The legend of Sigmantoid the Troll,  was born of venomous tongues which wagged tales of bloodlust and spite,  and spewed bodies of brave knights daring to try and cross the 'Bridge of whispers'.

For Sigmantoid was seven feet six, and muscle bound with fiery heart and temper bad and raging, the last remaining Troll in the kingdom of Threthsellar, governed by the mighty warrior,  King Sabien.  The King had issued a proclaimation that any brave knight so defeating the evil Sigmantoid and bringing forth the head and blackened heart of the foul odious beast, would receive the castles's vaults of  gold and the hand of his beautiful daughter,  Princess Fabrice as just reward.

Long years passed and a succession of valiant and noble knights,  clad in chain mail han crafted by virgin maidens and armour of ornately embellished Gold,  failed in their task,  slain by Sigmantoid and tossed limb by limb over the castle walls. Blood flowed and dreams faded with every attempt to slay the beast.

As Princess Fabrice grew older,  and more lined of face,  her hopes of marriage filtering away like the fading sunlight on a summers evening, the king,  devoid of any more brave knights in his kingdom willing to die in vain,    rode on fiery steed to the 'Bridge of Whispers' and summoned forth the vicious Troll to fight one last battle.

" Foul Troll Sigmantoid,  do you know who you address?",  asked the king defiantly,  as he clambered from his petulant steed, Hercules,  and pulled from his scabbard,  a hand crafted sword which had slain a thousand Borantian heads,  the sworn enemy of the King and his empire.

" Of course " Sigmantoid replied,  " My Lord,  I am humble in your presence, and honoured by your visit. I bid you welcome  "

The king stopped in his tracks,  bemused and mistrustful of his hearing,  examining Sigmantoids cleft pallet and child like eyes.

" Know then,  that I am here to fight you? ", he exclaimed,  raising his sword high above his head in readiness for battle.

" Yes, my Lord.  But if you must fight me, then know that you shall surely die.  For I am Sigmantoid,  keeper of the 'Bridge of whispers',  feared by all and equally loathed,  and no man is a match for my strength.  But,  my King,  be you so assured in your desperation to fight me, that you cannot indulge a simple troll in a moments conversing on matters of significance? "

King Sabien listened intently as the Vile Toll offered his services as personal guardian to his Majesty,  keeper of the castle gates,  and defender against the Borantian hoards who had long since threatened to overrun the Kingdoms somewhat depleted army  of brave knights.

For an hour and more King Sabien,  resting on the dewy grass of lush foliage, listened intently to the eloquent words of the not so vicious Troll Sigmantoid,  amazed at the reasoning and generosity of the beasts offer to restore his kingdom and pride amongst the dwindling army of frightenede knights.

"Only a foolish King would walk away from such a gracious offer. But tell me Sigmantoid,  why make such a gesture now,  when I am prepared to fight you to the death"

Sigmantoid sat next to the king, his large ogre like buttocks pounding the ground like a minor earthquake as they landed in the lush softness

"  My King,  you have never before sent message nor word to me, other than the brave knights ripped asunder as they attempt to fulfill your wishes and slay me for personal wealth and the love of your daughter,  Princess Fabrice.    You have viewed me as your enemy,  when never have I been one,   having previously come to your castle gate with this same offer many years ago.   You judged me harshly,  and talked not with me,  despatching your  finest knights who chased me to the edge of the Kingdom,  to the 'Bridge of whispers',  which became my reason to live,  my fortress,  the home I had sought from you sire. "

The King bowed his head in shame,  weeping pools of tears for his stupidity,  and the deaths of so many brave young knights.  Rising to his feet,  he stretched out a hand in friendship and beckoned Sigmantoid the Troll come with him and take his place in the Kingdom of Threthsellar.

As the two wandered back towards the gates of the beautiful castle,  a huge weight of burden lifted from the kings head, Sigmantoid turned his head and asked

"  Now,  about  the offer of your daughters hand..........  "