Disclaimer: Lazytown belongs to Lazytown Inc and was created by Magnus Scheving. I am writing this for entertainment only. Captain Nimrod and Gretchen belong to me! My thanks to KrysSaiyan my first reviewer! Some of my notions of elves stem from an older fanfiction I wrote with a character named Chas created by my buddy javagoddess.
Behind the Crystal
Chapter 10 Sports elf meets Woodland elf?
"Stephanie, this is Captain Nimrod 8," said Sportacus with a cheerful smile. "I didn't expect him to show up, but it's a very fortunate thing!"
"You must be Stephanie, young lady. I have heard a lot about you. Do not worry your friends are just asleep. That fog makes anyone whom breathes it lazier then the name of your town! But a good helping of fresh fruit helps counteract the effects," said he.
"I need your help giving sports candy to the others when they wake up," Sportacus nodded. Stephanie spotted apples that lay on the ground, and blinked to see Captain Nimrod taking a arrow to of one of them as he leaned over. He tossed it to her with a smile as charming as Sportacus. Soon the others were all blinking up into the concerned faces of their friends. They yawned but were quickly revived with small bites of 'sports candy'.
Captain Nimrod knelt near Stephanie who was handing an apple to a weary Ziggy. The hero then turned to Stingy, who blinked in shock at the unfamiliar face. Stephanie reached out to calm him, "It's okay, he's a friend who knows Sportacus. He helped us get rid of that fog."
"Oh wow, who is he? Are you a hero too, like Sportacus?" Ziggy asked, looking at Captain Nimrod's costume in awe.
"Yes young man. And I see you wish to be a superhero yourself someday?" he asked, playfully tracing a finger over the goggles that Ziggy had on his head.
"Yeah that's right! I'm gonna be Sportacandy!" Ziggy said, biting into his apple. Stingy shook his aching head.
"Excuse me but I must see if the lady is all right," the Captain said.
"Sportacus is already over there," Stephanie said. The Captain got up and wandered over, a strange look in his eyes. Stephanie shrugged and got up to follow him. Something about the expression seemed familiar, and she saw Sportacus gently shaking Gretchen who was blinking to consciousness. Both Captain Nimrod and Stephanie rushed to kneel nearby.
"What the… oh my head hurts like hell," she groaned. "Sportacus… you're all right!"
"Easy there, I have been told it takes a while to wear off," said Sportacus.
"Are you all right, fraulein Lidenbrock?" asked the other hero gently. She sat bold upright, her eyes widening as Sportacus pushed an apple into her hand. Taking a bite she swallowed hard and then stared in shock at the charming smile.
"You… you're HERE… I cannot believe it. It has been years…" she laughed excitedly. Sportacus blinked as Gretchen suddenly threw her arms around the other hero's neck and he leaned over to catch her in a warm hug. Now it was Sportacus turn to give a confused frown. Stephanie could not help but chuckle because it looked cute.
"Miss me?" he laughed. "Still as resilient as ever?"
"Oh this is a wonderful surprise!" she cried in German. "What are you doing here?"
"He hem… helped us fight that strange mist," Sportacus said.
"Then that must mean… it was him," Gretchen frowned. Protectively Captain Nimrod rested a hand on her shoulder and she moved closer to him to Sportacus surprise. Stephanie noticed the look of disappointment on the Icelandic hero's handsome face. Was he jealous?
"Him who?" Stephanie asked. She moved closer to where Sportacus knelt, and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Professor Drekspatz," said Captain Nimrod. "I've tracked him down here to Lazytown. I am sorry I did not write you Sportacus, but I only just found out recently. I hope you do not' mind me popping up."
"No, not at all, in fact it was a good thing," Sportacus nodded, suddenly beaming with a huge smile. "I would have had a lot of difficulty had you not shown up when you did!"
"Um, Sportacus, Ziggy tells me this guy's a hero too, and that you knew him?" Pixel suddenly interrupted.
"Oh yes. He and I… well he is an old teacher of mine," said Sportacus with a chuckle.
"Not that old, my boy," Captain Nimrod clapped the sports hero on the shoulder.
"Sorry that came out wrong! Are you kids feeling better?" Sportacus asked, standing up and resting hands on his hips. Simultaneously Captain Nimrod rose to his feet and stood in an equally heroic pose with his hand on one hip and the other on the top of his crossbow as if ready to use it at any moment.
A half hour or so later, the group caught up with the Mayor in front of the town hall. Reactions ranged from confusion to downright shock when the Mayor was briefed about what he had just seen from his office window. Stephanie rushed over and hugged her uncle tightly.
