Chapter Nine

Moments after the creature had disappeared more footfalls echoed through the castle as the other Gelfling all arrived, along with the podlings. Carrying whatever types of weapons they could they had all come to join the battle to defend their planet.

They separated into small groups, searching for Mark and finally finding him in one of the restored bed chambers.

Mark's eyes opened slowly as consciousness returned. At first all he could see was a soft light surrounding him, then the light dimmed. As his vision cleared he could see that he was lying on a bed, surrounded by Gelfling and podlings, with Alera holding on to him, tears streaming down he face.

He tried to move but was too weak to rise. "Alera," he called softly. "What happened?" He looked around him, a puzzled expression on his face as he spoke. "Everything looks different, somehow.""It should," Alera answered, laughter now mixing with her tears. "You've changed."

Mark looked down at his body and realized that he had become smaller. He felt the sides of his head and realized that even the shape of his ears had changed. His dream had been answered, for he was no longer an human in body or mind; he was now fully a Gelfling, heart, soul and body.

"How?" he asked.

"Great Crystal did it," Aughra said as Mark turned his head towards her. "It change body. You now Gelfling, always be Gelfling."

Mark stood up, leaning against Alera. "The evil; is it gone?" he asked.

"Evil gone," Aughra replied. Soon the rest of the Gelfling and the podlings crowded into the bedchamber. Jora watched as Alera and Mark continued to hold tightly to each other.

"There is always room for one more Gelfling in our tribe," he said, smiling. Mark turned towards Alera and soon the two were kissing, the sounds of laughter and joy once again ringing through the castle.

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