Perilous Times

“Oh well then” … Goober sighed - “is no one safe? I mean - from attack, from disintegration, from this earthly world wearing them down? ”

“These are perilous times my friend,” Puck said, as he scanned the ethers for an answer.

“Will we ever find some peace to it all?”

“Not for awhile. Take a breath, if two Hobbots can stay steadfast, then we two can also” he said stoically.

Goober was not sure if this was said simply to be kind, but he welcomed the reassurance anyways. Puck and he had seen a lot of history in the last ten thousand years or so, and it could be tiring - yet he always found a project to throw himself into, something to better the human world with.

“I think I like this age the best”, he said to his friend with a gentle smile.

“I am inclined to agree with you. The magic is thicker and the spells invade their thinking, yet their spirits shine through. Not a bad time at all to be alive in and watch Mankind as it is becoming. ”

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Merlin you say?

“What can I say? some folk have talents for things …”

‘Folk?’ Goober never thought of Gandalfo as being folk. But for Puck the relationship came from the Golden Era of the globe - way before the Middle Earth crisis they had known.

“So, let me get this straight … you say he was into gunpowder back in the day, and went by the name of Joseph … was entrusted with the fate of yet another relic, conveyed it to Britain and gave it to Merlin?”

“No … he was - er, is, - Merlin.”

“Thats a lot to take in, but you know … it makes perfect sense.”

“Truth usually does” Puck nodded knowingly.

“Merlin you say? Joseph, of Arimathae was one of us?”

“Yep.”

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Perpetude of Grace

Elves have a gift often of foresight, and Puck could see a Golden Age some distance away in the horizon. A time for Humanity to become immortal as they, and for the Immortals to develop their souls in self-consciousness like them.

Yes, he could see it, and it was grand. The boughs of Karma were untwined, and true happiness reflected back from Man and Elf alike. The Kingdoms finally could breathe together, with a cosmic pulse that aligned with the highest of the Heavens. A perpetude of Grace sustained all races, all creatures, all beings - with a constancy that would remain forever.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Mending the World

“We must help him [Gandalf]" he said. “But how?”

“By mending this World.” said Puck with sober meaning. “For all of our fates are intertwined. The noble and the novice, tied with the one silver cord, that pulls up, and it pulls down.”

Goober was disappointed to contemplate this - it appeared to be a perilously, miserably long struggle then, ahead of everyone.

“I’ll go get a bleach for the table then.”

“Thanks Peanut” replied Puck absentmindedly.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Living in a World of Visions

Gandalf’s milky eyes glazed over now to pure white - he appeared as a being who lived in the world of visions - seeing but a different time - displaced in the realm where his feet hit the ground.

“I want to help you” said Puck gently, placing his hand on the old Wizard’s shoulder.

His offer was heart driven, for this stern soul before him had given more to the World than the World had known.

“I am sure this is only temporary” he whispered in his ear.

Flinty led him out slowly. Although he suffered no pain or weakness, Gandalfo’s fix was uncertain, and his bearings incomplete.

“I will call upon you soon” called Puck after them.

Goober shook his head - dismayed to see the mighty one bereft of his ordinary senses.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Flinty

The study door opened and Flinty stomped in.

“I’ve come to collect ‘im”, he said deeply.

‘That’s a rather low voice for a little chap’ thought Goober to himself.

Flinty grunted.

Flinty was a dwarf from the highlands - the clan of the Keepers of the Trees. On Earth they now owned a chain of large home and garden depots.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Charley Pregnant

Marley [the spirit] was content to remain close by.

She constantly watched over her daughter Charley, who although she did not know it yet, was now pregnant and due to have her baby half a year away.

And then there was Puck.

She loved to watch him - it filled in her day. He could not see her, and from what she had seen of him, he had been faithful to her all this time. He had not been dating any women, or sprites - had no infatuations, no liaisons, no flirtations.

Their attraction was complex - and went way back - back to the times when they kept a rural charity, with his forest bred brethren encamped in the Nottingham scrub.

A part of her, longed to be with a part of him. Yet she could not show herself. And, until she was absolutely ready, he would not be able to see her in return. Perhaps she was closer this way? Yes, she would wait - at least a little longer …

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances