Now that it was night time, Blinky was put in the front seat, despite Merlin's adamant refusal.

"You've been out and able to walk around all day!" Jim argued. "Give a troll a break."

Claire couldn't care less where she sat, as long as she could sleep. She had retrieved a pillow and blanket from their luggage in the truck bed, and curled up in a corner.

Once dinner had been secured, they were on their way again, driving off into the night.

"How many hours are we now?"

"About 36 hours," Claire noted, looking at her phone. "That's about a day and a half, as long as there's no traffic."

"Oh, Master Jim. I think it is wise if you call your mother, as soon as possible. She was…quite frantic when I explained the situation."

"My mom! Oh, she's going to kill me…" Jim moaned, taking the phone from his friend.

Blinky had found her contact and started the call, so that Jim could keep his eyes on the road. It wouldn't do for them to be pulled over again.

"Mom?"

"James Lake Jr!" Barbara's screech came from the phone. "What have you been up to!?"

Jim shrugged with an awkward laugh. "Oh, you know…just, getting arrested?"

Barbara sighed on the other end. "I can't believe this."

"Look, mom, everything is fine now. They let me go. It was all a misunderstanding. There was a theft of a large rock from a museum—"

"I know, I know…Blinky explained it to me." He could hear the disappointment in her voice. "I guess I can't be mad at you for something you didn't do on purpose. What about you? Did they figure you out?"

"Yeah, but they swore they wouldn't tell."

"I guess that's the best you can hope for. Where are you guys now?"

"In Pennsylvania."

"Well, I doubt this will be a problem in the future…oh wait, Walt wants a word."

Jim was quiet as the phone switched hands, and he heard Strickler on the other line. "Hello Young Atlas, your mother neglected to mention that she loves you and misses you."

"Walt!" Barbara cried from the background.

"But about being found out…there are changelings in office of the FBI, if this is reported, they'll make sure it goes away."

Jim sighed in relief. "That's good to know."

"But make sure you lay low for the rest of the journey, hmm? You wouldn't want to draw more attention to yourself, or they'll make you go away."

"Gosh, you sure know how to make a guy feel at ease." He awkwardly chuckled, "but I'll do my best not to bring anymore attention to us. We even put a tarp on the stone."

"Good to hear. Well, we'll see you in a matter of days, I'm sure. It'll be interesting to see your reaction to several new developments that have taken place while you were gone."

"Strickler, I swear to Deya, if you tell me you and my mother are engaged, I will rebuild Killahead Bridge myself and throw you in the Darklands."

"Well, most developments are good, but one…is much much worse than that."

Jim was quiet for a moment, then flared his nostrils. "And? What is it? Is Morgana out of the shadow realm!? Blood Goblins? A gruesome!? Speak damnit!"

"Nothing that threatens Arcadia," then he spoke quieter. "But I fear it's something that will upset you. Especially in your current form, which makes your anger so much more potent. And since you are driving, I'm not going to tell you."

"Then why dangle the carrot in front of my face?!"

"To warn you!" Strickler spoke firmly. "Personally, I'm not too happy about it either. So…just try to keep your calm when you return."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Okay, I get it. Something bad, but not world ending bad, is waiting for me."

"That's a good boy. I'm going to put your mother back on the phone."

Barbara got back on the line. "Well, I don't want to hold you up anymore than I have. Especially if you're driving. So we'll talk to you later, okay, honey?"

"Okay mom, sorry for the scare. I love you," he smiled.

"I love you too, Jim. Drive safe! Wear your seatbelt!"

And Jim hung up before she could finish the safe driving checklist.

"Something bad, but not world ending?" Claire asked after he hung up.

"Yeah…not sure what that means."

Claire gasped. "I wonder if since Arcadia knows about Trolls now, if they want you to go back to school?"

"That's a bad thing?" Jim laughed. "Getting the opportunity to see you and Toby for 8 hours a day? Plus, can you imagine gym class?"

"And homework?" Claire reminded with a smirk.

Jim frowned. "Oh yeah. We have algebra 2 this year."

"You do, I have Trig."

Jim groaned. "Then you won't even be able to tutor me? Okay, yeah, that's bad."

Claire leaned forward, running her fingers through the hair between his horns. "I'll do my best. I promise."

Then with a yawn, she settled back down. "Now, if you guys don't mind…I'm going to try and get some rest."

