Chapter 10, Arc 3: Memories
About a month had passed, though Draal scarcely noticed. What with a few skirmishes with a band of goblins as well as a pair of infernal helhiti that tried to make a den in the woods the Trollhunter had been kept busy, thus they all were. And that was the way he liked it. Activity kept the reflexes honed, made all of them better warriors.
But even though he was content to let most things in the everyday pass him by, Draal had noticed that Jim seemed like he had something on his mind, something that while it wasn't distracting him in training did ensure that when he returned from school and if there were no plans otherwise he would be sequestered in his room for a couple hours or so. It was curious, but Draal certainly wouldn't pry. If Jim wanted to tell him, the Trollhunter would, simple as that.
This particular eve Draal was seated by the furnace, polishing his metal arm and every now and then flicking out a few red coals to munch on, though after a stern lecture from Barbara the one time he ate too many coals and the fire died he made sure to toss a few back in as exchange. (He would never admit that she'd just about intimidated him. Formidable indeed!) There was no training planned for either earlier in the day or that night, and he was beginning to muse over how to occupy himself when he heard the basement for open.
"Draal," came Jim's voice, "I know you like to but don't attack me this time; my hands are full and I can't drop this." Draal snorted in amusement, but called back,
"You're safe, Trollhunter... for now." He couldn't help the addition as the teenager came down the steps. He had something dark-colored and rectangular with a cord tucked under one arm and something smaller with a cord in the other hand, and was grinning.
"Thanks for the favor," he replied before promptly starting to set up what he had. Ah, one of those portable computers. What did they call them...yes, a 'laptop.' Ridiculous name as Claire had said once that laptops became rather warm on the bottom as they were used, meaning humans rarely could use them in their lapis for long without discomfort. His, Draal observed, Jim had placed on a box and pulled over closer to Draal, plugging the laptop's cord into the wall and the control device - a 'mouse' (seriously, humans gave strange names to things sometimes, though if he squinted it might faintly resemble a rodent) - into the side, setting it on a soft pad he pulled from his back pocket.
"What is all this for?" Draal finally asked. "I hope you're not intending to try to convince me those 'cat videos' are funny again."
"Not this time. This is my mom's old laptop, but after this you can keep it if you want." Draal quirked a brow ridge, but Jim just continued by opening the top and pressing a button nearby to the screen. "Power on, then just wait a bit. There's an icon - a small picture - in the middle of the screen. Just move the arrow over it and click the button here - " He tapped the left button on the mouse. " - and it'll do the rest." With that the Trollhunter gave one last smile, turned, and left. The door clicked closed even as the computer screen came up, utterly blank except for a couple icons on the left side...and a lone one in the middle. It was named 'For Draal.'
For a long moment Draal sat there, musing over the Trollhunter's words and odd behavior. He looked at the icon, as if he could determine its purpose through simple examination. Of course, it yielded little beyond it being intended for him. He snorted, debating whether to ignore what he thought was likely going to be nonsense, some human foolishness, but then he relented. If this had come from Toby he would've dismissed it at once, but this had come from the Trollhunter. He wouldn't do this unless there was good reason.
So he reached out, moved the mouse so he could find the arrow cursor, them carefully moved it to the icon and clocked once (kind of Jim to set it up as a single click; Draal had tried before when they'd attempted to teach him computer use but couldn't quite get the hang of 'double clicking.'). A program started up a few moments later, a video player.
"Alright, Trollhunter," the Troll warrior muttered to himself, getting comfortable to watch. "What do you want me to see?" He had his answer a moment later.
At first he could've sworn he was simply seeing Trollmarket, but something seemed...off. There were far fewer lights, both phosphorescent crystals and torches than he was used to. When he realized where the video was located he saw places where he knew there should be homes and businesses, but there was nothing. Audio gave no clue to what was going on as it was the normal chatter of the shopping district, until something came through as clear as crystal.
"Blinkous! Blinkous!"
