Chapter 10: Songs and Happy Spirits
"And so, it came to pass that a bitter war began between the magical beings – the Sons of the Earth and the Sons of Adam" – Hellboy 2 Novel: Prologue
One Year Later
The troll known as Wink, the prince's most trusted companion rested his frame against the trunk of the towering tree on Bamba's favourite hill, body bruised and beaten but nonetheless alive. Trolls could take a huge amount of pummelling before any bones broke in their body. It was as if mother nature made them with her very core, making them tough and nearly invincible in physical combat. His bristly grey scaly face turned to gaze out over the horizon, one of the two horns on his chin having been lost in battle. His brutish style of combat had come at a cost as Wink had lost his wrist and hand, the pain being agony at the time but thankfully his elven friend was a skilled with magical technical parts and managed to fashion a new metallic device for Wink to serve as a hand. It was also a weapon, the hand shooting out on a long chain which would devastate his enemies before being recalled back to him. It wasn't the most elegant of designs, but it spared him the indignity of having no hand at all. He owed his friend much in this life and someday he would return the favour. He was grateful for the life that he had and thanked the gods each day that he was still alive. The war between the Sons of the Earth and the Sons of Adam had been raging on Earth for the past year and it was tearing this world apart. It was indeed a relief to steal a bit of peace from the animosity and terror surrounding these parts.
A troll may not have the largest brain or the acutest intelligence but underestimating their skill would be fatal. A few minutes past before Bamba, wrapped in a golden and crimson gown strode up the hill to her favourite spot, humming a famous elvish tune and was surprised to see the troll that looked familiar to her standing underneath the tree. She remembered who he was immediately and bowed her head, flashing a kind smile at him.
"Mr Wink, how lovely to see you this fine morning" Bamba beamed happily as she picked up the hem of her dress, climbing the last few steps to the top of the hill. Wink merely grunted and rolled his eyes at her. "Oh Wink, there is no need to be defensive around me. You're more than welcome to rest here a while with me if you like. Oh, wait a minute I know…" Bamba harped cheerfully as she reached into the small lacy pouch around her waist. "I have my mother's berry mulch. Have some if you would like" Bamba offered as the troll again ignored her, staring out onto the horizon. "You don't understand me?" She asked as Wink shook his head, small beady eyes still not interested in her as the young elven woman knew what to do. "You can speak Elvish?" Bamba asked saying a few words in her native tongue as Wink knew a few words from his time with his friend but nothing overly complicated, still shaking his head. "How silly of me…I can speak troll…" Bamba wanted to put her learning into practice as she opened the small book of notes from her visits to the library and began to speak, slipping up on some of the accents but she thought she got most of it correct. "Let us start again. It is lovely to see you this day Mr Wink…" Bamba spoke strongly in the troll dialect and at once Wink turned his huge head towards her, gazing at her curiously, the young elven girl sitting on the ground interesting him. She belonged to the Earth, one of the Bethmoora elves, so she was on their side, no need to be defensive from the troll's point a view. Wink spoke in a series of guttural tones that Bamba tried to make out, but she found some accents familiar.
"You a friend of prince…You that Bamba girl…Bamba have lovely voice…" Wink grunted in his normal gruff tone, folding his arms across his broad chest as Bamba's cheeks tinged with pink before she offered a small box to the troll, the contents intriguing him.
"Have some berry mulch Mr Wink. It is most delicious. My mother makes the best berry dishes throughout Bethmoora" Bamba spoke in troll, slipping up on "mother" and "throughout" but she held it together and Wink instantly understood as without asking he snatched the pot from her and stuffed his face into the mulch eating every drop. Bamba was shocked slightly, stunned by his lack of manners but in the end, she shrugged her shoulders giggling, a playful glint in her golden eyes. He was a troll and that was to be expectant of his kind. They were not the most courteous of beasts, but that did not stop Bamba from trying to befriend him. Every creature bar the Sons of Adam was her friend on his world and she wanted to strike bonds with as many of the magical races as possible, learning their languages, cultures and ways of life. It all fascinated her. "Oh, Mr Wink you are funny…" She laughed then looked down at his hand and saw the metal device, wincing slightly. Still speaking in troll, she continued. "What happened to you?" Wink again rolled his eyes but knew she was only trying to keep him company so was grateful she wasn't frightened by him as so many other people were.
