Chapter Two: Reunion
"You're kidding?"
Calla's voice was high, shocked. Grammi handed her a glass of water, which she drank with shaking hands. Bonni smiled at her and said, while handing her some broth,
"I'm a ten time grandmother, sweetie. I can tell."
"But…we only did it once."
Grammi chuckled, "That's all it takes dear."
Calla took a deep breath. "Wow."
Bonni could see that she was absorbing this and decided a change of subject was in order.
"So, dear, how are your people accepting that we're not fairy tales?"
Calla took another deep breath.
"The children are fine. But the adults are cautious. I hope they come around. I think we could be great allies."
Grammi smiled, "Maybe the children will teach the bull headed adults a few things."
Calla smiled, "Maybe, I hope so."
She took a sip of soup and then inhaled its scent.
"This is good, Bonni."
The Gummi female took a bow, "Tis ma pleasure, Madame," she stated with an over expressed French accent. Calla smirked and took a swallow. Suddenly,
"Do you have any berries?"
Grammi nodded, "Sure."
Calla went on, "And some toasted bread, some pie, maybe some more stew?" she blushed, "Sorry."
Bonni and Grammi exchanged glances. "Sweetie you're eating for two…you just name it."
* * *
"They returned? Are you kidding, mon ami?"
Cubbi shook his head, "No, I'm not kidding."
Sir Plucki knelt to the youngest knight's level. "Where are they staying, lad?"
"In the Glen, at South Gumpton, and in Ursalia. They split up."
"Shoe us the ones in the Glen, lad."
Cubbi nodded.
* * *
Well, the knights had expected a welcome but not that of celebrities. But the minute they stepped in, cubs bombarded them. Most of them were around Cubbi's age, some younger, some a few years older.
Cubbi shoved his way through them. There was an advantage to being young at times. Gradually the cubs began to leave. The knights found their youngest knight waiting. He said,
"Oh yeah, should have warned ya that the cubs wanna see ya."
"Why?" Plucki said as he straightened his weapons. Cubbi smiled,
"Well, maybe because you guys are a favorite story."
The cub said nothing else and walked into the kitchen.
"Hey Calla!"
The girl laid her glass down and hugged Cubbi. Cubbi looked at her,
"What? You look like you just got a room full of diamonds."
Calla nodded at Grammi who stated,
"She's pregnant dear."
Cubbi gasped, "Really? You and Cavin are gonna be parents?"
Calla nodded. She noted the Gummi knights,
"Who are these gummies, Cubbi?"
Grammi answered,
"The knights who helped our ancestors escape. Cavin told you about when he was anointed a knight didn't he?"
"Yeah, but how-"
"Celina."
Calla looked at the gummies. Sir Blastus took her hand. Gently kissing it, he stated,
"Sir Cavin has exquisite taste, M'Lady."
Calla blushed, "You're a charmer."
Blastus backed up. His eyes were fixed on the Gummi who'd come from behind the stove. His mouth dropped,
"Leilani?"
"No, Bonni." The female replied. She tossed her light violet braid behind her shoulder. However, Leilani was my third great grandmother. Why?"
Blastus and Plucki smirked, "She was the best cook in Gummadoon. She acted like a grandmother to all of us, when we were younger, even younger than Sir Cubbi."
Cubbi growled at that, saying, "Hey, I ain't a runt."
Plucki smiled at him, as reassurance that he was aware of that fact, and then turned to Bonni,
"You're a spitting image of her, M'Lady."
Bonni smiled.
Cubbi stood to the side, bored. All adults were the same when it came to conversation: boring.
Venturing into the hallway, he found himself drawn to a particular closet. He noted Sunni around it quite a bit but he didn't know why. Chuckling to himself, he stated,
"What better chance than now?"
he darted in and glanced about. It looked pretty normal to him. He was about to leave but his foot hit something hollow. Sitting down, he stared at the ground and finally saw the trapdoor. He brushed the dirt away and saw engraved words and a keyhole.
"Sir Cubbi!"
A hand slapped on his shoulder. Cubbi let out a surprised yelp and jumped up.
Plucki felt his heart slow as he dragged Cubbi out. His voice took on a harsh tone.
"Stay away from that door, you understand?"
"But…why?"
"This is a direct order Sir Cubbi. Don't question me, just do it!"
Cubbi stood there, stunned as the knight walked off. He'd never spoken so harshly, so admonishingly. Cubbi glanced back at the door.
"Why? Tell me why!"
He received no answer.
