((Ok, I know that by canon this might be off about the respective ages of all involved. But the idea hit me after some discussion with Oliver2016 and seeing a drawing of a certain Troll as a whelp, so I'm running with it! For age reference, he's around human equivalent of about 2, so a toddler. I'm also going off of a ratio of aging I've heard of 15 years is essentially 1 year for Trolls growing up.

I really think you're awesome, Draal, please don't kill me for this!))

Chapter 4 Whelpsitting

"I really can't thank the two of you enough," Kanjigar said to Blinky and Aaarrrggghh as he led the two into his home.

"Our pleasure," Blinky replied. "You have your duty to Trollmarket after all, and it would be highly unwise for Draal's aunt to watch him while she is feeling ill. Besides, Draal knows us and we've watched him before a couple of times, so there should be no problem." The reassurance finally seemed to relax the warrior.

"I know. I suppose that ever since we lost his mother I've been a bit over-cautious about his will-being."

"As any good father should be!" They entered the main chamber, which aside from a few toys scattered on the floor was devoid of any whelps. "Where is he?" Kanjigar couldn't fight a grin.

"If the past few days have been any indication, we'll find out soon enough!"

"Raaaaaawwwr!"

The tiny battlecry was followed by the sound of small feet and hands thudding against the stone floor as Draal came charging around a corner to ram his head into Aaarrrggghh's arm as hard as he could! Though Draal was bounced backwards by the impact and the big Krubera likely didn't feel even a tiny sting, he cried out as if in shock and 'limped' away from his friends, letting the whelp follow after him with the youngster growling as fiercely as he could like he was a terrifying Troll warrior.

"I see what you mean." Blinky could hardly keep the laughter from his voice.

"His current favorite game: Warrior Troll. Aaarrrggghh can expect to be growled at, jumped on, and in general battered."

"He'll enjoy himself," Blinky assured, and indeed Aaarrrggghh had 'recovered from his injury' and was facing off with the whelp. Draal would growl at him, and Aaarrrggghh would growl back, crouching down in a mock threatening manner. In response Draal crouched down in a similar style, clearly trying to imitate, and growled louder. So Aaarrrggghh put more oomph into his growl, letting his lip curl up more. Draal blinked, momentarily baffled, then took a deep breath and 'roared' as loudly as he could!

The sound... was actually quite adorable.

"Aah!" Aaarrrggghh yelped and recoiled, then fell over onto his side like Draal had frightened him into a faint. A big smile found the whelp's face, and he scurried up Aaarrrggghh's side to sit on his shoulder, the triumphant victor. Kanjigar laughed aloud.

"That's my Warrior!" Draal slid down Aaarrrggghh's arm and scurried over to his father, who bent to scoop his son into his arms. "Alright, Draal, now I have to go out on patrol for a couple hours, but Blinky and Aaarrrggghh will stay here with you. I'll be back as quick as I can, and in the meantime be good for them, okay?" Draal blinked, but nodded.

"We'll have a great time!" Blinky put in, taking Draal from his father. "Ah, look at how your horns have grown!" It was looking like Draal would someday have a double set of horns, by the arrangement of nubs there now, and he had hard spots on his forearms and on his back that would probably turn into spikes. Draal smiled, as he always did at Blinky's voice, and latched onto one of Blinky's horns.

"Be good for Blinky and Aaarrrggghh," instructed Kanjigar, "and remember, don't play rough with Blinky." He gently pressed his forehead to his son's, then turned and headed out. Briefly Blinky remembered the first time they had agreed to take care of the whelp for a time - the moment Kanjigar had closed the door Draal had started sobbing for his father, and it had taken them half an hour to console him - but after fifteen year's maturity the whelp was just as comfortable to be with them as with his father, and after giving the small Troll a hug the scholar set him down again, giving Draal free access to his current playmate. By decision of practicality Blinky was in charge of storytime, naptime, and feedings, and Aaarrrggghh playtime, especially the more rough sort.

Which is what Draal wanted at the moment as he charged at the 'recovered' Aaarrrggghh, jumping clumsily to headbutt intro the large Troll's chest. Aaarrrggghh wrapped him arms around Draal and fell over, taking the whelp with him giggling all the way.

For the next two hours Blinky, Aaarrrggghh, and Draal quite enjoyed one another's company. Blinky sat in Kanjigar's comfortable chair and watched as his friend and his friend's son romped around, Aaarrrggghh showing Draal a few beginner combat moves disguised as play, such as locking their hands together to wrestle and from that wrapping his much larger hands around the whelp's hands and wrists, lifting him from his feet to swing him around in the air getting shrieks of delight.

Finally, when Draal was making shaky, wobbling rolls towards Aaarrrggghh much as some Trolls used as an attack – probably something he'd seen, and at this point more a few seconds bracing his hands and head on the ground, then a push and a flop-tumble to a sitting position rather than back to his feet – and Aaarrrggghh looking worn, Blinky caught Draal's attention and inquired whether he'd like to hear a story about the Trollhunter. Naturally as fascinated with such a legendary warrior as any young Troll was, that got his interest at once and they spend a good portion of time with Draal tucked into Blinky's lap listening intently to Daya the Deliverer facing down and defeating three of Gunmar's (mention of the dark Gumm-Gumm got a raspberry and a growl) commanders in single combat, with Aaarrrggghh listening attentively even though he of course already knew the story; he just liked hearing Blinky tell stories.

By the time Kanjigar returned, just five minutes after his appointed return, he found his son comfortably draped across Aaarrrggghh's furry back asleep. Draal's pillow peeked an eye open and smiled, seeming quite content to lay there for a while if needed. Blinky waved from the chair, and got up to greet Kanjigar.

"All go well?"

"Yes." Kanjigar smiled. "As I take it things have here."

"He was no problem at all, and he's only been asleep about ten minutes; it shouldn't interfere with his normal sleep at all."

"I know Draal always enjoys the time he spends with you. Sometimes I think he understands how close we are, and wants to join in on that." The warrior moved over to relieve Aaarrrggghh of his little passenger, and Draal sleepily woke up to blink up at his father a moment, give a smile and a small growling noise that was half-squeak in his sleepy state, then lay his head down on Kanjigar's chest and pass right back out.

After a few more quiet bits of conversation, mostly to do with extending an offer to watch the whelp again if ever need be and to get together soon for some fun, perhaps a meal, and then Blinky and Aaarrrggghh headed out to return home.

((And, many years later, Draal is insanely thankful that there was nothing like camera or camcorders around during this time. No physical evidence, so he can deny all he wants - Until someone finds some magic potion or something to 'play' memories! XD))