Bernard and Jack, Chapter11
Scene 1:
Scott knocked on Bernard's suite before he entered. He nodded to Carol sitting on the sofa. Looking over at the elf lying in bed being examined by Doctor Lazarus.
"How's is he today?" He whispered to Carol.
"Laz said that he is doing much better. He said that we can reduce the amount of the amuralite injections. It seems that his body now has enough in his system to keep his depression in check. Lazarus said that Bernard no longer needs to have someone with him at night."
Scott took a deep breath. "That's good news. I may have some even better news. Mother Nature and Jack are on the way. She wants Jack to begin his training right away. I've sent Curtis and Judy to greet them and bring them up here."
A movement from the bed alerted the couple that the doctor's patient was no longer being a patient elf. He had slipped off the bed.
"No. I'm tired of those shots. You said I had enough of that stuff in my body."
The doctor huffed. "Yes. I know what I said. I also said that you still needed the shots to maintain a proper balance. Now give me your arm."
Bernard jumped out of reach. "I hate that stuff. It burns."
He backed a few steps from the doctor. He would have continued his backward gait but found his path blocked off. Turning his head, he saw Santa and Mrs. Claus standing behind him.
Trying to act nonchalant about the matter he said to the pair. "Um hey guys."
A stern 'Hello Bernard!' was heard from Carol while 'Bernard what do you think you are doing?' was received by Scott.
Shaking his hands he pointed to the doctor. "Please guys. I really hate taking that stuff."
"Sorry Bernard." Scott shook his head as he snaked his arms around the elf. "But the stuff brought you back from the miserable elf that you turned into the other night. Now hold still. It will take only a minute."
The doctor approached them with the shot. "I'm sorry he got away from me."
Carol helped hold Bernard's arm still for Lazarus. The elf winced when the medicine began to burn as it coursed into his veins.
"Bernard. The other night I asked you to tell me if you felt any discomfort. The burning is a side effect. A side effect that can be easily treated."
The doctor reached in his bag and pulled out a long plastic bag. He broke it open and took out some blue gauze which he wrapped around the elf's arm. The gauze felt cold to the touch and the coolness began to relieve the burning sensation.
"I'll leave several packets of the ice gauze here for you and Mrs. Claus if he has any more complaints about of burning." The doctor told the couple.
"Thank's Laz. You've been a good friend in all of this mess."
"It's okay Santa. I know how bad it can get for him. I had the same problem when it happened to me." Lazarus turned his attention toward his patient.
Bernard bit his lip. "I'm sorry Laz."
"If you have any problems. Call me. You understand."
"Yeah. I understand. I just wished I didn't have to take the stuff at all." Said the elf as he to rub his arm.
The doctor nodded and turned toward the door. He paused when he heard Santa call to him.
"Laz with all the excitement I forgot to tell you. Mother Nature is bringing Jack here today."
"That's good news. The wrist bonds will be loosened and Bernard will soon be learning control. Also the amount of amuralite could be reduced even more." The doctor laughed at the smile that appeared on Bernard's face.
"Good afternoon Santa. "I'm off to my classes at the university."
"See you tomorrow Laz." Carol called out to the doctor.
She paused and took a deep breath. "Scott I too have to go. I need to set up my afternoon teaching schedule with Lucy. I'll met you downstairs in a hour for lunch."
"We can have lunch while we talk to Mother Nature and Jack." He looked back at his elf. "I also need this hour to talk over some things over with Bernard."
Scott sat back down on the sofa. He tilted his head back as he pondered the elf standing before him.
Bernard began to pace nervously in front of him aware that the talk was not going to be pleasant.
"S S S Santa, I'm sorry how I acted today." He hated how he began to stammer.
Santa just nodded his head. "I know that you're sorry. The talk I had in mind is about any future problems that may occur. I found out that there is going to be a catch with the bond that now exist between yourself and Mrs. Claus and I."
Bernard paled and rubbed his wrists. "If I lose control of my powers again, you would be in charge of enforcing the power of the bracelets."
