Crystabel and Elf - Part 9

A flock of birds has landed in the wood ...

Much activity seen,

'round each and every bird.

With beaks they seemed to preen,

strange purpose there was served …

Five hundred coloured elves,

hovered from the feathers.

Well-pleased with themselves,

out searching in all weathers.

They formed in ranks of four,

an inch above the grass.

A parade, no less … no more,

their precision was first class.

The bright Red Elf advanced,

and threw up a salute.

'Oor stop here is enhanced,

the journey has borne fruit.'

Next Crys' saw Elf salute,

the parade elves' wings all blurred.

A scene that looked so cute,

and not at all absurd.

The elf squad gained some height,

till almost overhead.

Each illuminated bright,

twinkling green, white, blue and red.

Elfmac himself shone gold,

and on Crys' his eyes fell.

'There's somthin' ah've not told

ye' ma' Crystabel …'

Before Elf could explain,

and fairies flew in near.

The Red Elf spoke again,

and everything was clear:

'Some weeks ago was seen,

a column of high water,

by a bird whose eyes are keen,

he reported as he oughta' …'

'The sign was recognised,

when tae us was related.

You'd survived we weren't surprised,

it's what we anticipated.'

Our Highland home was battered,

time and time again.

By winds the trees were shattered,

then three days of rain.

'Praise to our King Elfmac!

Once taken by the storm,

we've longed tae hav' ye' bak,

our hearts it wid make warm.'

King Elfmac raised both arms,

and beckoned to his friend.

'Come here Red Elf who charms,

yer sweet talk knows nae end.'

Elfmac hugged Red Elf,

and whispered in his ear,

'Yer a loyal friend yerself,

ah' thought ye' might appear.'

'Ah'd like ye' awe tae meet …

ma' lovely lady friend …

Crystabel, ma' sweet

ma' love fer whom won't end.'

'Awe 'round this woodland place,

are many friends o' mine.

Wi' a charm ye' can't erase,

tae land here turned oot fine.'

'Noo ma' secret's oot ye' see,

Crystabel ah'll plea …

Ah'll ask on bended knee …

ma' Queen wid ye' please be ?'

* * *

to be continued …

Author's Note

This is the penultimate episode in this fairytale. Any comments appreciated as always. Tom