The Elf Boy Trilogy: Book Two

By Ian O'Neill

Jack and his friend’s return to Brittainy Island isn’t quite the homecoming they anticipate. Finn Tarr is still terrorising the Elves in the human world and they learn of sinister goings on in Waterswood. The Elven world is in great danger if Jack can’t find a way to remove the evil tyrant Grimley. Jack has already faced many challenges in his short life but is he up to the enormous task that lays ahead of him? A coordinated rebellion is the only option but how does he organise with such limited resources?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legend Press
• Release date: Sep 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781789552812

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Chapter One

The Free Elves

Jack sat alongside Tyler, Lilac and his mother quietly sipping a mug of Roseleaf. Troy had just left them at the intersection of the two Ley lines, Garamaton and Armantos, the exact same spot that he had collected them from on a sunny day back in the early summer. He could hardly believe some of the experiences he’d had during his time on Emerald Island. He’d met the Leprechauns and a Banshee. He’d met a Forest Faery and found his homeland and the great Elven city of Arminas. In sharp contrast there was the danger of the ‘Mist of Time’, the attack by rabid wolves in Lestrada and the magical confrontation with the evil sorcerer Korrian. But when he looked at his mother drinking her tea sitting on a log in front of him, it had all been worth it.

The person that had embarked on the quest to find his mother all those months ago didn’t exist anymore. It was a naïve young Elf who flew to Emerald Island; and it was a slightly older and much wiser Elf that sat there drinking tea with his friends.

Tyler had found the journey home on Troy’s back as stressful as he’d found the outward journey, and was steadily drinking his way through the small bottle of Ishka Baa that Rory had given him to sustain him on the trip. Jack looked at the three Elves sitting around him and felt content in the knowledge that he was about to face the next daunting step of his challenge with them by his side. An Elf could have no finer friends and family, he thought.

And there was his grandfather, although not a blood relative he had been his only family for the first fifteen years of his life. He hadn’t seen him for over six months and had made his mind up during the long journey home that he was going to search him out before he returned to Waterswood. He had to make sure that he was well for his own peace of mind and he couldn’t wait to tell him that he’d found his mother.

And he wanted to see Becky. He promised her when he left that he would come back to see her on his return, and he wasn’t about to break that promise. An escape from Waterswood would’ve been almost impossible without her help.

He threw the dregs of his tea onto the campfire and put his mug into his rucksack. ‘Are we ready to go?’

‘I’m not sure my legs are steady enough to carry me just yet,’ said a weary looking Tyler.

‘Maybe if you stopped drinking the Ishka Baa you might find your legs will start working again,’ suggested Lilac.

‘I’ll have you know, Lilac Wildflower, that it is the stress of a four-day journey on the back of a flying horse that has caused my body such distress. The Ishka Baa is purely for medicinal purposes and is doing exactly what I need it to.’

Lilac raised her eyes to the sky, but before she could respond, Ciara stepped in. ‘Now I know that I’m truly back home as Lilac and Tyler are bickering. And to think that was one of the things I missed the most when I was away.’

‘You have always understood my poet’s sensitivity, Ciara,’ said Tyler. ‘It’s just a pity that some of my other friends find it a reason to poke fun at my expense.’

Lilac put her mug in her rucksack and ruffled Tyler’s hair. ‘You wouldn’t have it any other way. You hate it when I’m nice to you.’

‘For once, Lilac Wildflower, I agree with you.’

‘I think we should head for Narky’s cottage,’ said Jack. ‘It’s less than a day’s journey from here so we should make it before nightfall.’

‘I hope we don’t bump into that nasty character, Finn Tarr,’ said Lilac.

‘Don’t worry, Lilac,’ said Jack. ‘I know what to expect from him now and he won’t take us by surprise like he did the first time we met him. I might just have one or two tricks up my sleeve if he does decide to show his face. Anyway, we’ll stick to the Faery trails where possible.’ He patted Tyler playfully on his back. ‘Come my friend, we will take a leisurely walk through the autumn countryside, and if you feel tired we will rest. There is no hurry for us today.’

Tyler drained the last of the Ishka Baa and put the empty bottle into his rucksack. Ciara helped him to his feet and said, ‘I’ll be your escort, Tyler. Lean on me anytime you need to.’