Draal froze in place where he sat; he couldn't mistake that voice if he was half-stone from injuries. The call seemed to come from behind as the view turned - was he somehow seeing through the scholar's eyes? - to see Kanjigar hurrying towards his friend. Draal's mouth feel open in shock - his father looked so young! Near to his own present age, If he had to guess. Rather than clad in the Trollhunter armor as Draal was long-accustomed to his father was wearing a loincloth much as he himself wore and a baldric across one shoulder, a sword's grip and pommel just visible behind him.
Kanjigar ran up to Blinkous - it had to be his eyes Draal was indeed seeing this through, as he caught a glimpse of the scholar's upper arms when his father grabbed hold of them - far more excited than Draal had ever seen him before, joyous even, and exclaimed,
"Vendel confirmed it! Merelda - she's carrying our whelp! I'm going to be a father!" Merelda - Draal's mother's name!
"Congratulations!" Blinky laughed, Kanjigar's elation infectious. From the side came Aaarrrggghh's rumbling voice, speaking Trollish of course as they all were as he stepped partially into view.
"Congratulations! You've wanted this a long time."
"Ah, so, so long!" agreed Kanjigar. He ran a hand over his face, grinning widely and seeming dazed from his emotions. "It's – it's almost hard to believe. We've waited and hoped, and now – it's coming true! A child, of our own! Me – a father! It feels like there's so much I need to do to get ready!" Blinky laughed again.
"How long did Vendel estimate until your whelp is born?"
"A few months yet."
"Then there is plenty of time. Come! Aaarrrggghh and I shall help you get started – after a moment to celebrate this wonderful occasion!" Kanjigar took his place between them, grinning again, and they began heading down the street as he exclaimed once more,
"At last – I'm going to be a father!"
The images faded in a brief fog-like transition, and for a moment Draal thought it was over. But no, a scene reformed only this time it was much more recognizable: the short hallway leading to the door that opened into his father's bedroom. The height gave a clue to whose eyes he was seeing through this time as did the gentle, soft, but heavy knock that signaled a large hand giving it. From the room beyond came Kanjigar's voice.
"Come in, Aaarrrggghh." The door opened as Aaarrrggghh stepped inside, apparently expected as he greeted Kanjigar who was seated on the edge of the bed, beside a female Troll who was reclining against some pillows in the bed, covered under a fur as if resting, whom Draal had never seen before but knew on sight.
After all he'd been told before that he got his double horns and spikes from his mother.
Seeing them together – his parents! - Draal was forced to swallow heavily and his heart was racing. He could see in both of them where his own features came from - her horns and spikes, some of his father's facial traits, some from his mother, his coloration a blend of their combined complexations, shoulder width purely from his father... it was a little overwhelming. But not so much that he didn't see something small wrapped in a blanket in his mother's arms.
"Blinky said it was alright to visit now," the Krubera said softly, moving more into the room with all the silence he could muster.
"Yes, it is," agreed Merelda – Draal felt his breath catch; he'd never heard her voice, had no memory of it, yet now - ! His mother chuckled and passed the bundle that had been against her to Kanjigar. "I know how much you've wanted to show him off to both your friends." Kanjigar only chuckled, taking the bundle and turning it slightly, moving some of the blanket so Aaarrrggghh could see better.
"His name is Draal." Draal could only shake his head slightly; it was strange seeing himself like this, so young that even the places where he would have spikes and horns were little more than discoloration, not even likely hardened spots. It could only be a few days, a week at most!
"Draal," repeated Aaarrrggghh, the smile in his voice likely reflecting the one on his face at the moment. "A good name, a strong one. It will be nice to see life begin and grow, instead of end and die."
"Yes," agreed Kanjigar, "I'd expect this will be a first for you."
"A welcome first, from this close."
"Well, you – and Blinkous – are of course welcome as much as you like," Merelda put in. "Between the three of you, I trust our son will become everything I hope he will be."
"I'll do what I can," promised Aaarrrggghh.
Memories! Draal realized as his shock-muddled mind finally processed things. These had to be memories from those who were around him when he was little! As the scene faded Draal, awestruck and shaking, fumbled for the mouse to bring it back. Then he noticed there was still much ahead and took a breath, telling himself to be patient.
The next scene was shorter, but just as emotional: someone watching from a doorway, unseen by the subjects, as his mother sat in a chair in his parents' room with her babe in her arms. Draal guessed he was perhaps a year or so at this point, still quite young and helpless by Troll standards. She was gently swaying forwards and back, rocking him in her arms as she sang a Troll lullaby to him, soothing him into peaceful sleep. While most Troll music was very heavily rhythmic and harsh in beat (excusing the Quagawumps, but their music was the astounding exception), Trollmother's songs for their children were always soft and serene, treasured secret melodies they sung only for them alone (and occasionally eavesdropping fathers). The warrior felt his heart lurch as he heard the song, instinctively knowing each note as if he'd heard it all his life even though he couldn't remember it otherwise.
The next scene to fade into view was once more in a familiar place – this time the living room of his house, only there were far fewer weapons hanging on the walls in Kanjigar's collection – and whoever's eyes he was seeing through were looking at Draal himself, a little bit older this time. Perhaps ten years, maybe closer to thirteen? He was sitting on the floor some distance away, his mother behind him just then gently pulling him to stand on two, rather than the knuckle-down posture that was a Troll equivalent to crawling at a young age.
"Who's eyes?" he softly mused, answered when a familiar pair of bracer-clad arms appeared.
"Ok, son," Kanjigar encouraged, gesturing for Draal to come to him. "Lets try some more. Walk to me, son. Come to me." Toddler-Draal made it about two steps before he dropped back down, seeking balance, and Kanjigar stood and moved to him, pulling him back up and holding him steady as he crouched in front of him. "Like this, Draal. I know you can do it. C'mon." He let go of his son's hands and shifted back. "Just a few steps. Right to me!" This time he made it all the way, tumbling into his father's arms to enthusiastic praise from them both.
The next images again seemed to come from Kanjigar, though he could hear his mother singing from somewhere else, perhaps a next room over. Whelp-Draal was playing with some toys on the floor, moving them around and rolling a ball in some game only he understood, while Kanjigar sat nearby watching. His mother spoke, drawing his father's gaze for a moment, then when Kanjigar looked back it was to a flash of something in his vision then he gave a yelp of pain.
"Are you alright, Kanjigar?" Merelda asked, concerned. The screen was black so Draal could only hear her voice, as apparently Kanjigar had his eyes closed, but he replied in a voice more amused than hurt,
"I'm alright. It just seems our son has a warrior's aim already!" The scene came back, first one-sided then slowly Kanjigar opened both eyes. Whelp-Draal was looking at him, eyes wide as if unsure whether or not he was in trouble, then he heard his father chuckle.
"No, Draal, don't throw your toys at me. Here." Kanjigar reached into a nearby box and pulled out what looked like a severely less-intimidating replica of kind of monster. Draal realized he remembered the toy; it was buried in a chest back at home. "Throw your toys at this instead!" When Kanjigar set it down, Whelp-Draal looked at it, blew a raspberry at it, then flung one of his balls at it as hard as he could, knocking it down easily. "Well done!" Briefly the scene glanced to a doorway where he could see his mother standing, back to them as she did something, then Kanjigar looked back at his son and leaned in close. "Well, you can also throw your toys at Vendel, but don't tell your mother or him I said that!"
The next scene, from Kanjigar again, was brief once more but told quite a tale as the warrior looked down at a sleeping Whelp-Draal in his arms. Kanjigar took a breath that shuddered in his lungs, and his arms tightened slightly.
