He places his hand on a loaf and looks at it for a long time,
speaking very softly.
'He pinches off a piece of bread from the loaf and from that piece
pinches off another. Leaning on his cane, he walks slowly to where the
Princess stands, watching him, and gives to her the pinch of bread.
'We were in need,' he says, 'and you helped us. By helping those in need
you have shown us that you, too, deserve to be helped.'
'You and I nod in understanding. The meaning behind the words of
Omar the Oak and Cyril the Spider are now clear.
'The ancient Elf points to a tunnel opening in the cavern's wall. 'From
here the tunnel has many branches, and many have turns that lead deeper
and deeper into the enchanted, tangled forest. By yourselves, you would
have lost your way. We will guide you through the tunnel to the cove
where your ship waits.'
'The Princess and the ancient Elf silently eat the bread they hold in their
hands.
'The other Elves crowd around and thank us for showing them how to
bake bread and rolls. They wish us well on our journey home.
'We wave good-bye, and with ten stalwart Elves carrying lighted torches
to lead the way, we walk along the tunnel.
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