A Burly and Grum Tale BEYOND THE FOREST by Kate Tenbeth Copyright 2011 Kathryn Tenbeth Artwork Copyright 2011 Rob Jones Smashwords Edition, Licence Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or download via an authorised source, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. CHAPTER ONE Deep in the great forest there was a clearing filled with rays of warm, bright summer sunshine. The grass was soft and green and the flowers were dazzling in their brightness. A large brown bear had cleverly positioned himself right in the centre of the clearing so that the sun’s rays constantly warmed him. He lay flat on his back, his stomach a huge shaggy mound. His eyes were closed, he had a big contented smile on his face and his snores shook the leaves on the trees. Perched rather unsteadily on top of the bear's stomach was a groblin. Groblins have had a lot of bad press over the years but, when it comes down to it, they're more grumpy than bad and they'd be the first to admit that they squabble a lot. They're not very tidy. Their skin is a bright pea green colour and both male and female groblins have hairy red eyebrows and large ears. Their favourite food is rotting meat but they'll also eat grubs and mould. They're not as bad as people make out - just different. This particular groblin's name was Grum and he was thinking. He had a lot to think about. Earlier that day he'd been thrown out of his home by his older brothers, Gripe and Grimly, who'd told him in no uncertain terms that he couldn't come back until he'd proved himself a worthy groblin. Grum had yelled a lot and dug his feet firmly into the ground but his brothers didn't care much. They each took an arm and dragged him to the boundary that marked groblin territory. By the time they were half way there Grum had stopped yelling but still wouldn't walk, deciding that as his brothers were being so horrible they could do all the hard work. His heels made deep tracks in the ground behind him. The brothers were exhausted by the time they'd arrived at the boundary but still managed to summon enough energy to chuck Grum over to the other side. Grum stood on one side of the boundary, his brothers the other. “You're just jealous I'm uglier than you!” he shouted at his brothers. Gripe and Grimly looked at each other and laughed. “In your dreams!” shouted back Grimly. “Does mum know what you've done?” Grum demanded to know. “She suggested it,” snickered Gripe. “She didn't,” protested Grum, momentarily shocked. “She wouldn't do that.” “Oh yes she did,” replied Gripe. “She's always spoilt you because you're the youngest but even she's had enough of your lazy ways - when was the last time you offered to dirty the house?” “I'm not meant to!” Grum was a brighter shade of green than usual by now. “I'm her special groblin, she said so!” “Yes, well,” said Gripe with a smirk. “Not any more. Off you go. Prove yourself as a groblin and maybe then mum will let you back. Oh - and one last thing - be careful of all the beautiful people out there!” Grum shook his fist. “You don't scare me! They're only stories - there's no such thing as beautiful people and you know it!” “Whooooo....” Grimly made a ghostly sound. “Well I guess you'll find out sooooon!” The brothers both burst out laughing. They thought it was so funny they had to lean on each other for support but that didn't work so they fell on the ground and rolled about clutching their stomachs. Grum glowered. He'd show them. He turned on his heel and marched away, the sound of their laughter ringing in his ears. In case you didn't know, groblins can walk like humans but they have very long arms so it's easier and faster for them to walk on all fours. They throw their arms forward and plant their hands on the ground and then swing their legs along to catch up. They can actually move very quickly like this. Grum swung and marched through the forest until he could go no further and then climbed to the top of what he thought was a small hill and sat down. He was so upset that it took a few minutes for him to realise the hill was not only moving slowly up then slowly down, but that it was snoring loudly. He wasn't that bothered however, mostly because although he'd heard of bears he'd never seen one so had no idea what he was sitting on. It may have been large but it was furry and seemed harmless. Rather like a very big rabbit he thought. After thinking for a little while longer he stood up. He looked up and down the length of the bear and then slid down the round stomach. The bear continued to snore. Grum walked to the edge of the trees and rooted around in the undergrowth. Ah ha! He found a piece of branch, thick and heavy that lay half hidden. Grum picked it up, weighing it with one hand. Yes, it was heavy enough. Then he walked back to the bear and stood just a couple of inches away from its head. He planted his feet slightly apart, held the branch firmly with both hands like a baseball bat and swung it hard. A huge roar of pain and surprise filled the air as the bear woke and scrambled to its paws. It immediately spied the groblin and bent its head down to only a mere inch away from Grum and roared once more. The roar was even louder this time, it not only filled the clearing but most of the forest for miles around, making animals run for cover and birds take to the air. Hot bear breath blasted Grum making his eyebrows quiver, and his green skin paled when he saw the bear's teeth in high definition. He tucked the branch behind his back. “What,” the bear's angry voice boomed like thunder, “do you think you're doing?” He sniffed Grum with a large black snout and growled deeply. “Err, nothing,” squeaked Grum. The bear raised a massive paw and with a single swipe Grum flew through the air. He landed with a thump half way up the trunk of a tree and slid slowly down to the ground. The bear ambled up to him and raised his paw again. All Grum could see were thick ivory-like claws. “I'm sorry,” he squealed. “I didn't mean to hit you.” The bear growled. Low and menacing. “Well, yes, I did mean to hit you. But I'm sorry. I'll never do it again.” A lump had appeared between the bear's ears. “If you didn't smell so bad I'd eat you. What are you?” “A groblin - from the Griff clan.” Grum sniffed his armpits. “And yes, I do smell bad,” he admitted. “My mum always makes sure I do before I leave the house.” At the thought of his mother Grum's chin trembled and his large tufty ears drooped. Glistening green tears rolled down his warty cheeks. The bear put his raised paw down. He sighed deeply; he had a feeling he was going to regret continuing the conversation rather than eating this strange green creature. He gave the groblin a moment compose himself before asking, “Why did you hit me?” “I have to prove myself as a groblin. I thought that if I knocked you out and took you back home mum would let me back in the house and my brothers would stop laughing at me.” The bear looked bemused. “And how exactly did you think you were going to get me back to your home? Do you know how heavy I am? I'm in my prime you know.” “No, well, look I.... I don't know how I'd have got you back,” admitted Grum. “But I would have thought of something! I'm good at thinking.” “Well your track record isn't too good so far,” observed the bear. Grum wiped his nose with the sleeve of his grey jacket. The bear pulled a face. “What's your name?” he asked. “Grum P. Groblin.” “Grumpy?” The bear’s lips twitched as he tried not to laugh. “Yes… no… not Grumpy - Grum P. Groblin.” “Pea?” Grum sighed. He had this problem all the time. “Groblins always have a secret middle name so I can’t tell you what it is but it starts with P.” “Ah.” The bear studied Grum P. Groblin thoughtfully. “Well, I'm Burlington Bear, Burly for short.” There was a moment's silence. Burly gingerly touched the growing lump on his head with one of the soft pads of his paw. “I take it you're not going to try and smack me on the head again?” Grum shook his head miserably. Despite the fact Burly was by far the largest and strongest bear in the forest he was very mellow by nature. He was neither unkind nor a bully and only resorted to using his immense strength when absolutely necessary. His thick brown coat gleamed with health and his black eyes were bright and intelligent. And although at that moment in time he could feel a headache coming on he also felt a twinge of pity for the groblin. “So what are you going to do now?” he asked. “You must be a long way from home, I've never seen one of your kind before.” “I'll think of something. I'm good at...” “thinking... I know,” said Burly. He sat down heavily on his haunches. Clouds of dust billowed up around him. “I'm going to keep walking until I reach something called a town, that's what I'll do,” said Grum. “I'll show my brothers. I'm going to capture a beautiful person and bring it back alive to show everyone I'm a real groblin.” “Okay...” said Burly slowly and pondered. He was a curious sort of bear and this was the most curious thing that had happened to him for a long time. Might be interesting and amusing as well he considered. He made a decision. “Where is this place 'town' that you want to go to?” Grum stood up and waved a hand vaguely. “Over there.” “Well,” said Burly. “We'd better get going then hadn't we?” “We?” “I'm interested.” “I don't want you along.” Grum pouted. “Tough.” “We