Hello everyone, I completed the next chapter. I would like to thank you all for your follows, favs, and kind words. It's very heartening to read, especially after a funeral. Next update may take a little longer since I must return to my job – fan fiction does not pay the bills – but I will work diligently. Please enjoy this next offering.


Chapter 2

What Families Do


Jim had not anticipated seeing his deadbeat dad ever again. And he definitely didn't expect him to know Merlin. But his dad being the legendary King Arthur? And hating Merlin's guts? That was so crazy town it couldn't even get close to banana pants.

Thirty seconds was not enough time for it to sink in he supposed. If he even believed this nonsense. James Lake Sr was a cruel man, one that had masqueraded as a kind father and husband before disappearing shortly after his son's birthday. One that had never sent a letter, save the one claiming he'd met a woman and that Barbara and Jim deserved better. Which they did. Never a call, never a visit, never another word after disappearing.

It was impossible that he was connected to magic, to Merlin. Absolutely bonkers.

Merlin batted away the man's fists, disappearing and reappearing behind him. "I see a millennia has done nothing to improve your temperament." Arthur – or would it be James Lake? Dad? No, he couldn't be called Dad, he didn't deserve it – swung around and popped him in the jaw with an incredible speed. Jim realized his mouth had been hanging open and closed it as Merlin went flying, nearly crashing into the stone wall. At the last moment his staff blazed bright and a green bubble caught him, absorbing most of the shock. "It did improve your right hook though." He rubbed his chin gingerly. "Arthur, I didn't mean this to happen to your boy, but Gunmar escaped the Darklands and Morganna had taken my magic, what was I supposed to-?"

"It's James! James Lake!" The dog hadn't ceased barking at Merlin, who gave it a curious look before ducking a roundhouse kick. "Let me guess, you let Morganna out so you could finish what you couldn't before!"

"What was I supposed to do, leave her there to escape someday when a less prepared Trollhunter came to the mantle? Jim chose this for himself to protect those he loves. He knew the consequences. Or at least, most of them." Merlin moved with surprising power for such an old man, sprinting out of the way of James's blows. "Stop it! I'm sorry it had to be this way, but I can't mend it, even if you do bust my head open!"

"Why not call me? I thought the whole point of being a chosen king was protecting people! That's why this magic was placed!" James grunted as Merlin whirled his staff and caught him in the stomach.

"How was I supposed to know you were still alive!? The magic wasn't supposed to be that strong. And you're the defender of man, not troll! That's the entire reason I created the amulet after the affair with Mordred!"

"Hi! Hello!" Toby was waving frantically. "This is kind of like being thrown into the middle of a show without any flashbacks to previous episodes, so uh…what are you guys talking about?"

James stopped and Merlin stepped back in a defensive stance, chests heaving. The dog yipped and ran in circles around James's feet, only stopping when he put out a hand for it to shove its snout into. "I didn't want this to happen. I prayed I was wrong about what I heard." James sucked in a breath. "Let me introduce myself Toby. As of the twenty-first century, my name is James Lake. My given name at my birth was Arthur Pendragon."

"King Arthur," Blinky muttered. "I suppose it shouldn't be shocking that he'd be alive. Merlin and Morganna live yet." Jim felt Blinky's eyes on his face. He forced it to stay even, unmoved. His heart was pounding, and his teeth were tight together, sharp and harsh. Jim had always thought if he ever saw his father again, he would punch him, yell at him, maybe give him the most contemptuous look he could and turn away without a word. At no point had he ever thought he would stand confused, angry, and feeling small.

"And I assume all the magical stuff in your life is true? The sword in the stone, the kingship, defending your land? And Excalibur is real?" Claire asked.

"Wait, I thought Excalibur was the sword in the stone." She shook her head in Toby's direction.

"Commonly thought, but I'm pretty sure the stories say Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake." Claire glanced at Jim but he said nothing, staring at the two men. What did one say to this madness? "Mr. Pendr – er, Mr. Lake – didn't Excalibur get thrown back into the lake upon your death?"

He gave them a deadpan look. "Does this look like it's at the bottom of a lake?" he asked shortly. He drew his hand through the air and a long, slender blade appeared in midair, hilt gold and shining. He took the hilt and swung it around with a beautiful flourish. But he slowed his movements. "Sorry hon, I shouldn't be so rude. You couldn't know about all that, could you? Seeing as how I'm not dead, that piece was added to pretty up stories. This lying wizard wouldn't have told you any of that." He jerked a thumb at Merlin, who looked affronted.

"I don't lie. I just don't see why little details are so important in the grand scheme of the greater good."

"'Little details.' Oh, this is rich. I am splitting my sides. Kind of like how Mordred sliced my side open a thousand years ago so I could see my own plaguing spleen." James grinned savagely at Merlin, whose mustache notably stiffened. "And why did that happen? Because of you, you bleeding cox-comb. You thought tricking me into cheating on my wife, and siring another son you could magic into a spare champion you might have need of was acceptable."

Toby's jaw dropped. "How the heck did he do that?"

"He glamored her to look like Guinevere. I sarded a sorceress!" He paused and coughed. "Don't look that word up kids."

"Too late. Medieval meaning of…" Claire's brows rose as she read from her phone. "Oh my."

"For the sake of the kingdom. Guinevere couldn't bear a child and you needed an heir," Merlin said shortly. "My methods weren't ideal."

James lifted his chin, blue eyes searing. "Ah yes, the ends justify the means though. Just like you cut off Morganna's hand for your amulet before pushing her into the heartstone and pitched her to what would be good old Arcadia Oaks. Just like you didn't interfere when her little experiments on Mordred got out of hand and he usurped me. When he beat my wife off the throne to show what kind of ruler he would be if people didn't bow. No, you broke in when it looked like he might start a war, but when it came to individual, innocent people, you were content to sit idly by. Because of your delay, hundreds of my soldiers and knights died, and I had to put Excalibur through my own son's chest."

"All of this had reason behind it," Merlin said quietly. In all he'd done, he'd never seemed truly ashamed of himself, but this came close. "If I had stepped in then it would have sparked Morganna's interest too soon. She would have realized I was aware of her plans."

James stared at him. "And we couldn't have anything interfering with Merlin's plots and schemes. Because he always knows best, always knows better than anyone about the big picture. But you know, a thousand years is a long, long time. I thought maybe you would had some personal growth." He put his hands on the table and leaned forward, handsome faces inches from Merlin's lined one. "And what do I find? You've taken my son…the one thing, other than Barbara, that I love that is left in this world. The one precious thing I've added to this world, the one being that made me think, 'Maybe all the insanity was worth it.'"

Jim's throat scalded with a mixture of rage and something entirely too close to tears.

"And you've done to him exactly what you did to me. And to Mordred." James's voice was soft, predatory, and filled with a fury so palpable the air was nearly too thick to breathe. "You've used your magic on someone to get them to clean up a mess you made with your meddling."

