Trees were starting to bloom, and so the trolls who had spent the cold season with King Potts, were excited and very happy as they left the castle for their own homes. So too with the elves, they were singing as they walked. Everyone felt like celebrating, but they wanted to get home first to see what damage the winter did to their homes.
Leaf hugged his parents as they got ready to depart. Then Leaf, Korb, Vivian, and April headed for the courtyard to see if a dragon would give them a ride to Gauldarn's castle. In the courtyard they saw King Potts, Princess Tea and Bannon saying good-by to the trolls headed for home. A few families asked if they could stay a sun or two longer, and of course the King granted permission.
Bannon had been waiting for Leaf, and the instant he saw him, shouting, "Sir Leaf, Sir Leaf" as he ran towards him. Leaf and the others stopped and waited for Bannon to get to them. Bannon hugged Leaf tightly, with tears streaming down his face, "You have introduced me to a world I did not know existed."
Leaf looked down at his little friend, "How so?"
"I have never experienced so much compassion as I have witnessed here. You healed a troll that hated you and wanted to kill you, a bat would never do a thing like that. And the friendship the Princess and King have shown me, even issuing a decree that he was adopting me. And everyone there applauded that. They applauded a lowly bat."
Princess Tea had walked over, putting her arm around Bannon, "You sir are no lowly bat, you are the adopted son of King Potts. Don't you realize that makes you a Prince?" Bannon staggered backwards, not believing his ears.
"No Princess, I am no Prince. I have no royal blood; I can not be a Prince."
The King walked up, "What's this I hear?"
Tea put her hand over Bannon's mouth, "I told Bannon that since he is your adopted son, that that makes him a Prince."
With another of his big smiles, "Tea is correct, you are Prince Bannon. And I expect you at all royal functions, and to eat with Tea and myself from this moment forward."
Bannon started to bawl, with tears streaming down his face even faster than before. After a few moments, he was able to regain some control, and turned to Leaf, "You see Sir Leaf, so much compassion, I never even imagined that Elves and trolls could give so much to someone such as I."
Tea hugged Bannon, "You are family now, get used to it."
The King hugged first Leaf, the Korb, followed by April and Vivian, kissing each on the cheek. "Don't be strangers, we expect a visit from each of you from time-to-time."
Tea kissed Leaf and Korb on their cheeks, "I don't think your fine ladies would appreciate it if I kissed you on the lips." She said with a smile. Then she gave Vivian and April each a hug, with a small kiss on the cheek. "Please come visit whenever you can, you are all friends to me, my father, and the Land of the Trolls. Now, I need to go before I start bawling like our Prince here." She quickly strode away.
The King put his arm around Bannon, "Come on my friend, let's get out of here and dry our tears", walking away the King looked over his shoulder at the group of friends, "As King of this land, I command each of you to visit frequently. Understood?"
Leaf and Korb each gave a deep bow. April and Vivian each did an equally gracious curtsy.
All of them suddenly heard, "Are you ready to leave, or do you want to stand around all sun?"
They all laughed, and headed for four waiting dragons. As they approached, Leaf asked, "Why four of you?"
"One for you and April, one for Korb, one for Vivian, and one for Eric the Healer and his lovely wife, Spring the Wise.
Vivian stopped, "Wait! Why aren't Korb and I ridding together, like Leaf and April?"
"Sir Korb wishes to go home and see his parents."
She turned to face Korb, "Why can't I come with you?" She was hurt, and didn't understand why she couldn't meet his Parents.
Korb was embarrassed, "I ... I ..."
"Spit it out! Are you embarrassed to be with me? I thought you cared for me. What's the deal?"
"I'm definitely not embarrassed to be with you, I just didn't realize you'd want to meet my parents. That's all."
"Well, ask dummy."
Korb was turning red from embarrassment, "Ok, do you want to meet my parents?"
"Yes." She took his hand and headed to a dragon.
Leaf and April chuckled at Vivian's handling of Korb as they walked towards a dragon.
"Elfen zijn vreemd." The other dragons chuckled in agreement.
YOU ARE READING
The Troll War
FantasyA war between a father, (King Potts, ruler of the Troll Kingdom), and his son, (Prince Charred) Prince Charred is demanding that his father turn the Troll Kingdom over to him; the King refuses because Charred is acting like a spoiled child.
