Nineteen
Once a plan was in place me and my three Elf-men returned to my room. Where I promptly began stuffing my face with crackers, cheese, and olives that were left on the table for me. I assume by Tomilson. He never forgets to feed me. I miss the hearty foods of the holiday season though. Mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy and dressing. My grandma made the best homemade turkey stuffing. I know how to make it, but I highly doubted that Parsley would give me access to his kitchens. If I were to design my own castle I would give myself my own kitchen within my suites. Any time I wanted to cook my Human Realm food. Oh Ham, I want to feast on ham for at least a week.
“Seriously, Vera if you want ham you only have to ask and tomorrow you will have a ham dinner.” Garrik listening in again
“Do you think Parsley could figure out macaroni and cheese as well? I miss baked mac n' cheese.”
“If you wrote it down he could make something close to or better.”
“Deal” I said giving Garrik a little wink. “I need a paper and one of those quill things you use instead of pens.”
“Let's practice first traveling first. Tomilson, you will take her first since this should be something you are able to do as well.” Tomilson nodded to Garrik as he walked over to me taking my hand and pulling me into him.
It was only a few days ago that Tomilson couldn't even touch me without permission and now he is as close to me as either one of my flames. I knew if it came out that I was indeed the High Queen it is only Tom Tom who will get to go everywhere with me. Garrik and Echo are both princes and will have duties else where most of the time. Our lives will be challenging. I keep finding myself thinking of children. I know throughout my lives the two things I never had and always wanted was a flame and children. Now I have two flames, someday I know I will get to have kids. It must have been former human body biologic clock ticking. My elf body is barely an adult in the world of immortals. I have hundreds of years to think of kids.
I began to pull myself out of my thoughts to notice Garrik and Echo staring at me. Damn it. I blushed. My old of body would have turned a deep crimson.
“Can you guys at least try to stay out of my head.” I asked
“I am sorry, Vera, but those thoughts are the kind we all want. Children are precious among the elven kind. It can take some couples a century before they conceive. It is nature's way to keep us from overpopulating when we do not age as other creatures. So, I can speak for myself I would love nothing more to have a child with you someday, whether you are the High Queen or not.” Garrik was teary eyed again. Such a sensitive guy.
“I agree with the Prince's sentiments I would want nothing more than to have a child with you. We would make some gorgeous babies.” Echo sent me a wink that annoyed the other two.
“I know we are not flames, so we will not have kids together and I am okay with that. Any child of yours I will still love as my own.” Tomilson looked down at me and gave me a gentle smile.
“Okay enough with this talk of the deep future. We have to survive the present first. Where are we heading Tom Tom?” I asked.
“We should go here.” Tomilson sent me a picture of plants. Like a farm, but it is indoors. I see rows of tomatoes, bushes full of beans, and bell peppers. It was spectacular.
“Okay, I see it. It is a greenhouse.”
“Yes, that is it,” Tomilson said.
I closed my eyes around the detailed picture Tomilson sent me and dug deep for the energy willing us to be there. I felt a little something this time. It lasted for a brief moment.
“Vera, open your eyes,” I did and it worked! Wow, it worked. This made my life so much easier. I breathed a big sigh of relief as I took in my surroundings.
I was in the biggest glass greenhouse I had ever seen. It was getting dark outside so the light lanterns along the walls were beginning to glow. In the middle there were random light posts holding small lanterns that helped spread the light around the room. Rows and rows of vegetables. “Fascinating, Does this feed everyone in Median?” Tomilson laughed at that.
“No this feeds Tindril and surrounding areas. There are three greenhouses in total not far from the palace. This winter they are being used to their full capacity. I am pretty certain that Tindril has the largest food supply on hand at any one time. Another reason why it is ground zero for training scouts. The Median Army.” I nodded in wonder as I took in all of the plants and the smell. This world will never stop amazing me.
“We should get back. Do you think you could come here by yourself now that you have seen it?” I nodded a big yes still a bit overwhelmed for words at the moment. Tomilson pulled me into him and I closed my eyes taking myself back to my room.
“We did it,” I said as we popped back into existence in my bedroom. Garrik was sitting on my bed. Echo was leaning against the wall. They looked angry. I could cut the tension with a knife.
“Can you two not get along for ten minutes? What happened?”
“Nothing, Tomilson can come with me to get the scouts ready to leave in the morning. We will have them wait for us on the fourth day outside of Castle Bluff. No need to scare everyone when we appear out of nowhere,” Echo said in gruff tone. I decided to let the situation go this time, but these guys have to learn to get along better. I can not worry about them being jealous or angry with one another.
“Okay, sounds good. Thank you both. See you in the morning?” They both took turns giving me a big hug before they left the room.
“Garrik, I want you all to get along.” I told him with my sad puppy dog eyes.
“I know little Vera. We are good for the most part, just having a small disagreement.”
“Not about me I hope.”
“Not only about you, no. It will be okay. Want to try to take a trip with me?” When I nodded yes he told me to grab my cloak first that we will be going outside.
Garrik sent me an image of an ancient knobby tree. It was as tall as the training tree, but was untouched. No one lived in it. Every limb on the tree had knob like growths and clusters of leaves causing it to look mystical in the warm dark night. Beautiful. I held on to Garrik and reached for my power. Poof I felt the tug at my navel this time. Like when we realm walked.
“Vera!” Garrik shook me to open my eyes. It was no longer winter. The sky was clear full of bright stars shining on us. The grass was dark green the tree was full of leaves. Everything appeared more vibrant than in Elmora.
“This is what you sent me!” I snapped at him. I could tell he was on the verge of losing mind.
“Vera, we are in Faerie. This is a big big no no. We are not allowed to travel to Faerie it is a main piece of the truce signed between the two realms.”
“Okay, no biggie then. We will leave. This tree should be below us in Elmora, right?” Garrik nodded. I reached up and grabbed his hands. I was about to close my eyes when I saw a person in the distance in long flowing robes. I paused.
“Vera you have to hurry.” I was under too much pressure to use teleporting. Garrik and I realm walked back into Elmora.
“How did that happen?” Garrik was pacing beneath the same giant tree in the cold of Elmora's winter.
“I am guessing it is because the image you sent me was summer, and somehow even though it is winter in Human Realm and Elmora it must be summer in Faerie.”
“Good point. That was my mistake.” Garrik said wringing his hands together.
“Why was it summer in Faerie? It was a mistake it will all be okay we are home in Elmora.” I reassured him after asking the only thing that was actually bothering me about the entire experience.
“Because some Fae have power over weather. Their land mirrors ours but they can say no winter if they don't want winter.”
“I have learned so much today. I think I need to rest. I am not sure if it is the teleporting, realm walking, or all that has happened today, but I'd love to take our talk to my bed.”
“Good idea my little Vera.” He pulled me into his arms and kissing me on top of my head. I closed my eyes willing myself to the new bedroom I am being forced to stay in.