"It was the only way he would survive a battle with Gunmar and Morganna." Merlin didn't manage another sentence before he was sent flying across the room with a powerful kick to his stomach. James planted his boot on the ground and strode forward with the broad force of a lion. "I didn't have my magic, Arthur, the only way was-"

"Don't – call – me – Arthur!" James grabbed his collar and rammed him into the wall, teeth bared. Excalibur vanished as he released the hilt. "That trumped up, God-complex name! What's the phrase, 'for the glory of Merlin!?' Everything's always been about you! Your legacy, your fame, your magic!"

Claire jumped forward, pulling at James's trench coat. "Mr. Lake, stop! You'll kill him!"

"If I could be so lucky!" He didn't brush her off or push her away, but neither did he release Merlin, who kicked at his front but to no avail. He didn't attack with fear but with an exasperated air, strange seeing as the man looked ready to crush his neck. Toby joined Claire, using his weight to try to drag him back. Blinky jumped forward and hooked the curl of his staff around his wrist, pulling with all his might.

I need to stop him. He's my dad, I should be the one to stop him.

"Sir, I must protest this use of force. Though it sounds as though it may be deserved, this is neither the time nor the place!" Blinky grunted and fell over, never moving the man.

"Dad!"

His grip loosened and Merlin dropped to his feet, gasping and clutching his throat. James's hands fell to his sides and Toby and Claire released him, looking to Jim uncertainly. His heart was in throat, and his eyes burned, but he stared at the man that he'd lost so many years ago, that had walked out of his life. James turned to face him, expressionless but for a twitch in his jaw. "It's been twelve years since you've called me that." He shifted. "No…you called me 'Daddy.' You were five."

"Spare me. Just…you can't show up after all these years and drop the nuclear bombshell that you're the King Arthur." He ran his fingers through his hair, thick and dirty. His horns made combing a pain. "You left me. You left her. Do you have any idea how many nights she cried after you left?" He blew a gust of breath out, hot, like an ox. "You probably don't remember that day. What's one day in a thousand years?"

James slowly closed his eyes. "Your mother was wearing black dress slacks and a purple blouse because she'd met with one of the hospital directors for a position in the future. She was set to graduate in two years with her MD. You were in your Gun Robot pajamas and had been eating graham crackers. There were crumbs on your fingers. I remember you had this little bruise on your forehead because you banged it on the doorframe when you were pretending to be the robot." He raised his fingers to his chin. "I showed you the bike kit and you were so excited. Barb thought I was crazy because it was a big kid's bike but I knew it the closest thing to a Vespa a kid could have. And we could it build it together once you got just a little bigger." He smiled faintly. "Did you ever get a Vespa? You were crazy about them when you were little."

Jim had relived the memory so often he saw everything as his father described; the smell of Mom's perfume for the interview, the aftertaste of graham cracker, the excitement at getting a "big boy" bike kit. He said nothing. Toby shifted uncomfortably in his armor. "Then I walked out of your life. You and Barb. I left for work that day and never came back."

"I thought you went became a ski bum in Vermont and got a girlfriend," Toby confessed quietly. James looked at him with a sour amusement.

"Yeah, that was the idea. It's easier to get over someone if you hate them. I didn't want to leave kiddo, I really didn't. But it's okay if you hate me, that was intentional." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I staged a picture with a young lady and sent a letter with it to your mother. Gave her a spiel…not her fault, it's mine, she deserves better than me, yadda yadda. Which was all true." Jim flinched – he'd said his own thoughts so exactly. James shrugged, lifting his coat with his hands. "I left because I'd been found by an enemy that I'd hoped I'd somehow shaken. I called up an old friend and managed to escape…before I could even say goodbye." The red dog barked and licked his arm.

Jim sat down on the nearest rock, Blinky approaching and folding two comforting arms around his shoulders. Could he go one year without something insane happening? "Why make us hate you? Why not explain what was going on?"

"Did you tell your mother about all this at the first? Besides, I know how Barbara is. She'd have dropped everything, packed what we had and picked you up and gone with me. She's protective, bold." Jim didn't dare to look at his father, whose voice had grown softer. It was worse than Strickler talking about his mother. At least Strickler came back after a couple months. "I didn't want that life for you or for her. Constantly chased by a phantom, never being able to set down roots? I knew she'd find a good man who would give her what I couldn't. Hence the feigned infidelity. Freed her up to move on. And you deserved a life with friends, to go to school, to have a choice in your destiny."

He turned darkly. Merlin folded his arms. "Mordred is still following you then?"

"I thought I'd finally shaken him when I made it to the states, but I guess a lioness stalking prey does wait for the guard to come down, hm?"

"So, who is Mordred? 'Cause his name sounds kind of like 'murder-ed.' That's a bad name if I ever heard one." Toby leaned against the rock Jim was sitting on and his pudgy, familiar warmth was comforting.

"My son, biologically. Remember the whole 'making me think another woman was my wife' thing? Unfortunately, that was Morganna." Toby pulled a face. "Yes, my reaction. The two worked together, back before she let her power hungry nature be known. Merlin magicked up a fertility spell to make sure she bore a son. A few other spells made him strong, intelligent. All very 'kingly' qualities. I never had any idea until Merlin finally came clean twenty years later." The red dog stood up and sniffed Aaarrrgghh and settled in front of Jim, wagging its long, fluffy tail. In spite of himself he perked up. Most animals fled him now, and he'd nearly been sick when he first felt the craving for cat. He'd never eaten a domestic animal like a cat or dog, and he never planned to.

He reached out and let the dog smell his hand, rubbing the pointed ears gently. "Draig. He likes you." The dog prodded Toby with his nose and his friend acquiesced to giving the dog a gentle scritch on his back. James folded his arms, watching. "Merlin had been pumping Mordred with magic for years, but when the boy was ten Morganna snatched him up and stole him away. Keep in mind this was a couple hundred years before Killahead. Not that it made him kick her to the curb very quickly, did it?" James shrugged.

"One doesn't throw away a talented apprentice so quickly." Merlin began to pace, keeping a wary eye on James as he did so. "Though I admit you were right. We were quite a bit younger, and we weren't…that is, I suppose it ended up badly. I assume you require assistance in dealing with him?"

"Hardly. It's not like he can kill me, just cut me open. But he can kill anyone around me hence my quick departure when I saw him in Arcadia." Claire put up a hand so she could ask a question.

"And when you say he can't kill you, just slice you up, you mean…?"

James took a knife out of his pocket and before anyone could stop him, slashed his own palm. Jim leaped to his feet but his father showed them the wound. As they watched it sealed over, leaving only a small stream of blood. "One of the perks of immortality. I came here because I figured when he showed up here, you all would need the help."

"Why would he come here?" Jim sat back down and continued petting the dog, holding its head in his hands. "I thought he was just after you."

"He was meant to be my heir, but Morganna abducted him so he would serve as her champion. She broke away from my kingdom, from Merlin, and started enlisting trolls to overthrow the kingdom for starters."

James went quiet and approached. Jim stood immediately, hackles up. "Jim, I need to tell you all a few things. Things that are going to sound crazy. Is it okay if sit down somewhere and talk this out?" He squinted. "You look peaked." Jim's shoulders set; how dare he act concerned? He dared? But if it was all true…

"I can't believe Morganna ever had a child. I mean the stories said she did, but still. I can't imagine her ever being a mother." Claire took Jim's arm. "You okay?"

