As He Thinks In His Heart

Where am I?

This is not my bed.  This is not my home.  I have arching windows on the second floor, not the first.  It’s a wonderful view of water oak, pine, and birch trees covering the mountains.  This is the Smoky Mountains in Virginia or North Carolina.  How do I know that?  How did I get into this unfamiliar room?  Why do I have an IV? 

I spot two women whispering near the closed door.  Maybe those two young ladies know what is going on.  Wait, the dark-haired one is leaving.  She smiles at me.  She looks so familiar.  Wow, the tall blonde has beautiful green eyes.   A purple camouflage shirt and jeans are cute, but not practical.  Where have I seen her before?  Her lips are moving.   I can’t hear her.   Am I deaf?   I’ll try to talk.  I’m mute!  What is happening to me?

The blonde walks to the far side of the bed.  She has a remote.  The bed inclines and I rise.  She points to the water.  My arms feel so limp and shaky.  She is helping me sip the water.  My throat is so dry.  It dribbles down my shirt.  What a gorgeous smile.  Why is she reaching for my ears?  Headphones?  Noise canceling.

“So Lord Doorf, how are you feeling?”  Her voice is like a lovely symphony.

She knows me.  I shake my head and point to the water.  My hands tremble as I reach for the glass.  Her soft hands cover mine as I drink.  A wedding ring.  Is that a slight squeeze?

She knows me personally.  My throat is like the Sahara.  I put down the water.  I clear my throat.

“Wha..t hap..pened?” My raspy voice asks.

“I like the deep tone.  It sounds like your singing voice.” The blonde replies.

She sits close to me on the bed.  Her hand caresses the covers over my right knee and thigh.  She knows me.  Why do her eyes pierce my soul?

“My brother set a trap in the cabin and electrocuted you. You have been in a coma for almost three weeks.  We have been hunting him, but he has vanished again.  Mrs. Hemingway and the others want to see you, when you are ready.”

“Where am I?”  I remember her face.

“Back in North Carolina at the mountain villa of the Tasanaris.”

I rub my head and close my eyes.

“Did you say Tasanari?  The descendants of the Tasarns?”

I’m in the house of my sworn enemy.

“Yes, they have been great friends during this difficult time.  Mr. H, Emmy, and I have taken turns caring for you.  Dudley, Ginny, Will, Bert, and Woof have handled the problems in Between.”  The blonde frowned.  “The vile siren, Josie, only arrived moments ago.  The doctor claims your memories may take some time before they will return completely.  He is coming tomorrow.”

Who are Emmy, Ginny, Bert, and Woof?  Why does this elf hate sweet little Josie?

“Thanks for all you have done.  Having friends is a good surprise.”

Her smooth fingers touch my cheek and slowly move to my chin.  Her lovely chest pushes into me.  I gulp.  A brilliant sly smile forces me to grin.

“I am full of surprises, my lord.”

Full lips lightly press against mine.  A hint of strawberry.  Her lovely perfume is intoxicating.  I could stay here forever.  Our lips part.

“Seravina.  You are Princess Seravina.”

“Yes, I am.” 

She kisses me again.  How could I stop her?  I don’t want it to end.

“You are an amazing kisser.”

“Thank you. You are a wonderful teacher.” 

The third kiss is out of this world.

I taught her how to kiss?  I should stop her after this, but the fourth one is the charm.

“Princess, could I speak to Mrs. H now?  She is probably worried.”

“Yes, of course, my love.  I should not keep you all to myself.” Seravina gently touches my nose.

The princess moves off the bed, winks at me, and strolls to the exit.  I admire her athletic physique.  Don’t turn and smile.  Don’t turn and smile. The beauty’s smile melts my heart.  Great, just great.  She is in love with me.  I hope my mother will have some answers.

The door creaks open and a familiar white head peeks in.

“Tood, may I come in?” Mrs. Hemingway asks.

“Yes, and close the door quickly.” 

I drink some water and notice she brought in a tray of fresh bread, applesauce, and some tea cups with a teapot.  She sets it up on the side table, slices a piece of bread, and makes me a cup of tea.