"Don't worry, Draal. We'll be fine. I'll take care of you, and Blinkous and Aaarrrggghh will help as well – you'll like them, when you get to know them more. You've got nothing to worry about." Another shuddering breath and the image blurred for a moment before it went black as it had before – was Kanjigar...weeping? Then the image came back as his father opened his eyes, and Draal found his own eyes heating with tears as he listened to the next words. "And when you're older, I'll tell you all about your mother, and how she'll always be watching over us from the Void, and how much she loved you."
Next Draal watched as he saw himself just a little bit older but still quite young, so perhaps fifteen or so and again from Kanjigar's view, come charging around a corner at Aaarrrggghh when he and Blinky came over to watch over the whelp for a bit, roaring as loud as he could and headbutting the Krubera in the arm. He laughed at himself.
"Oh by Merlin, was I actually that ridiculous?" he couldn't help but ask aloud, watching in amusement as he engaged in a 'growling contest' with Aaarrrggghh, who pretended to faint when Whelp-Draal 'roared' (Draal hoped in the name of all past Trollhunters that certain individuals never heard that sound come from his mouth, or he'd never hear the end of it!) and sat on his shoulder in triumph, then later when Kanjigar apparently returned home to find Whelp-Draal asleep on Aaarrrggghh's back.
"Hmm... didn't Jim mention something about me riding on another's shoulders..." A query to investigate later.
The next scene was out in Trollmarket, though the eyes he was seeing through he couldn't place right away as he saw himself, a Troll toddler, seated on his father's shoulders and looking around with wide- inquisitive eyes.
"Good morning, Vendel!" Kanjigar greeted. Ah, that explained whose eyes!
"Good morning, Kanjigar, and of course Draal." Whelp-Draal held onto one of his father's horns, holding a knotted-cloth toy – a Troll version of a plush – in one hand and looking at the Trollmarket leader somewhat shyly.
(Yet another thing to hope no one ever found about – since when was Draal the Deadly ever shy or hesitant around anyone? Thank Merlin he grew out of that!)
Kanjigar and Vendel shared a little conversation, then bid one another farewell and started to part ways, the warrior moving past the staff-bearing Troll. But Vendel abruptly stopped with a small sound of surprise.
"Ah! What just hit me?" He turned and looked down at his feet to see the toy Whelp-Draal had been holding before on the ground. His gaze raised – Draal could only imagine the expression he held, skeptical and affronted and every bit Vendel – as Kanjigar approached again and bent to pick up the toy.
"My apologies, Vendel. Whelps and their games." Oh, Draal knew his father well enough to see the amusement in his eyes, though it had often been hidden during his time as Trollhunter.
"Quite. Well, carry on." Vendel turned and left them, and the scene shifted until he was seeing from his father's view of the same scene, watching the other depart. Kanjigar glanced up at Whelp-Draal, chucking as he handed the toy back.
"Well done, Draal – good aim!" Draal laughed out loud again; hard to believe Kanjigar had gotten him in on a 'conspiracy' to throw things at Vendel when he was little!
The next scene was once again from Kanjigar, and once more in Trollmarket's streets and seated on a boulder while Whelp-Draal sat beside him, eating what was a sweet treat favored by the young. But this time his father turned at a voice Draal didn't know to see a female Troll... in the armor of the Trollhunter, Daylight on her back. Draal's mouth fell open in shock.
"Master Deya!" Kanjigar greeted, laying a hand on Whelp-Draal's shoulder. "Son, say hello to Master Deya." Whelp-Draal looked up at her, eyes widening as he took in the sight of her, and waved a hand, clearly not willing to forsake his sweet for a vocal response.
"Hello, Kanjigar. Hello, Draal," Deya replied with a smile. "I see you have a fondness for those as well."
"His favorite treat when we're out shopping," confirmed Kanjigar. Whelp-Draal nodded heartily in agreement, making Deya laugh, then he pointed to the glowing Amulet on her chest. She glanced down at it, then smiled at the whelp, crouching down to be more on his level and removing the Amulet so he could get a closer look.