"I don't know honestly." He twined his fingers with hers. "If Mordred served Morganna, why didn't he come to her before?"

"That was likely because of me." James's face seemed heavier, eyes low. "I can deal with Mordred and get relief by attacking him with Excalibur. I hate to do it, hence the constant running, but for a few days-"

Jim twitched and shushed him. Then he turned, releasing Claire's hand. He sniffed the air, ears tuned to the slightest noise. Aaarrrgghh sniffed as well, growling. "Something else is here."

James stood beside him, looking toward the tunnel out of the gyre station. "I can't hear anything. Your ears are better."

"Something…black." Aaarrrgghh sneezed. "Burns nose."

A wail of fear from a troll sent Jim sprinting, blade appearing in his hand. Claire and Toby were after him in a breath, Toby whooping. "Trollhunter-ing in New Jersey, whoo!" Aaarrrgghh's heavy gait and Blinky's puffing breath followed them into the chamber of the heartstone, and trolls were running from the room in terror. "Trollhunters! It's – It's a ghost!"

NotEnrique scrambled toward them on all fours. "This spook just came in, no talking or nothing!" He stared up at them, bulbous eyes reflecting the light. "Think we can fight off a ghost? One that ain't in a body I mean."

Jim saw the spectral figure after a moment of scanning the room. It stood in front of the heartstone, staring at it. It had a lean, tall form and long, billowing hair. It let light filter through black shades of its form, and he couldn't quite see its face. He hefted his blade, keeping it in a neutral position. "Mordred?"

The ghost looked up and glanced at him. The similarity to his own face – prior to the transformation – was marked. Narrow chin, dark brows, a serious expression, were all outdone by a set of completely blue eyes. The dark hair stirred as if in a breeze, long enough to hit the figure's shoulders. He wore black armor and a short cloak, the image of a young, princely knight. He blinked at them. "Where is the Lady Morganna?"

Jim moved a step closer. "Uh…not here."

"I sensed her magic. It brought me far. I must serve the Lady Pale." The figure rotated to face them and his eyes narrowed. "Her foe is here. And…"

The blue eyes turned scarlet. "Pendragon!"

Jim lifted his blade in time to intercept Mordred's sword. It was translucent as the rest of him, but the ring of steel on steel was harsh. Jim forced the phantom back. "Look, I don't know who you are, but Morganna is gone. There's no point in us fighting!"

"Her magic lingers. It nearly killed you. And it has stained her." He stared at Claire, who lifted her staff and leaped in, swinging to break the stalemate between the swords. "Where is Lady Pale? And why do you hide Pendragon?" He spun in a sweeping arc, striking Eclipse and jarring Jim's hands. He met the swipe with a turn of his own, nicking the ghost's side. Mordred grunted and held the place. Within the wound looked like black night and starlight, disappearing as the wound sealed over. "No blade can kill me."

Toby swept in and sent the phantom flying with a heavy swing of his hammer. "But a Warhammer sure can knock your teeth loose! Do ghosts have teeth?" The impact left a dent in the wall and it took a moment before Mordred rose, lifted as if by a string.

He turned to them again and Jim gestured to the heartstone. "Aaarrrgghh, protect the stone. We can't lose it. Tobes, you block that tunnel, it leads to the residential caves. Claire, you and me on him. Blinky, any thoughts on beating ghosts?"

"None I'm afraid." Blinky pulled a small rock from his belt. "I must wonder if dwarkstone has any effect on them? If we can drive him from the chamber I will attempt it!"

Jim charged, nearly soaring, and Mordred's grace matched him. Their blades met time and time again, ringing like bells as the strikes made contact. Claire darted around the edge of the fight, staff thudding against the phantom's back. But for every nick and cut Jim made the being healed and continued its onslaught.

And at once it grew worse. Mordred's blade nicked Jim's cheek and he leaped back, touching the place. "Okay Jimbo?" Toby called. He nodded but paused as Mordred's shoulders slumped and he sniffed the air.

Mordred's eyes went wide. "Pendragon! Scion of my enemy! I know your blood!"

Jim sighed haggardly. "I really wish you were Bular. I miss the easy stuff." The phantom came in whirling like storm winds, and Jim met him again. But there was malevolence in the strikes now, a personal hatred. He was a fair swordsman, but Jim knew that talent wasn't the problem. He had the phantom outdone in strength and speed and balance. Mordred had been human.

Endurance would be the deciding factor. And it was hard to outlast a dead warrior.

A wave of green lightning snapped across the room and struck Mordred, and the ghost dropped with a scream. Jim backpedaled to avoid the blast, Merlin lowering the staff slowly. "Mordred, listen to reason. Morganna has been dealt with and will never return. Her magic is irrelevant now. The scent you caught is months old." The ghost lifted again and lowered his head, bestial with his teeth bared. "Please, explain why you're after Pendragon."

"Lady Pale ordered me to fight all her enemies. I am her champion, in life and in death. Pendragon is yours." Mordred glanced at Jim. "And now you have two."

He swung his blade around and Jim tracked its trajectory in time to throw Eclipse. Claire jumped back as the blade nearly struck her middle, Jim's blade knocking it astray. In a moment Mordred was on him, snapping at his throat like a wolf. A tiny green blur struck the figure's back, yanking hard on his hair. "Get off my sister's boyfriend ya lummox!" Mordred hurled NotEnrique back and with the movement Jim managed to kick him off, summoning Eclipse back to his hand. The changeling favored his arm, Claire scooping him up and moving away.

"Mordred." James's voice was low. "It's me you're facing." The phantom turned, hair hanging in his face. "Come on now. You know I don't want to hurt you." But he sounded weary, worn. And in his hand was Excalibur, glinting with the light of the heartstone. "We've done this thousands of times now."

"And I'll fight you a thousand more!" Mordred whirled back to face Jim, his ghostly blade reappearing in his hands. A wicked smile broke across his face. "Can your scion recover as quickly as you-!?"

Excalibur burst from his middle, cutting off his words. Mordred sputtered, falling forward as James withdrew the blade, covered in a black, shiny liquid. The sword disappeared and Jim – before he could stop himself – jumped forward the catch the phantom. "Don't!" James barked, hauling the ghost back toward himself on the sword. Jim froze and his father carefully scooped Mordred up, into his lap, gripping his arms to keep him from struggling. "Mordred, just stop. Please."

The ghost howled, teeth snapping, biting James on the jaw and neck. But his movements grew sluggish, and the bite marks disappeared in seconds. Infuriated he dug his teeth in and pulled a chunk of flesh off, spitting it out onto the ground. Jim stared, transfixed with horror, as the wound sealed over and the skin lay on the ground, glistening. "Enemy of the Lady! I will never stop! I will slay you! And your seed!"

James just hugged him tightly so he couldn't thrash. "Just rest Mordred."

At last the phantom stopped moving, and as soon as he did he vanished, leaving James Lake's arms empty. He straightened, rubbing the spot where Mordred's bites had been deepest. "Ah. That's a bigger chunk than last time." He nudged the bit of skin with the toe of his boot.

