The Gnomes of Westminster

By B. Vincent Chenier

Peripheral vision is sight outside the very center of gaze, that's where you will find them. In the woods, on the meadows, that rustling of leaves, the unknown stir...they have always been there, you just have to use your peripheral vision.

Logan made up his mind to quickly turn and run down the hill to fetch Nicholas before the rainbow disappeared. Unfortunately that was a big mistake for him for he was standing upon a small rock that was pushed deep in the mud. As Logan spun around, the rock spun as well and Logan lost his footing. No matter how Logan flailed his arms to keep his balance he could not stop his fall and down he went upon his back. Logan fell so quick that when he landed flat on his back his arms and legs were still sticking straight up in the air. Logan looked like an upended turtle as he lay in the mud. The only part of Logan that was in the mud was the small of his back and that was not enough to hold him in place. Logan felt his body twisted to the right so he leaned into the turn and that was his second mistake for it took him over the edge of the hill. Now, if he had been thinking, he could have grabbed one small bush that would have saved him from the wildest ride in his life...

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491819241

B. Vincent Chenier

B. Vincent Chenier had first published "Heartless in February" in 2001 which lead him to short stories. Vincent began working on a project in 2002 to entertain his grandsons. Growing up Vincent loved nature, wooded areas and The Westiminster Ponds, where the gnome's reside. Vincent resides in southern Ontario.

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CREDITS:

To: T.O.C. for the carvings of The Greenman and the two Gnomes. Also for the inspiration that Anthony stirred in me. He is the tallest tree in Westminster.

To: Catherine for your enthusiasm and love of the English Language and Grammar.

CHAPTER ONE

REUNITING THE GNOMES

Far away, in a land to the south, deep within a hidden forest lay five large ponds. Inside the forest lived a wee band of gnomes who were very sad. The gnomes had led a hard life as the humans had developed the lands around them. Their forest had grown smaller and smaller. The forest was in danger as the humans wanted to build a road through the centre of the woods and across the ponds.

The forest was also the home to many animals and was filled with birds. Many geese made their summer homes in the five ponds. The ponds were also filled with fish and turtles that could be seen sunning on a bright day. Upon the crest of the hills, hidden in the brush the last herd of deer lived.

Late one winter, early in the spring, Rusty arose to find the snow was retreating from the gnomes’ winter home. The gnomes gathered together every winter to share their supplies and their company for the winter was long and the deep snow made it difficult to visit far distances. Gnomes are very outgoing and enjoy having company at all times.

It was not long before Anthony and Brandon joined Rusty at the mouth of the cave. Anthony lit his lantern and measured the snow at the entrance. Brandon, fearing a late start on the spring season, was already filling his water can. Brandon boasted of the most beautiful flowers in the woods being the ones he tended to and no flower lacked water when he was in the woods.

Where is Aiden, asked Rusty, for we need his shovel to clear the remaining snow? Aiden was a mighty digger and was constantly helping the animals of the forest clear their burrows every spring.

Aiden has been up all night oiling his tools, replied Brandon. He was telling me last night that his silver shovel was starting to sing as it felt the frost leaving the ground.

Anthony stood in silence and gazed over the snow to the barren trees beyond the entrance. Long it has been since my axe has bitten into wood and I see many trees even from here that have not survived the winter, sighed Anthony.

I fear you are right my friend. The danger to our forest lies not in the wind. We must band together to save this forest and the lands around it from the village people who wish to build through our homelands, answered Rusty. We must seek out the other tribes and search for a way to share our lands with the village in a way that will make everyone happy, for if we lose our homes at our age we may not survive the trek to new lands.

Far away on the far side of the forest near the willow pond Sebastien and Zachary had also woken from their winter sleep to venture forth on the last dregs of winter snow. They were the last of the tribe of Willow Gnomes left. Last spring the third brother had disappeared. Logan had been gathering firewood for their morning tea when a large bird had carried him off. Sebastien and Zachary had searched all year as far as they dared travel but had found no sign of Logan. Over the winter they had discussed approaching the Greenman to ask his assistance but they feared him for his size towered over them. The two brothers were yet young and had struggled to survive all year. They knew that their tribe’s existence relied on them and they must band together with others and seek aid to find Logan.

So it came to pass that same day that a message arrived from the Hollow Gnomes, carried by a robin, that a council meeting was being called. The Hollow Gnomes would be arriving in a few days and wished to address the Greenman themselves.

Zachary, perhaps we could ask the Hollow Gnomes to speak for us as well, said Sebastien.

My brother we will meet with them, but we must speak to the Greenman ourselves. The search for Logan is full of danger and we cannot ask others to risk their lives for him. But believe me, brother, we will kindly accept any help they decide to give, replied Zachary.

The sun had been busy all week. The snow had almost disappeared from the forest when the Hollow Gnomes arrived at the council tree.

The Hollow Gnomes were first to arrive and started to wonder where the Willow Gnomes were. Rusty you have led us straight and quick to the council tree but we are alone. Two things may have happened to cause this and I hope it is only that the robin you sent lost the message and not that something has happened to the three brothers of the Willow, spoke Anthony.

