Sparks danced, heat flooding the space. “Sit, Elias. Tell me what the world’s sayin’ ’bout me. Oh, name’s Torvald, by the way. I’ll set their tales straight.”
Elias fidgeted on the ledge, the warmth of the fire doing little to ease the knot in his chest. His eyes darted to Torvald, then away, the giant’s massive frame both awe-inspiring and intimidating. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat, tangled in a mix of nerves and uncertainty. His fingers twisted together, and he looked down, cheeks flushing.
Torvald’s brow furrowed, his grin softening as he noticed the hesitation. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, the firelight casting gentle shadows across his face. “Hey, now, no need to be shy,” he said, his voice low and warm, like a rolling hearth. “I promise I won’t hurt ya. Not one bit.”
Elias swallowed, forcing himself to meet Torvald’s gaze. “I… I never explored a giant before,” he blurted, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. His face burned, and he waved his hands frantically. “I-I’m sorry, that sounded wrong, I didn’t mean—”
Torvald chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed off the cave walls. “No harm done, Elias. I figured as much.” He scratched the back of his neck, his grin widening. “Truth be told, I was just surprised to see someone like you out here. Most don’t come pokin’ ’round my kind.”
Elias managed a small smile, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. Torvald’s easy manner was disarming, like a boulder that rolled gently instead of crashing. But as the fire crackled and the cave grew cozier, Elias noticed the flickering shadows stretching longer across the walls. The day’s weight settled over him, and he stifled a yawn.
Torvald caught it, his eyes crinkling. “It’s gettin’ late now,” he said, stretching his arms with a groan that seemed to shake the air. “Time we sleep. You can stay here, Elias. Plenty o’ room, and it’s safer than wanderin’ out there in the dark.”
Elias nodded, gratitude warming him more than the fire. “Thank you, Torvald,” he said softly, settling onto the ledge as the giant tossed another log into the flames, the glow wrapping them both in a quiet, comforting hush.
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