"I am appalled at what I am hearing!"
Blinkous' shout, so unexpected, actually quieted the army to murmurs as they found the source high upon the rock. The blue-green Troll carefully began making his way down the rock face as he continued.
"Is this the kind of Trolls we are? To call for punishment on one who helped us far more than any of us here can estimate the value of, not once but twice? To let ourselves be blinded by anger and I'd even say bloodlust to see everyone that ever sided with Gunmar destroyed, without consideration for the truth of who they are?" His words were cut off for a moment with a gasp as he slipped, sliding about a yard down the rocks before he found a grip again. Naturally Kanjigar had moved towards him, just in case, but more telling was that the general had moved forward as well, before stopping as others reached for weapons and the scholar caught himself. Blinkous took a steadying breath, then seeing where he was moved a bit over and jumped down to land on to of Killahead Bridge itself.
"It is only because of him that we even knew about this attack in the first place! He came to us, willingly, wanting nothing more than to help us. And he returned of his own volition to aid us further. Both of these times he acted with no assurance for his own safety or well-being. Yet you - you would call for his demise!
"And as for fears that his Gumm-Gumm past makes him a danger to humans or Trolls, I have directly witnessed evidence to refute that!"
"Oh have you?" Deya spoke up. Blinkous gulped slightly; he knew how easily it would be to say he was making it up for some reason. Some warriors he could see were looking at him with suspicion already, quite probably wondering what he had to gain by the general's survival, perhaps whether or not he was the spy even! But he couldn't stop now. What he'd seen was his best chance of helping the general survive the night!
"Yes, Trollhunter Deya, I have." After another breath he elaborated. "I saw the general in a human village that had been decimated by the Gumm-Gumms. It was long after the battle was over; none of our forces had arrived in time to stop them. I'd returned to the village to see if anything of the humans who lived there could be salvaged in their memory."
"I remember that event." Deya's confirmation added credence to Blinkous' words and gave him a confidence boost.
"I saw the general there, and he was doing much as I was; mourning the dead, the human dead. And what's more, he saw me. Yet though we watched another for several moments, he turned away and let me live. A Gumm-Gumm warrior, known for violence at a moment's notice, spared my life." He held all four arms out to either side to display his next point. "It isn't as if I would've been a threat to him, or even a challenge. Nay, to the contrary I would've been an easy kill. Yet he never made any sort of threatening movement towards me.
"Not three nights ago he and I encountered one another again, this time in a human city where we fought Bular and his warriors. I was watching during the struggle, and saw what I believed was the general kill two humans, a male and a female. But when he stood his ground despite all logical reasons not to, I became suspicious. I returned at a later time where I watched from close concealment as he returned to his position, alone, and uncovered the two humans he'd hidden away, ordering them to go, to run, then once more turning away when they did so. He protected them then let them escape to safety!
"And can anyone, anyone here deny what he did in this battle? You need not trust my eyes, only your own." Blinkous glanced around. It seemed like some were considering his words, Deya included, but others still doubted.
"Listen to him!" Kanjigar called as he finally pushed his way through to the open circle around Deya and the general. He was still limping and showing his wounds, a testament to his warriors prowess and adding even more power to Blinkous' argument. "Every time he has been right about the general. And Blinkous spoke to me before he ever brought the general here, believing he saw a Gumm-Gumm who had a shred of dignity and honor left in him. This Gumm-Gumm." He jerked his head towards the general. A warrior and very respected, Kanjigar's words further validated Blinkous' claim and turned more to their side.
"For Merlin's sake!" Blinkous finally cried, exasperated with the persisting looks of hostility. "Just look at him! It does not take all six of my eyes to see that he isn't one of the original tribes that willingly joined with Gunmar. His face, build, markings - he looks far more like a Krubera if anything!"
"What would a Krubera be doing with Gunmar?" Deya mused, looking at the general thoughtfully.
"Kru-ber-ah?" the general echoed slowly, questioningly.
"A tribe of Trolls that live further beneath the surface than any other, and an opinion I would agree with: you do bear quite a resemblance to them, too much so for it to be mere coincidence." Her eyes tracked to the general's. "You don't know your own tribe?" The general shook his head.
"Only know Gunmar. Know no else."
"Interesting." Deya thought over this, looking between the scholar, the warrior, and the general. During this talk had once more begun among the warriors, rising to the point that their comments could be heard.
"Could they be right?"
"No, once a Gumm-Gumm, always a Gumm-Gumm!"
"Can't be trusted!"
"He did tell the Trollhunter about the attack..."
"Be silent!" Deya called suddenly, raising her hand and quickly the army obeyed. She turned to the general. "I have one question for you, general, and I expect an honest answer. I set you free, yet you came back. You have said that you felt you'd would be needed, and I agree that your presence is what drove Gunmar and Bular into such a rage that they divided their strength. But now I want to know -" She glanced at Blinkous, silently ordering him to remain silent. "- what is it that you want?"
"I want?"
"Yes. What you want, from here on. Do you want to continue your destructive ways? Do you want to simply live out your life? Do you want me to kill you?" Above them, Blinkous tensed. The general thought fora moment, then answered.
"Once thought welcome death. But want live. Want no fight." He held out a fist towards Deya, making some nearby brace, but instead he opened his fingers to show her what was in his grip. "No more. This last. But - if die, best from you." Deya looked at what he offered, the reached her hand out and picked up a stone fragment from his palm, studying it.
