Joan was vaguely aware of Blinky's guiding hand on her back as she walked through New Trollmarket. Everything about this place astounded her, and her mouth hung open in awe. She started to wander, but Blinky pulled her back.

Joan rubbed her eyes, but when she opened them she was still underground, walking through the magnificent troll city.

Blinky led her through the entrance to a small cave – his keep. By the warm light of a crackling fire and several lit lanterns, Joan saw piles of small appliances littered across the floor. In the corner sat a contraption cobbled together from the remains of a toaster, coffee pot, and noodle strainer. She stifled a laugh.

Beside the strange invention was a pile of multicolored stones. Bunches of herbs hung from a wooden pole strung across the back of the room. Two more stacks of rocks stood against the wall to Joan's right, framing a wide fireplace. To her left, rows of books – adorned with unfamiliar symbols – sat on shelves tacked up on the wall above a small table.

At the back of the room was another doorway, leading deeper into Blink's keep.

Joan wished she could spend a few days in this cave and explore every inch of it.

Blinky set his staff next to the hearth. "Please, have a seat." He pulled out a chair for her and shoveled aside a mess of junk.

"Oh… Thank you." Joan sat down in the offered wooden chair. It teetered, and she squeaked in surprise before finding a good balance point and sat up straight.

"You've accomplished quite a feat," Blinky said as he took a seat opposite Joan. "Managing to stumble all the way down here – and unnoticed."

"Heh." Joan blushed and tucked her hands under her legs. "You're… not going to erase my memory or anything like that, are you?"

Blinky gave a hearty laugh. "Of course not! That's not even possible!" He frowned and tapped his flat chin, a look of serious consideration on his face. "Is it?"

"Please don't," Joan pleaded. "This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life."

Blinky folded two of his four hands on the table. "You have nothing to worry about, but I really need to know how you got in here. We can't just have humans stumbling in here at random. Surely you understand."

Joan nodded and looked away as she bit her lip. "I…" She swallowed hard. "You guys are trolls, right? I guess… a troll brought me."

"What?" Blinky sat up straight, his pointed ears pricked. "Who? You must tell me," he said with a frown. "This is a serious breach of security."

Joan looked away and slouched in her chair.

"Ms. Joan?"

She shook her head, eyes on the swept stone floor.

"You won't tell me?" Blinky's eyes widened. "Why?"

"I'm not a snitch," Joan retorted.

The troll blinked all six eyes. "A snitch? That's a human expression, isn't it?" He sighed. "Ms. Joan, please. This is important. Until only recently trolls were hostile to humans. If someone here is taking humans to hurt them, I must know so I can put a stop to it. You understand? This isn't just a risk for humans, but for trolls too. If something nefarious is afoot, our safety could be compromised."

"It – it's not like that. She… saved me," Joan replied.

"Oh, so it's a she. Now we're getting somewhere." Blinky raised a finger.

Joan took a sharp breath and looked toward the fireplace.

Blinky sighed again. "Ms. Joan, I will figure this out – one way or another. It would be much easier for everyone if you just tell me."

"You… won't hurt her, will you?" Joan dared a glance up at Blinky.

"First, I'll hear both of you out, so I understand the situation." He held up one hand. "I promise."

Joan looked into his eyes. The warm assurance in them eased her fear. "I… don't know her name… but… she's pink and has shining green eyes."

Blinky's six eyes shot wide.

"Her feet… she has hooves," Joan continued. "And long, black hair."

"Nomura?" Blinky gasped. "Why on earth would she–?"

"Nomura? That's her name?" Joan pulled her hands out from under her legs and set them in her lap.

Blinky nodded and pushed his chair back. "This is most troublesome," he muttered as he stood and rubbed his chin. "Most troublesome indeed." He started to pace.

"Please! You said you'd listen to her first!" Joan clenched her folded hands.

Blinky stopped and looked at Joan.

"You promised," she reminded.

Blinky's stern frown melted into a soft smile. "Of course, you're right, my dear. And if what you say is true, you have nothing to fear. Neither does she. I swear to you."

Hasty footsteps rang through the cave accompanied by a perturbed hiss.

"Ah." Blinky's eyes darted to the door. "Speak of the devil."

Joan turned around in her chair, hands peaking through the back slats.

"You," Nomura's voice rumbled with a low threat. "Why did you leave the keep?"

Joan drew back as she stared at the pink troll.

"Is staying put really so hard?" Nomura growled.

"And, pray tell, what did you intend to do with this human?" Blinky asked, all four arms folded.

"I never touched her, and I never intended to, I assure you," Nomura defended. "I was going to take her back to the surface and leave her. That's all."

