Chapter Eighteen - The Kingdom of the Silver Trolls
Ash slept so deeply that he didn't dream. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking to clear his sleepy vision. He yawned, slowly sitting up. He cautiously surveyed his surroundings, growing more and more confused by the minute. This was not the sandy, crystal-lit cavern where he ended up. He was no longer soaked from his ride in the water. This was a lovely bedroom fit for a prince: a canopy bed, maroon drapes over the window, a desk with books lined up on top of it, and a small fireplace. Ash found his pack sitting on the desk chair. He was dry, wearing only his underpants, and his freshly washed clothes lay folded neatly on the desk.
"Hello?" Ash's voice was hoarse. He then registered the hunger pain in his stomach. He was happy to be out of the caves, but where was he? He had visited the mountain trolls before, and this didn't look like Queen Snowstar's castle. The colors here were bright, and silver accents graced the decor. The mountain troll castle used cooler colors in their decorations, reflecting their snowy environment.
The door opened, and Ash's jaw dropped. An eleven-year-old girl entered the room, wearing a black dress decorated with gems and silver designs. A dainty silver tiara, adorned with a pretty blue gem, sat in her hair, which hung down in curls around her shoulders. What shocked Ash was her colors: she was grey, like him. Her eyes were light grey like a raincloud, and her curly hair was as black as obsidian, like Ash's hair. Her skin was unlike anything Ash ever saw. She had patches of silvery grey and white, like the coat of a pinto horse.
The girl smiled, setting a tray of food on Ash's lap. "How good to see you awake at last. You are just in time for lunch."
Ash looked to the tray—a sandwich, vegetables, fruit, milk, and juice—and he wolfed down the food. "Is it lunchtime already?" he asked with his mouth full.
"You slept all through the night and through breakfast." the girl confirmed. "We worried for you."
Ash gulped down his juice. He hadn't stopped staring at the girl even as he ate. "You're grey."
The girl giggled. "How very observant."
"I just don't meet grey trolls very often." Ash finished his food already and set the tray aside.
"In this case, the correct term is 'silver troll.'" the girl said.
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Silver troll? That's just a myth."
"Yes, we know." the girl said. "My name is Princess Lapis Lazuli. You may call me Zuli."
"My name is Prince Ash. You can call me Ash." the grey prince said with a smile.
"Well, as soon as you dress, I can take you to my father. He and the rest of my family are having lunch in the conservatory." Zuli stood and walked from the room.
Ash was still rather discombobulated, but also very curious to meet the king. After all, he was just saved by these trolls, and this king was awfully kind to allow him to rest in the castle. Ash quickly pulled on his pants and vest, and he joined Zuli outside the room so she could guide him. He analyzed the hallway as they walked, taking in the intricately carved stoneware, elegant pottery, and detailed tapestries. When they passed a window, Ash looked outside. From his vantage point, he could see a lovely little valley with the mountains surrounding it. It was like a little spot of paradise in the middle of snowy, harsh mountains.
Everyone was grey. Even from up in the castle, Ash could see the trolls in the village below were grey, just like him and Zuli. An entire kingdom of grey trolls!
Zuli led Ash farther down the hall, down a winding staircase, and towards a garden room where a group of grey trolls in regal clothing chatted and dined. A grey troll stood at the doors, conversing with a grey guard. The guard wore black pants and a vest, carrying a spear and wearing a leather sash with a seal stitched into it. The seal looked like a gemstone surrounded by a crown, indicating a possible royal seal. Ash could only assume this sash was worn by the guards to signify their role in the castle. The other grey troll wore black pants and a black jacket with silver designs and gems, in a similar style to Zuli's dress. He also had a silver cape clasped around his shoulders, and his crown was made of silver with an obsidian gem in the center. He had stormy grey eyes and silver hair, and his skin was splotchy like Zuli's. He had dark grey skin with white patches.
The king looked to Zuli, and his eyes settled on Ash. He smiled warmly. "The young one rises! We worried for you, little one."
"Thanks for helping me." Ash said. "I am Prince Ash of the Troll Tree."