"Oh my goodness, what happened?" Mayor Meanswell asked.
"Sportacus and Captain Nimrod saved us all from a strange smoke cloud!" Stephanie announced.
"Stephanie, you'd better go in and work on your project. Miss Lidenbrock expects you to have it done by Wednesday," he said, giving Sportacus a strange look.
"Okay," she nodded. Sportacus drew in his breath sharply, and tension moved between the two.
"Good job and thank you, Sportacus. You have any idea what caused this catastrophe? Was it Robbie Rotten?" asked the Mayor, as he stepped between Sportacus and Stephanie. Noticing Sportacus frowning, Captain Nimrod took the sports elf by the shoulder.
Speaking in Icelandic he said, "Let me handle this boy. I don't know why your mayor's so tense at you, but maybe I can smooth things over."
"Thank you. He's been like this ever since I last helped Stephanie," Sportacus answered in his native tongue.
"Mayor Meanswell, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Captain Nimrod," he said, doffing his hat and bowing before the mayor.
"So you're the other hero who helped save us? It's a good thing you came!" Meanswell said excitedly.
"Sportacus was the one that dissipated the cloud, sir. He is the one you should thank sir. I just helped save some children who were in the same place as the problem," said Nimrod smoothly. He flashed a charming smile that caused Meanswell to smile nervously in return. To Stephanie's relief her uncle's tension vanished.
Sportacus stood proudly with his hands on his hips, chin lifted slightly in his typical heroic pose. Bolstered by his mentor's words, he saw the mayor was no longer regarding him with veiled suspicion. "So what brings you to our town?"
"I'm here simply to visit my old pupil and see how well he's progressed your Mayorship," said Captain Nimrod. He placed his hat back on his head. Stephanie could not help but compare the hero to a puppy excited to see its master. Whoever the Captain was, he seemed almost a parental figure and mentor to her sports elf.
"I hope you enjoy your stay. If you wish, the Lazytown inn has some nice rooms…" said the Mayor.
"That won't be necessary. I have already made other arrangements. Do not worry about that menace. Sportacus and I will sort it out," said the other hero.
"But was it Robbie Rotten?"
"That's what we're trying to find out, sir," said Sportacus.
"Well, we're happy to have you here. I hope that you two can resolve this nasty business. If it is Robbie rotten…"
"No problem sir!" Sportacus nodded. Stephanie took a step toward him, but the Mayor gently took her arm and tugged her back.
"Uncle I was just going to say goodbye to him," she whispered.
"You need to do your homework, dear. Sportacus has a lot of work to do catching whatever nasty person did that to you all. I don't want you getting in the way," Uncle Milford whispered.
"But Uncle…"
"I shall see you soon Stephanie, good luck with your homework," Sportacus said, noticing her crestfallen look. He did not like the way that Milford suddenly had grown overprotective of his niece. What had he done to cause this wall between himself and the normally gentle and outgoing mayor?
"Bye Sportacus! Thanks!" the other kids called, giving him hugs and pats on the back.
"Thank you both," Gretchen nodded. She giggled as the Captain kissed her hand, and she pressed a kiss to Sportacus cheek before stepping back. Holding out her hands to the other kids, she walked them towards their homes.
"Come with me children. I'll walk you home."
"I'll be watching out for you," Sportacus started.
"You must see my airship," Sportacus said excitedly. However, the sharp eyes of Captain Nimrod saw the hurt in the features of his erstwhile student.
"Let's go my boy," he said.
As soon as they were alone, Sportacus flipped hand over heels. Close behind him dashed Captain Nimrod, running swift as a hare escaping a pack of dogs. His long coattails and the sweep of a cape wrapped around his shoulder and under the other flared out behind him majestically. Soon both of them reached the Skutla. Sportacus leapt inside, and the Captain nimbly perched on one wing. Quick pedaling later and they approached the airship.
Two heroes entered the main living quarters. Soft sunlight gleamed down on the glossy wooden floor with circular panels here and there. The Captain nodded with admiration, his sharp eyes taking every detail of Sportacus air ship in carefully. Excitedly Sportacus took him on a tour, somersaulting here and flipping there to press panels and show his larder, sports nook, and other features.
"My boy you've done well. This is a top class hero hideout and base. You've got an eagle eye view of the whole town from up here," he said.
