AN: Hi, everyone! Hope you're all doing well this week! I'm happy to hear that y'all are finding the story interesting and exciting! This weeks chapter is a little something new! I hope you all enjoy it! :)

NOTES!: "Stories are told by those still alive to tell them."

Chapter 11: The Trollhunter

Jim was leading one of the defensive line camps for about two weeks before word came from Hogwarts that new troops were coming. The announcement of many Knights and foot soldiers brought a cheer from the rest of the camp, but Jim was left wondering exactly how the Royal Council managed it.

Despite his skepticism, they had clear orders to return to Hogwarts, and he wasn't about to argue with that. Within three days their returning caravan was marching onto Hogwarts grounds around midday. Jim, along with the rest of his team, had specifically been ordered back to Hogwarts for reassignment. So there they were, marching in with the injured and sick to await further orders. Even though they'd been far away from any of the real fighting, their camp had somehow gotten some action in the form of a Pixie ambush. If it wasn't for Toby, they would've been completely overrun and left a huge gap in their defenses. Apparently their luck had impressed the Royal Council and Jim suspected their team would be getting a more difficult assignment as a result.

Of course, none of them knew that the ambush was purely a distraction so Angor Rot could offer Jim a deal.

Walking into one of Hogwarts' side courtyards, Jim spotted Rapunzel and Blinky waiting for them in the shade by the steps. He immediately headed over to her with Toby and Claire on his heels. The covered wagon that AAARRRGH! and Draal were riding in was pulled up right next to the door, in the shadow of the wall, so the could get inside without being burned.

"Welcome back, Master Jim!" Blinky grinned, standing right beside Rapunzel as she smiled.

"It's only been two weeks, Blink." Jim laughed, but it did feel good to talk to him again. "How have things been since we left?"

"Lots of changes, though that seems to be the normal with war. Astrid and her team were sent on a quest about a week ago to find a possible cure for the Dark Plague." Rapunzel shared.

"Well, that's good news!" Claire smiled.

"It is. Let's just hope they can find it and that it works." Rapunzel agreed. "There's more, but for now let's just focus on getting all of you settled."

"More Trollhunter stuff or more War stuff? Or both?" Toby wanted to know, and Rapunzel chuckled.

"Politics. There's someone who is very eager to meet you, Jim." Rapunzel looked at Toby and then slowly lifted her eyes back to Jim.

"Uh, oh. That's the worst kind of stuff." Toby muttered, as Jim tried not to cringe.

"Who is it?" Jim asked, but Rapunzel and Blinky shared a look. "What's that look mean?"

"Well, it would seem that King Arthur has graciously agreed to join in the fight against Pitch Black." Blinky told them. "He arrived just a few days ago with many, many troops and his advisor, the great wizard, Merlin."

"Hold up! Like, The Merlin? The guy of legends? The one who made Jim's amulet?" Toby gushed, looking between Blinky and Rapunzel for an answer.

"That would be him." Rapunzel nodded, raising her shoulders a little awkwardly. "He's very eager to meet the first human Trollhunter."

"That is so cool!" Toby exclaimed, punching Jim's arm in his excitement. Jim rubbed the spot awkwardly and chuckled along as he tried to ignore the clenching in his gut and the tightness in his lungs. "Wait until the rest of the guys hear about this! They're gonna be so jealous!"

"Why don't you tell us about it while helping us unload!" Gustav called over to them, looking pretty annoyed as Hiro dropped a giant sack onto his wait back from up on the wagon.

"He does have a point. There's work to be done." Draal grumbled as he walked past them, one of the sacks swung over his shoulder like it weighed nothing.

"Draal is right. Let's finish the job at hand and then we can talk about everything else." Rapunzel agreed, and Blinky, Toby and Claire turned to go help with the unpacking. Jim turned to go as well, but Rapunzel caught his shoulder and nodded off in the other direction. "Jim, a moment, please?"

Jim followed after her, waving a few hand signs to his team before turning fully in the direction she was leading him. They walked away from the busy courtyard and other people in general, sticking to a covered pathway along the castle's edge.

"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" Jim asked once they seemed to be completely alone.

