Thanks to Alarda!

Narrator: A long, hot summer has gone by. Now the autumn wind roars through the trees here in the Magic Forest too and swirls coloured leaves to the ground. No one can hear the rustling of the animals, who collect their winter supplies to make it cosy in their caves and nests while frost and snow rule the forest.

The old Owl Urda, who sleeps trough the day on a branch of the great oak, blinks with one eye as she hears a sound that isn't similar to squirrel jumps or the mincing steps of a mouse.

A little Troll jumps trough the leaves. With his moss green fur, the large pointed ears, the roundish nose and the long tail,which ends with a tassel, the little one looks very cute. His brown eyes sparkle with joy as he swirls the leaves around with his pawlike feet.

Owl Urda: Aren't you very far away from home, Matti?

Matti: Good day Urda. - Old barn owl. - I'm going to meet Tatzel, we must...

Owl Urda: Do you want to do mischief with that dragon brat again! With his fire breathing he’s gonna burn the whole forest down one day!

Matti: No, no. He takes care!

Owl Urda: I hope so. And you should know by now that I’m no barn owl but an eagle owl! Do you Troll kids learn nothing ?! (she flies away)

Matti: Poo. That I had to run into her. (he walks on)

Squirrel Lissy: Don't you hear the coming storm? He is very near. Don't you see how the trees bend their crowns? Come up into my nest - you will be save there!

Matti: No thanks, I'll stay down here. I like how the wind swirls the leaves around, Squirrel Lissy. Bye!

Crows: Ra! Ra! Troll! Push off! Or the wind blows you away! Ra! Ra!

Einzelne Krähe: Maybe down to the Misty River!

Matti: You are out of your mind! (sings) Of the Misty River and Snake Lee, all are afraid, except me!

Suddenly Snake Lee turns up.

Snake Lee: You called for me, Matti?

Matti: Oh! Lee... No... actually not.

Snake Lee: Ah. I thought I heard my name.

Matti: Y...es...? I think...

Snake Lee: Perhaps you should quit singing songs out in the forest.

Somewhere in the distance Tatzel calls for Matti.

Tatzel: Matti! Maattii-iii!

Matti: I'm here, Tatzel! Here!

Snake Lee: We'll continue our conversation another time.

She leaves just as Tatzel comes running over to Matti.

Tatzel: Where have you been Matti? Knabberjahn isn't here either! We'll surely have a storm today! And then?

Matti: Oh! Do you really believe that the chestnut will fall down on your cave today?

Tatzel: It could. It grows more lopsided every day. I would prefer it if Knabberjahn takes her down.

Matti: Perhaps he's here now.

Tatzel: Well, I can't see anything of him...

Matti: We could wait for him in your cave.

Tatzel: Come with me! Um... then... then I can show you my new stone! It's entirely red!

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

In Tatzel’s cave. The little dragon searches for his red stone.

Matti: Show me.

Tatzel. Here. He glitters so nicely in the sun!

Matti: Wow... Wow, incredible! I never find any.

Outside you hear the noise of a tree falling to the ground.

Tatzel: What... what was that?

Matti: Sounds as if the lopsided chestnut has fallen down.

Taztel: Oh! Let’s hope it doesn't block the spring! Or I'll have a flood down here, like two winters ago!

Matti: I rather think... it blocks the cave!

Tatzel: Oh no.. What... what do we do!

Matti: I know something. (he whistles)

Outside Knabberjahn shows up finally.

Knabberjahn: Have you whistled, Matti?

Matti: There you are, Knabberjahn. That was quick.

Knabberjahn: Yes, I was already over there. What happened?

Tatzel: Well, that you can see for yourself! How long have I told you that the chestnut would fall down on my cave some day!

Matti: Well, we can't get out of here anyway.

Knabberjahn: Well, if it's just that... ( he begins to gnaw on the fallen tree)
I couldn't ... come sooner... because we had a water leak in the nothdam. (he spits out some wood)
So, so. No you have to push - especially you, Tatzel. I'll pull from here.

Matti: Yes.

Together they manage to free the cave.

Matti: Thanks a lot, Knabberjahn.

Knabberjahn: You’re most welcome.

Matti: Oh! It's already dawning.

Tatzel: Yes, yes, yes! Thanks a lot! But it wouldn't have been necessary, if...

Matti: I must go home quickly, otherwise my father will be furious. And that would be too much for today.

Tatzel: Eh..eh, just come with me for a moment: We’ll look if something from the tree has fallen into the spring. We must take it out!

Matti: All right.

Knabberjahn: Hm hm hm hm. Won't take long.

Tatzel runs ahead to the spring. There he finds something other than parts of the chestnut tree.

Tatzel: Come over here! That's not possible...

Knabberjahn runs over to him.

Knabberjahn: Is something else the matter?

Matti arrives at the spring as well.

Matti: No panic!

Tatzel: Well, are you two blind?! Look what's lying here!

Matti: What is that?

Tatzel: A fairy!

Matti: Rubbish! That is a human girl.

Tatzel: Phh. How do you know that?

Matti: I saw pictures.

Knabberjahn: And what do fairies look like?

Tatzel: Oh! They must have such beautiful curls like this little one!

Matti: Such long, fair hair I have never seen before in my life!

He shakes and taps the girls shoulder.

Matti: Hello! Hello you! Are you a fairy or a human girl?

The girl doesn't respond.

Matti: She's asleep.

Knabberjahn: What do we do with her? We can't leave her lying here.

Tatzel: It will start raining for sure!

Matti: And the Snake Lee is here somewhere too.

Tatzel and Knabberjahn start.

Tatzel: What?!

Knabberjahn: What?!

Tatzel: Ha... Have you seen her?!

Matti: I've got an idea.

Tatzel: Well, and what is it?

Matti: We take her with us!

Tatzel: To the treehouse of the Trolls?

Knabberjahn: Why not? Your mother, Matti, will know what to do.

Tatzel: Well, and how will we accomplish that? How do we get the little fairy there?

Matti: We don't know yet if it's a fairy!

Knabberjahn: We'll lay her on a branch that still has some leaves and pull it. I'll bite one off!! (he starts to gnaw on a brench)

Matti: Hurry up! It will be dark soon, we Trolls mustn't be out in the forest at night!

Tatzel Don't be afraid. We will come with you!

Knabberjahn: So. Now help me! Carefully now. Here. Here she will lie nice and soft.

The three of them lay the girl down on the spot that Knabberjahn has shown.

Matti: Now nothing can happen to her. Let’s go...

Tatzel: There she will have it nice. So...

Matti: ...it is a long way to our clearing!

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

The three of them start on their way. From time to time you can hear Snake Lee.

Matti: Do you hear that? We are being watched.

Tatzel: Oh, rubbish! It 's always like that in the forest at night!

Knabberjahn: Don't talk that much, pull!

Matti: Yeah, we better hurry up.

Now Tatzel hears the snake.

Tatzel: Wait. There's something! ... Stop for a moment!

Knabberjahn: Oh, not you as well! Come on!

Matti: But it is really spooky here.

Knabberjahn: We're almost there. Behind that fir... begins your clearing, Matti.

Matti: (sighs) Then we will soon see the lights from our house.

Snake Lee shows up suddenly.

Snake Lee: Well Matti, still out so late? Isn't it dangerous for Trolls? What is it you've got there? You and your friends?

She is gone as suddenly as she showed up.

Tatzel: That was Lee!

Knabberjahn: Unpleasant person. Drives the horror into one’s limbs.

Tatzel: Did the snake want to harm the little one?

Matti: Look, her hair glows even in the dark!

Knabberjahn: Hm, she is still asleep. Luckily nothing has happened to her.

Matti: Do you want to come in?

Tatzel: No, it's starting to rain! I rather go back until it gets worse!

Tatzel starts running into the direction of his cave.

Knabberjahn: I wish you good luck, Matti. Good night. Maybe I’ll check on you tomorrow.

Matti: Good night you two. Get home safely!

Knabberjahn leaves too.

Matti: I leave you here for a moment. I’ll just go and tell my people.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: Und betont munter betritt Matti das Baumhaus der Trolle. Seine ganze Familie ist um ein knisterndes Feuer versammelt. But his father jumps up angrily as he sees Matti.

Matti: Listen.

Father Troll: You listen! Where did you come from?! I have forbidden you a thousand times...

Mother Troll: My little one. Where have you been, Matti? We were so worried about you!

Ona: You've got some nerve.

Matti: Out there is little human or fairy girl. Tatzel, Knabberjahn and I saved her and it was terribly dif...

Mother Troll: What?! A child, out there in the rain?!

Matti: I knew it.
Well, it was like that, I...

Grandmother Troll: Now dry your fur first and tonight you're taking some of the pale green medicine.

Matti: The pale green one?!

Mother Troll: Look how beautiful the little one is! What beautiful hair she's got!

Ona: Oh! And not even a little bit green.

Mother Troll: Oh, Ona, hurry, go get a sheepsfur and heat some stones!. Father, please put some more wood on the fire.

Father Troll: (groans)

Grandmother Troll: There, here is the medicine.

Mother Troll: Alas, she's too young for that!

Grandmother Troll: I get some milk!

Narrator: There is much excitement at the Trolls. Matti’s Mother, who has a great heart for every helpless creature, gives the whole family the run-around. But after many running and searching, the little fair-haired girl lies warmly wrapped beside the fire and hasn't even woken from all the noise.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: Der Mond steht über dem Zauberwald und die Lichtung mit der großen, hohlen Buche in der die Trolle und ihr unerwarteter Besuch schlafen, ist in silbernes Licht getaucht. Als ein Mondstrahl das Gesicht des Mädchens kitzelt erwacht es.

Lady LovelyLocks: (sneezes)...Oh! Where am I? Oh, what could have happened? Mmh, I don't know any more... alas, there was a terrible storm that caught me and blew me away...

Matti: Hello.

Lady LovelyLocks: ( starts)

Matti: Are you awake? I heard you speak. What's your name? And where did you come from?

Lady LovelyLocks: Who are you? And where am I?

Matti: My name is Matti and I'm a troll.

Lady LovelyLocks: What a beautiful green fur you've got. May I touch it?

Matti: Of course.

Lady LovelyLocks: You're never cold with it, are you?

Matti: Are you cold?

Lady LovelyLocks: Not now. But yesterday, before the storm blew me away, it was awfully cold!

Matti: Where did you come from?

Lady LovelyLocks: I don't know any more. I was on my way somewhere, and it was very important... But I forgot!

Matti: Ach, das macht nichts! Ich vergesse auch manchmal was und mit einem mal fällt es mir wieder ein. Mach dir keine Sorgen, hier bei uns kann dir nichts passieren. Ich beschütze dich.

Lady LovelyLocks: You are very nice.

Matti: But did you forget your name, too?

Lady LovelyLocks: No, I remember that still: My name is LovelyLocks.

Matti: The name fits to you... LovelyLocks... Now sleep a little again, it's the middle oft the night.

Lady LovelyLocks: (yawns) Yes, I'm still tired.

Matti: Come I'll wrap you in your warm blanket again. We call that “squirrel
Wrapping”.

Lady LovelyLocks: (sighs) I'm glad I'm here. With you.

Matti: Now go to sleep again. Tomorrow I'll show you everything and if you're afraid, just call for me. We trolls can sleep and hear nevertheless.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: A little while later, everyone is asleep in the house of the trolls again. The moon has finished his nightly journey and goes to rest as well. The forest is shrouded in shreds of mist. At it's darkest spot, between three high firs, something moves around.

Snake Lee: Why aren't they here?! The moon has set - the time is right! I see three firs in front of me - the place is right! Where are the Combgnomes?

A short while late the Combgnomes arrive.

Combgnomes: Lee, are you there? Are you here?

Snake Lee: I can't wait any longer.

Combgnomes: Please don't be angry with us, Snake Lee.

Snake Lee: I'll talke to you next time

Kombgnomes: We have so much to do these days. We can't make it!

Snake Lee: Well, this time I'll let it pass. Next time I've got to tell the Duchess.

Combgnomes: Oh! Please don't do that, Snake Lee! Oh no! Please not, Snake Lee! Please! Please don't!

Snake Lee: I will think about it. More I can't do for you. And now listen. I've got some news which might interest your mistress, the Duches Ravenwaves.

Combgnomes: What is it? But, lately there has only been one thing that was of interest to our Duchess.

Snake Lee: And? What is that?

Combgnomes: ( talke among themselves before they answer Lee) A little princess. We three, Hairball and all other servants a searching for her everywhere. Mmh. We lost her track in that storm. We’ve been searching day and night.

Snake Lee: Can it be that that princess has got long, fair, curly hair?

Combgnomes: Yes, yes! Do you know something about her? Did you hear something?

Snake Lee: Mmmh... I've watched something. It could be I'm able to find out more. I'll take care of it. Then, in two nights at the same time.

Combgnomes: We'll be waiting for you, Snake Lee! At the tree firs after the moon has set!

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: In the east of the Magical Forest day begins to dawn. The mist still hangs over meadows, but at the troll's, in the treehouse, something’s moving.

Mother Troll: (whispers) Oh Ona, go get some wood, hurry.

Ona: It isn't cold and it's still enough inside.

Father Troll: Do what your mother has told you to.

(Ona goes out just as Lady LovelyLocks wakes )

Lady LovelyLocks: Good morning!

Vatter und Mother Troll: Good morning!

Mother Troll: Did you sleep well, my little one?

Father Troll: I hope our green fur doesn't scare you.

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh no, it has such a wonderful color and it is so soft.

Matti: Good morning little LovelyLocks.

Ona: Good morning.

Lady LovelyLocks: Good morning, Matti.

Matti: You see, nothing has happened to you. I have been guarding you.

Lady LovelyLocks: You did that wonderfully.

Mother Troll: LovelyLocks? What a beautiful name! Then I heard right tonight: you've looked after her.

Matti: Yes, I noticed that she was awake.

Mother Troll: That was right.

Ona: Is your name really LovelyLocks?

Lady LovelyLocks: yes.

Ona: Oh, how beautiful. Come with me to the pond, there are hot wells, there we can bath!

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh yes!

Ona: My I brush your hair?

Lady LovelyLocks: Of course! I’d like that.

Mother Troll: Don't stay there too long. Breakfast will be ready soon.

Matti: What are you making?

Mother Troll: Millet pudding!

Matti: With honey?

Mother Troll: With lots of honey!

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: Deeply hidden in the Magical Forest, but not far away from the troll's house,there is a little pond. It is covered with water lilies and almost completely surrounded by reed . But the little trollgirl Ona brings LovelyLocks to a place, on which the shore is covered with grass and the water is warmed by hot wells in the ground. A wooden foot bridge leads out on to the pond.

Lady LovelyLocks: It's beautiful here.

Ona: Yes, isn't it? I'm here very often, every day. I love this place.

Lady LovelyLocks: What trees are that over there? I've never seen such colourful ones.

Ona: Mogotrees. They look beautiful, but their fruits are poisonous. For us. Only for the birds they are not.

Lady LovelyLocks: The Magical Forest is very beautiful.

Ona: Yes, right. But it is just like the Mogotrees: partially beautiful and partially dangerous.

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes, really?

Ona: But don't be afraid, now at bright day, nothing can happen.

Ona jumps into the water.

Ona: Hooray! Come in, it' s warm!

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes! Hep!

LovelyLocks jumps into the water spring too.

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh, just as in a bathtub.

Ona: Watch out! Oh, now I forgot the brush for your hair. I go get it.

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes.

LovelyLocks remaines in the water, humming softly to herself. Snake Lee approaches her

Snake Lee: Good morning, beautiful child. So alone here?

Lady LovelyLocks (starts) Who are you?

Snake Lee I'm Lee.

Lady LovelyLocks: And what are you doing here?

Snake Lee: Oh, I just wanted to wish you a good day. I bath here sometimes.

Lady LovelyLocks: Surely there are a lot of animals who do that. It is so beautiful here.

Snake Lee: What's your name? I've never seen you before in the Magical Forrest.

Lady LovelyLocks: LovelyLocks.

Snake Lee: And where do you come from?

Lady LovelyLocks: I don't know.

Snake Lee: Wasn't that Ona? Do you live with the trolls?

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes.

Snake Lee: Since when?

Lady LovelyLocks: You ask awfully much.

Snake Lee: Well, one wants to know with whom their dealing.

Ona: LovelyLocks, hurry! Breakfast's ready!

Lady LovelyLocks: I'm coming!

Snake Lee: We'll see each other again. You better refain from telling the trolls about our meeting. No, it wouldn't be good for you or them either.

Lee leaves and LovelyLocks comes out of the water.

Ona: Here, dry yourself.

Lady LovelyLocks: Mh Hm.

Ona: We have to brush your hair later, or Matti won't leave anything for us.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: And some time later the trolls and LovelyLocks are seated around a polished tree root. In the middle stands a big, brightly painted clay bowl, filled with delicious smelling millet pudding. Everyone reaches into it with their spoon and eats as much as he can. It isn't long till the bowl is as empty and cleanly scratched out, as if nothing has ever been in it.

Father Troll: That was a feast.

Ona: Yes, right. Mh!

Lady LovelyLocks: That tasted good.

Father Troll: I'll go over toe the mossground . Now's the best time.

Grandmother Troll: Yes,yes, when the autumn mists are falling, the cranberry wine has toe sat on.

Matti: And we'll go to Tatzel, LovelyLocks.

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh yes!

Matti: Then I'll show you the tree that has fallen down. Maybe you can remember then. And on the way back, we can check on Knabberjahn.

Mother Troll: But this afternoon, you'll go find beech mast, promise?

Matti, Ona and LovelyLocks: Promise!

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Some time later Mother Troll sweeps the room as Father Troll returns.

Father Troll: Hello.

Mother Troll: Oh, you're already back?

Father Troll: Mh. I met Owl Urda.

Mother Troll: Oh.

Father Troll: She appeared to have waited for me.

Mother Troll: And what did she want?

Father Troll: She wanted to tell me about a conversation she has eavesdropped on.

Mother Troll: Well. Was that so important? There is many talking going on in the magical Forest.

Father Troll: But this time it concerns us.- Or rather: our guest.

Mother Troll: Don't make it solemnly, tell me!

Father Troll: Well, the Snake Lee and the Combgnomes have met.

Mother Troll: Well, go on.

Father Troll: Ah, LovelyLocks is supposed to be a princess and is persuaded by the Duchess Ravenwaves.

Mother Troll: By the evil Duches Ravenwaves...

Father Troll: Mh!

Mother Troll: ... from the Land of Light?

Father Troll: Where do you know that from?

Mother Troll: As I said before: there is many talking. One hears this and that.

Father Troll: Well, anyway, Urda said the little fair-haired girl had better leave the Magical Forest.

Mother Troll: More important is what you say.

Father Troll: Yes... I thought it would be for the best.

Mother Troll: And where shall she go? She only knows her name and the winter is due anytime now! Do you want the little one to freeze to death somewhere out there?!

Father Troll: No, of course not.

Mother Troll: So you don't want it. But what the chatter owl talks you into, that's what you want!

Father Troll: The Snake Lee has great power. She can do us Trolls harm.

Mother Troll: But Father! If one would be afraid of everyone who could do one harm, one wouldn't be able to be happy in life again!

Father Troll: (laughs) You're right again. The owl always irritates me!

Mother Troll: Oh Father, I knew you've got a good heart. In spring, we'll see.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: And only a few days later the winter sets in over night. He comes with his whole power this year and life in the Magical Forest stiffens with snowstorms and the bitter cold. Now starts the time of hardship for many animals and so Matti and LovelyLocks are on their way to help even in the deepest snow.

Matti: Huhu! Knabberjahn! It's us! LovelyLocks, Tatzel and Matti!

Knabberjahn:: Yes, hello you three!

LovelyLocks and Matti: Hello!

Knabberjahn: It's nice of you to come. The waterhole has frozen shut again.

Tatzel: That's why we are here! Now I can breath fire for once without the old owl shouting: “You're gonna burn the hole Forest down, dragon brat!“

Everyone laughs.

Lady LovelyLocks: So, there was your beaver hole.

Knabberjahn: Yes. It's very hard to squeeze through between the ice and the shore.

Matti: A nice, big waterhole is surely more comfortable. Now Tatzel, now it's your turn.

Tatzel: Yes. (Tatzel breathes fire on the ice.)

Lady LovelyLocks : Oh, the ice starts to melt.

Tatzel: Yes? Again. (Breathes fire on the ice again)

Matti: I already see dark water!

Tatzel: Yes. Again. (Breathes fire again)

Lady LovelyLocks: There at the edge a little more, Tatzel.

Tatzel: A little more? Yes. (He breathes fire on the ice for a last time)

Knabberjahn: Mh, what a fine big hole you've made. Thank's a lot, Tatzel.

Tatzel: Ha, you're welcome, Knabberjahn. If it's freezing tonight again, I'll come tomorrow, too.

Lady LovelyLocks: We want to go to squirrel Lissy. She can't find her nuts again. But Matti finds them immediately.

Everyone laughs

Knabberjahn: Have fun than. See you soon.

Lady LovelyLocks : See you soon!

Matti: Bye! And greetings to your family!

Tatzel: I rather go back into my cave. It's nice and warm there.

Lady LovelyLocks: Bye, Tatzel!

Tazel leaved them to go hiome, as they walk on.

Matti: There. Thats a dog wailing.

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes.

Matti: Can you see him, LovelyLocks?

Lady LovelyLocks: No. Perhaps over there, there is something laying in the ground.

They walk over to the dog in the snow.

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh, you poor thing.

Matti: Who knows how long he's been laying here. He is entirely exhausted. We take him home with us.

Lady LovelyLocks: Let's hope he can walk that far. Prince! Oh! Prince! Oh my Prince! How did you find me?!

Matti: Your Prince?

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes!

Matti: Is it your dog?

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes! I just remembered as I caressed him. We have been on our way together. And then the storm came...

Matti: You can tell me that later. He needs to be somewhere warm now, and he needs something to eat too. I'm very happy that you found your dog, LovelyLocks.

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes, me too. I just can't believe it.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: In the deep snow the three of them only make a very slow progress. Time and time again they have to make a pause so that prince can rest a little. But finally they have arrived at the troll's. Prince has immediately fallen asleep after LovelyLocks has toweled him dry.

Grandmother Troll: There, here is water and food for him. When he waked up he'll eat something and he'll feel better afterwards.

Mother Troll: Don't worry, dear.

Lady LovelyLocks: I'm so glad. I just want to know how he found me.

Prince: (bellt) That wasn't so easy!

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh! You can speak!

Mother troll: Everyone can do that in the Troll Forrest. One needs only the ears to understand.

Matti: go on, tell us: how did you find her!

Prince: (barks) Always since that storm that separated us, I have been looking for her. Everywhere! Until I met an owl at nights in the forrest, some days ago.

