The Elf, the Troll and the Wizards

The elf stood there, impatiently patting her foot, one arm akimbo at her waist.   She was a study of disturbance in light greens; sort of a pale ocher skin with a hint of jade around the eyes.

“It’s about time!” she spat out.

“Now, now,” the elderly wizard said in his placating manner. “What’s all the bother?” He adjusted his bifocals at her as he made himself comfortable on a rustic bench.

“Him,” she pointed down the windy road. “That, that…” she spluttered. “That troll,” she replied with heavy disgust. “He’s got it.” The finger jabbed in the air while the toe patted angrily.

“Got what, my dear?” The old wizard was mystified. He was in the process of pulling out a long pipe and relighting it.

“The crystal ball, that new one you left with the baby wizard to babysit. You know the guy, the idiot. Also, the ball with all the green and yellow flashy things inside when you pick it up. That one. That’s probably why the troll took it, the stupid oaf.”

“Oh, oh,” the wizard replied, the light dawning. “Uh, oh,” he said again with a frown. “How do you think he got it? Does he know what it is?” And by the way; where is the idi…new wizard?” He puffed on his pipe and blew smoke rings in the air.

The elf laughed, a little tinkly laugh as some glittery dust rose off her shoulders.  She shook her head. “Na, the troll is too dumb to know things like that. It was just pretty, that’s all and it makes neat colors when you move it back and forth. That’s all he’s thinking about, if you can call what he does thinking. As far as your new trainee,” she jerked her thumb over one shoulder, “he is chasing after the troll, by himself. Like that is going to do some good.”

“Hum,” the wizard scratched his chin, “I suppose this means we will have to tell Morada about it.” He nodded sagely.

“Who is this we?” she retorted. “I told you and that’s enough for me.”

He gave her his best old hound dog look for a moment and arched an eyebrow; but she was too quick.

“No, no,” she made a pushing movement with her hands. “You’re on your own with this one.”

“But you saw him take it.” The old man was quite capable of throwing a pleading note to his voice.

“No,” more head shaking from the elf. “I didn’t actually see him take it. I heard from the wood elves that he had it and just confirmed it. And, oh by the way, while we’re standing here, he’s making tracks.”  

She was making a stand, the old wizard sighed in defeat. He would have to tell Morada himself and live with the consequences. It was his fault for leaving such a young wizard to watch over the new crystal ball. He probably was playing with it like a soccer ball.  Another sigh.

“Thank you for you help Miss Elf,” he bowed, “I appreciate your services.”

The elf simpered a little and blushed. Finally, she said, “You’re welcome,” then zoomed off without a backward glance.

The elder wizard pulled out his wand and did a little zigzag movement, summoning his female counter part.

Later on Morada couldn’t resist the “Tisk, tisk,” sound she made. He hated when she did that, got on his nerves.

“Ok, ok, so the boy let it get away from him,” he admitted.

“Get away, get away!” She exclaimed. “It was stolen right from underneath him and by a troll! How could that happen?”

The wizard shifted back and forth on his bench uneasily.

“Do you think the dummy knows what he has?”

“I doubt it,” said the old man.  “Something as subtle as a crystal that can tell us the past. No, no troll would be smart enough to figure that out.”

“I hope not,” she replied.  “Many people would pay a lot to know what happened in the past.”

“Yes, I know,” he sighed. “I know they would.”

They met again much later. She was bouncing the crystal ball up and down in her hand. It glittered beautifully in the light; little blue, green and yellow sparks seeming to be coming out of its center.

He couldn’t resist, “So how did you get it?”

“Just pretended to be a fresh hog vendor looking to unload some quality hog. He just happened to not have any money and I just happened to be willing to take something in trade.” She smirked.

She put the crystal back in his hand, “Maybe this time, you do the watching, umm?”

The wizard gave her a little peck, “Daughter, you are marvelous.” She giggled.  

“By the way,” the old wizard had to ask, “what became of our young wizard?”

Morada gave a short laugh. “I told him you were very angry with him and that he really needed to find this crystal ball.”

“And where did he need to look?”

“Ah, somewhere is the forests of Transylvania. Told him to be sure to be careful of of the werewolves.” She grinned.

“Daughter, you are so bad. So bad. Shall we get us a little mead? As a reward for all this hard work?”

She smiled, “Absolutely, dad. “

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