The Elves of Mount Fern

The next evening, while the elves were at breakfast, Lightning informed Captain Featherweight that the King of the Elves was coming to visit Mount Fern.

“That is good news,” said the Captain, “are you sure it is true?”

“Quite sure,” said Lightning, “for I saw Okla of Oakdale, and he told me that the King is now visiting Elmsdale; and from Elmsdale he’s coming to Oakdale; and from Oakdale he’s coming to Mount Fern.”

“That is really good news!” said the Captain.

“And what shall we do to entertain him?” asked Rainbow.

“Nothing at all,” said the Captain, “for when the King goes visiting he always takes his entertainers with him. He has his own musicians, his own jesters, and his own actors.

“The King does this in his own defence, for he says it is a King’s privilege not to be entertained unless he wants to be. So we’ll only have to receive him.”

“Shall I make a poem for him?” asked Rhymo.

“Not at all,” said the Captain, “for he has his own Court poet, who is the best in the world, and if he wants a poem he has only to say so.”

“Won’t we have anything extra to do before he comes?” asked the flower-elf.

“Oh, yes!” replied the Captain, “and you especially, Iris-Wing, will be very busy, for the King is most particular about the care of plants, and if a single plant is neglected it makes him unhappy. So I want Templeton Garden to be a perfect bower of well-kept plants when the King comes to visit us.”

“Shall I be asked to sing or play?” asked Tono.

“I should say not,” replied the Captain, “for the King always travels with his own musicians, and if he wants any music he has only to say so.”

“And how shall we address him?” asked Slumber.

“As ‘Noble King,’ ‘Your Majesty,’ or ‘Your Royal Highness’,” said the Captain.

“If there is any doubt as to which he prefers, couldn’t we address him as ‘Your Royal Majesty’s Noble Highness’?” asked Touchstone.

“Silence!” commanded Captain Featherweight. “This is no time for jesting, and if any elf from this time forward be found guilty of jesting about the King, he shall forthwith be sent to Doomdell. This time I spare you, Touchstone.”

“Shall I touch stone next time, noble Captain?” asked Touchstone.

But as soon as he saw that the Captain was really angry that he should joke in this way about the prison walls of Doomdell, he immediately got down on bended knee and begged the Captain’s pardon. And Captain Featherweight, who was anxious that they should all live in harmony, graciously granted it.

“And Owly,” continued the Captain, “I warn you not to be too clever. I should think Prince Prigio would be a warning to you. Don’t you remember how everybody hated him because he was so very clever and let everybody know it? And that it was only when he concealed the fact and seemed no cleverer than other people that they began to love him?”

“I’ll do my best,” said Owly, “but if I am as clever as you say, it is my nature to be so and I cannot help it.”

“You can be clever and tactful, too,” said the Captain. “Take Rainbow for your model, and learn of him.

“And if you ask a question of the King, you must say: ‘Your Royal Highness, may I be permitted to ask——’ and so forth.

“But you must not say: ‘May I ask—your Royal Highness?’ ‘Your Royal Highness’ or ‘Your Majesty’ must always come before ‘I’ or ‘me’ when you are addressing the King.”

“Rainbow, as usual, I put you in charge of the whole affair. You must instruct the others in the proper etiquette for the occasion.”

“Shall I gather countless fireflies for the illumination?” asked Lightning.

“Not fireflies, but glowworms,” said the Captain. “They are rarer and will therefore do the King more honor.

“And we’ll send to the Dwarfs of Cavedale, and have them make a thousand silver filigree lanterns to hold the glowworms, and hang from the ceilings of Mount Fern, and from the branches of trees near our dwelling.

“And the floors shall be carpeted with the petals of roses; and the walls hung with star-flower and forget-me-not.

“And the sweetest and freshest of honeydew must be collected, with the ripest and most luscious of the fruits, and the most perfect of the nuts.

“And now I think this is all I need tell you, for, as I said before, the King will manage his own entertainment.

“Right! Left! Shoulder arms!”

At this command every elf went to work.

The flower-elf ran off to the mulberry tree in search of Colonel Claw. He found him perching on one of the lower branches, so up he flew and sat beside him. And he told him all about the expected visit of the King.

“There is nothing the King so much dislikes as an ill-kept garden,” said the flower-elf. “And so I have come to ask your kind assistance in a battle against the canker-worms, grubs, beetles, ants and other insects that eat out the life of the flowers.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Colonel Claw. “I’ll get all the birds in the neighborhood to wage incessant warfare against all the enemies of the flowers! And I’ll begin this very hour.”