"I wanted to check in and see that you're doing alright. Have an opportunity to discuss anything you may not have put in your Official Report to the Council." Rapunzel admitted, slowing to a stop as she turned to look at him. "But why don't you tell me why you suddenly got so anxious back there?"

"Was it that obvious or was that your sorceress powers." Jim wanted to know, dreading the idea that everyone had seen it, and Rapunzel chuckled.

"Sorceress powers. Our bond also makes it easier." Rapunzel added, walking over to a bench. "Come sit down. We have some time to talk before we need to get back to the others."

Jim nodded and sat down beside her. He took at least three deep breaths, intending to tell her something, but then stopped each time before any sound could come out. Finally, he just decided to cut right to the point.

"I have to meet Merlin, don't I?" Jim asked.

Rapunzel just nodded. "The only way to convince Merlin was to tell him about the human Trollhunter. And we needed King Arthur to at least join in the war effort. His troops will make a huge difference."

"But... Merlin thinks I'm just human, right?" Jim pressed, keeping his voice low despite there being no one around.

"Sandy and I are the only Guardians who know, and we didn't say anything. Your secret is safe, Jim." Rapunzel rested a hand on his shoulder, and Jim released a long breath of relief. "Why does meeting Merlin make you so nervous?"

"...I know he's seen as this great legend who managed to create a peace treaty with the Trolls, and I really don't have anything against King Arthur or Camelot, but..." Jim hesitated because he'd never said it out loud before.

"But," Rapunzel encouraged, her hand giving his shoulder another gentle squeeze.

"But peace with the trolls doesn't make up for the slaughter of my people." He said softly, looking up at Rapunzel as he felt the weight of being the last of his kind pressing down on him. He took a shaky breath, looking down at his hands. "I've never been to Camelot before. My grandfather and my dad fled the Kingdom together shortly after my Grandmother was killed..."

"According to most histories, the Kittrolls were hunted because they were seen as beasts just like any other troll, and their healing abilities were desirable. But there's more to it than that, isn't there?" Rapunzel pressed gently.

"It's the Amulet of Daylight." Jim told her, pulling it from his pocket and holding it out for them both to see. "The blue stone that gives the Amulet it's power. It's a gem filled with Kittroll magic."

"So... it's very possible that Merlin killed a Kittroll to solidify peace with the trolls?" Rapunzel murmured, her eyes widened as she took in everything he was telling her.

"I can't say anything for sure, but I know what I feel." Jim said. There may not be a lot he was certain about, but he was absolutely sure about this.

They were both silent for a long moment, and then Rapunzel's hand moved from his shoulder and down to cover the Amulet in his hand. "Refusing to meet Merlin will bring questions, but if you don't want to, I'll make any excuse I have to. Just say the word."

She looked at him with a determination he normally only saw when she was healing a patient in critical condition or making a promise. Jim managed a small, but genuine, smile in return and shook his head. His fingers curled tight around the edges of the Amulet.

"No, but thank you. As long as he doesn't know, everything will be fine." Jim pushed the corners of his mouth a little harder for a wider smile, but it kinda felt like trying to lift a hundred pounds with his face. "Besides, it's "For the Glory of Merlin", right? Gotta at least meet the guy."

Rapunzel gave him a weak smile, but nodded. They both moved to stand up and as soon as he was on his feet, Rapunzel yanked him in for a hug. It was warm and safe, just like the Sunlight she represented, so Jim relaxed into it and hugged her back. After a few moments, Rapunzel stepped back, holding both his shoulders at arms-length so she could look at him.

"You're my apprentice, Jim. Don't forget that, okay?" Rapunzel reminded him, and his shoulders felt lighter.

"Yeah, about that, we never did decide on a title for me to call you." Jim grinned at her, and Rapunzel's eyes went wide in surprise. "Master or Mistress is pretty traditional, right? But you're also a Princess, so maybe My Lady." He gave a playful bow with the last one. Rapunzel just laughed and ruffled his hair.

"Don't you patronize me!" Rapunzel ordered jokingly, her free hand on her hip. When Jim straightened back up, her other fist planted on her hip as well. "Now is there anything else I should know? How was your quest?"

"Well, about that Pixie Attack... There may have been more than one reason for it." Jim began slowly as they both turned down the path, heading back to where they'd left the others.

