Tales From the Cave-Megan Morse and the Seven Dwarves

Getting to Know Each Other

"My soup!"  M'gann leapt out of bed and literally flew downstairs towards the kitchen.  Over the hearth, the big black pot was boiling over.  She grabbed a wooden spoon and stirred until giving it a little taste.  "Yep!  Its just about done!"  She snuffed out the flames with her telekinesis and took the lid off to let it cool. The 7D looked down the stairs and sniffed the air.  "Mmm...SOUP!"  A stampede of dwarves came down the steps and towards the dinner table, ready for a good meal.

M'gann banged her spoon on the pot to get their attention before addressing them in a calm, clear voice.  "Just one minute!  Did you guys wash your hands?"  Seven heads sharply turned to stare at her.  "Wash our hands?"  M'gann nodded.  "You can't eat if your hands aren't clean.  You'll transfer the germs from your hands to your food, and then you'll eat the germs."  The 7D reared back at the very thought.  "You fellas don't wanna get sick, do you?"  Seven heads shook back and forth.  "March!", she commanded, pointing her spoon towards the bathrooms.  "And not a bite to eat until those hands are sparkling clean!"  Reluctantly, they marched over to the bathrooms to wash.
--------------------
The 7D rubbed their faces with soap and water. "See? What did I tell ya?", Grumpy said. "Hasn't even been in our lives for ten minutes, and she's already tellin' us what to do!" Doc dried his face off with a towel. "She's got a point, Grumpy. We don't wanna contract germs from our hands and food." They heard a banging sound. "Food's on the table!"

They all hurried over to the dinner table and sat down as she poured tomato soup into the bowls. "So! How long have you fellas lived here?", she asked them. "Where is here, anyway?" Doc smiled at her. "'Here' is Jollywood!", he told her. "We were born and raised here. If we're not workin' down in the mines, we're doing tasks and running errands for our Queen!"

M'gann sat down. "You guys have a Queen, too?" "Yeah, but don't worry.", Sleepy yawned. "She's not evil, like the Queen whose after you." "Yes, OUR Queen is delightful!", Sneezy sniffled. "That's actually her name. Queen Delightful!" Happy pointed out the window, towards the prettiest white castle not too far away. "She lives in the castle, with her dog, Sir Yipsalot, her parrot, Squire Peckington, and her person, Lord Starchbottom! He does whatever she says, no questions asked!"

M'gann smiled. "Oh! How nice! I'd love to meet them all someday!" Bashful poked his head out from under the table. "Maybe we can introduce you! They'd love you! I just know it!" "Oh, Bashful! That's so sweet!" She bent down and kissed him on the cheek. He turned bright red before fainting onto the floor.

Grumpy stood on his feet and marched on over to her. "Now before we say anything else, there is one thing you must know!", he shouted, pointing a finger in her face. "Whatever you do, do not, and I mean DO NOT, go anywhere near the swamps! That's where the Glooms live!" M'gann blinked. "Who are the Glooms?" "Grim and Hildy Gloom are a warlock and a witch!", Grumpy told her. "They're always conjuring up both spells and plans alike to take over Jollywood! Whatever you do, DO NOT TRUST THEM! Understand?" M'gann nodded furiously.
--------------------
Sneezy sat back in his chair, patting his full belly.  "Aah!  That hit the spot!"  Dopey whistled in agreement.  "That was delicious!", Happy told M'gann.  "You're quite the chef!"  "Why, thank you!", she giggled.  Grumpy smacked his lips and pouted.  "I have to admit, it wasn't half bad."

Doc finished his soup and got M'gann's attention.  "We never asked you.  Where are you from?"  "And why does the Queen want you dead?", Bashful asked.  M'gann sighed heavily.  "Honestly, I don't know.  When the soldier let me go, he said she was jealous of me, but he didn't say why.  All I know is she won't stop until one of us is dead."  Sleepy wiped his mouth with his napkin.  "Any idea why she's jealous of you?"  "Not a clue!", M'gann said.  "Before today, I was just a simple girl living with my friends in Happy Harbor, California."

"Friends?", Grumpy growled, standing up.  "You have friends?  Where are they?  Why don't you go live with them?"  M'gann shook her head.  "They're back in the public world.  If I go to them, Queen Bee will find me for sure!"  "Don't you miss your friends?", Bashful asked her.  "More than anything in the world.", M'gann told him.  "But now that I'm being hunted down, I'm afraid I can never see them again."

Happy jumped up onto the table, holding out his guitar.  "Don't worry, Megan!  We'll be your bestiest bestest best friends!"  He began to play and sing.  "Bestest friends!  Bestiest friends!  Besty besty besty bestiest bestest friends!"  M'gann jumped to her feet and began clapping her hands to the beat.  "Oh, that's wonderful!"  She began to dance along, and Doc, Sneezy, Sleep, Bashful and Dopey joined in.  Only Grumpy sat in the corner, his arms crossed over his chest and the muscles in his face tightened into a frown.

Dopey hopped on Bashful's shoulders and directed him towards M'gann.  Laughing crisply, she bobbed a little curtsey and took his hands, letting him lead her as they danced all around the room.  "Y'know what?", she said in between giggles.  "I think I'm gonna like it here!"  They continued prancing around as all the forest animals joined into their song and dance, filling the whole cottage with laughter and merriment.