Sara lifted her head to the breeze, trying to identify the scent floating through the air. It Kept eluding her. She glanced back over her shoulder, and paused briefly. She could see her friends in the distance. Playing volleyball in the grass, the sound of their laughter dancing in the early summer air. Sara smiled to herself and continued walking. A slow steady pace through the rolling hills of her family's vacation home in the Catskill Mountains.
A doe grazed peacefully with her fawn in the meadow ahead. Sara smiled and stopped to admire the beauty of the creatures before her. The doe caught Sara's scent, raised her majestic head and fixed her huge eyes on Sara. She uttered a small cry and bolted into the adjoining brush with her baby. Sara continued walking and after a time could no longer see or hear her friends.
Even though Sara had not been to the house in several years she did spent most of her childhood here and was not the least bit concerned about finding her way back. She took a few more steps and stopped. Directly in front of her was a small stream about six feet wide. "Hmm, I don't remember that being there".She said aloud. Sara walked to the water's edge and bent down to gaze into the crystal clear liquid. Crayfish, frogs and all kinds of small fish seemed to be co-existing peacefully in this little world.
Sara stood up and looked from left to right trying to determine where the stream was coming from and where it was going. She could not see much in either direction as the woods at both ends were thick and overgrown. Then Sara spotted a small wooden bridge several yards away. She walked to the bridge and touch its wooden rail. Sara frowned. "It looks pretty new". On the other side of the stream was a small grassy area that met with a blanket of thick brush. . Sara squinted but could not see beyond the heavily wooded area. She was curious so she walked onto the small wooden bridge and across it's planked surface.
Once on the other side of the stream Sara walked forward through the small meadow and stopped at the edge of the forest. She stood back and looked left, then right trying to find a path or opening in the wooded area. It was more lush then she had originally thought and she could not see more then a few feet beyond the tree line. Sara spotted what appeared to be a small separation in between two bushes. She moved through them, and the branches snapped against her body and snagged her hair but she continued on. Suddenly Sara found herself standing in a small clearing surrounded by towering trees. She brushed off her clothing and fixed her pony tail.
Straight ahead in between the trees was a narrow dirt path. Sara walked towards the path and stood on its edge. On either side of the path as far as Sara could see stood the largest trees Sara had ever seen. Beautiful Elm, Oak and Pine trees stood all around her, There were even numerous redwood trees which Sara knew were not native to the area. "Maybe I should be getting back; it must be getting close to lunch time". Sara glanced at her watch; 10:00am" She frowned. "That's odd. I could have sworn I started my walk at 9:30. Is it possible I've only been out here half and hour". Sara put her ear to the watch. "It's working". Sara stopped, wondering what to do. Then she stepped onto the dirt path before her, allowing her curiosity to get the better of her.
The suns brightness was obstructed by the massive trees and the air suddenly felt about ten degrees cooler. Slowly Sara moved forward. She tried to see the end of the pathway but there were several twists and turns making it impossible for her to see very far. Plus the full strength of the suns light was unable to penetrate the trees making the wooded area ahead dim at best. A soft breeze whistled around Sara as she made her way down the path. She continued walking but could still not see the pathways end. She looked back the way she had come and realized she had walked so far she could no longer see the opening where she had entered the path. "Damn". She walked forward several more steps and just as she was considering turning back noticed a patch of sunlight streaming in ahead through some thick brush.
Sara walked towards the area. The sunlight grew brighter and the after pushing through another patch of brush Sara stood at the edge of the path looking out onto a large treeless meadow. The meadow was flat but straight ahead gradually inclined to a hill at the far side. On the left and right side were more heavily wooded forests. Sara looked straight ahead across the meadow but could not see what was beyond at the far end of the hill. She moved forward wanting to see what lie on the other side.
"Halt". Sara stopped in her tracks and whirled around to face the direction of the voice. Several feet in front of her a man emerged from the woods, but he was like no man Sara had ever seen. Sara starred, her month open in disbelief. "What's the matter lady?, can't you speak"? The little man asked angrily. "I'm, I'm sorry, yes I can speak. I'm sorry, I think I've been walking out in the sun too long.". The man took a step towards Sara and squinted his eyes. "From that look on your face I'm guessing you've never seen a dwarf before, have ya? You mustn't come through there". The dwarf looked back, pointing to the area Sara had just walked from. "That's right, how did you know?". "Hmm, that explains it. Come on, let's go" The dwarf turned and walked away. "Go, go where? I don't even know you. I must get back home. Wait, what do you mean you're a dwarf?". The dwarf shouted over his shoulder "You can't go anywhere now. The kings guard will be coming through this meadow at any moment and its best not be in the way".
Quickly Sara caught up with the dwarf and walked beside him. "What king? What are you talking about?" "That's right the king I said, don't you listen? You ask too many questions and you don't listen" The dwarf uttered impatiently. Sara looked around and suddenly realized she had not paid attention while she was walking with the dwarf and now they were no longer in the meadow. Sara stopped walking. She did not know where she was. "Look I really have to go home now. Could you please show me the way back to the path". The dwarf shook his head "no, I don't believe I can". Sara's patience was dwindling. "Just show me the way back and I'll leave you be." "I told you. the kings guards will be through shortly, and besides its lunch time." With that the dwarf smiled and proceeded to walk.
Sara Shouted "What am I supposed to do then". "Come have lunch with me and the wife, then I'll escort you back and you can be on your way home." "My name is Sara ". Nice to meet you Lady Sara I'm Humphry. Now can we please be silent. I'm very hungry and I can't talk and be hungry at the same time." The little man trenched on with Sara beside him. Sara tried to take in her surroundings and remember the direction they were walking, but she knew it was hopeless. She had not idea where she was and if she'd ever be able to find her way out on her own if Humphry decided to leave her. Sara glanced at the little man. A dwarf she thought. There's no such thing.
Humphry was small, about three feet tall, stocky with big hands and feet. His head was large in proportion to his body. His face was lined and tan with small ears and big brown eyes with bushy eyebrows and a short neat brown beard covered his lower face. He wore simple cotton trousers with a plaid shirt and on his head was a black fedora like hat that covered his wiry brown hair. On his right hip was a large hunting knife that made, which is why she walked on his left. Sara was so focused on the little man that she stumbled over a fallen log and almost fell flat on her face. "Careful" Humphry cautioned with a chuckle, obviously amused.
Sara noticed the land around them had changed. The terrain was becoming more hilly and rocky. Humphry stopped in front of a large hill that was covered in moss and ivy. He reached his hand through the moss and pulled. Sara heard a pop and then a door that was hidden in the moss flew open. "Oh my" Sara exclaimed jumping back. "I would never have known that was there". Humphry smiled. "Home sweet home". "What? Are you kidding? You live here?" Humphry smiled.
He walked through the doorway and Sara followed, bending her five foot four inch frame to accommodate the small opening. Once inside she shut the door behind her and walking further into the space discovered although the ceiling was low she was able to stand fully upright. Light streamed in through two tiny windows on the far side of the room. Sara looked around allowing her eyes to adjust to the diminished light.
She was standing in a round shaped room. To the left were a small table with four chairs and a doorway leading to another room. To the right sat a small sofa with a coffee table that contained several books and a candle. The walls and ceiling appeared to be solid rock covered with moss and hay. In the middle of the room was a large fireplace. Despite the fact they were under ground this was kinda cozy. She took several steps forward and scanned the room for Humphry. She could not see him but heard muffled voices coming from the other room . Humphry came back in the room. "Come sit down".
Sara went to the table and sat in a small sturdy chair opposite the dwarf and glanced down at her watch. 10:30 How can that be she thought. I've only been here half an hour. That's not possible. "Hello Sara, so nice to have a guest" Sara looked up at the woman entering the room. She carried a tray full of food which she carefully placed on the table. "Sara I'd like for you to meet my wife Rea". The woman nodded and smiled at Sara. She looked almost exactly like Humphry except she wore a dress, did not have a beard and her cheeks were rosy and flushed like she was wearing blush. Sara smiled and said hello. Rea went about setting the table and placing the food. "Is there anything I can do to help"? Sara asked. Rea smiled. "No dear". She sat down and piled all their plates with bread, chicken and cheese. Both Rea and Humphry hungrily and quietly dug into the food laid out before them. Sara couldn't eat. She had too many questions. She started to speak but Humphry silenced her with a waive of his hand. "We eat first, then talk later". Realizing how silly it was to just sit here Sara ate the food on her plate, realizing she was hungry after all.
Once all the food in front of them was gone and the table was clear Humphry lit his pipe and Rea brought in tea and little cakes. "Now we can talk" Humphry declared. Sara was just bursting with questions and did not know where to begin. Sara slowly sipped her tea. "When you say you are dwarfs you just mean little people right? Like me but smaller?' Rea laughed "no dear we are dwarfs, really". Sara looked from Rea to Humphry trying to determine if they were pulling her leg. "Ok well, are there any other dwarfs around? I mean, it seems like you live in the middle of nowhere all by yourself s" "All dwarfs live in mountains and hillsides" Humphry stated. "How long have you and Rea lived here, in this area?" "We've lived here all our lives as do both our families". "I just don't understand. I've been coming to the Catskill Mountains my whole life and I've never seen this place" "The Cats what" Humphry asked as he shoveled a little cake in his mouth. "The Catskill mountains, that's what this entire area is called". Humphry and Rea looked at each other, neither understanding what Sara was talking about. "This is Alakia." He said proudly. "The place you are talking about is on the other side of the woods you came through". Sara could not believe what she was hearing. First these people believe they are dwarfs now they think they live in a place called Alakia.
Dwarfs don't exist and neither does this imaginary land. These people are crazy. Sara stood up, quite annoyed with the way the conversation was going. "Rea I appreciate your hospitality but I need to go home." Sara glanced at her watch. "Damn it. my watch stopped ; Humphry could you please take me back". "If you insist". He replied with a shrug. Sara thanked Rea once again and then headed out the door.
Aside from Humphrys whistling and the singing birds it was quiet. Neither one of them spoke. Sara did have more questions but she did not have the energy for any more of Humphrys tales. Sara stopped "Humphry, shh!" she placed her finger to her lips indicating silence. "What is it" Humphry said turning to face Sara. "I thought I heard voices. There do you hear it?" She glanced through the trees and spotted a path. "The voices are coming from that way" she pointed. "Let's go see" Sara said as she took off in the direction of the voices "Sara" Humphry yelled "Wait".
Sara was walking quickly and the little dwarf had to run to catch up to her. Sara could hear she was drawing nearer to the voices so she quickened her pace. She could hear Humphry behind her struggling to catch up but she did not slow down. She wanted to see people. Sane people that would confirm where she was and who Humphry and Rea were. The path winded through several large boulders surrounded by trees. When Sara turned round one the boulders she came to an abrupt stop. Directly in front of her was a small clearing. And there stood four men, three had swords drawn and were and poised to strike. All were pointed in Sara's direction.
Sara put her hands up and Humphry ran to her side, out of breath. "I, I, told you... to wait". The man who had not drawn his sword was the first to speak. "Humphry it's good to see you". "Who is this ? A friend of yours?" The other men obviously took Humphreys presence as a sign Sara was no threat for they each returned the swords to their sheaths. The man who had spoke moved to stand directly in front of Sara. "Sara" Humphry said "allow me to introduce King Hector". Sara realized she still had her hands raised. Feeling foolish she quickly lowered them. "Nice to meet you. Are you a real king?" The man smiled and the other men laughed at this remark. Once again Sara felt foolish. "Yes, I am the king of Alakia".
Sara heard his words but her eyes were focused on his face. He was the most handsome men she had ever met. He was well over six feet tall with broad shoulders and a body that appeared to be fit and strong. Piercing blue eyes looked out from his rugged, tanned face. His wavy brown hair fell just to his shoulders and a single lock fell forward and grazed his cheek. Sara guessed he was around forty years of age. His clothing was unlike anything Sara had every see before; except in the movies perhaps. He wore clothing very similar to the dwarf except his shirt was grey and the fabric was richer and made from a better cloth. Over his shoulders hung a hooded cloak and a sword dangled at his waist.
