Ralph and the Pixie

‘Do you still think we shouldn’t leave?’ It was Sarka, who spoke seldom because of her shyness, and with some difficulty. Even more rarely did she ever smile, which saddened Elgar because he thought her very young and very beautiful, though there was something disturbing about her black hair and eyes that spoke of a remote Imp ancestor.

Morin quickly voiced his displeasure at this. ‘Not until we must! The Elf army returns soon, and the Human named Ralph is working like a fiend to fashion more weapons like those he has supplied us with. At the least, let us strike a blow or two against this coming evil.’

‘You are forgetting something,’ said Elwin. He often thought Morin a little headstrong, and likely to forget caution. ‘Have we not received reports that the Elf King and his minions now have possession of the library of Nith? If they have taken the book of Elf Lore, we would do well not to confront them directly. Some other way must be found to destroy them.’

Uma shook her head in disbelief. ‘Destroy them? Did I hear aright? The day I hear Sarka utter more than ten words will I believe that we could destroy the Elf King and his army.’ She nudged shoulders gently with Sarka, prompting a general chuckle, and the shy Sarka almost did smile.