And so, dear reader, due to the magical properties of the aforementioned troll teeth, I found myself in the unfortunate service of Mortalus. Brighter than most trolls, Mortalus had a nasty streak almost as terrible as his own breath. The tooth I’d tried to steal from him dangled from a twisted silver chain around my neck to remind me of that awful fact as I nervously approached Princess Anna with his wedding gift.
“Come forward, imp,” flame-haired Anna beckoned.
I clutched the jewel-encrusted box even tighter, if that was possible, afraid of what lay inside. I was bound to obey Mortalus, who had bid me deliver the golden box to Anna and her betrothed. I had tried to sneak a peek, only to ensure the Princess’s safety mind you, but my Master had sealed it with an enchantment only Anna’s touch could open.
“Be sure she knows it’s from me, slave,” Mortalus warned me before he left. Perhaps the mere mention of his name would alert her? It was all I could do.
“A gift from my Master, Mortalus. Forgive me, mistress.” I fell on one knee before the fairy princess and offered her the box above my bowed head. Several in the crowd gasped. Someone cried out “Don’t take it, Princess!”, but Anna smiled graciously down on me.
“Do not be afraid for me,” she said, taking the gift from my shaking hands. Her touch created a glow that spilled from the box as she opened it. I had prepared myself to run. Should any harm befall the princess, it would certainly mean my sure, swift death. Only now, I discovered I was rooted to the earth, unable to move, mesmerized by what happened next. All the chattering voices in the chamber hushed. The pure song of a lark rang out clear and sweet in the silence, but what emerged was no lark.
A fully-formed dragon, long of fang and green as cut emeralds, sprang from the box into our midst. The beast hovered over our heads on blurry wings, like a giant hummingbird selecting its next flower. Setting its sights on the princess, the creature shrieked and dove for her with jaws wide. Before I knew what was happening, her Highness grabbed the unbreakable chain around my neck and held my talisman high with me still dangling from it. The dragon hit the troll tooth and fell back as if it had slammed into a stone wall no one could see. With an ear-splitting scream, the beast crashed through a window and flew away.
Princess Anna released my chain and I fell to my knees once more.
“My lady, how did you…?” I stammered. Princess Anna pushed her wild hair back and smiled at me.
“Troll teeth have many magical properties, imp. Didn’t you know?”
My wish for you, Anna and Michael~
May you know peace, both near and far from each other~
May you grow together, not only when times are sweet, but when they are hard~
And may you always protect each other from the trolls of this world~
