More in this series: Prologue, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14, Ch. 15, Ch. 16, Ch. 17, Ch. 18, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch.22, Ch. 23
Idly worked the grid
Tunneling through snow and ice.
She’s done this since a kid
Without thinking twice.
Or, she doesn’t remember if she did.
She rested well at night
After good hard work
Knowing she’s living right.
“Hard work keeps me fed
While others are dead,”
She would think, getting into bed.
Idly had a friend named Nicole.
She was a bit more of a rebel.
They often worked the tunnels together
Throughout the day to late at night
Well after their children’s bedtime
Because the job was never done. Never.
The two did what they needed to do,
Covering for each other, sharing cold stew.
But Nicole was unsatisfied.
Idly understood why.
It was a hard life
Working all the time.
Clearing tunnels after the reindeer disaster
That got poor ‘ol Moh killed,
Nicole wore a red hat and defied the troll master.
When the troll came down
Kicking Nicole to the ground
Idly teared up and frowned
Keeping her head down
Scared to help Nicole out
Because she didn’t want to be kicked around.
So, Idly kept working, unsure what to do or think.
“Those cariboo riders caused such a stink
“Making things worse for the rest of us.
Trolls coming down on the best of us.
“No use fighting when it makes things worse.
But nothing makes it better. Either way we’re cursed.
“There’s no winning.
There’s just ending.
“Going home alive but dead.
No time for family or friend.
“Only work for paltry pay.
Work, sleep and come back the next day.
“I do what I’m supposed to do.
I follow all the rules
“I work and sleep
But still have hardly enough to eat.
“I live right.
I don’t fight.
“I’m fine.
I’m alive.
“I’m fine.
Right?”
Idly was confused.
Nicole was abused.
Day after day Idly knew not what to do.
Then, one night Idly went with Nicole
To a meeting with all kinds throughout the North Pole.
She heard a speech, fearsome and bold,
About how together they could take control
Of their work, of their lives for the good of the whole.
For the good of everyone throughout the North Pole.
Inspired but scared,
Idly wasn’t ready for action.
But she saw Nicole had a group with whom to share.
Herds people, elves, and bears who cared.
A strange and vibrant faction
Happy to help Nicole bear
The weight of daily wear
And train her for mutual action.
Nicole was an active member of the P. E. G. That is how she heard about that meeting. Though many elves were technically members of the Polar Elf Guild Which, in fact, had already begun to build Relational connections beyond elvish folk, The Guild wasn’t really something about which elves spoke. It was very secret. It was a group formed to help. But the goblins couldn’t find out. So it was weak, or so many elves felt. Still, there was a turning point for the P. E. G. Which got many elves worked up, And made others very nervous, like Idly. The event caused a dark hubbub. Maybe we should back up a bit To explore why some elves were hesitant To go all in With those partaking in acts of rebellion. For many elves there was a galvanizing event. Yes, for most elves there was a spark that sent Them into a blaze Melting complacency away.