“A thousand thanks,” said Iris-Wing, “you have my undying gratitude, and if I can ever help you, be sure I will.”

Then the flower-elf bade adieu to Colonel Claw and went in search of Slumber.

He found him resting on a bank of fern-moss, and told him that he wanted him to make the gardener dream such dreams as would make that lazy fellow do the work of his life.

“I don’t know how you are going to do it,” said the flower-elf, “but it will have to be done.”

“Leave that to me,” said Slumber, “for I am sure I can manage it. Think of the bluebirds’ feathers and doubt not.”

“I trust you entirely,” said the flower-elf, “and I know that all will be well.

“But now I must go and see where the best honeydew is to be found. And while I am testing the honeydew I will just make a note of the nuts and fruits that I happen to see.”

So saying he departed waving his hand in adieu.

Lightning went to the Dwarfs of Cavedale and ordered a thousand lanterns of filigree silver.

Tono trained his choir and orchestra so that he would be prepared if the King should ask him to sing or play.

Rhymo made verses all night long, for he did not want to be caught napping if the King should ask him for one of his poems.

Rainbow was carefully planning the details, and every one came to him for advice.

When the gardener had gone to bed for the night, Slumber entered his cottage noiselessly, softly entered his sleeping-room, and gently beat on the drum of his ear.

And the gardener dreamed and dreamed. He thought he was on a desert plain, and he was very thirsty—so thirsty that he did not care for anything in the world but water. His throat was parched; the sky was red; the grass was brown; the sun was scorching!

And there was not a drop of water in sight! There were no clouds in the sky to bring rain, nor a sign of moisture anywhere!

Just as he thought he could stand it no longer, a frightful hobgoblin with black wings and piercing eyes came hovering over him, and cried in a voice of thunder:

“You’re thirsty, are you?”

“‘Thirsty,’” sighed the gardener, “I’m dying of thirst!”

“Go first and water the flowers; then you may drink,” said the goblin, as he flew up in the air uttering a horrid shriek.

But the gardener dreamed again: this time he was starving; and there was not a scrap of food in sight, not even a grain of corn to satisfy his gnawing hunger.

And when he thought he could stand it no longer, the same frightful hobgoblin came flying toward him, and flapped its great wings and cried:

“You’re hungry, are you?”

“So hungry that I’m fainting,” whispered the gardener.

“Go first and feed your plants, and then you may eat,” said the goblin. Then away he flew and left him alone as before.

But the gardener dreamed still again, and this time he thought he was in his own cottage. The walls of the cottage began to shrink; and the tables and chairs and everything else in the room began to move toward him. The windows shut of themselves; the shades rolled down; the air grew close and stifling.

And he couldn’t escape, for just as soon as he moved one chair away, another one took its place.

The chairs and tables moved nearer and nearer; and the gardener was so weary that he wanted to sink on the floor; but there was not room, for everything in the cottage piled itself right up against him so that he could not move.

The air grew thicker and thicker, and the night grew blacker and blacker, but not so black that he could not see the goblin coming toward him.

And the goblin flew straight to the gardener, flapped its heavy wings, and shouted at him:

“You’re cramped for room, are you?”

“I’m dying,” said the gardener.

“Then help the plants to live. Pull up the weeds, give the plants room, and you may live yourself,” said the goblin as he flew away in the darkness.

At this point the dream-elf, thinking his work well done, hastened back to Mount Fern.

“Some dreams,” said he to himself, “are good for a gardener, and I think this one will be.”

Very early the next morning the flower-elf and Slumber went into the garden to see what was happening there.

And lo and behold! Colonel Claw was at work with a whole host of birds, destroying the insects that eat out the life of the flowers. Such a chattering you never did hear, for they sang and talked as they worked.

A host of Warblers was destroying plant-lice, canker-worms, and caterpillars.

Catbirds were waging warfare against grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects.

Swallows were flying hither and thither in search of insects, and catching their prey on the wing; and each as he passed a friend or a brother cried out:

“Hurry up, there is work to be done!”

The Flickers were ridding the garden of ants, and gaily they worked and well.

And Sparrows were eating the seeds of the weeds, so that none might escape to grow up and choke out the flowers.

All the birds helped in the work, and destroyed all the harmful insects and weed seeds.

And this army of birds had just got to work when the gardener appeared on the scene. He came much earlier than usual; and he fed and watered the plants; and he weeded and spaded and hoed; and not a single plant was neglected.

And early each morning Colonel Claw marshalled his army of birds to do battle against the plants’ enemies.

And early each morning the gardener, too, kept on with his weeding and hoeing.

So that the garden grew and flourished. The flowers were blooming with happiness, and they smiled and nodded their beautiful heads while they said to the gardener:

“Dear sir, you are kindness itself.”

And all the elves were delighted, especially the flower-elf.

Dr. Templeton, too, was delighted, and he and his wife came oftener than usual to walk in the garden and admire the beautiful flowers.

One evening at starlight the Captain received a message from the King, saying that before a week would go by he would visit Mount Fern, for he planned to be there on Tuesday next at the full of the moon.

At last the great night arrived, and the elves were all dressed in oak leaves in honor of the King (for the oak is the King’s favorite tree).

And of course they wore their girdles, for on a great occasion an elf would no more think of going without a girdle, than a young lady would think of going to a party without her slippers.

From the entrance to Templeton Garden, all the way to Mount Fern, the path-way was strewn with flowers and studded with arches.

The first arch was made of laurel to show that the elves honored their King: the second was made of roses to show that they loved him: and the third arch was made of pansies to show that they always thought of him.

The arches and shrubbery were hung with silver filigree lanterns, and the glowworms shone and shed their soft lights around.

And Lightning, the messenger-elf, who had been sent out in the evening to watch for the arrival of the King, returned in great haste just at midnight to say that the King was coming—for the King’s herald had blown three blasts on his bugle to proclaim His Majesty’s approach.

Then the Elves of Mount Fern took their silver trumpets and blew three answering blasts as a greeting to all the King’s company.

Two elves were stationed at each of the arches, and they bowed down on bended knee as the King passed by, and cried: “All hail, noble King!”

And when the King and his retinue arrived at Mount Fern, Captain Featherweight was there to receive them.

After the greetings were over, Rainbow and Iris-Wing led the King to a flower-throne which was made of the softest and sweetest of pansies.

Then Rainbow took a golden goblet and bowed down before the King, and said: “Noble King, will you drink?”

“I will,” said the King.

So Rainbow took a pitcher-plant and poured out some sparkling nectar; and the King took the goblet and drank and refreshed himself.

Iris-Wing bowed down before the King and asked:

“Noble King, will you eat?”

“I will,” said the King.

Then Iris-Wing took the freshest and ripest of nuts, and the most luscious of fruits, and brought these to the King. And he ate and enjoyed them.

When the King had partaken of nuts and berries and nectar, he said to the Captain.

“Captain Featherweight, I long have wanted to visit you and your Company, but duties of state have prevented. I am delighted with Mount Fern!

“Your home is a bower; your furnishings dainty and elegant; and your fare is delicious.

“Tomorrow we’ll visit the gardens. This evening we’ll spend in quiet conversing, in puzzles and riddles, conundrums and puns. I love a good joke when I’m tired of affairs of the kingdom.”

Captain Featherweight, bowing low, replied: “Your Majesty’s wish is our pleasure.”

Then the King, looking up at the ceiling, was struck by the soft glow of the filigree lanterns, and asked the Captain what lighting he used.

Bowing low, the Captain replied: “The light of the glowworm.”

The King was delighted and said that he himself had never once thought of glowworms, but had always used firefly lanterns. Then he called his secretary and told him to make a note of the lighting of Mount Fern.

After that he called his musicians and told them to set the lighting of Mount Fern to music, and this was the song that they sang:

After the music the King called Iris-Wing and asked him what flowers he grew in the garden.

“Noble King,” said the flower-elf, “there are pansies, narcissi and roses, rosemary and rue, and daffodils, lilies and daisies, and violets blue.”

“That is well,” said the King. “Is that all?”

“Not at all,” said the elf.

But just here Touchstone came forward and bowed down before the King and said: “Your Highness, may I be permitted to speak?”

“You may,” said the King.

“Noble King, there are blondes and brunettes in the garden.”

“What! Blondes and brunettes, do you say?”

“Yes, your Highness,” said Touchstone “the brunette is Black-eyed Susan, and Blue-eyed Mary’s the blonde.”

“Ha! Ha!” laughed the King. “I see,” said he, “and what other strange plants do you grow?”

“What is seen on the western sky at sunset,” answered Touchstone.