The sound of retching made Jim turn to Claire. She held her mouth, looking ill and embarrassed. Aaarrrgghh had covered Toby's face. Jim went to her, drawing her close. "Are you hurt? Did he get you?"

"No. 'M'okay. Just…ugh." She held her stomach. "I'm not too easy to nauseate, but…I just ate a little while ago. And that's disgusting." She covered her mouth again.

Blood and muscle and flesh itself had little effect on Jim now, but even he could admit that was gross. James scooped it up and buried the piece in his pocket. "I'll dispose of that later."

"So…is Mordred not a problem now?" Toby croaked. Aaarrrgghh had removed his hand but Toby still looked pale. "I didn't see what happened, but it sounded…very ended."

"Mordred will return. Excalibur banishes evil, but Mordred is cursed to return to the mortal realm as a ghost of vengeance. Morganna's final trick to make sure Merlin's human champion would never have peace. Of course she couldn't have guessed Merlin's immortality spell on me would give me such regenerative abilities. She'd be laughing her head off if she did."

"Yes, normally there is a ritual to banish a fully fledged phantom." Merlin examined the place where Mordred had vanished. "I think we can safely assume this is not a Trollhunter issue at heart, but because of this unanticipated bond between my first champion and yourself, Jim, it's quite complicated."

"Wait, what do you mean 'not a Trollhunter issue?' Anything that involves innocent people possibly getting hurt is a 'Trollhunter issue.'" Jim glared at Merlin. "I'm assuming a phantom haunts places or people? And what if someone gets in the way of the phantom?"

"Normally he won't bother with them." James crossed his arms, Draig sitting by his feet. "He's fixated on me. Merlin and by extension myself are the source of her desire for vengeance. But I was afraid Morganna's lingering magic might sway him from following me. I hadn't seen him in a while, and I knew that if he got to you first, you wouldn't be able to banish him. That blade was created for slaying troll foes, not human ones. And you defeated her; if her magic still has a sway on him, I knew you and your friends would be added to the crap list."

Toby reached into a small knapsack on his back – it looked funny combined with his armor – and offered a water bottle to Claire. "For the pukey aftertaste. Bleh." She accepted it gratefully and Jim was again so glad to have Toby around. He always had "provisions." "So, here's a thought. We should all sit in a circle somewhere so we can talk all this out, maybe find out how much magic is going on. It sounds like there a quite a few spells involved. And we can unload the supplies Aaarrrgghh and I brought to help feed all the trolls here."

Blinky nodded. "Excellent idea Tobias. I think all of us are quite on edge." He stepped between Merlin and James, who were both glaring at each other.

Toby's eyes lit up. "Taco time for the crew!"

"You guys can eat tacos?" James asked.

"Yes, though if you happen to have lava for digestive juices I do not recommend it." Blinky gestured for them to follow. "If the humans would like them, tacos would be acceptable. I will consume plastic utensils at this time. Come, let's go settle in the foyer."

"I'll go get the tacos! Is it nighttime right now?" Toby checked his phone. "Ah, no signal. What time is it?"

"Three in the afternoon, unfortunately." Jim lowered his head a little so he could whisper to Toby. "If you could pick them up I'll see what I can get out of Merlin and my…and Arthur…about what happened." Toby looked disappointed before brightening instantly.

"Can do Jimbo. Though uh, I have to ask…has Merlin figured out how to get the armor off?" Jim shook his head. "Look, I hate to ask, but because I'm going to get tacos…and tacos usually affect people and Gatto a certain way…"

He raised his hands defensively. "I'm not trying to be a creep, I just have to know scientifically. Some things shouldn't be consumed if there are bathroom problems."

Jim put a hand over his eyes. "Tobes…it's not an issue, trust me. I'll stick with socks though."

"I feel like I ought to ask how trolls even go to the bathroom, but I feel like that would be opening to a world I don't want to go to.* Are you sure about socks?" Toby's smile faltered but he hitched it back in place again. "Okay, no worries." Toby started for the entrance but stopped. "So, I don't know where I'm going."

Claire had regained her composure. "I'll show the nearest place. We'll be right back." She shot Jim an apologetic look and he smiled. There was nothing to be done. He couldn't go out in the sun.

Aaarrrgghh patted Jim on the back. "We go unload stuff from gyre! Aaarrrgghh doesn't need tacos today, thank you." The gentle-natured troll didn't like the idea of special treatment. Why tacos were edible for trolls while most human foods weren't had never been clear to Jim, but he hated the thought of not having enough for the others as well. It was different for humans, they couldn't eat troll food.

"Hey." James pulled a wallet out of his pocket. "Use this, get some extra for the trolls here. Maybe it's my narrow minded human nature, but tacos sound better than aluminum and socks." He handed a small stack of bills to Claire, who opened them curiously. Her eyes grew round.

"Mr. Lake, these are hundreds."

"I'm assuming trolls eat a lot of tacos."

"There are ten of them."

James scratched his head. "Be blunt hon, I don't see the problem."

Toby cleared his throat. "Sir, it's going to look weird if two teens walk into a taco place and get a thousand dollars worth of tacos. And why do you have that much cash on hand, if I may ask?"

"You guys are smart. I forget how hard it is being a teen." He handed Toby a business card. "Just say it's for the Historical Society Dinner and give them this. It's got a number to one of my contacts, he'll agree to it." Toby glanced at Jim, who shrugged. "And as to having this much cash, I'm a thousand years old. Finance is something I don't have to worry much about. Draig either, for that matter." The dog woofed, tail wagging. "I've picked up a few PhDs, some businesses…not actively involved in them but I gave some startups to this one…what was it Oogle, Goggle or something, there've been quite a few…anyway, they were pretty generous with stock options."

Claire slipped the bills into her purse, wide eyed. "Okay. Well, we'll be back. Might take a little while."


Blinky was pleased by the reaction of all the trolls to the presence of different food. They were grateful, surprised, and when they saw Toby and Aaarrrgghh they were delighted. James hung back, Draig with him, black nose working with interest. Blinky was surprised when the man gave an El Diablo burrito to the dog and wondered if the creature might be sick. But it snapped it up delightedly, licking its chops afterwards.

He got the feeling it wasn't really a dog, and was possibly glamored. But that was a question for another day.

Merlin went to his corner after a while and spoke to him, James's face darkening. But he didn't attempt to strike, and after a while he crossed his arms and talked, and Blinky tried to read their lips. The basic gist seemed to be that Merlin was urgent, James was unmoving, and neither one seemed happy.

Aaarrrgghh's laughter was deep and loud, and it mixed with the children's. He turned his attention across the room to them, sitting in a ring, talking excitedly. Their cheeks were red from laughing, and Toby was trying to measure the horns on Jim's head. "I swear dude, you should weaponize these! Headbutt City! They're longer than my hand!"

Jim grinned and elbowed him off. "I've got enough weapons Tobes, these things are heavy when they get too long." Blinky smiled – it was good to see them all together. His eyes flicked back to James, who had walked away from Merlin and was in another small cove, half-hidden by shadow. He watched the children as well, eyes so forlorn that Blinky felt an unwilling kinship with him. It was hard to want the best in the world for the people you loved and knowing they had so much difficulty. The man suddenly met his gaze. Blinky kept the stare until James smiled faintly and looked away again.

