Author Note:

I'm going to mark this as finished, because it technically is as all the oneshots exist independently, but don't worry I'll still add things to it as inspiration strikes me.


"Take them off!"

Morgana held her hands out toward Jim. The cuffs on her wrists pulsed with green light as they blocked the sorceress' magic.

"What? No!" The half-troll snarled, his ears pressing down slightly.

"We don't have time for this," Morgana snapped back impatiently. "They have Barbara and I'm the only one strong enough to do anything."

Jim tensed further at that, his hand clenching around the hilt of his sword. She was right. Not only that, but she truly had been on good behavior ever since his mom had befriended her but…

But he couldn't forget fighting her when she took over Claire's body or during the eternal night. Trollmarket was no more because of her actions. The Heartstone, a treasure beyond mere mortal measures of worth, was now cold and lifeless…

If he took the inhibitors off her, who was to say that she wouldn't go back to her old ways?

His thoughts were interrupted by a pale hand on his wrist. He started and jerked away.

"Please…"

Jim's eyes snapped up. He had never heard the sorceress so much as use the word before. Certainly not with the desperate pleading intensity she did now.

Her green eyes were fixed on his and her voice was strained as she continued.

"Just to get Barbara back," She said. "I give you my word that I will not fight you when you put them back on."

She hesitated a moment.

"It's been so long since I've had a true friend," She murmured so softly that even with his enhanced hearing Jim barely caught the words. "I can't lose her."

She held out her hands again and, wordlessly, Jim unlocked them.

Morgana was gone before the shackles hit the ground.

Jim hoped he had not made a mistake.


Jim watched with a great sense of relief as Blinky fussed over his mom. She was rather bumped up from the fight and from her captivity but all in all she should be fully recovered in a couple weeks.

"She's so strong," A voice murmured beside him.

Jim spun, sword coming up to rest against Morgana's throat before he could even register who she was. (He was so glad it hadn't been Toby or Claire. It had taken him months to be able to trust himself around them after that.)

Morgana glanced down at the blade at her throat with a somewhat disdainful expression, top lip curling delicately before she held out her hands.

Jim blinked.

"A promise is a promise," Morgana said, in response to his puzzlement. "I've gotten her back. You may bind me now."

Jim felt his mouth open slightly in shock. Morgana made a scoffing noise.

"Did you really think I would go back on my word?"

"Well…"

"Just get it done, Trollhunter."

Jim drew the shackles out of his pocket.

Morgana flinched slightly at the sight of them and looked away, but kept her hands held limp and motionless in front of him.

The shackles sparked in his hands and Jim could feel them biting at his own innate magic (it was his life blood, now that he was part troll). He wondered how they felt on her: to wear them all the time.

He started to reach out and then stopped.

He looked down at the shackles and then up at Morgana. He glanced over to where his mom was. His fingers clenched slightly as his brows drew together.

Slowly, he slid the cuffs back into his pocket.

The movement drew Morgana's gaze. Her eyes widened in shock and her usual mask seemed to fall away for a moment.

"What are you doing?"

"Giving you a chance," Jim said firmly. "Don't make me regret it."

"Why…"

Jim shook his head and held up a hand to cut her off.

"Why don't you go check on Mom?"

Morgana wavered a moment looking between Jim and Barbara. Her right hand drifted up to rub at her wrist. Slowly, as if she didn't quite believe him, she began to inch away. When he didn't suddenly lunge she straightened up and resumed her usual poise.

She gave him a stiff nod before striding past him.

Jim watched her go. It was going to be a long time yet before he could truly trust her. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake.

But as his mom glanced up and a smile appeared on her face when she got sight of the sorceress… As she patted the ground beside her and they started up conversation… As Morgana's normally haughty green eyes softened…

He couldn't help but think it was worth the risk.