Something hit the floor with a thump. It took Barbara several seconds to identify that one. Oh yeah, it was the novel Walter lent her. She had read it ages ago - just had never gotten an opportunity to return it to its owner.

Barbara sighed, picking the book up. Everything had gotten too complicated out of nowhere. Not that long ago, she was just a regular woman, a mother, and a doctor. Now? There was a 'saving the world' deal thrown into the mix.

At least now she could sympathize with Knight from her favorite story. Much like in his case, she was chosen out of nowhere.

Well, sure thing, as a kid, Barbara dreamed about becoming a hero, preferably with a cool sword and shining armor.

She just had never wished for that dream to become a reality when she was in her thirties. Balancing overworking with parenting responsibilities had already been too much - she had managed all that only because her son was amazing and had taken over a good chunk of the household chores. And now Barbara had to think about the new responsibilities too.

Trollhunter. The noble knight, chosen to protect both humans and trolls. Could she, the one more interested in saving lives, be a good one?

Her responsibilities involved killing - and it still didn't sit well with her principles.

Probably, she should have focused on protecting instead. Didn't she have enough lives she cherished?

Jim, her dear brave boy.

Walter, the man who made her believe in love once again.

Nana and Toby, dear neighbors not that different from family members.

Her co-workers, who had become her dear friends a long time ago.

The trolls from the Trollmarket, clumsy and rough, yet definitely endearing.

Though, probably, Barbara had already failed a bit in the protection department. She hadn't been sure if she should have told her son, but Blinky and Aaarrrgghh, unfortunately, sucked at stealth, so Jim had learned about trolls anyway. And with her boy being involved, his best friend had become yet another addition.

And…

Well, in Jim's case, Barbara could at least blame the external factor. The fact that Walter also knew was entirely her fault.

He was simply too keen, reading her like an open book, noticing her distress right away.

'You can tell me everything, you know.'

His voice had been so warm and soothing back then. How could Barbara refuse to confide in him?

A part of her had been so scared - what if Walter had thought she had gone crazy from overworking? What if he had believed her but decided to put some distance between them not to endanger his own life? That kind of reaction would have hurt, but hadn't those always been human things?

He was simply too wonderful, refusing to run away, proposing his help even if that world-saving responsibility wasn't his to start with, promising to stay by her side no matter what happened.

Once upon a time, Barbara had lost all faith in true love after James trampled on her feelings. Yet Walter brought it back, reviving it from ashes. And that had been even more miraculous than a magic amulet.

She smiled, opening the book and running through the opening lines.

Ode to Knight.

It was the name of the first chapter, the one she found quite poetic. Besides, now becoming an unwilling chosen hero herself, Barbara could relate to his adventure way more. They shared morals and approaches to life.

She had also assembled a small team of loyal allies already.

Would it make Bular the Dragon of her story? She chuckled, dismissing the idea at once. No matter how terrifying, that dark brute lacked the devious mind to be counted as one. Perhaps, Gunmar, she knew from Blinky's stories, would fit better…

No.

There was Dragon in her story already - Barbara had even nicknamed him that. He remained in the shadows so far, and she only got a glimpse of him so far. Why Dragon? Well, his wings were reminiscent of one, but of course, that one was just another troll.

No, not just another troll. That one was the mastermind behind each struggle Barbara had to face so far. The enemy putting his best into making her doubt her own abilities. It was as if he was more invested in forcing her to give up.

As if!

That guy definitely knew nothing about her mindset if he thought his approach would work. If anything, it only gave Barbara more resolve.

He had made the grave mistake, daring to threaten her dear people. She would put her best to protect everyone she loved.

It would have been so much easier for that schemer to just kill her. Why was he playing those games? What kind of motives did he have?

Hey, in that story, Dragon was one of Knight's allies, remember?

Barbara hated those whispers of doubt. No one close to her was a traitor! Not to mention that most of her dear people had been in her life before the amulet's appearance.

Only residents of the Trollmarket were the recent addition - and she hadn't met any winged troll down there!

Besides, it wasn't like the book described her story. Some coincidences were endearing, but it wasn't like she should have treated it as the script of the following events!

Next time - Elegy for the Cunning Dragon