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An elven servant showed them to the dining room.
The servant informed them the Princess was busy and that they would have their breakfast by themselves. Lazarus asked if they could get directions to the archives. The servant bowed, and told Lazarus somebody would come by and help guide them.
They sat on a large patio at a round wooden table overlooking a grass field. It was hard to believe there was a war brewing outside the far corners of the kingdom.
Professor Jacobs was eating buttered bread. "Lazarus, you want to talk to us about something?"
Lazarus had a plate full of a pink oatmeal which tasted like candy corn. There were also fruits on his plate; some grapes, strawberries and kiwis.
"Yes, I think I know why Merlin cannot talk to us."
"What did you see in your dream?" Grace asked. She held a fork with an apple speared on its tips.
Lazarus told them everything he remembered, and Cindy gave him an odd look when he told them he saw Morgana's naked breasts. They all gasped when he told them he saw Morgana change into a large, horrendous creature.
Professor Jacobs said, "I don't understand. How does this dream tell us about Merlin?"
"I think Merlin is caught in a vision about his old times. This Morgana and Merlin were clearly in love," Lazarus said.
"Don't be naïve,” said Cindy. “I think Morgana was using Merlin to get more powers."
"So, what you're saying is, that Merlin is caught in a vision created by this monstrous creature," Grace said.
"Yes,. Della do the Elves in the Hive know about this Vvong Queen?"
Della turned to scanned their faces. Lazarus knew she knew something, but was hesitant to tell them.
Professor Jacobs spoke. "Tell them, Della."
"What is it?" Lazarus said.
Della placed her utensils on her plate. "I think you all know that I am an officer of the military corps of the Hive. And I know many secret things a normal citizen wouldn't know." Della paused. "But I told some things to the Professor."
Professor Jacobs next did something small but significant. He placed his hand over hers.
Lazarus smiled.
Grace said, "So, you know of Morgana?"
"Yes, we were taught remedial history on King Arthur and Merlin. But I was given more information about Morgana."
“We were all taught," Della continued, "that Morgana was an enchantress who dabbled in the black arts. She became so powerful that Merlin had to fight her and kill her."
Lazarus knew there was more. “Go on,” he urged.
"It was rumored that Morgana never died, that she somehow cheated death. And that Merlin knew it, but kept it all a secret."
"Why were you hesitant to tell us? We wouldn't know anything until we find Merlin," asked Lazarus.
"Do you think he is still alive after all these years?" Cindy asked.
Lazarus didn't hesitate. "Yes, he is still alive. I also believe Morgana is still alive."
"So, everything that is happening was because of Merlin and Morgana?" asked Grace.
Lazarus was not thinking along that line of thought, but it did make sense. "I think so," he said.
Professor Jacobs suddenly stood and paced around the small patio. "Yes, that makes a lot of sense."
Lazarus smiled. He liked seeing the Professor so animated. He must be a good teacher at his university.
"I was hesitant to tell you because this information was ancient history and isn't really relevant to the Vvong and the Mutant disease."
"I think all of this is connected," Lazarus said.
Professor Jacobs stopped pacing. He was about to say something, but somebody was approaching them and it was not a servant. It was a male elf wearing gray pants and a blue shirt. He had a look about him as if he was a scholar, or at least read books. Lazarus also noticed something else about this elf. He had magic. He could feel it. Cindy and Grace both looked at him and then at the elf.
The elf stopped in front of the table. He bowed. "My name is Reginald. I'm the chief regent Mage of the scholar library. I'm honored to show you around."
They all stood and bowed to him in return.
Lazarus said, "Thank you for coming, Reginald."
"Please, Alpha Mage, finish your meal. I only wanted to introduce myself to you."
"We are almost done," Lazarus said.
"Good, I will be awaiting you inside the castle."
***
LAZARUS AND HIS GROUP all went with Reginald into the magical library, that is, all except Royce.
The Alpha Grog decided to stay in his room. He muttered to Lazarus that he didn't like being in this city of walls. Royce wanted to go into the forest, but he didn't. He would wait for them in his room.
They took an elaborate gilded carriage to navigate the streets. Lazarus wanted to walk, but Reginald wanted to take them in his carriage and show them the sights.
"Lazarus, you are probably wondering why you can understand us."
"Yes," he said.
"Tolkien thought the same thing when he first came to us. It is our magic on Middle Earth. We can understand each other."
Cindy said, "You met Tolkien?"
"Yes, he was a great man. He always asked us a million questions," Reginald said.
Professor Jacobs nodded. "Why didn't you leave with the other Elves into space?"
Lazarus smiled. That was a good question.
Reginald also nodded. "Professor Jacobs, it is not an easy question to answer. And I don't think you came here to answer that question. But I will answer anyway. You are looking for a place called the Blessed Isles."
Lazarus heard the sound of the horse's hooves as they struck the cobblestones below. He looked out into the city. Elves, dwarves and other magical races he couldn't describe walked along the streets. He shook his head. It was a miracle some of the magical races stayed in Middle Earth instead of leaving with the others into space. It seemed odd. Unless there was something else amiss. Then he understood.
"Reginald," Lazarus said, "you could not leave Middle Earth and go to Upper Earth because the doorway was closed."
"Yes, Master Lazarus, you are correct. It was destroyed. But we cannot speak about this right now. It would be a long tale," Reginald said. "Ah, we're here."
The carriage stopped in front a large, white-brick building with a small set of stairs that led up to the entrance. There were several bulky guards posted in the front.