When they returned to the courtyard where the others were, the unloading and the supplies cataloging had already been completed. Some of the boys gave Jim a few ribbing comments for getting out of it, but it was all done in good fun. Rapunzel instructed everyone to go and rest so they could enjoy dinner with everyone else later that evening. Then Jim, Toby, and Claire followed after her, Blinky, AAARRRGH!, and Draal.

The Great Hall was mostly empty, being in between meals, and one of the few times the Royal Council was not in session. However, in the center were three unfamiliar faces. One was a boy who looked to be only a year or so older than Jim, himself. The second was a brown-haired woman, dressed in Camelot finery and holding a staff. The third was an old man, standing tall in wizard armor and holding a magnificent staff. The old man regarded their group carefully as Rapunzel placed a gentle hand on Jim's back with a nod of encouragement.

"Are you the Trollhunter?" The great wizard, Merlin, inquired, looking directly at Jim.

"Uh... Um..." Jim uttered brilliantly as Toby gave him a nudge forward.

"I thought you'd be taller." Merlin remarked, walking over and stroking his beard as he eyed Jim.

"Uh..."

"Yes, I expected much taller. And older." Merlin informed him. "How old are you? Ten?" The old man asked incredulously.

"Uh, sixteen." Jim managed to stutter out.

"I guess I was only off by, mmm... six plus four, carry the one... Fourteen Years." Merlin hummed as he made his mental calculations, and then turned his wide eyes back to Jim.

"Holy Merlin... It's really you!" Toby cried out excitedly.

"And just what kind of troll are you?" Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow at Toby.

"I'm not a troll! I'm a Toby." He responded petulantly.

"And who is this lovely creature?" Merlin's tone softened as his eyes moved to Claire.

Claire giggled, but Blinky stepped forward with widely spread arms. "Blinkous Galadrigal, at your ser- !"

"Not you. You." Merlin interrupted, pointing at each of them in turn.

"Uh, Claire Nunez, sir." Claire said softly as she stepped around Blinky to be seen again.

"A pleasure, my dear." Merlin gave a small bow of his head in her direction, and Toby scoffed.

"Oh, she gets to be 'My Dear'!" He muttered.

"Your Sageness, we-..." Blinky began again, but Merlin turned back to Jim.

"We have much to discuss, young Trollhunter! I have been told that Angor Rot has taken sides in this war." He folded his free arm behind his back, his eyes growing hard.

"One of the Changlings, Stricklander, wears the Inferna Copula. As far as we know, he is working directly with Pitch Black." Blinky provided, speaking with pointed precision though Merlin barely glanced at him.

"Did he say anything to any of you? What he may want or what their plans might be?" Merlin asked.

"No," Jim said clearly, folding his hands behind his back to keep them from fidgeting. He shared a glance with Rapunzel, but nothing more.

"Angor Rot is one of the biggest threats to our forces right now. We must find a way to stop him!" Draal put in from his spot at the back of the group.

"Perhaps there is a way to free him from his slavery to the Changling." The woman stepped forward, carrying herself with pride and grace.

"Oh, yes. Set the murderous devil free, that will certainly end well." Merlin retorted dryly. "We've been over this before Morgana."

"I am only trying to stop needless bloodshed! If his only reason for attack is his enslavement then we should focus our energies to helping him, not destroying him!" Morgana insisted.

"The Inferna Copula is made of dark essence to bind a soul. Meddling with the Dark Arts will only lead to trouble! You should know, based on your own experience with Angor Rot." Merlin rebuked her.

"It isn't Dark Magic, it's Shadow Magic, there is a difference! And I was only trying to help him. He saved countless lives, I just wanted to return the favor. I didn't know the cost." Morgana pleaded, cradling her staff hand.

"Magic always has a cost." Merlin stated grimly.

The old man sighed before turning back to Jim. "The monster you know as Angor Rot was once a great hero. He was a protector among the trolls and fought for their safety against Gunmar. But he was fatally wounded in one of his efforts to protect a Troll village from one of the Old King's raids. My apprentice, Morgana, was very young at the time and tried to use her magic to give him life once again. It took her hand from her and damned Angor Rot's soul to eternal servitude of whoever wears the ring."

