Read Online Troll Fell by Katherine Langrish - Free Book Online Page B

somewhere. And wherever it is, Grim seemsto have found it, only it was winter and he collapsed upthere and died later.”
    â€œSo my uncles probably know where it is,” said Peerthoughtfully.
    â€œYes, but what good is that? The trolls aren’t going tocome out and just give them presents,” said Hilde. Shewas still scratching Loki’s tummy. “Goodness, Loki, howmuch more of this do you want?”
    â€œOh, he’ll go on for ever,” said Peer, laughing.
    â€œWell,” said Hilde seriously, “I hope your uncleshaven’t been making friends with the trolls. That couldbe a real problem for all of us. You keep an eye on them,Peer!”
    â€œI’ll try,” he promised. But a distant bellow camefloating up from the mill and he went rather pale andjumped up. “I’d better go.”
    â€œYes, you’d better,” said Hilde, sorry for him. “What ashame. Well, watch out for yourself, Peer. We are friendsnow, aren’t we?” She stood up and offered her hand,which Peer took shyly. “See you soon!” she called,jumping on the pony and urging it into a brisk trot upthe hill.
    Peer raced towards the mill, Loki bounding ahead. Hereached the yard to find his uncles talking to a carter, asurly-looking man who had just unloaded some sacks ofbarley for grinding. The two brothers stood leaningtogether with their arms across each other’s shoulders,and as Peer arrived, panting, they both twisted theirheads to look at him, grotesque as a two-headed giantfrom a story. The terrible twins! Peer grinned. The mill wasugly enough for a giant’s stronghold, and Grendel madean excellent monster. The huge dog lay in a patch ofsunshine by the mill door, gnawing a large bone. Heraised his head and snarled at Loki, who pottered pastand cocked a cheeky leg on the corner of the barn.
    â€œGrind it small,” shouted the carter over the noise ofthe wheels as he drove his cart out into the lane. “Wewant fine meal. I’ll collect tomorrow.” So – the mill didsometimes have customers!
    â€œYou’re a lucky boy,” croaked Uncle Baldur, turningto Peer, who eyed him suspiciously. “You’re going tolearn something most snivelling little orphan boys wouldgive their eyeteeth for. What d’you say to that?” Peerstared at his feet stubbornly.
    â€œYou’re going to learn about the mill, boy,” went onUncle Baldur. “Grim’s a farmer, but me – I’m the miller.”He rapped his chest proudly. “I hope you’re thankful.”
    â€œThankful!” Something flamed up in Peer’s chest.“Thankful!” He drew a quivering breath. “You stole myfather’s money, you treat me like a slave, you can’t evenremember my name ! What have I got to be thankful for?And you don’t own that girl’s fields. You just want to stealthem, too, now her father’s away!”
    Baldur raised a fist the size of a ham and clouted Peercasually. Peer found himself sitting on the ground,clutching his ringing head. His flame of independenceshrivelled to a black twist and went out.
    With a scuffle of light feet, Loki streaked across theyard, teeth bared, aiming for Uncle Baldur’s leg. Grendelrose silently from the doorstep and hurled himself atLoki.
    â€œLoki!” Peer screamed. Loki glanced back, sawGrendel out of the tail of his eye, and veered off roundthe corner in a cloud of dust. Peer got up shakily.Grendel dropped his hackles and slouched back to hisbone.
    â€œCome inside,” said Uncle Baldur as if nothing hadhappened. “I’ll show you what to do. You pay attentionto me, because you’ll be doing a lot of this.”
    â€œYou’re not going to take me to the Gaffer, then?”said Peer without thinking.
    Uncle Baldur swung round, fast for such a big man.
    â€œWhat?” he said in a menacing whisper. Peer backedaway. He thought fast. “Something Uncle