Once
a Hero, Always a Hero
Chapter
1: Beginnings
Elgret
was sitting at the kitchen table, moping around. He missed his friends, but
especially Richie.
The last
few months had been filled with new responsibilities. He now counted as an
adult, and that meant he had to take his share of tasks that needed doing,
although he had been given a brief respite beforehand. His current job was
to help the teachers at the goblin school. Something he enjoyed, but there
was still so much he wanted to learn himself.
He had
been told by the Elders that for a time he would be required to help out wherever
his assistance was required, until they knew where he would best fit in. The
intention was also to give him time to come to terms with the adventures he
had experienced.
At first
Elgret had enjoyed being treated as an adult. It had made him feel good to
see younger goblins look up to him, but now even this had grown stale. He
had talked to his parents about his dream to go to Dragon University to study,
however, they were not too keen on him to leave them again so soon.
Come
on, Elgret, rather than sitting there and staring holes in the table, you
could help me prepare dinner, his mother told him.
Do
I have to?, he wanted to know miserably.
No,
you dont. However, if you dont then youll have to tell me
whats wrong!, Algret replied.
Oh
mum... I am not sure..., Elgret mumbled.
Now,
now. Thats no answer. Tell me whats wrong, his mum insisted.
I
miss my friends, especially Richie! Satisfied?, Elgret told her grumpily.
His mother
stayed quiet for a while, kneading the pastry dough, before putting it in
the cooling cupboard to rest. When she came back she sat down at the table
with her son, How about you invite them all for a party? I am sure it
would cheer up Fragola to see them again, too, she suggested.
Hmm...
a party? Here?, Elgret wanted to know.
Yes,
why not? I am sure we can put them all up... Rederk might even be persuaded
to produce some more of potion to make Olblorod smaller so hell fit
in, his mum thought aloud.
Thats
a brilliant idea, mum. Thanks!, Elgret got up and hugged her. Theres
one problem, though, how do I let Richie know about the party?
Let
me think about that. How about you go and find Fragola, then you two can write
the invitations, she suggested.
Elgret
went to find Fragola. Usually, she could found in the crater area where she
was helping the gardeners to grow all the vegetables, fruit and herbs needed
by the goblin community. It was quite a way to the centre of the Hill, but
Elgret used it to think up lots of schemes on how to contact Richie. Unfortunately,
none of them was feasible. He hoped his mum could come up with something,
or maybe Fragola had an idea.
Finally,
he reached the Hills gardens. It did not take him long to find Fragola,
she was in her herb garden singing to the new shoots.
Hi
Fragola!, he greeted her.
Fragola
looked up, surprised to see Elgret, he did not normally come here to see her,
Hi. Whats up?
My
mum had this brilliant idea! She said we should have a party, and invite everybody,
Richie, Almor and Olblorod to come here!, the words tumbled out of Elgret.
A
party? Yes, why not. It is a good idea! I miss them, too, Fragola said
excitedly.
So
youre all for it, too?, Elgret wanted to know, and when Fragola
nodded enthusiastically, he continued, Care to help me with the invitations?
You
write them, your handwritings much neater than mine. Ill decorate
them, okay?, she thought for a moment, then asked him, What about
Richie, how are you getting the invitation to him?
I
am not sure yet... Ive been thinking about it on the way here, but I
havent come up with anything yet, Elgret replied.
Ill
think about it, too, together were bound to find a way!, she consoled
him.
They walked
back together, it was almost dinner time anyway, and Fragola was far too excited
about the party to have any patience left for her plants.
When they
arrived back at the cave his mother was busy with dinner. Oh, good youre
back, tea wont be long, she called out to them from a cloud of
steam. Can you lay the table? The others shouldnt be long either.
Elgret
called back, Have you had any ideas yet, about Richie, I mean?
His mum
shook her head, Wait until the rest of the family is here, maybe one
of them can think of something.
Elgret
looked disappointed, but set to lay the table together with Fragola. The little
elf sensed his mood and tried to cheer him up, Itll be great to
see them all again. It seems like ages since theyve all left!
Elgret nodded,
he just wished that Richie lived at Goblin Hill or at least somewhere on his
world rather than in the Otherworld. He remembered fondly how he had first
met Richie. He still could not figure out what stung him to make faces at
Richie. He giggled quietly to himself. This had not been in Rederks
instructions...
Fragola
wondered why Elgret was suddenly giggling, so she asked him.
I
just remembered..., he began, When I first met Richie, I made
faces at him, instead of a greeting. His face, you should have seen his face!,
Elgret laughed out loud.
Oh,
I do remember, he told the story when you came to my grove!, Fragola
giggled.
It
will be great to see him again, if I can figure out a way to get him here!,
Elgret mused.
Yes,
and the others. I miss them all. Despite all the danger and the running, we
did have a good time, didnt we?, Fragola asked Elgret.
He nodded,
still deep in memories, When we left on our quest, Richie had the Goblin
Tooth and, the first time he went for pee, the Tooth pricked him until he
came out of the bush! I was almost falling over with laughter when he told
me.
