I'm really really really sorry for how short this one is. I did my best to make it longer, but not much was needed in this chapter. I can't promise the next one will be super long but I sure as hell am going to try. Some responses...

TrollhuntersFan: Good luck with those accounts. Your wish may soon be granted... Muahahaha!

I don't own.

Enjoy!

Chapter 17:

I narrow my eyes and move Claire behind me, a quiet growl settles in my throat. He hasn't seen us yet, the couch faces the wall, his staff leaning against it. I make a sound, one I didn't know I could make it was like a bark, but was kinda high pitched.

Blinkey jumps at my attempt to get his attention and sees us, he gets up and rushes forward, disregarding my defensive posture. He wraps me in his arms. "Master Jim I was so worried! You didn't come home at dark and…"

I snarl and break out of his hold forcefully, shoving him back and placing myself between him and Claire.

"Oh, I do suppose you are still mad." He shrinks back, wringing his hands more.

I growl. "You're darn right I'm still mad."

"Than, I suppose I should apologize…" two of his six eyes look up at me.

"Or get out."

"An explanation would be nice too," Claire grits.

"Well," he takes a deep breath. "I was hoping I could be the one to handle your further education."

The growl in my chest dissipates and I relax slightly, it wasn't the answer I was expecting. Claire walks up behind me and takes my hand. We're obviously both curious about what he has to say.

"Go on," I state.

"I was looking forward to teaching you Trollish and the culture in which you are now apart of. As well as to continue being your mentor. I am truly sorry for my actions. They were rash and uncalled for."

I let out a deep breath. "Thank you Blinkey, why couldn't you have just said that in the first place?"

"Or not wait two months to apologize?" Claire said.

"Eh…" He paused with his mouth open and one finger up before closing it and putting his hand down.

"Why were you so worried about us?" Claire asks, thoughtfully changing the subject.

"Because you did not return at your normal hours, I feared the worst. Also, NotEnrique has been scouting about and found evidence of Goblins."

"Blinkey," I sigh. "I fought Gunmar, you think I'm going to be killed off by a few goblins or the sun?"

"That was Arrrggg's argument." He said thoughtfully scratching his chin.

"Goblins are a problem," Claire states. "We need to find them and make sure they aren't going to cause trouble."

I scoff, "they're goblins, it's basically in the job description for them to wreak havoc."

"Yes, which is another reason I have braved coming to your domicile. A great number of Trollhunter duties have arisen in the past few months."

I slump my shoulders and moan. "And you didn't think to even send someone else to tell me? NotEnrique is over here at least twice a week."

"And we've seen Arrrggg on multiple occasions," Claire adds.

I eye the nervous historian and leader of trollmarket, his posture is one thing, but he smells guilty.

Blinkey scratches the back of his neck, his chin, and his elbow all at once. "I may have been neglecting to tell you…"

I narrow my eyes and growl. "You do realize that you are acting like a child, right? Neglecting telling me that things need to be done on purpose? This is ridiculous Blink!"

Claire runs a hand through her hair with a deep exhale. "What needs to be done?"

He sucked in a deep breath before beginning. "Supplies for shops and dwellings need to be gathered. Metal, and things for metal work need to be retrieved so they may be constructed. The forge is underway, but Merlin can't remember what it looks like. A spacious hold has been constructed, but we don't have cages yet; thus the metal work. A gyre tunnel is being dug to the nearest tunnel. And again, metal for the gyre needs to be retrieved. And a trip to the Arcadia Trollmarket will need to be made to retrieve a number of supplies and artifacts."

"The main solution to those problems are simple. Get the gyre running first, and get everything we need from Trollmarket," I say.

"Why is any of this Jim's job?" Claire asks.

"It's not," I state. "But the trolls are lazy and don't want to do their own work."

"Indeed," Blinkey holds up a single finger with his other arms behind his back. "And your suggested course of action is the most wise, Master Jim."

"The most urgent thing right now, is the goblins. I can't do anything about them right now, but if NotEnrique will scout them out some more, that would be helpful. Find out where they are, where they're headed, and if they're doing any plotting?"

Claire laughs. "Goblins don't plot, Jim."

"They follow patterns though. So if we find their pattern than we'll be able to stop them from doing goblin things."

She gains a thoughtful look. "That actually makes sense, did becoming a troll make you better at being… you?"

"I dare say it did." Blinkey says.

Claire and I, both still upset and frustrated with the old troll, glare (and I snarl) at him.

"We'll need to talk to NotEnrique first, Blinkey you can tell the trolls that they can gather their own trash," I say.

Blinkey lowers his head and sighs, "Yes, Master Jim."

Claire shakes her head and narrows her eyes. "Blinkey, do you not understand that what you did was childish, and having it build up will only cause more problems. YOU are the leader of trollmarket. It is YOUR job to handle these things. Not Jim's. Stop acting like a whelp, and do your job."

"Look, I get leading is hard, and I have no problem helping out. But these things fall on you, not me. Whether the trolls ask for me or not, it's not my job. I will deal with the goblins and handling any exposure we may face. As well as any threat, human or troll. That's my job."