"This is the Amulet of Merlin," Deya explained kindly. "It is what makes me the Trollhunter."
"Trollhunter," echoed Whelp-Draal around his treat. Kanjigar chuckled, as did the Trollhunter herself. Was it Draal's imagination, or in the images did Master Deya seem... burdened?
"Who knows?" She mused as she straightened. "Perhaps some day you will be given this task, young one. And if what I have heard about you – and what I know of your heritage - " Here she smiled at Kanjigar. " - if that were to happen you would give the Gumm-Gumms something to fear!"
"Not that we wish you to relinquish the role too soon, Master Deya!" interjected Kanjigar sincerely. "Not after everything that you've done." The frown was audible in his father's next words. "Speaking of that, when do you depart for Europe?"
"Tomorrow at nightfall." Deya sighed heavily; yes, Draal was certain that she was feeling burdened, or tired, perhaps even sorrowful. "While I hope it is mere rumors, even the possibility of a Xinarlian rising is something that must be taken seriously."
Draal's breath caught. A Xinarlian! That was Deya the Deliverer's final quest!
"This is... right before she perished!" he gasped softly, awestruck that he'd actually met her, even so young. The two Trollhunters he respected the most, the two he admired the most (not counting a certain human who was quickly joining them on that list), with him at the same time... it was awe-inspiring. And Draal had to wonder with Deya's expression as she complimented Kanjigar on a recent excursion by his patrol and chatted with Whelp-Draal himself about what he'd been learning and if he was wielding a sword yet (a playful comment that got another enthusiastic nod, for all the 'sword' was made of wood scraps found but the scavenging teams) - did she know? Somehow, as she stood there looking so weary, as if her armor and sword weighed more than the Heartstone itself, did she realize that this would be her final Calling, that she would leave Trollmarket never to return again alive?
And if so, did that mean Kanjigar also knew when it was his final hunt?
Quickly Draal shook his head, dislodging the potentially maddening thought and refocusing on the screen. Master Deya had straightened, and was bidding them farewell with a pat to Kanjigar's shoulder and a hand resting briefly on Whelp-Draal's head, both gestures somehow having the aura of a blessing, then turned and strode away. As she left Kanjigar leaned down to his son and whispered,
"Draal, remember this: through your life, try your best to have even a fraction of the honor as that Troll, as Deya the Deliverer, who saved us all."
"I've tried," whispered Draal back as the image faded and returned once more. "I've tried, and failed many times, but I'm still trying."
This time the scene was dim. Draal knew the setting at once, though much was changed: it was his bedroom. His whelp-self was laying in the bed, sleeping peacefully. His father, for it had to be Kanjigar, crouched at his bedside stroking a hand over his nubs gently.
And Draal noticed his hand was clad in the armor of the Trollhunter.
"Draal... my son..." Kanjigar whispered. Whelp-Draal shifted in his sleep, smiling a bit from his father's touch but didn't awaken. "While I have accepted this responsibility, I know that it changes everything. A part of me wishes I had not been chosen because I know of everyone I care about, you will be affected the most." The image went dark as Kanjigar bowed his head to rest against his son's bedside, but he kept speaking. "But at the same time, I know this is right. I will not fail as the Trollhunter. I have the strength to fight, and to win, no matter what they throw at me... because I know that back here you'll be waiting. I'm going to protect you, Draal, just as I promised long, long ago, both from enemies that might take your life and the dangers and pain that come from being the son of the Trollhunter... even if my own heart shatters in the process. I just hope that somehow, even despite the choice I've decided to make, somewhere you will remember that I love you so very much, and always will." Kanjigar straightened and leaned down to press his brow against his son's for a long moment, then sighed a shaky breath and stood, leaving the room.
By this point Draal had his own tears running once more down his face. He'd not heard his father speak so emotionally since...
...since Angor Rot was destroyed, and for a brief time he saw his father's spirit, heard his voice again.
