Hilda

- -

See that, Twig? It's a troll rock.

Trolls don't usually come this far down the mountain.

I've got to draw this.

Pretty sure that's a nose, and those must be arms.

-Don't worry, boy. -

This troll can't even think about eating us right now.

As long as there's daylight, it's just a rock.

Of course, once the sun goes down, we're doomed.

Here, you hang this on its nose.

If the troll moves, the bell jingles.

Then we'll know it's time to run for our lives.

Done! I think I'm happy with that.

Hmm... maybe one more.

And, there. That's much better.

- -

Time to go.

Good thing we had that bell. I think we outran him.

- -

- -What is it, boy?

Whoa! That's a huge footprint, even for a forest giant.

Run!

- -

We lost him in the woods, boy.

Or maybe not.

Easy, boy.

- -

Twig, I think he's in distress.

The bell's driving him crazy, poor thing. And his arms, they're too short.

Hold on, Mr. Troll. It's okay.

I can fix this.

Uh-oh!

- -

Oh! My sketchbook!

Thanks.

Well, that was pretty traumatic, but such is the life of an adventurer.

- - Hilda, I've made us some tea.

I am seriously appreciating the coziness in here right now.

- -

The Wood Man.

He always just comes in without knocking.

It's rude!

It's okay. He probably just wants to get warm.

And besides, he brings us wood.

It's drafty in here. You should really close that door.

- - Now what?

It's another one of those tiny letters.

Good grief, this is the sixth one this week.

-Is it from the hidden people again? -Yes, it is.

Are they still saying we have to move and they're gonna smash our house?

-Basically. -Who are these people?

Well, they're tiny and they don't like us very much.

Well, I don't like them.

"Dear to whom it may concern, please leave us alone!

We are nice people, so please stop being mean.

All the best, Hilda."

Listen up, little guys, whoever you are, this one's for you!

I can't read with all these distractions.

Good night to you, too.

Maybe your note will do the trick.

Let's finish our game of Dragon Panic.

-Is it my turn next or yours? -Mine.

- -

Attention, residents!

Due to your failure to heed our warnings,

we shall now implement your forcible eviction from the premises!

Forcible eviction now! Banish the big boots!

What the...?

-Ow! Ow! Mum! -Hilda...

Mum! Ow!

Jettison the giants!

Heave ho, you must go! Heave ho, you must go!

All right.

-That's enough. -

Ow! Ow! Ow!

-Get out! - Stop! Wait a minute!

- -They're gone!

-Mum, they're-- -

Oh, boy.

Hilda, we can't stay here, not if this is gonna keep happening.

-What? -We've never been attacked like this.

I think we'll have to move to Trolberg.

But we've been here for all time, since I was born!

Moving to Trolberg could be a good thing.

You could make some proper friends. Wouldn't that be nice?

No! I love it here in the wilderness.

It's literally the best place ever!

Please, Mum, I don't want to live in the dirty old city.

I'm sorry, but if one more thing like this happens, we're gone.

"Dear little guys who trashed my house, why are you so mad at me and my mum?

Please tell me so I can fix it and we can all live in peace.

All the best, Hilda."

I hope they're not too mad to even read my note.

Let's go to bed and get some rest, eh? We'll clean all this up tomorrow.

- Psst! Little girl! -

Who's there?

I'm one of the little people who trashed your house.

Get out!

Oh! The trashing wasn't done by me personally.

I'm more of a writer than a fighter.

-Did you read my note? -Indeed.

Wait. Am I dreaming?

You sound like you're just a voice inside my head.

Not at all!

So, why won't you show yourself?

Oh, my people take the business of who sees them and who doesn't very seriously,

which means, of course, that there's a lot of paperwork involved.

What kind of paperwork?

If you'll just go over to your desk, please.

I took the liberty of filling out the relevant papers for you.

I think you'll find the forgery quite impressive.

Indeed.

Now, if you'll sign this last page yourself, we'll be all set.

This better not be some kind of trick.

There. Now, where are you?

Look in the mirror.

-I don't-- -Your ear.

Coo-ee!

You're very, very small.

Mm, I'm on the tall side for an elf, actually, so...

My name is Alfur.

-It's nice to finally see you, Alfur. -It's nice to be seen.

Now, if you'll come outside with me, there's something I want to show you.

Wow!

This is amazing!

- -

Careful there, Twig!

Have these been here all the time, and I just couldn't see them?

Correct.

Careful with that!

- -Somebody lives there, you know.

-Whoops. - Yeah, whoops, indeed. Look.

Behavior like that will not endear you to elfkind.

- Sorry about that. -

How many houses are there? How far does this go?

I dare say as far as the eye can see.

There's 15 counties in this valley alone,

and your house is smack in the middle of my one.

But why get mad now?

My great-granddad built that house.

I've lived here all my life, and there hasn't been any bother.

It's the new prime minister.

He promised to get rid of you if he was elected, and...

...now that he has been, he has to see to it that he does.