Hello all,

@Sophia1 @Shaz51 @Exoplanet @Appleblossom @Adge @Flax @Arizona @LostAngel

{~1000 words}

Gosh! Sooty seems to have got himself into pretty bad shape, I hope he is alright. He's not sounding at all like the sometimes serious but normally playful, mischievous character I remember. In fact, rather gloomy. Maybe he has had too much partying, telling of war stories, tall tales and Dwarven Ale at the Dolgrens', dwarf king's hall.

"

We know that the “Little Girl with no name”, had followed the deer, in order to find a way out of the woodland for she and her companions. Little Bee, Gumnut Bub and Horrace Bat had followed in a gaggle. However, those other mischievous characters, the woodland imps had set a trap for whoever might stray in that direction. The imps were reclusive characters and resented the activities of others in, what they considered, was their woodland. They also knew of a treasure chest that had been found. They had even seen the treasure chest, but had not been able to get it open. While they were away, looking for tools with which to open the chest, someone had hidden it again. Indeed, it had been hidden so carefully that, search as they might, they were unable to find it. There were various tracks, going in different directions from where they had seen the chest. However, there was nothing that gave any clue as to which track was used, along which the chest was carried, to hide it again. They were so extremely annoyed and agitated that, if you know the story of Rumpelstiltskin, you would have thought that he was merely having a little social dance compared to the furious stamping, shouting and banging of the imps.

"

The imps were so determined to find the treasure chest that they formed a plan to trap anyone who they thought might know where the chest was hidden. Unfortunately, the deer had been an innocent and unknowing accomplice in this impish plan, having attempted to lead the Little Girl, Little Bee, Gumnut Bub, and Horrace Bat out of the woodlands toward the castle. The first that the deer knew of the trap was when she heard a loud shriek from the Little Girl, followed by a tumbling sound as Little Bee, Gumnut Bub and Horace Bat all fell into a deep hole in the ground. The hole had been covered with thin branches and leaves, to disguise it and make it look just like the rest of the forest floor. The imps had been determined that neither the Little Girl nor her companions should leave the woodlands before the imps could find the hidden treasure chest.

"

Sure enough, the intrepid little band, as they followed the deer, though not exactly in its tracks, all ended up falling into the trap that the imps had so carefully set. The deer, somewhat startled by the noise and the sudden disappearance of the companions, and not knowing what else to do, had quietly slipped away, into the woods.

"

As the Little Girl lay in the hole, that had served as a trap prepared by the imps, she began to wonder who would miss them or, even if they did, how would they know where to look for them. She knew that Cook would have been busy, preparing the evening meal, the Professor normally worked in the library until it was time to wash and slip on his jacket before dinner. Vanessa, the ballet teacher, had joined the woodland excursion earlier, but she had gone back to the castle to prepare lessons for the following day. So what could they do?

"

The Little Girl realised that the only chance to get help would be for Little Bee or Horrace Bat to fly to the castle to fetch assistance. It was decided that Horrace Bat would fly back to the castle and into the kitchen. He would have to let Cook, who so often looked after Horrace, know that there was a problem. Cook would surely know that, if Horrace had come back without the others, there was something seriously amiss. It would be she who would have to let the Professor and Vanessa know of the problem. While Horrace Bat was away, Little Bee was prepared to defend the Little Girl and Gumnut Bub with her sting, if necessary. The Professor, Cook, Vanessa and Horrace Bat would have to be quick about finding the Little Girl and her other companions before it was too dark to safely continue searching.

"

Despite how Sooty had been feeling, it was he, with the help of the deer, who eventually found the remaining trio of friends and alerted the Professor, Cook, Vanessa and Horrace Bat as to where they were. Needless to say, they had not thought that they would need rope or a ladder to rescue the trio. But the imps had not dug the hole so deep as to prevent their rescue. So, the Professor, Cook, Vanessa and Horrace Bat, all working together, were able to help the Little Girl, and Gumnut Bub from the hole, while Little Bee performed a celebratory Bee Dance, in order to lighten everyone's spirits after this frightening end to the woodland exploration.

"

Everyone was very happy to be back in the safety of the castle. They all had a wash, dressed and came to the dining room for the evening meal. Sooty was given two fish cakes, for which he was most appreciative. The deer was given some fresh trimmings of garden vegetables, the greater portion having been part of the meal for the people in the castle. Horrace Bat was given a very special preparation made by Cook, that she knew Horrace especially enjoyed. Gumnut Bub was given special attention and Little Bee was given some nectar that cook had carefully put aside for just such an event.

"

With Best Wishes

@HenryX

PS. Hi @Flax , I've been over to the AbsoluteWrite site and offered a short intro. There are certainly a lot of resources and information there that, I believe I will enjoy, as I get more involved in writing. Thank you, @HenryX