#rivervale_lodge

"Mi Amigas, Counntess Ellie, and Ariel and Salma, they call me their caballero... it means Knight. But I not a knight so much as, well, I try to be a good thane for childlings, to do what other thanes do but for them. And, " A blush "When they want me to be a knight, I try be that too. " A confession "It is not easy to tell girls you are not a knight when they believe so hard.. so I try to act like one should. I help with chores, I patrol when I am allowed" He perks up "I got to patrol with the freeflame recently. A Wyvern tried to hurt a pooka but the Countess Jessiaca she beat it. I helped some.. and she rewarded me with this armor. It is very grand"

"It is." the Mountain agrees "I do not have armor so fine. Well done, Holger."

"You do not?" He says then ponders "I do not know where another Wyvern is but we could seek one out if it is troubling people" An offer

He rumbles; it's a chuckle, not an avalanche or eruption. "Oh, no, thank you. I admire, but I am not jealous."

"Holger, look at me closely. Kenn me." he invites.

The boy scrunches his nose and focuses

"You are Liam?"

Frank nods.

"I am a troll who is a loyal member of House Oathbroken." he says.

"Why did you pick them? I know some Liams, they are nice but I never understand why they join"

He nods again. "It is a long story. The fast answer is.... they wanted me, and the goals of House Liam met my own at the time."

"That seems... practical" but he says "Are you... not worried what others will think of your honor?"

"I have learned not to be."

He ponders this for a moment and admits "I suppose it is better to act honorably and no one believe it, then to pretend to honor but not really be honorable"

The Mountain lifts a finger. "Think for a moment about the Baron you served."

"He is who I was thinking of when I thought of pretending to honor" A frwon "I do not like owing a debt to bad men, but I think he taught me who I do not want to be"

"Nothing you learn is ever wasted." His beard moves.

Holger admires the beard. It makes the Mountain seem very wise. he decides when he is older, he too shall grow a beard, and gain some of this wisdom as well.

"I will remember that, Mountain" Quite sincere in this declaration

"It has served me well." Frank makes a gift of the saying to Holger.

"Tell me about these childlings you serve? If you will, please."

A drink then "Mi amgas and amigo? " He says "Countess Eleanor, she is a brave little warrioress... she has endured much, but charms and delights those about her. She is a warrioress, and a beaumayn" the boy says "Do you know of Beaumayn?"

"I do."

"They are hunted by the dark forces! " he frowns "They can be smelled..." A thought "Well, no smelled but the bad ones know they are there. And the Beumayn see into the future" A frown "I cannot always protect Countess Ellie from her visions and sometimes they are not kind. I think she carries a heavy burden but she is so brave to do so. I admire her very much. She will be a good ruler one day for she cares for her people"

"Then there is Ariel, she is a DeBuke rescue, but a satyress. She does not believe in crowns so much, but she also does not like when her sidhe friend is picked on. I think she likes Fenix better than the farm. She is loud and sings and wants to be an archer. She is ... hard to understand for me sometime. But she is fun."

Frank nods, sips.

And mostly, listens.

"Ahpuch is a sluahg, he is sneaky, and dirty but .. he helps us.And.." he admits 'Sometimes it is nice having another boy. Girls do not always understand. I suppose when I am older I will have girls and women figured out, but now? No. I am no that wise" Again, a look at the beard. Yes he needs to grow one

A chuckle. "There is a song about that. The understanding girls part. I will play it for you sometime."

"Oh that would be nice." He ponders "And then.. there is Salma! She is wonderful! She is the ssmartest pooka ever! She knows books, and stories, and wears yellow. She is always telling me how I should be doing things, all the girls do, but Salma takes extra care. SHe cannot tell the truth, but she never really lies" He puases 'Unless she wants something very mucho and even then, it is making her happy and she shares. Oh..and she thinks I am a knight, and a great protector, but that is a lie she tells herself i think. It is.. well, I like it, and that is all the more reason for me to work hard to make it true for them"

"Holger....." Frank sets down his cup and folds his hands in front of him, leaning forward sincerely "There are far, FAR, worse reasons to seek rank. I think your efforts are worthy. I would be happy to help you learn more of our troll culture."

"Gracious. I do not need the medals and big hats. I do not need the parades. I need to be the best troll I can be, so gracious, Senior Mountain! I am no so smart as Salma so I have a lot of space where knowledge would go that is empty. I am not so commanding and brave as Ellie, so I can follow ,and I am not so joyful of and excitable as Ariel so while i do not dance so good, I can hold still and listen . You will see. "

His beard moves again and he looks away for a bit.

"May I offer some thoughts?"

"Please" He sits up VERY straight. the boy has been taught EXCELLENT Posture

"You will not be anything you say you will not be. Allow for possibilities."

It takes a moment for that to sink in.

"I have gotten humbleness wrong?" He looks embarrassed and mutters "And humbleness was one of my best subjects I thought"

"No. I don't think so, no."

"I .. COULD become a hero" A nod "But It will take work"

"If it did not, would it be worth it?"

"I suppose not" he says a brow knit "I did not think being a proper troll would require so much thinking. Ahpuch will be surprised"

"Will you tell me what being a proper troll means?"

"Upholdingg the Code of Dagda... to protect the Dreaming, to respect those of higher station, never abuse your strength, and accept an honorable surrender" He memorized this!

"You have been well taught at that." Frank approves "What else?"

He tries to think it over "Wipe your feet after every patrol before you come back in?"

Another rumble.

"Yes, do that."

"Holger, there are others I would like you to meet. How do you feel about staying here, sometimes. Occasionally. An overnight?"

"I would not mind" he says "This seems a very nice place. And I should apologize to the boy with the ears and tail"