"Would you like something to eat? I'm sure that…"
"Thank you, yes," he said. A quick shout of 'table' and Sportacus soon tossed up apples and flipped around to grab other items. His guest joined in the antics, grasping up a bowl and tossing it to his student. Sportacus threw up several apples and oranges, then grabbed two table tennis rackets. Taking his crossbow, the Captain fired several bolts in rapid succession. The pieces of fruit shot here and there, where Sportacus chopped them down to finer bits with his ping pong paddles. It was much more fun with someone else to share his workout, Sportacus realized.
When they had made a large fruit salad, his guest produced some fresh lean skinless chicken and other meats. He proceeded to help fix some sandwiches they could share between them. In the vast space, they ate their dinner together in silence.
"I don't get why the Mayor won't let me spend time around Stephanie. He always trusted me in the past, but lately…" he trailed off.
"I wondered that myself. That girl means a lot to you, doesn't she?" asked Captain Nimrod.
"Well she's my best friend," Sportacus said through a mouthful of apple leather.
"Has she recently lost her parents?" asked the Captain, finishing his sandwich and reaching for another.
"Yes. In addition, there was the strangest thing… Robbie Rotten dressed up as a lawyer and pulled a nasty trick on Stephanie…" Sportacus started. His mentor listened intently to Sportacus tale of the last few weeks. Occasionally he would nod or grunt for his student to continue. Finally, when Sportacus finished he sat down on the floor. Slowly he stretched his muscles by spreading his legs out.
Captain Nimrod had removed his cape and hat, and the quiver with his equipment. They leaned up neatly against the far wall. Now he performed much the same stretching regime as the younger hero, but with his own flourishes. His body was long and lean with muscle like a greyhound or thoroughbred horse. Long hair covered his ears just like Sportacus cap hid his.
"My boy, you really need to relax. I am sure that the Mayor is just being overprotective because the reality of Stephanie's loss has set in. He's bound to be territorial. Stephanie IS his niece. And he's bound to misinterpret even the most honorable intentions," said the Captain.
Sighing Sportacus pulled off his cap and goggles. Tossing it to the side, he rubbed his hands through his hair. Hunched up like a small child he drew his knees into his chest and heaved a big sigh. All of a sudden, his superhero walls fell down and he was free to relax and drop his guard. Captain Nimrod rose and sat down next to him, resting a hand on Sportacus shoulder.
"I just don't like it. He trusted me before. But then when Stephanie started thinking her parents were alive…"
"Sportacus, I didn't just come here after the Professor," said Nimrod quietly.
"Then why are you here, not that I mind the visit…" Sportacus asked. His mentor regarded him with those hazel eyes that had changed to the color of deep green. They seemed to change with his emotion. If he moved his head to one side, a pointed ear protruded from the mane of curls.
"My boy, It is the girl Stephanie," said he. "I have heard much about her promise from the letters you've sent."
"You what?"
"Stephanie's parents may WELL be alive," said Captain Nimrod. "And I'll let you know HOW I know this. Because Gretchen Lidenbrock herself wrote to me for help. Asking me if I knew anything about any strange accidents that happened over the North Sea."
"Gretchen wrote to YOU to come here?" Sportacus mouth dropped open. "But why? That is not your jurisdiction! You're still at the school aren't you?"
"Yes. Nevertheless, since you are involved, and you are a former student of mine, I was chosen by the Association to look into this matter. And give you a hand. Because this situation requires more help then you can give alone."
" Because the accident that caused the plane to crash was a direct result of one of Professor Drekspatz' inventions. A Weathertron 6000," said Captain Nimrod.
"So Stephanie's parents might STILL be alive?" Sportacus asked.
"Yes, my boy," said the Captain.
"That's… that's wonderful then!" Sportacus laughed. His eyes lit up like that of a child.
"But they are still missing. And they WENT missing rather close to your own country of Iceland," said the Captain.
"MY home?" Sportacus blinked.
"That's why the Association sent me. To find out the nature of Drekspatz machine. And if he's brought it here, you and I must get it back," said he.
"But surely they must have been rescued or found," said Sportacus.
"My boy, that plane didn't simply crash. The Professor has been mucking with the forces of nature themselves. And he caused some damage to the natural energy of the earth. And Stephanie's' parents have LITERALLY vanished from the face of the earth," he said.
"You mean they…."
"Yes. That is why we need the machine. To create the precise conditions and bring those two unfortunate souls back," said he.
"It seems like a lot of trouble to rescue two people who would be presumed missing," Sportacus said quietly. "NO offense."
"There's a good reason for it. This girl has promise. Or you yourself would not have gotten so close. She trusts you much in the way that you once trusted the Association. And she has the makings of a good hero," said he.