"A bit of stone... a fragment of a Troll horn," Deya murmured, though loudly enough for most close to her to hear. She turned the bit of stone over in her hand a bit, then glanced up at the general. "Bular's?" The general nodded with a rumble. Once more Deya was silent, looking down at that stone fragment, then enclosed it in her fist. She turned her gaze briefly to the general, then to Blinkous. "Come down here, please." Her tone wasn't negative, Blinkous noticed as he obeyed and came to stand before the Trollhunter. Then she once more addressed the general. "You say you no longer want to fight?" A nod was the answer, as well as a simple plea coupled with a displayed hand.
"No more death. Done."
"A pacifist," Blinkous murmured, then spoke up when Deya looked his way. "He's said as much to me before, about how he no longer desires to fight or be violent." The blue-green Troll looked at the general. "A pacifist is someone who shuns violence in the name of peace. They dislike fighting and try to avoid it if at all able, viewing war and violence as injustifiable."
"Pa-ci-fist," the general slowly repeated, sounding out the word. "Pacifist. Yes, pacifist." Blinkous saw the general's shoulders slowly relaxed and his head bowed as he repeated the word, eyes closing. It reminded him of when the larger Troll had bent in the human city, when he'd bowed from despair. But this was different; now there was a sense of peace, of relief, as if a weight had fallen away.
Then right there before their eyes, within the span of a handful of breaths, the general's markings lost their glow, the green light fading until all that was left was simple, ordinary Troll markings beneath, and when he opened his eyes instead of black and illuminated green they were normal eyes matching the fur on his head and shoulders.
"By Merlin," Deya breathed in awe. "He is a Krubera." Blinkous' eyes were wide as well; he hadn't predicted such a transformation, but in the other's eyes he could clearly see a gentleness that couldn't be denied. Deya abruptly nodded to herself, then looked at Blinkous. Though she spoke to him, her voice projected to carry to everyone it could. "I have decided. As you seem to care so much about this Gumm-Gumm's well-being, I place him into your custody." Blinkous blinked in surprise.
"Pardon?" A quick glance to the general and Kanjigar revealed that they, too, were surprised.
"He is now your charge, Blinkous, until such time as he proves himself to be trustworthy." Deya looked at the general, who could only tip his head blankly at her. "Do you understand what I mean, general? This Troll is to be your keeper. No matter where you go, he will follow, and no matter where he goes, you will follow. Anything you do, he and you will be responsible for. This situation will continue until you show that you have in fact shed your dark past and come fully into the light." The general thought this over, then nodded his head.
"Understand."
"I understand, Deya, and I accept this responsibility." Blinkous straightened as he spoke, trying to convey his confidence in both himself and the general.
"And Kanjigar, you too will have a responsibility in this."
"I will do as you require of me."
"Should the worst happen, and the general lose control of himself, you will do your best to ensure that he causes as little harm as possible." Deya fixed the warrior with a hard look. "Though obviously your normal duties may take you away from them, I would advise sticking close by if possible."
"Understood." Her judgement decided, Deya dropped her stern expression and smiled.
"Though I have spoken in all seriousness, I somehow feel that my cautions will prove unnecessary. Now!" Once more Deya raised her voice, but this time she was addressing the army as a whole. "See to your wounds, report to your commanders so we may take a tally of our dead, and rejoice! Tonight, all our struggles have finally been rewarded!" The army cheered loudly as Deya turned and touched the Amulet in its place on her armor, and seemingly with a simple effort of her will Killahead Bridge shuddered, cracked, and collapsed into a pile of disjointed rubble. "We will do what we can to ensure these pieces will never come together again, so help me Merlin!" Again the cheers were resounding, with Blinkous and Kanjigar joining in, then the scholar looked at the general.
"Come, we will get out of the way. I'll make a brief report to my commander so I will not be accounted among the deceased, and see to Kanjigar getting his wounds treated." Kanjigar gave a lopsided grin, but the three moved through the slowly separating army. Soon enough they were seated together, Kanjigar with bandages around his injuries and a crystal etched with healing runes held in a fist. The other held a mug of Troll ale, as many of the warriors held as they celebrated their victory. The general had a bowl for himself, hesitantly given after some persuading by Blinkous as it was known that some warriors would lose their self-control under the effects of too much. Blinkous had a mug As well, though aside from a sip he hasn't drunk very much.
"Not joining in?" Kanjigar prompted.
"Just...enjoying it all." Blinkous glanced at the general and his friend. "Have you heard the new name that is being given to Deya?" Kanjigar nodded.
"Deya the Deliverer. I think it suits her. And speaking of names, what should be call you?" He gestured with his mug at the general, chuckling as he spoke. "We can't really call you 'general' anymore; no army to be a general of!" The general rumbled, then said carefully,
"Aaarrrggghh!"
"An unconventional name, perhaps, but a fine one nevertheless." Blinkous smiled. "My friend here is Kanjigar, and I am Blinkous Galadrigal." Aaarrrggghh! tipped his head, considering the names.
"Heard Kan-jee-gar before."
"Close. Kan-jeh-gar," the warrior corrected with a smile. "And a little faster said, of course." Aaarrrggghh! nodded in understanding, then looked at Blinkous, expression even more concentrated.
"Bl...in...ky?" 'Blinky' blinked all six eyes as Kanjigar burrowed a laugh unsuccessfully into his mug, then he smiled.
"Close enough, my new friend. Close enough."
Together they relaxed under the stars, enjoying one another's company that was as sweet as the peace that had come at long last.