Why would a king break eye contact first? Blinky finished the taco in his hand, appreciating the texture. Whatever else James was, it had been thoughtful of him to provide sustenance for the trolls. And very strange. But even with that, his suspicion was still present. Whatever the reason, he was still a man that had walked out on his family.

He wouldn't sit next to Merlin but neither did James insist on sitting beside Jim. Claire and Toby sat to Jim's left and right, Blinky past Claire, and Aaarrrgghh beyond Toby. Merlin sat by Aaarrrgghh, and James left a full chair space between himself and Merlin. NotEnrique had heard the synopsis version, grabbed a taco, and scampered before being asked to break up the set. "So," Blinky began, "our tempers are a little cooler I think. Would you please explain your history?"

Merlin tapped his nails against the table. "I suppose I should start at the beginning. I was born of a woman named Ardhan, a king's daughter, fathered by a being of questionable-"

"Open a compendium of legends and cut through the prose and you'll find the facts." James had his chin in his palm. "Merlin was born to a woman that worked at The King's Daughter bar, fathered by a man named Inkibuss. Kind of a weird old guy, tended to spout prophecy while running around the forest. Ardhan didn't know what to do with a magical kid so he was taken in by a group of trolls that had some ideas about magic."

Merlin glared at James, hands forming fists on the table. "Do you mind letting me explain my own history?"

"Cut the BS and sure. But don't lie to these folks. They deserve the truth." Draig barked in agreement, ducking under the table and setting his head on Toby's knee. The boy grinned, baby talking the hound in undertone. "Here, let me show you. Uther Pendragon was my father, a piece of work that, with Merlin's help, sired me with a woman that had spurned his advances because, hey, she was married to someone else. Merlin disguised him as the guy, Gorlois, and wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, she had me. Guess he was lucky her husband had just gotten killed, so he could marry her a couple weeks later and make me look legitimate."

"Wait, did she want to marry him?" Claire asked. "I've read the stories. He tricked her into sleeping with him!" She shot Merlin a hard look. "And you helped a guy trick a girl into bed? She thought he was her husband!" The wizard had the presence to look abashed. "I assumed those stories were made up."

"Yeah, like I said, crapshoot of a dad. Gorlois was no picnic I guess, because she didn't seem to mind Uther after she found out she was going to have a son." James shrugged. "Apparently Merlin saw the future and said I had to be born the way I was, and I grew up as Uther's son. Got handed kingship at fifteen when the guy croaked."

Aaarrrgghh grunted. "Daddy problems…lots."

"Yes, I did assist Uther. I had a vision of his son, Arthur, a great defender of the kingdom. Slaying dragons, monsters, wicked beings. My focus has always been-"

"The greater good," everyone said in unison. He crossed his arms, scowling.

"Before I became king there was a big question about my lineage – were they sure I was Uther's, not Gorlois's, was I legitimate since I was conceived out of wedlock – so Merlin enlisted the help of his apprentice Morganna, then known as Morgan la Fey. Thankfully I'm not actually related to her, if you were wondering." Blinky knew many of the legends of Arthur, but had not considered the implications of a few of them. "They magicked up the sword in the stone test and let everyone in the kingdom try it."

"To test if their hearts were true and noble, if they were of the king's bloodline. If the stories are true," Claire interjected.

James laughed. It was loud and sour and mirthless. "It was based on power. Only someone of enough magical blood could possibly pull it out. And I couldn't, at first." Blinky started. "I wasn't very magically inclined. I was better at building walls, riding horses. Heck, I was more interested in taming dragons than slaying them." Draig barked suddenly, poking his head up from under the table. James took a ball from his pocket and tossed it down a tunnel. Draig bounded after it and James's anger seemed to fade for a moment. "Merlin explained that my people would need me. That enemies would attack, that the kingdom would be annihilated. But for me to be crowned, for me to become the man I needed to be, he had to grant magic to me. A lot of it."

Blinky did not look at Jim. The faint breath of familiarity was enough. James lifted his eyes. "I was fifteen. I didn't want my mother or the people I cared about in danger. I had friends, subjects, servants. Merlin had served my father well, as far as I knew. And Morgan was kind, if ambitious. So I let him use the magic on me, a spell of power and longevity. And I was able to pull the sword from the stone."

Merlin's sigh was something Blinky had never heard from him before. Truly regretful. "I didn't mean the spell to be as powerful as it was. I knew you would live a long time, but I didn't think it would extend this far. I saw a glimpse of the future, just a sliver, of a great sorceress arising. I had no idea at the time it would be Morgan. I wanted to prepare you. I…no wizard starts out with perfect control of power."

James did not snap a retort, just waiting for Draig to return so he could throw the ball again. "I ruled the land after that, protected my people. But Merlin and I had disagreements over time. He advised me against marrying the woman I loved, Guinevere. He said she could bear me no children, and he had a vision of a son of my line becoming a great hero, a protector of the peoples. Hence tricking me into a tryst with Morganna." There was no venom in the statement this time. "I'm sure she had quite a lot to do with the idea. And if Merlin didn't see Jim, since he was so far in the future, I guess it would make sense for him to assume Mordred was the needed hero. And Morganna used Mordred to overthrow me after the years of brainwashing him into her champion."

"So…you fought him. Killed him I guess. But what happened after that?" Jim spoke quietly, and Blinky tried to gauge his expression. "Why didn't you take back over, after Mordred was gone?"

"I went to the waters of Avalon where Merlin meditated. He helped fill in the gaps about Mordred. I had discovered my regeneration by that point and begged him to remove my power. I had just killed my own son, my kingdom was in disarray, and Guinevere…everyone was horrified by the thought of a king that could never die. I could be a tyrant, a despot, and they would never be able to stop me. Guinevere couldn't look at me after she discovered she would grow old and die and I would stay the same." He sighed, and Draig whined. "So I stepped down. Named one of the nobles as the next king. And I went to Merlin again, and he swore he would find a way to make things right. Fix me so I would be able to grow old and die one day. But that he had to deal with Morganna and trolls that were trying to overthrow humans, take the surface land." James leaned back in his chair. "And the rest I think you know. Killahead, the fight with Morganna, Merlin losing his magic to seal Morganna away. So that was that; I could either sit around and grow moss or start traveling, seeing the world, try to find a new purpose."

"Existential crisis to the extreme," Toby whispered.

James scratched his head. "I came to the U.S. around…I want to say eighteen-sixty. Lincoln was elected. Spent a lot of time exploring, investing in business like I said. Gotta say, the technology growth was something to watch. And then about twenty years ago, I settled in California. Temperature was okay, and people always needed rescuing from a forest fire. Something to do, people to help."

"And then you met Mom." Blinky sensed, more than saw, Toby putting a hand on Jim's back.

James smiled, a real one. "I hadn't been that happy in a long time. She was funny, clever, dorky. Beautiful. And she got so awkward around me. She literally ran into me running to grab some coffee. She'd just started college and the workload was killer. We smashed into each other in a door, and her coffee went all over me. She was so scared she'd given me burns." Blinky smiled in turn; Barbara had the soul of a doctor long before her diploma. "I thought I'd shaken Mordred. I though he was stuck in Europe. Last I checked he can't swim or cross water."