The king bowed a little. "King Sirius of the Silver Troll Kingdom. Welcome." He ushered Ash and Zuli into the conservatory, and Ash took note of eleven other princesses and a queen. Sirius insisted that Ash sit at the seat beside him, and Zuli sat on the other side of Ash. She introduced each of her siblings and her mother. About half of the princesses had pinto-like skin patterns, like Zuli and Sirius, and the rest had some shade of white-grey skin like their mother. They all had black, grey, or silvery hair and eyes. Every princess had a gemstone in her tiara, which Ash suspected matched her gem-related name. Queen Zelenia seemed to be the exception, wearing a crown that had a white diamond in the center. Ash had not heard the name Zelenia since his father's stories about his mother. The princesses, in descending order of age, were called Amethyst, Ruby, Saphira, Rose Quartz, Peridotra, Emerald (who, to Ash, looked like she used to be a girl but now looked like a boy), Spinel, Opal and Moonstone (who were twins), and Jade and Topaz (also twins).
"So, this is for real?" Ash asked as he accepted a scone from the queen. "You guys are silver trolls?"
"We are indeed, little prince." Queen Zelenia said. "Surprised?"
"I thought you guys didn't exist." Ash said.
"That seems to be the train of thought for everyone." King Sirius mused. "We sort of like to stay that way. Force of habit, really. Five generations ago, there was a big fight because we were known for mining precious rocks. Blah blah blah, fight fight fight, silver trolls disappear into the mountains never to be seen again, et cetera, et cetera."
"So how did I get here?" Ash wondered. "I didn't come on purpose."
"We found you in one of the caves." Emerald explained. "The only way in or out of the kingdom is two ways: through an underground pool of water, where things sometimes wash up by accident; or via a labyrinth in the mountains that only we know how to navigate."
"Truth be told, you are our first visitor since we blocked ourselves off from the world." Amethyst said.
"Yes, how did you find us?" twins Opal and Moonstone said simultaneously.
"I didn't mean to." Ash said. "I was with my friend, Sir Tandeth, and we were attacked by these freaky creatures in the cave. He…" Ash looked down, his eyes feeling hot with tears. "Sir Tandeth faced the creatures on his own and told me to run. I fell down a hole and now here I am. But I don't think...that is, I'm not sure if...if Sir Tandeth…"
"We understand, Prince Ash." Sirius said, patting Ash's shoulder. "Stay here and rest a while. Take your time to mourn, if you need to."
"I can take you on a tour of the kingdom, if you wish." Zuli offered.
Ash smiled a little. "Actually, I'd really like that."
"Come on!" Zuli took Ash's hand and pulled him out the door of the conservatory, into the garden. The two of them ran through some shrubbery and rolled down a short, grassy hill, laughing once they reached the bottom. Zuli helped Ash stand, and they journeyed into the village. Ash felt like he needed ten more pairs of eyes to see everything. The village bustled with happy grey trolls, who waved and greeted him warmly. These trolls didn't have hair that stood straight up; but, as Ash noticed, it still stretched like a normal troll's. The silver trolls had funky hairstyles, fancy braids, or even kept their hair in a pixie cut. Everyone had skin, hair, and eyes of varying shades of grey or black or white or even silver! But nobody looked dismal about it.
"This is so cool." Ash breathed, observing the blacksmith shop and a busy marketplace. He heard music, and his rainbow troll instincts drew him closer to the sound. He saw a band playing in a clear area, and trolls dancing merrily. "You guys like music, huh?"
"Name one kingdom of trolls who doesn't." Zuli laughed.
Welcome to our home
A land of wonder and happiness
Might be unlike what you've seen before
Bet you like it if you give it a chance
This is the land of the silver trolls
A wondrous sight to behold
The land where I was born and raised
Let me show you this wondrous place!
Zuli led Ash further into the market, where Ash was consumed by lovely smells of baked goods and fried foods and spicy dishes and nutty snacks. Even though he recently ate lunch and had tea, he wanted to try it all. He sampled everything from the fried cookies to a baked noodle dish made with yakisoba ingredients. Zuli laughed giddily at his blissful reactions
In the market where we trade our wares
Where the food is fine and fair
We dance and sing and play our games
How about a hat for a little flair?
Zuli placed a gaudy feathered hat on Ash's head, and he laughed at his reflection.
Not too bad, though not for me
Is there any more to see?
"You bet!" Zuli nodded.
See the blacksmith working with his fire
In here, Mister Jakob makes a lyre
This is Master Baize, who's a tailor
Shall we give him a try?
