Let The Good Times Troll
It was a bright, sunny day in the kingdom of Enchancia. As a carriage went rolling up to the gate, the two sets of royal twins were flying their kites in an open field.
"Sofia, Madeline, watch this kite trick!" James called. "It's a loop-de-loop. Over, down, and up!" James exclaimed as he executed the kite trick perfectly.
"Watch this." Madeline said.
She and Sofia were about to do their tricks when they tripped on some rocks. Their kites went flying down to the beach.
"They're heading towards the water!" James exclaimed.
"Our kites!" Sofia and Madeline yelled, as the kites drifted towards a nearby cave.
"Oh no!" Sofia yelled.
"At least they're not in the water." James said optimistically.
Sofia and Madeline walked down the stairs towards the cave.
"Wait!" Amber yelled after them. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To get our kites." Sofia answered.
"I wouldn't go down there." Amber said. "That's where the castle trolls live."
"There are trolls in the castle?" Madeline asked, confused.
"Under the castle." Amber corrected her. "They live in a cave by the water and they're green and creepy. Or so I've been told."
"It's okay, girls." James assured them. "The trolls never come out during the day. I'll go get your kites."
"That's alright." Sofia responded. "We'll go."
They walked towards the kites next to the caves and spotted them in front of it.
"There they are" Madeline said.
They walked over to them to find them torn at the frame.
"Oh, they're torn." Madeline said, disappointed.
Then they heard some sort of rumbling inside the caves.
"Huh, what's that sound?" Sofia asked Madeline.
"I don't know, sis." Madeline replied.
Then they saw a troll in front of the crack between the rocks.
"Aah! A troll!" The twins said together and ran off, leaving their kites behind.
"Hey wait, you forgot your kites!" The troll yelled after them. He then pulled the kites into the cave.
Later, at dinner, the family were about to start dessert.
"Okay, who's ready for some jiggly-wiggly pudding?" Miranda asked.
"I am!" James cheered.
"Me too!" Roland said childishly. Clearing his throat, he added. "I mean, me too."
"Dad, what do you about the castle trolls?" Sofia asked.
"Why, why do you ask, Sofia?" Roland inquired.
"Well, me and Madeline saw one today, and-" Sofia declared.
"You saw a troll?" Roland said scandalously.
"The castle has trolls?" Miranda asked.
"You don't know about the trolls?" Roland asked back. "Surely you've heard about king Gideon and the castle trolls?"
"No." Miranda answered.
"No." Sofia followed.
"No." Madeline added.
"Can I tell it, Dad?" James asked.
"Sure, go right ahead, James." Roland nodded
"One night, long ago, when our great-grandpa Gideon was King..." James started.
*Flashback*
"He heard a loud thumping outside the castle." James voice narrated, as king Gideon stepped outside. "So he went out to see what it was. And right there in the courtyard, he saw a bunch of green, bug-eyed trolls banging their clubs."
"Trolls!" Gideon gasped. "Clubs! Guards! Come Quick! We must protect the castle!
"The guards bravely charged the trolls all the way back to their cave." James narrated, as the trolls were chased off.
*Present*
"And no-one's seen a troll outside the cave ever since." James finished.
"Whoa." Sofia and Madeline said.
"That night, king Gideon proclaimed that the trolls stay down in their cave, and we stay up here." Roland declared. "That's the castle rule. It's safer that way, for everyone."
The next morning, as Clover was sleeping by Madeline in her bed, Sofia, sleeping in the window seat, was awoken by the noise of the lost kites tapping against the window.
"Madeline, wake up." Sofia called. "Our kites are back"
"Sofia, what are you talking about?" Madeline yawned as she get out of bed and over to the window.
"Look, our kites are flying." Sofia pointed.
"Our kites?" Madeline asked.
"Yeah, those are Kites." Clover noted. "You seem surprised to see them."
"We are." Sofia nodded, as Mia and Robin flew in.
"How did they get back up here?" Robin asked.
"Beats me." Madeline shrugged. "We left them by the troll cave yesterday."
"That troll we saw yesterday must have brought it back." Sofia realised.
"You saw a troll?" Robin gasped.
"And he fixed them, too." Madeline pointed out as they pulled them in. "Maybe the trolls aren't so bad after all."
"We should thank him." Sofia declared.
"Yeah, well, that is the polite thing to do." Clover said lazily. "Wait, wait?!" What, You're gonna do what?!"
Sofia and Madeline walked into their closet and quickly changed.
"Well, we're off to the cave." Madeline announced.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Robin asked.
"Clover's right." Sofia smiled. "It is the polite thing to do."
"See you soon!" Madeline waved, as the sisters left their bedroom.
Sofia and Madeine walked down to the cave and went inside. They found a lot of beautiful gems on the walls.
"Hello! Mr. Troll!" Sofia shouted, her voice echoing off the cave's walls.
"Anyone!" Madeline shouted. "Hello!"
"Come out, come out, where ever you are!" Sofia called. "Is anyone in here?"
The twins came across a wooden bridge. As they stepped on it, the planks started to creak from the pressure.
"Mr. Troll?" Madeline called again. "Anyone
Suddenly, a green arm pulled them off the bridge.
"Careful Princesses." The troll said. "Some of those planks can be really loose."
The twins gasped in realization
"You're the troll we saw yesterday." Madeline realized. "Hi, I'm Madeline."
"And I'm her twin sister, Sofia." Sofia introduced.
"Gnarlie." The troll shook their hands. "Pleased to meet you, girls. Did you get your kites?"
"So, it was you." Madeline smiled. "We knew it."
"I felt bad about scaring you yesterday." Gnarlie declared, moving on his knuckles like a gorilla.
"It's alright." Sofia smiled. "Thanks for fixing our kites.
"So, is this were the castle trolls live?" Madeline asked.
"Right through here." Gnarlie led them down a stone staircase. "Come on, I'll show you."
As Sofia and Madeline followed, they saw a waterfall to the side.
"Wow, it's beautiful." Madeline sighed.
"These stairs are a little steep." Gnarlie warned them. "Watch your step."
"Whoa." Sofia gasped, feasting her eyes on the trolls' settlement.
"This is our grotto." Gnarlie announced.
"These crystals look just like stars." Madeline noted as she gazed at the ceiling.
"That's why we put them there." Gnarlie smiled.
A little troll peeked around Sofia's dress.
"They remind us of the stars." She mumbled.
"Well, hello there." Sofia chuckled. "What's your name?"
"Teeny." The little troll replied.
"Nice to meet you, Teeny." Sofia toussled Teeny's hair.
"Ditto." Madeline added.
"The sun is too bright for our eyes." Gnarlie revealed. "But starlight is just right. We love watching them twinkle and sparkle."
"Us, too." Sofia smiled. "But why look at pretend stars, when you can go outside and see the real ones?"
"We aren't allowed?" Teeny sighed.
"Not allowed?" Madeline asked. "Why not?"
"One night, long ago-" Gnarlie started.
*Flashback*
"Our great Grand-Trolls went up to look at the stars. It was such a beautiful sight, all those twinkling lights shining up in the night sky. The trolls were so happy. But then old King Gideon came up out of the castle. He got very angry."
"Guards!" Gideon roared. "After them!"
"The guards chased the trolls all the way back to the cave, for no reason at all."
*Present*
"And ever since, we're not allowed to leave the cave." Gnarlie finished. "Not even to see the stars."
"I've never seen real stars." Teeny sighed. "Only these."
"We've heard this story." Sofia told them. "King Gideon thought the trolls were attacking the castle."
"Attacking the castle?!" Gnarlie gasped. "We were just looking at the stars!"
"But you were banging your clubs." Madeline pointed.
"We bang our clubs when we're happy." Gnarlie revaled.
"It's our music." Teeny gurgled.
"Your Music?" Sofia and Madeline said together.
Let's show them." Gnarlie smiled.
Gnarlie whistled, and numerous trolls came out of their homes and cave nooks. They started rythmically banging their clubs on the ground.
Gnarlie:Sometimes I'm feeling happy And there's lots I'd like to say Start to speak, knees grow weak Cause the words get in the way.
Gnarlie/Troll: Life's full of happy moments, Like being here with you Gnarlie: So ask us how we're feeling now Gnarlie/Troll: And this is what we'd do.
Gnarile:When you can't find the words for your joy Make some noise Trolls: Make some noise
Gnarlie: That beat that you repeat is your voice Make some noise Trolls: Make some noise
Gnarlie: Feeling crazy what do you do Make some noise Trolls: Make some noise
Gnarlie: Almost seems too good to be true Make some noise Trolls: Make some noise Make some noise Make some noise
Trolls: We're noisy when we're happy And even when we're sad Because we found that all that sound Makes things not so bad
Gnarlie: So if we start to worry Trolls: If something make us frown Gnarlie: We start a groove, make a move Trolls: And turn that frown around
The trolls handed the twins two clubs. as Gnarlie scatted.
Trolls: Make some noise Sofia/Madeline: Make some noise Trolls: Make some noise Sofia/Madeline: Make some noise
"Troll: Feeling crazy, what do you do Trolls: Make some noise Make some noise
Sofia/Madeline: Almost feels too good to be true Trolls: Make some noise Sofia/Madeline: Make some noise" All: Make some noise Make some noise Yeah, make some noise Some noise Noise Noise
As Gnarlie scatted again, the trolls and the twins made a pyramid, which collapsed. They all laughed uproariously.
As the girls got back to the castle, they saw James mock-fighting a statue with his wooden sword.
"Take that!" James jabbed. "And that! And that!"
"James, we need your help." Sofia asked.
"With what?" James asked.
"We met the trolls, and they're really nice." Madeline announced.
"You went down to their cave?" James gasped. "And they didn't bonk you with their clubs?"
"No." Sofia smiled. "They give us a pair."
"But, but what about king Gideon's story?" James asked.
"It was all a big misunderstanding." Madeline told him. "The trolls never attacked the castle."
"They just wanted to see the stars." "Sofia added. "And they were only banging they clubs to make music. Like this."
The girls started banging their clubs on the ground.
"See?" Madeline asked. "It's music."
"I want one." James smiled.
"You can have my mine." Sofia offered "But first, you have to help us show everyone that they don't need to be afraid of the trolls."
Just then, a group of acrobats walked by.
"Hey Baileywick, what's with all the acrobats?" James asked.
"They're performing for you and the royal family after dinner tonight." Baileywick declared.
"That's it!" Sofia smiled.
"What's it?" James asked.
"We'll have the trolls play their music for mom and dad tonight." Sofia declared.
"Then everyone will see how much fun they are!" Madeline added, catching on.
"Great idea!" James nodded.
"Let's go tell the trolls." Sofia suggested.
"Wait, we're going to their cave?" James said timidly. "Now?"
"We have to." Madeline giggled. "It's almost dinner time."
"Brilliant!" James smiled, following his sisters.
A short while later, at the cave, Sofia and Madeline had just finished telling Gnarlie and Teeny their plan.
"We're not supposed to be anywhere near the castle." How are we going to get inside without anyone seeing us?"
"Uhh, we'll sneak you in?" James suggested.
"How?" Gnarlie asked.
"Good question." James sighed.
"I know." Sofia declared. "We'll come get you while everyone is eating dessert."
"We have to miss dessert?" James asked. "Ugh!"
"then, we'll sneak you into the back, and hide you until it's time to perform." Madeline continued.
"And you think playing our songs will make them like us?" Teeny asked.
"We do, Teeny." Sofia smiled. "We really do."
Gnarlie thought for a moment.
"Okay, we'll do it." He agreed, as Teeny cheered.
"Great." Madeline smiled.
"Can I have my club now?" James asked.
"Here." Sofia handed him hers. "But you still have to help us."
"You got it!" James nodded.
"After tonight, we'll all be friends." Madeline declared. "I promise."
That night, it was also time for dessert.
"Ah, jiggly-wiggly pudding!" Roland gave Sofia and Madeline a thumbs up. "Great!"
"Mmm, dinner was de-licious!" Sofia smiled. "But I'm stuffed."
"Me too." Madeline added.
"And me." James agreed. "Can I be excused?"
"You don't want dessert?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah, but..." James mumbled.
"But we're full." Sofia elbowed him. "Can Madeline and I go too?"
"Alright." Miranda declared.
The three siblings rushed out of the room. Amber looked after them with suspicion, but lost her focus when a goblet of jiggly-wiggly pudding was placed before her.
Sofia, Madeline and James quietly let in Gnarlie, Teeny, and other trolls. As they moved through the castle, they heard people talking.
"Someone's coming!" Madeline whispered.
"Quick, hide!" James yelped.
As they hid behind a tapestry, Baileywick and the acrobats walked by.
"I'm sure you'll find the king and queen to be a most agreeable audience." Baileywick told the acrobats. "And the chidren are-"
"Shh!" Sofia hushed the trolls.
"Hmm." Baileywick looked around, before turning back to the acrobats. "Delightful."
Shortly after, the trolls were led to the throne room.
"The coast is clear." Madeline told them.
"Come on, come on." James cajoled. "Where should they hide?"
"There." Sofia pointed to a large curtain in the back.
They all ran behind the curtain.
"This is perfect!" Madeline whispered. "You guys wait back here. After the acrobats are finished performing, we'll tell everyone that there's one more surprise. Then, you start playing your music. Are you ready?"
"We're ready." Gnarlie smiled, as the trolls cheered and raised their clubs.
James peeked through the curtain.
"They're coming." He hissed.
Sofia, Madeline and James rushed to their thrones, sitting down just as the rest of their family arrived.
"Oh, hi!" Roland said, surprised. "You three must really want to see those acrobats, huh?"
"We, uh... can't wait!" Sofia smiled cheerily.
As the rest of the royal family took their seats, Amber glared at Sofia and Madeline, before approaching James.
"You three are up to something, and I want to know what it is." She whispered.
"It's nothing." James said nervously.
"Uh-huh." Amber sniffed, opening her fan and taking her seat.
"Your majesties." Baileywick declared. "May I present tonight's entertainment."
The acrobats lept in from behind the thrones and started performing.
"Whoa!" James gasped. "That's amazing!"
The acrobats performed all kinds of tricks.
"Marvelous!" Roland smiled.
"Brilliant!" James cheered.
The acrobats ended with a marvelous tower formation.
"Magnificent!" Roland cheered. "Bravo!"
"James." Sofia said as James whistled.
" James, open the curtain!" Madeline hissed.
"Oh, right." James said, flipping down the staircase.
"Go!" Sofia told him.
Amber gave Sofia and Madeline a quizzical look. They shrugged in response.
"That concludes this evening's entertainment." Baileywick declared, as the acrobats took a bow. "For your majesties' pleasure, refreshments will be served on the terrace."
"But there is one more surprise for everyone, tonight." Madeline declared, walking down the steps.
"There is?" Baileywick asked. "Not on my schedule."
"Some very special musicians, who are also our closest neighbours." Sofia announced, joining Madeline.
"Hmm, I wonder who that could be?" Roland declared.
"Drum roll, please." Sofia requested.
The trolls starting banging their clubs.
"Sounds... lively." Roland admitted.
At Sofia's signal, James opened the curtain, revealing the trolls.
"Trolls?" Roland gasped. "In the castle?"
"Hey, these trolls are kind of fun." Amber smiled.
"Guards, guards!" Roland called. "Seize those trolls!"
"No, wait!" Madeline called. "Don't seize them! They're just making music!"
The guards charged in.
"Spread out!" Gnarlie yelled, as the trolls scattered.
"Please listen." Sofia begged "Leave them alone. They're our friends."
The trolls all managed to escape. As Gnarlie and Teeny prepared to jump out the window, they looked back at Sofia and Madeline.
"Gnarlie..." Madeline sighed.
Gnarlie leapt out of the widow, carrying Teeny.
"How did trolls get into the castle?" He asked.
"We brought them in." Madeline admitted.
"We'll talk about this late girls." Roland said sternly. "Miranda could you take the children to thein rooms until we make sure the castle is safe?"
"Of course." Miranda nodded. "Come along, kids."
Sofia and Madeline were still looking at their dad who looked angry.
"Sofia, Madeline." Miranda called.
The twins glumly followed.
"Even if the girls did let them in, the trolls broke the rules." Roland told Baileywick. "They stay below, and we stay on top."
"Yes, your majesty." Baileywick nodded. "Tomorrow, I'll place a guard outside the cave so this never happens again."
"Good idea, Baileywick." Roland nodded.
Sofia and Madeline briefly looked back, then kept going.
A short time later, they were in bed, Miranda at their side.
"We were only trying to help everyone get along." Sofia sighed.
"The trolls aren't like everyone thinks." Madeline insisted.
"That's one of the things I love about you, girls." Miranda smiled. "You always want to see the good in everyone. We can talk more about this in the morning, but for now, you need to get some sleep." She kissed them both on the forehead. "I love you girls, good night."
As Miranda left the room, Clover and the other animals arrived.
"So, how'd it go?" Clover asked tentatively.
"It was awful!" Sofia buried her face in her hands. "We tried to make things better, and we only made them worse!"
"I'm sorry." Robin said.
Sofia and Madeline got out of bed, and donned their dressing gowns.
"What are you doing?" Clover asked.
"Tomorrow, they're putting guards outside the trolls' cave." Madeline revealed. "This may be our last chance to Gnarlie."
"We hav to tell him we're sorry." Sofia added. "And... say goodbye."
Sofia and Madeline headed for the door.
"Yo, hold up, princesses." Clover called. "We're goin' with you."
"We're what?" Mia yelped.
"Mia..." Robin said gently.
"But it's too dark to go out there, Robin!" Mia trembled.
"Well, we'll just have to bring a night light." Clover smiled, hopping over to the window. "Hey, Flicks!"
A firefly hovered over to Clover.
"I need a favor, buddy." Clover grinned.
Moments later, the group left the castle, Sofia carrying a lantern with Flix inside.
"A firefly lantern." She smiled. "Great idea, Clover!"
Unbeknownst to them, Roland was wacthing them from the balcony.
"Where are they going?" He pondered. "No!."
The group entered the cave.
"Gnarlie?" Madeline called.
"Gnarlie!" Sofia joined in.
"Welp, looks like they're not home." Robin said breezily. "Let's come back later."
"Yeah, I'm with you." Clover shivered. "It is spooky in here."
"Where are you, Gnarlie?" Madeline called.
"It's us, Sofia and Madeline!" Sofia yelled. "We need to talk to you!"
"Gnarlie!" Madeline shouted. "Gnarlie?"
"Oh, where is he?" Sofia sighed.
"Sofia!" Roland declared. "Madeline!"
"Dad?" Sofia and Madeline said together.
"What are you doing?" Roland asked. "You shouldn't be down here. We must go back at once. It's not safe."
There was a loud creaking, and the bridge they were standing on collapsed, sending the three of them down a hole.
"We need to get help!" Robin gasped.
At the bottom of the hole, Roland struggled to his feet.
"Are you alright, girls?" He asked.
"I think so." Sofia groaned.
"Girls, you knew about the rule." Roland sighed. "Why would you bring trolls into the castle?"
"Because everyone's wrong about them." Madeline declared. "They're not mean!"
"Then why were they banging their clubs?" Roland asked.
"Because that's how they make music." Sofia announced. "That's what they were doing the night king Gideon saw them: Making. Music."
"If he'd listened to them, he would have heard." Madeline stated. "But he didn't, and neither did you tonight."
"And now they'll never see the stars." Sofia finished.
"The stars?" Roland asked.
"They love to look at the stars, dad." Madeline revealed. "If only you had listened."
The cave started rumbling.
"We have to find a way out." Roland declared.
"Quick!" Gnarlie popped through the hole, startling Roland. "Grab my hand, your majesty!"
"Gnarlie!" Sofia and Madeline said together.
"You know this troll?" Roland asked.
"Yeah." Sofia smiled.
"We're friends." Madeline grinned.
Taking both girls in one and arm, Roland offered the other to Gnarlie. A group of trolls pulled on the rope tied around Gnarlie's waist, lifting them up.
"Hold tight, your majesty." Gnarlie groaned. "Pull, pull!"
The trolls finally lifted them out, and took them to their settlement to celebrate.
"Thank you." Sofia told Gnarlie.
"You're safe." Robin said in relief.
"You had me worried, kid." Clover admitted.
"We're okay now, Clover." Madeline smiled as Gnarlie placed his hand on both girls' shoulders.
"All these years, we thought the worst of the trolls." Roland reflected. "Yet tonight, you risked your lives to safe ours. You show as much courage as my bravest knights. I humbly thank you, and I am truly sorry for how you have been treated. But I want to make it up to you as best as I can, starting tonight. Please, come back up to the castle.
"Us?" Gnarlie asked.
"Yes, all of you." Roland smiled. "It's about time we changed some rules around here. I'm going to make a royal proclamation."
"A what?" Teeny piped up.
"Well, well!" Roland chuckled, picking up Teeny. "And who do we have here?"
"I'm Teeny." Teeny smiled.
"You sure are." Roland chuckled. "Well, Teeny, a proclamation is a big announcement that only kings are allowed to make."
"And I know just where you can make it, dad." Sofia added.
Sofia whispered into Roland's ear.
"Ah, yes." Roland smiled. "That's perfect."
"Woo-hoo!" Teeny cheered.
Roland had the trolls transported through the streets by carriage, a royal fanfare alerting the people to follow. A short time later, the royals, the trolls, and several others were gathered at the observatory.
"It is time to correct a great misunderstanding." Roland announced. "The trolls are, and always have been, our friends. From this day forward, they shall be treated as such."
The crowd applauded.
"Yeah, great!" Gnarlie celebrated with Sofia and Madeline.
"Brilliant!" James chuckled, shaking one troll's hand, and another's foot.
A number of trolls were examining Amber. One plucked off her tiara, putting on himself.
"Um... pleased to meet you." Amber said nervously.
"And our new friends are welcome to come above and look at the stars whenever they like." Roland continued. "Or they could come here."
"What does the king mean?" Gnarlie asked. "Why would we come here to look at stars?"
"Look up." Madeline pointed.
The roof of the observatory opened, revealing the star-studded sky.
"Stars!" Gnarlie gasped.
"This is the observatory." Madeline explained. "It's where we come to study the stars."
The trolls looked up in awe. Teeny tilted her back so much, she fell backwards. Roland caught her, and lifted her onto his shoulders.
"May I?" He asked.
"Mm-hmm." Teeny nodded.
"Oh, I'm so glad it worked out well." Miranda told Sofia and Madeline. "But promise me you'll never go into a dark cave alone ever again."
"Okay, mom." Sofia smiled, as she and Madeline hugged her.
"Thank you for helping us see the stars again." Gnarlie told the twins. "They're beautiful."
Gnarlie hugged them both.
"Yes, they are." Madeline agreed, gazing upwards.
"Now, let's make some noise!" James declared, holding up his club.
Cheering loudly, the trolls started banging their clubs on the ground, treating the crowd to their music