groblins are not to be trifled with.” “Really?” Burly was amused. Grum stood up and kicked the undergrowth tetchily. “Come on then.” “Lead the way,” offered Burly. “I will.” And with that they set off, Grum in front moving swiftly through the woods and Burly ambling along behind chuckling softly to himself. They walked for a long time. The warm afternoon sun cooled as evening drew in. Above them the blue of the sky deepened and bright stars glittered brightly. “Are you sure you know the way to this town?” asked Burly. “My mum said that towns are all around us,” replied Grum. “So I don't see how we can be going in the wrong direction do you?” “You have a point I suppose,” replied Burly. “What's in these 'towns'?” “Humans mostly. Beautiful people that can scare you to death with one look.” “Humans are very good at scaring most things to death...” agreed Burly. Grum stopped in his tracks and turned around. “You've seen one? You're telling me you've really seen a human?” “I've seen several actually, but only from a distance, skinny little things. The only thing that gives them courage is their weapons.” “Weapons? They have weapons?” This was something Grum hadn't considered. “You name it, they've got it,” replied Burly. “And trust me, they're not afraid to use them. I've lost several friends of mine to their weapons.” “And are they really beautiful?” Grum's face was now pale green, his red eyes anxious. Burly's deep brown eyes pondered the question for a moment. “Beautiful? I really can't say. I know they don't have fur, just a thin covering of pasty skin stuff that breaks easily. Good to eat in an emergency so I've been told. I try to avoid them myself.” Grum scrambled up onto a rock and looked directly at Burly. “So let me get this right. There are such things as humans and they may or may not be beautiful?” “That's about it.” “How many of them are there?” “I've only seen them from a distance - one or two at a time - but it's said they live together in their hundreds like bees in their hives.” Grum gulped. “Hundreds?” “Thousands!” Burly threw his paws wide open. “All milling around.” Grum sat down. “Well, I suppose if I caught one it would really mean something then - you know, be important, prove I was a great groblin... My brothers - Gripe and Grimly said they didn't exist.” Burly looked sombre. “Oh yes, they do exist.” Grum stood up and threw his chest out. “Then if they’re real I don't care if there are hundreds or thousands of them - I'll find the most beautiful one I can and bring it home.” There was a pause and then once more curiosity got the better of Burly again. “Er, any particular reason why the human has to be beautiful?” “You've got to be kidding.” Grum peered at Burly closely to see if he was pulling his leg. “Look I really need to scare my brothers and the more beautiful the human is more scared they'll be yeah?” It was Burly's turn to study Grum. He took in the massive red eyebrows, the green skin that was covered with warts and the large, crooked mouth crammed with large, crooked teeth. The penny dropped. Ugly to a groblin was good. Beautiful would therefore have to be pretty scary. It made sense in a strange kind of way. Burly laughed out loud and the sound echoed throughout the forest but this time the animals merely pricked their ears and went about their business and the birds didn't even notice. “I think we should rest up now,” he said when he'd stopped chuckling. “There's plenty of time to find a human. I know a cave nearby we can use.” Grum considered the invitation. He was very tired, he'd had a busy and upsetting day. His stomach rumbled and he remembered he'd had nothing to eat since breakfast. His mother was probably serving up dinner right at this moment. His red eyes were momentarily sad. “Okay,” he nodded. “We can start tomorrow morning. Have you got anything to eat?” “I have some honey and fresh berries.” “Ugh - horrible, haven't you got anything that's been rotting for a while?” Burly held out a paw and flicked open his claws. “Don't worry, I'm sure I can dig you up something, maybe some grubs?” Grum scrambled down from the rock. “They’re okay I suppose. Where's the cave?” “Not far.” And off they set side by side. CHAPTER TWO The sun rose early the next morning and its bright rays filled the cave. Grum groaned and turned over as a finger of light tried to prise open an eyelid. Burly had already been up for some time and decided it was time to wake the groblin. He bent down and nudged him with his snout. Still fast asleep, Grum reached out and swatted away the snout. Burly raised a paw and swatted him back. Grum was wide awake by the time he hit the floor at the back of the cave. “Why? Why did you do