"Stupid humans…Took my hand off…Hurt a lot but then prince friend make me this…It's a clever device…But very heavy…Not for elven woman to lift…" Wink warned as he showed her the hand then shot the hand from the mechanism on his arm which made Bamba jump slightly before he retrieved his hand with the chain on the end, the hand returning to the normal position as Bamba stared at him in awe, hands folded in her lap.
"I did not realise our lord was so mechanically minded. I shall ask him when I see him…I do hope he is alright…" Bamba said, accidently letting the last bit slip out in troll as she tried to take it back but Wink understood, gazing out onto the horizon like she was, the ground still stained the blood, the air around them filled with death and almost the cries of all the families who had, had souls torn away from them.
"Humans will come back…They won't give in…Prince lost great friend…Now very angry…Wink sad…" The troll lowered his head as if he wanted to cry but Bamba stood up, putting a hand on his broad, muscly, grey shoulder standing tall beside him trying to gage his expression but it was difficult to read what the troll was feeling. Trolls did not portray much emotion in the best of times.
"War is a terrible thing Mr Wink. Those humans will try everything they have until they claim this world but don't worry. Our warriors will drive them back. We have the sharpest blades and the most cunning hearts leading our army and…" she paused, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, not sure Wink could feel it under all his muscle but was glad she could offer some comfort to the poor creature. "Your master fought well today. He is the most skilled warrior on this land and someday when all this fighting is over he will bring peace to the Earth once again…I just hope he's alright out there. I should be with him…" Bamba almost willed her spirit to go to the fighter who needed it most as Wink gazed at her with a confused expression as she repeated what she'd just said via the troll tongue, Wink giving her his attention immediately but still her heart was saddened. She had been parted from him for the best part of a few months while this fighting was going on and it hurt her conscience to think she couldn't even visit, let alone speak to him.
"You and prince close friends…Are you?" Wink asked his tone its usual gruff caprice as Bamba nodded, then closed her eyes, not wanting to cry, to show the troll she was weak. Not seeing him for these last few months had hurt her more than she wanted to admit as she was about to answer his question when the princess dressed in her customary black and red dress with the wide golden belt strode through the grassland to meet them. Surprised at the appearance of her friend she bowed low but before she could address her formally the elder elven woman pulled her into a fervent embrace, wrapping her arms around her back. She reciprocated the embrace before engaging with the expression in her eyes.
"Bamba, my dearest Bamba, I'm so sorry I haven't come to find you sooner. Court was longer than I expected. Are you alright?" Nuala soothed, long white-blonde hair running over her pointed ears and shoulders as Bamba just bunched herself in her hold and let out her feelings, sobbing, bunching the fabric of the dress in her fists as she pressed her hands to her chest. "Bamba…It's alright I'm here now, I'm here…Everything is going to be alright, you'll see…" Nuala's dove like voice cooed warmly in her ear as that soothed some of the pain but not much. Wink ignored the two elves behind him, just staring out onto the horizon before Nuala addressed him plainly in the troll tongue and he rolled his eyes before stomping down the hill, heavy flat-footed feet trampling through the grass. The grass that once used to grow so green now flecked with blood, the blood of the Sons of the Earth. "Bamba…Please don't cry. It hurts me to see you cry" she tried to comfort her with every ounce of kindness in her heart but Bamba only clung to her tighter, tears overflowing from her golden eyes.
"I cannot take this anymore! Our people are dying, our homes are being destroyed. I cannot simply sit back and watch this. I have to do something…I have to help!" Bamba protested, the princess realising the war was affecting all her people but never realised how much of an affect it would have on her young friend, a mind that was just growing on this world, a world that was now being destroyed. She shot a fierce glare at her, rocking her back and forth in her arms.
"No Bamba that is out of the question! You are not to set one foot on that battlefield. You are not a warrior! Your place is with me and the rest of the people who will accept our warriors home with heroic fervour when the war is over. You are not fighting Bamba and that is all I have to say on the matter!" Nuala ordered fiercely, only wanting to protect her as Bamba's tear filled eyes looked up at her in desperation, still clutching onto the front of her dress.
"Even if I can't fight I want to help…Please anything to stop this. Many of our kin have died today and I cannot bear to see our soil slaked with the blood of our own. I just want it to end…" Bamba cried as she bunched herself up in Nuala's arms, but the princess knew how to cheer her up, how to bring her a form of happiness through all the bloodshed and animosity that surrounded them.
