Flawed Gemstone

A Touch of Magic

Sneezy was in fact far more fighted than delighted at the news. Grumpy was nearly deafened by his cry of rage, which would have been loud enough to hear without magic. His ears ringing, Grumpy listened as Sneezy made several arguments, but he was finally overruled by the others. Grumpy pretended to be asleep when they came upstairs to bed, and he heard Sneezy muttering darkly the whole time.

Three weeks after he'd arrived, Doc finally seemed unable to resist heading to the mines. After assuring him that he'd be fine, Grumpy watched the five Dwarfs march off. Dopey had insisted on staying with Grumpy, and Doc had finally relented after two hours of pouting and big puppy eyes. Grumpy was glad to be alone, mostly at least, and he shut the door. Before it shut, he heard Sneezy make a snide comment, which he ignored.

When the song had faded, Grumpy relaxed and flexed his hand. The air around his hand seemed to shimmer, and he smiled to himself. Dopey hopped up and down, pointing at Grumpy's hand, and wiggled his fingers.

"Wanna see some, do ya?"

Dopey nodded and stared expectantly. Grumpy thought about it then nodded. All the rest with no outlet to his pent-up energy meant magic was practically flowing like blood through him. He made a scooping motion toward Dopey, and the boy gave a cry of shock as he was lifted on an invisible surface, almost like a pillow, and floated in the air. His big eyes looked at Grumpy, who snickered.

"'Sa matter?" he teased. "Not enough?"

Dopey blinked then grinned, and he twisted, falling down. Grumpy caught him in a wave of sparkling energy, and Dopey shook with laughter as he was tickled all over. He waved his hands, begging for mercy, and Grumpy relented with a bark of laughter, tugging Dopey into his arms.

"Yer somethin' else, kid..." Grumpy said fondly.

Dopey stuck out his tongue then hugged him. Grumpy hugged him back then set him down with a grunt.

"Yer heavy. Come on. Let's go fer a walk."

Grumpy took his hand and led him out into the yard, where Dopey began to run around and try to play with the animals, particularly a small fawn, which kept drawing away. But it never quite left. Grumpy watched for a few minutes then called Dopey over.

"Whachoo doin'?" he asked.

Dopey gestured at the frightened animals.

"Nah. Gotta ask first."

Dopey tilted his head.

"I'll show ya how."

Grumpy waved his hands and touched his ears then his mouth. A sparkling green trail followed his hands then he cleared his throat.

"Come here." The animals all looked at him in astonishment. They were skittish and wary, but they slowly approached. Dopey jumped up and down and made to go after them, but Grumpy pulled him back by the shirt.

"Now don't go spookin' 'em again. Dern fool. Now ask 'em to play." Dopey blinked then made several frolicking gestures and stared expectantly. Grumpy nodded.

"Hear that? He wants ya ta play with him."

Dopey watched with delight as the animals made soft noises, cautiously moving closer. The fawn approached by its mother's side, its nose working as it looked up at its mother. The mother made a snorting noise, and Grumpy responded.

"T'ain't dangerous, ma'am. He's just a-lookin' ta play."

The mother dipped her head and went cautiously up to Dopey and sniffed him. Dopey reached up and petted her ears, surprised by the softness he found there. He grinned with delight and pointed at the fawn, wiggling his ears. She looked up at Grumpy, who nodded.