A Cautionary Tale

Part 6

As the group continued journeying, Kai decided to ask the giant a few questions. "Hey, Luh-Loyd?" he finally spoke up after about four to five minutes. "What'd you do before... all this happened?"

The giant sighed. "Luh-Loyd was an orphan," he admitted. "Luh-Loyd's mother left and never returned. Luh-Loyd was lost until he found Shaktilar Garmadon. Shaktilar was like Luh-Loyd's dad, he took care of Luh-Loyd and taught and fed him." The giant then seemed to get really angry. "But then The Prince took over and Shaktilar became mean so Luh-Loyd had to leave."

Kai gasped. "But, why did you have to leave? If Shaktilar loved you as much as you say..."

"We told you earlier, Sir Kai," Jay spoke up hesitantly. "Once The Prince took over the forest because Shaktilar let him in, he became cold... hard... a different troll."

Lloyd nodded sadly. "He kept threatening the creatures that came to us and he stopped caring about and teaching Luh-Loyd."

"I'm sure he never stopped caring about you," assured Kai.

The giant just shrugged. "That's when The Prince found Luh-Loyd. Luh-Loyd was trying to find a new home when The Prince told Luh-Loyd how big and powerful he was and how Luh-Loyd could help him." Lloyd crossed his arms and stomped his foot, letting himself pout for a second. "Luh-Loyd told him he wouldn't help, but then The Prince threatened to kill Shaktilar Garmadon... Luh-Loyd had no choice..."

Kai could feel his heart break, and when he turned to look and Jay and—yes even Cole—he could see their hearts were breaking at the story too. "I—I'm so sorry," Kai whispered, wishing he was tall enough to place a hand on his shoulder.

Lloyd stared off into the distance, letting the breeze ruffle his blonde hair. "Luh-Loyd doesn't want the forest to die... he just wants peace..."

Without saying a word, Jay walked up to the giant and hugged his leg. He gestured for Kai to join him, and the knight did so, hugging the other leg. They both pointedly stared at Cole, who in turn hovered up to Lloyd's shoulder and placed a comforting hand on it.

"Don't worry, Luh-Loyd, I will make sure that peace is brought to this forest," Kai vowed as both he and the elf let go and the group continued onward. "And once that happens, I will do everything in my power to help you and Shaktilar reconnect."

Lloyd looked up—err—down hopefully. "You would do that for Luh-Loyd?"

Kai nodded. "It is my duty as Sir Kai, and friend Kai."

The giant smiled and quietly said, "Thank you." Then, he looked ahead and stopped walking. "We're here."

The group looked ahead of them and saw the path went on for a few more feet before it opened up into yet another clearing. In the center of said clearing, was a giant treehouse castle, much like the one that young, bratty, Lloyd had demanded the serpentine build for him all those years ago. Kai grinned at the memory.

"This is as far as Luh-Loyd can go without getting you guys caught. Luh-Loyd's too big, too loud."

"Thank you, Luh-Loyd for leading us this far," Kai said, nodding at the giant. "I hope to see you soon."

"Thank you!" Jay piped up as the giant smiled at the three before turning and walking back into the woods.

"Yeah, thanks!' Cole called out.

With that, the giant was gone.

Cole looked ahead, slightly nervous. "Okay guys, now, we're in The Prince's territory. He's got nindroids all around and this whole castle is rigged with booby traps so we have to be careful." He looked to Kai and Jay to make sure they nodded in affirmation. "Okay, I'm going to scout ahead. I'll let you know when the area is clear."