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sorceress-coffee · 4 years

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Wherefore Art Thou, Witch?

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As the group entered Trollmarket for the first time the boys were lost in wonderment, running from stall to stall, greeting as many trolls as they could while Toby snapped pictured of them on his phone. River sighed, keeping her burnt hands close to her sides as they went, peering into different caverns, wondering how far Trollmarket truly went, trying to ignore the shocked stares and gasps their group received. Pausing behind the group, River found what appeared to be a giant formation of sapphires, as she was turning to approach the crystal structure it began to move. As it turned River came face to face with a large sapphire troll, their eyes matching the giant fire like crystal in the middle of Trollmarket. She raised her burnt hand in a small wave as the troll snarled at her, eyeing her palm before letting out a huff. River shrugged the reaction off, choosing to follow after the group only to find a crowd had encased them.

Struggling to get through the crowd, River barely made it to Jim and the others when a deep voice brimming with irritation roared out, causing the crowd to part quickly. “What is all this?”

Blinky froze at the voice, wary of who it belonged to. “Ah… Draal. Always happy to see you. I was just getting to that” He stammered out quickly.

River turned to see the troll from the cavern, now known as Draal, was looming over her, snarling down at Jim and Toby as Blinky greeted him. “Human feet have never sullied the ground of Trollmarket!” He growled out. Getting in Jim’s face, “What are the fleshbags doing here?” He snarled, refusing to address said fleshbags. River snarled, pushing her way between Jim and Draal, glaring up at the troll. A startled look flashed in his eyes before he huffed from his nose, the steam pushing River’s hair back a bit, though she refused to back down.

Blinky sighed, “How do I put this delicately…” He hesitated, gesturing towards Jim when he finally found his words again. “This is our new Trollhunter.” He winced as each toll in attendance let out a collective gasp, attention drawn to Jim.

“He can’t be the Trollhunter! He’s not a toll!” Draal yelled, slamming his fist into the ground next to River, trying to scare the humans.

River looked from Draal’s face to the hand indenting the ground. When she looked back up to him, she simply arched her brow before going to stand next to Jim. After Bular, there wasn’t much that could scare her tonight. “The Amulet called his name.” She said simply.

Arrrgh nudged Jim forward slightly. “Amulet chose.” He said, eyes never leaving Draal’s tense frame.

Before the others could get a word in, Toby spoke up, elbowing Jim’s side. “Show them, Jimbo?” He grinned.

Jim nodded, saying the incantation, allowing the armor to envelop him again. “Cool right?” Jim asked, smiling at the crowd, hoping the armor was enough proof for them.

“Bushigal!” Draal yelled, stalking towards Jim. “I am Draal,” he began, hitting a fist over his chest, “son of Kanjigar and the amulet’s rightful heir!” He exclaimed.

“Uh, you’re his son?” Jim asked, distress evident, “He’s his son?” he turned to Blinky for an answer. Blinky winced, wringing his four hands together and nodding slightly.

River looked from the Amulet to Draal, realizing what this meant for him. “That’s going to be a problem…” She trailed off. Toby wince, nodding in agreement.

Draal stood at his full height over Jim, chin raised in the air as he glared down at him. “When my father fell, the honor should have passed on to me.” He grabbed the amulet, trying to rip it out of the armor. A bright blue light enveloped Jim and pushed him and Draal apart.

Aaarrrgghh quickly caught Jim, holding him out slightly to Draal as if proving a point. “Amulet chose.” He stated again.

Draal was staring at the amulet, shocked it had rejected him. Blinky ushered the group by Draal quickly, heading to our next destination in Trollmarket. Draal eyed them, standing up again. “We’ll see what Vendel has to say about this,” he growled out.

Blinky nodded, “Of course, go ahead and fetch him then,” he said, pushing Jim in front of him, saying something about busy training.

River paused next to Draal, bowing her head slightly for his father before heading after the group. Draal caught sight of her burnt hands as she left, humming to himself as he went to find Vendel.

River finally caught up to the others in the Forge, eyes going wide and the sheer size of the underground arena. “This is ‘The Hero’s Forge.’” Blinky exclaims as Toby took pictures of every square inch, mumbling about different minerals.

Jim took notice of the statues and Blinky was quick to explain that they are the remains of his predecessors, including an empty pedestal for Kanjigar’s remains.

River was walking around the perimeter of the Forge, hand ghosting over the markings and runes carved into the stone walls. “This is amazing,” She came to a stop next to Blinky as he was finishing his explanation of the Trollhunters.

“A line of heroism that reaches back to the age of Merlin, he exclaimed, walking to a lever in one of the walls.

“Merlin?” She asked, following him. “As in the wizard in the tales of King Arthur and Camelot?”

Blinky nods, “The very same Lady River, I’m glad you’re familiar with your history. Especially after witnessing your magic tonight.” Blinky grinned.

River furrowed her brow in confusion. “My history?” She stared up at him. “Wait, what magic tonight?

“I assumed you knew, after all the spell you used to attack Bular takes years of training to control.” Blinky paused in thought.

Before she could respond, an aged voice carried throughout the forge. “Blinkous Galadrigal!” Blinky quickly shut the forge down, obviously nervous about this voice. The blades retracted to reveal a goat-like troll walking towards us from the stone bridge. “Blinkous Galadrigal.” He repeated, walking up to the group quickly. When he was close enough you could see his eyes were grey though they sparkled as if they held a galaxy within.

Blinky introduced the troll as Vendel, the elder, and leader, of Trollmarket. Vendel began to poke and prod at Toby, asking for the Trollhunter.

Jim chuckled, “I think I’m the ‘fleshbag’ you’re looking for.” He pulled out the Amulet to show Vendel.

“Amulet chose,” Arrrgh quickly defended, standing next to Jim.

Vendel hummed in thought, before bringing up Unkar the Unfortunate, the last Trollhunter Blink trained. River winced at the thought of being torn limb from limb, the burns she had sustained earlier were bad enough. Vendel tapped the center of the forge, a large statue sprouting from the ground. “The Soothscryer will judge the fleshbag.” He directed Jim on what to do.

Jim paled when Vendel told him to place his hand in the mouth of the Soothscryer. “I’m going to get it back right?” He asked rubbing his palms.

Vendel smirked at the hesitation. “That’s part of the test.”

Jim sighed as Toby helped him reach the opening. As soon as he placed his in the mouth of the Soothscryer it clamped down on his arm. A panicked scream ripped from Jim as he tried to pull his arm from the Soothscryer. River rushed to him, grabbing at him as fast as she could causing her to snarl in pain from her burnt palms, pulling Jim as hard as she could. The Soothscryer released them, Jim falling back against River and River falling onto Toby.

Once outside of Trollmarket River slouched to the ground with a groan. “What the hell did I get myself into?”

Draal snorts, noticing that she stopped, “You threw yourself into countless hours of studying and training with the old goat.” He lifted her by the hood of her jacket to sniff the gashes in the back. “So, you fought Bular and lived, with no training. I’d say impressive, but it appears to be shit luck.” He dropped her and continued walking.

River let out a growl at getting troll handled, “Oh really? Why should I care if you’re impressed?” she smirked watching him walk, “By the way, that path leads to school, home is that direction.” She stated, jabbing her thumb behind her.

Draal growled, turning and stalking by. “I wouldn’t go the wrong way if you knew how to lead.” He was definitely irritated. River quickly fell in step beside him, heading up along the trail.

They walked in silence for a while until a sigh escaped her, “I’m sorry, for your father and the amulet. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose both in one day.”

“I don’t need a fleshbag’s pity.” He growled out.

“I’m not pitying you Draal, I’m empathizing. Big difference.” She stated. Even though she could understand his reaction, she didn’t have to like it. River paused as they got close to the house. “It sucks okay? I get losing a parent, I understand that pain. But losing a parent and what you believe to be your destiny in one go? I can understand your anger towards Jim and not the ‘he’s a fleshbag’ anger, but the ‘he took everything from me’ anger.” She explained, copying Draal’s arm movements as she spoke about him hating Jim.

Draal watched her carefully, calculating how to react. “You are strange.” He finally says looking to the house. “You empathize… you’ve experienced the pain; you don’t just know of it.” He stated, watching the windows of the house.

“Why do you think I live with my aunt and cousin?” River asked, shrugging slightly. “I don’t expect you to trust or like me Draal, but I have a feeling we will be seeing each other a lot, and I hope we can be on better terms than today.”

Draal only hummed in acknowledgment.

River nodded turning to the house, “Thank you for walking me home, even if Vendel asked you to. Be careful about going back home!” She called out, heading into the house with a wave.

Draal lifts his hand in a slight wave before heading back into the trees, back to Trollmarket.

River quickly shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket seeing her aunt Barbara. “Hey mom, sorry I’m home late, I was at the library!” Not a total lie, she was in a toll library.

Barbara smiled and waved it off. “No worries sweetie, how are your hands though? Jim said you burned them during your science class.” She held out her hands expectantly. River winced slightly pulling her hands out so Dr. Lake could inspect the bandages.

“They’re okay, the uh, nurse had stuff for burning, I’m supposed to keep them wrapped up though,” River explained.

Dr. Lake turned River’s hands over, nodding after a moment, “The nurse did an excellent job. No painting tonight though. You’ll need to rest them.” She kissed River’s forehead letting her hands go. “Jim took your dinner upstairs, should be in your room.”

River grinned running up, “Thanks, mom!” She quickly ran to Jim’s door, knocking carefully before entering and flopping on his bed.

Jim chuckles, “It’s been a day.” He pulls at the black satchel. “What’s this?”

She groaned, rolling over, “My new magic homework. Apparently, I’m a sorceress, and have to train or ‘risk becoming a threat.’” She mocked in Vendel’s voice sitting up, pulling out the books to show him. “So, while you’re stuck in the forge, I’m stuck in the Heartstone.” She teased, acting like it’s the worst.

Jim rolled his eyes, “Oh yeah, because learning magic is oh so boring,” he teased back, picking up the books and looking them over. “How are you supposed to read these? They’re in another language.”

River shrugged, “Vendel checked, apparently being able to read it has something to do with magic.” She pointed to the smaller book. “That one is about keeping King Arthur in line.”

He laughs, picking it up and flipping through it. “How’d you get home?”

She let out a snort, “Vendel had Draal, of all trolls, walk me home.”

Jim groans at the name throwing himself back on his pillow, “He wants to kill me, I swear he does.”

River smiled slightly, “He’s had a rough few days, give him time, I think you might end up getting along.”

Jim and River stayed up for a while. She read him most of the book on ‘How to keep King Arthur in Line.’ River would have loved to meet Merlin if he was this hilarious in person. After a while they decided to try and sleep, training was going to be ruthless after all, and they needed as much rest as they could get.

After school, as promised, Jim, Toby, and River headed straight for Trollmarket, excited to start training. They met with Blinky and Aaarrrgghh at the entrance and were quickly escorted inside. River broke off from the group as they reached the cavern with a glowing Daylight sign above it, waving as she headed to the Heartstone to meet with Vendel.

“Hello, Master Vendel!” She greeted as she entered the cave.

He chuckled, “River, are you ready? We will be starting with the basics of identifying and sorting spell materials.”

She nodded, “Actually, as I was reading, I realized a lot of the basics for magic dealt with ingredient distinction, especially minerals. I’ve been collecting and identifying stones with Toby.” She pulled out a large black case, opening it to show Vendel the stones inside. “These are from my collection at home. I followed the classification guides and separated them accordingly. Toby let me practice with his collection as well.”

Vendel took the black case and studied the stones and ingredients closely. “I’m surprised you haven’t cut these.” He hummed and nodded. “Well done, you have sorted them properly.” He paused thinking, his lesson going out the window, “Why don’t we check on the Trollhunter’s progress? It will give you a chance to assess how trolls fight.”

River nodded quickly, following him as they took a different route to the forge. They came to a large opening and could hear Blinky and Jim talking. She walked over and looked down to see that they were in the stands of the Hero’s Forge. River pulled herself up to sit on the stone wall, legs hanging over the side as Vendel stood next to her, watching Jim get pelted with rocks by Blinky and a stray rock by Arrrgh.

As Blinky was explaining the third rule of being a Trollhunter, hitting your opponents in the crotch, River caught a flash of blue from the cavern entrance, looking over to see Draal walking into the forge. “Ah! So, the Trollhunter’s training begins.” He states in an overly friendly tone, stalking towards Jim and Blinky, both growing nervous at Draal’s entrance. “I thought the great Trollhunter might accept my services as a sparring partner.” He bowed his head before hitting a fist against his open palm. “Part of your training regiment, isn’t it?” He asks, looking to Blinky.

“In due time, perhaps,” Blinky states quickly.

Vendel chuckled beside River, “Why wait?” He calls out, drawing everyone’s attention to them. River waved to Jim, Blinky, and Draal. “I am eager to see your charge demonstrate his mettle.” He states, leaning over the stone wall to peer down at Blinky.

Jim lifts his sword looking over it, “Actually, the sword is really made of, like, daylight.” He tells Vendel. River facepalmed as he says this, shaking her head. Jim looks confused at her reaction, Draal smirking.

Blinky leans over to Jim, “He means your ‘mettle’: your ability to cope in the face of adversity.”

“Oh,” Jim said, realization dawning his features. “Yeah, I’m still working on the whole ‘mettle’ part.” He chuckled, “Plus, you know, SAT words.”

River smiled as Jim jokes about his misunderstanding. Vendel chuckles, standing at full height again, “Let them spar,” he announces.

“No harm in it.” Draal stated, his smirk growing as he heads to the opposite side of the forge while Blinky glared at him. He took the side opposite of where Vendel and River were observing, grinning up at them.

River leaned over to Vendel, “Are you two messing with Jim? I can’t tell if this is a joke or your way of getting him killed.” she frowned, worried.

Vendel shook his head, “Draal will not kill him now, we must wait for the Soothscryer’s judgment, he knows this.” River nodded at his answer, relieved but nervous. “Though I cannot say he’ll walk away without injury.”

She huffed, “This is not going to end well, Jim’s never been in a fight, let alone having actually punched someone.”

Vendel chuckles. “Begin.”

They watched as Draal charged for Jim. Jim was barely able to move out of the way as Draal curled into a ball, hitting the ground hard where Jim was a moment ago before rolling up the side of the wall near Vendel and River. As he lands, dust and debris are kicked up, obscuring the fight. Next thing River can see is Jim getting thrown out of the dust cloud, Draal stalking over to him. He punched Jim three times, knocking him back towards the ledge. Draal picked him up and holding him over the ledge, threatening to drop him.

River’s blood ran cold, she looked to Vendel in shock, gripping the ledge tightly, her hands began to overheat and the bandages around her palms burnt away, the ledge she was sitting on shattered. Screaming as she felt the ledge disappear from underneath her, falling towards the forge floor quickly. She closed her eyes tight waiting for the impact.

Something hard hit her, but it was from the side as if a boulder was lobbed at her. Suddenly she could feel all movement cease. River chanced opening her eyes and all she could see was blue.

“River!” She hears Jim yell, the sound of metal boots running on stone. River looked up and saw the boulder that caught her was actually Draal.

He growled before setting her down. “Are you an idiot?!” He roared. “I knew you were untrained, but blasting yourself off a ledge?” He growls storming out of the forge.

River sat there in shock looking to Jim as he reached her. “What happened River?” He knelt next to her, worried.

“I…” she trailed off, looking over to ledge Draal was threatening to drop Jim over. “I thought he was going to drop you…” She looked up at Jim. “I was scared.”

Jim frowned, “Well he wasn’t going to, said he could wait till I fell in battle… When you screamed, he dropped me on the floor as he took off after you.” He sighed hugging her. “Are you okay?”

River nodded slowly, standing with his help she let out a groan. “I’m fine, other than getting hit with a living boulder.” She tried giving him a small smile to ease his worry.

Vendel came down from the viewing area, shaking his head as he approached them. “Maybe we should focus on controlling and channeling your magic instead. We don’t want a repeat of today during an actual battle.” He turns, waving for River to follow. “Trollhunter, you have much training to do.”

Jim frowned, hanging his head at his lack of skill. River pats his shoulder before following Vendel out of the arena. It was going to be a long night.

Once in his study, Vendel assessed the new damage done to her palms and rewrapped them while lecturing her on the improper use of magic. The rest of River’s night at Trollmarket, she and Vendel researched ways to get her magic under control. River was growing weary of reading about the great sorcerers of legend. Groaning she flopped back next to a pile of books. “The only thing these people have in common is some sort of staff or weapon. Even the types of magic they use are different.”

Vendel tilted his head at her outburst and hummed in thought. “Interesting.” He began looking over the pictures and journals they had been reading for hours. “Each sorcerer forged their own means of channeling their magic.” He hands her a sketch of Merlin holding a staff with a giant emerald at the top. “All of which are accompanied by a stone, cut for power.”

River took the picture, looking it over. “So, I need to make a weapon or staff with a giant stone somewhere in there. Just any stone?” she asked.

Vendel shook his head. “These stones were made by the sorcerer, channeling their magic into a condensed form, similar to how water flows and turns to ice. This will take a bit of thought and preparation.”

River nodded, thinking out loud. “I have to figure out how to control my magic enough to channel it into a crystalline state. The type of weapon will be important too, that could determine how I fight later on.”

Vendel gives her a small smile and nods. “Yes, but for now, you need rest. It is late after all, and with your magic awakening not long ago your body hasn’t had enough time to adjust from your human habits, like sleeping.”

River yawned before she could stop herself. “Also have to keep appearances up with mom. She’d lose it if she knew what was going on.” She grabbed her books and packed up. “I’ll be heading out then. Goodnight Master Vendel.” She called, heading to the entrance of Trollmarket.

As she reached the top of the crystal steps, she found Draal leaning against the wall that led to the canal, waiting. Waving to him with a smile “Hey Draal, um… thanks for earlier… you know, catching me and all.”

He huffed, looking over her freshly bandaged hands. “Let’s go.” He shakes his head walking out into the canal.

River stepped out, looking at Draal confused. “Vendel didn’t ask you to walk me.” She fell in step next to him as they headed for her house.

Draal smirked, glancing over at her, “Would you rather I leave you defenseless at night with Bular running around?” he asked. “You shouldn’t use your magic after Vendel wrapped your hands.”

River huffed crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly, “I can fight without magic just fine,” she stated, standing tall before mimicking fighting techniques she had seen in different animes. “though, I would need a staff or something to do actual damage.”

Draal tilted his head at River’s demonstration, “Have you thought of training with a lance?” he asks.

She hummed as they continued, “Actually, I’m supposed to start focusing on forging a weapon to lace with magic, do you think a lance is a good option?”

Draal nods, “the motions you just used are lance techniques.” He explained different types of weapons, and how one would fight with each type until they made it to the house.

River looked up at him with a tooth-bearing grin “Thanks Draal, your insight helped a lot, I think I know what I want to forge now.” He nodded, a small smirk on his face as he turned to leave. “Draal,” River called out quickly, he turned his head back slightly to look at her, “I really am grateful for your help today, with the weapons and for saving me in the forge.”

Draal was silent for a moment before nodding, the smirk turning into a small smile. “Try not to launch yourself off any ledges for a while, I don’t think I’ll be allowed near the Trollhunter’s training after today.”

She shook her head laughing, “Yeah, probably not. Night Draal.” She called out before heading inside, going straight to bed after a stressful night.

Jim and River had gotten up early, Saturday morning was busy for both of them. He had his first rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet and River was going to go over her designs and ideas for her new weapon with Vendel. They headed out together and split in the canals wishing each other luck.

River quickly ran down to Vendel’s study, waving to Draal as she passed him, excited to show Vendel what she came up with. “Master Vendel!” She grinned seeing him. “I know what I want to do!” River said, laying out drawings of a lance for him.

Vendel picked up the drawings and studied them, “A lance?” he hummed. “What are these scribbles in the shaft?” He pointed to the markings she drew in the staff.

“Crystalline veining,” River told him quickly. “that’s what I want to do with the magic I crystallize, grind it into a powder, and weave it through the entire lance. No other sorcerer has tried it before!”

Vendel chuckled, “It would be very flawed, though I don’t see why it couldn’t work, you would be using a large amount of magic to do this though.” He continued to study the drawings before setting them down, a small smile on his face. “A flawed weapon, for a flawed sorceress, it’s almost poetic.” He states before nodding. “We will begin working on harnessing your magic to channel it into crystals.” He walked further into the Heartstone, waving her along.

They entered the core of the Heartstone and he motioned River to the center. “Sit there, now explain to me how you pulled your magic to the surface, you’ve done it three times now.”

River sat with her legs crossed thinking, “two times I was frightened, I thought Jim was about to die, the third time it was defensive when Draal met Jim and tried to pull the amulet out of the armor. Well… it was more of an overwhelming desire.”

“A desire?” Vendel question, “What for?”

River opened her mouth and paused, thinking for a moment. “To protect… I wanted to protect Jim, even if it meant getting involved in the fight,” she answered.

Vendel simply nodded, “Try focusing on the desire to protect, shape that desire slowly, harden it, close your eyes and let it take form in your mind,” he instructed.

River sat up straight, closing her eyes quickly. She recalled the moments she used magic in her mind, focusing on the feelings, the desire to protect. As she focused, she felt her flesh begin to warm. Slowly, she took a deep breath, keeping the feeling of fear from the events in the back of her mind, focusing solely on protecting. An image of a blue glowing stream weaving through her mind appeared, like water flowing from many pools to create a single flow. As she followed the stream it slowly led her to a large jagged rock, forming from the water of the stream. Instead of reshaping it, River let it stay jagged and messy. She focused on the stream, willing it to flow faster. The longer she concentrated, the faster the flow became, until the jagged stone was complete and overflowing, branching into more stones. She continued, allowing the overflow, pushing as far as she could go.

Her eyes snapped open as she felt a shove. Looking up to see Vendel towering over her. “Did…” she frowned seeing a look of concern flash across his face. “Did I do it wrong?”

Vendel chuckled and stepped back. “You did everything properly,” he states. “Though you’ve been in a trance for most of the day now. I began to worry when yelling wasn’t enough to pull you out of it.”

River’s brow knit in confusion, “Most of the day? It only felt like an hour, if that.” She looked down hoping to see the crystal in her hands after all that, but she held nothing.

Vendel studied her expression for a moment, glancing behind her. “River, as you adjust to using your magic, everything around you will begin to feel as if it’s racing by. You no longer exist in the humans’ concept of time. Your aging will be that of a Trolls’, Merlin is centuries old and still considered young.” Vendel explained her time-lapse, causing her to frown. “Though I can’t remedy time, I can tell you to turn around.”

She looked up at him in question but decided to do as told. Turning, her eyes widened as they met the sapphire crystal she had seen in her mind, it ended up taller than her standing height. River looked around to see eleven smaller crystals as well, just as jagged and messy as the giant formation in front of her. “It was large in my mind but… I didn’t know it would be the same when formed.” She walked around it slowly, studying it. “Is it too much?”

Vendel laughed shaking his head, “One of the smaller crystals you made will be enough,” he chuckled coming to stand next to her, “this just shows how much magic you’ve been storing. We can keep these here. We may find a use for them as your studies advance. Choose a crystal and we can begin work on your weapon.”

River grinned quickly looking over all the crystals, as she walks through them, she chuckled seeing one that had a similar formation to the crystals on Draal’s back. “I’m taking this one home,” she stated before grabbing two more of similar sizes. “I’ll use one of these.”

Vendel nodded as she packed the crystals in the black satchel, he had given her. “Come, we should choose a metal for the lance.”

“How about steel?” River asked, walking with Vendel to a weapons forge. “It’s the strongest metal after all.”

Vendel hummed in thought, “I don’t see why not, you’ll have to build your strength to wield it. We will have to treat iron to produce it.”

River gave a quick nod in response. They began setting up the weapons forge, selecting the iron to create the steel, Vendel refusing to let her handle it before treatment. River focused on grinding the crystal she made into a fine powder. As they worked on the shaft hours went by. River texted Barbara to let her know that she was staying with a friend to help with a school project, not a total lie, Vendel was friendly enough, this was an important project, and she was learning a lot.

Adding the crystal powder as Vendel instructed into the liquid metal took a lot of patience on her part. Working into the early hours of the morning they finally finished the shaft of the lance, cooling it off.

River slumped down near the table they used to hold the powdered crystal, exhausted as it was now midmorning, a day later. Vendel extracted the cooled shaft and began to polish it, chuckling as River was nodding off in her corner.

She awoke later in the afternoon, a long rod-like object sitting next to her, wrapped in cloth.

“I started working on the blades, you have an eye for weaponry River,” Vendel said as he was carving glyphs into a large crystal war hammer.

River groaned grabbing the wrapped weapon next to her, slowly stretching as she stood. “Thank you, Master Vendel.” She approached where he was working and saw several freshly made and sharpened blades on the table near the cooling vat. Each blade was slightly different, slightly flawed, and to her they were perfect. She grinned and hugged Vendel, excited about the weapon. Realizing what she just did she pulled back quickly, looking down. “Um, sorry… I’m just… I’m really excited.”

She heard a chuckle, then a large hand was patting her head. “It is good to be excited about your accomplishments. Why don’t you try adding the blade to the shaft?” He nudged her to the blades before he continued to work.

River nodded quickly, going to the table and looking over each blade carefully before choosing one. She unwrapped the staff, pausing to stare at it, seeing it fully polished, veins of glowing sapphire running through it, similar to the pools of magic she saw in her mind. Smiling she slid the blade into place and secured it with a black leather strap.

“I added enchantments to the blades so the lance will collapse when not in use,” Vendel spoke. “Go test it on the Trollhunter, he should be here soon.”

River thanked him again before running off to find Jim. She found Jim and Toby heading into one of the Troll bars a determined look etched over Jim’s face. As she walked in after them, she saw him challenging Draal to a rematch. She let out a sigh at the interaction. Something told her this wasn’t going to end well.

#trollhunters draal #DraalxOC #DraalxRiver #Trollhunters #trollhunters fanfiction #trollhuntersoc #trollhunters oc #River Marie Lake #River Marie Wyllt #AAARRRGGHH!!!#blinkousgaladrigal #jameslakejr #tobydomzalski #trollmarket #Wherefore art though trollhunter #episode 3

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sorceress-coffee · 4 years

Text

Becoming Pt 2.

AO3 Link

The day after Jim activated the Amulet, he and River decided to head to Toby’s dentist to fill him in on everything that had happened.

“Are you sure we should mention the Trolls?” River asked, passing Stuarts Taco Truck on the way. Jim hesitated, “I tell Tobes everything, I’m sure he won’t be that freaked out,” he tried to reassure. “How else am I going to explain glowing magic armor?”

River laughed, shaking her head as they neared the dentist’s office. “Fair point. After the other night, they may be coming around more often.”

Jim winced at the thought, rushing into the office trying to distract himself from the memory of passing out in the middle of their basement.

The receptionist stood quickly, trying to keep Jim out of the office. “You can’t go in there! He’s with a patient!” Glaring at Jim as he ignores her. She turns to River, “Well?”

River rubbed the back of her neck with a nervous smile as she heard Jim and the Dentist’s muffled voices. “I’ll just… wait out here.” She spoke, taking the seat furthest from the receptionist’s desk.

Jim walked out with a huff, collapsing in the seat next to River. “Not sure how long it’s going to be, the dentist seemed a little too drill happy.”

River shrugged, settling in her chair, “Tacos after? Stuart’s open today.”

Jim nodded, having rushed over first thing in the morning. “Sounds good, I think I owe Tobes for crashing his appointment anyway.” He laughed, settling down with River to wait. “How long could this take?”

In no time, both teens had crashed in the waiting room chairs. Toby walked out rubbing his face. A sore grin split his face as he nudged Jim and River. “All done guys, ready to go?”

River groaned whacking his hand away as she pulled out her phone, glaring at the time. “8 hours… 8 HOURS?!” She shrieked, shoving her phone in Toby’s face.

Jim, startled awake by River’s outburst, shot up out of the chair. “What? What’s wrong?” He asked, looking around for anything that would cause River to yell.

Toby winced, pushing the phone away a bit. “I didn’t know you were waiting! Why didn’t you go home?”

River huffed getting up and heading out with boys, walking back to the Lake household. “We’ve never heard of a dentist appointment taking more than 2 hours before.”

Jim glanced at the sunset as they made their way into the house. “I never want to sleep in a chair again. So much for tacos…” He sighed, heading into the kitchen, pulling the Amulet out. “Alright, Tobes! You’re never going to believe this!” Jim was trying to show Toby how the Amulet worked. Toby, not realizing what was going on, and distracted by the pain in his face he wasn’t paying attention. River handed him a frozen pizza box to put on his face. She sat at the small table near the back door watching both boys bicker back and forth before Jim finally donned the armor.

Toby’s jaw hit the ground as he ran over to Jim, looking over the armor. “You know what this means?!” He almost screamed, grabbing Jim by the chest plate. “You have to use this to kick Steve’s butt!” He cheered.

Jim sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. “Really, Tobes? That’s what you go for?”

Toby grinned, “It’s a sacred duty! Trust me, you’d be doing everyone at school a favor!”

River dropped her head on the counter, “I doubt that’s what they meant by sacred obligation,” she groaned.

Toby paused his ‘Kicking Steve’s butt’ rant to look at River, “Wait, who’s they?” He asked, looking back to Jim for clarification.

Jim jumped at the mention of the trolls from the other night, “That’s the part I’ve been freaking out about!” He yelled, moments from a tirade.

A sudden loud know at the back door drew the attention of all three teens. Jim glanced at River, hoping it wasn’t who he thought it was. The appearance of three yellow eyes in the upper window dashed those hopes quickly.

Toby screeched grabbing a ladle, holding it out like a sword. “What are those?!”

River rolled her eyes at Toby’s reaction, getting up to answer the door. “Calm down Tobes, these are ‘They’.” She teased him.

“Don’t open it!” Toby yelled as River let Blinky and Arrrgh into the kitchen. He screamed and dove behind the counter as they rushed into the room.

“Lady River!” Blinky greeted at the door, rushing past to get to Jim, grinning at the armor, “Master Jim!” Blinky grabbed him with all four arms, going off on how the Amulet had called to him and Arrrgh.

Arrrgh, the giant that he is, get’s stuck in the doorway, waving to Jim in greeting as he tries to get through the door. River smiled softly, helping Arrrgh through the door with little damage to the door frame. “Sorry big guy, these doors weren’t made for trolls.” Arrrgh just smiled and ruffled her hair.

Toby chanced a glance, having called Animal Control and being hung-up on. Arrrgh’s attention shifted to him as he peered over the counter at Toby. “Hello” He tried greeting, only to be returned with another scream as Toby climbed to the counter, ladle at the ready.

“You told your stout little friend about us?” Blinky asked, eyeing Toby as one would a screaming toddler.

“Should we not have?” River asked, trying to get the ladle to Toby. “Stop trying to hit Arrrgh!” She snapped. “All he did was say hi, now you’re just being rude.” She stood back with her arms crossed.

Toby tensed at River’s lecture, angling the ladle down slightly, still staring wide-eyed at Arrrgh, “Uh… um… hi?” He tried to get out, more worried about River snapping at him for being rude.

Blinky glanced between River and Toby for a moment before jumping into an explanation. “Master Jim here is the Trollhunter, his sacred obligation is to protect, human and trollkind.” He smiled as Toby finally calmed down enough to sit on the counter facing him and Jim.

“So, he’s like… a superhero?” Toby asked, eyes lighting up a moment later, “Can I be your cool sidekick?” He jumped over to Jim, naming off different ‘cool’ sidekick names.

“So, Jim’s protecting humans and trolls from…” River asked, trying to get back on topic from Toby’s outburst.

Blinky nodded to River, “Other trolls, bad trolls.” He somewhat clarified.

“Gumm-gumms,” Arrrgh spoke as if that one word explained everything. To be fair, River assumed it would have explained everything if they know what the trolls were talking about.

“As well as goblins, gruesomes, and the occasional rogue gnome!” Blinky finished with a grin directed at the three teens. “The mantle of Trollhunter is a sacred responsibility, one which has never been passed to a human before. This is a momentous occasion.” He states, getting in Jim’s face before smiling.

A car horn pulls the teens' attention to the front room. River jumps at the sound “Mom’s back!”

Jim jolts seeing the headlights, “She’s not supposed to be home all night!” He looks from the trolls to the front door, pausing on the stairs. “Upstairs now!” He begins shoving Blinky to the stairs, heading up.

River helps guide Arrrgh up the stairs, telling him when to duck so he doesn’t hit the lights. Arrrgh glance at the window. “Mother?” He asks, unsure of why the humans are freaking out.

All three teens and both trolls finally make it into the bathroom, locking the door. Jim groans, trying to pull the Amulet off. “Yes, our mom, and if she sees this she’s going to freak out!” He all but screeches.

River shoved the trolls and Toby into the bathtub as Barbara’s footsteps sounded from the stairs. “Stay in here.” She whispered.

“Jim?” Barbara called out, knocking on the door. “Are you in there?”

“Uh, yeah mom! I’m uh… I might a be a bit, I’ve got this stomach thing going on.” He tried to play off quickly.

“Where’s River?” She asked, worry lacing her voice.

“She’s at Toby’s! Tutoring for Spanish!” Jim squeaked, floundering at having to lie to his mom.

“Jim, are you okay? You don’t sound good. I’ll get you some medicine.” Barbara said, footsteps drifting away from the bathroom door.

Arrrgh had begun to sniff Toby’s hair, “Mmm smells like cat.” He stated, drooling a bit.

Toby glanced up at Arrrgh. “My nana has a Siamese,” he stated, eyeing the drooling troll before turning his attention to Blinky. “So, if Jim is the first human Trollhunter, who or what was before him.”

“Kanjigar the courageous,” Blinky stated, expression turning solemn. “He was brutally slain by a ruthless troll named Bular.” He sighed, thinking back to the pile of rock still in the canal.

River winced, “So, this isn’t exactly a job you can retire from,” She glanced at the Amulet on Jim’s chest, “or refuse.”

Jim and blinky began to bicker about taking on the responsibility as the Trollhunter in the brief moment that Barbara had gone. When she came back, the doorknob rattled as she tried to get in. River quickly shoved the trolls, Toby, and herself into the shower, closing the curtain in case Barbara ended up walking in.

Arrrgh began sniffing at her hair. “Arrrgh, I don’t have any cats.” River hissed out, trying to get him to stop.

Arrrgh shook his head, keeping his voice low, “Not cat. Smell like Amulet.”

Blinky’s attention snapped from the argument Jim was having with Barbara to River, sniffing at her hair. “Fascinating,” he whispered, prodding at River’s arms.

A flash from the other side of the shower curtain told them that Jim had been able to get out of the armor as she opened the door. “See mom? I’m okay.” The bathtub occupants waited until Barbara’s car could be heard starting up before all three exited.

When everyone was gathered downstairs, Jim sighed, handing the Amulet to Blinky. “Maybe you should take this back.”

Blinky shook his head, pushing Jim’s hands, and the Amulet back to him. “Master Jim, the Amulet called to you, it is your” he paused, trying to find the words.

Jim groaned, “Pleased don’t say destiny.”

“Sacred obligation!” Blinky finished, smiling when he didn’t use ‘destiny’ hoping to ease Jim’s mind. Letting out a sigh when it was clear Jim was still having doubts. “As Lady River has stated you cannot refuse it. You cannot give it back. It is yours until you die,” he explains solemnly.

Jim shoved the amulet into one of Blinky’s four hands. “And I would like to get a little further past puberty before that happens.”

Toby stepped in trying to convince the trolls that Jim just needed some time to process everything. River sighed watching as Blinky went back to Jim who had sat on the couch, holding his head in frustration.

“If I may?” He asked, kneeling in front of Jim, grasping his shoulder. “Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives living, existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights.” His upper two arms raise in dramatization as his lower two hands clasp Jim’s. “Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero. Don’t think, Master Jim. Become.” He smiled. “Just… give it some thought?”

Jim smiled softly, taking the Amulet back with a nod. “Alright, I’ll think about it.” Blinky smiled, heading out with Arrrgh once Jim took the Amulet again, nodding to River on his way out.

The next day passed in a blur for the teens, having barely been awake through school after the hectic night of trolls and sacred obligations. River smiled, walking with Jim and Toby to the lockers. “So, give it any thought?” She asked. Jim shrugged pulling the Amulet out. “Only that if anyone finds out what happened in my kitchen last night, we’ll all be committed.” He huffed out, beginning to stress over everything Blinky had told him the night before.

“What about kicking Steve’s butt?” Toby asked, still trying to defend Jim using the Amulet in a fight.

“Give up the dream Tobes,” Jim sighed as the Amulet started to glow. “Oh no.” He winced, looking around quickly.

“Are you going to change? Do you feel it?” Toby asked quickly, looking at the Amulet.

River glanced down the line of lockers seeing Mr. Strickler heading towards them. She shoved both boys into the locker room as they passed. “Go calm down!” She hissed, standing in front of the door as Strickler approached.

“Ms. Wyllt, I’m looking for Jim, it’s about our conversation from the other day. Is he alright, he looked stressed?” He asked, nodding to the door behind River.

River hesitated a moment, glancing at the flyer for Romeo and Juliet. “The play!” She shouted, reeling herself back in quickly. “I, uh, I mean, he’s nervous. You know, tryouts and stuff?” She tried to shrug it off.

“I see, then I better inform Mr. Lake that tryouts end in 10 minutes.” He smiled, brushing past River easily. A few moments later, Strickler stepped out with a slight frown. “I see why he’s nervous, a lot of effort went into that costume.” He directed to River.

“His costume?” She asked, glancing behind him as Jim and Toby ran to the auditorium, Jim still in full Trollhunter armor. “Right, we were up all night trying to finish, I’ve still got the hot glue burns from it.”

Mr. Strickler smiled, “Why don’t you catch the audition? Something tells me our Young Atlas will have an audition to remember.” He suggested, stepping aside for River to pass.

River’s face split into a grin and she ran past him to the auditorium, “Thank you for checking on him Mr. Strickler,” she yelled before heading inside. Once in the auditorium, she made her way down to sit behind Claire’s friends as Jim took the stage.

On stage, Jim peered over the crowd, hesitating until he locked eyes with River. She smiled, nodding for him to go on. Jim took a deep breath, “Destiny,” he began, the armor giving off a soft glow as he repeated Blinky’s advice to him from the night before. “Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives living, existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights.” He pulled Daylight from his back, holding it in the air. “Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero. Don’t think. Become.” He finished, slashing Daylight down to the ground.

River grinned as his audition caused Ms. Janice to hide behind her knees and clipboard. Everyone in attendance stood to applaud Jim’s audition. River gave Jim a thumbs up as she turned to head out of the auditorium, spotting Mr. Strickler with a stern glaring, eyeing Jim on stage. River frowned, Mr. Strickler had seemed excited about Jim’s audition, why would he be upset with such a performance?

River left to wait for Toby and Jim by their bikes, pulling on a paint-covered jacket, grinning when the boys finally arrived, the armor having vanished. “Looks like Blinky will get his answer after all.” Jim laughed, shouldering her lightly. “Looks like you got that ‘adventure’ you were looking for.” She smirked, nudging him back with her shoulder.

The teens hopped on their bikes and headed towards town, wanting to celebrate Jim’s audition and his new job with a trip to Stuart’s Taco Truck. Toby and Jim were going over his audition and how the armor seemed to help, and even began to respond to Jim.

As River was laughing along in front of the boys, she turned to face forward again and brought her bike to a screeching halt. A large, black stone troll with glowing gold eyes was snarling at the teens, eyeing each one before landing on Jim, barring his teeth. Jim and Toby quickly followed River’s halt as they took notice of the troll, all conversation between them dying immediately.

“Bular,” River managed to get out through clenched teeth as she realized this was the troll Blinky told them about. The troll that killed Jim’s predecessor, Kanjigar.

Bular eyes snapped to River before turning his attention back to Jim, standing at his full height before letting out a ground-shaking roar. “Trollhunter. Merlin’s Creation. Gunmar’s bane.” He lowers himself to all fours roaring again as he paces along the lines of the shadow.

Jim and River took notice quickly, “Sunlight,” they said in unison.

“This way!” Jim yelled, taking off keeping the teens in the light for as long as possible. “Sunlight hurts him!”

“It won’t for long!” River yelled after him, watching as the shadows on the street grew during the sunset.

“The amulet!” Bular yelled after Jim, “Surrender it and I will give you a speedy death!” He snarled, closing in on them.

“That’s a terrible compromise!” River yelled back, sarcastic nature winning over her survival instincts at the moment. They took a sharp turn, hiding behind a truck before Bular rounded the corner after them.

The boys were bickering about the Amulet not working as Bular drew closer to the truck they were hiding behind. River covered both their mouths, hissing at them to shut up when suddenly, the truck they were hiding behind was no longer there. Bular had picked up the truck, snarling down at the teens, a sadistic gleam in his eyes. “Centuries of Trollhunters, and I will have killed two in almost as many days.” He growled out, the teens quickly took off on their bikes again as Bular through the vehicle at them, barely missing Toby.

Jim lead them down Delancey, River taking the back after Toby almost got crushed, “The alley behind Stuart’s Electronics!” He yelled back, riding through the alley.

“I can’t fit!” Toby yelled getting stuck, he and Jim began to yell back and forth as River pulled up behind Toby.

She glanced back, seeing Bular closing in fast. “You’ll fit!” She yelled, ramming her bike into Toby’s and pushing them both through the alley as Bular’s claws caught on the back of her jacket, large slashes now decorating the back.

They quickly road into the neighborhood, trying to put as much distance between them and Bular, running directly into Blinky and Arrrgh on their way to the Lake household. “Master Jim!” Blinky yelled seeing them, “Lady River! We were just on our way,” he began, River cutting him off quickly.

“Bular!” She yelled at him, trying to get Blinky and Arrrgh to keep moving. “Talking later! Run now!”

“Can you fight him?” Jim asked, unable to get past the trolls to keep moving, adrenaline wearing off.

“I could not hope to possess the necessary skills to defeat Bular,” Blinky laugh, not realizing the imminent danger they were all in. Jim snapped his head to Arrrgh with a hopeful look. Arrrgh shrugged, “Pacifist,” was all he said. Jim’s hopeful stare deflating in an instant.

Bular snarled as he slid into view, grinning as he began to give chase again. Blinky yelps and rushes onto a dirt path. “Follow me,” he yells back, “This is why we have a Trollhunter, Master Jim!” He tried to explain as they took off after him.

As Bular chase after them, Toby’s front tire hit something on the path and broke off causing him to fly over his handlebars. Arrrgh caught him easily, setting him on his back. “Hold tight.” He ran next to River, pulling her off her bike and setting her next to Toby, running faster, only coming to a stop in the canal where Blinky was fumbling for something.

Jim had stayed at the top of the canal, armor activating as Bular caught up with them, throwing his fist directly into Jim’s chest. The armor took the burn of the damage but Jim had been thrown back into the canal, landing a little way away from the others.

“Jim!” River screech, jumping down from Arrrgh’s back, trying to run after him. Arrrgh quickly caught her, holding her back as Bular landed in the canal, towering over Jim. “Get away from him!” She snarled, struggling in Arrrghs hold.

Bular glanced back, snarling at the group before turning his attention to Jim. Jim stood, pulling Daylight out, staying in a defensive stance.

River’s hands began to glow and ethereal blue, heating her palms as the glow became brighter. Arrrgh stiffened at the sight, looking back to Blinky. Blinky’s jaw dropped seeing the glow, hearing a roar from Bular he snapped out of it and throw and orange glowing object to Arrrgh. “Open the portal!” He yelled, trying to step in front of River.

River screamed as the heat from her hands became a searing burning, she was able to see just past Blinky long enough to realize Bular was about to land a killing blow on Jim. Tears stream down her face, from pain and fear, River ran past Blinky, throwing out her hands as the light left them and slammed straight into one of Bular’s arms causing him to halt his attack and snarl back at River instead, his stone skin burnt where the light hit.

River fell back against Blinky after releasing the light, her palms and fingers completely burnt from whatever she had just done. Blinky picked her up, running through the portal as Jim finally got to his feet, running after them. “Master Jim! Hurry!” He yelled back, seeing Bular recover and give chase again. The portal closed just as Jim reached it. Arrrgh snarled, quickly drawing a smaller portal, he reached into it, dragging Jim though the portal before it closed again. River sighed in relief seeing that Jim was mostly unharmed. Blinky glanced over her hands before helping her stand again. “We’ll be safe here,” he spoke, leading them down a staircase made of glowing gemstone.

The armor finally deactivated as Jim followed Blinky down the stairs with Toby; River and Arrrgh behind them. “Where is here exactly?” He asked Blinky.

Blinky looked back with a grin before stepping out into a brightly lit opening. When the teens' eyes finally cleared from the light, all three were left speechless. “Welcome, to Heartstone Trollmarket!”

#Trollhunters #trollhunters draal #trollhunters bular #trollhunters fanfiction #trollhuntersoc #trollhunters oc #River Marie Lake #River Marie Wyllt #DraalxOC #DraalxRiver #trollmarket #jameslakejr #tobydomzalski #blinkousgaladrigal #AAARRRGGHH!!!#episode 2 #Becoming pt. 2

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