Ogres are rather fearsome looking creatures, smelly and rather unsavoury. When young Gnomes are naughty, mother's will often say "Be good or the Mad One Deedip will come for you ".

But he is not really like that at all, and Deedip like Phaba are different from the rest of their kind, and it is this that has made them friends, when these two meet up chaos and mayhem is the order of the day, luckily Rough and Tough are never far away when these two are around, and order is soon restored.

Old Hag & Sarah Snagglepuss.

Old Hag had been around for so many years that no-one could remember when she actually appeared. A rather cranky old dear, but very good at her trade, namely, potions, spells, and general charms and wards. She could often be seen deep in the Forest, gathering herbs, such as feverfew, nightshade and many others.

For a year now, she has been trying to tutor Sarah Snagglepuss into the art of witchcraft, a task which seems to be having no good results or progress, and all to the thanks of a distant cousin Bertha Wartnose, who had sent Sarah to Old Hag to learn the "Trade", for truth be known, she had lost all patience with Sarah and her spells that never go right, so she had packed her off to Old Hag.

Sarah Snagglepuss looks and acts like a witch, and that is as far as it goes, her spells go awry and some with peculiar effects, like the time she tried a new " cook spell ",instead of food going into the pot, they jumped out and landed everywhere causing a right mess. Even "Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble" the cook pot cringes when Sarah approaches, and Scraggs her pet cat doesn't even bother to go for a crafty taster. She has a good heart though, but is basically very scatter brained, but the Fishsim children adore her.

Bertha Wartnose

Bad Spell Day.

Old Hag decided to pay her cousin Bertha Wartnose a visit, it had been awhile since they had seen each other so a visit was more than due, also she wished to discuss the progress, or non progress of Sarah Snagglepuss. Leaving strict instructions to Sarah not to try anything in her absence, apart from gathering herbs etc, she took her leave.

Sarah spent the morning gathering herbs and cleaning, these done she found she had plenty of time on her hands and decided to practice some of her spells, the first two went to plan so she decided to be more adventurous and hopefully surprise Old Hag on her return.

The first spell she cast had Scraggs leaping and jumping all over the place, twisting and turning in ever increasing circles and doing somersaults without being able to stop. Sarah quickly found the "end " spell, by the time it had taken effect poor Scraggs was exhausted and slunk off to her cushion to recover.

When Sarah started chanting again " Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble " the cook pot beat a hasty retreat into a safe spot, Sarah, undaunted carried on with the spell of "mobility", nothing seemed to happen at first, all of a sudden the yard broom came whizzing in, smashing crockery, chasing Scraggs and trying to beat Sarah who made a hasty retreat into the garden, all the time trying to remember the "end" spell, still the broom came on wreaking destruction and mayhem in it's path, poor Sarah was getting quite battered and bruised to say the least. Several attempts and quite some time after she finally managed to get it right.

When she saw the devastation around her she was distraught, and set to putting things back to rights, a simple "replace" spell sorted all the broken crockery and things were soon back to normal, which was just as well for she heard Old Hag returning, quickly checking all was as it should be she went to greet Old Hag.

" IT "

No -one really knows who or what " IT " is, all that is known, is that two eye's can be seen sometimes, reflecting from the dark interior of the cave, some have said rather sad eye's, others spooky eye's, which just added to the mystery that shrouded " IT ". Many a tale of a ferocious beast, fangs glistening red with blood had been passed around the Taverns, sending shivers down many a spine. Other tales were more fanciful, a lost and lonely soul that had taken refuge in the cave, afraid perhaps, if it decided to make an appearance of the reaction it may cause, disfigured or maimed in some way, or just a poor lonely soul who was unsure where to fit in, tales like these brought many a silent tear.

Phaba and Deedip, after one of their excursions to their favourite Ale house decided to investigate, what still had to be decided, should it be before or after their next visit to the Ale house, even they had to admit that, brave as they were, some of the stories that had been told were rather daunting, to say the least. Not that they would ever admit to being afraid, after all they had an image to maintain. They finally agreed to set off early after a few, shall we say sustaining "nips" of their favourite tipple, with more readily at hand, only for medicinal purposes of course.

Arriving at the cave entrance, they peered into the gloomy darkness, seeing no signs of activity they decided to wander in further, another " nip" duly swallowed, they set forth into the eerie interior. Apart from a soft carpet of moss and occasional rocks and a soft glowing on the cave walls nothing seemed remotely dangerous, this lifted their spirits even higher, not the liquid kind either, and they ventured further into the cave which now seemed to be sloping downwards. What did surprise them was how high the ceiling to the cave was, more cavernous than cave really, phosphorescent type plants growing in profusion all the way down, giving a soft warm light that cast long deep shadows merrily bouncing along with their progress.

All of a sudden they heard movement ahead, ducking behind an outcrop of rock, they peered around to the source of the sound. What greeted them made them gasp in amazement, for it looked as if a portion of the cave had come to life moving and lumbering around in a world of it's own, but seeming quite happy and at ease. They watched for what seemed to them to be an eternity, realising all the time that a move had to be made by way of introductions but not sure of their welcome. Deedip and Phaba agreed on some cough like " ahems", and waited for signs of recognition, several more attempts later the " rock " stopped, peering and turning slowly around, rock brows twitching up and down he spied Phaba and Deedip, does shock and surprise really show on such a rocky countenance, it seemed so.

Phaba and Deedip moved out from behind the outcrop smiling hands raised in a gesture of friendship, " IT" stood it's ground still peering at them, eventually Deedip and Phaba spoke, introducing themselves, waiting for a reply. A gravelly voice replied " I am Nuck-Jac" a rock Troll , what do you want and why are you here " Phaba and Deedip explained about the many stories circulating around and that their curiosity was " piqued ", a sound of rolling shingle greeted them, which turned out that Nuck-Jac was laughing. " Come in and welcome, rest awhile and let us talk " said Nuck-Jac, the pair needed no second bidding, soon they were seated chatting away quite merrily, swapping tales and stories, and finding out why Nuck-Jac had never been seen.

He explained, due to his size and appearance he was unsure of his welcome, as other places he had been to he seemed to strike fear and terror into the community, so he kept moving until he found this cavern where he was quite content to stay out of the way and do what he wanted when no-one was around. Deedip and Phaba explained that the surrounding communities and the inhabitants were friendly and welcoming and he had nothing to fear, and that with his consent they would arrange for a meeting with the others in Gnomeland and also for the people in Faerie Glen and Mystic a new and thriving community. This Nuck-Jac agreed to, so the merriment continued and if anyone had happened to pass by that night they would have heard deep resounding laughter emerging from the bowels of the cave as a new and lasting friendship was sealed......

Mysterious Visitor

The top of the mountain seemed to shimmer in an elusive not quite sure way, it shimmered again, to experience this sight, you would have rubbed your eye's wondering if all was well, so elusive and quick was the movement, all of a sudden Deedip, then Phaba appeared, another shimmer and all of Gnomeland seemed to appear and vanish, finally it all settled back to normal. The figure that had appeared, and stayed was tall and graceful, very dignified with the oval face and almond shaped eye's of the Elven race. Her instincts told her she was not alone, and the aroma of a well known and remembered smell set her off in the direction of food and friendly company. Her mode of travel was always the same, elusive, quick and silent.

Bertha Wartnose was just finishing off the cooking, she smiled to herself, she knew she had company to share her repast, "welcome" she said, it has been a long time since your last visit, come join me in a meal, and let us catch up on news. The shimmering haze vanished and there stood Tule-Cet, a smile on her lips, one day I will arrive with-out your knowledge she said, they both chuckled as they both knew this would never be the case. Bertha set out two places of her well renowned bread and broth and the pair sat and talked enjoying each others company and the rather splendid repast. " You have been busy I believe " said Bertha, it was you was it not that warned Kett-Rocc, and also setting fires and causing mayhem at the Gliafids camps, Tule-Cet smiled, I may not appear to be around much, but I keep in touch with events and will always help my friends.

They enjoyed catching up on news and old friends, causing many a chuckle to pass their lips, eventually Tule-Cet stood, the shimmer reappeared, thanking Bertha for her hospitality and friendship she prepared to leave for a spot of fishing before carrying on with her travels. Bertha wished her well and told her not to leave it so long next time. Bertha was just clearing away when she heard a mutter from outside, "come in Kithe " she said, Kithe-Chardis appeared with a bewildered look on his face, trying to explain his presence here, and wondering why Bertha had been talking to air. Bertha new exactly what had happened but thought it best if she said nothing, she did not wish to confuse the dear man anymore.

Kithe sat and ate, chatting all the while and thinking how very pleasant and strange the day was turning out, he was just about to start on his favourite subject, when whoooosh, he found himself back at the hatchlings, gazing around he wondered if he had been dreaming, scratching his head he went over to his rather splendid bird who hopped merrily onto his shoulder and they started the round of checking on the Dragon eggs, all the while trying to compose a poem for Angel...

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