Return to Trollhiti

by Robert Teague

This story is written solely for the entertainment of Trollz fans, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story may be reproduced, provided no changes are made, and you let me know.

Author's Note: This is the second story in the series, and you need to read "Passing the Torch" first to get up to speed.

Chapter One

Several months had passed since the Ancients had gone on to their rest, leaving the BFFL to adjust to life without their guidance and friendship.

Mr. Trollheimer had left Sapphire his home, which contained his extensive library and laboratory. She had moved in quickly, not only because of the resources, but because it was closer to Trollane University than her parent's house.

Grandma van der Troll had also left her home and possessions to her many-times-great granddaughter. Her collection of clothes and jewelry was extensive, and Ame had found a notebook giving details of the magical items.

Since it had been only a few years since Zirconia and Spinell were released from Simon's spell, they had lived in a rented apartment and didn't have many possessions. But they did leave Topaz and Onyx joint ownership of the house on Trollhiti.

Ruby found that Obsidian had left both her home and the spell shop to her. She decided not to change the shop's name to honor the memory of her Ancient. She moved into the house after extensive renovations (which she could now afford).

Topaz continued with her job at Rock Candy Fashions, while Sapphire attended Trollane and Amethyst Trollzopolis Community College and Onyx continued with her writing career. Her fame as a writer had slowly continued to grow, which made the dark troll-girl uncomfortable.

All five of the BFFL were eighteen, and these changes in their lives were taken in stride by their parents and siblings. Troll society accepted early independence by children, and in fact encouraged it. It did not mean that they were not close as families, though.

bffl bffl bffl

Sapphire Trollzawa was annoyed with herself. She had once again nearly missed the turnoff to her new home while driving and thinking of her classes. Going for a degree as a General Specialist was certainly challenging, even to a troll as smart as she was. But the longer she stayed with it, the more certain she was it had been the right course of action.

She cruised slowly through the neighborhood before pulling into Mr. Trollheimer's (HERS! she reminder herself) driveway. The home was modest and unassuming in a comfortably old section of Trollzopolis. She tapped a button on her skoot's control panel and the garage door opened. She drove in and parked the magically-floating vehicle.

Getting out, she decided to leave her textbooks for the moment. She tapped a control on a panel by the door and went into the house. Behind her the garage door closed.

Inside she looked around, half-expecting to see her mentor come out of the back and greet her. She really wished he would, as she missed him a lot.

A glance at the clock told her it was nearly time for the evening news, but she had a few minutes to go check the mail first. As she got to the mailbox, a car passed and the driver waved. She returned the greeting with a smile. She had been worried about moving in by herself, but the neighbors had proven themselves to be friendly and helpful.

She looked at the mail. Bills were handled electronically, so usually it was just a matter of cleaning out ads. Today was no exception. Ad, ad, ad... oh, the new catalog from Trollmund Scientific! She'd been waiting for this! And finally... a letter from Sandstone, forwarded from her parent's house.

She smiled. She and the friendly ogre had exchanged addresses on Trollhiti, but she hadn't really expected to hear from him. To her surprise, she got a letter a few months after getting home. She had taught him to read, and now he was learning to write. Sapphire was someone to write to and practice.

That first letter had started an exchange between them that had lasted some four years now. As time passed, his writing had gotten better and better.

As she walked back up the driveway, a car door slammed to her left, catching her attention. By sheer coincidence, the family on that side was Jade Trollberger's. She had been a cheerleader in high school, and one of the antagonists of the BFFL. Sapphire had heard through Ruby that Coral, Jade, and Opal were no longer friends, though.

Jade had been avoiding her since she moved in, but seeing the lime green haired troll now, thought it might be time to make an overture of friendship.

"Hey, Jade!" she called, waving.

The other waved back briefly, and turned to the house.

"Wait a sec!" said Sapphire, "I want to talk to you!" She headed for the fence between their properties.

"Okay, but just for a minute; I need to get in for dinner," was the answer, as the other came over to her side of the fence.

"Jade, we've known each other for years, but you've been avoiding me since I moved in," said Sapphire.

The other smiled wanly. "Yeah, well, I didn't think you would want to be around me, considering our history."

Sapphire looked surprised. "I actually hadn't thought of that," she replied, "It's been a bit of comfort, having someone I know next door while moving into a new place."

"Really? And I hadn't thought of that!" was the reply.

"High school is behind us, and I've never been one to hold a grudge," said Sapphire. "And anyway I know it was mostly Coral's doing."

"So... you're saying you want to be friends now?" asked Jade, smiling a bit brighter.

"Yes! It'll be nice having someone nearby I can talk to," answered Sapphire.

"Okay, that's great!" said Jade presenting her hand to Sapphire.

They shook on it, both very happy trolls.

"I really do need to get in, before dinner gets cold," said Jade.

"Well, why don't you come over after?" said Sapphire, "We can get better acquainted."

Jade nodded. "All right. See you in an hour or so!" She turned and headed for the house.

"Bye!" said Sapphire, and turned to her own home.

Back inside she sat down and opened Sandstone's letter.

Dear Sapphire-Friend,

It made me happy to get your last letter. I say this because there is
not much to be happy about here on Ogre Island.

There are ugly rumors about Trolls and how they treat us Ogres over
in your country. Many ignore these rumors, knowing better like I do.

But some believe them, and since TV and radios are rare here, it is
hard to learn the truth.

Some who choose to believe the rumors have gone away from the i
sland back to the Ogre mainland to the west. I do not know what they
do there, but when they come back they are changed, and not for the
better.

They are secretive, and support the rumors, and try to convince other
Ogres to join them. I was approached once, but I told him I would not
believe such things, and to leave me alone. He did so, but now I think
I am being watched.

As I write this letter, I do not know what to do. The mood here is getting
very ugly, and I have heard there will be a meeting soon to decide what
to do.

In our last letters we talked about meeting again, but I do not think
that is a good idea right now.

I will keep my eyes open and be careful, and you should do the same.
I know the town of Ogreville is near Trollzopolis, and it may be the place
where the rumors come from.

Please write soon.

Your Friend,

Sandy (Sandstone)

Sapphire put down the letter, concerned about the safety of her friend. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was time for the news. She turned on the TV.

"There was a riot today in Ogreville," said the anchor troll, a familiar figure to her. It was Brenda Trollbender, who had covered the Trollzopolis Dayz Faire years ago. "It ended fairly quickly, but there were several casualties among the local troll population. Most were treated and released from the hospital, but two had to be admitted.

Ogre officials issued a statement, expressing sorrow and advising that trolls take care when out and about, until the cause of this problem is found."

Sapphire sat and watched the footage, eyes wide. Since he wouldn't support the rumors, Sandy might be a target as well!