"My brother only apologises he cannot be with you. He told me he is missing you very dearly and told me that once the war is over you will be married. I am overjoyed for you both and only hope that the war will end soon so that I can see you both happy" Nuala smiled, running a soft hand down the back of her head as at the mention of him she tried to cease her tears, but the notion of him on the battlefield made it even more heart rendering. "Bamba…" Nuala sighed, not sure how to comfort her in any other way but eventually Bamba spoke, voice still choked with tears as she gazed over her shoulder, pearly tears falling down her cheeks.
"I'm just worried sick about what could happen to him. I know he fights to protect us and is the most gallant warrior among our people but that does not change how I feel. I don't want him to fight! I don't want anymore of my people to die. Please make this stop! Tell your father to stop the fighting! He'll listen to you…" Bamba begged, the tears not relenting as, Nuala took her by the shoulders and looked her full square in the face, her hauntingly beautiful features mirroring hers and Bamba felt compelled, drawn by the stern expression on her face to look her in the eyes.
"Now Bamba you know as well as I do that, that is out of the question. We fight to protect our people, to protect this world and our homes. We cannot just let these Sons of Adam; these humans drive us away from where we truly belong. These humans are destroying this world Bamba and if we do not force them into retreat then we will have nowhere to live. War I'm afraid to say is the only way forward now, I'm sorry…" Nuala said the truth, standing strong and by her words as Bamba lowered her head but Nuala caught her chin in her hand and raised her face up to the morning sun. "Now I see why my brother loves you so. Has anyone apart from him told you how beautiful you are?" Nuala asked, the birthmark of the Bethmoora elves marking her as one of them as Bamba blushed slightly, lowering her head to gaze at the floor.
"Please my friend don't pay me those compliments. I don't deserve them…" Bamba said but Nuala merely shook her head and led her away from the hill, away from the scarred landscape before Bamba could gaze upon the war-torn space any longer. She could see why her friend would get upset if she was coming here every day.
"Of course, you do Bamba, you deserve everything you are blessed with as do we all. Now why don't you come with me. The goblin blacksmiths need some cheering up. Why don't you sing them a song? I'm sure they would be appreciative of the gesture" Nuala suggested, interlinking her arm through hers as she led them to the ore works, the core of Bethmoora magical industry where strange and wonderful things were made. Bamba would have jumped at the chance to enter the ore works when she was a small girl but now she was not so sure.
"I don't know Nuala…" Bamba sighed as she screwed her eyes shut and tried to control her tears again "I don't feel much like singing…" she admitted as Nuala almost gazed at her in shock, wondering if she really felt that sad. Bamba's voice could be heard usually in most glens no matter her mood so it was unusual for her to not accept a chance to sing and for goblins who really loved their traditional working songs.
"If not for them Bamba then for you" said Nuala kindly as the elven women walked together down the hill arm in arm. "I know how much you enjoy singing. It would mean the world to those workers and to me if you would just sing them a few traditional songs. It would really lift my heart…" Nuala almost pleaded with her as to her relief she saw Bamba wipe the tears from her eyes and a smile rose from the corners of her mouth.
"Of course, I will sing my dearest Nuala, how could I not? It will be an honour to perform for them…" Bamba smiled as Nuala beamed at her friend, heart swelling with happiness.
"I'm glad Bamba, thank you so much…" Nuala said warmly, relieved to hear her friend sounding a touch more cheerful as they strode across the expansive grassland to the ore works on the other side of the west forest, where they would hope to sing their troubles away.
Twenty songs later and a cask of ogre ale in her hand, Bamba was preparing her next song as the goblin blacksmiths waited eagerly, chatting amongst themselves, some banging their mugs on their knees, other admiring the pretty elven maiden that stood before them. Bamba was not one to touch the brews of the goblins or ogres as it was said to blow your head from your shoulders but after a few songs and feeling like she should try new things she took a sip and was nearly through the first glass.
"Any requests?" Bamba asked as she perched herself on a barrel of ale by the masters work bench and crossed a leg over the other knee, throwing a wink at Nuala who had sat on a barrel beside her, happier than she had been in days.
"How about Burn Away? We all know that one" one of the goblins cheered as Bamba tried to recall the song to mind but it may have been before her time as she couldn't remember the tune, taking another sip from her mug, hiccupping slightly.