He looks like a scolded puppy. "I suppose my actions have been… unwise. You are correct, I need to take this on myself. I shouldn't have to have you two telling me how to behave." He lowers his head and looks down at his fingers.

I stalk forward and put my hands on his shoulders. "Blinkey, there's this wonderful thing about being a leader. It's called delegation," I laugh.

Claire smiles and steps forward. "Why don't we try to get the trolls out of complacency. They need to be more self reliant like they were centuries ago."

"Now that would be quite a feat!" I bark a laugh.

Blinkey gives a small laugh in return. "I suppose I could accept that challenge."

"Good, now go tell the trolls to get off their rears and get to work."

He grabs his staff and wanders to the mouth of the cave, "They will not like this… but I suppose it is time we change for the better."

"And maybe, you could teach me trollish in my freetime?" I offer up.

His smile returns full force and he hugs me. "My boy, that would bring me no greater joy."

…

Claire and I head down to the small alcove NotEnrique had claimed after I'd had a nice filling steak.

The small changeling was denied his own 'cave' but found something like a burrow that will fit him for the time being. Hopefully, he doesn't start growing anytime soon. Otherwise, he'll outgrow the small cave in a mater of months.

"NotEnrique, ya home?" I ask.

I hear a moan before his head pops out of the hole in the stone wall of the cavern. "Oui! Whas it take to get some sleep 'round here? It's daytime! Shouldn't you be up in your cave sleepin' too?"

I'd love to be up in my cave, curled up with my mate asleep. I'd love to lay down with Claire pressed against my chest and her scent so close, disturbed by nothing but the scent of our home. Honestly, I'd love nothing more, but…

"Sleep's a joke, I've been living on minimal amounts of sleep for over a year now. I've got a mission for you."

Claire rolls her eyes at my comment.

"What do ya need boss man? And can it wait?" He tilts his head and looks up at us.

I smile and shake my head, "Yeah, it can wait. But I need you to track the goblins. Find their nest. Follow their patterns."

"Oh is that all?" He gives me an incredulous look.

"Preferably without engaging," Claire smiles at her 'brother'.

"Would never dream of it," he says.

"And hey, if you leave now. You can come over for breakfast when you're done for the day," I sweeten the deal.

He licks his lips and he crawls further out of his hole. "Yous got yourself a deal, consider it done," he salutes me and bounds away. Heading toward the crystal staircase.

"Please be careful!" Claire calls after him.

"You got it sis," he yells back with a grin.

I sigh and take Claire's hand. "Now what?"

"Now, we have to go help Merlin remember the Forge's weapons layout."

I whine and roll my neck, letting it stay at an awkward angle. "Joy."

…

I drag my hands down my face with a loud, long, and not exaggerated growl. "You know what?" I shout. "I don't care what it looks like! Just get it built! Make it work! You're an 'all powerful' wizard, just get it done!" I turn and stomp out of the large empty cavern through the tunnel back to the square, Claire following quickly behind me leaving the old jerk behind to his own devices.

…

"Exactly how many centimeters apart would you say the blades were?!" I mock the wizard's tone. "How the hell does he expect me to know that?" I turn to Claire and she tries to hide a giggle as we march back up to our cave. She lays her head on my arm and yawns.

"I don't know. The old man's attention to detail is impeccable for someone who can't remember what he ate for breakfast," she rolls her eyes.

I scoff and nod. Noticing how fatigued she looks I scoop her up and dash up the stairs smoothly. She buries her face into my chest and I hear her take in a deep breath of my scent.

I lay her down in our bed and pull off my shirt. Curling around her I share my body heat and we fall asleep quickly.

With the busy work Blinkey had us on, and her nightmare, also the fact that it's daytime, we're both exhausted and ready for sleep.

…

I hear a quiet whisper.

'Pst… Lake… you awake?'

Not enrique whispers from the doorway, he's holding the curtain back a smidge and his head's poking through.

Claire's still asleep, tucked under my arm. "Now I am, what are you doing? It's like… noon!" I whisper yell.

"I, uh, found the goblin's… done scout'n. Could I… could I come in?"

I narrow my eyes.

"I know it's your space, but I'm kinda apart of your pack too…"

He looks kinda shaken, I scent the air around him and pick up some blood. I let out a sigh and give him a soft smile. "The goblin's caught you, didn't they?"

"They roughed me up, but I managed to get away."

"With or without incurring their wrath?"

He gives a small laugh. "Without."

I direct him in with my head, "com'on then."

He smiles and bounds in, coming to an abrupt halt at the edge of the blanket nest. He glances at me warily before curling up on the ground next to it, looking away from me.

I grab his scruff and lift him, setting him down on my side before wrapping my arm around Claire again. He looks at me with wonderment and confusion. I smile at him before setting my head back on my other arm.

I feel him crawl on my side a little before he nuzzles my shoulder and purrs for a second. Curling up and falling asleep.