"Exactly. I think we need to discuss a few ground rules about your lessons with Jack. We do want your experience to be a pleasant one."
"You mean no blasting Jack into next century." Bernard attempted a small joke. At Santa's stern face he faltered.
"Bernard I'm serious. If Mrs. Claus or I hear that you haven't been listening to his instructions, we will not be happy. We will reinforce the wrist bands power if it comes to it. Do you understand what I am saying."
"Yes Sir."
Scene 2:
Scott was still in his talk with the elf when they heard Curtis's distinctive knock on the suite door.
Bernard exhaled a heavy sigh. "I guess that's the clue that Jack and Mother Nature have arrived." He walked over and opened the door.
Curtis gushed out. "Santa. Mother Nature and Jack are downstairs in the living room and Mrs. Claus said it was time for lunch."
"Calm down Curtis. You really need to slow down when you talk." Santa said gently. "Bernard and I are on our way down now."
When they reached the living room they saw that Carol had set up the lunch buffet style. Bernard glanced around and saw Mother Nature, Jack and Neil sitting on the magically enlarged couch. Each had a plate of food in their hands.
"Good afternoon Madam." He said while bowing to leader of the Council of Legendary Figures. He frowned when he acknowledged the other Legendary. "Jack."
Santa grabbed his shoulder and whispered. "Remember what we talked about upstairs. You must show him the proper respect. He is one of the Legendaries. You must learn to deal with him without bringing up the past. "
The elf gritted his teeth as he turned back toward the head Frost fairy. He bowed. "I'm sorry. Good afternoon. Sir. I hope you enjoy your stay at the chalet."
Jack knew that the young elf before him was not truly sorry for the disrespect earlier showed to him. He looked the elf over. 'He has Maripola's face but he inherited my lithe body.'
Jack remembered a time when the two played together during the winter months. Bernard's mother did not know that the two had met. Jack had taught him how to make icicle ornaments. At the time he thought the elf was Maripola's brother. The Frost Fairy shook his head. 'Had I known it then that Bernard was my son, I would have stolen him away from Maripola. Away from everything he knew.'
"Its okay Bernie." He said using his old nickname for the elf. He saw the elf stiffen at the name.
"The name is Bernard." Came the cold reply.
Jack gulped. "Of course. My mistake. Bernard." He looked to his mother.
Mother Nature exchanged glances with the two Clauses as the same thought occurred to them. 'This is going to be a long day.'
Scene 3:
Once lunch was over Curtis and Judy helped Mrs. Claus take the dishes into the kitchen. The two elves shooed her back out with promises that they would finish doing the dishes so that she could attend the meeting with Mother Nature and Jack.
Mother Nature and Jack both stood up and began to walk toward the elf. The normally stoic elf emitted a half shriek and began to back away nervously.
Scott sighed and looked at Carol as if to say. 'Here we go again.' They both grabbed the elf to hold him in place.
Mother Nature began to sing the Trivoly lullaby which calmed him. "Santa. Carol. You need to both hold one of his wrists. We are going to loosen the bonds a bit."
The magic flowed around the two Clauses and into the bracelets. Bernard groaned.
Jack nodded. "He will now have some of his basic Frost powers back. I can now begin to re teach him some of the control. I think tomorrow we'll begin with turning cream into ice cream."
The elf griped as he rubbed his wrists. "I learned that lesson when I was in ELF 1 at the Elfburg elementary."
The Frost Fairy shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry but with the new change of power that you now have to relearn all of your Frost magic."
The elf finally asked a question that had been on his mind since learning that the bands would be loosened. "Will I still have my other Trivoly elf powers. My non Frost powers I mean."
The Frost Fairy began to chew on his bottom lip as he turned toward Mother Nature who answered the question.
"Bernard, are you asking if you still have your teleportation abilities? The bracelets will allow you a limited use of your teleportation. If you were to teleport yourself, you would not be able to transport yourself back for 24 hours. It would leave you vulnerable to the outside world. So while you still have the ability you are not to use it under any circumstance. Therefore you are forbidden to use that power."