A big beaming smile stretched across Tyler’s face. ‘It is so good to have you back, Ciara. I’d forgotten how understanding you were to me.’ He scowled at Lilac. ‘Unlike someone I could choose to mention.’

Lilac raised her eyes to the sky again and whispered under her breath, ‘and we’ve only just started.’

*

It was the type of day that made you feel good to be alive. The rich, bright colours of summer were gradually being replaced by the copper shades of autumn. A warm sun caressed their tired bodies and even Tyler managed to refrain from complaining about his feet. They stopped for a leisurely lunch of bread, cheese and rhubarb juice in the early afternoon, and spent the rest of the day pleasantly strolling in the autumn sun. The fields and forests were quiet and peaceful and thankfully Finn Tarr didn’t make an appearance. They crossed the freshly ploughed field to the copse where Narky’s cottage stood just as the shadows lengthened and a sharp chill touched the air.

‘I’m really looking forward to relaxing in front of Narky’s fire nursing a glass of Peardrop,’ said Tyler.

‘I’m just looking forward to putting my feet up,’ said Lilac, and immediately regretted it.

‘Why, Lilac’s got sore feet,’ crowed Tyler. ‘They must be catching.’ Which caused them all to burst into laughter.

They crawled through a narrow gap under the hawthorn and bramble bushes and headed towards the centre of the copse. As they walked down into the hollow, Narky’s cottage magically appeared around the gnarled old oak tree.

‘I wonder if he’ll be pleased to see us?’ said Lilac.

‘I’m sure he’ll be delighted,’ said Tyler, ‘especially as we have Ciara with us. But it probably won’t stop him finding something to complain about!’

Jack walked up to the front door and knocked firmly.

‘I hope Syd’s here as well,’ said Ciara. ‘He was so good to me when I was on the run from Grimley.’

They waited for the sound of Narky’s complaining but it didn’t come.

‘Perhaps he’s having an early evening nap after his tea,’ said Tyler.

Jack knocked again even though he knew he was risking a telling off from Narky for waking him, but there was still no answer. ‘Any idea what we should do?’

‘Maybe he’s out,’ said Ciara. ‘Perhaps we should wait for him.’

And that’s what they did. There were two benches either side of Narky’s front door and they sat on them; Ciara and Lilac one side and Jack and Tyler the other.

‘I was really looking forward to a cup of Roseleaf and a nice comfortable chair,’ said Lilac.

‘I shouldn’t think Narky’s gone far,’ said Tyler, ‘as Syd seemed to think that he was a home bird.’

‘And it’s getting chilly,’ said Lilac as she buttoned up her jacket. ‘I hope there’s a roaring fire waiting for us.’

Jack looked over his shoulder and through the window into Narky’s cottage. ‘I can’t see one. In fact, I can’t see much at all. It’s very dark and gloomy in there.’

They were interrupted by a voice from the other side of the hollow. ‘What business do you have here?’

They all looked up to see a tall Elf standing amongst the bushes on the edge of the copse. Jack stood up and walked towards him. The Elf stepped forward from the bushes. He had short, dark, curly hair and tanned skin, with broad shoulders and a lean, muscular frame. A makeshift longbow hung across his back. He held up his hand. ‘Stay where you are stranger until you tell me who you are and why you are here.’

Jack did as he asked and stopped just in front of the cottage. ‘We’re friends of Narky’s and we’re looking for a bed for the night.’

‘Narky’s not here,’ said the Elf. ‘Can’t you see that the cottage is empty?’

Jack sensed that the Elf mistrusted them. He decided to tread carefully and not provoke him. ‘We thought that he may have gone out.’

‘If you knew Narky that well, you would know that he never goes out,’ said the Elf firmly.

‘I have to disagree with you, my young friend,’ said Tyler stepping forward and standing next to Jack, ‘as he accompanied us on an overnight journey the last time we were here.’

Without any warning at least a dozen or so Elves suddenly entered the hollow from the cover of the bushes. Some with longbows strapped to their backs and others holding long wooden staffs.

‘Don’t trust them, Jadon,’ said an Elf with long, dark, shoulder-length hair. ‘They could be Grimley’s spies.’

‘I can assure you my young friend,’ said Tyler indignantly, ‘we are not Grimley’s spies. In fact, none of us can stomach the odious creature.’