Merlin stroked his beard. "Phantoms can only cross the earth. He must have found a boat."

"So you marry Jim's mom?" Aaarrrgghh asked.

"After a year of dating, yeah. For the first time in a long, long while, it seemed like my life had a point again. And then, another year later, Jim was born." James sighed. "It was a chance to do everything over. To do it right. I hadn't known about Mordred, about anything, until it was too late. Now I had a wife that I loved and a child that I meant the world to."

The softness in his face became guarded. "And then Mordred reappeared, years later. I knew the happiness had to end. I left so he would follow me, stay away from my family. If he found out about more 'Pendragon's blood' he would have gone after Jim. Which seems to be the case now."

"Morganna's magic appears to have knocked him off his trail. I wonder if he'd follow you if you went elsewhere?" Merlin asked. "At any rate, I know of how to seal away a phantom. I can banish him for you."

"That's great!" Claire began as James said, "No way." Silence fell again and James met Merlin's eyes. "I appreciate that. Really. But to banish a full phantom, you stick them in the Shadow Realm. Mordred himself is innocent. He never chose this. I'm not letting him rot there for the rest of time."

Merlin, to his credit, didn't look angry. "I understand. But he will keep coming after Jim and yourself. You understand that?"

"I do. But I need to figure some things out. Specifically about whether or not Mordred is a real phantom. I need information from the Book of Ga-Huel. The Gumm-Gumms have a history of dark magic, and I'm just betting that Morganna had a detailed list of facts about them." Blinky thought of Strickler, the current owner of the book, and cringed. That meeting would be interesting.

Apparently Merlin thought the same thing, for he said, "We'll contact the person that has it. He may have a…oh what is it…digital copy?"

"Works for me. Now…I want to hear the reasoning behind Jim's transformation. From him." James settled his hands on the table and gazed at his son, waiting.

Jim lifted his chin. "Where should I start?"


"Are you sure he's who he claims to be?" Strickler's cultured voice was rougher as a troll, harsh around his teeth and the static even harder. Blinky adjusted so he was in a spot where a little more signal existed.

"Reasonably. Merlin vouches for him. In any case, the phantom is real, and after Master Jim. If you have a digital copy of the Book of Ga-Huel, I would be in your debt. I will only permit him the information related to phantoms." With a careful pour Blinky let a single drop fall in the flask and it erupted in blue smoke. "Oh dear! That was closer, but not quite…ahem!" He hacked several times, waving his three free arms. "Anyway, yes, as I said. Need that book."

"What are you doing? And how has Young Atlas taken the situation?"

Blinky hesitated. "He's…digesting the information. It's not every day so much of what you knew turns out to be different. He's spending time with Tobias and Claire at the moment."

"Good. Has he adjusted to trolldom?"

Blinky felt all false joviality fade from his tone. "No. In fact it's getting rather dire. He's listless and depressed. He's only half troll after all…I wonder if maybe he is lacking some nutrients that can be gained as a human that a part of him still needs."

Strickler was quiet and the burbling of a baby made Blinky cock his head. "Changelings are unique in their needs. As a blend of human and troll, Young Atlas likely is lacking necessary nutrients. Vitamin D for starters, something a human requires sunlight to process. Sunlight also has a marked effect on mood for humans. I don't think Merlin's magic could create a substitute for those."

"He could grow ill then!?" Blinky tried another drop and the smell of a pleasant perfume rose. He made a note of it – nothing wrong with smelling nice. "But why would Merlin allow him to use the potion if it would hurt him so?"

"I don't know if Merlin knew. Blinky, as old as we are, we're fallible as anything. Why did we assume he might be much better? He has massive quantities of magical power, but that doesn't mean he knew of every effect this experiment would have. From what I understand, Jim was the first person to undergo the change. And I assure you, the Gumm-Gumms had many casualties in their changeling experiments before perfecting the formula." Strickler was quiet for a moment, shushing a baby. "I haven't mentioned this to Barbara of course. Can you tell me if he's eating? Vitamins may ease the symptoms."

"He'll eat if we're watching, but between supplies being questionable and his emotions, I don't think he has been doing so nearly enough. I'm hoping Tobias's presence will help him, the boy's cheer is catching. And of course Claire is looking after him, but none of us can watch him at all times."

Strickler grunted. "I think Barbara and I must visit. Ophelia and Javier have offered to watch Walter Jr. Barbara will not be dissuaded. In the meantime, I'll send you the book." He paused. "Are you trying to replicate your human potion effect?"

"Yes." Blinky's reply was stout, swift.

"A clever idea. Perhaps the Book of Ga-Huel will be helpful with that as well." Surprised, Blinky put down one of his flasks. "I am doubly invested in Young Atlas's wellbeing. Aside from my considerable fondness for him personally, I have even more for his mother."

"Yes. I understand. It must be hard for her." Blinky fiddled with the car model Claire had given him. "Merlin claimed he didn't know of Master Jim's relation to Arthur. I believe him. But he seems very against my experiments. He thinks I put myself in danger for him, when it is unwise due to my position."

"You're Trollmarket's elder now. But it's not for me to judge you. I'm the one that released Morganna. Besides, risking oneself for the people one loves, isn't that what families do?" Strickler's voice was wry. "I have to go, Barbara is calling. Give me a few minutes and I'll send the file over. You do have a printer now?"

"I believe it's a printer. We just got ink today." Blinky poked the machine doubtfully. "Claire has made use of the library printers most recently, though we hope to conduct research here now."

"Very well. Let me know if you find out anything else about this…James Lake." The call ended and Blinky put the phone aside, waiting for the file to hit the e-mail app Claire had downloaded for him.

"Don't give up Master Jim. You never have yet."


Toby inhaled deeply. "Hot spring. Smells a little funky."

Aaarrrgghh chuckled and waded into the water, no deeper than five feet. "Mm. Toasty."

"Yeah, I'm going to sit over here like it's a sauna. Pretty sure I'd lose my skin in water that hot." Toby scanned the room, amazed by the light cast by the crystal chunks embedded in the ceiling. "I didn't think trolls would like water. What with the whole being made of stone thing."

"Not deep water. Just shallow, hot water. Nice to relax in, get dirt off. Good minerals for skin." Aaarrrgghh waded around in the glass-clear liquid. Toby peered through a mass of stalactites and skirted around them, spotting another troll in the shallows, submerged up to his chin.

Jim still wore the armor, but that didn't keep him from dropping under the surface and kicking off the side, swimming like an eel. Due to the shallow water he was in no risk of sinking, and Toby marveled at the swiftness of his circuit of the spring. When he broke the surface again Toby waved. "There should be Trollympics. You'd beat the others at swimming, no contest."

"Being human before would give me an unfair advantage." But Jim drifted to the side, leaning on the bank. His hair hung heavy and wet around his ears, bangs plastered to his forehead. "What do you think of New Trollmarket Tobes? I know it doesn't really compare to the old one yet."

