Episode 2 - The Trollfairy

I take a careful breath, staring intensely into the candle’s flame. Tinkling laughter rings around me, my ears tune cautiously to the sound. Using only the very edges of my vision, I sweep the room… there. Blinking behind a stack of books, small eyes twinkle back at me. My Sorceress Feelings deeply perceive magic, sparks popping under my paw under the influence of Sorceress Reflexes. A small wind spell is triggered by instinct. Able to cast it without my staff - needed for the more powerful Magics - I say Wind in a commanding tone and blow the book away. The room falls dark again in the absence of the flickering flame. A creature has appeared, only the size of my paw.

Creeping my paw to the side as I inspect the creature, I reach for a Red Elixir, to light the flame once more. On first inspection, it appears to be wide eyed, but over exaggerated features soon become clearer as the candle lights. It’s ears are long, far longer than any ears should have the right to be, and with a nose to match! I believe I shall call it a Trollfairy? It’s beautiful butterfly wings are that of fiction. I chuckle… as ugly as a Troll indeed… fictional though the creature should be.

“You funny little Trollfairy! And where did you come from little friend?” 

As I voice my wonder, I gently pick it up; intend to put it down carefully on the precarious stack of books. I’ve barely lifted it when it hops from my paw, dancing around a cage as if worshipping the… dead things inside the cage… cage aside, the Trollfairy’s movements catch my eye. Right there in front of me, it pushes a bottle of elixir. A bottle of elixir with defining blue and yellow stripes. My Secret Elixir. 

“That elixir is mine! You took it!”

I glare at it angrily, unsure as to its intentions, but still unaware of how such a creature might have gotten in. Perhaps, while I was talking to the bird outside, it took the opportunity to slip in. I don’t suppose it would have been difficult to avoid my vision, when I was focused so intently on vivid blue feathers. But then, what about my elixir? Something happened. Perhaps… 

“You came from the elixir?” 

Though I clearly asked it a question, it rudely began to fly around with the bottle.  

“Hey, little Trollfairy, could I please have my elixir back? Please, stop flying around!”

A little hoarse voice trickles from its mouth, as it soars through stacks of unkempt books and ingredients of all varieties - from dead beetles to drying leaves and flower petals. I jump around like a crazy little kitten-Ligon, creating more mess as scattering ingredients and tumbling books add more discord to the chaotic twinkling of the Trollfairy’s laughter. I fight to catch the creature, but my old soul catches up to me as I attempt to match its speed. Fed up, I collapse into a pile of books with a thump, considering my situation and contemplating the wonders of youth as I relax into a mess of fallen items. Little is stronger than my wish for a helper… someone to assist me with the creation of elixirs. My eyes widen as an incredible realisation dawns on me. I rush to find my ink and quill in the mess, hoping that the black liquid hasn’t spilt everywhere. Scrambling, I fumble open my Book Of Elixirs and scribbling a careful note:

Thme meffmect mof Thme Smecrmet mElmixmir mis tmo Fmulfmill whmat thme hmemart mmost strmonglmy dmesmirmes.  Thmosme whmo mmakme phmysmicmal cmontmact wmith thme melmixmir, gmamin thmemir hmemart’s dmemepmest dmesmirmes.

I had wished for someone to help me, or for my youth to be returned… 

"Hey, you! Trollfairy, are you meant to be my little helper?" 

I express my curiosity to the fluttering being. It's laughing quiets down as it turns wide eyes towards me. Near silence is achieved as we stare for a second... Which falls into two… and then longer…suddenly, noise pours from its mouth.

"Er du min meow?" it says and chuckles.

… Great, it speaks a Fairytale language I do not understand. 

"I do not understand, can you speak it in another manner?" 

I inquire of the Trollfairy cautiously, unsure of whether it can understand me. Shuffling, it repeats itself, exuding loud, booming laughter; evil dripping from its tone. It stands cheekily upside down on its little hands. Clearly, it must understand me, so I move closer to it, my face lowering to be at level with the small organism. Our eyes meet.

Looking deep into the big eyes and raising my voice I exclaim,

"You are not funny!" 

And the Trollfairy’s laughter ends. But… What is it doing now?

It’s just standing there; getting more and more green in the face with seething anger, it’s whole body is shaking. A startling noise begins emanating. A painful one that seems to last forever. Flinching immediately, instinct pulls back my ears to avoid the agonising emission.

"Stop it!” 

Desperately, I shout as the ringing in my head increases, blood pounding. Despite all hope, the Trollfairy does not end its infuriating action, not moving when I poke it, but for the whining to increase in volume. I snatch my secret elixir away, where I can protect it. Continuing to poke at the Trollfairy, I hope that it does not explode, or something -  I want nothing more than for it to stop, but nothing I do has an effect. Appearing to be in a trance, the Trollfairy has no reaction to my prodding, which quickly progresses into pushing. And then shoving. And then… despite forceful pressure, it doesn’t move at all, standing still in its spot without budging a single bit. I give it a final push. Something happens. But what was it? I had thought perhaps it moved, but it is clearly in the same place… then I see it again. Growth, bit by bit as it’s ears morph grey-green. 

I grab a half empty elixir from the shelf beside me. Will this work? Or should I summon my staff? Will healing magic change that which doesn’t appear to be wounded? My Sorceress Reflex is dormant, not hinting at danger nor a solution. I gaze upon what is quickly becoming a larger creature, its features remaining grey-green. I uncork the elixir, letting a drop of brown liquid fall over the still growing being. There is no effect, my old brain failing to recall the effect it was supposed to have.

Uncertain, I dripped a small drop of my secret elixir onto it, hoping for the best in my final solution. I can only pray to the Wing Wolves, that the effect is that of the user’s desire, and not the one in physical contact. Any desire could be inside the Trollfairy’s heart, any desire that does not correspond with my distress at this issue.

Secret Elixir uncorked, I attempt to drown out the growing creature, slipping my eyes closed and allowing scents to waft into my nose. The scent is the same as when I last smelled it… the sweet aroma of berries, the piercing scent of burnt fly skin and strong smell of sea salt. My whiskers vibrate with satisfaction, and I allow the drop to fall onto the Trollfairy. I do seriously hope my fate is not so cruel, as for it to become some kind of huge, monstrous dog or something. I wait a few moments with my eyes still tightly closed, muscles relaxing as the howling ends. Calmly, I allow my eyelids to rise. But… where is it? I fumble with the books, searching for a hiding place. But it’s hiding place is not here. 

Laughter rings into the room again, my ears flicking behind me to hear it more clearly. I stumble back, almost backed into the corner of my small home. Swinging my body around, I come face to face with my own eyes, staring back at me from a long mirror. My appearance startles me for a moment, old grey fur dishevelled and the old soul showing unfortunately easily in my mirror image.

Perhaps, I had let myself desire youth too strongly when using the Secret Elixir; it appears to have only worked by physically touching it, not able to bring me back to being a young Kitty-cat. I can still hear the little bandit behind the mirror, so I push it carefully aside. I sincerely desire for it to be small and ugly again...

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Inside the book:

That will by chapters art by Azifri and character pictures by Sarah.Mørch

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