Chapter 3
Once inside the dwelling, Roger felt rather cozy and he took off his jacket.
With the shedding of his jacket, Roger became aware of his rankness as he hadn't bathed in many days.
His gigantic hosts were too polite to say anything, but he knew he stank.
Sigurd and the rest also shed their furry clothing, even with the outer garments removed, they still were quite large and filled the room with their looming bulks.
Roger flushed and looked around nervously until finally Gudrun, his gigantic hostess asked, "Woods ye be wantin' tae tak' a bath an' wash yer clothin'?"
His enthusiastic nod was her answer and so she said to Freya, "Freya, shaw yer guest whaur th' bathroom is an' hoo tae use uir washtub. 'en brin' his clothin' tae me fur washin'"
Smiling at Roger Freya said, "Come wi' me." and he toddled along behind her slender form to their washroom.
The washroom had a large wooden tub with a wooden spigot coming out of the mountainside.
Giving this a twist caused cold water to cascade into the tub, Freya held out a large towel and said to him, "Gie me yer clase an' wear thes towel."
While he was stripping somewhat reluctantly in front of a stranger, Freya shut off the spigot and made several trips to the kitchen to add hot water to the bath water.
Satisfied that the water would be warm enough, Freya presented him with a bar of soap and a wash cloth before she scooped up his odiferous clothing and left the washroom.
Roger hopped into the steaming bath tub and sank gratefully into the warm water before taking up the washcloth and reaching for the soap.
Sometime later Roger now wrapped in a towel, emerged from the steamy bathroom and padded into the kitchen where the gigantic family had gathered.
Freya, now wearing a skirt and blouse with a shawl, was the only one his own size and she was a child!
They were all seated around the great table nearest the kitchen, all of them looking at Roger expectantly.
He glanced at each of them in turn and said, "I talked about who I am and what I do, down at the lake. As most of you already know, I came here looking for you, I came looking for why this area is called 'Ape Mountain' and why 'Ape Lake'? The outfit I work for looks for people out of legend, the source of the tales from olden days."
He grinned and said cheerfully, "I sure didn't expect to meet living descendants of the frost giants from the Norse legends and I suspect, the source of the Sasquatch legends too."
Roger held up his satellite phone and said, "Pretty soon, this device will let me know my boss is here down by the lake and is waiting for me to bring her to you."
"Her?" asked Gudrun.
Roger smiled at her and replied, "Rachel Thompson, I work for her and she wants to meet your people. Maybe this'll help?"
He picked up his tablet and accessed the files on his partner George.
Opening up the files, he opened the photos and held the tablet up for them to see.
There on the glowing screen was Roger and George standing next to a very happy Mia with a newborn baby lamia held in each arm.
Mia's massive pythonic tail was plainly visible in the photo.
"By th' Gods! Whit is 'at?" cried Sigurd, "A serpent hen?"
Roger said simply, "She is a lamia and she came from Algeria in the southern Saharan desert, the other man in the picture is George, her husband and those are their children. I am their uncle, sort of."
Gudrun raised an eyebrow and said,"Sort ay an uncle?"
Roger grinned broadly and replied, "George is sort of like a younger brother to me, like the one I never had. So I am their uncle, even if there is no blood relation."
"Ah!" replied Gudrun.
Dinner was served, Roger sat staring at the steaming roast set before him, it had been called elk, he knew that elk lived in the region, he had hunted elk and eaten elk, he liked elk, just not this much, elk.
He finally asked hesitantly, "What if I can't finish this? I'm not used to eating so much meat at one time."
Gudrun smiled at him and said cheerfully, "Eat as much as ye loch, mah bruid will tak' white'er is left!"
True to her word, the rest of the meat did find a willing appetite.
After dinner, tankards of ale were served and Roger found himself sipping at the large tankard Gudrun had placed before him, the ale was quite good.
Feeling comfortably full, Roger stepped outside with his tankard in one hand and satellite phone in the other and called his boss.
Rachel answered within a few rings, "Roger? Where are you? We're at Ocean Falls airport 's your status?"
Roger replied cheerfully, "I am safely indoors, I've just eaten enough roast elk to choke a lion and I am enjoying some real hospitality, courtesy of Sigurd's wife Gudrun and her family."
Gudrun who had followed him outside, was sitting there watching Roger talk on his phone, plainly heard Rachel say, "I shall have to personally thank her for taking such good care of you, shall I bring her a gift?"
