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Tam O'Sham Part 4 - The Old Troll. |
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Tam followed Elder McDonald and the old Troll, as they walked away from the village square. They travelled along a little-used trail, grown-over with wild grass and fallen leaves. Tam walked beside Elder McDonald, while the old Troll kept a short distance behind. Tam was amazed by the old Troll's appearance. With skin wrinkled and worn like bark from the oldest tree, the old Troll was a scary sight indeed. A massive head, which sat upon, even more massive shoulders. It was all supported by legs, as big around as Tam's waist. Tam wondered if all the Trolls looked this way. He knew they towered over the Leprechauns, as well as the other beings in this part of the country, but he didn't know if they all looked this worn and scarred.
There have been rumors amongst the Leprechauns, for many staughs, about their neighbours to the north. Rumors of battles and fighting, amongst the Trolls themselves. These rumors had been discounted by the Elders of Tam's village. "After all", they had been told by the Elders, "if there were truth to the rumors, there would be strangers travelling the country side". Tam knew there had been no strangers sighted around his village for many, many Staughs. Not a Troll, Dwarf, or even a Fairy had ventured near.
The more Tam thought about it, the more he came to realize, this itself, is kind of strange. It has been too long, since the Leprechauns had been blessed with visitors to drink and dance with. Too long since traders had marched their wares into the village square. "Tam", Elder McDonald interrupted his thoughts, "I'm sure ye've been wondering why it is, I've asked ye to walk with us, and why we've been honoured with this very special visitor", nodding towards the Troll. They stopped walking and stood under a canopy of trees, out of sight from everyone in the village.
"Tam, our guest is not here by chance," Elder McDonald continued. "He has traveled a long way for a very special reason. He's here for yer celebration and, to ask a favor of all Leprechauns." During Elder McDonald's explaination, the old Troll remained completely still. Not looking either directly at Tam, or at Elder McDonald. Tam was still amazed by the sight of this Troll. He appeared so calm and passive, yet Tam was sure if angered, he would become quite a deadly foe.
"This is Droka, leader of the Trolls to the north of us. He wants to talk with ye Tam and, I've assured him that ye shall answer truthfully and completely. Is this understood?" Tam was dumbstruck. What could this mighty Troll possibly want to talk to him about? He was just a wee lad, just barely at his 120th celebration. "Yes, of course Elder McDonald. I shall answer honestly and completely any question asked of me," Tam replied.
Droka looked straight at Tam as he started to speak. His voice was deep and low. It carried across the air like a feather floating on the breeze but he spoke softly, and Tam had to pay close attention to hear his words. "Wee Tam, I have come this gleedom because you're old enough now, to understand my need of your assistance", began Droka. "You may be the only Leprechaun that has the power to aid me.
Tam stared up at the old Troll, and wondered if he was playing a trick on him. "I canna even tell you what my gift shall be and yet, ye wish me to aid you with it" replied Tam. He clearly did not understand what this was about. "Tam, I know that you're not aware of your gift yet but, you must listen very close", explained Droka. "You may have a gift that is so special, you shall not fully understand it for many staughs. To begin with, let me first ask you this, do you feel that you can trust me?", asked this very strange old troll.
Without realizing, Tam took a step back. He was beginning to feel dizzy with all these thoughts running through his mind. He did not want to anger this huge being and yet, he really had no idea what to say. Slowly Tam looked up into the eyes of this massive Troll and replied, "Droka, I am grateful ye have taken time to attend my celebration. I know it to be difficult for ye to watch the dance and listen to the music since 'tis not to yer liking. With all due respect sir, I've no idea who ye are or what ye want of me."
At this, both the old Troll and Elder McDonald, laughed till tears fell from their eyes. This made Tam even more confused. He had never seen such a site, or heard such a thing. He stood staring at these two charactors, as they carried on, like they were being tickled by millions of feathers. Tam wondered what was so funny and wished he were back in the square with his best friend Drewey, playing and dancing. "'Tis indeed, a very strange day" thought Tam shaking his head, trying to make some sense of all this.
As the laughter eased, Droka began once more to try explaining why he had come this gleedom. "You're a real delight wee lad, but it's time for truth. You have been blessed with a wonderful gift, but you've no idea just how special you may be. I have waited many, many staughs for one to be born with the power to assist me. I was there, when you came to this world 120 staughs ago. I had recieved a message that finally, it may have come to pass. I travelled through the dark from my mountain home, to see for myself, if it were true," explained Droka.
"You see lad, I am not what I appear and there was reason to be seated at the head table during your celebration. I may look like an old Troll to you, and to the other Leprechauns, but I was not born a Troll." Droka stopped talking and after what seemed like forever, took a deep breath before continuing.
"Many, many staughs ago, I was out for a walk in this very forest when I came across a mighty wizard. She said if I agreed to provide her with all the Leprechaun's gold, she would allow me to live peacefully for ever more. I refused of course and she placed a curse upon me. I tried very hard to find my way with my eyes closed. You see, I would transform into the first creature I set eyes upon and tried to return to my village. I bumped into something and opened my eyes, thinking it was a tree. Well it wasn't a tree at all, but was almost as large." Droka fell silent as if remembering that gleedom. "You see Tam, I was born a ..."
"Stop right there", yelled Elder McDonald. Both Tam and Droka spun around to find Elder McDonald, holding Drewey by the scruff of the neck. "Drewey", why did ye come here?" asked Tam. "I thought ye might be in trouble Tam, so I came to make sure yer fine", replied Drewey. "This big old Troll dinna look so kind and I thought, maybe, ...", but Drewey never finished the sentance. He stood staring down at the ground beneath his feet, wondering what would happen to him now. He knew he was in deep, deep trouble for spying on an Elder. "I shall deal with you back at the village, now be off with ye", Elder McDonald ordered in a very stern voice. Both Drewey and Tam knew that meant punishment for Drewey.
"Now back to business Tam", said Droka. Tam was still trying to figure out what this was all about. He glanced from Elder McDonald to the old Troll, who was not a Troll at all, searching for answers. Tam knew that it wouldn't be polite to ask just what this Troll really was. "Will you help me, if I explain this gift I believe you may have?", pleaded Droka.
Tam thought this over as Droka patiently awaited his response. "I am not a man yet," thought Tam. "Well if nothing else, I may finally find out about my special gift." Besides, he did not want to anger Droka. He has been kind to Tam so far but, without knowing what Droka really was, he decided to play it safe. "I shall be honoured to assist ye in any way I can, though I still canna imagine how", Tam replied as he glanced quickly from Elder McDonald to Droka. He wanted to see their expressions. Droka extended his hand in friendship, and Tam reached up to accept this gesture. Tam's whole hand didn't even fit around one of Droka's fingers. "You shall soon enough wee lad, you shall soon enough."
 greenshamrock · Sat Oct 15, 2005 @ 11:51pm · 0 Comments |
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