The Hollydale Elves

By Mary Ann-Cox

The Hollydale Elves, a fantasy novel for the young and the young in spirit, tells the story of seven days at a time of great uncertainty when the Hollydale elves' forest homes and their very lives are in danger of being brought to a terrible end. In this book you will become friends with an array of elf characters: some light-hearted and playful, some serious and wise, some young, and some very old. in spite of individual burdens and shortcomings, each elf is loveable and memorable. This book is written for anyone who wishes to slip away for a visit with a noble race of elves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Ann-Cox
• Release date: Oct 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310058318

Mary Ann-Cox

Mary Ann Cox lives in South Carolina with her husband, Bob. Mrs. Cox is a retired teacher and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She likes to travel and has seen some amazing sights here and there. Most of all, she enjoys getting together with family and friends. The Coxes are active in their church and in their local Mensa organization. Unknown Elves is Mrs. Cox’s second fantasy novel. The reader meets an array of interesting characters in The Hollydale Elves and revisits them in Unknown Elves.

Book preview

The Elves

Physical Characteristics: Elves grow to a height of about twelve inches. Most are muscular and agile. Their strong legs make them excellent runners, jumpers, and climbers. Elves have an extraordinary sense of hearing. Their large pointed ears can detect both very high and very low pitched sounds from a great distance. Without moving their heads, elves can turn their ears toward incoming sounds. They are able to see in the dark because their eyes have a natural glow, similar to that of a firefly.

Nutrition: Most elves are vegetarians. Their diet consists mainly of berries, roots, leaves, seeds, fruits, mushrooms, and nuts. Elves also enjoy an occasional treat unknowingly provided by humans, such as picnic remains or melon rinds placed on compost piles.

Dwelling Places: Elves live underground. An elf home usually has a trapdoor at ground level which opens to a slanting tunnel leading downward into the living space.

Life Span: Legends tell of elves who have lived to be a 1,000 years old, but around 700 years is a normal life span.

Birth and Childhood: Most elf babies are male. (The birth of an elf-girl is thought to bring good fortune.) At birth, elves are about the size of grasshoppers. They are born with teeth and can handle adult foods from the start. In other ways, elf babies are quite helpless. During the first couple of years they are fragile and cannot tolerate very cold or very hot temperatures, so they are kept inside much of the time. They begin to walk and talk when they are around two years old. By age three, they are hardy enough to spend time outdoors in all seasons of the year. Elf children are given much freedom to play and to move around the colony. Older children become quite independent and adventurous and learn much through their own explorations, often outside the colony. Elves are quick learners. Parents teach their children at home with help from the other elves. In addition to reading, writing, and mathematics, young elves are taught to understand and respect the natural world and the living things that share it. Children are encouraged to watch the workers of every trade and to talk with their elders so that when they reach maturity they will make wise career choices.

Adulthood: At age one hundred, when they stand about as tall as daffodils, elves graduate into adulthood. This birthday, the centennial, is an occasion for celebration. Most elves move into underground dwellings of their own soon after that, but families remain close. Young adults choose careers. Most beginners are taught by experienced workers in their chosen fields.

Old Age: At the age of 600, elves are revered as elders, and this birthday is marked by celebration. Most elves maintain excellent health, even into old age. As elders, they may retire from their careers but are permitted to continue working as long as they are able and wish to do so. After retirement, elders bring much wisdom to the colony, but even this is not required of them. In old age, all elves are treasured, and they contribute simply by being who they are. Like infants, very old elves are fragile and do not thrive in extreme temperatures.

Death: Elves are not susceptible to any known diseases, but several substances commonly used by humans, such and insecticides and certain chemical fertilizers, can be fatal to elves. Some deaths result from falls or other accidents. Most elves die painlessly in old age. Elderly elves tend to sleep a great deal. Sometimes, in cold winters, they actually hibernate in their beds. Their body processes slow down and they may sleep for months without food or drink. Some awaken in the spring; others simply slip away during hibernation.