Roger chuckled softly and said, "You could ask her yourself, she's sitting right next to me." with that, he handed the phone to Gudrun before saying, "My boss, Rachel Thompson would like to ask you something!"
Gudrun hesitantly took the to her, toylike phone and said, "Hello?"
"Hello Gudrun, my name is Rachel Thompson and my man Roger tells me you've made him feel welcome!" Gudrun replied, "Ah only did th' right thin', th' bears ur big aroond haur an' Ah cannae leave onie ay th' wee folk out in thes forest at their mercy. Besides, he fed me family a fesh lunch!"
Rachel chuckled and replied, "I do thank you for taking him in, he was abandoned by his guide and left to his fate in the forest. We are coming to get him tomorrow and will meet him at the lake, I would like to give you a little gift to say thank you! Is there anything you would like?"
Gudrun looked thoughtful for a moment and declared, "Ah woods loch some green foods, some p'taters, carrots an' onions, salt, pepper, spices an' such, fer variety in me cookin'."
Rachel laughed and happily declared, "You got it! We'll bring some things with us tomorrow. Please hand this back to Roger if you could, and thank you again!"
The next morning, Roger found himself surrounded by curious giants both young and old as Freya led him around the tiny hamlet.
There was a brief moment of embarrassment for him when they met Freya's aunt Barbara, Gudrun's older sister.
Towering over both of them, she grinned at him and said, "An' who is thes wee cheil ye hae wi' ye?"
Freya replied hesitantly, "Thes is Roger Tate, Ah mit heem doon at th' loch."
Barbara grinned at him and suddenly lifted him as if he was a toy.
Too surprised to even squawk, Roger found himself getting enveloped in her immense bosom just before she soundly kissed him right on his lips.
Setting him back down again she said gaily, "Ah loch heem, he'll be guid fer ye!" Just before she strode away laughing.
Leaving poor Roger to wonder what had just happened and amazed at her strength.
Freya bristled at her aunt's behavior and it was a couple of minutes before she stopped fuming.
Continuing on their way, he took numerous photos for his own journal. Photos of gigantic tow headed toddlers swaying precariously as they struggled to master walking while their gigantic wolf guardians watched over them.
A white haired, withered crone smiling at her great-grandchildren while their parents beamed with pride.
The giants were quite amiable about letting him take pictures of their homes and the hidden dell they lived in.
They all fell silent when Roger's satellite phone chimed and listened politely while he spoke to Rachel, "Hi Rachel, how far out are you?"
"We're readying the chopper now, we can be there within the hour, you might want to head towards the lake."
Roger replied, "We're leaving now, I've got to say my goodbyes though, it wouldn't be right to eat and run!"
Roger turned to his towering hostess Gudrun, smiled broadly at her and said cheerfully, "I really appreciate your having me last night, I was all prepared to spend the night hiding under a tree and waving a sharp stick at the bears. Meeting Freya was a real stroke of good fortune and all I can say is thank you!" Gudrun smiled at him, her rosy cheeked face was all smiles as she reached out and engulfed him in an immense hug.
Roger's arms could barely encircle her waist as she squeezed him in a very motherly fashion. Stepping back she dabbed at a tear and said happily, "Yer most welcome laddie! It waur a rare pleasure talkin' tae a wee one loch yer self."
They set out for the lake and once again, Freya took his hand and walked with him.
They all wore their furs and resembled a band of erect Kodiak bears more than any humans, even Gudrun was with them, she was curious to meet his 'boss' as he had referred to Rachel.
Members of several other families also walked with them.
Roger strode along, manfully trying to keep pace with his giant hosts, the tiny bell on his pack frame tinkling merrily.
Gudrun remarked candidly, "We shan't be seein' anythin' wi' 'at wee tinkle o'yourn."
Roger grinned at her and replied, "I'm not armed, my guide stole my grandfather's rifle and left me flat. I figured the bell would warn bears that I was coming so they'd hide themselves or at least go away."
Soon, they arrived at the edge of the forest and stood just inside the tree line, waiting for the helicopter to arrive.
Roger called Rachel, "We're here just inside the tree line, when I see you, I'll come out by myself so my hosts won't be seen."
Rachel chuckled and replied, "You needn't worry, Henri is piloting the chopper. Tell Gudrun I've brought what she asked for! See you in ten minutes!"
