Introduction

"It happened so long ago, yet it is time that the story is told. Of course, for my kind, time means very little. My name is Radcliff, and I am an Elf and head of the House Elves, and keeper of all Elf lore. In spite on the human name on the front of this book, I am the one that this so-called author got all his information from. Somehow, the publishers did not want to give me front cover credit. That is really okay with me, my objective all along was to just get the story told. Besides, even though we have come a long way sense the dark times, I am told that there are still many humans that do not believe in our existence. Well enough of that for now, sit back, grab you favorite beverage, and let my story begin.

It really scares me to think that at one time all the fairy tale creatures that ever existed could have all vanished forever. For eons we 'mythical creatures' as some humans refer to us as, lived very happy lives through the hearts and minds of young children. Our stories were told to them by their parents. As these grew up these stories were passed down to their children. This cycle continued down through the generations. Ah, it was a very happy time. What? well alright, the human author just told me he does not want me to 'bore' you with too much back story. However, I will tell you that there are times he tends to leave out important details. When that happens, I will not hesitate to jump back in to make sure the story flows correctly. So, I do hope you are comfortable ( but not too comfortable, he gets a little boring himself at times.) As humans go , he does pretty good, but he still could lean a few things form me."

"Are you done?"

"For now, as long as you get this beginning right."

"Radcliff you are a collaborator, not the editor. Now sit down and let me start."

Radcliff sat down in a huff and stuck his tongue out at him.

CHAPTER ONE

"Will you two stop fighting! That is last thing I need your grandmother to see. It will only give here another reason to lecture me on how bad a parent I am, and I had no business getting involved..."

"Mom, she started it by turning off my phone!" Will complained.

"I had asked you very nicely three times to turn it down. I was trying to think." Em replied.

"It will take more than softer music to help you think." Will said with a grin.

Em punched him.

Mary stopped the car.

"Both of you can do it now!" Mary shouted.

"Look and listen to me. I am only going to remind you of this one more time. The only reason I agreed to bring you up here to see your great grandmother is because this may be the last chance to see her alive."

Mary calmed a bit then continued in a softer tone.

"Your Great Grandmother, Sara has been very supportive of all of us ever since your father left us."

Mary's demeaner changed again as she began to focus on the trip ahead.

"It will take everything I have to deal with your grandmother when we get there, and any  trouble out of you two will only add to my trouble, so please, please do not make this any harder on me than necessary." Mary asked.

"Keep things civil, then we go home you two can go back to being your heathen selves."

"I am not heathen... I only have to live with one." Em mumbled.

"But Mom..." Will started to complain."

"Don't but Mom me! Button up and Straighten up! Mary said in her Mom tone and turned around and pulled back out on the road.

If I didn't need this money so bad, I never would have brought..." Mary continued to mumble as she tried to make up some of the time she had lost.

Will turned his music back on, but did lower the volume, and Em went back to reading her book. Mary turned into the drive way and pulled up to the large iron gates. She pushed the button to speak to someone to open the gate.

“Who is wishing to enter? Came an old man’s voice over the speaker. Then the screen flickered a few times before it came on.

“My gosh! Is that you Mary?” The old man said in astonishment.

“Yes Charles it is me.” Mary replied.

“My, it has been such a long time!”

Charles, I was just here last year, don’t you remember? Mary asked.

“Um, my memory is not what it used to…”

“Charles, could you please open the gate for me, it is rather hot out today.”

“Oh yes, right away.”

The large iron gate slowly opened, and Mary drove through.

“Wow, what a fancy place,” Will remarked.

“Yea, it is like a castle.” Em chimed in.

“You both were very young the last time you were here. Now let me warn you again, your Great Grandmother Sara is over ninety-five years old and has been very sick. So, be on your best behavior. Don’t speak or touch anything without asking me first.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, Em?”

“Who is Charles?”

“Charles is your Great Grandmother’s butler. He basically runs the house and cares for things…at least he did until your Grandmother moved in.” Mary said quietly”

“One person takes care of this whole place?” Em asked.

“Well, he is in charge, they hire out others to do some of the work. Your grandmother is not easy to please.” Mary added.

“Now I know where you get it from, Will said in a low tone to Em, and quickly moved to avoid her punch.

“Don’t start you two,” Mary said as the car pulled up to the front doors.

“Wow, what a cool fountain” Em remarked.

Before any of them could exit the door, Charles was down the large set of front stairs and at the car.

“May I please assist you with your bags?” Charles asked.

“Man, how did that old…”

“Button it Will!” Mary growled.

“Yes Charles, that would be splendid, Let me open the trunk for you.” Mary said trying to smile.

He and mary gathered all the suitcases with the exception of two that each child insisted on carrying themselves.

