Journee's Journey
Page 4
Chapter Four
A month’s time had passed since Journee received her Half Moon earrings. She now knew everyone in the magical forest because she had either saved or helped all the forest families. She had even been invited to some of their events. Tonight, she had a dinner date with the trolls. She was very excited about learning all the ways of the trolls.
Now with her room cleaned and her bath taken, it was Journee’s favorite time of the night. Yup, it was bed time. Once Journee’s eyes closed, it felt like they popped right back open as she stood at the top of the hill trying to locate Aniya and Daesin by the river. She started waving once she spotted the two fishing at the river. She was ready to help catch the rest of the yellow backed river fish for tonight’s dinner. “Hey guys” Journee said as she made it to their side. “Welcome” Daesin said as he handed Journee a fishing pole and continued on talking, “We have 6 yellow backs right now Journee and there will be 10 people there.”
Journee thought for a minute then started counting from 6. With every number she counted on her way to 10 Journee held up a finger “7,8,9,10.” she then counted the fingers she held up “1,2,3,4 okay we need 4 more fish” Journee said as she threw her line in and continued talking. “So what do trolls eat?” she asked just as Aniya’s line started to run up the river with a big yellow back hooked. “Well they mostly eat anything fresh” Daesin told Journee as they watched Aniya reel in the big fish. “Good job Aniya” Journee said as Aniya unhooked the fish and dropped it into the bucket. “Thanks, well that makes 7 so we only have to catch 3 more fish to have 10.” Aniya said as she sat down to catch her breath after that big fight with the yellow back fish she just caught.
After a few minutes the last 3 needed fish were tossed into the bucket. “Well we better get going” Daesin said as he grabbed the bucket full of fish and made his way towards the forest. “Good day guys” the oldest magical tree said once they made it to the forest. “Hey magic trees, could you please give us a path to the troll’s village?” Aniya asked in her polite voice. “Sure thing Aniya” the magical trees said as they all moved forming the path requested. Only a few moments had passed before they were stopped by what appeared to be a little elf standing in their path.
“Well what is this I see, three little ones shocked to see me” and just like that they could no longer see the blendable. “I will never get used to those blendables” Journee said as they heard the many laughs from the blendable fade away as he moved through the trees. “Let’s keep it moving guys” Aniya said as she made her way down the path to the Troll’s village. Even though Journee had been coming into the magical forest for a while, she had never been to the Troll’s village, so when they made it to the village Journee was in awe. Her eyes took in the tall rock homes. Homes at least treetop high filled the opening made in the forest and all the trolls moved around cheerful, well, all besides one.
Journee saw one angry red headed troll yelling at the back of another blue headed troll who was running into the trees. “Bring it back Trystan” Tyree the red headed troll yelled at his brother. “Don’t mind them Journee, they do that all the time” Aniya said as they walked up to Tommy the troll. “Hey guys, glad you could make it” Tommy said once he saw them walk up. “Thanks for the invite” Daesin said as he handed Tommy the bucket of fresh fish. “Oh thank you all, we love yellow back fish” Tommy said passing the fish to his wife to go clean and cook.
“What are they doing over there?” Journee asked pointing to a group of Troll’s standing in a big opening holding sticks and tossing rocks back and forth. “Oh that’s stick rock” Tommy said as his eyes followed his two sons, Trystan and Tyree as they ran towards the stick rock game which was just starting. “So how do you play it?” Journee asked still not getting the game. “Well Journee, it’s just like your game called baseball, but they use sticks and rocks and trees for bases” Aniya said remembering the conversation she had with Journee’s Grandma about baseball. “Wow, that’s neat” Journee said now looking on as the game started picking up. “So what else do you all do for fun?” Journee asked wanting to know everything about the colorful trolls. “We have rabbit chases, which is quite fun. You should try it” Tommy said just as Trystan and Tyree came walking up. “Hey it could be my boys and myself vs you three.” “What do you say?” Daesin, Aniya and Journee all looked at one another with a look of agreement “You’ve got a match” Daesin said before turning to Journee to tell her the rules. “Okay Journee, this game has 12 rabbits which are let loose in a big ring. Since there are 3 of us, we each have to catch 4 rabbits each and we have to do it faster than them.”
“Hey that sounds easy” Journee said ready to play but having to wait her turn since the trolls were going first. Journee watched on in awe as the trolls ran around the ring catching their 12 rabbits with no problems at all. “Wow that was fast” Journee said as she walked into the ring ready to start. “Okay on three” Tommy yelled “1,2,3” Journee ran as fast as her little legs would carry her as she made her way towards a rabbit that just wanted to lay in the sun. Grabbing him up, Journee became filled with joy as she ran back to her basket setting the rabbit down softly and taking off again to get another rabbit when she spotted one close by.
Even though the trolls won every game Journee had so much fun playing and was more than ready to eat when dinner was called. “Good game guys” Tommy said as they made their way to the outdoor tables that was filled with yummy food. But just as they all sat down, Tommy’s daughter Rose knocked over a jug of water which spilled all over him. “Oh gosh Daddy, I’m so sorry” Rose said to her laughing father as he stood up to shake off. “It’s ok Rose, I needed that after catching all those rabbits.” Knowing his daughter was very clumsy he would never get mad or hurt her feelings. He simply brushed it off and continued to fix his plate. Journee filled her plate with yellow backed fish, turnips, corn and sweet potatoes which all tasted wonderful. It was hard for her to keep up with everyone talking and laughing but she did her best. She was really enjoying her time with the trolls and became sad as she felt the change in her body telling her she was waking up. “Bye guys, thanks for a great time” Journee yelled to everyone as she slipped out of her dreams and back into her room.
“Good morning sleepy head” Journee’s dad said seeing movement from Journee as she woke up. “Good morning Daddy” Journee said as she stretched and sat up in bed ready to start her new day.