The Unsolved Mystery: For centuries, elves have wondered why their species seems to go unnoticed by human beings. Many theories have been discussed, but the mystery is yet unsolved.

Hollydale History

Early History: In the seventeenth century, elves in England had many difficulties. Humans had taken much of their traditional living spaces, bringing many dangers. Humans of that time spoke about a vast, unspoiled land across the great sea. Elves heard this talk and some felt the new land calling to them. In 1606, three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery set sail from England. Along with mice and seventy-one human males, the Susan Constant carried some stowaways: thirty-nine adventurous elves. In 1607, the ships arrived on the eastern shore of what became known as Virginia. The humans settled near the coast along a river they named the James. The elves migrated westward. In a forest near no human settlement, they built a colony. Many wild holly trees grew in this area, so these elves named their colony Hollydale. A group of five elves was elected for life to make important decisions for the colony. This group, called the Council, chose a Leader from among their number. During the early years of Hollydale, elves seldom saw humans.

Middle History: By the beginning of the eighteenth century, among the 120 elves in Hollydale were craftsmen of many kinds, builders, food gatherers, and healers. A Patrol was established to provide assistance to elves and to other creatures in need and to carry out the decisions of the Council. Around this time, smoke from the chimneys of the human settlement could be seen in Hollydale. A party of elves was sent to investigate and found the humans to be peaceful lovers of the land. By the nineteenth century, Hollydale was home to 220 elves.

Recent History: When the twentieth century began, 393 elves lived in Hollydale. The human population in the area had increased greatly. As the elf and the human communities grew toward each other, the elves remained comfortable with their neighbors and often explored the human town. A few even dug homes in the carefully tended gardens outside the human homes. Human-watching became a popular pastime. Elves found in the humans much to admire. They saw with amazement the dwellings and machines made by their large neighbors. Elves became actively involved in recycling items discarded by humans. Without knowing, humans provided many articles that were helpful to the colony. The elves noticed certain human traits that were disturbing. Some humans showed little respect for the land, the wild things, or for even for each other.

By the twenty-first century, the human town and the elf colony had grown very close together, separated only by a road. Over 500 Hollydale elves lived simply, close to nature, as they had for hundreds of years. The elves felt some uneasiness. The mere size of the human beings created danger, and accidents involving humans resulted in the deaths of several elves. Members of the colony were advised to observe the humans only from a safe distance. Even so, some still chose to live in gardens outside human houses.

In the autumn of 2015, humans created a situation that threatened to destroy the Hollydale colony.

Main Elf Characters

Council Members:

Bolderock, Council Leader, also Patrol Captain, born in 1860 in Hollydale

Olmenia, healer, born in 1217 in England

Rezzimendle, recycler of human artifacts, born in 1402 in England

Meno, mapmaker, scribe, artist, born in 1591 in England

Zander, builder, born in 1802 in Hollydale

Teams of Patrol Officers, led by Captain Bolderock:

(1) Officers Jitziberry and Pithwongle

Jitziberry, born in 1913 in Hollydale

Pithwongle, born in 1465 in England

(2) Officers Boodlebar and Itchquincher

Boodlebar, born in 1658 in Hollydale

Itchquincher, born in 1666 in Hollydale

(3) Officers Tankibar and Windegron

Tankibar, born in 1704 in Hollydale

Windegron, born in 1646 in Hollydale

(4) Officers Issa and Roni

Issa, born in 1891, birthplace unknown

Roni, born in 1876 in Hollydale

Patrol Trainees:

Snickerwillikins and Binglebux, twins who have just reached the adult age of one hundred and have chosen careers as Patrol officers

Twixies:

Rimstead, Fromo, Jackerone, Sambie, Graceanna, and Nickalon, a group of young elves between the ages of fifty and a hundred years old, no longer little children but not yet adults

PART ONE: MONDAY

Chapter One: Captain Bolderock

The sun rises over the forest. Captain Bolderock flings open a trapdoor and descends through a tunnel slanting downward into Hollydale Headquarters. The elf-glow of the young Captain’s eyes casts a soft light into the meeting room. The smoothness of the earthen room is broken by tree roots dangling like streamers from the walls and ceiling. Boulders form the north and south walls. Their silvery flecks sparkle. Bolderock’s shoes crunch against the pebbled floor.