"Hey, I see lots of good things. It's still rough, but Trollmarket probably took years to construct. You guys are doing great for six months." Toby fanned himself with his knapsack. "It's a nice spring. Come here often?"

"Just when I need some time to think. And clean off." He showed his armor-clad arm. "Obviously the cleaning is only so good."

"If it makes you feel better, you don't smell like anything except cave." Toby leaned in, settled next to the bank so he and Jim could talk. "So what do you think? About your dad and all this Mordred stuff?"

Jim laid his head on his forearms. "I didn't expect to see him. Ever. And now I learn he apparently isn't a complete deadbeat, he's actually a magical king? And he left because he was trying to keep me and my mom safe?" He stared up at Toby. "How am I supposed to feel about this? Should I be happy? Angry? Sad?"

"Maybe a little bit of all of the above. Happy that he cares, angry that he didn't tell you before he left, and sad that the situation got to this point." Toby wanted to pat Jim's shoulder but the sweltering water would make the armor scalding. "I didn't recognize him Jim. I'm sorry, if I had I would have warned you."

"I didn't recognize him for a second, you only saw him once when we were in kindergarten. How could you know?" Jim climbed out of the water and stepped away, shaking off steaming droplets like a dog. Then he seated himself a few feet from Toby, watching Aaarrrgghh wade. "I don't want to think about it right now. How is Arcadia?"

"Decent. Pretty boring except for some goblins. I'm more a friendly neighborhood Toby-Man than a Trollhunter now. I help people that need assistance with thefts, missing persons, all that jazz." Toby shrugged. "It's kind of cool. Eli and Steve angled for Creepslayerz being the official name, but I convinced them Troll Hunters of Arcadia Oaks was better. They're really good besties, believe it or not." Jim laughed and Toby privately marked an internal victory. "What about you? How has New Jersey been treating you? Obviously I've read your texts, and reread them, but I want to hear it from you."

"Oh, y'know. Keeping busy making sure there's enough for the trolls to eat and construct homes. The lights are getting to a pretty good place, and there's a lot of room to spread out. Merlin's growing the heartstone every day, so if it gets big enough the trolls should be able to keep their energy up." Jim leaned back against the rocks. "Blinky gets better at leading all the time. People still argue with him, but they argued with Vendel too. He's always working on projects to improve things for the market in his alcove. I think he's getting more into potions too, he's always cooking up something. Claire's a lifesaver, she runs out and gets things we don't have access to."

"Ah, the lovely Ms. Nuñez. She's as enamored of you as ever, good to see." The flicker of Jim's mouth was not promising. "Isn't she?"

"Claire's great. Absolutely great." Jim's eyes were heavy, as if the heat in the air were putting him to sleep. "She's working as a secretary at the mayor's office for Hoboken. Her dad hired a chauffeur, did I tell you?"

"Yeah, Alberto! At least she's not traveling alone all the time. She showed me around a little on our way to the taco shop. There's a mall with a movie theater like two blocks past it. Have you two snuck in to see a film? A scary one maybe?" He grinned at Jim but let it slide off his face as Jim's fingers tightened. "Or, y'know, chick flicks have a certain art to them."

"I've only been out a few times, Tobes. Look at me." He tapped his chest. "Night life is busy here. I can't go into stores or anything. The one time I did I had to wear a huge hoodie and a ton of stuff to hide me. People thought I was a mugger." Jim rubbed his head, fingers finding the horns. "I set up a surprise in a park at midnight for our nine month anniversary. Played the song we danced to the night Angor Rot broke into Trollmarket, fireflies around. It was nice until we kissed and I cut into her lip with one of my teeth."

Toby stiffened. "Yeowch. Was it, uh…bad?"

"She had to go to urgent care. Two stitches." Jim stood up. "She didn't get mad, but I felt horrible. We're more careful now, but…"

Toby chewed his lip. "Well, y'know, romance is a learning experience. Some people slobber too much when they kiss. Some people have extra sharp teeth. Once I kissed Darci's temple and her hair got stuck in my braces."

Jim broke into a laugh. "I don't think that's the same thing."

"Well it was still awkward." He made finger guns at Jim. "Let's talk about something else. I just got the latest Gun Robot manga. Dude. So awesome. I've got a copy in my bag! If you want to go somewhere less humid I can catch you up on the plot."

"Actually, I was just about to read it. Claire picked up a copy for me." Jim stood up and Toby hopped to his feet. "I've got a little room to myself. Want to hang out there for a while?"

"Awesomesauce! Aaarrrgghh, buddy, we're going to nerd out over Gun Robot. You cool here?" Aaarrrgghh waved and nodded, scrambling out of the water just to jump back in, making a splash. "Let's go dude!" Toby carefully grabbed Jim's arm – the heat was no worse than a hot seatbelt – and hauled him out into the cool dark.


"Jim is super, super, super depressed."

Toby stared at the ceiling, lying on the ground beside Blinky's cot. "I mean, I could tell he was having a hard time in his texts, but man. I've never seen him like this. And we went through fourteen together. That's puberty meets childhood meets self realization. Like Jem Finch, y'know?"

Aaarrrgghh made a sound of agreement. "Jim sad to be troll. Not bad to be troll, but bad for human to be troll." Blinky couldn't look at them at the moment, waiting on each page to come out of the printer. "And now Jim's dad here, might make worse. Mordred after them, can't smash him."

Blinky lifted the entire stack and set them on a clean workspace. "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd actually want the Book of Ga-Huel near me. Let's see here. Index of dark creatures, spectral creatures. Phantoms, yes." He ran a finger down the printed copies of Strickler's document. "'A phantom is a human or troll that is bound to the mortal coil by an oath or strong emotion, generally a desire for vengeance. High amounts of magic increase the chances of a spirit becoming a phantom. The only way to defeat a phantom is to exorcise it from the mortal plane with holy icons and a blessed weapon." He marked the page and folded its corner. "Well, that sounds like our creature."

"I think there's more to it." James entered the room, dog on his heels. "Toby, what were you saying about Jim?"

Toby sat up. "Jim's depressed. In the clinical definition of the word."

"Of course he is. He goes from being a human young man to a troll-human hybrid separated from half the people he loves. How could he be anything else?" James paused as Blinky handed him a small stack of papers.

"Everything I've seen on phantoms so far, including from A Brief Recapitulation of Troll Lore. Translated into english. I will assist you with this in a moment, I need to test something." He hurried to his next table, taking the bubbling solution off the burner. "Yes, right consistency, right smell…but is it the right color? No…well, let's try anyway." He poured a dab onto the nearest piece of stone – a chunk of a troll's leg – and waited for a reaction. With a metal rod he poked at the stone, growling when it gave with a rubbery texture. "No, wrong again." He pulled a crate from under his workspace and dropped the piece of stone inside.

The three in the room stared. "What you doing, Blinky?" Aaarrrgghh asked.

"Testing a solution my friend. Tobias, do any of these substances appear familiar? Think back to when we were in Gatto's belly the first time." Blinky displayed the bottles and beakers urgently. Toby scanned the set, sniffing one.