Baize was thrilled to meet a royal who wasn't part of the silver troll's royal family. His favorite thing to make was fancy outfits fit for kings, queens, and princesses. He pleaded for Ash to allow him to make something for the boy, so Ash got his measurements taken, and Baize got to work. Faster than even Satin and Chenille combined, Baize created an emerald green cape with a gorgeous tree design on it, and Ash clipped it around his shoulders. He thanked Baize a dozen times as he and Zuli left, and Baize thanked him twice as much for the opportunity.
This is the land of the silver trolls
A wondrous sight to behold
We do our best to uphold the peace
To live in quiet harmony
Zuli and Ash talked with shopkeepers and any other troll who stopped to ask about the new person. At one point, they came across a couple quarreling boys, who stopped their shouting only when Zuli stepped up to them. It took a bit of talking before they could settle their argument, and Zuli and Ash went on their way. Zuli showed Ash the mine, where the silver trolls dug for precious metals and stones. Just as the stories said, the silver trolls were known for their craftsmanship.
We dig deeper into the mountainside
There's nowhere for gems to hide
We can make a heart from a rock
Precious stones reflect the beauty inside
They ventured out to the fields surrounding the village, where the farmers grew crops and raised animals. On a hill occupied by lovely white snowbirds, Ash got another look at the kingdom. It was truly surrounded by the mountains, making it very much cut off from the rest of the world.
"So, nobody knows where you guys are except the animals?" Ash asked.
"That's right." Zuli nodded.
"But how do they get here?"
"Animals are usually wiser than us."
The birds have learned we're very kind
They often come flying by
The moles will come from underground
Knowing treats may likely fly
We trust them to keep our secret safe
They're the only ones who find this place
No one else can get in even if they tried
"Which is not necessarily bad." Zuli shrugged. "We're past the days of fear and distrust, and we'd welcome any traveler who comes through here. But we're still working on the part where we rejoin the other troll kingdoms."
"You have quite the little paradise here." Ash sighed contently. "What else is there to see?"
There's not much else there is to tell
You've seen kingdoms like this before
Though we live in secrecy, it's okay
Someday soon we'll open up our doors
Zuli took off down the hill, and the snowbirds took flight. Ash grinned broadly and followed her, his new cape billowing in the wind.
This is the land of the silver trolls
What a land to behold
This is our home in the hills
With times of sadness and of thrills
We dream of meeting friends in other lands
A future that looks bright and grand
Until then, we'll be safe at home
In the land of the silver trolls
When Ash and Zuli returned to the castle for dinner, Ash was happy and exhausted. But he insisted on bringing Baize a secondary gift left from Biggie: a small box that had a dozen tiny hats stuffed inside. Ash insisted that Baize take them as thanks for the cape, and Baize started gushing over all the things he could make with the hats and how he could adjust them to make pretty clips.
Ash joined the royal family for dinner, and Sirius announced that Ash was more than welcome to stay in the castle during his time in the kingdom. Ash was overjoyed, giddy at the thought of staying in this wonderful kingdom even longer. Throughout dinner, the royals asked him about the world outside their enclosed home. Ash told them about his home in the Troll Tree, and he outlined the entire history of his family from King Wolfrick to Empress Eclipse.
"We knew this empress!" Queen Zelenia said. "We met so long ago, after our scouts had discovered a new kingdom in the forest. To hear the leader was an enchantress intrigued us."
"Sadly, we only met her a few times during her reign, what with us being so secluded and all." Sirius said. "We heard the kingdom fell to war and ruin."
"But it seems her descendants are living good lives." Princess Saphira noted.
"What a family history you have!" Princess Opal sighed.
"So incredible." Princess Moonstone agreed.
"We have our own claim to fame, of course." Princess Peridotra said.
"We are commonly called the 'Twelve Dancing Princesses, because we are the greatest dancers in the land." Princess Amethyst said.
"Cool." Ash breathed.
"Do you have any special titles at home, Prince Ash?" Princess Jade asked.
Ash snorted. "Just 'the grey troll.'"
"Are your kind not normally grey?" Princess Ruby asked.
"If I am correct, I believe your breed of trolls are colorful, but can lose your colors due to trauma, yes?" Sirius asked.