The Captain is a muscular elf standing twelve inches tall. His curly black hair and beard are neatly trimmed, and his green eyes shine. He has a pleasant face and is generally thought to be quite handsome.

He sits at his desk, ready to begin his day. On foot and on owl-back, his scouts arrive. Through the night and early morning hours, they have looked for creatures needing help. Bolderock hears their reports and plans the duty assignments for his officers.

The eighth hour comes. Bolderock opens the trapdoor and stands outside. From beneath his jacket, he pulls a wooden whistle hanging on a loop of cord. When only a child he memorized the signal code.

One for the Council.

Two for Patrol.

Three is for every elf,

Young and old.

He blows two shrill blasts, takes a deep breath, waits, and repeats the double sequence, calling the Patrol for duty.

Elves have a natural sense of time. All know the hour, but they enjoy hearing the signal reminding them that a new day has begun and their Patrol officers are reporting for duty.

Chapter Two: Monday Patrol Meeting

Officer Jitziberry arrives first for the morning meeting. Dressed in the green of new leaves, he wears a snug one-piece suit, a style popular among the young elves.

Morning, Captain!

Bolderock smiles and returns the greeting. Only 102 years old, little more than a lad and still beardless, Jitziberry is the youngest officer on the Patrol. His eyes shine with strong elf-glow.

Gentle Pithwongle, the oldest and most experienced officer, strides into the room next. Good morning, Captain Bolderock, Officer Jitziberry. I hope you had a restful night.

One by one, the officers file in and sit on benches made from small tree branches, smoothed flat on top and resting on sticks. Now the room is bright with the light of many shining elf eyes.

The officers’ pointed hats are gray-green and embroidered with the Patrol emblem: three red holly berries between two spiked leaves. Equipment belts around their waists hold ropes and hatchets. Other than these, the officers display no special dress or tools. The two females, Roni and Issa, are stylish in tunics and tights. Like Bolderock, most of the male officers wear trousers and jackets.

Captain Bolderock is ready to begin the morning meeting. He dips a duck feather into a pill bottle of blackberry juice, calls his officers’ names aloud, checking his roll. Officer Boodlebar.

Present.

Officer Issa.

Here, sir.

Officer Itchquincher.

Here.

Officer Jitziberry.

I’m here.

Officer Pithwongle.

Present, sir.

Officer Roni.

Present.

Officer Tankibar…. Officer Tankibar? Bolderock sighs and lays down his quill. The elves squirm and look toward the door. A few minutes later, Officer Tankibar plods in, late as usual, biting a plum the size of his head. The sweet smell of ripe fruit surrounds him. Enjoying your breakfast, Officer Tankibar?

M-m-m-m-m h-m-m-m-m, yes, sir, he mumbles with his mouth full.

Tankibar wipes his lips with the back of his sleeve.

Officer Tankibar is present but tardy.

Officer Windegron.

Uh-huh.

All present, Captain Bolderock says. He lays down his quill and puts the lid on the bottle of purple juice.

BURRRRP! Everyone looks in Tankibar’s direction. His face reddens. Excuse me, he whispers.

Good morning, officers, Bolderock says, addressing his Patrol, their pointed ears turned attentively toward him. Now for the day’s assignments. Officers Pithwongle and Jitziberry, a kitten is stuck high in a tree behind the Clarks’ house down the road. Bolderock looks up from his notes. Do you know the Clark residence? It’s on Oak Street, the gray two-story house with dark red shutters and a big back porch.

Yes, sir, Pithwongle answers. I know the place.

Your assignment is to bring that kitten down.

