Three trolls suspiciously eyed the lone knight as he made his way down the winding forest road towards the river.

"My turn," said the largest of the three who stood taller than a bear and had the strength of a dozen oxen.

"Shush," the middle one hissed. "He'll hear us. Besides, you got the guy yesterday."

Ignoring the other two, the smallest troll bounded out from the trees as the horse stepped into the water. He stood about the size of a dwarf with a laughably round belly and a sniffly nose that seemed to have an endless supply of snot. "Aha!" he shouted with glee as he showed himself to the knight. "What business do you have here?" he demanded as his two trollfriends looked on curiously.

"I come seeking treasure and I follow the fox," the knight said, removing his helm to reveal a young man with dark flowing hair. He had a sword at his side and a shield slung over his shoulder but he moved for neither, instead reining back his horse to come to a halt. "Who might you be?"

The troll cackled evilly. "I am Snot the Small, but don't let my name deceive you. I am fiercer than a lion and more cunning than a crow."

The knight smiled, perhaps more out of amusement than anything else. Snot growled, although it could not be described as intimidating. "Very well, Snot the Small," the knight answered. "May I pass? The fox continues and I am falling behind."

Snot shook his head and his trollfriends bounded out of the trees to join him. The knight seemed startled now, particularly at the immensity of the largest of the trolls. "No humans pass. Humans food," the massive troll growled, not particularly the brightest of the creatures found in the forest.

Snot felt that he should better articulate his companions crude phrases. "You cannot pass, human. We care not for your fox or your treasure. We are hungry and we want food."

The knight frowned as he held his helm, his other hand now reaching for his sword. "I do not wish to fight today, trolls."

Snot smiled deviously, thinking he had outsmarted the knight. "Then let us eat you without a fight, Sir Knight, and you will not have to fight."

The knight shook his head and thought to himself for a second. "Very well, trolls. But first, let me ask you a question which you must answer before you eat me." The trolls growled but shrugged. The knight leaned forwards in his saddle and Snot crept closer to hear him. "What does the fox say?" The trolls looked at each other in utter confusion.

"Ring ding ding?"

"Wa pa pa pow?"

"Fraka kaka kaka kow?"

To each answer, the knight shook his head and his smile grew larger and the trolls grew more confused until they fell into a grumpy slumber, exhausted by the overexertion of their limited thinking skills. Pleased, the knight urged his horse forwards, taking care to step around the sleeping trolls that were already damming the river. A flash of orange caught his eye and he spurred his horse after it. Follow the fox, it leads to treasure, the people of the kingdom all said and the knight chased the fox, seeking the treasure that would provide the answer to the question.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, please check out more stories at /r/MatiWrites. Constructive criticism and advice are always appreciated!