"I'm not sure I know that one unfortunately. Give me another one!" Bamba hollered cheerfully, cheeks full of colour as she admired the space around her. The ore works was a specialist crafts place for the making of magical steels and ores which came from the Earth itself. The ogres were skilled mechanics but for a goblin it was in their blood, most of them professional blacksmiths and craftsman. The space was surrounded with workbenches all tiered with precision from ceiling to floor, tools of all makes lined the walls and furnaces which fuelled these works had burnt out by the end of the day. Still Bamba had lit a few candles so the light in the dark space was cheery. The workshop was often a fiery space where goblins would craft beautiful structures for the magical kingdom but recently it had been used to manufacture weapons for the war. Bamba hoped one day this place would never make weapons again.
"How about fortune that turns the wheel. Workin' but a friendship song. May lift our spirits. Been working hard through this war, makin' weapons, working at the anvil. That song should be perfect" another goblin spoke up, a smile crossing his murky green face as that sent the goblins into raptures as the song choice was settled. Bamba finished off the last drops of liquid in her mug before she cleared her throat, Nuala giving her an endearing look, just having a lovely time listening to her friend sing. It had been a lovely evening, with the goblins being on their best form for company and just hearing such a sweet voice above all the wailings of war was a blessing.
"I'll give it a go" Bamba said as she stood on top of the barrel with the help of Nuala and began the song, some of the goblins joining in at various points.
"Come fill the cup, let's drink about, this night we'll merry be,
For friendship and for harmony, likewise my comrades three;
To meet once more some other night my secret joy reveal,
For now I stray so far away blind fortune turns the wheel.
No love, nor gold, nor dress I'll take my enemy demands.
But when I meet a friend in need to stretch a helping hand;
To him I'll drink, for him I'll fight, to him my mind reveal,
And friends we'll be, what'er they be when fortune turns the wheel.
But it's some of my pretended friends, if friends ye may them call,
They falsely turned their back on me when mine was at the wall;
Yet in a glass I'll drink their health—ye'll find I wish them well
That someday I may pay the debt when fortune turns the wheel.
And it's of a handsome fair lad, it's him I'll justly blame,
When dark misfortune frowned on me he denied he knew my name;
But friendship by remorse is past—to him I'll never kneel,
I'll sweethearts find, both true and kind, when fortune turns the wheel.
O ye dewy hills o' Caledon, likewise sweet Coquetdale,
Where friendship binds the firmest ties and love tells the sweetest tale;
Here's to my friends and to my foes, ye'll find I wish them well
That we all may meet some other night when fortune turns the wheel."
After the last note of the song had died away the goblins and Nuala burst into rapturous applause, some banging their glasses against their hands, others hollering and cheering as Bamba, heart swelling that she could make others happy with her songs was about to begin another song, a drinking song to set the goblins into raptures when a louder more authorotive form of applause sounded. Bamba couldn't see where the sound was coming from and assumed it was one of the older goblins from the back of the room, but she was shocked and surprised to see the prince emerge from behind one of the work benches as he continued his applause with fervour smiling warmly at her. He'd been sitting in the shadows, listening intently for most of the evening. She just didn't realise he was there. For a moment Bamba barely knew how to respond as she quickly got down from the barrel and tried to act prim and proper, hands folded in her lap, head lowered in a gesture of respect as he drew nearer.
"A most beautiful song Bamba. Our world is blessed to have a voice as wonderful as yours" the prince continued to applaud along with the goblins who had been sent into raptures before he offered her his hand and Bamba hopped from the barrel, almost looking to Nuala for approval but she nodded her head understanding completely. She knew the pair had been apart for the best part of a year and wanted nothing more than to spend time with each other.
"We thank you for the songs Miss Bamba, perhaps another time!" a goblin spoke up before his comrades carried on the cheering, some particularly merry on their home brew ale as the elven couple strode arm in arm from the ore works, Nuala thinking she had better tidy the place up as she announced the evening had come to an end, the goblin's spirits having been lifted.
The evening was balmy and quiet, nothing to be heard accept rustling leaves and the sounds of flora and fauna as he slipped a hand in hers the elfin pair walking at a slow pace. She dared not bring up the fighting or the war and just wanted to get away from all that as they headed in an easterly direction towards the palace, Bamba just glad not to look on that battlefield again. She let a contended sigh escape her as she rested her ear on his shoulder, a strong arm connecting around her waist as they enjoyed the time in each other's company and a well needed respite from the destruction around them. Their home was not as grand as it once was, the halls of Bethmoora not singing their songs like in the dawn of time but the prince had promised his people that they would know peace again and he would keep his word, no matter how tough the road.
