“Ugh, ugh! I smell Christian flesh and blood in my house,” said he.
“Yes,” answered the Princess, “a raven flew past here just now, and in his beak he had a human bone, which he dropped down the chimney; I threw it out and swept and cleaned up after it, but I suppose it still smells.”
“So it does,” said the troll.
“But come and lie down and I’ll scratch your heads,” said the Princess; “the smell will be gone by the time you wake.”
The Troll was quite willing, and before long he fell asleep and began snoring.
The troll was quite willing, and before long he fell asleep and began snoring. When she saw he was sleeping soundly, she placed some stools and cushions under his heads and went to call the hens. The soldier then 185 stole into the room with the sword, and with one blow cut all the three heads off the troll.
The Princess was as pleased as a fiddler, and went with the soldier to her sisters, so that he could also set them free. First of all they went across a courtyard and then through many long rooms till they came to a big door.