"You mean Stephanie…."
"Eventually you'll be called elsewhere, Sportacus. And since you have not mated and had any children of your own, you must find a successor for your name and title. You know the tradition."
"Yes," he nodded. "If a hero has no natural children they choose an apprentice and the honor and title passes on in them. But you think that Stephanie is really the one…"
"It has been the case since fewer heroes are choosing to have families of their own, for fear of the pain and emotional damage such relationships would cause. And it doesn't help that the High Council has frowned on it for the last few centuries," said the Captain with disdain.
"I'm sure they had good reason," Sportacus said quietly.
"Your father thought otherwise," said Captain Nimrod. Sportacus sighed heavily and looked up at him.
"But Father didn't take on the title," said Sportacus.
"Precisely why he was refused the chance. And why you were chosen as I recall. I inherited my title from my uncle. That was one way that the title of Nimrod the archer and hunter has passed on for so many years," he said.
"But you have no children do you?"
"It isn't too late for me to find a successor. And you are still young yet, but either way you must look ahead. There should be an 11, one way or another," he said.
"But Stephanie is human. She is very strong and capable but…"
"That didn't stop many of the others in the Association," he said. "Or your mother."
Sportacus sighed. Both his parents had been rather stubborn in their views. Especially when it came to his vocation. For starters, his father's choice of refusing to carry on the title fell in line with the prejudice of hereditary titles espoused by the High Council. His grandfather had opposed the move, but other heads had prevailed. For a long time, there was no replacement for nine. Then Sportacus had shown the natural talent and drive to carry on the name. And in so doing the honor had passed to him.
"Stephanie is in trouble and I want to help her. But not being able to do so is killing me," Sportacus lamented.
"And I know there's another reason," Captain Nimrod said.
"I… you can't be serious. She's just a girl," said Sportacus with an awkward cough.
"She's human, and she won't be a girl forever my boy. Humans have such limited views on love. For as long as I've lived among them I still shake my head at some of their practices," said Nimrod.
"I… there is someone else," Sportacus said quietly.
"Gretchen?" the Captain raised a brow. "I see."
"I've not felt like this before," he said quietly. "I want to protect her, comfort her…."
"There is no shame in love, boy. Enjoy it while you can. And even if she is not the one, each relationship is a step on the way,' said he.
"So you have a problem with me taking the relationship further?" Sportacus asked.
"Gretchen and I have known each other since she was Stephanie's age. The reason I understand what you are going through with Stephanie is very clear. I'm sure you can see where I'm coming from," said the Captain.
"You are in love with Gretchen, is that it?" he asked quietly. Awkwardly Captain Nimrod coughed, and sighed.
"If she wishes to find happiness with you, I cannot stand in the way," he said quietly. "Her desires matter. Not those of a hero who has spent much time in this world."
"You are in love with her, aren't you?" Sportacus said with a small smile. "Well I can't blame you. She's a very remarkable woman."
"Indeed. And I do not want her hurt, or you, Sportacus. You've never had a relationship with a woman like this, have you?" he asked.
"No. It's an incredible feeling," he said. "But I can't stand in the way if you love her… it's only honorable if I step aside."
"There's no guarantee she feels the same way, my boy," said the Captain with a chuckle. "I'm not young like you. Granted I have many years left in me. But I've lived among the humans long enough that I can't stop my aging as easily as you young ones."
"Just because you've been away from the source doesn't mean you can't…" Sportacus started.
"My home is with humankind. I like it far too much to be otherwise. And there are those of our people that do not take kindly to the fair folk mixing with humankind," said he. "Besides, does she know your true nature?"
"Does she know yours?" Sportacus asked. Quietly the Captain pulled his hair to hide the ears that were much the same shape as his student's.
"She learned soon enough, the day she left the town I protected. Before I came to teach at the School full time," said he. The older woodland elf sighed and picked up the long ash bow that lay with his arrows. Carefully he checked them over; to see each was in working order. Those eyes grew a somber blue like the sea. Unlike Sportacus, his family had eyes that changed with their moods. Some had the distinction more then others though. Like the mainland wood elves, he was slender and tall, more able to pass for human than some of the Fair folk. Not to mention there was the hint of human blood in his family's veins. As he sat there, his aged appearance shifted, and he appeared ten years younger before his student.
"It was an act," he said with a glint of mischief.
Just then, a bleeping flash shimmered in Sportacus crystal. Simultaneously the buckle of the Captain's quiver made a similar noise. Both of them leapt up, grabbing their paraphernalia and rushing towards the door.