Barbara was a bundle of nerves as she and Walter ventured through the tunnels leading to New Trollmarket. One moment she smiled in excitement, the next she bit her lip anxiously. She glanced down at her hand. Her stomach fluttered again as she saw her engagement ring, glittering even in the dim light.
Every time doubts about their future crowded into his mind, Walter looked down at the ring on Barbara's finger, and its presence set him at ease. He still marveled that she'd accepted his proposal, and that she wore the ring openly. On their way to New Jersey, several people asked Barbara about her fiancé. Every time she told him about another encounter, Walter was surprised to see the light in her eyes as she related the roundabout conversations.
Barbara started chewing on a nail again.
Walter put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's going to be alright," he assured. "Jim is a good kid – a great one, in fact."
"I know…" Barbara sighed, letting her hand fall back to her side. "It's just… such a big decision, and I want him to be a part of it. You think he'll be happy about this?" she asked.
"Hmmm?" Walter blinked thoughtfully. "Well." He looked over his shoulder, keeping his eyes away from Barbara. "That's…"
"We're here!" she gasped, racing forward through the arched entrance.
Walter sighed in relief as Barbara's attention shifted from him to New Trollmarket. He followed her through the door and out into the vast underground cavern.
"Hey, Mom!" The voice called Barbara's attention to where Jim sat across from Claire nearby. Between them lay a set of cards, dealt out appropriately for a classic game of "Go Fish."
"Jim!" Barbara screamed in delight, rushing to her son and falling on her knees beside him as she hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy to see you!" she announced joyfully.
Jim laughed, his face glad. He patted his mother's shoulder. "It's only been a few months," he pointed out.
"And you don't think that's a long time?!" Barbara asked, gaping at him in disbelief as she sat down beside her son. "Three months is forever!"
Claire grinned. "Congratulations on the successful mission."
"Thank you!" Barbara beamed back at Claire. "It was fun, but I'm so ready to go home." She let out a contented sigh.
Jim smiled. "I'm glad it went alright." He sent Walter a thankful smile.
Walter returned the smile awkwardly, knowing there was a significant chance Jim was going to regret that gesture.
As if on cue, Barbara held up her hand and exclaimed, "I've got exciting news. Look!" She showcased the ring on her finger.
Jim blinked hard at the spectacle, stunned.
"Wait a minute –" Claire gaped. "Is that… an engagement ring?!"
"Yes, it is!" Barbara gushed.
Jim stared at her, mouth hanging open.
"For real?!" Claire gasped. "Who's the guy?! No… wait." She looked up at Walter. "No way! Mr. Strickler?"
Barbara nodded and stood up, taking Walter's hand. "He asked me the day we finished our mission. I said 'yes'!"
Jim didn't move, his mouth still hung open and his eyes stared blankly. He looked like he'd been frozen in time or turned into a statue.
"Jim…?" Barbara waved a hand in front of his still face. "Sweetie, are you alright?"
A second later Jim shook his head and blinked hard, falling out of his shocked trance. He grabbed a fistful of his hair and looked up to see his mother's hand wrapped around Walter's, the engagement band shining in the glaring lights of New Trollmarket down below.
"Jim?" Barbara asked again.
"Sorry – Excuse me." Jim cleared his throat. "Let me get this straight. You." He pointed at Walter. "Asked my mom to – to –" He couldn't force the words out, "To what?!" he bellowed, shooting to his feet. "You intend to –How would that even work?! You can't just – You – That – ARGHH!" he roared in frustration.
"Jim." Claire stood up and laid a staying hand on Jim's shoulder.
"No!" Jim turned to her then back to his mother. "You can't be serious – just springing this on me!" He furiously searched for a reason to object to the shocking news. Finally, he blurted, "He's a troll!" Jim's eyes betrayed his bewilderment and the young hybrid troll grabbed his head, fighting to make sense of this revelation.
"Jim…" Barbara faltered.
Walter's expression was firm, determined, as he looked at Jim. He let go of Barbara's hand and stepped forward, reaching into his pocket and pulling out Merlin's vial. "Last time we were here, I requested this potion of the wizard," he said. "It has the power to turn a troll into a human… permanently. I am not going to let Barbara raise Emil alone. I intend to help her with that endeavor in whatever way I can. Emil is my son; I'm going to become what he needs me to be – a human." He held up the vial.
Jim looked from the silvery liquid to Walter. "Human…?" he asked, surprised. "You just intend to turn yourself into a human and you think that'll fix everything?!" he demanded.
"This was not an easy decision for me, Jim," Walter chided. "As I am sure it wasn't an easy decision for you to become part troll."
"It's not the same thing!" Jim growled. "So, you're just going to become human, marry my mom, and go home to Arcadia to raid a child with her?!" Jim snarled at Walter. "You can't do that!"
"That is exactly what I intend to do," Walter rumbled back.
"That – You – ARGHH!" Jim covered his face with his hands as he hissed angrily, the sound nearly turning into a roar.
"Jim!" Barbara stepped forward, but Walter held out an arm, blocking her path.
"Stay back. It will only hurt him more if he accidentally harms you," Walter warned.
"Jim wouldn't..." Barbara gasped.
"He wouldn't do it intentionally. Troll emotions can be quite raw," Walter explained. "Claire, please step back," he cautioned the girl.
With a gulp, Claire did as she was told.
Walter stepped forward and confronted Jim. "You're shocked, and you're angry."
"Shut up," Jim hissed, baring his fangs in a trollish show of strength.
"You need to get rid of these frustrations; don't suppress them," Walter said. "You want to hit me, don't you? Then do it; hit me." Walter beckoned Jim toward him.
The changeling didn't need to ask twice. Jim's fist flew at Walter, cracking into his face and sending him to the floor.
Everyone gasped, Jim included, but Walter stood up and dusted himself off as though nothing happened.
"I... I'm sorry," Jim mumbled.
"Nothing to apologize for. It is a part of your nature now, Jim. Trolls are quite protective of those they consider family," Walter said. "And I can take it. Trolls do frequently express themselves through combat."
"Would you stop that!" Jim shouted in Walter's face. "Stop trying to act so calm and clever. Just… leave me alone!" He turned and ran, putting as much distance between himself and Walter as he could.
"Jim!" Barbara called out, starting after her son.
"Stop." Walter held her back. "He needs to get this out of his system."
"Was that necessary?" Claire exclaimed. "You didn't have to make him hit you!" she shouted.
"It is better for him to let out his anger instead of suppressing it," Walter stated, unmoved by Claire's outburst. "For a troll, suppressing emotions is damaging. It only leads to more violence and anger. It's better to just get it out."
Claire swallowed nervously, noting Barbara looked just as anxious as she was.
"Let him deal with his frustrations, Barbara," Walter said. "I'm sure he'll come to you when he's ready."
Barbara nodded reluctantly. "I... I didn't expect him to act like that," she admitted.
"Jim is, after all, a human teenager and part troll. His emotions are… complex. But though he is those things, he'd also a good and kind young man who loves you beyond all else. I'm sure he'll figure this out," Walter assured her.
Barbara bit her lip.
"I'm going to go keep an eye on Jim." Walter started after the young man. "Don't follow, please. Let Jim come to you in his own time. I do believe the worst thing that could possibly happen right now would be for him to hurt you, even if only by accident. A troll's rage can be unpredictable. Do not test it."
Barbara nodded reluctantly.
Walter shot a glance over at Claire. "That goes for you too, Ms. Nuñez."
"Yes, I understand," Claire replied. "I'll stay with Doctor Lake."
"Good." Walter gave the two a nod, stepped over to the railing and spread his wings. He climbed up onto the rail and leapt off, soaring away.
Barbara bit her finger, shaking.
"Hey…" Claire laid a hand on Barbara's shoulder. "Let's not just stand around here. I've got hot chocolate over at my place. That always calms my nerves."