"I'm fifty-five percent sure I remember that smell. But why are you looking for stuff in Gatto's Keep? Why would you want to turn yourself human – oh! Oh. Gotcha." Toby took another look and focused harder. "This one wasn't there. It's way too bright, I would have noticed it." Blinky put the bottle away.

"If I had more access to books, my old library even, I would haggle with Totem at RotGut's for some Elixlore. But without books on hand it would only be so helpful." He sighed. "I suppose Mordred should be the focus at this moment."

James looked around, suddenly intense, focused as white hot lightning. "You trying to find a potion to turn Jim human?"

Blinky examined more scans with feather-light fingers, feeling queasy. "Well, yes. I hadn't wanted to resort to this, but the Book of Ga-Huel details Gumm-Gumm history, and that of the changelings."

Aaarrrgghh tugged Toby back. "No look. Bad things in book."

"Indeed. I would not have asked Strickler for this information if I had any other ideas, or if we had more information on phantoms and troll-human transmutation." Blinky hunted through the pages, James behind him. "Merlin insists there's no way to help Master Jim, but I refuse to believe it. Perhaps it hasn't been discovered yet, but to be so closed-minded as to claim there is nothing we can do is foolhardy."

"That's what you've been experimenting on yourself for?" Blinky set his jaw.

"How did you know about that?"

"Merlin spilled. He's told me quite a bit about the lot of you. He thinks you're misguided. But me…I'm in." A firm hand slapped him on the back, making him cough even with his stony body. James had a wide grin and Blinky saw the family resemblance. "I knew I liked you. If Merlin were more like you we wouldn't have a quarter of the problems going on that we do."

Blinky adjusted his pages, secretly touched. "Yes, well…I'm not sure what we can do, but I thought perhaps the changeling histories might be helpful. Since we needed information on phantoms anyway."

"Dude…you mean like turning Jim into a changeling? So he could be human part of the time?" Toby kept trying to see the pages. "That would be awesome! As long as it didn't involve locking a human baby in the Darklands."

"Jim already has a human form," Blinky began slowly. "Yes, that just might work. That might be possible. He's already closer to human than a changeling." He pushed several pages aside, scouring the words. "We must find the experiments that turned trolls into changelings. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Morganna who helped inspire this method for the Gumm-Gumms."

"Not going to hurt people, are we?" Aaarrrgghh shifted, antsy. "Jim would not want that."

"No, of course not. But if Merlin didn't know the formula they used to make changelings, he might have dismissed the method out of hand." Blinky pulled out a list. "Yes, here."

"I knew the formula. I just knew it was impossible." Merlin stood just inside the door, brow a mass of angry wrinkles. Blinky turned his back pointedly. "I think you're ignoring the most important issue, namely Mordred."

"No, I'm pretty sure we're just ignoring you. But then that's what you always hated most. Being ignored." James ran a finger down the list. "If he can be human like a changeling, do you think that would let him remove the armor as well?"

Blinky shut his eyes, all of them, in thought. "If the armor is linked to his current form, yes. I think that would be possible. That's an idea, connecting this form to his amulet…genius!" He began scribbling. "Yes, I think this might be it!"

Merlin ran a hand down his face. "All right, first off, that's conjecture. Secondly, have you even looked at the list for what's required to create the formula to change an ordinary troll into a changeling? Powdered dragon fang, phoenix tears? Not to mention flesh, blood, and bone from a human. A whole baby in the Darklands would work. Unless one of you is willing to cut off your own hand, which I'm pretty sure Jim would not appreciate, this is a recipe you can't complete!"

Blinky's heart sank as he read through the list but he refused to let it drop completely. "I admit that some of these may be…unlikely. But I will research these and we will find a solution." He glared at Merlin. "I would think you of all people would hope for a chance to set things right for him, considering it was your desire to get your magic back from Morganna that resulted in him using the potion!"

Merlin shook his head. "We needed to kill Morganna, end this!"

Toby raised a finger. "Which we did not actually do."

Merlin looked at him very slowly. "Thank you. Being sealed in the Shadow Realm is pretty close." Toby shrugged.

"And you wouldn't let him contact us about the matter!" Blinky pointed at the table, thumping a stony finger against it. "You knew we would talk him out of it, help him, refuse to let him make such a sacrifice."

"No, you would have made it harder for him to do what he needed to for the greater good!" Merlin stamped his staff on the ground. "We've chased this around and around in circles. Obviously we have very different ideas on what the best course of action was. Either way, he is what he is. And I see no conceivable way of getting these ingredients. Half of these simply don't exist any longer! Or if they do, it will be a life threatening venture to get them! Who in their right mind is going to willingly give up a piece of their body?"

Blinky opened his mouth to argue but the sound of a sharp edge digging into the table made them all stiffen. With it was a sickening squelch of flesh and muscle, and a wet crunch of bone. "Bleeding stars," James grunted. Tucking Excalibur away, he used his good hand to pick up the one he'd just cut from his arm as the bloody stump seemed to regrow. "Take a good four hours for those nerves to set back up. Anyway." He tucked the recovering hand into his pocket and dangled his bloody appendage by a pinkie. "Someone want to get some ice for this?"

Toby slowly picked up a spare crate from under Blinky's work bench and held it out. "…That was the most metal thing I've ever seen."

End of Chapter 2


This is a legitimate question. We're led to believe trolls simultaneously do and do not go to the bathroom – Blinky's comments about "not a toilet" to a troll at one point and yet not understanding the human concept of needing to go to the bathroom. I have created a headcanon item in order to deal with it, one I really don't care for but I find it hard to find another solution. Possibly, in the method of owls, trolls have stomachs that can compact all indigestible items they consume into a tiny pellet that they can cough up. Not the same as waste, and considering what trolls usually eat, it would likely have a stony or fibrous texture. Unlike owls, I am assuming almost all of what they consume is broken down internally. Including tacos. Gatto doesn't count, he's got lava for digestive juices.

Like I said, not a solution I care for, but one that is far preferable to…well, other solutions. If canon contradicts this, I'm assuming it's a plot hole that we shall have to overlook.


Preview for Chapter 3

Claire stared at him. "You mean you want to break up?"

"No. Never. But…" Jim trailed off. "Claire, assuming Merlin can ever get my armor to come off, do you think it's even possible for a human-troll thing like me and a human woman to…you know…"

"'Excessively canoodle?'" His brows furrowed. "Dad's words, not mine. And don't call yourself a thing." She wrapped one arm around his shoulders, forehead against his temple. "I don't know. I mean, the being made out of stone thing might be a problem. And we couldn't have kids even if it was physically possible for us to be intimate. But I'd already thought about that stuff before I decided to come with you."

Jim had to fight to find his voice. "About the future, or about sex?"

"Both."

"Like…with me as a troll, or me as a human?"

"Again, both." His jaw dropped. Claire rolled her eyes. "You know, teenage girls do think about stuff too. Maybe not as much as boys, but the thoughts do occur. And I always thought you were cute Jim." Jim had to push aside the adolescent delirium that came with the realization that Claire had deemed him attractive enough as a human to think about. "My family is very traditional as far as sex and marriage, and I wouldn't want to do it unless I was married."

"Yeah. I understand." Marrying her would be a dream. "So what did you decide?"