“And what is that?” asked the King.

“Golden-Glow,” said the elf.

“That is bright,” remarked the King, “and what else do you grow in your garden?”

“We grow animals, too, in the garden!”

“What? Animals, too, in the garden!”

“Yes, your Highness,” said Touchstone, “we grow the Bear-berry, the Tiger-Lily and the Dande-Lion!”

“How true!” laughed the King, “and what next?”

“A knave in church,” said the jester.

“Very many, I fear,” the King agreed. “But what is yours?”

“Why, Jack-in-the-Pulpit,” said he.

“Ha! Ha!” laughed the King, “you’ve done well, and now I am most anxious to examine that wonderful garden of yours.”

“Will your Majesty go to the garden now?” asked the flower-elf.

“I will,” said the King.

Then Captain Featherweight and Iris-Wing escorted the King all over the garden and grounds around Templeton Hall. And the King was delighted, and gave the Captain and the flower-elf much praise.

“Yours is the best-kept garden I’ve seen in my travels,” said he, “and as a reward for your diligence, interest, and skill, I’ll give you, Iris-Wing, a girdle of gold.”

Now in Elfland a golden girdle is scarcely ever worn except by the Captain of a Company. And to be presented with one was in itself a great honor; but to be presented with a golden girdle by the King was a very great honor indeed!

Then the flower-elf bowed low to the King of the elves, and made answer: “Your Highness, you honor me greatly.”

“Arise,” said the King, “you are worthy. I’ll have the girdle designed by the Dwarfs of the Court, and you and the elves of Mount Fern will come there to receive it one year from today.”

When they had made a tour of the flower garden they went into the orchard; and they found that the woodpeckers, nut-hatches and creepers had done their work thoroughly, for there was not a sign of a caterpillar anywhere, nor the eggs of any insect.

The lawns too were just as well kept, for they were all smooth and velvety, and not a weed could be found.

And the more he examined the grounds, the more pleased was the King, and he constantly cried: “Captain Featherweight, I am delighted.”

As soon as he had returned to Mount Fern he said to the Captain: “Let your elves be seated around me on the soft rose-petals so lavishly strewn on the floor, as a carpet.”

Then he told them all how delighted he was with his visit to Mount Fern; and how much he enjoyed the birds, the trees and the flowers in Templeton Garden.

“And do not forget that a year from to-night you’re to come to the Court of the King of the elves, where the flower-elf shall receive a golden girdle for work well done in the garden.

“And all the other elves of Mount Fern shall receive a prize for work well done in the Company.

“And—as this is the best-trained Company I have seen in my travels—I shall give you, Captain Featherweight, an old and priceless Egyptian amulet worth more than its weight in rubies.

“But now I must say good-night, for tomorrow I’m off to the woodlands.”

When the King had retired for the night, Captain Featherweight made a motion to Slumber to go to the King of the elves, and help him dream pleasant dreams.

Then Slumber sat by his bedside and helped him to dream this dream:

The King dreamed he sat by a running river that sparkled and shone in the moonlight, as it rolled over the stones at the bottom in ripples of gleaming silver. And on either side of the flowing river were the softest, greenest, freshest moss-covered banks; while at a little distance magnificent oaks and elms cast their beautiful shadows beneath. And the birds sang in the tree-tops and carolled gaily with health and happiness.

The air was cool and sweet; the flowers were bright and gay; all nature was glad; and the King of the elves was happy.

And soon he saw coming toward him a chariot of roses drawn by thirty-three humming-birds, three in a row.

The chariot stopped near the King, and one of the humming-birds bowed and said:

“Noble King, your Empire is all the world; and we have come to take you over land and sea; over high mountains, and rocky billows, to the land of the rising sun. Arise and sit in our chariot.”

Then the King arose and sat in the chariot, and the birds flew ever onward—past snow-clad peaks and tall cathedral spires, past green fields and rustling corn—on, on, on through the bright clear air till they came to the land of the rising sun.

And as soon as they entered there they heard the blowing of trumpets and beating of drums, and a million voices cried:

“Hail, King of the elves! Noble King of the elves!”

And the sweetest flowers nodded their beautiful heads, and welcomed the King and cried:

“Our noble protector, all hail!”

The next evening at starlight the King of the elves set off for the woodlands. And Captain Featherweight and his Company escorted him and his retinue far past the walls of Templeton Garden before they returned to Mount Fern.

The End