Barbara gave the girl a shaky smile. "Alright."
Claire led Barbara in the right direction. "Oh, and congratulations on the engagement. That's great!"
"Is it really?" Barbara asked. "You think it is? Jim seemed so…"
"Hey." Claire stopped and looked Barbara in the eye. "The way Mr. Strickler just handled things I can totally understand why you want to keep him around. That was… kind of cool," Claire admitted. "It'll be fine. Jim accepted you two were probably dating again – a while ago in fact."
"But then why would he…?" Barbara's sentence trailed off.
"Like Mr. Strickler said, teenage emotions and troll emotions." Clair bit her lip. "Not a pretty mix. But Jim always figures things out," Claire assured. "Besides, you're not just marrying Mr. Strickler on a whim, are you?"
"No, of course not!" Barbara exclaimed. "I love him! I just – I love Jim too. I don't know." She groaned, holding her throbbing forehead.
Claire looked at her with sympathy. "And Jim loves you too, that I know for sure." She started toward her small house again. "Wow, a wedding… Can I be a bridesmaid?" she asked, a bit jokingly.
"We were planning to get married at the town hall actually," Barbara admitted. "So, not really a ceremony or anything."
"What? Why not?" Claire asked.
Barbara smiled, amused. "I think we've both had enough adventure for now. We just want to go home and start our life. Actually, our plan was to marry here in New Trollmarket before returning to Arcadia. Which… also means Walt will have to… become human soon… Maybe we should wait though. I mean, Jim –" She sighed. "I want him to be a part of this."
Claire looked at Barbara with a reassuring smile, "He'll be happy when he realizes you want him to be part of it too, I'm sure of it," she said. "It's going to be okay. Men are just stupid once in a while."
That elicited a chuckled from Barbara. "Okay then." She caught up to Claire and walked beside her, but despite the girl's best efforts to put her at ease, Barbara's nerves still wouldn't settle. She only hoped the men in her life truly would figure this out.
Jim roared, leaping into the air and slicing Daylight down on a training dummy. The shining blade cleaved the sad thing in two. Jim jumped from platform to platform, punching and kicking rocks and other training equipment.
"Master Jim!" A six-eyed troll hopelessly tried to get the Trollhunter's attention. "Please, calm down! What's going on?"
Jim hammered a pillar so hard a chunk of stone flew free.
Blinky caught a flash of color. He looked up just in time to catch sight of a green, winged troll stationed on a perch above him, half in shadow. "You." Blinky gaped at the changeling, then narrowed his eyes. "I don't know how, but I'd bet this is your fault!" he exclaimed, pointing at Walter accusingly.
Walter let out a deep breath. "Yes… it rather is," he admitted, jumping down to land on a platform just above Blinky's head.
"I knew it!" Blinky waved his finger at the changeling. "What did you do to Master Jim?!" he demanded.
"I proposed to his mother. She accepted, and we plan to marry," Walter replied, letting out another sigh.
"What were you thinking? That's highly irresponsible!" Blinky lectured.
Walter lifted an eyebrow. "You don't know what being married means, do you?" he asked.
"Of course, I do!" Blinky snapped. "It's… Well. Maybe you can remind me; there's so many terms out there, you know."
Walter shook his head at the other troll. "You know when two trolls bond to become mates? It's like that," he explained.
Blinky's eyes shot wide. "What?! How could that conceivably work? You're a troll for goodness' sake! She's a human!"
Walter rolled his eyes, tiring of Blinky's questioning. "I had Merlin make a potion that can turn me into a human. I believe you had a similar experience once, though mine ought to be a bit more… permanent."
"Oh." Blinky realized. "I see. Well, that seems drastic. Being human was interesting, but permanently?" Blinky's whole body shivered just as Jim roared and smashed another stone to pieces. Blinky surveyed the scene. "Master Jim…"
"I'll handle it," Walter said, standing up on the platform.
"What do you intend to do?" Blinky asked.
"Well, what do you normally do when a troll is so caught up in vengeful blood rush that they can't even think anymore?" Walter asked.
"Erhm, well… The troll in question will challenge the object of his anger to a duel and they will fight either until the urge is satisfied… or one of them is dead," Blinky replied. "But that's troll behavior! Jim has never –" his face fell as he grasped for a reason Jim wouldn't resort to such violence.
Walter crouched, and said to Blinky, "I'd wager Jim is holding in quite a number of frustrations. Most likely this incident was just the last straw."
"You'd better not hurt him!" Blinky instructed.
"Me? Hurt him? Please…" Walter rolled his eyes. "You do know that this is the Trollhunter who managed to defeat Gunmar, don't you?" He gestured toward Jim. "And he has the sword of Daylight. I may be a changeling, but that doesn't make me the strongest combatant here. Jim isn't the one you should be concerned about."
"Bah," Blinky snorted.
Walter groaned. "Look, he needs to get this out of his system. You know that!"
Blinky folded his four arms in a pout but nodded his approval.
"Good," Walter replied in an almost condescending voice. "I'm so glad to have your permission. Now, if you would be so kind, go check on Barbara and Claire. Make sure they don't decide to rush in here and stop this. Having those two interrupt such a melee is hardly desirable."
"If you think I'm going to leave –" Blinky shook a fist at Walter.
"This is important, Blinkous!" Walter growled. "If Barbara rushes in here and sees Jim slamming a fist into my face again, what do you think that'll do to Jim? Both Barbara and Claire are just the type to rush in! I need you to go out there and make absolutely sure that doesn't happen! I don't believe Jim could bear them seeing this." He watched Jim viciously slice through another stone. "Beating one another to settle an argument is normal for trolls. But it isn't normal for humans, and Jim has yet to grasp that his nature is not what it used to be. I'm sure Barbara would forgive him; it's about Jim being able to forgive himself for his new nature – his troll nature."
Blinky opened his mouth to protest, then snapped it shut again. "Fine," Blinky grumbled. "I'm giving you thirty minutes! Then I'm coming back myself! And if I see one scratch on Jim –!"
"Yes, I know. You're sounding like a broken record – terribly annoying those are." Walter rolled his eyes. "Now, get out."
Blinky reluctantly complied. Even he could see the logic in letting Jim fight this out. It was a necessary evil.
Walter stood to his full height and turned to face Jim. "This is going to hurt," he groaned. "Jim, please don't kill me."
With a single, long leap and short flight Walter landed behind the teenager. "Jim!"
The boy glared back at Walter and the two held each other's gaze.
"It's not these stone pillars you're angry at, is it." Walter said. "It's me; I'm the one you want to hit."
"Go away," Jim growled, his voice low.
"Heh! You're afraid you're going to hurt me. aren't you? I'm touched," Walter smirked. "But I can take it, remember?" he asked, taking a jab at Jim's face, making his stumble back.
"That didn't even hurt," Jim shook off the surprise of the hit.
"Of course, it didn't. You're part troll." Walter held his hands behind his back. "And I am fully troll. You think death matches between trolls are held for fun? In many instances, they are the only way to resolve a troll's conflicting emotions. This is not the time to suppress your nature." Walter could feel the rising anger in Jim. "You are protective of your mother; she is part of your tribe. I am an enemy moving in on your territory. Your instincts tell you that is wrong, and they'll keep telling you to get rid of this threat until you've burned through that consuming anger." He clasped his hands in front of him, much like he used to do in the middle of a lecture. "A human has the ability to walk away, to calm down. A troll does not. It is time to satisfy the troll within you, Young Atlas."
Jim growled.
"Good." Walter nodded as he took a fighting stance and muttered under his breath, "Here goes nothing."
Jim roared, sprinting for Walter, fist ready. Walter let out a breath and prepared to dodge. He could only hope this grudge-match wouldn't be too painful.
This chapter has been editted by: dtill359