Merlin stretched across the seat, getting in her space. "A novel idea, fair Claire."

Claire kicked him back. "Stay on your side, old man."

"I have longer, older legs! I need more room! And I can't get comfortable in this armor."

"We bought you normal clothes when we were at Walmart! You're the one who doesn't want to put them on!"

"Those linens are impractical! If Jim had just let me sit in the front seat—"

"Both of you knock it off!" Jim barked from the front. "Don't make me turn this car around!"

Claire held back a snort, followed shortly by, "oh, sorry mom."

Merlin grumbled as he tucked his legs up a bit, leaving room for Claire.

Jim turned the music up a little as they travelled wordlessly.

As veils are falling on my windows,
And another day fades away like drying teardrops,
As the mist begins to lift from the river,

You're still loving me,
Still loving me.

"Hey Blinky?" Jim said quietly.

"Yes, Jim? What is it?"

"Do…Trolls get married?"

"Married? Not exactly in sense that humans do. It's more of a ritual, than anything. Well…there is a ceremony, a pretty small affair, like one might celebrate their birthday. Typically, promises or vows are made…but the elder…who is me now, I suppose, will cast a binding spell. That's about it. Why? Are you thinking of pursuing this with the Lady Claire?"

Jim blushed a little, scratching the back of his head. "Well…" He adjusted the rear view mirror to glance at her in the backseat. She was barely visible curled up under the blanket. He figured if he talked softly enough, she wouldn't be able to hear him over the missing muffler anyway.

As the lips of breaking waves spill their secrets,
As a new moon slowly glides into sunrise,
As we wake up and can't recall our dreams,

You're still loving me,
Still loving me.

"We decided that we've been through so much stuff together, it's kind of hard to imagine being with anyone else. I promised that once I make us a home in Trollmarket, I'd ask permission from her parents, officially. I just kind of wanted to get married in troll terms too, since well..."

Blinky acknowledged this with a nod of praise. "I'm sure the tribe will accept a human marriage, but it'll make them feel better to see a binding ceremony."

Jim's brows furrowed slightly as he glanced over to Blinky briefly. "What's involved with a binding ceremony?"

"Well, I've never partaken in one myself…but the couple are marked with matching engravings." Blinky held his arm out. "A troll is given a number of engravings throughout his life as proof for his accomplishments. Once Rothgar the Skillful returns, I'm sure he'd love to give you all the marks you're missing."

Jim smiled awkwardly. After his encounter with the Rothgar and Grit-Shaka, he wasn't sure how he'd be able to handle it. But he figured that the engravings probably wouldn't hurt him. "But what about Claire?"

"What about her? She's a human, she's not expected to get engravings."

"But you said the couple has to get matching engravings for the ceremony."

"I did say that, didn't I? I supposed then that she will have to get those marks. But I will need to double check in the library. Truthfully, I don't think there's ever been another human to do the binding ceremony."

"Okay," stated Jim, ready to move on. "Engravings, anything else?"

"Oh well, yes. The binding spell is an ancient enchantment that does just that. It binds the souls of the couple together. It puts the lovers more in tune with the other's feelings, both physically and emotionally. You might be able to feel her pain, and likewise, she can feel yours."

"Like that totem with Strickler and my mom?"

"Not quite that severe. If she were to, just hypothetically, die, you might fall ill, but as time moves on, you'd recover. Though, it seems that often times, lovers who partake in the binding spell do not live long without the other. Whether it's from heartache or connected injury is unknown. Either way, I've been told its a wonderful and beautiful experience."

Jim didn't respond, and just kept his eyes on the road.

"And Master Jim…a binding spell in your case shouldn't be taken lightly. Since Claire is a human and…Trolls live a lot longer then them."

That was a horrible thought. It had never occurred to him in this form that he would outlive all his human friends. It was obvious, but there was a part of him who figured the fight against Gunmar, Angor Rot, and Morgana would be his end. It almost was. The throbbing scar in his chest was a testament to his almost demise.

So to think that his life would go on much much longer than expected…that was a whole new thing to think about.

"It can be reversed, though. Many trolls regret it, but it is not unheard of. In case you were wondering."

"Thanks Blinky. I guess I have some stuff to think about."

"I'll read up on it when we return."

As flowers bow their heads in praise of dewdrops,
As you try to remember the sound of my laughter,
As birdsong breaks the silence between us,

You're still loving me,
Still loving me.