Morgana's eyes had dropped to the floor in shame, and the boy standing beside her reached out to touch her shoulder comfortingly. Merlin looked back at them for a moment, but then continued.

"Wizardry beyond the standard education is extremely dangerous. Mages, Master Wizards, toe the line between training themselves to understand magic at greater depths and reaching for power beyond their means." Merlin told them. "I, myself, have dedicated my life to mastering Alchemy, the basis of all magic. Morgana, as she pointed out, practices Shadowmancy. And this here," Merlin gestured to the younger of the three, who smiled and waved. "Is Douxie. He studies Trickster Magic. A... less common mastery, but magic all the same. I don't pretend to understand these younger generations." Merlin did a small roll of his eyes.

"Nice to meet you all, but... what exactly are we doing here?" Jim questioned warily.

"Well, I thought that would be obvious." Merlin answered. "The threat of Gunmar is still very real. King Arthur and his men will assist in the battle against Pitch Black while I, and my students, are at your service to help you ensure Gunmar remains locked away in the Dark Lands."

By the time their meeting with Merlin ended, the Royal Council had returned to discussions and decided to keep the Trollhunter for questions about his report. After smoothing out a few details the dinner feast had already begun and Jim hurried over to the back corner where his team and friends were sitting. About half-way through the meal, Jim was looking around the Hall. The entertainment for the night was just the frog band as the Royal Council was still in session and Jim couldn't help noticing an empty seat beside Percy Frost across the room.

"What are you looking at, Jim?" Claire's voice made him jump a little before snapping his head around back to the rest of the table. Everyone was staring at him expectantly, and Jim felt his cheeks heat up from the attention.

"Oh, um, sorry! Just a little distracted. What were we talking about?" Jim combed a hand through his hair, trying hard to fidget under the eyes of everyone at the table.

"Not just us! The whole castle is talking about it! Jack Frost has been training almost non-stop with Mr. Frost and Professor North!" Jamie Bennett informed him.

"I heard it's because he's gotta prove himself a Guardian by taking down Pitch himself!" Gustav boasted, grinning eagerly.

"That's stupid! What exactly would he be proving? Merida and Rapunzel are Guardians too, why don't they need to prove themselves?" Hiro scoffed, giving Gustav a dry look, but the viking boy only shrugged.

"I bet it's some top secret mission that only the best of the best can handle." Steve Palchuk drawled, flexing his own bicep.

"You're all wrong!" Darci Scott sang out from her spot next to Claire. "I heard it from Mary, who heard it from Margo, who heard it from Pippa, who heard it from Moana, who heard it from Venellope, who heard it from Cupcake, who heard it from Tip who was actually there!"

"That sounds completely reliable." Claire replied with a small eye-roll, but she was smiling and listening intently with everyone else.

"Well, apparently they were all just hanging out in the Room of Requirement and the Berkians were telling them about their quest up north. Everyone was so distracted by them, that not many people noticed when Jack came storming in and all but dragged Emma out into the corridor! Merida and Astrid went after them too, and when they came back fifteen minutes later, Emma was nowhere to be seen!" Darci gossiped. "From what I heard, no one has seen much of Emma since and Jack has been throwing himself into his training."

"What do you think happened?" Toby asked, sharing a worried look with Jim.

"I think it's pretty obvious that they had some kind of fight, but no one knows what it was about! Astrid shipped out the next day and everyone knows Merida wouldn't say anything to anyone." Darci stabbed a carrot and ate it as everyone thought that over, but then she lowered her voice and leaned in. "Some people think the curse on her is worse than they say. There's a rumor going around that maybe they're just covering it up because she's Jack's sister."

"You think Emma's doing okay?" Toby turned this question to Jim quietly, but Jim could only shrug. He didn't have an answer and he was just as worried. Maybe more.

"You know, I... I'm just not feeling all that great right now. Think I'm gonna turn in early." Jim ran his hand through his hair again and started getting to his feet as the others looked after him with surprise.

"Are you sure, Jim? You hardly touched your food!" Eli Pepperjack squeaked worriedly.

"Yea, yeah! Just... Too tired to eat, you know? I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow!" Jim waved them off, already heading for the door.