"Were you listening to me that whole time?" Bamba asked curiously as he nodded, not being able to see his loving eyes on her in the darkening light so she just rested her head under his chin, just thankful to the gods that he had returned to her. Even though the war had only allowed them to spend fleeting moments together she had accepted it was better than nothing at all. She most looked forward to the day when the fighting would be over, and he would hold her in his loving arms, telling her stories of their victory before they would marry. At times this all seemed surreal to her, was a dream that she never wanted to wake up from, but the warmth of his skin and the beating of his heart confirmed this was the here and now. "Sire you could have told me. I would have sung a song for you. Which one is your favourite? Personally, the ballads of love and loss from the ancient troll bards…Sad songs interest me…The Blacksmith is an old favourite my mother used to sing to me when I was little" Bamba said as he thought about the answer for a moment, keeping his voice soft and personal so that she was only one who heard his words. For a moment it seemed as if it was just the Earth and the two of them and he just wanted it to be that way.
"The labour songs of the goblins and ogres appeal to me but the troll bards do write some wonderful songs. Do you not sing the songs with happy endings? The happy ending to the factory girl always remains close to my heart" the prince replied as the pair continued their amble through the grasslands, the grass greener the further away from the scene of the fighting they went.
"Of course, I love the happy endings, but the tragic endings have just as much meaning. The factory girl is a lovely song, but it has a sad version as well…" Bamba explained as she was about to tell him what happened in the song when the serious tone in his voice stopped was she was about to say.
"Bamba I'm sorry…" the elven prince apologised, golden eyes trained on the ground as he felt too ashamed to look at her. "I can only apologise for the time that has passed us by. This war is driving me apart from you and I only regret not being able to spend more time with you. I cannot say when this war will end but I will keep my promise Bamba. I am forever yours and always true to you and I never go back on my word…Never…" his poignant words, strong yet meaningful as they reached her ears, Bamba not wanting him to feel regret for none of this was his fault. This war was an unfortunate turn of events, but they would see the sun on the other side, the Sons of the Earth would walk their land without fright and things would get better.
"Sire please don't blame yourself. This war is an unfortunate event but what has happened has happened and we must press forward. I understand war is a burden and fighting everyday will weigh you down, but I am always here, I will never leave your side…" Bamba whispered sweetly as the colour rose again in her cheeks as his firm hold increased on her waist. "Even in battle my spirit is always with you and though you may not hear it I sing for the days when the war will be over, and we will be victorious. I know you and the rest of our warriors are strong and braver than a thousand battle hardened orcs but know that I am with you, no matter how long the battle or the day…I will be with you always…" Bamba's words of kindness and love, revitalising his weary spirits and giving his conscience a new lease of life as without warning, Bamba slightly taken a back he pulled her down gently into the tall, rustling grass. Bamba just went with it as they rolled in each other's arms until they came to a stop, Bamba's back to the ground, gazing up into those golden orbs of endearment which swam with expression back at her. No one would find them here, not even his sister and no one would interrupt the precious moment he was sharing with the girl of his heart. He felt the back of her hand touch his cheek as he closed his eyes for a moment, the softness of her touch melting away all the pain, all the suffering he had endured in that one moment it was gone, her kind heart taking all his troubles away.
"Your kind words soothe my heart sweet Bamba. You will forever and always will be the woman who holds my heart. The whole world could be against it, our friends could turn away from us but when the sun sets at the end of each day my heart will be yours. What is mine is yours my Bamba and never let anyone tell you otherwise…" the prince leaned in close, his words a soft croon but she heard them, loving and true against her forehead as she wrapped her arms around his neck drawing him close.
"I'm most glad my prince…I love you…" Bamba whispered, her breath brushing against his neck, warm and delicate as a summers breeze as wanting his actions to show his words he placed several affectionate kisses on her face before picking up her lips with his. Bamba, swept away in the moment and the gentleness of his touch saw no need to reply as the evening turned to night. Not knowing when she would have him in her arms again she just forgot the time and just cherished the moment, loosing herself in the depths of the kiss and his muscular frame as the minutes turned into hours. The elfin pair just expressed their feelings for each other, away from the strains of war and politics, away from the unfeeling hearts of man as they mated with as much fire as there was gentleness. The pleasurable moment having past Bamba nestled against the bare skin of his chest as the dawn began to break. Waiting for the sun to rise the elven warrior held her with all the strength and love he could close to him as for a moment he wanted to say something, but the moment was too perfect to spoil with words, so the elven couple remained silent. They rested contentedly in each other's arms as morning began to break. A beacon of love and hope to shine to the Earth around them.