It was a beautiful Wednesday morning in Trolberg. The sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon. Flocks of Woffs were flying high in the sky, and birds were singing lovely tunes. Children were waking up and getting ready to go to school or scouts. Adults were getting ready to drop their kids off and then leave for work.
The massive trolls that lived just outside the large wall separating them and Trolberg were stuck in their rock-like states until sunset. Shops and businesses in Trolberg were opening back up for the day. Cars and trucks flooded the streets, whether it was to go to work, drop off kids, or grab some breakfast. Some drivers were honking their horns at the car in front of them and shouting things like "What's the hold up?". People began to fill up inside shops and cafes. School buses were taking kids to school and subways were taking adults to their jobs.
Meanwhile, in a certain apartment in the suburbs of Trolberg, a young blue-haired girl was still sleeping in her bed. Sleeping just beside her bed was a white fox-like creature with antlers, a "deerfox" if you will.
And on a nearby nightstand, a little elf in a pointy red hat and equally red shirt was asleep as well, nestled comfortably in a little cloth (which he used as a blanket).
Just then, several loud knocks on the bedroom door woke the trio right out of their sleep.
"Hilda, it's time for your Sparrow Scouts meeting!" the girl's mother said.
"I'm up, Mum!" Hilda said. She sprang out of bed, and took a moment to yawn and stretch. The deerfox then came up to Hilda and nuzzled her leg.
"Good morning, Twig!" Hilda giggled and ruffled Twig's head.
Hilda then proceeded to get dressed for the day. As she slipped on her usual black leggings and Sparrow Scout uniform over her nightgown, she talked to Twig and Alfur about how today is a special day.
"Today's the big day, guys." Hilda said as she put on her leggings. "Today I'm going to a Sparrow Scouts meeting to learn about a new badge!"
"Ooh, what kind of badge?" Alfur asked.
"I don't really know. The Raven Leader didn't say." Hilda said as she put her Sparrow Scouts shirt on. "I guess it'll be a surprise!"
"Oh, I love surprises!" Alfur said with glee. "This will make a riveting report for the elves back at home."
"Alfur, I suggest you wait until we know what the badge is." Hilda said as she put on her red neckerchief and Sparrow Scouts hat.
"Aw, but I haven't written a report in ages!" said a disappointed Alfur.
"Sorry, Alfur. But you'll just have to be patient. What if it's a Skydiving Badge? Or a Hiking Badge? We won't know for sure until after the meeting". Hilda said as she adjusted her hat and put on her red rain boots.
"Are you ready, Hilda?" Mum shouted from across the hall.
"Yep!" Hilda said as she left her bedroom. "See you guys later!" Hilda waved goodbye to Twig and Alfur and left for the front door.
"Ah, there you are. Let's go, my little Sparrow Scout." Mum said to Hilda as the two headed for the car.
Once in the car and on the road, Mum asked Hilda what she's doing at scouts today. "What're you doing today?"
"The Raven Leader is introducing us to a new badge!" the blue-haired eleven-year-old said excitedly. "She didn't specify what it is, though. But if I earn this badge, it'll be the first badge I've ever earned!"
Mum smiled at Hilda's enthusiasm. But just then, she remembered how bad Hilda felt about not earning any badges her first year.
"Hilda, I know you're disappointed that you didn't earn any badges last year. But badges don't matter. All that matters is that you try your very best. No matter what, you'll always be the best daughter a mum could ever have. Badges or no badges." Mum reassured Hilda.
Hilda turned to Mum and smiled, looking as if she was about to cry. "Thanks, Mum. I love you."
"I love you too." Mum said and patted Hilda on the back in a successful attempt to keep her (and herself) from tearing up.
A few minutes of silence passed, with Mum driving through the busy streets of Trolberg and Hilda looking out the window at all the sights in awe, before Hilda's mum found words.
"So, what do you think the new badge is?" Mum asked Hilda.
"Hm, I don't really know." Hilda said. "Maybe it's a Scavenger Badge! Or a Baking Badge! I guess I won't know until I'm there. But what I do know is that whatever it is, it'll be really cool." Hilda said with confidence.
"I'm sure it will." Mum said.
That's it for chapter one. If you're disappointed that this chapter didn't have much to do with the main story at all, that's because this chapter is supposed to serve as an introduction, just kind of setting things up.
Stay tuned for chapter two, when we get more into the meat of the story.