| ELDER TOOKE |
| Greetings and Merry Meet! This is Elder Tooke. Faerie friend. Hear me now the story of the great bond between the Fae and Elder Tooke. Long lost and now found! For centuries the Clan had searched for any news on the whereabouts of thier dear friend. They asked all, the dark sidthe, the ancient wood trolls, they even begged the great dragon-lairds. None knew what had become of their beloved Elder. Elder Tooke was born long ago to the Tookes of Amper Rath. HIs family had dwelled in the Valley for many generations. Usually, the male Tookes followed in thier father's footsteps becoming apprentices to one of the various positions traditionally held by the Tookes. Many were blacksmiths, while others farmers, and even schoolmasters. Not Elder, his eyes often traveled way away from the gentle slopes of the Valley and he longed to travel the world. And in his secret heart, his greatest dream was to travel to the realm of the Fae from the Stars (as he called them_ As time passed yis yearning became a longing and eventually an obsession. He spoke endlessly of the Faerie folk, much to the chagrin of the serious-minded older Tookes. And then one day his heart could wait no more. One fine fall afternoon, while Amper Rath prepared for it's Mead and Meadow Fair, Elder slipped away. He planned to be gone for only a month or so. His las wish was to cause ill or discomfort to his family. But little did he know that his journeys would take him from Amper Rath across to the Realm of Orr, back to the Land of Faerie, and then back to the world of men? But how did the Fae and Elder meet? How did thier paths cross? One warm summer night, as was thier custom the Clan of Thistle Wood made it's way to the great trees of the Short Lake. There they brought thier wee ones so that they could play at leisure. It also gave the adults time to relax and share companionship. On one of these eveinings, young wee Sprigglebot wandered further than he had before and soon became lost. As a young Fae, he was still learning the ways of Nature and had not yet learned the skills of tracking. Try as he might, he could not make his way back to Short Lake. Soon he was disoriented. As he jumped and skipped from flower to flower, bush to bush, he soon became exhausted, his untried wings unaccustomed to the rigours of continued flight. As the sun diped into the Western horizon, Sprigglebot despaired. He wept bitterly at the thought that he would never again see his family, ever again be nurtured by the warm sunshine of Thistle Wood. Night approached steadily, and soon Sprigglebot found a slender grass stalk to sleep under. As he settled down as best as he could, his thoughts returned to the warmth and comfort of the Clan. He wept bitterly. The sounds of the night terrified him. He slumbered fitfully, his dreams full of invisible images and strange sounds. Even in his sleep the poor wee one wept. Not far from where the terrified fae slept, there also slumbered a weary gnome. Although he ached from age, his dreams were full of the great cities he had seen and the great deed he had done. And in his sleep, his great heart heard the call of the terrified young fae. He awoke and listened intently. Following the direction of the tiny whimpers, he parted the tall grass stalks and beheld a sight that melted his soul. For on the brown, moist earth, slept one of the folk he most loved. He observed the tiny creature, its wings quivering with cold and fear. In his soul he must help. And so leaning closer to the young fae, but not so close as to frighten him, he whispered, "hush wee one, do not weep. Night has come sure and deep. Stay with me until day. Then we go back to the Fae". Sprigglebot stirred and listened. He heard a rough, grumbly voice. Opening his eyes he looked into dark eyes that shone with love, kindness and compassion. And for the first time that night, Sprigglebot slept in peace. When dawn broke, as he had promised, Elder returned the young fae to the Short Lake area. There the Clan, still searching for any signs of young Sprigglebot, rejoiced at his safe return. And for this one simple act of kindness, Elder Tooke was declared Faerie-Friend. The Clan rejoiced and celebrated. They welcomed the weary gnome with open hearts. And he in turn shared his life and adventures. But soon Elder's love of travel took him further and further away from Thistle Wood. Until one day he did not return. The Clan grieved and waited. They searched. And they never forgot. But now, he has been found. Thanks to the efforts of a golden retriever (thank thee, Jake!). There is celebration in Thistle Wood and thier Queen has declared that Elder Tooke will be formally adopted by the Clan. Here then be the Royal Proclimation: We proclayme by tthe acts of Goode, Kinde and True Elder Tooke, a Faerie Friend and of Thistle Wood. May the stars shine upon they brow for evermore And thy heart know peace. Thy way safe and sure. |