King Hector smiled, his teeth incredibly white and perfect.. Sara stared into his eyes and felt her pulse quicken. "Tell me Sara where are you from? Based on your clothing I can tell you are not from Alakia". Sara had been convinced the dwarf was really a crazy little man with a wild imagination but now she was the one who felt crazy. "She came through those woods sire" Humphry said pointing towards where he had met Sara. "Yes, I was just going for a walk, I met Humphry, and now I'm here". Sara smiled and bit her lip. She stared at the lock of hair touching his cheek and desperately wanted to touch it. "Hmm........I guess you'll be leaving us now?" The corners of his mount lifted ever so slightly as his eyes bore into Sara's. Sara smiled. She found him completely memorizing.
Two more men appeared on horseback. One rode to the kings side and leaned over "King Hector, we must be heading back to the castle. Remember your meeting in the morning. You must prepare" "Yes, you are right" King Hector said, his eyes meeting Sara's. He smiled and stepped closer to Sara. So close she could feel his breath on her cheek and neck. He spoke low and his voice bounced off her skin like a gentle breeze. "It was a pleasure to meet you Lady Sara. Perhaps our paths will cross again one day". He bowed, then turned away and climbed on to his horse. He smiled a brilliantly strong smile and Sara knew for sure he was the most was beautiful, masculine man she'd ever seen. Then he turned and along with the rest of his party galloped off into the surrounding woods.
Sara was breathless, speechless and unable to move. "Are you quite ready to go now mm...lady? My wife will be wondering were I've gone to. I must be getting back home." The sound of Humphrys voice made Sara start and for a moment she had forgotten everything and everyone else. "What? Oh, yes...yes let's go Humphry". As promised Humphry kindly escorted Sara back to the path where she could easily make her way home by herself. After thanking Humphry for his help and hospitality Sara had one final question "King Hector, does he have a wife or someone he is involved with" Humphry rolled his eyes. "No ma...lady". Sara smiled and trotted off down the path turning around once to wave goodbye. Now she was the one whistling a tune.
As she crossed the wooden bridge Sara still had butterflies in her stomach and a smile on her face . She walked awhile before hearing the sound of her friends laughter. She arrived at the house just as they were walking away from the volleyball net. Wow she thought. They've been playing a long time. Sara looked at her watch and stopped dead in her tracks. "11:00" she said aloud. "How can that be? I've only been gone an hour and a half? That's impossible". "SARA". Sara looked up and saw her friend Dee waiving at her. Sara smiled and ran to meet her friends. "Hey Sara how was your hike" Dee asked. "I though you'd be gone longer". "Me too, but it was great". Sara replied as she again glanced at her watch. "Dee what time do you have? I thought maybe my watch was broke. It says 11:00 but it felt like I was gone longer". Dee looked at her watch. "it's 11:00. Looks like your watch is fine. Come on lets go inside. I must beat Craig to the shower or he'll use all the hot water". The women laughed as they climbed the back porch steps and entered the house.
An hour later heavy rain began to fall and continued throughout the day and into the night. Sara and her friends spent the remainder of the day lounging around the big Victorian house sipping hot cocoa and toasting marshmallows in the roaring fire. Later on in the evening after losing one too many hands of poker Sara excused herself and headed to bed. She climbed the stairs to her room and smiled as each step creaked and groaned under her feet. So many wonderful memories of running up and down these old steps. Now with her parents gone and no other family to speak of this old house and the hundred acres it sits on was Sara's most precious possession. As the rain pounded on the window Sara drifted off to sleep thinking of Hector and that strange place called Alakia. The following morning brought sunny clear skies and after a leisurely breakfast the group packed up the cars, locked up the house and embarked on the journey home.
As she always did Sara turned in her seat and watched the house fade into the distance as they drove further away. She always felt sad leaving and heading back to the city. Well, back to the real world she thought.
Traffic was light and the three hour journey home was quick and boring. After stopping at a fast food place for some burgers Dee dropped Sara off in front of her apartment building. They said their goodbyes and Dee sped off for her loft several blocks away. Sara paused to stare at the thirty story structure. "Home sweet home" she thought. Then she sighed, picked up her bag and dragged herself through the front door.