Matti: Urda.

Prince: Und she showed me the way. Yes. And as I came to the river, I heard your voice, Lady LovelyLocks!

Matti: Lady LovelyLocks? Does that... Does that mean you are a princess?

Lady LovelyLocks: Me?

Prince: Did you forget everything?

Lady LovelyLocks: You know, I#ve been found sleeping - maybe even unconscious- beside a tree, which had fallen down.

Matti: yes, exactly. I found her!

Lady LovelyLocks: Maybe the storm has blown me onto that tree, and as it fell down I ...

Prince: Then you forgot, too, that we where on our way to your land?

Lady LovelyLocks: Hm?

Prince: To the Land of Light? That your grandfather has died and that you've got to take over your inheritance?

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh yes!

Prince: E... Everything?

Lady LovelyLocks: Now, as you say this I'm remembering many things. We have been on our way for a long time.

Prince: Yes, very long. We where almost there. We only had to cross the Misty River.

Lady LovelyLocks: (starts) Prince, your chain! Where is your golden chain with the pendant?

Prince: I know... I must have lost it in the snow!

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh!

Matti: Oh, we'll find it. Eventually in spring, when the snow is molten.

Father Troll: Then you are the heiress from the Land of Light. Lady LovelyLocks...

Matti: Father, did you know about that?

Mother Troll: Yes Matti. The owl eavesdropped on a conversation and told us about it.

Prince: Lady LovelyLocks, we lost much time. We've got to go. A... A.... At best today.

Mother Troll: Heute noch? Aber das ist völlig unmöglich! Du bist viel zu geschwächt Prince!

Father Troll: I agree to that. You've got to cross the Misty River. That is a journey full of dangers.

Prince: But I have heard underway, that hte Land of Llight in now ruled by an evil women.

Father Troll: Yes, by Duches Ravenwaves. The owl mentioned that name.

Prince: Yes, it is her. She's brought the entire land under her controle. And the tresures found there don't serve the wellbeing of the people, but end in the Duches' treasury. Poverty and misery ae everywhere.

Father Troll: If ionly the River wasn't there...

Matti: Yes, evil spirits are hiding in the mist.

Father Troll: Only on few days in the year, with sunshine and wind from the south in can be crossed without danger. You will need a boat. But there are no boats in the Magical Forrest.

Matti: Or a raft. Knabberjahn could build a raft for you!

Father Troll: That could work. We're going to talk to him tomorrow.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: In the castle of Duches Ravenwaves, in the Land of Light, Lee, the snake has arrived.

Duches Ravenwaves: Why did you come here?

Snake Lee: To bring you some news, Duches.

Duches Ravenwaves: So? That must be significant news!

Snake Lee: So significant that I didn't want to tell the Combgnomes.

Duches Ravenwaves: Then out with it, I haven't much time!

Snake Lee: In the Magical Forrest, there is a little princess with golden girls visiting.

Duches Ravenwaves: Lady LovelyLocks?

Snake Lee: Yes, the dog is calling her like that, anyway.

Duches Ravenwaves: Who?!

Snake Lee: The girls dog. His name is Prince.

Duches Ravenwaves: That's unbelievable! Why haven't I received that news earlier?!

Snake Lee: I came across the river as soon as possible... The ice... and the mist...

Duches Ravenwaves: Yes, yes, I know that! What else do you know!

Snake Lee: Not much. Just that the beaver is building a raft for them. As soon as it's finished and there will be a sunny day with wind from south, they are going to be here.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: It takes some time till the raft is finished. In the meantime the days have become longer again and the snow drips from the trees . Everywhere little streams are trickling and in the night one can hear the noise of the breaking ice from the Misty River.

Prince runs barking over to Lady LovelyLocks.

Lady LovelyLocks: Hello Prince. It is so beautiful in the sun.

Prince: Yes, but we have to leave, the raft is ready!