that?” Grum protested as he struggled to his feet. “Sorry, just don't know my own strength sometimes,” replied Burly. Grum glowered. His red eyebrows knotted together and he hitched up his trousers in an angry fashion. Groblins from the Griff clan were usually treated with respect. He opened his mouth to say something but Burly had bent his face to only an inch away from his own and raised an enquiring eyebrow. Grum shut his mouth. “Are you awake now?” Burly enquired politely. “What about breakfast?” Grum demanded. “All in good time,” replied Burly patiently. “Have you got a plan yet?” Grum considered. “We find the town, pick a human and bring it back. Simple.” “We're going to stand out a bit.” “We are?” Grum was puzzled and looked himself up and down and then Burly. “Why?” Burly turned and sat down at the mouth of the cave and looked out over the beautiful forest stretched out below. “If towns are where humans live then it will be nothing like this. They tear down trees you know, build their homes from stones and rock. Beyond this forest is a world that is completely different to ours.” There was a pause as Grum thought about Burly’s words. “Stones? They build their homes from stone?” “I believe so.” “No trees?” “No.” “Oh.” Grum considered the situation but found it difficult to believe and frowned. “Are you sure?” “No, not really,” admitted Burly, “I've never been near a place where humans live but I've heard other animals talk about it.” “Which ones?” “Squirrels and foxes mostly.” “Oh,” said Grum again. “I can't imagine a place without trees. But if you're right then I suppose we will stand out a bit...” A smile lit up his face. “We'll have to go in disguise! I'm good at disguises!” “I have a better idea,” replied Burly. “We're going to visit a friend of mine. He'll be able to help us.” “Another bear? And is this going to take long? We don't have a lot of time you know. Mum will be worried about me.” Burly smiled. “No time at all, just trust me. And, with a bit of luck, we can get breakfast there.” Mike lived in the hollow of an old oak tree. Ivy grew thick and glossy green around the trunk and bright flowers and herbs jostled for position in the neat garden that surrounded it. A pair of wood pigeons had nested just above one of the small round windows and two goats, like bookends, sat either side of a green painted front door and chewed. A beehive alive with busy buzzing bees hung from one of the topmost branches and right next to it was a steep and shiny slide that had been painted bright red. Inside, Mike’s little home was very comfortable and cosy. There was only one room and he cooked, ate, slept and sang in it. He'd made everything he could from what he found in the forest including the table, chairs and bed. It may have been a little basic but no matter what the weather was like outside, sunshine always streamed through the round windows and lit up the room with a warm golden glow. Everyone was welcome in Mike's home. A dormouse was curled up in an old trainer while a hedgehog slumbered in a nest of straw right next to him. An owl perched on the back of a chair near the kitchen window, he’d obviously been in some kind of accident because a small sling had been put on to support an injured wing. Mike loved having guests and he loved surprises, which was just as well really. He was standing at the top of the slide getting some honey from the hive when he saw Burly ambling towards his front door with a scowling green creature loping along close behind. “Burly!” he shouted and waved. Then he sat down and slid quickly to the bottom of the slide and ran across to them. “Burlington! How lovely to see you!” He reached up to hug the bear and then they did a complicated handshake of welcome. “Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?” asked Mike once they’d finished. Burly nodded politely. “Mike, this is Grum from the Griff clan. He's a groblin. Grum, this is Mike – Michael Angelo - my good friend.” Grum had been struck dumb since Mike had slid down to greet them and stared up at him open mouthed – a golden glow seemed to surround Mike and he was beautiful beyond belief. Grum dragged his eyes away and looked up at Burly. “You know what, I could just take him back... he'd terrify any Groblin alive - my brothers would keel over on the spot.” Mike looked perplexed. Burly looked heavenward. “You can't take Mike back, he's my friend.” “Is that what humans are like?” asked Grum tentatively and bravely poked Mike with a finger. Mike looked at Burly and raised an enquiring eyebrow. “It's a long story,” sighed Burly before turning to Grum. “Look, Mike is not a human. He's an angel, that's why he's 'beautiful' - it's to