Zilphia and the Troll Friend | Episode 4 of the Zilphia Series

After everything that has happened, Zilphia isn't sure she wants any more surprises. But when her fairy godmother introduces her to someone new, an unexpected encounter may change the course of her journey.

For many children, friendships begin with a single conversation, a shared moment, or someone brave enough to say hello. Yet first impressions don't always tell the whole story. Sometimes the people who enter our lives unexpectedly become part of the adventures we never saw coming.

The ride above the fluffy clouds was amazing! The massive clouds raced across the moonlit sky and soared past the stars like sails, forming a canopy over everything below them. Zilphia held on as tight as she could when her fairy godmother told the dragon to do a death spiral through them.

The forest was quiet as the dragon flew slightly above Glimmerwood Stream. He splashed water on Zilphia’s rosy cheeks as she smiled gleefully. He landed in a clearing in a part of Glimmerwood Forest that Zilphia had never seen. The stream made a fork and a narrow creek flowed from it winding deep beneath dense clusters of trees.

“We’re here,” said Fairy Vaelora as she helped Zilphia down.

The clearing was beautiful! Flowers swayed in the evening breeze filling the air with a sweet aroma. Zilphia’s hair danced gracefully with them while the sun slowly lowered below the horizon. It cast an orange glow over her face as it disappeared. Zilphia turned and followed her godmother down a fog-draped path that curved along the creek.  

It was dark in the forest. Zilphia hurried to catch her godmother as she rushed ahead. She had an eerie feeling. Something was very strange. The trees seemed taller the further they walked. Zilphia was very confused as she looked in every direction.

“God…” A finger quickly covered Zilphia’s lips.

“Shush, my child. You must be very quiet as we travel through this part of the forest,” whispered her godmother.

Zilphia’s eyes widened. She slipped her hand into her godmother’s hand and continued walking. Fairy Vaelora stopped when they reached the creek bed. She turned and looked behind them peering intensely down the path they had just travelled on.

“Hurry! Hold my hand as tight as you can.”

The fairy flew swiftly towards a large, mossy stump. Zilphia screamed, but her godmother muffled the sound. The base of the stump opened and swallowed them just before they hit it. Zilphia’s eyes were closed and her body went limp. Her godmother laid her on the ground.

“Zilphia, are you okay?”

Zilphia didn’t move. She lay there for a moment, too afraid to open her eyes.

“Zilphia! Everything is alright. You can open your eyes now.”

The little fairy rubbed her fingers through the soft grass. She opened one eye and peeped around before opening the other. She was amazed at what she saw.

The darkness wasn’t as scary, and the trees were normal size again as the moon shined brightly above them.

“Where are we?” asked Zilphia shyly.

“The Land of the Trolls,” answered her godmother as she helped Zilphia to her feet.

“Where?”

“The Land of the Trolls,” repeated her godmother holding Zilphia’s face between her hands.

“The Land of the Trolls? Why are we here?” asked the little fairy.

“I told you…  I have someone I want you to meet.”

As they walked swiftly through the trees, Zilphia kept looking around at the strange surroundings. The green moon glared above them, illuminating the purple sky. It was beautiful, but Zilphia had never seen anything like it before. She heard faint, squeaking sounds and looked behind her. Tiny moss creatures were marching down the trees and following them like ants.

A large mountain was in front of them with several cave openings. Zilphia hesitated and stopped as her godmother entered the largest one.

“Stay close to me, dear. You’ll be okay.”

Zilphia still hesitated and didn’t move.

“Do you trust me?” asked her godmother gently.

“Yes, but I’m afraid.”

“It’s okay to be afraid. But there are times when you must trust someone enough to keep moving forward even though you don’t understand.”

The wise fairy gave Zilphia a reassuring smile and grabbed her hand again. This time Zilphia slowly entered the cave.

The musty smell was strong. Zilphia covered her nose with her other hand and walked closer to her godmother. The drop into the cave was steep. Rocks rolled down the path when their steps loosened them. Loud grunting sounds echoed throughout the cave, so Zilphia used her wings to cover her ears.

Sitting next to a fire were three trolls. Two large hairy trolls and a smaller one. They looked at the fairies as they entered.

“Stay here and don’t move,” said Fairy Vaelora.

Zilphia’s eyes were focused on her godmother as she walked towards the trolls. They sat on stumps and began talking, but Zilphia couldn’t hear what they were saying. Something cold touched her shoulder. She jumped and turned around. Standing in front of her was another troll her size. His finger was cold, but his eyes seemed warm and friendly.

“Hi, I’m Eron. Who are you? You’re very pretty.”

“My name is Zilphia,” she said bashfully.

“Zilphia, come here please,” called her godmother.

Zilphia didn’t move.

“The other fairy is calling you.”

“What?”

“The other fairy…,” pointed Eron. “She’s calling you.”

“Oh.” Zilphia flew quickly to her godmother’s side.

“I would like you to meet the King and Queen of the Trolls. This is my god-daughter Zilphia.”

They all spent the evening talking around the fire. Zilphia and Eron had a chance to get acquainted. They played games and told each other stories. Eron told Zilphia about a group of trolls that were very mean. He explained they lived in the forest by the creek and were very dangerous. Zilphia told him her godmother wanted her to be very quiet when they passed through there. She simply didn’t know why.

Eron nodded and said, “That was why. Those trolls are not like the trolls that live here. They were doing things that were evil and had caused a war among the trolls. So, they were banished. They keep trying to return, but they are not allowed to pass through the portal.”

The little troll went to the far side of the cave and picked up a small log. He reached in and pulled out a black feather. Zilphia almost fainted.

“What’s wrong?”

“The f-e-a-t-h-e-r,” she stuttered.

“Have you seen one before?”

“Yes.”

“Where?” asked the troll.

“In my room. A crow came and left it.”

Eron looked down. His expression changed. He looked very worried when his eyes rose up.

“A crow brought this to me too. He left a note.”

Zilphia nodded and a tear fell from the corner of her eye.

“Did your note say... I’ll be back?”

“Yes,” sighed Zilphia.

“I’ll explain, but we must tell my parents.”

Eron noticed Zilphia was too afraid to move. Her face was red as she fought to wipe away her tears.

“Zilphia, no matter what happens… we’ll face it together. I’m not going to let you go through this alone. I’m your friend.”

 

For the first time in days, Zilphia didn't feel alone. Yet beyond the caves, beyond the forest, and beyond the clouds, something was already searching for her.

— Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales