Chapter Six

The group of fairies and trolls, now fast friends, got back to Alfea a couple of hours later. They would have stayed longer shopping in Magix, but for the trolls it was now late at night and they felt the need for sleep.

Ms. Griselda met them at the gate.

"Ms. Faragonda spoke to Obsidian, and she promised to call your parents," she said.

"Thanks a lot," answered Ruby, "That's a load off our minds."

"She's also arranged a ride home for you, but as she feared it will have to wait until tomorrow," the severe teacher added.

"That's okay," said Sapphire, "But we really need to get to bed."

"I thought as much, so I've set aside a suite in the student wing for you. Follow me, please," she answered.

As they crossed the quad, the trolls noted their skoots and helmets were still where they had left them. Soon they had showered, crashed and burned, barely remembering to say good night to their new friends and hostess.

Griselda closed the door and turned to the Winx, who were standing in the hall waiting for her.

"I gather you showed them a good time?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," answered Musa.

"That Topaz really knows her fashion," said Stella, "We had a great time!"

"Good job," she nodded, and started to leave.

"Uh, Miss," started Bloom, "Why is it that we've never seen trolls around? Are they rare or something?"

Griselda pondered her answer for a few seconds, then said, "Follow me."

The Winx soon discovered that their teacher was heading for the library. Since school was out, it stood empty on this Saturday afternoon. She took them over to a globe of the planet Magix.

"Here's where we are," she said, pointing to a spot labeled "Magix." She turned the globe 180 degrees. "And here is the city of Trollzopolis. Almost all the trolls in the world live in it or one of the surrounding cities, like Trolladelphia." She pointed at another spot south and east of the first.

Bloom snorted. Trolladelphia?

Stella gave her a look. "Does that mean something to you, Bloom?"

"Yeah, but never mind, not important," she answered.

"Is that deliberate, them living in one place?" Tecna asked Griselda, getting back to the subject.

"Yes, it is," nodded Griselda. "The Troll Nation government has had a policy of isolation for a long, long time. It's not illegal for trolls to travel, but generally speaking they don't."

"But why?" asked Flora, "I really like these girls, and they're gifted in magic."

"There are some cultural reasons, but the main one is that gremlin Simon. They told you about him, I believe?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am. He caused a lot of trouble for the trolls, and has taken over and nearly destroyed the troll civilization several times," said Tecna.

"He's the one who transported them here," added Stella. "I gather the spell is like the one I use with my scepter."

"Right. And if he ever succeeds and stays in power, he'll try to expand his influence to the rest of Magix. But it will be very hard for him to do that because they've chosen to keep to themselves and have very little contact with any other parts of the world."

"A whole people kept from the world because of fear of one would-be tyrant. That's so sad..." said Flora.

"I agree with you, Flora, but they debated a long time before taking that action. They felt the risks outweighed the benefits," said Griselda.

"Too bad. It would be interesting to know a troll fairy," said Flora.

Griselda shook her head. "Trolls don't become fairies," she said, "Their magic and the way it's used is very tightly ingrained into what and who they are. Their system of magic is very old, and has evolved so that transforming isn't necessary."

"Your friends can work together to cast a spell, and it will be a lot stronger than one cast individually. In their parlance it's called the Magic of the Five," said the teacher, cleaning her glasses.

"Cast a spell together..." said Bloom, thoughtfully.

"That sounds cool," said Musa.

"Fairies can do that too. It's called a Convergence Spell. You'll learn it next year," said Griselda.

"You said they had cultural reasons for isolating themselves?" asked Tecna.

"Yes. As part of the idea of unity, many names of things they use have the word 'troll' in them," said Griselda.

"Like the money they used was called 'trollars' instead of 'dollars'," said Bloom.

"'Trollzopolis' instead of 'Metropolis'," added Tecna.

"'Trolladelphia' instead of 'Philadelphia'," said Bloom.

The others gave her a brief, wondering look.

"Being named after gemstones is unique in my experience," put in Musa.

"That's a thought," said Flora, "What about male trolls?"

"As a rule, they are named for rocks and minerals," was the reply. "But they use ordinary names as well."

"Like, say, Mica, or Coal?" asked Tecna.

"That's right. When you get a chance, ask what their family names are," said Griselda. "There are other unique things about trolls you'll discover if you observe them." She glanced at a clock. "I need to check some things, so any more questions will have to wait for later. There are some books about trolls here, if you're interested."

"Hey, yeah!" said Stella, "It's Saturday afternoon, and we're in the library!"

Griselda rolled her eyes. "It wouldn't hurt you to spend more time here and less time shopping."

Stella looked at the tall woman like she had just cut up her favorite credit card.

Griselda smirked and left the Winx to their own devices.

wc/bffl wc/bffl wc/bffl

Bloom was the last fairy to flop down on the couch in the common room of their suite. Kiko jumped into her lap, and she petted him.

"What an incredible day!" said Flora, "Making new friends, and they're of a race I didn't know existed!"

"They are a lot of fun, aren't they?" asked Musa. She and Onyx had really hit it off, and she found the troll girl was very knowledgeable about music of all kinds, even if the artists she knew of were all trolls. Oddly, they did discover some classical music titles they both knew.

"It really makes me sad that they go home tomorrow, and we won't see them again," said Flora.

"Yeah, it'll be hard to keep in touch without a compatible phone service," said Tecna.

"Can't you do something about it?" asked Musa.

The Fairy of Technology shook her head. "I looked at Sapphire's spell phone, but the way it's configured prevents any major modifications."

"Oh yeah, spell phone. What's that about?" asked Stella.

"Apparently they can put one of those beads in the phone port and send a spell over the service line," answered Tecna.

"Oh, man, that is SO cool!" said Musa.

"I've got an idea," said Bloom.

"I hoped you would, sweetie, what is it?" asked Flora.

"This guy Simon is responsible for the trolls isolating themselves, right? So what about if tomorrow we go to Trollzopolis with them, and help take him out? Then they can start being part of Magix again," she said.

"But we're on vacation, and that's too much like school work!" protested Stella.

"So you're saying you don't want to see Topaz again?" asked Musa.

The blond princess gaped at her. "No, but..."

"Besides, they helped us out of a really tight spot. We owe them. You especially, Stella," the Musical Fairy went on.

"I... er... I guess you're right. I'm in," said Stella, turning red.

"As fairies, it's our duty to help people in trouble. I would say the trolls are in trouble," said Flora.

There was agreement with that, and with the idea of going with them.

"We'll ask Ms. Faragonda tomorrow morning," said Bloom.