Gather Gnome Finds Hidden Treasure - Vol.1 #39

            The snake flicked his tongue and smiled. “Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.”
         “I don’t understand.” I said as I stared at the portrait of my ancestor. The familiarity of his gaze warmed me to my core. “Do you know anything about him?”
          The snake hissed, “What do I look like, an information booth?”
          The tight quarters of the underground cave closed in on me. A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. “Sorry, I thought you knew everything.”
         “All I know is he is the original patriarch from your gnome clan from ten, twelve, fifteen thousand years ago but who’s counting?”
        “Wow, no wonder the image is so fragile and faded.”
        “Don’t touch it. Oh, and his name is Alvar the Magnificent of Lapland”
        My jawed dropped. “I’m descended from Alvar the Magnificent? Why didn’t my parents ever tell me?”
        He writhed with annoyance. “You ask too many questions. I’m getting ready to shed my skin. It’s kind of itchy so if you don’t mind, I’ll be leaving you.”
       “Wait, what about his special powers?”
         He huffed, “you would be better off worrying about the Golden Key.”
         I strained my eyes in the dim light but I couldn’t see the key anywhere. “I’ve lost it.” Panic stricken, I overturned every silk cushion in the cave. How could I been so careless? The magic key that my love Swanhilda gave me. The key that guided me around the globe to this very place.
         Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards. I began digging again with the ferocity of a meerkat in heat. Dirt flew left and right. In my frenzy to find the hidden treasure in this cave, I lost the one valuable I had left. Mounds of dirt piled up. The snake slouched in the corner dodging pebbles. Sweat trickled down my armpits. Maybe it’s all a nightmare. I pinched myself. Nope, not dreaming.
     A glint of gold caught my eye. I lunged for it. Praise the gods. I rubbed the dirt off the key. It didn’t glow its usual green for go or stop for red. It certainly didn’t glow the special violet but it was gold.  I knocked the side of my head. “That’s it. It must be solid gold. I can sell it and make my way to Iceland to see Swanhilda. I may not have found a hidden treasure but at least it’s something.
     The snake gave me a dubious look. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
      I sat on a large trunk with the key in my hand. It began to glow violet.
     “I’m not sure but I’d give anything to replace that monkey stolen necklace of Swanhilda's. I wish Ganesh the Hindu elephant god of good fortune would smile down on me. I kicked the trunk with both my feet. A light bulb exploded in my brain. Locked trunk. Key. It’s not rocket science.
     The snake said, “Careful what you wish for.”
     The key fit the lock perfectly. It opened with a satisfying click. I hesitated before opening the lid. Desire mingled with fear. Desire won. The cave filled the light from more jewels than Tiffany’s. I whooped and thrust my fist heavenward. “Yes, yes, yes! Rubies as big as my thumb, diamonds and emeralds more beautiful than anything I’d ever seen before…. except of course Swanhilda.

To be continued…