The Troll War

Chapter 26 - Gauldarn's Castle

Leaf, April, Korb, and Vivian entered the dining hall and sat in their usual spot. Leaf and Korb sat facing where Tea would most likely enter, and their ladies sat across from them. Vivian and April, went to get them something to drink while Leaf and Korb waited for Tea. They were excited to see Tea. They had wondered if her time away from Leaf would have caused the warts and hair to come back, but from the quick look they had earlier, it certainly didn't look like anything was coming back. And they were happy about that, Tea had become more playful and alive those last suns before returning home. Hopefully, she won't have changed her personality either.

It wasn't too long until Tea walked through one of the doors escorted by an attractive guard, it looked like Tea was actually blushing. Leaf stood up on the bench and waived to get Tea's attention, she spotted him and she and her escort began walking towards them. Everyone was looking at her and wondering who she was, some of the whispers were rather loud, and she could hear some of them, which only made her blush even more.

Leaf ran around the table to give Tea a hug, while Korb just climbed over the table to her, and knocked his drink over in the process. Everyone in the room stopped and watched their mad rush to this strange woman. She hugged and kissed them both on the lips, much to the surprise and frustration of Vivian and April. They knew who she was, but didn't particularly care for her kissing their men. Tea stepped between Leaf and Korb, "Now which one of you is April?" April raised her hand, then looking at Vivian, "Then you must be Vivian. I am so excited to meet you both, I've heard quite a bit about each of you."

Leaf and Korb looked at each other totally puzzled, "How?"

Tea smiled, "Gabby brought me over, and she was full of interesting stories she had heard." Then realizing the ladies were drinking in the good-looking escort, "This is my body guard while I'm here, Sir William the Defender. Isn't he adorable?" Now it was time for Sir William to blush a bit. Tea continued, "Your King has instructed me to have all of you join him at his table (pause) where ever that is."

Tea's elegant guard turned and motioned, "This way ma' lady." Tea smiled, blushed, and took the arm of her guard as he escorted her to the King's table. Leaf and Korb looked at each other, shrugged, and each to his own love, "This way ma' lady".  They locked arms and followed Tea and her guard, as everyone in the room watched in awe.

As they were sitting down at the King's table, the King with two bodyguards entered the hall and made their way to his table. Tea and her guard were to his right, the King's guards stood behind the King, but a few steps back, the others were on the King's left. The crowd in the dining hall was getting larger as more citizens came in to eat.

King Gauldarn rose, and banged on the table to get the attention of everyone. When the assembled got quiet, he spoke in a loud and clear voice, "Dear citizens of the Land of Elf, I bring news. First however, I believe most of you know the fine knights and ladies to my left, we are very pleased to have them join us for this announcement. And to my right, (he indicated Tea to stand), is a lady I'm sure you have heard of, but have never seen." The King paused for a moment to give everyone a chance to get a good look at Tea. "This most attractive young woman is Princess Tea, daughter of King Potts of the trolls." There was surprise, and whispering throughout the dining hall. "Yes, my friends. This attractive woman is a troll." Multiple gasps came forth, with even a few saying, "It can't be."

The King held out his hands to get everyone to settle down, but just as he was about to start explaining the transformation Tea began, "Dear citizens of this wonderful land, many suns ago my Father was attacked on his way to talk with your kind King when he was attacked by bats. Your strong healer, Leaf, healed my father from a very deadly bite; and as you know bat bites usually result in death, but Leaf healed him. For that, I am eternally grateful. Once my father was healed, he told me to accompany Leaf on his quest and to protect him as best as I could. Honestly, at the time, I had no desire to accompany him on what I considered a pointless quest. I suspect Leaf wasn't thrilled about it either, but we managed, and over time I got to know and respect Leaf, and to even like him. As we walked searching for his Uncle, I didn't notice that the hair on my body was vanishing, or that my warts were disappearing. It wasn't until after he had found his Uncle that I discovered the changes in my body. I was stunned, but over time I've become adjusted to my new appearance, in fact, when I returned home even my Father didn't recognize me. He sent for Leaf to confirm I was who I said I was. So, I understand your surprise and dismay in learning who I am. It is my hope that you will accept me into your hearts, as I have accepted you into mine." She then sat down, and the room was filled with applause and cheering.

The King then spoke, "Tea has brought a message from her Father, and it is an idea that my Advisors and Generals feel is workable. We are going to allow groups of citizens to leave the castle and venture out into the surrounding land." Wild cheering erupted throughout the hall, and continued for some time. Finally, it settled down enough that the King could continue, "There will be tight security of course, but I know you would like to have some room to stretch and relax. Guards and dragons will be tasked with protecting you, please obey their commands at all times. I don't want any citizen to be hurt, captured, or killed. Our Advisors and Generals are currently working on the plan, and I hope they will have it in place by next sun. Until then, eat and spread the word." He sat down.

There was lots of chatter throughout the hall, people were excited about being able to go into the land around the castle and relax, the children were looking forward to being able to run and play, which they couldn't do even in the courtyard because it was so crowded. They would have at least one day to truly relax. 

The five friends stayed up late catching up on what had been happening, and Tea thought about her communication with the Wizard Thorn Berry, she remembered his stern words not to mention their ability to communicate with anyone. So, she kept silent about their conversation, and about the imposter Tea. Hopefully, she could reveal all once the war was over and peace had returned to the land.

The next sun, Tea had breakfast with her friends, then headed to the courtyard to have Gabby take her home . . . but honestly, she felt very much at home with her friends at Gauldarn's castle. She needed to inform her father about the elven King's decision to let his people enjoy some time outside the castle too. The strain of waiting to be attacked was, at times, harder to bear than actually being attacked.

Tea woke Gabby, and climbed on her neck; Gabby stretched, spread her wings, and took flight.