The screen went totally black, and Draal thought it was over, but a small bit of unwatched video remained. Not bothering to dry his face he waited. And what appeared was a place he had never seen before nor could have imagined, a place of starlight and blue-white outlines of what looked remarkably like the Hero's Forge.
And before him was Kanjigar, not as he'd seen in the memories, but as he'd just seem him in his own recent history, as the souls of once-trapped Trollhunters were set free.
"Father!"
"My son." Kanjigar's spirit-voice was heavy with emotion, every word seeming both to be a struggle and to be vital at the same time. "James Lake has assured me that this message will somehow reach you, though I honestly don't understand the technology of it all." He sighed. "I wanted to say this, Draal, because I regret my mistakes towards you in the last centuries of my life, the most of your life. I pushed you away because of fearful reasons when I should have been cherishing every second I had with you, when I wasn't Called to be the Trollhunter. I should have been a father, as I'd wanted for so long to be, instead of starting the rift between us that turned into a canyon that neither of us could bridge in life. I can only hope to try now." Another shuddering breath, and a spectral tear tracked Kanjigar's cheek. "I want you to know I refused to let you join me on the battlefield not because I doubted your prowess. You earned your moniker of 'the Deadly' and 'the Destroyer' fairly, and many times even I was in awe of your power. You were the only Troll I ever sparred with, aside from Deya herself, who could match me blow for blow. No, I refused because I feared what would happen should Bular discover that you were my son. Just as you yourself saw with the current Trollhunter, a cowardly but devious enemy will target family members, and I would not have you captured and at their mercy. I – I know that were that choice put before me – I cannot say which I would choose."
"Trollmarket, father. I know which, and I wouldn't have faulted you. I'd gladly give my life for that cause."
"But never did I stop loving you, nor stop being proud of you. Many times it was all I could do to not shout as loud as I could in pride when you won a sparring match, or were playing Pyrobligst, or even simply when I saw you training and doing so well. Though it may sound poor as the Trollhunter for me to say this, it was you I was fighting so hard for, wanting to ensure this world, the world I was saving for you to enjoy and thrive in, would be free of as many trials and hardships as I could." Both the spirit father and his living son were shedding tears neither paid any mind to. "I – also hoped that after me the Amulet wouldn't choose you, because I wanted you to life a long life, free of the burdens that many times are crushing. I made many mistakes in how I treated you, and I can only hope that someday you may forgive me for them."
"I do forgive you, father! I've never blamed you – only myself."
"Never, ever, Draal, did I feel you were unworthy, or had you lost my respect and love for you had never done anything to lose it in the first place. The truth is I love you so much, my son, that even in the Void Between Worlds it makes my heart hurt. Just as the pride I feel towards you does. Never forget what I said to you in the Heroe's Forge, and never forget what I say to you now. I am so very proud of you, and I love you so very, very much. And someday we will stand face to face again. I will find a way! I promise you that! We will not be parted forever. Never forget that!"
"I won't!"
"Finally, if you ever feel like you doubt, or need to hear this message again for any reason, I have been told this – video – will last for quite some time. So whenever you need to hear me, my son, I will be here. And when you wish to speak to me, remember this: I can always hear you from the Hero's Forge, even if I can't answer." Kanjigar gave one final, shuddering breath, then managed a smile. "Until we see one another again, Draal – I love you."
The screen went black. The video was over.
Draal sat staring at it for a long while, then bowed his head and his shoulders shook as the tears freely fell.
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Jim sprawled on the couch in the living room, the TV on but not really paying attention to it. It had been a couple of hours since he'd gone down into the basement with the laptop, and he knew the video was roughly an hour and a half long. A part of him wondered if making it had been the right thing to do, or if Draal had even humored him enough to start the video in the first place. He was just starting to berate himself for a rediculous idea when he felt and heard two thumps sound from below. It was a pre-arranged signal: if Draal wanted to know if it was safe to come up he'd lightly (for him) tap his fist on the ceiling beam of the basement, and if it was safe someone would stomp twice in return, or any other amount if it wasn't. Jim sat up and stamped his foot twice, and a few moments later the basement door opened and Draal made his way into the living room. Jim quickly took in his Troll friend's appearance, noting he seemed subdued and there were tear marks on face.