Mati: What?!Don't you even want to wait until we've found Prince's chain and pendant?

Lady LovelyLocks: You'll find them and bring them to us, into the Land of Light.

Matti: Do you really have to go away now?

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh Matti, you know that.

Prince: We already stayed far to long.

Matti: Oh!

Lady LovelyLocks: Matti. Wir sehen uns bestimmt bald wieder.

Matti: Promise?

Lady LovelyLocks: I promise. By the Great Troll!

Matti: Good, but I will be very unhappy.

Lady LovelyLocks: But you've got so many friends! Some will surely be happy when we're gone. Then you'll have more time for them again.

Matti: I don't care about them!

Lady LovelyLocks: Oh no! Never start to not caring about friends! It's wonderful to have friends. I am very glad that you are my friend. I will never forget you!

.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.~*~.

Narrator: Already on the day after tomorrow the sun is shining from an blue sky and a strong wind from south has blown away all clouds. The moment of parting has come. At the shore the animals have gathered together and in the trees the birds are singing their songs. Knabberjahn is chewing eagerliy on the rope that's holding the raft to push it across the river, to the shore, where the Land of Light begins. Suddenly Matti comes running over to them.

Matti: Take me with you, Lady LovelyLocks!

Lady LovelyLocks: But Matti, we already talked about that.

Matti: Please, princess!

Lady LovelyLocks: But you will visit us when you've found Prince's chain and pendant.

Matti: Yes, then I'll come back again. I want... um... I'd just like to cross the river. Knabberjahn will take me back with him later.

Lady LovelyLocks: And you think your parents will find that idea just as good as you do?

Matti: Oh... Sure.

Prince: Let him Lady. I can understand him.

Matti: Then I'm the only one in the magical Forrest who has crossed the river and I've been in the Land of Light. Well, at it's shore at last.

Tatzel: Eigentlich I could come with you, too. But the loads of water in the river, I don't like that!

Matti: (laphs) That's nothing for dragons! You rather stay here, Tatzel. I'll tell you everything, later.

Knabberjahn: Well, what is it now? It's still like it has to be: sunshine and wind from the south. But that can change any time, and then?

Mother Troll: You surly don't won't to go with them, Matti?

Matti: Oh... just let me. I'll be back soon! Grandma always says one must have a look around in the world.

Father Troll: (laughs) Yes, she says that often enough. All right, Matti. We'll wait here for you and Knabberjahn. Have a good journey.

Matti: You can severe the robe now, Knabberjahn. Hurry!

Lady LovelyLocks and Prince: Good bye!

Prince: Thank's for everything!

Tatzel: Bye!

Father Troll: Good bye!

Mother Troll: Come visit us soon!

Father Troll: Yes, visit us sometime!

Mother Troll: Gute Fahrt!

Father Troll: Gute Fahrt!

Mother Troll: Good bye!

Matti: Here we go! Juhu!

Owl Urda: Uh uh. Oh, you are taking that good-for-nothing troll brat with you? Well, maybe the Nebelmoog will catch him! Then there will be peace at last again in the Magical Forrest! Uh uh.

Matti: I don't like her. The old owl always says something that frightens me.

Knabberjahn: What... What Nebelmoog does she mean?

Matti: Everyone knows something about the Nebelmoog. Why don't you?

Knabberjahn: I did hear about him before. But I don't believe it.

Matti: Well, explain to me how one can't believe in it? One can see him if he comes out of the water. And the boats and rafts which he pulls to the ground, for his children to play with, what's with those?

Knabberjahn: You believe everything!

Lady LovelyLocks: Don't argue! The day is too beautiful to do this.

Matti: Oh! I can see the other shore! Incredible! I've seen it first!

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes, you did! Now I see it, too! Soon we'll be there!

Prince: Wonderful! There is the shore! (barks) There begins your domain Lady LovelyLocks! How happy we are goining to be in the Land of Light!

Lady LovelyLocks: Yes!

End of MC 1