Chapter 3: The Gift of Water

The journey to the Elementals Mountain was a slow and sad one. Beyond the Smurfs occasionally asking Papa if it was much farther, and him growing angrier whenever they asked, there wasn't much conversation. Johan occasionally looked over to Biquette as if to see if Peewit was there, and his heart sank each time knowing he was not.

A few hours later, Papa Smurf pointed to a large blue mountain. "There, that's it," he said.

Johan pulled the reins and jumped off Bayard carrying the Smurfs with him. Biquette obeyed as Johan tied the two animals to a tree to keep them from moving.

"It says that this mountain has four gates that we must walk through to get the four gifts of the Elementals," Papa said consulting his books. "But that we must face the dangers of the gates first."

Hefty flexed his muscles. "Okay, we faced monsters before, we can take it."

The others nodded as they approached a clear blue river that encircled the entire mountain.

"What's this?" Brainy asked. "No boat, how do we get across?"

Hefty briefly dipped his fingers in the water when a crystalline feminine voice spoke. "To cross this river, smart one, requires payment.

The five companions looked around for the location of the voice when the water bubbled up as though it were being boiled. Suddenly, an opening appeared and a beautiful silver haired woman emerged from the water and stood facing them. Her gown seemed to be made of ocean pearls. She looked at them with clear aquiline eyes that seemed to come from a dead woman. The travelers gasped, and the Smurfs kneeled.

Dazed, Johan crossed himself whispering, "Holy Mother, Divine St. John, protect us."

When she spoke, it was a haunting lilting voice that seemed to lure people to her. "There is no need to be afraid. Welcome, I am the Undine, Elemental of Water and you are in the River of Emotions."

Papa was the first to speak. He approached the edge of the water and bowed low. "Great Elemental, my name is Papa Smurf and we are travelers that only wish to cross into your mountain to cure a dying friend."

"I am aware of that, wise one," the Undine answered. "And I will allow you, but as I said, safe passage requires a payment."

Johan looked down at his bag and opened it reaching for a few small coins. The Elemental laughed a tinkly laugh that was both musical and eerie at the same time. "Not that type of payment, squire. The payment I require is one of emotions."

She waved her hands around the river as it flowed. "This river carries thousands of tears, from feelings of sadness, anger and guilt from the souls of man. As you can see, it has built up considerably. My only payment is for you to unburden yourselves with the guilt that is buried in your hearts. But, only one traveler at a time. You must tell the truth. Tell a lie and you will drown from your own guilt."

The five travelers formed a huddle after the Undine finished speaking. "What did she mean Pappy Smurf?" Sassette asked.

"She means that we must tell her something that is true and that we haven't told anyone," Papa said.

"But wait a minute, Papa," Brainy objected. "If we say something we will all know it." The others nodded.

Papa shrugged. "We must be willing to take that chance. I'm sure there will be lots of ugly buried things we will find out about each other, before this journey is over. We must agree now that no matter what happens in there, that we will understand." The others agreed and Papa smiled, "I'll go first." He caught his breath and walked up to the edge. He glanced straight at the Elemental who towered over him considerably. He knew exactly what to tell her.

"Great Elemental, many years ago when most of my Smurfs were still Smurflings, I gave an ailing young one a medicine that had poppy seeds in it and he almost died." He bowed his head low to hide his emotions.

Johan looked around at the other Smurfs. They looked as surprised as he did, except for Brainy, who bowed his head low.

The Undine nodded. "You may pass, wise one." A small dry pathway formed allowing Papa Smurf to reach the edge. He stood at the mouth of a cave waiting for the others.

The remaining four looked at each other. Before anyone could say anything else, Sassette gulped and walked to the edge. "Miss Undine, awhile ago the other Smurflings were captured by Pappy Gargamel, but it was my fault. See, we were playing near his hovel when we weren't supposed to and the boys got into a trap. I ran and at first, I didn't want to get help because I was afraid that I would get in big trouble and I was so glad I got away. But, I kept getting worried about the other Smurflings, so I said that they were trapped, but I didn't say how. We freed them, but it was my fault and no one knew accept me." The little Smurf girl sobbed openly. The Undine smiled kindly as she allowed her to pass. Sassette ran up to Papa Smurf and he hugged her.

Hefty came next. "Madam Elemental, I am in love with the Smurfette. I haven't told anyone about it until now. I know a lot of us Smurfs do, but the way I feel about her is that I want to marry her and for her to be mine forever. It's gotten to the point where I feel so angry when the other guys try to be with her, I want to punch their lights out! But, they're my friends. She doesn't know how I feel because she thinks I'm her friend." He bowed his head as the crossway formed.

Brainy approached the Elemental next. "Oh Illustrious Phantasm, years ago a fortuitous chance resulted in conflicting emotions for myself and malicious feelings from others."

"Smart one, if you wish to unburden yourself speak so I can understand you," the Undine answered dryly.

Brainy sighed. "Once when Papa Smurf was gone for a time, we had an election to elect a leader and I set up a kingdom in which I was supreme ruler. The others became enraged after I overstepped my bounds. But, as I was king, I enjoyed it. I loved being the ruler. I loved the absolute power it had given me. Why even now, I think back on that time and shudder not because of what I did, but how it made me feel." Brainy shuddered involuntarily as the pathway formed for him. When he approached the other side Sassette smiled and even though Papa and Hefty welcomed him, they seemed cordial, rather than overly friendly.

Johan approached the Elemental and kneeled. "Elemental, as you know my best friend is dying and it is my fault. The two of us went up against a powerful wizard that we had no business going against because of me. I only did it to impress the people around me, the knights, the princess, the king. I wanted…wanted to be a knight to help my country, but my friend is dying because I allowed my pride to get in the way. It's my fault and I am so sorry." He gulped as tears sprang from his face.

"You may pass too, squire," the Undine said. Johan wiped his eyes as he reached the pathway.

The Undine smiled. "You have all made proper payment. Now, here is your reward." She put her palm under her mouth and blew them a kiss. Foam appeared and sprinkled into the open bottle that Papa Smurf held. "You may continue into the mountain."

The Smurfs walked into the mountain single file with Johan right behind.

"You know Johan, it's just the impending demise of Peewit that has manifested in this guilt that you have projected onto yourself," Brainy remarked.

"Huh?" Johan asked confused.

"It's not your fault Johan," Brainy said.

"I'm not so sure, " Johan muttered, but then cleared his throat. "How come when Papa Smurf told that story, everyone was surprised but you? Did you know about it?"

Brainy nodded. "Oh yes, I was that Smurfling."