"You – made that for me," Draal stated, voice rough and thick with more emotion that Jim had ever heard in the warrior.
"Yeah."
"Why?" Jim and Draal looked at one another for a moment, then Jim stood and moved to the shelf that held all the VHS tapes left in the Lake household.
"Do you remember when my mom and I started replacing these, and said that the ones in the box could be snacks, but the ones on the shelves were off-limits?" Draal just nodded. Jim ran his hand over a shelf full of them. "These are home movies. Videos of when I was a kid, and even a baby." Jim looked at his oft-sparring partner. "Do you remember last month when we got onto the subject of your age and all?" Another nod. "Well, something that was said got me thinking, and I went to the Void to ask Kanjigar about you when you were little. He said that you were so young when he became Trollhunter you didn't remember anything else." Jim's gaze turned again to the tapes. "I don't care about my own father – I've said that enough – but I care about my mom probably as much as you do for your dad. I know that if the worst happened, and I ever thought I was forgetting her voice or what she looked like, or just needed to be reminded that she loved me, I can watch one of these again and there she is." Jim's voice picked up a strong intensity as his emotions rose, "But even if things like that or even photographs were around when you were a whelp I highly doubt that a working camera could've been gotten to Trollmarket. You and your dad sacrificed so much for Trollmarket – but you don't even have a single picture of the two of you together! And that – that wasn't fair!" His hand on the shelf clenched into a fist. Then it relaxed as his shoulders eased. "So... when I realized that my phone could take videos in the Void, I asked Kanjigar to show me his memories of you when you wre little. Then I asked Blinky and Vendel if there was a way to show the memories of others too, and they found a crystal-rune that would make it happen. So I got their memories too, and Aaarrrggghh's, so you'd have some where you'd see your dad with you and not just what he'd experienced with you." Finally Jim raised his gaze to Draal to find the warrior had barely moved or even twitched a fraction of an inch, still seeming dazed. "I made a lot of copies, on my computer and on discs too, so if something happens to that file it's not gone forever. And only Vendel, Blinky, Aaarrrggghh, and I know about it. I didn't tell Claire or Tobes, because I knew there would be some personal stuff on there. So as far as I'm concerned, that video doesn't exist unless you need another copy."
Draal still didn't speak, didn't move, and Jim began to worry again that he'd broken some Troll taboo unknowingly, or offended Draal with seeing such intimate moments.
Then Draal took a step towards him and wrapped Jim in a tight embrace.
For a second Jim was surprised, then when he felt a shudder go through his friend he returned the hug as best he could.
"Thank you," was all Draal said, shoulders fighting not to tremble again. Jim pretended not to notice the tears shimmering in the Troll's eyes as he pulled back; truth be told Jim's eyes were feeling a bit burning too.
Draal gave a shaky, but deeply grateful, smile and turned back towards the basement.
"Where you going?" asked Jim, smilng as well. Draal glanced back.
"To listen to my father again, and hear my mother sing to me."
As the basement door closed and Jim returned to the couch, he couldn't help but reflect that in all his time as Trollhunter that may have been the best 'Calling' he'd ever undertaken.
He'd definitely made the right choice.
And down in the basement of a human house a Troll warrior watched a computer screen and was reminded just how much his parents loved him.
((Thanks to my husband for helping with Merelda's name, and while writing this I made myself cry! So many feels! Feel free to blame my muse for any tear-damaged items. I apologize if Draal or Kanjigar are OOC at all, but I like to headcanon that there's a lot more emotion between them than they ever openly displayed.
Also a thanks to Forever-Furuba for catching a slight mis -titling for Draal. Fixed now!))