‘Don’t believe them, Jadon. They’re trying to trick us,’ said the Elf.

‘Let’s wait for Narky to come back,’ said Jack. ‘He will vouch for us.’

‘Narky won’t be coming back,’ said Jadon. ‘He was captured by Finn Tarr and taken to Waterswood over three months ago.’

Jack was horror struck. ‘But how? Narky always seemed to be one step ahead of him.’

‘Finn followed Narky here when he made his one and only trip in the summer. Finn just waited for his opportunity and captured him.’

The harsh realisation of what had happened hit Jack like a slap in the face. Finn had followed Narky back from when he’d seen them off on Troy. Another anxious thought immediately hit him. ‘What about Syd?’

‘He was captured at the same time,’ said Jadon. ‘You’re the first Elves we’ve seen here since.’

A wave of guilt swept over Jack. It was his fault that Syd and Narky had been captured. He owed Jadon and his Elves an explanation. ‘Syd and Narky helped us in the summer.’ He pointed towards Ciara. ‘My mother had run away from Grimley and travelled to Emerald Island many years ago and we were searching for her. They took Tyler, Lilac and me to the sacred place to meet the flying horse, Troy, who was to fly us there. We were confronted by Finn and his men as we waited for Troy. Syd had already saved us from Finn by hitting him on the head with a lump of wood, so Finn was out for revenge. Narky did his best to persuade him from taking us, but it was Troy turning up in the nick of time and scaring Finn’s men away that finally saved us. We flew with Troy to Emerald Island, and Syd and Narky came back here. Finn and his men must have followed them.’ Jack stared first at the ground and then at Jadon. ‘I am truly sorry.’

Nobody spoke for a while. A short, stout Elf with a bald head eventually broke the silence. ‘They seem genuine enough, Jadon. I think they’re telling us the truth.’

‘Well you would, Curly,’ said the Elf with the long dark hair. ‘You’re too soft for your own good. These are tough times we’re living in and tough times call for tough measures.’

Ciara stepped forward and joined Jack and Tyler. ‘I grew up with Syd Gumboot, as did Tyler and Lilac. He was one of our closest friends. He helped me when I escaped from Waterswood and brought me here to stay with Narky. I owe my life to Syd and Narky because I dread to think what would have happened to me if Finn had caught me.’

‘Ciara’s right,’ said Tyler, ‘Syd …’

‘Did you say Ciara?’ interrupted Jadon. ‘Syd often talked about you. He had a very high regard for you.’

‘As I did for him,’ said Ciara. ‘He was one of the first Elves to rebel against Grimley, which is why he left Waterswood. It’s a tragedy that he’s been captured.’

Jadon turned to his Elves. ‘Any friends of Syd are friends of ours.’ He turned back to Jack. ‘Go on your way and be aware that Finn and his men are constantly on the prowl.’

‘Do you mind if I ask who you are?’ asked Jack.

‘Don’t tell them, Jadon,’ said Freddie. ‘Let them go if you must, but the less they know about us the better.’

‘Freddie, we may be glad of their help one day. We must never lose total faith in our fellow Elves.’ He turned back to Jack. ‘My name is Jadon Hunter and I am the leader of the Free Elves. We decided we had to organise ourselves after the capture of Syd and Narky. No Elf is ever on their own now – it has to be that way if we are to avoid Finn Tarr and his friends.’

‘Let me deal with Finn,’ said Jack. ‘It’s the least that I can do in the circumstances.’

Ciara looked horrified. ‘I don’t want you going anywhere near that evil man. He’s ruthless and dangerous and …’

‘There’s no need to worry, mother. I know a lot more about Finn than he realises. I will be fine, I promise.’

‘I agree with Ciara - Finn is to be avoided at all costs,’ said Jadon.

‘He will always cast his shadow over us all if we continue to allow him to track us down like scared animals,’ said Jack. ‘He needs dealing with and I think I know how to do it.’

‘Then let us come with you,’ said Tyler.

Jack shook his head. ‘This is something I have to do on my own. Finn and I have unfinished business and I intend to put an end to it.’ He turned to Jadon. ‘Can my friends stay here while I’m away? I’ll be two weeks at the most.’

‘They are welcome to stay here,’ said Jadon. ‘My Elves and I will keep them safe, on that you have my word.’

A tearful Ciara confronted Jack. ‘Why are you doing this? You know how dangerous Finn is. I’ve only just found you and now you’re going to put your life at risk.’

Jack placed his hands on her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. ‘I promise you that I will not put my life in danger. I had the chance to do a lot of thinking while I was away and I’m clear in my own mind what must be done.’ He pulled her close and hugged her. ‘I will be back before you know it, I promise.’

*

Chapter Two

Old Friends and Old Enemies

Jack travelled light and fast. As much as he loved Tyler and Lilac they would have slowed him down if they’d come with him. He kept to the woods and forests and used Faery trails where possible. He only lit a fire to cook by and slept under cover of the bushes and trees. As cold as the autumn nights were, he still slept soundly wrapped up in his sleeping bag.

The fear that had accompanied him on his recent travels was absent. When you’ve braved the Mist of Time and confronted an evil sorcerer like Korrian, a walk through the English countryside doesn’t seem that daunting. Even the threat of Finn Tarr and his men didn’t faze him as he was sure that he could meet that challenge whenever it came. He was clear and confident in his own mind on what had to be done. The journey was uneventful and other than the occasional fox or badger who passed him in the night, he didn’t see another living soul.

Four days after he left his friends, he arrived on the edge of Heywood forest. Finn Tarr was the reason he made the journey but there were two other people he was desperate to see. The first one was Becky. Giant butterflies flapped their wings in his stomach as he approached the gate at the back of her house. The irony wasn’t lost on him. Finn didn’t scare him but the thought of seeing Becky again filled him full of angst. Would she want to see him again? He was soon to find out.

It was early morning and he hoped that she would be taking Sonny-Boy for a walk. He leant back against the fence and stared back towards the forest. The last time he was here he couldn’t even walk in the field for fear of being captured by the LEOs.

But that had all gone. They were no threat to him anymore. He had confronted so much real danger on his journey through Emerald Island and beyond, that he couldn’t take the threat of a bullying bunch of nonentities like Grimley, Vilner and the LEOs seriously. He’d met a real King in Erenin, and a real warrior and Captain in Elensar. And there was Princess Larien – she personified compassion.

The citizens of Arminas all enjoyed the freedom that was so sadly missing in Waterswood. The King was strong but didn’t interfere in the lives of his subjects. He allowed them the freedom of expression but at the same time provided protection from any outside threats. All he asked in return was that they treated each other with care and respect and did their duty when called upon to.

And that was the sort of society that he wanted for the Elves of Waterswood. He knew that Grimley would never allow it; he smiled to himself at that thought. Grimley wouldn’t even allow him to set foot back in Waterswood, and if he did he would surely try to incarcerate him in Darkenwold. Syd and Narky were almost certainly being held there. It made his heart ache to think of his two friends imprisoned in that place. As soon as he dealt with Finn, he would do his best to persuade Jadon and his Free Elves to join him in rescuing Syd and Narky from that hell-hole.

His thoughts were interrupted by the gate opening and a large golden retriever sprinted out into the field. As soon as he saw Jack he came bounding over and jumped all over him.

‘OK, OK’ laughed Jack. ‘I’m pleased to see you too.’ He knelt down and made a fuss of him as Sonny manically licked his face.

In the midst of Sonny’s enthusiastic welcome, Jack looked up and saw Becky standing at the gate. She was wearing a green sweat shirt and blue jeans. Her long, blond hair was tied back in a ponytail. The early morning autumn sun shone into her face and made her eyes sparkle like azure jewels. He thought she looked even more beautiful than the last time he saw her.

‘Jack! When did you get back?’

‘About an hour ago. I’ve come to visit my grandfather. I thought I would call over to see you and Sonny-Boy.’ He stood up and continued to stroke Sonny who was still wagging his tail furiously in the excitement of seeing him.

‘You look taller,’ said Becky. ‘And your shoulders are broader. You seem … you seem older.’

Jack smiled. ‘I feel older. It’s been an interesting few months.’ He was just about to ask if he could join them on their walk, when he heard a boy’s voice from inside the garden.

‘We can’t be too long, Becks. My dad just rang and said he’ll take us out on the boat this afternoon.’ A tall slim boy with long dark hair appeared at the gate. ‘We can …’ He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Jack. He eyed him up and down suspiciously. ‘Who’s this?’

