I should have been a little insulted at the words, but I found myself feeling pleased at both his compliments and the positive physical contact. "Sure! Let's go!" I was suddenly eager to assist the elves, especially the one who was patting me.
"That may not be the best idea." Runt scowled. "Sounds like they have a lot of use for nice strong work animal."
The elves smiled and nodded in agreement, and the first elf said "Not every day, but certainly enough to keep one well fed and pampered between jobs. Come on, fella. We'll get the work done and then show you some real hospitality!"
Runt looked like he wanted to argue, but just scowled some more as I grinned. "That sounds great!" I was puzzled by Runt's reaction. These elves were very nice! I felt comfortable with them, and besides, we were trying to hide out. Who would look for us in a work party?
The second elf looked up as I came close. "Mind a passenger?"
I shook my head and offered a hand to help him up. He stared at the offered hand and shook his head, startling me when he simply jumped up on my back! I got the feeling that they found something about my hands disturbing, which seemed really odd. "Room for more if you want." Runt shook his head, but the first elf also jumped up. That left the third elf and Runt walking and we started into the woods. The first elf knelt on my back and draped his arms loosely around my neck and told me where to go. His voice was soft and pleasant, and the physical contact was nice. Then he started rubbing my equine ears and that was wonderful. His fingers slid over my cheeks and forehead, massaging my skull and face. It was a very odd activity, but the attention was so pleasant I didn't object.
The camp was a bit further away than I expected - we walked for a good 30 minutes. I could see why they needed the help - a half-dozen huge trees had been felled and stripped of branches. I could hear and smell the river even if I couldn't see it, and there looked to be enough space to drag the logs through. The three elves got busy and whipped up a harness for me using ropes of woven vines. I eyed the logs with some concern - they were really big. I wasn't sure I'd be able to move them even with my Clyde muscles. Still, I'd give it a try.
As they hooked me up to the first log, I realized Runt was missing. "Hey! Where's my friend?" My words came out a little mangled - it took a little effort to work my lips the right way. I hadn't noticed that before.
"The imp?" The first elf looked back and shrugged, then patted my side again. "Guess he stayed back in the clearing. Don't worry. We'll take you back if you want to meet up with him afterwards."
Before I could ask more, the elves were ready and I tried to get the first log moving. Damn, it was heavy! It felt like I was trying to move a building! I threw myself into the harness and could feel the massive trunk shift a little, but there was now ay I could drag it any distance. "Sorry. It's more than I can do alone."
The first elf checked the harness and then looked me over. "I think I can help you out some." He slid his hands over my equine side and down each leg. A warmth spread out from his touch. "Let's shift some of your strength from those useless arms and try again."
The heat pulsed a few times, and I looked down to see my chest and arms get much thinner. At the same time my equine body throbbed with a sudden sense of increased mass. I was confused, aware that this change was something to be concerned about, but not quite sure why. Before I could ask anything, they were urging me to try again and I automatically obeyed. This time I felt the tree slide several feet, and felt a thrill of accomplishment. "Good boy!" The first elf patted my side. "Next time keep the momentum. Just a little ways and the ground slopes down to the river."
I did as he said, my immensely powerful legs driving into the earth as I managed to keep the log sliding forward. I felt the shift of weight as we moved the huge trunk past the high point and then the job was almost easy. The river was wide and slow-moving, and there was a place for me to drag the log alongside the bank. The other two elves unhooked the log while the first elf got me a bucket of fresh water to drink from. "Good boy! You are really something!"
I drank from the bucket and caught sight of my reflection in the water. My image was oddly distorted - more equine than I had expected. I guess I was used to seeing old artwork that showed full human features. Real centaurs were a lot more coarse-featured, and my brow was wide and heavy. My human chest and arms were more like a boy's now, but my equine body was even larger and more muscular than ever. I must be like the biggest centaur ever!.