It was like going to heaven on foot.

The messenger stood before the pearly gates, awaiting a response from the gatemaster to enter into paradise. When the gates opened, he stepped into a glade unlike any other in the world. The trees sighed in the early morning breeze, and a soft golden light poured in from the east. At the center of the glade stood a ring of marble pillars around a table, the place where the High Elf Council met. Two of them were already present; Sadron Aphaderuiondur and Arandur Nostarion, living legends and almost worshipped by mortals, sat in two of the three thrones. "Welcome, Henry Craddish," Sadron said, arms outstretched. "Rest here, and be at peace."

Henry sighed with disgust. "Crud. That means she's in [i]there.[/i]"
Sadron dropped his arms and shrugged. "Be careful."

Henry raised both eyebrows and turned down the dirt path. A log house stood at the end of it, quaint and unassuming as always. But Henry knew better. He'd carefully marked the locations of all the landmines with pebbles and began to pick his way across the field. He tested the earth with his toes, then gently, ever so gently, placed his foot down. No explosion. [i]This looks promising.[/i] He brought in his other foot and glanced about. There was the next marked safe spot! Just like the last time, he stretched out his foot to test the earth. Nothing! He wiped his forehead and brought in his other foot.

*click*

He froze. Surely she hadn't figured out that he knew...but of course she did. That accursed elf would be the death of him. [i]Welp, there's nothing for it.[/i] He drew in his breath and stepped off. With a pop and a flash of light, he once again found himself covered from head to toe in glitter. [i]Shoot.[/i]

"I hate you," he spat.

The elf peeked outside the cabin door. She had no right, [i]no right[/i] to fire those sparkly eyes at him! No sir, he was [i]not[/i] falling for that. She had to pay for what she'd done.

"You hate me?" she squeaked.

[i]Darn you.[/i] "Well...no. I mean YES! Why do you keep doing this to me?"
"What do you mean by 'keep doing this'? The last time was years ago."
"I'm still picking glitter out of my ears since the last time."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Come on in and I'll get you cleaned up."

He deliberately triggered all the remaining mines on his way in just to spite her. "Don't you ever sometimes step on your own landmines, Eru?" he asked as he stepped through the door and glanced around the room. Contraptions of all sorts piled along the walls. There was a "bi-cycle," "combustion engine," "boom stick," a pile of magic rings, a Cutie-Piezer! staff, and an animatronic sculpture of Arandur, to name a few.

Erudessa Durvain flipped her silver hair and lifted her chin. "Maybe. I certainly wouldn't tell [i]you[/i]." A teasing grin tugged at one corner of her mouth. She snapped her fingers, and a healing spell washed over him to remove the glitter.

Henry fished the message out of his bag and handed it to her. "I almost forgot. I have a message for you from the front lines."
Erudessa's playful expression vanished. She plucked the letter from his hands, sawed open the envelope, and flipped open the message. "2 legions at border xing. Snowmen."
"What does that mean?" Henry asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Erudessa's eyes narrowed. "It means I have to check the ballista turrets again. Want to come with me?"
"Oh Hell-"
The elf's expression darkened.
"-heck no. I'm still paying off my student loans. I don't have time to fight a bunch of murderous, bloodthirsty barbarians."
"Oh. Want a quick coin then?"
"Just my wages, thanks."

Erudessa flipped a coin in the air. Henry caught it. He almost didn't see her slip another one in his pocket as she brushed past him. "Hey!" he protested.
"It's coming out of your tax money anyway," she muttered back as she threw on her gray cloak & hood.

Henry stepped out to watch her skip easily across the minefield.

"I still hate you," he whispered with a smile.
__________

The Wardens stood to attention and saluted as the High Elf entered the sanctuary. Erudessa stood before the lanky commander and folded her arms. "Commander."
"Your Ladyship."
Erudessa strode over to a wall and leaned on it. "Good to see you in one piece. What happened this time?"
The commander planted his hands on the map table and exhaled. "The Imperium's ranger division happened, Wintergates, if our intel is accurate."
[i]Wintergates, the 'snowmen' in question. They'll be tough. I need to be here for this.[/i] "How did you find out about this?" she asked.
"It was a stroke of pure luck. One of our agents was smuggling sol crystals into Northaven when the rangers attacked and killed everyone in the caravan except him. He trailed them and overheard them mention that they were to report for reassignment to the eastern front."

[i]Wait just a minute. Imperials spared someone? And they let him walk away? Something is fishy here.[/i] Erudessa forced herself to remain calm as she considered the possibilities. [i]I never figured them for the spying types, but there's no way an Imperial soldier would spare someone out of the goodness of his heart. It must be a trick. Perhaps they're feeding us false intel. If so, that calls everything into question...[/i]

"Your Ladyship?" the commander reminded.

"Oh! Yes. I will join you. Point me to your chief engineer; I'd like to speak with him about fortifying this place."