Kittens. Silly-billies! Such silly, silly-billies! Jitziberry scoffs. They don’t have a lick of sense. Always getting into trouble. Always causing trouble! He frowns and puts his hands on his hips. Our jobs would be much easier without kittens.

Watch your attitude, lad, Captain Bolderock scolds.

Yes, sir. Jitziberry’s eyes shift to his pointed shoes.

Where’s the mother cat? Pithwongle asks.

Not available. The kitten probably came from the shop where humans exchange money for animals. Very early this morning one of our scouts saw Mr. and Mrs. Clark put food and water on their back porch and leave in their automobile. You know how kittens are. Out on her own, she had to explore.

We’ll get her, Jitziberry says, trying to make up for his earlier complaining. We’ll get her quicker than you can say zipple-squash.

I’m sure you will, Bolderock answers.

The Captain glances at his clipboard. A great many ripe persimmons have fallen from the big tree near our Headquarters. The food gatherers would like some help collecting and distributing the fruit to some of our older elves who are less able to provide for themselves. Officers Roni, Issa, Itchquincher, and Boodlebar will meet one of the food gatherers at the tree. Bolderock smiles. Don’t spend all your time eating.

Officers Tankibar and Windegron, I’d like to leave you in charge at Headquarters this morning while I make some visits. You haven’t had a day off for quite a while. When I return, you’re free for the rest of the day.

Thank you, sir, Tankibar answers.

Windegron says nothing, but the Captain understands his silence. Windegron is an elf of few words.

The Captain steps in front of the desk. His officers stand at attention, and together they recite the Patrol Promise. I will do my duties faithfully with kindness toward all. I will help those in need, care for the land, honor our traditions, and maintain our peaceful way of life.

Bolderock knows his officers. They will live up to their Promise.

You are dismissed. Have a good day, and stay safe.

Chapter Three: The Sign

The forest elf colony and the human town, once many miles apart, have grown closer and closer together through the years. Now, with only a road separating the two, humans are seen frequently by the elves.

As Bolderock leaves Headquarters, a red pickup truck parks by the road at the edge of the forest. The Captain watches a man get out and lay some tools on the ground. Then the man lets down the tailgate and pulls out a large flat piece of wood with two supports at one end.

It’s a sign of some kind, Bolderock thinks.

The man drives the supports into the dirt, steps back, and looks from several angles. After gathering his tools, he gets back into the truck, starts the engine, and drives away.

Standing below the huge sign, Bolderock leans his head, gazing upward. He can’t make out the letters. He isn’t tall enough or far enough away. He steps back, and back, and back. Only when he crosses the road can he see the words clearly. Bolderock’s chest tightens and his mouth goes dry. He sits down with fists clenched. A sick feeling washes through him and a bitter taste comes into his mouth as he whispers the words on the sign. LAND FOR SALE.

What changes lie ahead? Will disaster fall upon the forest elves? The sky is gray overhead, as dark as Bolderock’s thoughts.

Chapter Four: The Twixies’ Hideaway

Elves are adults at age one hundred. By age fifty, they have outgrown the babyish ways of the very young. Between these two birthdays, fifty and one hundred, elves are called twixies. They are betwixt and between, able to do many things on their own but not yet adults.

East of the creek beneath a cover of vines, five twixies sit cross-legged on the ground: Fromo, Rimstead, the twins Sambie and Graceanna, and their older brother Jackerone. This sheltered area, the Twixies’ Hideaway, is a favorite gathering place for several of the older youth.

A sixth twixie stumbles awkwardly through the thicket into the Hideaway, trips on a rock, and falls to the ground. It’s Nickalon, the youngest of the group. Sambie jumps up to help the sprawling elf.

Nickalon! Fromo exclaims. What in the world do you have on your feet?

Shoes, silly. What do you think they are?

We know they’re shoes, but they’re way, way too big for you, Jackerone says. They look really funny.

Graceanna covers her mouth to hide her giggles. She is a kind elf who never wants