I would like to thank all the artists who commented and fav'd my last image. It was wonderful to read your kind and supportive comments. I was overwhelmed and touched deeply. Thank you so much! There are mountains that surround the village and Forest. Very high and ragged. Not too many Fairies or Elves venture up there, only the brave in heart and sturdy will ever even attempt it. On the highest peak called Upper Middle Pied du Lapin very far up the mountain lives the Duchess of Ice. She is the sister the Grand Wizard Rupert of the area; Who is kind and good and rules his realm justly with fairness to all. But the Duchess, ah she is another kettle of spells. She, even as a child, was always causing mischief. It was considered 'cute' and 'creative' when she was a small child and would conjurer up a spell that would have guests and relatives knee deep in snow in the middle of June, while having dinner or deluged with icy rain during tea. Not good for the tea cakes. As she got older the pranks and tricks become more elaborate and more dangerous for those around her and it was finally decided after a very unfortunate incident that involved the Grand Wizard Non. Yes, 'THE' Wizard of Non! The Wizard of all Wizards, the big Kahuna of Wizards, the big daddy of them all ... well in this area at least. Everyone knows the Wizard of Non is truly a big Wizard, not only in his powers, but height as well as girth, we are talking BIG here. He was coming for a visit and many grand festivities were planned. The day of his arrival the Duchess decided to ice over the ballroom with a little snow conjured up for good measure. The doors of the ballroom swung open and before anyone realized what was happening, the Grand Wizard of Non, hit the iced floor with a bounce, slid around in circles hitting fairies and Elves, sending them helter skelter in his path as he made his way down the length of the ballroom. Just as they thought they had him cornered he hit the bandstand, bounced and slid backwards, hitting the balustrade and rolled down the main spiral staircase and was stopped by two very brave Elves, before hitting the huge wooden doors. It was described by one observer as "A giant bowling ball gone amuck." What!? You think I make this stuff up? I can only say...this is what I have been told! :o) Well, back to the story. You can imagine, the Grand Wizard of Non, was not amused, in fact Rupert the Wizard and various other Wizards had to do everything in their power to convince the Wizard of Non, not to obliterate the Duchess into Fairy Dust and spread her to the four winds. It was decided the Duchess was to be banned to Upper Middle Pied du Lapin. It was in everyone's best interest and good health. The aftermath of the unfortunate incident were minor and could have been much worse considering the momentum the Wizard of Non was traveling. He was in a full body cast for six weeks and had a terrible headache and was a bit dizzy from all the spinning, but he is fine now and apparently no worse for the experience. The Fairies and Elves that were mowed down only had bumps and bruises and healed quickly. The two brave Elves who stopped the spinning Wizard were given a handsome reward of three wishes, after they got out of their leg and arm casts. They are fine, the Elves are a sturdy breed. Up there on the mountain peak, the Duchess lives in a cottage of ice, frosted moss, icicles and snow. The great North Wind has taken up residency and keeps her company along with her pet Snow Owl. She is very happy there, where she can conjurer up her spells and send them to far away places via the North Wind. So when the sky gets those dark gray, low snow clouds and the air turns frosty, look to the North, it's probably the Duchess of Ice getting ready to send you a sparkling gift of ice and snow...or so I've been told :o)