Letter 6
At exactly midnight, when the waning moon was in the uppermost level in the sky, it was then that the Court came to play. A familiar face among them was the Prince of the Fair Folk, Gordon kept his trap shut until it was his turn to speak. The others were more representatives of the other creatures in the forest, excluding those who actively feasted on human flesh. The oldest member of the court, the Judge of the Lands of Valley and Nool, sat in the sturdiest of trees. On the left, sat the Lorax with a most worried expression on his face.
"It has come to my attention," the Judge spoke in a gravelly tone, like rocks falling on a hill, "that we have two plagues in our midst. And a newcomer to our council." The Water Fayth, a beautiful woman whose gowns flowed like her river hair, agreed, "My children, the Hummingfish, they cry for fresh water and for those beasts to stop hunting them down." The Bird of Paradise, guardian of the air, "My children, the Swomee-Swans, their throats ache..." Prince Ramuel, the Executor of the Land, decrees, "And has the appointed Guardian of the Trees done something about these complaints?" The Lorax rolled his eyes, "I'm working on it! But convincing the Once-ler to stop is a pain in the ass!" THERE THAT FUCKER IS.
"And what pray tell does this newcomer wishes to beseech the Court?" the Judge finally points his gavel. "I am here to argue in favor of my friend's heart," Gordon says with a sad tone in his voice. The Prince immediately recognize the voice and shouted, "Stop him, he's a spy for the Plague!" "I AM NO ONE'S SPY," the unearthly voice of an angel snapped. The rest of the court was deathly quiet as Gordon took off his lined hood, wearing his ceremonial robes for this occasion. "I came hear to listen to your plight and beg in place of mine." "Then who are you, in truth?" the Judge asked, mildly surprised that someone from the High Planes actually listened to their grievances. "My name cannot be spoken but I am the Patron of Knowledge and Science." Yeah, Once-ler got himself a doozy as a guardian and the Lorax stayed put. Too bad he doesn't listen. "As hard as I try, my charge has his mind corrupted by greed, and I fear the other plague have taken matters into their own hands. Don't blame the Lorax...for he is doing all that he can." "Thank you! See? Even Heaven agrees that my job's ten times worse with-" "I have tried to reason, but for now, I need your cooperation is keeping the roving wolves at bay."
The Judge and the Fayths pondered the plea, "You do know the wolves here are simply reacting to the changes, right?" "Yes, and every time I can, I bring back parts of the forest...but even my own divinity can't keep the destruction at bay. These new wolves, they are just as greedy and I cannot stop them alone," Freeman added. The Judge kept quiet and finally announced his decision. "Because this is the Once-ler's fault, he must take measures to protect his land. The blood in his veins connects him to the world he wishes to ignore. As Judge and Keeper of Lore, I sentence him to be the Guardian of the Valley." In a flash, all except the angel and the Lorax are left in the dark forest. "You sure you're up for this, kid?" "Hey, I'm older than you. But yes..." Gordon snapped back. "He's gonna die on his first night," the peanut remarked with a rather funny face. "Oh I have faith...that he'll be alive. In one piece? Not so much. He's fought werewolves before." "It ain't just werewolves out there bub, and you know it," was the last the Lorax said, "You really do lo-" "Don't remind me."
Once alone, Freeman sighed and started to sing his lullaby to bring all into a peaceful sleep and maybe hope someone responded back..."Sing me to sleep/Sing me to sleep/I'm tired and I want to go to bed..."