"What…? Leave me?" Joan asked, hurt tinging her words.

"All right, but if you just intended to take her back, then what was the point of bringing her here in the first place?" Blinky countered.

"Don't lecture me, Blinkous!" Nomura shook a finger at Blinky. "You brought humans to Trollmarket too."

"Because Merlin's amulet chose him to be the Trollhunter. I would consider that a unique situation, wouldn't you?" Blinky shook his head and sighed. "Just tell me. Why did you bring her here? It's an easy question."

"Well…" Nomura visibly struggled. "She… It was just – "

"I told you already," Joan interrupted. "She saved me."

Both trolls looked at her.

"I… I…" Joan gulped.

Blinky eyed Nomura. "What happened?"

With a sigh, Nomura explained. "There are tribes of humans on the surface." She pointed upward. "They fight each other on the streets. Joan's own tribesman turned on her. One drew a knife and was ready to cut her."

"So, you jumped in," Blinky finished. "This is… surprising."

"What?" Nomura narrowed her eyes.

"You, of all trolls, involving yourself in other people's conflicts. That's not like you at all. You always keep to yourself."

"It was one time!" Nomura held up a single, clawed finger. "It won't happen again."

"I sincerely hope so. We can't afford to interfere with the humans. You do know that, right?" He clapped a hand to his forehead. "Oh dear. I'm starting to sound like Vendel. Still, my job is to protect the trolls here. We cannot just bring humans to Trollmarket for any reason. You, of all people should understand this."

"I – I do…" Nomura hung her head. "I'm sorry."

Joan looked away too but caught Blinky's eyes flicking from her to Nomura.

"Well, what's done is done, I suppose," he said. "No changing it now."

"Please, don't leave me out there…" Joan folded her hands and gave Blinky a desperate look. "I beg of you!"

Both trolls stared at her again.

"I… I've got nowhere to go; I can't go home. Please?" Joan pleaded.

Blinky's face softened. "Very well."

"Huh?" Joan's eyes lit with hope. "Really?"

"Ms. Joan, as chief of New Trollmarket, I hereby grant you permission to come and go at your leisure," Blinky said. "Provided you promise never to expose the secret of trolls or Trollmarket to anyone! If you ever reveal this secret, I'm afraid I shall have to expel you. However, if you abide by this rule, you have nothing to fear."

Joan gaped. "You – really mean it?"

Blinky nodded. "I do."

With a sniff, Joan left her chair and rushed to Blinky. She buried him in a tight hug.

"You humans are so cute when you do this." He smiled.

Joan laughed and wiped tears of relief from her eyes. "Thank you, Blinky! Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me," Blinky held up two hands. "You'll be Nomura's responsibility."

"What?!" Nomura protested. "What am I, a babysitter? I can't just–"

Blinky raised an eyebrow at the other troll. "You brought her here. The burden of watching over her rests on you. What she does, what she says while inside the boundaries of Trollmarket – it's your responsibility, Ms. Nomura."

Nomura took a grudging step back.

"Or, you can leave her outside, like you intended," Blinky suggested.

Joan's heart pounded.

"Hey! Don't put this on me!" Nomura's gaze returned to Joan, and she gave the troll her most sympathetic face, her misty, black eyes filled with pleading.

"Are you going to leave Ms. Joan out in the cold?" Blinky asked.

Nomura glared at him and crossed her arms as she took a single step forward. "All right. Fine! You can stay in my keep until the danger is passed. That's it – then you're out."

"But…" Joan fidgeted where she stood, next to Blinky.

"Don't test me," Nomura huffed. "Be glad I'm not going to break your neck for ratting me out."

Joan edged closer to Blinky and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

"Now, now, Nomura," Blinky chided as he stepped between Joan and the other troll. "Ms. Joan refused to tell me who brought her here. She was trying to protect you, so be nice."

Nomura raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm… not a snitch," Joan said.

Nomura let out a deep sigh. "Fine. Come on; you're going back to the keep with me."

"O – okay." Joan nodded and walked after her. "You… think maybe later I could see more of the city?"

"No. You're staying in the keep," Nomura replied. "You'll be safe there, and that's what matters, isn't it?"

"I guess so," Joan replied, downcast. "Um… Nomura?" She blushed.

"What?" the troll groaned.

"I – I'm… hungry."

Nomura shook her head. "Humans and their constant needs. Fine," she hissed. "I'll get you some food. Stay put this time."

Joan nodded. "Okay." She caught Nomura rolling her eyes as they headed back toward the secluded keep.

Editted by dtill359