The Long Awaited Day, Part 3

 

            The little crowd of well-wishers, and Twigg and Leely hushed immediately and faced little Mak. Behind them the Alder Tree House also stood waiting. Its leafy dome fluttered in the breeze. Its trunks stood together, the red door was closed so that everyone could see its fine construction.
            Ramona still held Koba as if her arms could never relinquish him.
            Mak, small but kingly, smiled at the group, then he said, “In remembrance of this day let us have a feast to honor Twigg and Leely, and the Star Child! My sons are here, ready to spring forth with all the necessary! Behold!”
            And spring forth they did. All four of his sons set to work with seating and table first. There was a large sturdy bench on each side of the table. There was seating for ten, if needed. Then somehow, magically, the dishes appeared, prepared by the palace cooks, and brought to Earth still fresh and delicious.
            The dishes were fantastic, but also done with a rustic flair, as befitted a meadow picnic supper. It was all finger food, for simplicity. There were fruits, and berries from Mak’s grounds, and the table was set with flowers from the same. There were delicate rolled savories, of unfamiliar green leaves wrapping bits of spicy meats, there were large toasted nuts and there were rich small cakes filled with fruit fillings. There was a light fizzy amber wine, full of bubbles. So mild that even Cherry was allowed to have a little. Ramona held Koba in her left arm, and used her right hand to choose some of the delicacies. Ralph sat beside her making good work of all the good food. It was a grand success as a rustic picnic.
            Mak sat with the guests, so to speak, and his sons continued to replenish the platters until everyone was pleasantly stuffed.
            At that point, Twigg stood and in the Old Language, learned perfectly at Ramona’s knee, thanked Mak for all his kindness and hospitality, making mention of all of the pleasures and learning that he had received in the palace, and the wonders of wandering the beautiful city. Leely said it in her own way too.
            Mak insisted that the pleasure had been all of his and his queen and sons too. He presented gifts, many fantastically wrapped large parcels, and asked Twigg and Leely to wait to open them at a later more convenient time. Everyone cheered, since it was such a kind surprise.
            Ralph thanked Mak for everything he had done for Twigg and his family.
            Mak said that he and Ralph should take another ride around the galaxy sometime soon, and Ralph agreed cheerfully.
            Then the four sons, who appeared to all be the same age, gathered up the remains of the feast, just dirty dishes really, and then the table and the benches. One of the sons boxed up leftovers from the feast for Twigg and Leely to have later.
            Mak said, “Mission accomplished,” grinned at everyone and stepped back through the hatch in the side of his silvery vessel. The hatch slid shut as if it had never existed. There was a whisper of sound, the greenish haze enclosed the ship once more, and then it vanished entirely. Maybe Mak was showing off a little, some thought, because the arrival had proceeded in a more stately manner. Ooog thought that maybe the manner of arrival had been done dramatically for effect. Thaga said, “You’re probably right.”
            Ralph really wanted to show his son the Alder Tree House, so he said to the small gathering of souls, “Why don’t we show Twigg and Leely their new house? Ooog, I need you here. Show them everything you made!”
            So, everyone, including Blue and the Pumas and Maeve all crowded into the Alder Tree House. Leely loved the slate floor and the cast iron stove. Twigg admired the ceiling Ooog had built inside so that no errant rain drops could ever reach them inside. Everyone loved the clever red door he had made also.
            Ooog had also made some cabinets and platform beds. It was almost ready to live in.
            Just then Koba woke. He didn’t cry, but he made some small questioning sounds as if looking for his mother. Ramona brought him to Leely.
            Ralph and Ramona and Cherry, and Ooog and Thaga gathered around to meet him, commenting on his shining blue eyes, his ready smile, and his beautiful light brown hair. Ramona announced that Koba looked remarkably much like Twigg had as an infant, but not exactly the same.
            Twigg brought Mak’s gifts into the house and opened them one by one. There was beautiful, sturdy bedding. A small basket bed was included for Koba. There were some simple dishes and some cookware, and etc, etc. All had been carefully chosen and wrapped by Mak’s wife, the queen. She had included clothing for Leely, and some small bedding for Koba.
            Twigg laid out the bedding. Leely gave Koba back to Ramona and set up the dishes and pans and towels and so on. By the time it was done it was a fantastically beautiful, tasteful and colorful sight, perfectly right for Twigg and Leely and Koba.
            Mak’s last gift was a creamy white globe, to provide a soft light inside the house. It was quite magical, and yet it seemed so normal, just floating in midair, quietly.
            Ralph invited Twigg to go hunting with himself and Bob and Berry the very next morning, as they had always done before and he was eager to do so.
            Maeve strutted importantly around inspecting everything, and pronounced it good.
            Ramona reluctantly handed Koba back to Leely, and said, “We should go now, and let you rest.” Ralph agreed. Thaga blessed the child, placing her hand on his head, while he gazed at her wisely. Cherry kissed Koba, and that was blessing too.
            Twigg thanked Ralph and Ooog for the wonderful Alder Tree House, with a few tears in his sweet eyes. Ralph said it had been a lot of fun to imagine and put together, Ooog agreed.
            Leely said that they would walk over to see Enid soon, but not today, and everyone laughed. Then they all went outside and said their goodnights, preparing to walk back to the Home Clearing and the Stone Cottage.
            Just then a formation of B’s appeared. They flew inside the Alder Tree House, making an inspection and found it good. They circled Twigg. A Beulah landed on his hand; she told him that all the B’s had waited eagerly for his return. Bernadette the queen sent her greetings and congratulations.
            Beulah flew to the Star Child, Koba. She landed on his tiny hand and blessed him in a secret B blessing. A faint scent of blossoms and honey hung in the air for a few moments and then drifted away.
            The wind came too, just looking around, a warm wind. Then it passed on by, satisfied.
            Ralph and Ramona and Cherry with Blue and the Pumas set off for the Home Clearing at last, waving and shouting loving farewells, Thaga and Ooog did also.
            When they were all gone, Twigg closed the red door. He and Leely and Koba were home at last.

⭐