I already posted my story on uo.com but for those that do not go there at all here is my entry for your reading pleasure:
The Tale of Onixia and The Trolls
In the Kingdom of Britannia there lived a noble lass named Onixia. She was a brave swordswoman who fought for justice across the land. Often you would find her travelling across the world vanquishing evil in its many forms. She was known as one of the fiercest paladin warriors in Britannia. One day, Onixia was on her way to Trinsic to celebrate the upcoming Harvest Festival with all her Paladin friends. They had planned a huge elaborate feast and there would be much merriment. She soon came across a small wooden bridge. As she crossed over it, she suddenly heard Trolls speaking from underneath. She quietly pulled out her sword and crouched in silence, listening to their conversation. Onixia had learned Troll and several other creature languages over the years. It had come in handy and had saved her life on many occasions.
“Mama, what are we going to do? We have not eaten in over a week. My tummy hurts. It is so hungry it is making dragon noises”
“Hush, Lithara. Hopefully a nice plump rabbit or hind might wander our way soon. If I had not injured my foot in that hunters’ trap I could go out and hunt for something for us to eat. I am so sorry this happened little one. We must be patient”
“It is okay Mama; I can wait longer. I can be brave.”
“You are a good and sweet daughter Lithara. Sometimes I think I don’t deserve you”
“Yes you do. I love you Mama”
“I love you too my brave trolling”
Onixia, silently made her way to the edge of the bridge and looked underneath it. She saw a large, but skinny, Mother Troll holding her little trolling in her huge arms. She was gently rocking her back and forth. Her bloody swollen left foot wrapped in moss and leaves. Onixia’s heart went out to them both. Those poor trolls. How sad. She could not leave them in good conscience knowing that most likely they would soon starve. She made her way into the nearby woods in search of game. She soon came across a few plump rabbits and eventually, a goat wandering in the wild. She dispatched them all quickly and humanely. Afterwards, she strung up the rabbits together and tossed them over her shoulder, as she dragged the goat back to the bridge.
When she was close to the bridge she heard the mother Troll exclaim,
“Hush Lithara! I hear someone coming. If I tell you to run, you run as fast as you can and don’t look back!”
“But Mama, I can’t leave you alone.”
“Just do what I say Lithara. I could not bear to lose you”
Speaking in Troll, Onixia shouted, “Hello! Please do not be alarmed or fear me trolls. I am bringing you some food. I heard you talking about your situation and could not let you starve, especially when the Harvest Festival is almost upon us.”
Onixia then made her way under the bridge and stood in the dim light before them. She could see the fear on their faces. The Mother Troll clutched her trolling tightly to her chest.
“Here I will leave you these nice plump rabbits and this lovely goat I caught for you both”
Onixia then left her offerings on top of a nice flat rock that looked as if it was being used as a table. As she turned to leave, the mother troll suddenly spoke.
“Thank you kind stranger. You have no idea of how much this means to me to be able to feed my trolling. Blessings upon you. Would you like to stay and join us in this bountiful feast you have provided?”
Onixia looked at the smiling and tired face of the Mother Troll and then at the little trolling who was shyly looking out from underneath her Mama’s arms.
“I would be honored to join you both in a meal”
And so the unlikely trio soon were dining under the bridge on the plump spit fired rabbits. They spent a lovely evening together, each of them giving thanks for different reasons.
The trolls gave thanks for Onixia and the food she provided. They knew that she had saved them from starvation. Onixia gave her thanks that in helping these Trolls, it made her remember that Harvest Festival is not about large elaborate dinners and parties, but for moments like this. Being with your family, making new friends, and helping those in need.
The End
(as told by Orenda from NPH Guild on Origin)
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