Author’s Note: sees the abundance of sap running through the chapter Um… yeah, this chapter is a little long, and rather sappy, sorta. If it’s too much, might I suggest a waffle? Waffles make very good sap absorbers.

Chapter 12: The Elves’ Friend

Orko awoke from a light sleep with the sun in his eyes. Instantly he leapt from his bed and looked outside. He saw the elves stirring, including Toby. The cat looked up, saw Orko, and waved a greeting. The Trollan waved back, and quickly made his way down to his side.

“Have you ever heard of an Okoru?” he asked in greeting. “As mage like me, maybe shorter, but dressed near the same?”

“No, the same isn’t familiar. Who is he? His name is a lot like yours.”

“He’s my friend.” Toby blinked, understanding.

“Your Dream? And you remember?” Orko nodded. Toby gave the Trollan a joyful hug. “That’s terrific!” he laughed. “It’s always good to remember a friend.”

“But, Trolly-Molly, what if it’s too late?”

“You remember. That’s all it takes. If he’d already Faded, then you wouldn’t know he’d existed. So, if he ever lived here, then he’s around somewhere.” Orko smiled.

“How can I find him?”

“Hmm… Ah! I know. Drego can tell you. He’s the Prince of Imagiland, and as such he has access to the Books of every Dreamer there ever was, including yours. The Books tell of every Dream to exist here. Also-” Toby grinned. “ - Drego is a close friend of mine. In Elven terms, we’re blood brothers, because we’ve both shed blood to aid the other. He’ll be glad to help..”

“Thanks. I can’t believe I nearly forgot Okoru!”

“You didn’t forget. Some memories just get… stored away until they’re needed again. That’s all.” The cat chief hopped onto the ladder. “Cass will want to heat this. She loves it when someone Remembers.” Up they went, and Orko spent a happy few hours telling of Okoru and all they fun they’d had together. And each memory seemed to unlock new ones, some he hadn’t even realized had been locked away.

Absently, he looked out the window during a lull, and realized it was late in the morning.

“Trolly-Molly! Star’s probably waiting for me. I’ve got to go.”

“We’ll escort you to the edge of the forest,” offered Toby, as Cassandra gently rose from the bed and changed into elven clothes behind a screen. “And maybe you can get this Star to take you to the Palace to see Drego before you go.”

“Okay.” Within minutes Orko, Toby, Cassandra, Tobias, Lenon, and Peri were at the edges of the woods, with no Star in sight.

“I hope nothing’s happened to your friend,” said Peri.

“I doubt it,” replied Orko. “Even Darklor seemed afraid of hiiiiimmmmm - Trolly-Molly!” The yelp resulted from a slivery-white blur racing past, snatching Orko up in the process and flipping him head over heels onto an equine back covered in silky fur.

I’m sorry to have to snatch you up so, apologized Star, as the woods were already far away, but there is something we must do before you leave Imagiland.

“I know,” agreed Orko. “I’ve got to go see Prince Dre - “

No. That is not what you must do. Now hold on. Every second is crucial. Something in his tone made Orko fall silent and push down his disappointment.

They went like that for a good two hours, non stop, across plains and even over a river, until another woods came into view. Here Star slowed down, stepping almost daintily through the trees. This forest seemed… different to Orko. While Toby’s woods had felt magical, this one made the Trollan feel comfortable. If he’d ever wanted a place to get away and relax, this was it.

Eventually they came upon a hut by a small stream. It was a round one, with a conical thatched roof that had a ‘tuft’ of thatching on the top. The walls were wooden, and for a second Orko wondered what about the door looked so odd. Then he realized that there was a door within the door, a smaller one. He tipped his head in curiosity, and a responding flutter of movement caught his attention. He looked over to see a fairy, barely bigger than his hand, peeking out from behind some foliage at him. Then a centaur, several elves, and a multitude of fairies all appeared as if from hiding in the woods, with weapons drawn to defend the hut… until they saw Star. Then they dropped their wimple weapons and bowed low.

How is he? Star asked.

“Weak, but still able to sit up, my lord,” answered the centaur. “We have let none near who have wished him harm, as we have done for so long.”

Your labors will be rewarded. He shook his mane, which somehow Orko understood as a signal to climb off. Go in, Orko. The elves and centaur and fairies made way, as Orko slowly approached the door, the smaller one, and opened it. He wasn’t sure what he was going to find here, and yet, somehow, he had a feeling….

The inside of the cabin was divided into two, with the front room sporting a fireplace, complete with a warm fire, a small wood stove, a table and two chairs, a cupboard with some dished in it, and a bookshelf. Each was about the size for a normal person, further confusing Orko. A doorway to one side of the cupboard was ‘closed’ by a hanging curtain, through which he heard voices.

“Please,” a female voice was saying, “you’re much too weak to get out of bed. Lie still, I beg you. Adraxia, go tell whoever is out there that the wizard is too weak to cast any spells at this time.” The next voice, also female, sounded more like a little girl.

“Okay!” Orko heard a thump, and a little padding noise like a cat walking across the floor, and then a tawny-furred paw pushed aside the curtain, enough for what appeared to be a lion cub with a human-like face to peek out. “Mirriam says you’ll have… too… ooooooo….” She backed up as Orko approached, an expression of wonder on her little face, until she vanished behind the curtain. Orko took a deep breath, and pushed it aside to go it.

The next room was a bedroom, with a dresser, a mirror identical to the one Orko had used as a child, and a bed. A female elf sat at the bedside, looking at Orko with wide eyes, and the lion-girl - who had little wings on her back - had backed up to the opposite wall. But it was the one in the bed who drew Orko’s attention.

“Trolly-Molly…” The wizard in the bed opened his eyes and smiled.

“Molly-Tolly, I missed hearing your voice, Orko.” Orko rushed to the Trollan in the bed and gave him a hug, the elf Mirriam quickly moving aside.

“Okoru, I’m so sorry I forgot!” Okoru hugged him back.

“But you didn’t. And I’m getting stronger every moment.” They pulled back, and Okoru held out his hand, closed. When he opened it, Orko saw a smooth, round, white stone with a black “O” etched on it. “Still have yours?”

“No - I mean, yes, I mean, Trolly-Molly…” Okoru laughed. “It’s still on Trolla, in my desk drawer. I got taken to Eternia a few years ago.”

“I know. I know everything you do, just like when we were kids.” Okoru straightened up even more.

“You haven’t looked this strong in years,” Adraxia said happily, bounding over to put her front paws on the bed. Okoru ruffled her ears.

“Thanks to Orko. He’s the Dreamer to made me. Now why don’t you go tell everyone outside that I’m not going to Fade anytime soon for me?”

“Okay!” She scampered out. Mirriam excused herself, saying she was going to make Okoru a cup of tea, leaving the two Trollans to talk about old times.