"Something like that." Ash shrugged, his young mind not fully comprehending Sirius's advanced explanation. "We call it 'losing our happiness.'"
"When and how did you lose yours?" Princess Emerald asked. Queen Zelenia shushed her, admonishing her child for being rude.
"No, it's okay." Ash said. "I actually was born like this. Everyone says I'll get my true colors someday. That's why I was out here. I was on a mission to find my colors, if I could."
"Seems like you fit in right here." Princess Amethyst shrugged.
"I agree." Zuli nodded. "You look just as a silver troll might, except for your eyes."
"There is a bit of a bluish tint to your skin, as well." Queen Zelenia noted.
"I guess." Ash shrugged. He was less concerned about his colors when there was a family of happy grey trolls around him.
"Were there others with you on your quest besides your late knight?" Sirius asked.
Ash didn't know what compelled him to do this, but he lied and said, "No. Just us."
"Very well." Sirius nodded, an enigmatic look in his eyes that Ash couldn't figure out. "Stay here and rest, and then we can figure out the safest way to get you home."
"Thank you, King Sirius." Ash said gratefully.
Ash thought he would just stay for a few days. Just some time to recuperate and figure out a game plan. He was so tired from dinner that he went straight to bed and fell asleep. The next day, he and Zuli explored the kingdom some more, and he visited with more silver trolls. Baize showed him how he turned the tiny hats into hair clips that had become all the rage in the kingdom. A troll at the market remembered Ash, and gave him a free deep-fried cookie since Ash had mentioned how much he enjoyed them. Ash then spent the entire afternoon with the royal family. The princesses taught him to dance in their ballroom-esque style. Queen Zelenia taught him the history of the silver trolls. King Sirius brought Ash to the guards, where he demonstrated some of his magic. Everyone was fascinated by Ash's magic abilities, even when he said he still didn't know nearly as much as his father or grandmother. After all the excitement, he once again went to bed without thinking about the next step. Ash decided the next day would be spent relaxing with the royal family, and fully recovering from some minor injuries he didn't realize he received from the fight with the bat creatures. He postponed thinking about leaving for tomorrow.
He rescheduled again to the next day, and the next day, and the next day, and then he didn't even think about it at all. His backpack lay untouched on the floor by the desk. He'd get up in the mornings, have breakfast with the royal family, and then go out to explore or stay in and have fun with the princesses. He had no desire to leave. For the first time in his life, nobody looked at him strangely, except maybe to ask about his hair and why it stood straight up and looked like a porcupine with its quills bristled. Ash was happier now than he had felt in all his life; and once he realized that, he decided to approach King Sirius with an important request.
Sirius hummed in thought, sitting in a cushy chair in the library. "So, you'd like to stay here, then?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ash nodded. "I don't have to be a prince anymore. I can find a nice place in the kingdom and I'll be out of your hair."
Sirius chuckled. "Nonsense. A prince lives in a castle. You will retain your royal title and stay in the castle. That is, if you are truly meant to stay."
"What do you mean?" Ash asked nervously. "I do want to stay. I want to live in your kingdom forever."
"What about your friends?" Sirius inquired. "What will they think?"
Ash suddenly realized he must've mentioned his traveling companions while talking with the princesses, despite telling himself he ought to remain quiet about them. "They'll be fine. They can find their way home and all that. But I feel like I need to stay here."
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"Because, for the first time, I feel like I belong somewhere." Ash pulled a picture from his hair and approached the king. "Zuli gave this to me. Peridotra made it. See? That's your entire family. What do you see?"
"As you said: my family."
"But you're all the same. You all belong together and nobody stands out. That's why I want to stay here."
"I knew that already. I know you feel like an outcast."
"How can you know? Do you have any idea what it's like to stand out from everyone else?"
"Not in your way, but I can imagine. And your point is very interesting. You look at this painting and say 'everyone is the same.' But I see many differences. Look there, at Emerald, who wears more masculine clothing and cuts her hair short. Opal and Moonstone look identical, but Moonstone has different colored eyes compared to her twin. Amethyst wears a different style of dress compared to her sisters. And that little troll there, next to Zuli? That is not one of my daughters. That's you."
Ash took another look at the photo. "I guess I didn't notice because I look like I fit in."