I too have fears for the three brothers are young, replied Rusty. We must find them and convince them to join with us. Our case before the Greenman will be stronger if we are together.

Anthony spent little time setting out to the south towards the willow pond for he had once visited the three brothers in their home high in a huge willow. Through the snow and mud he walked humming to himself as he often did when alone.

Rusty took his staff in hand and headed to the north over the crest of the hill. Rusty was headed for the edge of the forest and would search to see if any intruders had entered the forest. Rusty was the best scout amongst them and could follow a trail that no one else could see.

Brandon set the sun upon his face and, with water can in hand, headed off. Brandon’s water can was never empty and Brandon stopped often to water the fresh new shoots that were slowly pushing their heads up along the pathway. Brandon loved to make things grow and he loved things that were green and fresh. After all he had just repainted his water can last night to a fresh green to blend into the forest.

Aiden left the council tree, made a right turn twice, and started digging a hole at the first spot he came to. Aiden did his best thinking while digging and the faster he dug the harder he thought. Aiden was so busy digging at first that he did not hear the voices behind him. In fact had Aiden not stopped to clean the mud off his shovel he would have missed the two brothers completely for as the mud was whipped from his shovel Aiden could see something behind him reflected in his shovel’s shiny surface.

Sebastien and Zachary were hiding in a hole under a nearby tree. Excuse me kind sir, but are you from the Hollow Gnomes? We had grown tired waiting and found a safe burrow to sleep in. When we awoke we saw great clumps of dirt flying through the air and thought a great beast was nearby, said Zachary.

Indeed I am, replied Aiden. I am called Aiden as was my father and his father before him. I come from a long line of diggers that have always been a friend to animals. I myself have never before dug in these woods surrounding the willow pond but I do believe that my grandfather’s mark is upon the hole you are hiding in. You must now tell me who is speaking from his hole for I seek the three brothers.

Alas sir, we are the brothers two for the year past we have been parted from the third. The one you see before you is brother Sebastien the youngest. I am Zachary the middle. The one we seek is Brother Logan, the eldest, or I should now say the lost, replied Zachary.

Aiden bid the brothers to approach him and once they were near he stepped forward towards the closest tree. Aiden turned his shovel blade on edge and with a mighty swing struck the blade against the tree. A high pitch started to work its way up the trunk of the tree and out every branch until the whole tree was humming. The sound carried out across the forest reaching into every nook and cranny, under every stump and into every hole seeking out the Hollow Gnomes wherever they might be. The sound reached Brandon as he was watering some moss on an old stump. It reached the willow pond and followed the shore to the home of the brothers two where Anthony was just arriving. The sound traveled north to the edge of the forest where it could not pass for the secrets of the forest must stay in the forest.

Rusty was almost to the edge and had just climbed into a nook in a tree so that he could see over the weeds at the edge of the forest when the sound reached him. Rusty knew the song of the silver shovel for gnomes often used magic tools for this purpose. The high pitch sound was a good news sound. If there had been danger then Aiden would not have struck a tree but would have smacked his shovel against the ground instead to send out a low humming sound like the bullfrogs at night.

So it was that the Hollow Gnomes all turned at the same time and started back to the council tree. Rusty slid down the snow on the west side of the tree he had climbed. Brandon took a slightly different path back so that he could water more plants. Anthony, who had just finished cleaning the mud from his shoes, decided to avoid the marsh lands and headed through the forest clearing a path with his axe.

The gnomes were not the only ones to hear the call of Aiden and his magic shovel that spring morning. The high pitch had rung through every tree and stump in the woods and in one large stump of a fallen birch tree lived the Greenman.

Greenman.jpg

The Greenman yawned and shook the last flakes of snow from his trunk as he listened to the pitch travel through his limbs. Good news it is, he thought to himself. It has been a long time since I have heard good news in these woods. Years have passed with few visitors and I do so miss the laughter of the young ones. I have grown tired as I watch the forest shrink and die. The Greenman wrinkled his brow and whistled out a short note that drew a cardinal near him. Ah my little scarlet friend, I see you have returned once again to my woods, may you nest in peace. I have need of your wings for this day I have heard the song of good news ring through the trees. Please seek out the source and bring me the news, whispered the Greenman. The cardinal chirped once and took wing following the faint sound to the west.

CHAPTER TWO

THE COUNCIL MEETS

The gnomes finally all drew together in the hollow of the council tree and Aiden, being the only Hollow Gnome who had already met the Willow Gnomes, introduced everyone. Rusty climbed the guard tower to keep watch and Aiden protected the entrance. The group of wee people was disappointed that it was such a small gathering as they all felt that there were more gnomes in the nearby ponds that had not answered the call.

Anthony addressed them first. "We must save our lands if we are to survive. If we do nothing the forest will be destroyed and disappear forever. Long past are the days when our numbers were great. The Gnome people are now spread out across many lands but only in small plots such as ours. We are not the only ones suffering for the wildlife is vanishing as well. The fairy people are seldom seen any more. We must join with all the creatures of the woodlands