Roger laughed and said cheerfully, "Be prepared to get the biggest hug of your life!"
A few minutes later, the helicopter appeared on the horizon and quickly grew larger until it slowed to a hover.
Freya clapped her hands and cried happily, "It's sae grand!" Roger strode from the forest and waved at the hovering chopper, a hand waved back from the pilot's side of the craft and it eased down onto the rocky lake shore.
The spinning rotors slowed to a stop and the doors opened, Rachel who was dressed in a flight suit, climbed out and waved at him.
She and Roger shook hands and he said happily, "Am I glad to see your face!"
He glanced over her shoulder at Henri's grinning face and cried, "Yours Too, Henri!"
Rachel smiled at him and said expectantly, "Where are your friends?"
Roger turned and waved at the forest, Freya came out first, smiling hugely, her rosy cheeks redder than usual.
She came right up to Rachel and Rachel shook her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Freya, thank you for helping Roger!"
Freya blushed brightly and stammered shyly, "Y...Yer welcome!"
Moments later, the rest of the giants emerged from the forest, Rachel's eyes grew very big and she muttered, "Oh...My, God... They're huge!"
Gudrun strode a bit faster and soon stood looming over Rachel's five foot five inch frame, Rachel extended her hand and marveled as Gudrun's huge, work roughened hand engulfed hers.
Rachel grinned up at her and said, "Roger wasn't kidding when he said you were giants! Thank you for helping Roger, we really appreciate what you did for him!"
Henri had opened up the side doors and he cried, "'Allo everybodee! We 'ave things for you to take wiz you!"
Sigurd, who had joined Gudrun in greeting Rachel, glanced at his people and they lined up and each took a burlap bag or a box from the now toylike helicopter.
Roger put his backpack inside the helicopter and said cheerfully, "You have no idea how tired I am of carrying that heavy thing!"
Rachel smiled broadly at the assembled giants and declared, "I brought with me things that will remember the stories you have to tell, if you talk to these things they will remember your voice and your exact words, exactly the way you said it. I also have things that will remember how you look, how your houses look and how your old ones and young ones look. We travel the world looking for the people from the great tales of olden times. We talk to these people, we remember these people and if they are not safe, we find a way to protect them or a new home to live in."
Rachel spoke to the now more curious giants, saying, "With your leave, we'd like to spend a day or two, talking to those whose age or health may not have allowed them to come down here today. We have brought our own food and drink and we have camping gear to stay in, so none of you will be imposed upon."
Gudrun smiled slightly when Rachel had finished and she replied firmly, "Ye'll be stayin' inside uir homes wi' us at night, th' great bears ken tae lae us be, but ye they dornt ken. We canna hae it be said we warn't guid hosts! Brin' yer food an' drink though!"
Both Rachel and Henri laughed and grinned.
Once again, Roger fell in with the rest of the group making their way from the empty helicopter to the cozy dell sheltering the giants hidden hamlet.
Once again, Freya took his hand and walked alongside him, to his co-workers amusement and his slight embarrassment and once again, Sigurd chuckled good naturedly about his youngest and her crush on poor Roger.
By midmorning, the party had returned to the dingle and the two newcomers were introduced to the older giants there.
Before long, Roger was busy with his digital recorder recording the stories as told by Iduna, grandmother to Freya; while Henri took videos of the giants going about their daily business. Rachel had been speaking at length with Sigurd and Gudrun about the cryptozoology museum and its mission to do research and collect the tales of old, to seek out the origins of the ancient myths.
When suddenly to Rachel's surprise, Gudrun asked her, "Coods ye possibly tak' uir Freya wi' ye, when ye leave?"
Rachels eyes went wide and she blurted out, "What?! Did I hear you right? You want us to take Freya with us?"
Gudrun smiled at her and said with a hint of sadness, "She is uir family's yoongest bairn an' seein' ye folk wi'yer wondrous things, made us see 'at we cannae hide in th' forests forever. In th' past, we sent uir yoong ones tae trade wi' th' wee folk who woods buy uir furs an' pelts. Noo we dornt get tay much fer them an' it's nae worth th' effort tae tak' more furs than we need fer clothing. Freya is yoong, she can learn hoo tae live amongst th' wee folk, she can tell the wee folk about us an' how we want tae be friends."
Rachel chuckled softly and remarked, "Roger, is going to have kittens!"