I devour the bread and sip my favorite tea with three sugars.  Ah, perfect.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Son, we are so glad to have you back.  You gave us quite a scare, dear. “ She hugs me and then examines my face. “You look different.  Rested.  Younger.  How are you feeling besides starving?”

I consume the applesauce and another piece of the crusty loaf.

“Good,” I say with a mouthful, “but I’m a little confused about a lot.  First, why was an elf princess kissing me?  Second, what is my relationship with her?  Third, why did her brother try to kill me?  And where is Mr. H?”

I slurp my tea and down more bread.

‘Mr. H?  Dear Mr. H is…” My mother pauses and stares deeply in my eyes. “Do you remember Seravina at all?”

“Yes, of course.  Mr. Hemingway and I, about a year ago, went to the east to the Elves Royal Academy graduation ceremony.  The princess threatened me with a dagger when I touched her prize horse.  I’ll never forget those fierce green eyes.  He must have told you the story.”

“My husband did, dear.  Oh my.  Oh my, oh my, oh my.”

Her move to the far side of the room, alarms me, as I gulp more tea and finish the applesauce.

“What?  What’s going on?  You seem worried.”

“Tood, my sweet boy.  Your stepfather, Mr. H, is dead.  He passed away fifty…”

The black haired girl bursts into the bedroom and rushes over to me.  She tackles me and kisses me on the cheeks.  Seravina watches from the doorway.

“Tood!  I can’t believe it.  You’re back.  God be praised.” She hugs me again.

 I laugh. “Let go, I can’t breathe.  Of course I’m back.  I can’t believe your mother let you go through the portal.  Josie, I never left, you silly goose.”

“Josie? I’m not Josie.  I’m Em….”

Mrs. H interrupts the conversation, “Tood, needs some more rest.  Let’s give him time to get some sleep.  Out!  Now!”

As mom drags Josie from the bed and pushes Seravina from the room, my brother and a brown haired knockout in a cowboy hat slid into the room. 

“Dudley! Brother!”

 I try to get out of bed, but fail.  He runs to my side and we embrace.

 “I knew you would come back.  I won the bet with Mr. H.  He claimed you would never come back.”

Dudley says, “What was the bet?”

I start to explain but the woman winks at me.

“I’ve been told you were a bettin’ man.”

“This must be your wife.  He wrote all about you, but his words don’t compare to how beautiful you are.  Welcome to the family.” 

I kiss her hand and she blushes. 

“You look so familiar, are you any relation to Sheila McNamara?”

“I’m not his wife.  Uncle, stop goofing.  You know Sheila is my….”

Before she could finish the answer, Mom grabs them both and pulls them out of the room.  My mouth drops open as a purple giant materializes before my eyes.  He pounds his chest three times and bows low. 

“You are an Ooger.” I say and repeat the gesture. 

 The giant grins and steps aside to reveal an old school buddy. 

“I told Bert you would recover.” He says.

I cheer, “Thomas Dennis, my best mate from Cutoff, what are you doing here?”

“Thomas is my father.  I’m Will.”

I smile. 

“Just playing another prank on me.  Pretending to be your twin brother, Will.”

“My father is a twin? But….” Will asks.

Mrs. Hemingway jumps in, “Time to go boys; Tood needs some quiet.”

As Mom pushes them out, two giant Siberian huskies jump into the room and sit at the foot of my bed.  Their huge wagging tails knock over some books and papers.

“Malochareans,” I say, “I am honored, O’ great king and queen.” 

 I bow my head and howl the only greeting Dudley taught me; “Welcome.”

“Tood,” The canine male says, “It is I.  Woof.  Wolfgang.”

The wagging stops.

“Your English is amazing, King Wolfgang.  I hope your stay here will be pleasant.”

 Mother chases the dogs away and I observe an unknown person dance into the room.

A dazzling woman in a daisy yellow sundress sneaks along the window.  Her long legs and bare feet slink undetected past my guardian.

 Wow.

I sit up and wipe my mouth with a napkin.  I hope I didn’t drool.  She moves like a dancer; graceful, sexy, and powerful.  She holds my hand and kisses it.  Her long ebony hair tickles my fingers.  Her blue eyes sparkle with unrestrained energy.  My heart stops.