"To look like everyone else means you are able to blend in." Sirius said. "But that does not mean you belong. You feel that you cannot go home because you are a sole grey troll amongst a horde of colors. But you will never truly be happy here. You are not a silver troll; you are a rainbow troll, born and raised in the Troll Tree. You are meant to have your colors, Prince Ash, and you will not find them here where you are complacent in your greyness."
Ash looked down sadly. "What if I never find my colors? I know everyone says I will, but it's just taking so long to find them."
"Perhaps because you are trying too hard." Sirius said. "Tell me: what is your worst fear?"
Ash had a feeling Sirius already knew. "That I will be grey forever. In my kingdom, being grey means you are miserable and unhappy. And I am unhappy because I'm grey which is caused by the unhappiness which makes me grey and it's caused by…" He sighed. "You get it."
"I do. I do get it." Sirius smiled at Ash, placing a comforting hand on the young prince's shoulder. "Think about it. Take some time to truly decide what you want. If your heart is set on staying here, then I will allow it."
Ash already knew that answer: yes, he wanted to stay. But he decided to leave for his room to at least give off a guise of thinking. He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
Of course this is what I want. This quest was to find my colors so I could fit in, for once. But here, I fit in even with grey colors! Why would I want to leave? If King Sirius says it's okay, why shouldn't I? I've done some good, right? I deserve to be happy, right? I can send a letter to everyone and let them know I'm fine and they can go home without me. Prowlus can take care of them. Ash sat up and looked to his bag. I'm staying. That's my decision.
Ash used his hair to pull his backpack over, and he began digging through it. He tossed his rations and kindling into the fireplace. He took out his books and the map and set them aside to give to King Sirius. His compass would go to Zuli. The foldable staff and shield could go to Emerald, who enjoyed weaponry. His dagger would go to King Sirius. His scarf from Rosiepuff he would keep. Then there were these random things: a handful of acorns, which he tossed in the small rubbish bin by the desk; a caterpillar, which he set free out his window; leftover craft supplies, which would go to the princesses; and not to mention…
Another package.
Ash was surprised. He thought he had gone through all his family's gifts for his journey. Tucked in a random pocket was a small box wrapped in bright paper and a pretty ribbon. The tag read, To Ash, With lots of love, Uncle Cooper. Ash opened the box and found a note inside first, which he opened to decipher Cooper's sloppy handwriting.
I wasn't really sure what to give you that could be "practical" for your trip. So take this so you don't forget about us.
Ash pulled out the second object in the box: an oval-shaped locket. When Ash opened it, the thick locket revealed several panels of pictures. Ash turned each panel like a page in a book to stare at the pictures: him and his parents and siblings, his grandparents on a picnic, him and his sister's husband and children, him and Gris, Steve and Ebony, and a few more.
Suddenly, Ash felt like he wanted to cry. He felt more homesick now than he had during this entire journey. He missed his father's stories and his mother's songs. He missed his grandparents and his sister, and he missed the wondrous, bright, and beautiful Troll Grove. He even missed talking to Sparkler. He missed hanging out with Gris and playfully teasing Prowlus about his crush on Harper.
Sir Tandeth was gone. Ash couldn't change that. But what about the rest of his friends? Eclipse hadn't found him yet, but the spirit might still be searching the caves and tunnels for him. He could almost hear Prowlus and Harper calling for him. Poor Gris might be having an emotional breakdown at the thought of what might've happened to his friend. Iris, who had earned Ash's forgiveness and friendship, was surely worried about what happened to her only friend.
Ash stood and walked towards the dining room for dinner. He stopped at a window and looked down at the kingdom. The silver trolls headed to their homes, to their monochromatic families, happy as could be. Today had been a good day. These trolls looked grey but did not act as though they lost their happiness. They just lived their lives, happy with who and what they were.
Eventually, Ash did make it to the dining hall to join the royal family for supper. "We were about to send someone to fetch you." Queen Zelenia chuckled good-naturedly. "Thought you might have gotten lost."
"I was just trying to answer a question I had." Ash said. He took his spot between Sirius at the head of the table and Zuli. "King Sirius? I have a request."
"What is that?" Sirius asked.
Ash exhaled softly. "I may need some help getting out of here. I think it would be best to rejoin my friends."
Song: "The Silver Troll Kingdom"