“My children, what is so precious that you wish to carry yourself?” Charles asked.

“This has all my video game stuff.” Will said proudly.

“I see, and you young lady, does your case also have this…stuff?” Charles asked Em.

“Oh no.” Em said and had a look like she just ate a hand full of sour grapes.”

“Do you not like these…games?

“They are okay, but I much prefer my books.” Em remarked.

“Well. That is quite interesting.” Charles said with a smile.

Charles briefed Mary on her Sara’s condition on the way to the front doors. When they stepped inside, Mary’s mother was just coming down the grand staircase.

“Charles, please take our luggage and the children up to our rooms, I do not wish to speak to mother in front of the children.”

“I completely understand,” he said in a low tone.

“Come children, give me a hand will you. Let me show you to your rooms.” He said brightly.

“Well, well, Matilda started out.”

“Look mother, I did not come here to…”

“No dear, I am quite sure you are here to beg more money off your dear Grandmother.”  Matilda said sharply.

“Think what you like. No matter what I say you will not listen, you never did.” Mary said back in the same tone.

Matilda flashed her a cold stare. “You are a fine one to talk! That is why you are in the position you are today, penny less. With two children and a scum of a husband.” Matilda said scornfully.

“Mother, we have been through this one hundred times, could you please drop this for the sake of my children and Sara?”

“I see” Matilda said with a huff in her voice. “I too tire of trying to reason with a stiff neck daughter. However, let me warn you my dear, I have carried the burden of carrying for my dear mother for several years now. All those  years while you were off  living a sinful life.

“How dare you! You have no idea what I have been through, and don’t pull that burden card with me! Sara is your step mom, and you never treated her any better than you treated me!”

Matilda marched over to slap Mary’s face, but Mary grabbed her hand to prevent this act.

“I am not proud of some of the things I did when I left, but you have plenty to be ashamed of yourself.” Mary said through gritted teeth.

Matilda struggled to get Mary to release her arm. “Pay your respects to Sara and get out of this house, before anymore trash comes blowing in.” Matilda finally got loose of Mary’s grasp and headed back up the stairs.

“It was Sara who invited me, you have no say in how long I am here! Mary shouted.

Matilda gave her a sarcastic smile. “We will see about that, my dear.”

Matilda hurried on up the steps and Mary grabbed a quick drink from the small bar in the grand foray.

Stop! Before you start telling that long drawn out back story of Mary and Matilda

Radcliff, it is not your turn. You will have plenty to add later on.

At the rate that you are developing this story, your poor human readers will be bored to death be your come even close to my part. I have done this before, just let me give readers the short, and in this case not so sweet version.

Look, we had an agreement. Well alright, but let me warn you, I am not going to just let you cut in anytime you think I am taking too much time.

Blah, blah, I get it Mr. human author. Now readers, here is the scoop on Mary and Matilda. Matilda is also Mary’s step mother. Her real mother died when Mary was two. Matilda married Mary’s father two years later. She did love him but loved his money much more. At the very least Mary was considered an in convenience, and Matilda was constantly pawning her off on just about anyone who would take her, so she and Mary’s Dad could travel without the burden of a child along. Mary was deeply sadden by this but when she could spend time with Sara, she helped her to feel much better and actually loved. One of the best things about coming to Sara’s house was that she had a huge library of fairy tale and fantasy books. Mary, as small humans should, spend hours and hours reading these books. Mary began willingly spending so much time at Sara’s house that Matilda would grow attached to Mary and start a large trust fund for her. Her fear grew when her husband and Sara began to argue about how Sara was spending her money. So, when Mary turned into a teen ager, she forbid Mary to visit Sara anymore. Mary of course would sneak out several times a month to visit. When she was sixteen she got caught by Matilda. Matilda almost through her out of the house then but again was afraid she would just go live with Sara. The next six months were very hard on Mary. Matilda had learned that there was a boy that Mary was attracted to in school. Matilda promised the boy a large sum of money if he would “sweep Mary off her feet” and take her far away. Well four years and two children later, the promised money never showed up, and the now twenty something young man moved on. Sweet Sara heard about Mary’s situation and began to send her money to help support the family. Naturally Matilda did everything she could to put a stop to this. Then, when her husband suddenly died from a mysterious illness, she thought that she would now be set for life. However, when his will was found, it was discovered that they had burned through the money that he had convinced Sara to give him ahead of time. Matilda now had to come up with another plan.

Radcliff! Boy if that is the short version, I would hate to hear the long one. Now stop before you give too much away. For Pete sake, this is just the first chapter.

Cool your jets Mr. human author, I am a professional, I will not give anything away. I will turn the story back to you but do try to speed things along will you please. I may live a lot longer than you, but I still value my time

.

Very funny Radcliff, I will try to keep that in mind.