Grunch - Chapter 19
Grunch was working the fields after meeting Gwynfor, just done fixing a rather large patch of wretched soil when he saw something shiny. He took a closer look and learned that the shiny was in fact a rock. A red rock that sparkled. So beautiful was this little stone that he picked it up and admired it and said, “Oh! That’s a nice rock!”
Then he saw that there was another rock. One of similar size and different eye catching colors and this one Grunch picked up as well and said, “Fas- fass-ish-inating!” And he was right, but the most fascinating part was yet to come because when he looked up he saw…
Another rock.
So now he knew that something was awry, so he put the rocks back carefully and followed the odd colorful rock trail into the woods. And it kept going, through bushes and shrubs and thistles and so on. Grunch’s legs were covered in thistles as he danced through the woods and found himself at an odd-shaped tree. It seemed to him that it glowed just a little, like sundogs and rainbows. It smelled like earth and wood and moving water. It was very refreshing from the stagnant mud of the field.
Grunch knocked on the tree door politely and from inside came an odd voice, “Ah! Welcome! Come in!” And so Grunch tried but found he was actually about twice the size of the door which was no good. So the fellow inside said, with a terribly grating small voice, “Oh dear! You’re quite larger than I thought! But no worries, Help Me!”
Grunch, a little confused, asked, “What do you need help with little fellow?” And the little fellow said, “Well I’m sure you’re shocked to see g-nomes and g-noblins about but I need you to help me find my friend!”
Grunch said, “I think they’re pronounced Goblins.” So the G-nome said, “Right. My friend has been wrongfully imprisoned by nature spirits, can you save him!?” And Grunch rightfully asked, “Why did you make a path through the woods out of rocks? Can’t you just ask?” And the gnome said, “I’m… shy…”
So Grunch asked the gnome fellow’s name and he said, “Oh of course! How rude! I am Boggle, and my friend’s name is Froggle, and my mother’s name was Troggle before she died but my father’s name is Thoggle! And my neighbor that way-”
“Shut up!” Said Grunch, who was overwhelmed and would not retain any of those names, “I’ll find your friend, stop please!” And he danced off into the woods to find Foggle or whatever it was.
Into the woods, the dark and manless woods where few dared to venture, where the forestfolk and feyfolk reside. Grunch quickly found a band of forestmen, all two heads shorter than Grunch with fox-like heads and antlers on top. They had spears and bows and they weren’t happy to see him. He said, “Hello fellows! I was told there’s a fellow named something or something -oggle whose friend wishes his health!”
The forestfolk made sounds reminiscent of laughter and a few crept close and one whose fur was gray and his eyes unreadable said, “The fey have wronged us, there is war between us, human, it is best you return from the woods.” The beastmen gnashed their sharp teeth, their jaws were all ready to rip the fellow apart but he said, “Well fellow, what’s caused this war of yours, maybe I can help you both and your fightings can stop. Think about it, fellow!”
The beastman said, “We are not fellows. We are Tinik. If you believe you can provide use then you may meet with our leaders, but if you are of no use you will be butchered for all your body’s resources. Do you understand?” Grunch thought about it momentarily and chose to leave, dancing through the forest toward what turned out to be a gnome and goblin village. Everything glowed slightly, it felt like walking in a dream.
A gnome with a red conical hat and blue pants and no shirt said to Grunch, “How are you big fellow?” And Grunch told him matter-of-factly, “Grunch.”
