Continues from here.
Another round of quest
As my first day of field exploration in Binntal hinted at the possible presence of dwarves in the upper reaches of the valley, I continue my quest in the borderlands with Italy. The trail beckons, and who knows what secrets the mountains might yet reveal?
Overnight, autumn has begun to paint the wild landscape in warm hues. Here and there, large outcrops of dolomite gleam beneath the morning sun. Curiously, the soft, white sedimentary rock bears the unmistakable appearance of having been quarried by unseen hands.
Having reached the international border, I venture into the Alpine wilderness of the Veglia Devero Natural Park as the dwarves might be hiding there. However, the landscape seems too barren to provide suitable hiding places for such elusive folk.
Back in Binntal, I encounter a family of trekkers in a mountain hut, busy preparing a cheese fondue. The scene is unexpected and charming: the bubbling pot, the inviting aroma of melted cheese, the quiet contentment of people gathered around a tasteful meal.
— “Have you encountered any dwarves in the area?” I ask. The family reports no such encounter.
Disappointed, but not discouraged, I resume my journey along the winding trail. Before taking my leave, however, I remind them that they might do well to thank the dwarves for having taught humankind the fine art of preparing such a delicious fondue.
Whether my advice falls upon receptive ears remains uncertain. Perhaps the family considers me a harmless, eccentric, or even suspicious, guy. Never mind, because you, at least, do trust me.
And so I continue my search, returning to the mountain paths, where the autumn winds whisper through the trees and the ancient rocks keep their secrets. I reach a beautiful lake enlightened by the autumnal tones.
Connected to the beautiful lake, a mountain river invites me to follow its winding course down the valley. I yield to its call and continue my journey, guided by the restless murmur of its waters.
After crossing a broad, luxuriant meadow, I find myself once again at the edge of the forest, not far from where my journey began. Could this be the end? Is the mountain wilderness refusing to reveal any further secrets? I will not surrender so easily.
Pressing onward, I enter into a deep, narrow gorge carved into the ancient rock. The atmosphere changes abruptly. Towering mineral walls rise on either side, shutting out much of the light and sound of the world above. Here, the outside world seems distant and irrelevant. This natural sanctuary could be the kind of place the dwarves seek.
Encounter with the dwarves
There, nestled discreetly in a beautiful clearing amid the mountain forest, stands a traditional house, exuding an air of warmth and quiet enchantment.
Near the entrance, two spirits gaze at me with an expression of knowing complicity, as if they had been expecting my arrival all along.
— “You wish to meet the dwarves, don’t you?” they ask, their eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. “The dwarves accept to meet with you, but not in their secret hideout. Therefore, you will find them on your way across this forest, further in this direction.”
Taken aback by their uncanny insight, I nod in silent assent. I feel both happy about the progress of my quest, and tense as I am approaching a world that has remained hidden from ordinary mortals since ages. I walk deeper into the forest, until a quartet of dwarves appears in front of me:
— “Hi, you look for us, why?”
I feel more curiosity than aggressiveness on their side. Playing the middleman role, I explain the sadness, sorrow, and remorse surrounding the unfortunate incidents that had taken place long ago between the Binn people and the dwarves, as recounted to me by the old man in Binn village.
— “The people of the valley would like to rebuild positive relations with you, dwarves,” I told them.
The four dwarves frown, recalling how badly they had been treated by the local residents. They speak about how deeply they value respect for nature and all living creatures, as well as how much they enjoy the peace and tranquillity of their present lives.
— “Look there,” says one dwarf, speaking with the natural authority of a community leader. “Long ago, we guided people in the mountains and taught them how to collect gems responsibly. We helped them establish this gallery for sustainable mining. Over time, however, they became too greedy to leave any piece of crystal or other precious mineral behind. As a result, we closed the gallery to them for ever.”
— “People can learn from their mistakes”, I reply. Please give them another chance! Beside, people living in Binntal today are not the same as those you encountered centuries ago. They need your help as today’s times are difficult for them.
— “Tell us, why exactly would they need us? To intensify the plundering of the natural resources in the mountains?”, grumbles another dwarf. “We will not help them to do that. Moreover, people don’t need to learn from us how to make candle wax anymore since they have now access to electricity and other sources of energy.”
— “Today, people lack foremost gems of wisdom rather than mineral gems or technical know-how”, I argue. “They need to strengthen their solidarity and nurture other community values. You, dwarves, have maintained strong social bonds within your community throughout the centuries. People could learn from your social wisdom how to stand stronger together, while showing greater respect for their natural environment and for your community.”
At this point, another two dwarves pop up from the woods and join the conversation. One of them is a musician who sings and plays the guitar, while the other is a football player. They seem more relaxed but also less influential than the four senior dwarves.
— “People and dwarves in Binntal could also organise joint leisure and sporting activities to foster mutual understanding and harmony between the two communities,” I suggest.
The six dwarves exchange glances, tacitly agreeing on a common position. One of them, the oldest in the group, consults a venerable owl perched on his shoulder. I sense that my interlocutors are tempted to give cooperation with humans another chance. My arguments seem to have struck a chord. Albeit courteous and constructive, the conversation remains inconclusive.
— “You should speak with our leader and his wife and ask them to resume cooperation with the people of Binn. Keep following this path, and you will meet them.”
Since all my current interlocutors are male, I can only agree on the way forward which makes room for an influential female voice. Having bid a warm farewell to the six dwarves, I leave the place.
I am excited by this first encounter with the dwarves of Binntal, acting as go-between, and eager to persuade their leaders to restore a direct and positive relationship with humans.
Further into the forest, the pathway widens into a broad, well-maintained dirt road that winds along rocky cliffs and occasionally passes through tunnels carved into the rock.
Gems of wisdom
All of a sudden, a couple of dwarves emerge from a dense copse. They are even smaller than the ones I met earlier, and they appear older, too. But what impresses me most is their aura: they literally shine, radiating a powerful, positive energy—a love that flows between them and radiates all around.
After exchanging a knowing glance with her husband, the dwarf female leader speaks:
— “We have taken note of your request made on behalf of the people of Binn, and we appreciate your arguments. Giving precedence to gems of wisdom makes sense. However, we will consult our entire community before making a decision.”
— “I thank you for your understanding and openness”, I reply. “What other message should I convey to the people of Binn?”
— “We will recontact you or the people of Binn directly, if and when we will be ready to do so.” clarifies the male dwarf. “However, don’t expect the dwarves of Binntal to solve all your issues. Work on them nonetheless. Help yourself first, and the dwarves might lend you a hand.”
At my interlocutors’ request, the brief conversation concludes on my firm commitment not to disclose the exact location of my encounters with the dwarves of Binntal.
Following this memorable experience, I meet with the elder of Binn village to share the dwarves’ messages. Happy and proud, I resolve to put the fundamental gems of wisdom conveyed through this tale into practice in my own life.
Will you do the same?
Cheers,