do with light and energy and all that kind of stuff.” “Get out!” replied Grum. “Angels don't exist.” “Er, why don't you two come in? We can talk better there,” said Mike who was now feeling slightly awkward, and he turned to go back into the house. “Eeek!” squeaked Grum as he spied two small wings on Mike's back. “He is an angel - look at those wings - kind of small though aren't they? Hey - can I touch them?” Burly closed his eyes with embarrassment. “Maybe later,” replied Mike politely. “When I know you a little better. Er, are you okay to get through the door Burly?” Burly chuckled. “You may have to help a little.” Mike laid a hand on one of Burly's front paws and in an instant Burly was inside. The owl immediately swivelled his head to see the visitor while the dormouse and hedgehog continued their naps. “Hey, where'd you go?” came a complaining voice from outside. “Do come inside,” called Mike cheerfully. There was a long pause. “This isn't a trap is it?” asked the voice. “My mum always said angels were not to be trusted.” “For goodness sakes,” said Burly tightly, embarrassed again by Grum's manners. “Just come in will you.” A green face peered around the door. Grum had a good long look around the interior before deciding to come in. Mike may have been confused but he was always polite. “Now,” he said. “Can I make you two a cup of tea? You must have come a long way Grum, I don't think I've ever seen a groblin before although, of course, I've heard a lot about them.” Grum wasn't listening, he was staring at the owl who was staring right back at him. “Grum?” said Burly. “Mike's talking to you.” There was no reply, Grum was completely lost in his staring contest. “Grum!” The room rattled a little. “What?” Grum replied, cross at having been disturbed. He turned and saw Burly and Mike looking him. “What?” “Would you like a cup of tea?” asked Mike. “Tea? Err, yes, strong and black.” “Don't stare at that owl again,” whispered Burly. “Mind your manners and say please and thank you - Mike's a friend.” Mike bustled about in the kitchen area, filling the kettle with water and rummaging in various cupboards for tea and mugs. “Honey cakes anyone? I've just finished a batch.” Burly put a large paw over the groblin's mouth just as he opened it. “Yes please, Mike. I have to say I always look forward to your honey cakes, they're the best in the forest.” Mike beamed with pleasure. “You'll have to thank the bees really,” he said modestly. “They're the ones that do all the hard work you know.” In a short time the little table was set and they sat around it. At first Grum refused a honey cake but after a swift dig in the ribs from Burly he reached a green hand across the table and snatched one. He tried not to make a face as he ate it. “Now,” said Mike, once all the cakes had been eaten (mostly by Burly) and a second cup of tea poured. “How can I help you?” “Grum has been thrown out of his home,” said Burly. “Oh no!” Mike was genuinely shocked. “I'm so sorry to hear that Grum, of course I'll do what I can to help. What do you need?” “Well,” said Burly. “It's not going to be easy Mike. Grum has to prove himself a worthy groblin before he can return home. He's determined to go to a town, find himself a human and bring it back to his home to show his family. Groblins don't believe that humans exist, they think they're just made up to scare young groblins into being good.” He scratched his head with his paw. “They also believe that, er... they're beautiful and therefore frightening... He wants to scare his brothers.” Mike was lost for words for a few moments as he tried to take in all the strange information. “You don't believe humans are real?” he eventually asked Grum. “Well I didn't but I do now,” replied Grum, “because Burly here told me he's seen some. He said there are hundreds and hundreds and mostly they live together in towns. I just need one – nobody will even notice if we take just one.” “They do indeed live in towns - well, most of them anyway,” said Mike. “And I think I can help you but I can’t let you take a human, it's part of my job to look after them.” “It's not like we'd kill it,” said Grum. There was a moment's hesitation. “Can we?” “No!” Burly glared at Grum. “No one's going around killing anyone - got it?” Mike picked up a teaspoon and stirred his cup of tea loudly. “I can certainly take you to town so you can find out what humans are like,” he finally said, “but only if you give your word that you won’t kidnap or hurt them any of them. I know they're not always very nice but you must be better than them.” Grum scratched his head. Burly nodded. “Thanks Mike, and I give you my word that we won’t hurt anything or anyone. Grum?”