Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 70

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Kingdom, nursemaid Elgiva was reaching the end of her long journey. She knocked at the door of the farmstead she'd been directed to by her latest Kytalyk helper, and waited for an answer. As she stood there, tentatively, she heard a clutter from within. The door swung open. Taxilian and Mayleen, the grandparents of Box and Goola, and parents of Julen, were stood there smiling. She explained her arrival and they welcomed her with grace. As she was ushered into the kitchen to sit down, and, as usual, rest her weary legs, she was greeted by a third unfamiliar face: Luteeay, the other grandfather of Box and Goola, who knew all about her trip and why she'd come.

"So you'll be staying here until we have further news," he teased, cordially.

"Yes, in pox territory, I guess," she joked nervously in return, easing herself down at the table.

"Don't worry," interrupted Taxilian, seeing the mild concern, "..the Pox hasn't arrived quite this far yet."

"I'm glad to hear it."

As she said this Grandma Mayleen brought Elgiva some tea, and reminded her once again of how welcome she was. Explaining the workings of the farm, almost like a hotelier showing hospitality to a treasured guest. It reassured Elgiva as she sipped the tea, and she felt a sense of gratitude that her hosts were just as kindly as she'd been told they would be.

As Taxilian went to fetch her bag from the doorstep, to take it up to her room, Grandpa Luteeay picked up the conversation. "Your princess has been on quite a journey," he intoned, expressing his full knowledge of the situation. He was likewise well aware that Box, Goola and Julen had been on an itinerant journey themselves, thanks to information from his friendly Kytalyk sources - though the exact details of everything that had happened were still somewhat foggy.

When Taxilian and Mayleen had found out about these wanderings they'd been just as shocked and distressed as Elgiva had been. That the pleasant holiday to the security of Aunt Ellever's home had turned into a trouble-filled quest had been quite the unwanted surprise. Their fretting only slightly appeased by the revelation that refuge had been found in Once Woods; amongst the peaceful half-tails. The second safest place they could be ..after Aunt Ellever's home.

"They'll probably stay there a good while now," stated Luteeay with confidence. He then took a large gulp of his own tea. "Hopefully they'll stay there until this is all over. Then they can come back here. Or, if needed, we can go to them, to bring them back. For now we can wait though - these young ones move too fast for us older ones, so we can spare our legs. It's the wisest thing to do."

Elgiva was happy to agree as she looked around at the place she'd now have to consider home. The pleasant countryside of the farm visible through the kitchen window. She finished sipping her tea, had a small bite to eat, then headed up to her room. A room that was Julen's, but that now had been given a gentle makeover. Flowers in a tall vase on the table. The large round window that looked out over the back fields hung prettily with flowery-patterned curtains. With matching floral patterns on the cover of the freshly made bed. Taxilian and Mayleen then left her to get comfortable, whilst Luteeay, his little bit of good work done, headed back to his own homely hovel, a mile or so from the farm.

That night, as Elgiva slept peacefully in her new bed, Liofia, Boxayla, Goola and Julen slept gracefully in theirs. Their little hammocks swaying gently in the mild forest breeze. Like little rocking chairs hanging from the sleepy willows. All was pleasant and restful at their journey's end.