Ralph and the Pixie

Satu did as she was told, seeking out Malina, and found her beside her home with an Elf woman and two children.

Theuli had never met a Pixie as unscarred by tragedy and violence as Satu, and was struck by the complete absence of vindictive playfulness most commonly associated with Pixies. Malina noticed this too, and though they were close in age, Satu seemed a wide-eyed, naïve little girl by comparison.

‘You are Malina? I am Satu. Elgar has sent me . . . to tell you . . .’ She stopped herself, suddenly conscious of how the news she bore would affect these two.

Seeing this, Theuli went very pale, and said, ‘Please, come inside. I don’t think that the children should hear this.’

The two children watched them uncomprehendingly.

‘Children, do as I ask,’ said Theuli. ‘Remain here. We won’t be long.’

By degrees, it dawned on Satu the enormity of what she had to tell these women, and when they had made their way to the kitchen and shut the door, she told them in an unsteady voice, ‘Elgar says . . . I saw, when I was returning from speaking with your Thane, an army of Goblins. They had somehow evaded the Thane and his army, passing by Narvi and Mirrindale, and were making their way to the narrow pass in the mountains on the border of the Elf Kingdom.