 A sultry voice greets me, “Hey lover, I missed you.  I had to see you.  I was worried about you.”

I clear my throat, but my voice still squeaks.

“Thanks for your concern.  I’m feeling…. I’m looking much better.  You look fine, I mean, I feel fine.”

“You are so cute, when you bumble around me.  When can we get out of here and have some fun?”  The charmer pouts her luscious lips and shifts a manicured hand to my chest. “There’s a whole castle to explore.”

“What castle?” I ask.

“The monstrous black castle.  Castle Doorf.” 

“The Ruins have risen again?  When did this happen?”

“I don’t remember exactly, about three weeks ago.” The vision caresses my arm. “Right after that horrible earthquake.  It almost destroyed everything.”

“What?”

My whole world is an inverted paradox inside a maze trapped in an enigma.  My head hurts.

“No worries, love.  We are all safe.  You’re upset.  Let me hold you.”

My comforter embraces me and I sense her racing heart.  Deft fingers squeeze and rub my back just right.  She nuzzles her slender nose into the base of my neck.  My right earlobe receives kisses and nibbles.  Her cool lips caress my burning cheek and move along my jawline.  I long to feel her mouth pressed against mine.  I close my eyes as her sweet breath inches closer and sends chills all over me.  Our lips meet briefly.  

The headache is gone.

 I hear Mom’s little steps scamper to my bedside and she pulls the kisser off me. 

“What did you tell him?” Mom yells at my enchantress.

“Nothing he doesn’t already know.  Why?  What’s wrong?  He is much more friendly.”

She caresses my cheek and I blush.

“Never mind.  I will tell you outside.  Let’s go.” Mother says and drags my love out.

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” She says and blows a kiss.

“Til it be morrow.  I hope to see more of you, miss.  Let’s go exploring.  Oh, I never caught your name.”

 A confused look covers my beauty’s perfect face, but Mother answers for her.

“This is my daughter, Esmeralda.  Emmy to her friends.  This is Josie’s mother.”

Emmy’s eyes grew wide, but mom covers her mouth and launches her from the room.  Mother slams the door, locks it, and reclines against it.

I call to my alluring visitor, “It was a pleasure Emmy.” 

 I recline and put my hands behind my head. 

“Emmy, wow.”

 I remove my covers and move my legs over the side of the bed. 

“Mom, I think a brisk walk would do me wonders.  I am feeling great.”

My feet and calves quake as they touch the cold wooden floor.  I smile at my progress.  A frown blocks my escape and stands before me.

“Where do you think you are going, young man?”

“Outside?”

“No.  You are getting back in bed.  Right now.”

“Mom, I feel fine, really.  Just a small stroll down the hall.  Please?”

“No.  All in good time.  You almost died.”

“But I didn’t.” I kiss her cheek. “Please?”

“No.  A few more hours of rest and then you can go anywhere you want.  I promise.”

“I guess I can wait a few hours.” I stretch and yawn. “Thanks for looking out for me, Mom.”

“Not a problem, dear.  Just stay in bed.  No exploring unless I am with you.”

“Maybe Emmy could accompany me around the grounds?”

I grin.

“Sure.  No!  No, no, not her, dear.  Josie and Seravina would be better.”

“Fine.” 

I crash my head on the soft pillow, while Mom fiddles with my IV.

 “What are you doing?”

“Making sure you have a comfortable and undisturbed rest, dear.  See you soon.”

I think my mother drugged me to keep me in bed.  I feel good.

“Okie dokie.”

 I lift my head in protest, but nothing happens.  So sleepy.  I snuggle up with my covers.

“Night, night, mommy.  I love you.”  I mumble and barely hear Mom’s automatic reply.

“Love you more, sweet one.” She sighs.

I giggle.

“What is it, dear?”

“Two girls kissed me and I liked it.”

Mom’s tender laugh accompanies a soft kiss on my forehead.  A final rustle of the comforter soothes me.  As the room fades away, bizarre images, beautiful weeping faces, and strange ominous visions fill the comfortable void.   

These puzzles will make sense when I wake up.