear was instilled into the natives, impelling them to revile and despise those from distant foreign parts, including the Elf herself. 

And then a plague was brought down upon the land, a pestilence that caused much grief and death. It flung apart loved ones.

Two of those still inhabiting distant realms attempted to close the riven gap with the aid of the great Gnome.

Verily it had been such a long time since they had been together, and longed to meet with them again. 

But Evil was ever present, and sought to keep them apart. Illness struck the Elf, and it was feared that she had fallen under the power of the Dark Lord. She underwent the plague test, an ancient and enigmatic procedure involving the forceful thrusting of a baton of truth into the head. All had to remain masked except the Elfling, who had been instilled with some kind of magical resilience to the dark powers.

All kept their masked distance incase the malign influence took hold upon them. Forced to eat outside and at an appropriate distance, sustenance was taken while sheltering against the forces of nature under a tarpaulin.

Then, finally, without warning, results were received using a magical hand-held device. As opposed to the foot-held variety. The Elf was not riddled by plague, she was well.

Celebrations abounded, much beverage was quaffed and exotic foodstuffs devoured. 

Happiness was cast liberally all around. 

Finally, success. 

A moment of glorious achievement after all the travails that this voyage had cast upon the distant travellers. All the muddled pieces had come together in that moment.

But it was not to last.

Angry at failing to contaminate the Elf, the Dark One cast far and wide for another victim, and found, well hidden in the Land of Pôles, the Elf's very own and fragile father. 

All hope was once again lost.

Next chapter: The Secret Weapon