Fablehaven Chapter 14 Summary

Trolling for Grandpa

  • As they walk to Nero's place, Grandma explains that while she was a chicken, it was hard to think like a human—her mind was constantly in a fog so it took a while to try to communicate with the kids.
  • They go down into a ravine, since Nero lives on a ledge there. About twenty upright logs lead up to the ledge, and when they call up to Nero, he says they have to ascend them like stairs in order to talk to him.
  • The logs are spaced such that a person could get up them but it'd be dangerous. Seth volunteers, and makes it almost to the end before falling—but luckily Nero catches him with a chain, then sends down a ladder for the ladies.
  • Nero the troll is reptilian and scary-looking. He can find out Stan's location, but why should he? Grandma starts bargaining with him, saying that she could offer him a service in exchange for his service: a rare treat called a massage.
  • Kendra plays along and makes it sound like a massage is the Best Thing Ever so Nero is fooled into agreeing to it—then Grandma, Kendra, and Seth all have to give the troll a massage for over an hour before he'll try to divine Grandpa's location.
  • Nero reveals that Grandpa is chained in the basement of the Forgotten Chapel. Lena's there too, but when Grandma starts asking more questions, Nero says she'd only bargained for that one piece of info. Sorry, and bye.