[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 14: Return of the Trollhunter from Trollhunters]
As she ran through Trollmarket, Claire's emotions were a violent storm of contradictions. She didn't know what to think or how to feel about what she just learned. Just hours ago she had been impossibly excited to finally visit Trollmarket. To see the world Jim protected with her own eyes. It was beautiful and wondrous and unlike anything she had ever seen. The Trolls were so different and unique and beautiful in their own way as well. Even if they did seem to struggle with hygiene.
When she descended the crystal staircase and set foot in Trollmarket, it felt like Claire was taking the first step to rescuing her little brother. Enrique felt closer than ever. At the same time, it was cathartic to know her instincts about Jim hadn't been wrong. She knew he was hiding something. A secret of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, she never expected that secret to be even bigger than Trollmarket itself.
Gumm-Gumms, Goblins, the fact that not only their history teacher but also the museum curator were Changelings, that was one thing. Claire was able to wrap her head around it after reading "A Brief Recapitulation of Troll Lore". However, time travel? It sounded insane. Like a bad Gun Robot fanfiction she read back in middle school. There was no way someone could go back in time. Yet, it made far too much sense.
Jim never seemed surprised by what was happening. Both in school and when it came to his Trollhunting. He always had a plan and always seemed on top of things. It felt like he had everything figured out and knew exactly what he was doing. He was too perfect. It didn't make sense. Unless, that is, he had done this all before. And he just told her and everyone else that he had, indeed, done this all before. But that left Claire with so many other questions.
Why hadn't he stopped Enrique from being taken?
Why couldn't he just stop everything before it happened?
And who was she to him?
There was just so much to take in. It felt like her brain was going to explode. She was so sad and angry but, even more than that, she just wanted the truth. The whole truth. She could tell Jim still wasn't telling them everything and she didn't know if she could trust him with her little brother if she didn't know the whole story.
Taking a deep breath, Claire looked up and suddenly found herself somewhere unfamiliar. A massive arena lined with stone statues of Trolls in armor. Surrounding the central platform was a deep chasm, burning with a faint, underground light, and pews lined the upper levels of the massive cave where others could observe.
"Claire?"
A voice called out to her and Claire jumped in surprise before turning around and seeing Jim standing in the large doorway leading into the arena. His dark bangs were swept to the side, revealing the new scar across his brow and nose, and his blue-gray eyes were soft and tender. Not the eyes of a warrior who just slayed an evil Troll days prior.
"Look, Claire, I'm sorry about Enrique, but if you'd just let me explain–" Jim slowly walked forward, but Claire instinctually took a step back, still unsure of how she was feeling.
"I…" Claire nervously tugged at her hair, toying with her many hair clips as she tried to look anywhere but Jim's eyes. "I'm sorry for running off like that."
"No, it's okay. I know it's… a lot." Jim stood still, biting his lip as Claire tried to process her emotions. "I bet you have questions. I promise, I'll tell you everything I can. Just… Just ask."
Claire's heart skipped a beat as she finally managed to look Jim in the eye. He looked sincere and kind. She couldn't help but feel her cheeks flush as she turned away in embarrassment.
"O–Okay." She nodded. "Th–Then… tell me why you didn't stop my brother from being taken."
"Like I said, I didn't know when he was taken. The first time, I saw the goblins carrying a baby and that was it. I didn't learn until later it was your brother." Jim sighed. "I didn't want to let him get taken, but I've had to learn the hard way that I can't do everything. Even if I'm the Trollhunter."
Regret tinged his words as Jim clenched his fists and Claire could once again feel his sincerity.
"But I promise, we'll get your brother back." Jim reassured her, the confidence and courage he showed her that night in the forest returning and making him shine.
"I believe you." Claire spoke before she even realized what she was saying. Jim just naturally inspired trust so easily. "Then… what exactly are you trying to change by traveling through time? Didn't you already save everyone?"
Jim fell silent, contemplating what to say. Claire waited eagerly, but didn't say anything. Quiet permeated the massive arena for a long time before words were finally spoken. Words of defeat and loss.