‘My friend Jack - he used to live on the other side of the forest.’

‘He looks scruffy enough to live in the forest,’ said the boy sarcastically.

‘Don’t be mean, Toby. He saved my life back in the spring when I fell in the pond. He’s been a really good friend to Sonny and me.’

Sonny stood at Jack’s feet and barked his agreement. Jack took an instant dislike to Toby. He reminded him of the boys who used to chase him through the forest when he was a kid.

‘Whatever,’ said Toby. ‘Let’s take the mutt out for his walk. The sooner we get back the sooner we get to sail on dad’s boat.’

Jack had to bite his tongue. Sonny was most definitely not a mutt – he had helped to save Becky’s life. He decided it was best to leave before he said and did something he regretted. ‘I’d better go,’ said Jack. ‘I have to meet someone.’

‘Why don’t you join us on our walk? Sonny would like that and so would I,’ said Becky as Sonny enthusiastically barked his agreement.

But before Jack could answer, Toby butted in. ‘Becks, I’ve already told you, we haven’t got much time. Say your goodbyes and let’s go.’ He went to stride off towards the forest and called Sonny, who ignored him and sat at Jack’s feet looking hopefully up at him. Toby turned around and grabbed Sonny’s colour and pulled him backwards. Sonny fell on his back but quickly jumped to his feet and started to bark at Toby, who raised his hand and looked as if he was about to strike him.

Jack reacted in a flash and grabbed his arm. He pulled Toby towards him and whispered in his ear; ‘if you ever lay a hand on that dog I won’t just break your arm I’ll break your neck as well.’

Toby looked at Jack and the arrogance momentarily disappeared. He pulled his arm away and strode off towards the forest without looking back.

Becky looked mortified. ‘I’m so sorry, Jack. I don’t know what’s got into him. He’s not normally like that.’

Jack suspected that he was; he just didn’t show it in front of Becky. ‘I really have to go, Becky. Take care and make sure you look after Sonny.’

‘Are you going to be around for a while?’ she asked hopefully. ‘I’d really like to see you if you are.’

‘I’ve got some things to take care of,’ said Jack. ‘Then I have to go away again.’

Becky walked up to him and placed her hand on his arm. ‘Please come and see me before you go. I’ve really missed you.’ Sonny sat at her feet looking up at him with pleading eyes. It was as if he understood every word that they said.

Jack looked into her beautiful blue eyes – they mesmerised him. How could he say no? ‘I’ll try but I can’t promise.’

‘That’s all I ask,’ she smiled, and kissed him on his cheek.

*

Jack walked around the edge of the forest in a daydream. The whole reason he came back was to deal with Finn Tarr but his focus had gone. He thought seeing Becky would lift him but it had the total opposite effect. She had a boyfriend, and what was worse, an obnoxious one.

How could she saddle herself with someone who was so arrogant and uncaring? It was obvious that Toby had no time for Sonny and Jack never trusted anybody who didn’t like animals. It didn’t make any sense to him. Becky adored Sonny-Boy and yet she turned a blind eye to Toby as he went to strike him.

Jealousy gnawed at him. He’d never really believed that Becky would be his girlfriend but seeing her with that boy was like having a stake hammered through his heart. He had to get over it. He had to get his focus on the reason he came back. And that was to deal with Finn Tarr.

He was suddenly confronted with an image that broke his heart even more. He stared across the clearing towards the charred skeleton of the cottage that had been his home for fifteen years. He walked over and sat on the same log that he found his grandfather sitting on when he discovered the cottage was burnt down. It was that very spot where his whole life had changed. He found out he was an Elf and it triggered a whole chain of events that sent him on the most amazing journey. And that journey led him to his mother.

But that wasn’t the end, it was just the beginning. The challenge now was to remove Grimley and his oppressive regime from Waterswood and replace it with a just and responsible government in the same mould as Arminas in the Elven homeland.

As sad as seeing the ruins of his home made him feel, it also filled him full of resolve to do what he had to do. He was going to find his grandfather and then he was going to deal with Finn Tarr once and for all. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it when he first met Finn, but his grandfather would know how to deal with the bounty hunter. After all, Finn was a traveller and Noah knew every traveller for miles.

Jack stood up and took one last look at the ruins of his former home and set off along the pathway that followed the edge