CHAPTER 3 – The Night
- This is him – He whispered. – The little troll I saved.
Mathias saw the small troll pointed to the cave while talking, and run to it. He looked surprise when he saw Mathias who shared the look. Both of them started smiling and small laughing. They both looked at each other like they know each other. They no need words to talk.
Mathias stopped it when he noticed the adult troll went to the cave too. He's got scared of him and lifted his spear. He could have no any chance to run away. The troll didn't do anything but smiled. The small troll said something to the adult troll while pointing to Mathias.
The human child hoped the best, and smiled. He was thinking and tried to guess what they were talking about. Dinner?
- Thank. – the adult troll said.
- You're welcome – Mathias answered.
- you save he. I thank you.
His speech was strange. He said the words different and used them wrong. He knew words he knew their meanings, but he couldn't use them well.
- I… - Mathias was smiling at them – I came back to see if he is alreight.
- you dinner?
- I-I'm not a food! – he said scared.
- No – the troll tried to tell what he meant. – Eat want you with I?
Mathias started laughing. He realized what he mean! He just wanted to ask for eating with them.
- No, thank you, I eat already. It's better if I go home.
He stood up and left the cave. He started to go home, when the little troll caught his hand and stopped him. The adult troll translated, but it was not necessary. It was obvious.
- He want you not go.
- I have to go. I have to go home before my mother wakes. I sneaked out, she does not let us leave the house, because you, trolls, are dangerous and everyone is scared you attack us.
- We not. Morning is far. I go hunt, you take care him. I promise I go back before sun is up.
Mathias nodded. The adult troll smiles and left them. The human boy looked down to the other one.
- Do you understand anything I say?
The little boy's expression was telling to Mathias. He does understand NOTHING. There are two creature of the earth, who can't communicate with each other. Mathias tried his best to teach his language to him. He used his hands; he pointed at himself and said his own name. The little troll tried to say same words. He had very cute accent. Mathias was just laughing again that made the small one confused.
- Don't worry, it's nothing, you are just so cute.
These words made the little troll smile.
All night long, Mathias was talking to him.
The adult troll arrived back and he thanked for the help. Mathias offered to look after the troll child every day. The adult troll accepted this. He sat down and talked about the little troll.
He was abandoned troll with an other little troll. Both of them were adopted by trolls from same clan. He was adopted him, and raised all alone. The clan was living in the mountains, far from this place, where humans never go.
- What are your names? – Mathias asked.
- Name Ukko – pointed at himself.
- Ukko. And his name?
- Not name him.
- He can't live without name! how do you call him?
- Tinnr. Mean little.
- Hmm. – Mathias was thinking of a name for him. – Tino?
Ukko told this idea for the little troll, who enjoyed the name and started saying it repeatedly.
- Well, Tino, I am sorry, I have to hurry back home, but I'll be here tomorrow night, okay?
- Okay! Okay! Okay! – Tino said it repeatedly.
It was nearly a month ago Mathias met Tino first and become his babysitter for every night. He went every night to the riverside and taught him. Tino learnt fast, he was speaking human language better than his stepfather.
Mathias waited again. Everyone fell asleep he sneaked out from the room, but his mother's voice stopped him.
- Where are you going to?
- I…. I just…. Go to see the starts. – He lied.
- Trolls are outside! More people disappeared in the last days! If you were sneaking out in daytime, I couldn't mind it, but in the night, it's very dangerous! You know, the trolls are active in nights!
- I know, because they are scared of humans!
- What are you talking about?
- I have to meet with some TROLLS, I didn't tell you, but I am sneaking out every night for them, I won't hide it anymore. I am safe with them!
She slapped him with all her strength. He fell to the grounds.
- Go inside!
- I want to be with trolls too – the smallest child appeared in the door.
- Go in. There are no trolls here!
- I can prove they won't harm us!
She didn't care about him, and took him inside and was looking at him all the night. This was the first time he couldn't go to see Tino. He missed the little troll.
Tino waited all night long for him. Ukko carried the boy in his arms.
- I'm sorry – he said in his language. – We have to go back to the mountains. I'm sure the others are missing us already.
- I know. I wanted to tell him…
- I'm sorry. We may can come back. Years later…
Tino looked sad at him and fell asleep in his stepfather's arms.