In 8 hours, they made it half-way through Illinois. The sun would be rising soon. So they'd have to find an exit to get Blinky in the back.

But as they sped along at a risky 85 mph, a bright light came around the bend, and shone in the window.

"Ugh, I hate when people leave their brights on."

Blinky frowned. "I thought the traffic heading opposite of us was way over—"

Before he finished his sentence, Jim realized what he was saying and swerved, just barely getting out of the way of the oncoming car and the police car speeding after them. With the swerve, Jim hit the guardrail hard and flipped the truck over the shoulder, rolling several times down a hill.

Glass shattered, metal crushed and groaned, as dirt and debris flew every which way. Finally, the vehicle came to a stop at the bottom, resting on the passenger side.

Jim breathed heavily, trying to clear his head.

"Is everyone okay?"

Blinky coughed from his side. "That was quite the rough ride…"

Jim attempted to turn his neck, but his horns were caught in the ceiling in the car. "Claire! Merlin! Enrique!"

"Ooof…" NotEnrique groaned, "I thought you said you could drive?"

With a growl, Jim pushed against the roof of the car, the metal groaning until he was free. "Claire! Talk to me honey!" He was finally able to look over, and saw both humans in a pile in the backseat. "Claire!" Jim wormed his way out of the seatbelt and climbed out through the window.

"Hang on!" He shouted, jumping to the other side of the truck. With a heave, he righted the truck on it's wheels. Then he ripped the door off the hinge.

"CLAIRE!" He shrieked.

Merlin sat up with a yawn. "Do you mind not yelling? I'm very tired."

Jim yanked him from the truck with a hiss and practically threw him on the ground. Then he went for Claire, who was laying unconscious in the backseat.

"Claire…" Jim whispered, afraid to touch her. Blood was trailing down her face, from her head. "Oh god…" His voice cracked as tears pricked his eyes. He leaned forward and pressed his head to her chest. Her heart was beating, and she was breathing shallowly.

Blinky broke off his own door, and crawled out. "Master Jim, is she…?"

"She's alive, but unconscious."

"I'll call Barbara." He elected, finding the phone in the cabin.

Jim very carefully adjusted Claire so she was laying flat on her back, her spine and neck straight. Then he carefully parted her hair to check her scalp.

"It's a good thing we're in the trees," NotEnrique said softly. "One less thing to worry about."

Merlin was twisting his spine. "And it was for this reason I wore my armor." He said a bit haughtily.

"Shut your goddamn mouth!" Jim shouted, a roar carrying his voice through the trees. "Why can't you just be helpful for once!?"

The wizard blinked once, not expecting this kind of outburst from Jim. "My apologies." With a glance at the truck, he found the heartstone was missing and wandered off to look for it.

"Anything?!" He shouted at Blinky.

"I'm sorry Master Jim, but the call is not connecting."

Jim heaved a heavy sob and sank to his knees. "Well…what do we know now? We can't call for help…" He shook his head, trying to get a hold of himself. "I suppose I could go up top and try to flag down some help…"

Merlin was returning. The stone sat unharmed halfway up the hill. "We wait."

"What!? Are you insane?"

"Not a touch!" He took a walk around the vehicle, surveying the damage. "Do you think this will start up?"

"Who cares about the truck!?" NotEnrique shouted, coming to Jim's aid. The Trollhunter had clearly lost his composure. "Claire's hurt really bad! Don't you have a spell to heal her? Mister 'I'm the most powerful wizard in the universe'?"

Merlin sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I have a healing spell, but I can't use it. Not on her."

"And why the hell not?!" Cried Jim.

"Because of Morgana."

Jim fell silent at that, just staring at him.

"And what of that she-witch?" Bit Blinky, "she's been banished!"

"You should know better, Troll!" Merlin scoffed back. "Once possessed, Claire can never be fully unpossessed! Morgana's magic pulses from her, and it creates a ward against my magic." The wizard frowned, almost feeling useless. "Morgana doesn't want me to touch her."

"So…there's nothing we can do?" Jim cried.

"We wait, Trollhunter." He shook his head, in disbelief of his own words. "For Morgana will help."

I was in a car accident like this once. It was during the winter and I landed upside down in a snowbank. It didn't even hurt. I was just hanging upside down from my seatbelt and laughed. Then I started to panic when I couldn't get out of my seatbelt or get to my phone. Wear your seatbelts, kiddos!