Didnt
you tell him how to use it properly?, Fragola told Elgret off.
Oh,
I did, afterwards. Id just forgotten to tell him... You know, he gave
me the Tooth, when we parted at the Magic Fir, an idea began to form
in Elgrets mind. He told me to come and see him... and we were
wondering if the magic would work in the Otherworld, too.
You
mean, youve got the Tooth?, Fragola cried out.
Yep.
I do. I only just remembered, Elgret explained.
What
are you waiting for then? Go to Rederk and ask him if itll work!,
Fragola called out excitedly.
No
one is going anywhere. Dinner is ready!, Algret interrupted them. Whats
all the excitement about anyway?
I
might have an answer to my problem, Elgret explained, Do you remember
the Goblin Tooth?
Do
you think that itll work in the Otherworld?, his mother wanted
to know.
I
dont, thats why I wanted to go and ask Rederk, Elgret said
impatiently.
His mother
shook her head, Not now, the others will be here in a minute and then
well have dinner. It will have to wait until after tea.
There was
no option but to do as his mother told him, when she put on her stern voice
there was nothing that would make her change her mind. Elgret sat down at
the table, smiling excitedly at Fragola. She grinned back, thinking, Oh I
do so hope it works. I havent seen Elgret that happy in months!
During dinner
the rest of the family was filled in on the plans for the party. Elgret thought
his dad might know if there was a chance that the Goblin Tooth might work
in the Otherworld. His father was not sure either, It might, it might.
Youll have to ask Rederk to know for sure.
When tea
was finally finished, Algret gave him a small apple pie to take with him to
Rederk, This might ensure a warmer welcome... You know how he is, always
too busy to eat!
Elgret
smiled at his mum, he did indeed know how Rederk was. He remembered the last
time he had gone to see Rederk with Richie. Rederk was, according to rumour,
one of the greatest wizards alive; some said not just of those still alive
but including those that had passed on. He could be a bit grumpy, though,
and quite frightening if you did not know him better.
Elgret
was in such a hurry to find out if the Goblin Tooth would work that he almost
dropped the pie twice before he finally stood in front of Rederks door.
He knocked.
Nothing. He had not really expected Rederk to react to the first know, so
Elgret tried again. Nothing. After the third knock he eventually heard a grumpy
voice ask, What is it know? Cant a wizard get a bit of peace and
quiet now and again?
Its
me Elgret. I just have a quick question, oh, and my mum sent some apple pie,
Elgret told the still closed door.
The door
opened, Apple pie? Why didnt you say straight away? Your mother
is a dear, I always thought so!, Rederk told him and grabbed the pie.
Elgret
bit hard on his lip to suppress a grin. Even wizards can behave like greedy
little boys! he thought.
Whats
your question then?, Rederk mumbled whilst biting big chunks of apple
pie.
Will
the Goblin Tooth work in the Otherworld?, Elgret asked him.
Weeell,
I can make it work. What do you want to find in the Otherworld?, Rederk
wanted to know, crumbs going everywhere.
Richie.
I miss him, and mum suggested we all have a party. Meaning, Fragola, Olblorod,
Almor, Richie and me..., Elgret explained.
Hmm...
A party you say. It might turn out to be more than that... Rederk chewed
for a few minutes without saying anything at all. I make a deal with
you. I get your Goblin Tooth to work in the Otherworld and you accompany my
new apprentice back to Goblin Hill. Alright?, Rederk suggested.
Ah,
yes, of course. How will I know him?, Elgret asked.
Hell
find you. Be kind to him. Hes been through a lot, but hell do
well enough... Good night, see you when you get back!, Rederk said and
pushed him out of the door.
What
about the Tooth?, Elgret wanted to know.
Oh
right, forgot about that. Do you have it here?, Rederk wanted to know.
Yes,
I brought it along, Elgret pulled it out from under his shirt and over
his head. Here it is!
Rederk
grabbed it, trying not to drop the pie in his other hand, and mumbled a few
unintelligible words over it, There you go, all done. Off you go.
Elgret
thanked Rederk and then went back home. Humming and smiling all the way.
When he
got back, Fragola had already started decorating some paper for the invitations.
She had stuck on dried flowers in a lovely pattern and Elgret was very impressed.
Good
news, then?, she asked him.
Yes,
how did you know?, Elgret grinned.
Tsk,
one look at your face said it all.
Rederk
put a spell on it to make it work, but I have to pick up his apprentice on
the way back and bring him along, Elgret told her.
Thats
fair enough, isnt it?, Fragola said, concentrating on another
flower, There. Thats it! She held up the last card to show
him.
Theyre
great. Ill write the invitations tonight, and we can send them tomorrow
by pigeon. Well, except for Richies, Ill hand deliver that,
Elgret told her with a beaming face.
You
do that, Fragola laughed at him.
Elgrets
parents were pleased for him. His dad said, At least you wont
be moping around any more. Thatll brighten up the place no end!
The next
morning Elgret handed the invitations over to the pigeon master and then he
was on his way. [...]
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Sybille Sterk 2002 - 2004
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