Section 1
Once, a young man and a young woman worked as servants together in a grand estate situated near Klode Mill, in the region of Lysgaard. Over time, they developed a deep affection for one another, and their master and mistress held them in high esteem due to their honesty and loyalty. To celebrate their marriage, their employers hosted a lavish wedding feast. Additionally, their master presented them with a small cottage and a small plot of land, where they happily settled down to start their new life together.
The cottage was nestled amidst a desolate heath, and the region it resided in had garnered a negative reputation. The surrounding area was believed to be inhabited by the legendary Mount-folk, as there were several ancient burial mounds nearby, however, the peasant named Toller, who resided in the cottage, paid little heed to such superstitions.
“When one only trusts in God,” thought Toller, “and does what is just and right to all men, one need not be afraid of anything.” Having settled into their cottage and arranged their meager belongings, the couple found themselves engaged in an evening conversation, contemplating how to navigate their lives and prosper. Suddenly, a knock resonated at their door, prompting Toller to open it and reveal a diminutive figure who courteously greeted them with a "Good evening." The visitor sported a red cap atop his head, possessed a long beard and hair, carried a substantial hunch on his back, and wore a leather apron with a hammer tucked into it. Instantly recognizing him as a Troll, the couple remained unafraid despite his seemingly amiable and affable appearance.
"Now, listen, Toller," spoke the little stranger, "I can see that you recognize my true nature, and the situation is as follows.I am a humble hill-dweller, with no other dwelling place on this earth than the graves of fallen warriors and the shadowy mounds where sunlight never reaches," expressed the little stranger. "We have learned of your arrival to this area, and our king is concerned that you may bring harm upon us and even bring about our destruction. Therefore, he has dispatched me here tonight with a cordial request: that you kindly permit us to dwell in peace," continued the little stranger.
"We assure you that you will never be troubled or disturbed by our presence in your endeavors. "Rest assured, good sir," reassured Toller, "I have never willingly harmed any of God's creatures, and I believe that the world is vast enough to accommodate us all. I am confident that we can find a way to coexist peacefully, without any need for harm or mischief to befall either party."
"Thank God!" exclaimed the little man, unable to contain his joy, as he began to dance around the room. "This is excellent news, and we shall, in turn, do everything within our power to bring you good fortune, as you will soon come to witness. However, I must bid you farewell for now."
"Before you depart, won't you join us for a spoonful of supper?" the wife kindly offered, placing a dish of porridge on a stool near the window, as the Man of the Mount was too small to reach the table. "No, thank you," replied the little man. "Our king is eager for my return, and it would be a shame to keep him waiting for the good news I have to share." With that, the little man bid them farewell and departed on his way.
From that day onward, Toller enjoyed a life of tranquility and harmony with the little people of the Mount. They observed them coming and going from their mounds even during daylight, and no one ever troubled or annoyed them. Gradually, they grew so close that they entered and exited Toller's house as if it were their own. Occasionally, they would borrow a pot or a copper kettle from the kitchen, but they would always return it promptly and place it back in its original position with great care. In gratitude, they would also perform various helpful tasks in return for the kindness shown to them. During the springtime, they would emerge from their mounds during the night and diligently collect all the stones scattered across the arable land, piling them neatly along the furrows. When harvest season arrived, they would gather all the corn ears with great care, ensuring that nothing went to waste and everything was preserved for Toller's benefit. All this was observed by the farmer, who, when in bed, or when he read his evening prayer, often thanked the Almighty for having given him the Mount-folk for neighbours. At Easter and Whitsuntide, or in the Christmas holidays, he always set a dish of nice milk-porridge for them, as good as it could be made, out on the mound.
On one occasion, after his wife had given birth to a daughter, she fell seriously ill, and Toller feared that her life was in jeopardy. Desperate for a solution, he sought advice from various local healers and wise individuals, but none of them could provide a remedy or prescribe a course of treatment for her recovery. Toller remained vigilant each night, staying awake to attend to his ailing wife's needs. However, there was a moment when exhaustion overcame him, and he unintentionally dozed off. Upon waking up towards morning, he was astonished to find the room filled with the Mount-folk, one was gently rocking the baby, another was tidying up the room, and a third stood by his wife's bedside, preparing a herbal drink which he then administered to her. Upon realizing that Toller had awakened, the Mount-folk hastily fled from the room. However, from that very night, a remarkable improvement was noticed in the condition of Toller's wife. Her health steadily improved, and within a fortnight, she had regained her strength and vitality, able to resume her daily household chores with a renewed sense of well-being and cheerfulness.
