Mr. Hopperhill made his way to the edge of the forest will due haste, not seeming likely in his age, but when kids were in danger he forgot his discomfort. He gave a sharp whistle and hawk swooped down to land on his shoulder. “Clip, look ahead and try to divert Kleger as best as you can.” With that the bird took off and cut through the darkness of the forest with Mr. Hopperhill behind. He’d never let the kids into the forest before. It was his charge and now for the first time in five years he had slipped or let them slip. Whatever, it made little difference. He batted a branch out of his face and step over a fallen log, while trying to scan the area for where the kids might have gone. He didn’t know their names, but he was pretty sure they were Twinkletoes or maybe Biddlehorns and their parents where surely going to hear about this. If he got them out. “Twinkletoes, Biddlehorns!.” The words echoes around the trees lost in the rustle of leaves and hidden life of the looming Festerwood Forest. He shivered and took a few more steps until he caught the signs of the kids passage of broken branches. It didn’t make sense. They should be able to hear him. They were only a few steps ahead. “Twinkletoes, Biddlehorns! It is Mr. Hopperhill. You can come out.” He was really getting worried and sweat began to bead down his face.

A muffled hawk screech resounded from up around one of the big oaks and Mr. Hopperhill scrambled his way forward worried now for Clip as well as the boys. Reaching the other side of the tree, he was astounded to find Kleger, a single eye blinking down at him from a giant frame, while the kids sat in front of a small fire as if on a picnic, which they seemed to be exactly doing as they handed out a loaf of bread. One of the boys, a Twinkletoe, Hopperhill thought, dropped a cup of steaming liquid and cursed as it landed on his hairy feet. Clip was nestled in the cyclop’s hands accounting for it’s muffled screams. “Kleger, I don’t know what you plan on doing with these kids, but I wont allow it. And let Clip go.”

“But he was flying at my face.” The single eye narrowed in confusion.

“Then explain yourself. What were you planning on doing with these kids. I see you had a nice campfire set for them. Were you planning on eating them.” Mr. Hopperhill pointed his gnarled staff up at the giant accusingly.

Kleger let go of Clip who squealed and flew towards Mr. Hopperhill’s shoulder, but diverted and left the small clearing. The cyclops farrowed his brow as if in deep thought.

“Wait! Mister Hopperhill don’t be mean to Kleger. He is our friend.” The hobbit appeared to be Biddlehorn, which would account for his lack of intelligence.

Mr. Hopperhill waved his staff in frustration. “Don’t you see. He might pretend to be your friends, but he really wants to just eat you. Believe me I know.” He shifts a scornful eye to Kleger. “You remember what happened.”

The cyclops nodded pathetically. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your brother. He came at me with sharp sword and it hurt.”

“Enough! I will not have you retell the deed of your greatest evil.”

“You heard him. It was an accident.” It was one of the Twinkletoes talking now, which really surprised Mr. Hopperhill since the old hole dwellers tended to be surefooted.

“It doesn’t matter…”

Kleger cut him off, which really took Mr. Hopperhill aback. “Yes it does. I’ve been thinking. I’ve spent many years with these trees and I want some new friends. I think I have paid you the debt of your brother. I might not be the hardest branch in the forest, but I understand things when I see them and I think you are just be mean.”

Mr. Hopperhill took a step back. Could this really be happening. The creature was sticking up for himself. But before he got his bearing Kleger continued.

“I’m through with what you’ve done. These are my friends and they will stay my friends.” Kleger nodded as if in finallity.

The boys seemed content and safe. It was all Mr. Hopperhill could ask for in such an awkward and astounding situation. “I believe you are all old enough to make decisions for yourself so I’ll let you be to it. As for you Kleger, you are right. Your debt is paid and should have been paid a long time ago.” He hesitated, finding the next words difficult in coming. “And I”m sorry I didn’t speak to you sooner about it.” With those last words he left and gave up on a part of himself he had refused to let die for a long time. Revenge. A man will learn with time as long as he lets time work its magic, Mr. Hopperhill thought as he trekked back to his small cabin. He had lived there for five years. Longer than he had been at any place since he could remember. It was about time he checked out what the rest of the world had to offer him. Rummaging through his house and packing the last of his belongings, which were few being a good Hopperhill traveler that he was, He hit the road before nightfall and the future twinkled in his old eyes adding new vigor and hope for a destiny yet to come.