Chapter 8: Proud Prince Pompous “What happened?” called Ben, as he jumped down from the last limb and ran toward Emily. “I don’t know,” cried Emily. Prince Pompous flew over to Ben and Elf.  He didn’t even seem to notice he didn’t have his wig on.  He flew back and forth in front of the surprised threesome. “Wasn’t that great!” he called.  “Did you see that bear run?” He threw back his little head and laughed his tinkling laugh.  “That was great fun!” Ben, Emily and Elf didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They had been so frightened but were now so relieved. “Prince Pompous, for once, you didn’t think of yourself,” said Ben. “You saved Emily from the bear.  We are so proud of you.” They danced in a circle around the prince. Prince Pompous looked surprised and happy.  He liked the feeling he was having.  He tried to forget he had first flown away from Emily, because he had gone back, and he had done it even without his wig! “I have a surprise for you, Prince Pompous,” said Elf, as he handed him his wig with his favorite jewel still on it. “It was in that thieving bird’s nest along with me.  He tried to take it from me, but I bonked him on his beak, and he let it go just before Ben frightened him off.” Chapter 9: Home Again The sun was getting low in the sky.  It was a happy, little group of friends that found themselves, with the help of the fairy dust, running fast towards Elf’s home. Prince Pompous was so pleased to find he had friends even when he wasn’t wearing his beautiful wig.  He felt something warm and good inside whenever he looked at Emily.  She was his favorite. Ben kept thinking about how proud his father had been of him when he had worked hard in the garden that morning.  Ben felt the same way now about Elf and Prince Pompous.  They were such great friends.  (I guess feeling proud can be good if it’s feeling proud for others.) Ben, Emily and Prince Pompous waited for Elf to bring Aunty Runty out so they could tell her of their adventure and thank her again for the map. Aunty Runty seemed a little sad she hadn’t been with the adventurers, but she was very happy to have her map and her nephew back safely. “Perhaps, sometime,” she said, with a twinkle in her eye, “I’ll show you other places on the map you might want to explore.” “Yes!” shouted the little group of friends. “But now, I think you should all go home,” ordered Aunty Runty. Mrs. Buffington was at the door of their little home, looking anxiously toward the forest.  Ben and Emily ran happily out of the forest and into their mother’s arms. “That was a nice homecoming,” she said.  “I was afraid you were going to miss dinner.” Ben and Emily looked at each other and thought of their empty stomachs.  “We wouldn’t miss dinner for anything!” they exclaimed. Ben winked at Emily and quietly said, “I hope that bear enjoyed our lunch as much as we are going to enjoy this dinner.”  They laughed as they thought about how funny that big bear looked as it ran away from tiny, FEARLESS, Prince Pompous. THE END Chapter 7: The Rescue Elf, after being dropped into the nest, yelled as hard as he could. He waved his little hands back and forth, trying to scare away the bird.   Ben said to Emily, “Hide behind that boulder so the bear won’t see you if he comes back.  I’m going to climb up to rescue Little Elf.” “I’m not going up there with you,” said Prince Pompous fearfully. “You might fall.  Put me into Emily’s pocket.” Ben replied, “That’s very unkind of you, Prince Pompous, not to think about poor Elf.” “Just you put me in Emily’s pocket,” said the pouting Prince.  Ben quickly and not too softly put Prince Pompuos into Emily’s pocket. “You’ll be safe with me,” Emily said kindly. “Whatever,” said Ben, as he climbed up on a rock at the base of the tall tree and reached for the first limb.  Ben worked hard as he climbed from one limb to another, finally coming close enough to see Elf, who was clinging onto the side of the nest so the bird would not carry him off again. Ben yelled at the big, black bird until it flew off, making loud, cawing sounds as if in protest.  Ben reached for Elf and nearly lost his balance, but Elf jumped quickly into Ben’s hand. “I have him!” Ben yelled down to Emily, who looked so very far away. “Do be careful,” called Emily. Just then, Ben saw the bear climbing up the mountainside heading right for Emily. “Emily, the bear is coming back!” yelled Ben. The bear was getting closer to Emily.  She was too frightened to move.  Just as the bear reached the rock where Emily was hiding, Prince Pompous flew out of Emily’s pocket.  He was flying away from Emily when he heard the bear give an awful, loud GRRROWL! Suddenly, the little fairy prince turned around and flew straight at the bear’s face, sending sparks from his little wand into the surprised animals eyes and nose. The bear closed his eyes and gave a very loud SNEEZE, blowing Prince Pompous back towards Emily. Once again, that brave little fairy flew at the bear with all his might.  Pointing his little wand at the bear, he sent fairy dust flying into the bear’s face. With a loud YELP, the bear turned and ran back toward his cave. The little fairy prince flew right behind him, shooting sparks from his wand, until the bear disappeared into his cave.  Even after Prince Pompous flew back to Emily, they could hear the bear running deeper and deeper into the cave. Thanks from Ben, Emily, Elf and Prince Pompous.  By sharing your wonderful pictures you have brought this little story to life and have given it fun and depth.  Thanks to Lana for using their talents in putting it together for all to read and see.  You have made me very happy! Love, Great and Grandma Orrock Cover Alanson  Orrock Chapter 1 Annabelle Mathews 7, Shelby Mathews 6, Libby LeBaron 7 Chapter 2 Reina Wetzel 7, Nikki LeBaron 7, Maddie LeBaron 11 Chapter 3 Kylie Park 9, Makayla Park 7 Chapter 4 Bella Speed 5 Chapter 5  Maleah Putman 11, Isaac Putman 9, Evan Putman 7 Chapter 6 Abby LeBaron 10, Bastian LeBaron 8, Weston LeBaron 6 Chapter 7 Mckinzie Mott 12, Kallob Mott 11 Chapter 8 Scotlyn Orrock 8, Ivy Orrock 7 Chapter 9 Rebecca Marquez Illustrations by: