Hello, hello, hello, and Happy New year. I'm so excited to bring you the next installment in what I'm affectionately christening the "Trollhunters: Redemption Arc." Since there are a few tales now, I'm going to have them listed on my profile in order so no one gets muddled. As I've stated, Brownie Bonanza is not necessary to understand the majority of what's going on here, but you will be incredibly confused if you aren't familiar with Like Father Like Son. This story takes place approximately two years after the end of it, a year and a half after Brownie Bonanza.

I will reiterate, this set of stories will incorporate little to nothing of 3 Below and most likely Wizards. If they do coincide, it is by accident unless otherwise noted. As a result there will be no Staja. There also won't be Steli – I see the two as friends with a close bond, which is the relationship I will be working with for these stories.

Last story was a side trip. Playtime is over.


Fractured


Eli felt off. Not nauseous or dizzy or anything, just…buzzy. If that was the word. His hands were tingling and had been for a couple of days. He had ruled out a stroke, in spite of the hypochondriac that inevitably reared its head when one checked their symptoms on the internet, but it was starting to get really annoying. The bobble head on the dash of Steve's car made him feel a little sick to look at, a football player with a wide, beaming grin. It just kept bouncing around.

Steve pulled up to the canal, getting out of the car and squinting down into it. The parking lot was clear of litter, as they'd just done a sweet in the last couple of days. "See anything?" Eli turned on his flashlight and swept it across the area. The trees smelled good at night, clean and green. They rustled in the breeze, and and owl screeched from the nearest branches. The plants soothed him and it weirded him out. Eli had never minded the outdoors of course, but it felt right to be standing in grass, right in a way that it never had before.

James Lake appeared beside him. "Sorry I'm late, Draig had to make a bathroom stop." The red dog whined irritably, thumping his tail against the ground. The man patted Draig's head apologetically. "Sorry, Draig had to pause for an undetermined reason that did not involve sniffing for ten whole minutes figuring out where to pee."

"No prob. I don't see anything for the first sweep." Eli slid down the incline, Steve following him. They'd both gotten better at parkour over the past two years, and Eli couldn't help but be proud that he had a little muscle definition. The Pepperjacks were given to boniness, but he was defying the odds. Steve was a legitimate terror on the football field. Or at least, he would have been if they hadn't graduated. As it was he was working as an assistant coach for Coach Lawrence, and had a surprising gift for working with kids. Very surprising. Being one of the heroes of the town didn't hurt surely.

"I don't know. I'm getting…intuitions." Steve turned in a circle. "I don't hear any birds across the way. Something's in the trees."

Eli paused; the hairs along his arms were standing on end. James nodded slowly, Excalibur appearing in his hand. "Remember how to kill golems?"

"Go for the enchanted core." Steve hefted his bat. "I still say I should add nails to this thing."

"Wouldn't do much good to stone or crystal. Got your dwarkstone?" James was a protective presence, a warrior with a calm disposition. Draig huffed, flames licking along his tongue. Eli's lifted his bat, grabbing a chunk of the explosive stone from his belt.

The sound of something heavy crunching, like boots on ice, preceded the golem. It was a poisonous green, looming above them on the opposite bank. It looked like any other crystal golem, and Eli thought he could see the flaw in its chest where the magic source hummed.

Then another golem emerged from the trees, and another. James cursed. "Draig, your glamor is undone."

The dog swelled in size, exploding into a red dragon with massive wings folding over them. Steve bared his teeth. "Three at once? That doesn't make sense! Someone has to be making these things!"

Draig leaped up the incline, belching flames onto the crystal monsters, all that same, venomous green. Two lumbered out of the way but one was caught in the heat, form melting a little and becoming soft. Draig crushed it underfoot, bellowing in delight.

Four more golems emerged and stumbled down the canal, James leaping in front of the two. Excalibur met crystal and the golem grunted, swinging with heavy fists. Steve darted in and hit the leg hard enough to crack the crystal. The golem stumbled and James pierced it with the blade. The creature groaned and crumbled, its heart destroyed. It was a tiny black jewel, dim as dust.

The other three swarmed in, Draig detained by the two that had avoided his flames. Eli pitched the dwarkstone, rocking the golems with the explosion, and then he swung at one's back. It wobbled before it turned and smacked him, sending him reeling. Steve barreled in and struck, but Eli's heart hammered at the impact and the sight of the last golem roaring and bringing its fists down as his friend's back was turned.

If he had to describe the sensation, Eli Pepperjack would have said it felt like seeds in his blood. Not growing or bursting out of him, but shivering with life. He yelled at the golem, and the canal's concrete split, a tree trunk bursting through the hard surface. It tangled around the golem's stubby legs, growing like a sped-up time lapse video, and James was there to pierce the thing's chest with Excalibur.

Eli hit the ground. When he came to, glowing hands were over his head. Mordred's worried green eyes peered at him, reflecting the white light as he healed what Eli assumed was a concussion. It felt like a concussion. Steve was right beside him, and when Eli blinked he swore color rushed back to his friend's white face in a wave. "Eli you jerk, you scared the crap outta us."

"What happened?" he managed.

James was crouching beside him. "We called Mordred when you passed out. I think you just used magic." He carefully helped Eli sit up. "Take a look."

The trunk had flowered into a beautiful tree with thick, budding branches and rich green leaves. Eli blinked. It was easily a story tall. "I did that?" Mordred tapped his hand and Eli looked down to see a faint green glow emanating from his fingertips. They smelled of grass, and where they touched the concrete there were tiny tendrils of ivy pushing through hairline cracks. "Oh. Wow." He blinked again. "That's new."


Chapter 1

Strangers in a Strange Land


Corin hadn't stopped moving for days. For a changeling this was not impossible, but carrying an injured child on his back wore him down. He heard the crunch of feet behind him, listening for ten different paces. Two children were on the backs of their parents, so they sank heavier into the ground. An older troll, a sympathizer, tottered along with help from Corin's mate. And the others he checked off were a bit of a haze now.

It hadn't been much, but it had been home. A place where they could live, where the minerals would feed them and let them survive. And now it was gone. Eradicated, like four of their own.

The mark on his arm burned red. It was a rune he didn't understand, but on the others it was black. Corin had tried to scrape it off but it was seared down into his lowest layers of stone. He had a sinking suspicion what it meant. He'd started to suggest he should separate from the group, just in case, but his mate had given him a look so agonized that he didn't dare bring it up again.

They'd wanted to live in peace, as much as members of the Order were able to. His mate was panting, holding her stomach. Unlike "normal" trolls, changelings could mate in a traditional sense and carry their children to term. It took years to be born from a birthstone – changelings didn't have time to waste if they wanted to grow their numbers. Her belly was rounded, and soon it would be time to carve the child from her living stone, and they would need a safe place to work the magic needed to restore her afterward. Otherwise the healing would take months.

They had been so excited when she conceived. It had been terrifying, exhilarating. And now she and the child were both in peril. Corin gave her every scrap of his energy possible, every chance he had, but they were both down to pulp and paper and dust.

If there's anyone up there, with any pity, please help. We can't keep going much longer.

One of the changelings in front stopped. "Someone's up there. They've been watching us." Corin drew up to his full height, aware that he was an imposing figure with his claws and the barbs along his back. "Who's out there!?" the other continued, yellow eyes searching the trees.

Something crept out onto a thick bough. It was hard to see in the dense blackness of the woods, but lines glowed soft, deep blue on what looked like a dark armor, and strands tangled between the newcomer's horns appeared, slowly intensifying to neon bright. It was a fairly young troll by the look of him, stone pale blue. But as Corin's eyes adjusted his spines bristled. Something was dreadfully wrong about this troll. He was…mixed-up. Not a full troll like a changeling was in their form, this creature had been blended, transmuted. The nose was humanoid, the blue eyes too gentle, the jaw and horns wrong for that form. He perched on the tree branch like a cat, examining them. "Where do you come from?" His tone was not angry. Just direct, quiet.

Corin struggled to find his voice. "…Originally a Janus Order headquarters in Las Vegas. After the familiars were taken from the Darklands, we hid in caverns below the Grand Canyon." How would this creature react to changelings and their friends? Perhaps a freak would show more kindness than purebloods?

"Do you have any wounded?" The troll dropped to the ground and approached, an ease in his stride. "Any sick?"

"No sick, but the one on my back has a broken leg. And my mate is carrying our child." Her deep blue stone nearly blended into the trunks in the shadow, but the faint glow of her belly let off enough light to pick out her silhouette. She had been smearing mud on it to conceal herself as they ran, and it was flaking off. "Is there safe passage here? We don't want trouble."

The troll looked him over. Real sympathy looked strange on a troll's face. "I have to ask you – do you bear with any of Gunmar's beliefs? Do you consume humans?"

"No. We just want a peaceful place to live. We are running out of places that could support us and keep us healthy." Corin struggled to keep his feet. "Those among the order that consumed human flesh have been dead for months."

The troll nodded slowly, studying them. "I'll take you to meet the elder of our Trollmarket. This would be his decision. As long as you don't attempt to harm anyone, I guarantee your safety."

Corin heard his wife's sigh of relief as she sank to the ground. "Thank you. My name is Corin."

"I'm Jim. The Trollhunter." The others glanced at each other – the one that had killed Gunmar, had been responsible for the familiars being taken out of the Darklands? They had heard stories of course…that he was human, that he was troll, that he was a monster. No one knew the truth.

His mate looked so tired. Mynah had been so strong, endured so much. Corin felt the child on his back trembling, and wished he could be beside her. As if reading his mind, the Trollhunter put out his arms. "I'll carry him if that's all right. I think she'd prefer your help to mine."

Corin eyed the troll. Could he be trusted with one of their precious young ones? There wasn't much of a choice. He turned and allowed the Trollhunter to remove the child. He held the boy carefully, aware of his injured leg. "It's okay. You're safe here." There was a warmth in his voice that Corin wanted to believe. "Can the elders walk?"

"Not well." The Trollhunter nodded thoughtfully. "There isn't much time until daylight, is there?"

"There isn't. Here, I have a friend who can help. Don't be alarmed, he's very gentle." The Trollhunter turned his head and looked into the underbrush. "Aaarrrgghh, can you help the older ones?"

The leaves parted and Corin nearly fainted; a huge krubera troll paced forward on all fours, like some sort of huge silverback. He had been there the entire time? That figure matched the image of a powerful Trollhunter. The troll had green fur on his head and shoulders and soft eyes, and he knelt beside the elders. "Aaarrrgghh can carry old and tired."

What a contrast, the lithe little hunter and the protector krubera. They progressed quickly with help – Aaarrrgghh, if that was a real name, loped along gently with three on his back. Corin supported Mynah and the Trollhunter led the way, holding the child. The big hazel eyes stared back at Corin, nervous but not pained. If nothing else, the Trollhunter was good at acting like he cared.

Would they let changelings in the market? How low on the totem were they? Could they get care, at least enough so they could leave the next night? Corin's spines shook uneasily and his mate stroked them to conceal the rattle.

At last they arrived at a large boulder and the Trollhunter shifted the child to one arm, taking out a horngazel and creating a doorway. Corin clutched his mate; he was willing to do anything to protect her and the others. Even fight this mashed-up creature. Whatever lay on the other side, he would face it.

The opening revealed a tiny changeling, not a child but fairly young still, his bulbous eyes irritated. "Blinky was starting to get worried. Don't you ever check your phone?"

"Sorry, I had it on silent." Corin glanced at Mynah; what was this? The irate changeling peered around the hunter and whistled. "We have guests."

"I can see that. They look worn out." The changeling turned. "Well, let's get 'em inside. We got some dinner left over, if the kids haven't demolished it." The Trollhunter followed the little changeling down and the bewildered group followed.

Corin felt the heartstone immediately as they slipped underground. The warmth was not as strong as the sun, but it felt so good after their mindless flight. It eased their aches and exhaustion, and even the elders perked up a little. Down a long, twisting tunnel they went, and when they stopped it was in a pub. There were only a few trolls within, playing some kind of game. They glanced up, interested, and then continued their match.

"I'll get Blinky. Aaarrrgghh, please stay with them and get something for them to eat." The Trollhunter set the child on a bench. "And I'll see if someone can help with the injuries." He was gone in a breath and Corin settled Mynah at a chair. She sighed long and strained, stroking the curve of her stomach.

The krubera opened cupboards and crates, bringing out food. He smelled coal dusted in seasoning salt, bags of minerals that were essential for a troll's healthy diet, and what smelled like ripe compost – Corin's mouth watered at the thought.

They fell to it, and if they ate like starving animals, the krubera said nothing of it. He sat beside them, chewing on an aluminum can as they sated their hunger. Mynah's eyes brightened as she ate and Corin could have cried to see the life coming back to her.

It wasn't long before the tap of a staff in the tunnel drew them from the meal. The Trollhunter had returned, and behind him was a slightly stout blue troll with six – no, five with the eyepatch – eyes. The troll had a friendly, paternal face that Corin almost dared to hope could show pity on changelings. "Greetings. I am Blinky, Elder of New Trollmarket. Please, won't you tell us how you came here all the way from Las Vegas? And what drove you from your home?" The troll sat down beside Corin, who was so surprised that a 'pureblood' had deigned to sit beside them that he had to swallow three times. The Trollhunter stood behind him, hands behind his back, protective but relaxed.

"We lived in an underground bunker after Gunmar fell. Without familiars we lost our human lives and had to avoid people. No one had ever found it before, hidden in the Grand Canyon." Corin's spines shivered as he finally forced himself to remember. "These humans found us six months ago. Not…not normal humans. They had magic, and placed these marks on us." He lifted his arm so they could see the symbol on his right wrist. Mynah did the same, showing her black mark.

If this surprised the elder he had an excellent poker face. "They knew things about trolls." Corin rubbed his eyes. "They killed our kin. Then they turned to the rest of us. We didn't give them a chance to do more of the same; we fled our homes, our tunnels, and haven't stopped for more than an hour at a time since."

The elder nodded. "I see. You're not the first to tell us of these humans, though you are among the first changeling groups to come in because of them. I think it's because your hiding methods are more elaborate than those of other breeds of troll. It's harder for them to find you." Corin twitched. Had a pureblood just given them a real compliment? "I just wanted to confirm that it was a similar situation. We can speak more later. For now you and yours need rest. We have a place set up where you can sleep. It is magically guarded, and I hope you'll forgive me if we are wary of newcomers until we get to know you better."

Corin laughed hollowly. "What fool isn't wary of strangers in their house? This…is more than I would have hoped. Will we be able to leave when we recover?"

"If you so choose. You may be surprised at how diverse New Trollmarket is." The troll looked up, eyes brightening. "Nomura, would you be so kind as to show them the prepared rooms?" A changeling woman revealed herself, stepping out of the dark tunnel. Corin held his surprise as best he could – she was strong, healthy, obviously suspicious. Like a good changeling should be. But she lived here? "Aaarrrgghh will accompany you."

The krubera knelt again, letting the old and weak climb on. This place was very, very strange, Corin realized. "There's a vein of heartstone going into the room," the Trollhunter said softly. "It would be best for you to rest in the bed in the left most corner," he continued, directing this at Mynah. "It'll give you the most access to it. The alternative is our infirmary, but we thought you'd rather stay with your group."

Corin took her hand and did not know what to make of these odd, mish-mash trolls. "If you need something, we will have someone placed at your quarters so you can request it. You are free to explore, but I must ask that you allow one of ours to accompany you." The elder, Blinky, seemed apologetic.

It had nothing to do with the fact that they were changelings. Corin could tell that in a breath. It was solely because they were strangers. And that…was possibly the strangest thing he'd ever encountered.


"They're moving east. That's the fifth group that's encountered them. And they've all had those marks."

Jim placed a thumbtack on the map of the continental U.S. "Six months ago they were at the Grand Canyon, and the group from a month ago in Ohio, and all of the others from places in between. They must not be moving as fast as the trolls."

Blinky offered Jim a mug of coffee. It was heavily diluted with cocoa, the only way the young man found it palatable. Two years had changed much, but that was one thing that he thought would stay the same. Blinky studied his son carefully – humans changed more quickly than trolls. He would be nineteen next March, and he had lost much of the adolescent, gangly features from his youth. A little remained, as he would always be wiry, but his human form was toned from endless hours training and working in the market. His hair was kept shorter, easy to maintain. And every so often, Blinky caught sight of a little stubble on the sharpened jaw.

Jim had grown into a handsome young man. Of course Blinky was biased. He still knew where to look to see the boy – in the crook of his grin, in the furrow of his brows when confused. "How are they finding trolls? And why are they is the better question." Jim leaned against Blinky's work bench.

"Magical means would make it easier to track troll movements, and of course the heartstone is definitely a pull for supernatural beings. I suspect the marks may be so they can track the general movements of their targets. Thankfully Merlin's magic will have helped disrupt the signals." Blinky sipped from his own cup, savoring the eastern blend that Nomura so favored. "There have been groups throughout history that hunted trolls of course, for profit or to defend their land. It wouldn't surprise me to find they got wind of the happenings with Morganna."

Jim chewed his lip absently. "I think I'll call Dad soon, see if he's heard any rumors. He's got a pretty good network." Blinky nodded and Jim stood up. "We've got Merlin's wards up to protect us and let us know if someone's entered the area. I just hate that the kids have to stay inside at night. I promised Carina she could come next time I patrolled, but with all this..."

"Well, I admire their enthusiasm." Blinky opened a book, scribbling into it. "I think having the children visit would be a good idea, show them they aren't the only changelings in the market. It pains me when they are frightened of an old fuddy-duddy like myself."

Jim smiled. "Well, you can be pretty frightening Blink. I mean, last time NotEnrique dripped glug on one of your books?"

"Hmph." Blinky wrapped one arm around Jim's shoulders, squeezing affectionately. "Well, time sorts all things. I got the impression they were peaceful, just frightened. Some food and rest will bring out the best I'm sure."

"Next meeting we'll discuss their integration if things look like they're working out. Last thing I want is to send a pregnant woman out into the world. I can't believe how far they made it." Jim took a drink. "I want to know what these people chasing them want. Maybe they can be reasoned with. Maybe they can't. I think it's too much to hope that they won't find New Trollmarket at some point."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We have significant defenses, and a good foothold. And many clever, valiant friends. Not to mention magical barriers that will go off as soon as anyone unknown comes near." Blinky patted his back. "Let's talk of something else. Strickler said your diploma is due to arrive any day!" Jim rolled his eyes. "Come now, it's an occasion! My brother said Tobias's Nana was quite proud to see him walk to get his diploma! We should celebrate when it arrives."

"Mm." Jim was noncommittal, sipping at the coffee. Blinky was not dissuaded. "Where are we at with the crystal growth?"

"The heartstone is spreading along the southern tunnel. One vein has been fully diverted to the infirmary. And the trolls are very excited to have a true Hero's Forge so close!"

"Rebuilding the Soothscryer?"

"Slow, but we've made progress. James and Draig have sent us many of the pieces." Jim sighed contentedly.

"Awesome. Slow and steady works for me." He checked his phone. "I'm going to help Aaarrrgghh with one of the walkways for a few hours, then I'll turn in. You should get some sleep."

"Agreed." Blinky yawned, walking with Jim to the doorway of his alcove. "Rest well Master Jim. I'll see you later."

"Later Blink." The amulet lit up as he drew it form his pocket and he stood in troll form again, taking off down the tunnel.


The clink of crystal feet drew her attention. She pricked her ears in the direction of the sound. Her prison walls were glassy, deceptively strong, and she could see her captor moving around.

"You're leaving again?" she called, huddling her wings more tightly around herself. She had to be careful not the touch the green stone of her prison. "What are you looking for this time?"

"Heartstone." The voice was soft, brittle as sugar. "I will be back within a week. Will it die in that time if not fed?"

"Probably." She glanced into the next pen, through the green facets. A cat was curled on its side, tip of its tail flicking. "It'll definitely run out of water."

The figure approached, limbs like knives. It reached toward its chest and she got a good glimpse of it again. The heart of the figure was an empty hole, a rocky ring large enough for a goblin to fit through, and green crystals jutted out of it. The figure put its hand through the hole and drew it back out, holding a tiny black stone. There was nowhere it could have come from – she shuddered. Th figure dropped it and a golem slowly formed out of the crystal structures of the floor. The whole cavern was studded with the vile green, the substance that made her head swim.

"It will tend you. Attempt to escape again and it will sit on you." She shuddered, imagining contact with the crystal for hours on end. The figure headed out, into another tunnel, and silence fell.

She didn't know where the creature was going, but she pitied whoever got in its way. Because with a Fetch powering its core, feeding it energy, its magic was dangerous indeed.

End of Chapter 1