Once safely out in the corridor, Jim started walking away from the dorms. He checked the places he knew of in the castle first, like the library and a back hall near the kitchens, but found nothing. He went outside and checked all the spots they went to before; empty pathways they walked and the distant courtyard that overlooked the ocean. Again he found nothing.

He only had one place left to look and that was the path down to the forest where Emma liked to walk. He kept a quick pace, getting more anxious with each place that turned up empty. He turned down one of the covered paths on the very edge of the castle, just off of the main courtyard, and he nearly tripped over his own feet as his body jerked to a stop with his mind rushing to catch up.

At the end of the path was a door that led off towards the main courtyard, but just off to the right was short wall that created a ledge in between two of the pillars. Emma was curled up on the ledge with a heavy cloak and a book. A small bucket sat on the ground just below her and smelled vaguely of fish.

"Emma!" Jim smiled at her, but she quickly motioned for him to be quiet. He walked closer and lower his voice to a whisper. "I've been looking for you. Why are we whispering?"

"Dr. Sweet has been trying to get me in for a checkup, so I'm avoiding him." Emma whispered back with a wince.

Jim chuckled, sitting down beside her as Emma shifted to hang her feet over the side and make space for him. The chilled stone sent a shiver through him and he rubbed his arms to try and fight off the cold night.

"It's freezing out here." Jim remarked through his chattering teeth. Now that he wasn't moving around so much, the cold seemed to be setting in with a vengeance.

"Here," Emma laughed, setting her book down beside her and offering part of her cloak. They both scooted together to share some warmth. They were quiet for a long moment, soaking in the cold but peaceful night.

"Are you okay?" Jim finally whispered, his voice sounding loud in his own ears. Emma looked up at him, confused, so he elaborated a bit. "I... heard that you and your brother might've had a fight. I wanted to know if you were okay."

Understanding drew across her face and Emma looked down at the ground. She shrugged, but Jim noticed the way her shoulders drooped with exhaustion and her eyes clouded with moisture.

Not really thinking, Jim reached his arm across her shoulders and pulled her a little closer with a side hug. Emma sniffed, the sound cutting through the silence like a knife. Neither of them spoke.

It was a few minutes before Jim finally broke the silence.

"There was, um... There was this day at the camp after the Pixie ambush when everyone was still a little on edge, so Toby decided it would be a great idea to tell a bunch of jokes during dinner one night." Jim shared with her, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards at the memory. "What do you call the ghost of a chicken?"

"A poultry-geist." Emma replied. Her voice was still so quiet and almost flat. Jim pursed his lips.

"Okay. How did the picture end up in jail?" He tried again.

"It was framed." Emma replied again with a small huff of a breath.

"Why do melons have weddings?" Jim shot back.

"Because they cant-elope." Emma gave a full eyeroll this time.

"How does a penguin build it's house?" Jim inquired, nudging her with his shoulder as Emma looked up at him with a dry look.

"Igloos it together." She said flatly.

"Did you hear about the watchmaker who became a gardener?" Jim pressed, grinning now.

"Yeah, he ended up with too much thyme on his hands." Emma answered, and Jim could see her cheeks twitching no matter how hard she tried to fight it.

"So what if I don't know what apocalypse means?" Jim started, and Emma opened her mouth to respond, but stopped and tilted her head. Jim beamed. "It's not the end of the world!" He finished.

Emma stared at him for a full minute before looking away with another huff. Her lips were pressed tight together and Jim could feel her shoulders shaking slightly under his arm. He leaned forward, peering at her face, and Emma couldn't hold it in anymore. She gave a snort of laughter and a smile stretched across her face as she shook her head at him.

"That's stupid." She muttered, still smiling.

"Yeah, but it made you smile!" Jim said, and she turned that smile towards him. His heart gave a flutter inside his chest.

Emma leaned into him further, resting her head on his shoulder as they continued to sit there together in the cold. Her voice was back to a whisper when she spoke again. "Thank you, Jim."

"Anytime." He said, hoping that she knew he meant it. That he maybe eased her heart if only a little. He looked out at the yard beyond the covered pathway and was surprised by what he found. "Hey, look!" He murmured, giving Emma another small nudge.

She looked up and stared ahead as he was. Tiny specks of white were drifting to the ground, sticking to the earth one by one.

"The first snow." Emma whispered, her breath coming out as a small puff.