"I didn't… save everyone." Jim shook his head, his voice cracking and weak as he choked back tears.
"So, this isn't just like turning back time to get a better grade on a test." Claire stated, chewing on her lip as she cautiously stepped closer to Jim. "Can you… Can you tell me?"
Jim was quiet once again but took a sharp breath in before nodding.
"Even after we defeat Gunmar–"
"The big bad Gumm-Gumm boss, right?" Claire interjected.
"Yeah, the big bad Gumm-Gumm boss." Jim nodded. "Even after we defeat him, there's more. More bad guys, not only trying to destroy Arcadia, but the world. We got a lot of help but… even if we won in the end, we lost too many. Like Draal, Vendel, Strickler… and Toby."
Claire was stunned into silence as she thought about what Jim was telling her. He was just a teenager but, from the sound of it, he had seen so much. He had seen friends die, and fought in battles that left scars on his heart far worse than the one on his face.
Jim always looked so strong and capable to her. Carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and making it look easy. However, beneath the armor, beneath the heroic visage, he was vulnerable and scared. Scared of failing and losing the people important to him. So scared he was willing to turn back time just to save them.
"Jim…" Claire reached out, taking his hand. It was worn and calloused from hours of training and the many battles he had been in. "Can I ask… one more question?"
He nodded, looking her in the eye as Claire could sense his affection for her. It was deeper than a high school crush but calmer than the night sky. She felt like she already knew the answer, and she knew how she felt, but she wanted to hear it from him.
"Who am I to you?"
Claire's hand drifted up to Jim's face, caressing him in a manner strangely familiar to her. It was like she had already done it dozens of times and, each and every time, her heart raced all the same.
"You're the person I'll never stop loving." Jim replied, his expression relaxing as she caressed his face. "And I'll never stop trying until you love me too. No matter what form or what time I'm in."
A smile spread across Claire's face and she couldn't help but giggle.
"Did I get you too involved in theater, Romeo?"
"I might have picked up a taste for poetry." Jim chuckled as a teasing grin crossed his lips. "Shakespear was rather tasty."
"It feels like you're making a joke about something I don't know about. Or something I don't know about yet." Claire rolled her eyes before punching him playfully in the chest. "You better behave yourself, mister. I'm not planning on being the damsel-in-distress."
"Don't worry, you're anything but a damsel-in-distress." Jim laughed heartily as he rubbed where she punched him. "I'm counting on you, Claire. We'll save your brother, together."
"We'll save everyone. Together. Like you said." Claire insisted, once again reaching out and holding Jim's hand, feeling her unease dissipate. This was someone she could trust. This was someone she could love. Did love.
"Together." Jim nodded along with her.
"So, what do I have to keep a secret?" Claire tilted her head to the side curiously. "The people you're trying to save or the whole story? You still haven't really told me the whole story though."
"I'm going to talk to everyone else one-on-one too. Doux suggested it." Jim gestured over his shoulder, as if the punk-rock boy was there. "I don't want to change the future too much, but I can't leave you guys in the dark either. We're stronger together."
"Alright." Claire nodded. "And Jim?"
The dark-haired boy looked at her with his big, blue-gray eyes but was caught off guard as Claire grabbed him by his sweater and pulled him into a brief but meaningful kiss. It felt warm, and comforting, and right, and, as she pulled away, she wished she hadn't.
Jim stood there in stunned silence, his cheeks burning red as Claire was pretty sure hers were just as bad. He blinked a few times before a dumb smile lit up his face and Claire nervously laughed.
"C–Come on! Let's get back to the others. Lot's to talk about. Lot's to explain. Hahah…" She fiddled with her hair pins as she started walking and Jim followed after her, catching up as she reached the streets of Trollmarket once more.
"Uh, Claire, do you know the way back?" He asked, his voice teasing her slightly.
"I… Uh…" Claire's face flushed even redder as she laughed nervously. "Le–Lead the way, Trollhunter! Hurry up! Let's go!"