Trollhunters Episode 3 Pt. 1
I decided to break this piece into multiple parts since it turned out twice as long as the first two episodes. There is a lot more of River in this Episode, also Draal is finally here!
Episode 1
Episode 2
River BIO
Episode 2]
“This is Heartstone Troll Market!” Blink exclaimed.
[Episode 3 pt. 1]
“This is...” Jim trailed off as he was taking in Trollmarket.
“Whoa,” Toby nodded slightly, agreeing with Jim’s unvoiced amazement.
I nod, standing next to Jim, “Pretty much,” We continued down rocky steps heading into the market. I kept turning in circles trying to take in as much as possible, I look to Blinky and Aaarrrgghh as I turned around for the thirteenth time, “This is your home?” I asked.
Blinky chuckled once I continued to turn as we walked, getting closer to the trolls that inhabited Trollmarket. “Trollmarket is home and hearth and sanctuary for all good trolls.” He moved to walk in front of us, guiding our way through the market. “This way, my friends. There is much to see.”
Toby and Jim high-fived, following Blinky excitedly. “Dang,” Toby teased, “and here I thought the only thing underneath our town was dirt and plumbing.” He pulled his phone out quickly and began taking pictures of anything and everything that caught his eye.
I looked up as we walked under a purple and rose-colored archway leading into a surreal bazaar brimming with trolls.
“Stay close,” Blinky ordered as we continued through the market. Aaarrrgghh pushing me closer to the group as I paused to watch a troll getting what looked like a tattoo done. “Human feet have never graced the ground of Trollmarket before,” Blinky explained to us.
After Blinky mentioned this I began to notice that the trolls around us kept stopping to stare in as we passed by. Many began to murmur about humans, going so far as to question Aaarrrgghh and Blinky, to which Aaarrrgghh simply replied “Friends,” motioning to Toby, Jim, and I, growling slightly at the questioning trolls.
“This is crazy!” Jim exclaimed, looking into each stall we passed. “Are you getting this, Tobes?”
“Oh, yeah,” Toby answered while taking pictures of the different stalls and trolls we passed. “On it.”
As we walked by another tattoo stall, I stopped and waved at the trolls who had done a double take seeing the three of us. I continued after the group quickly seeing the trolls’ disgruntled expressions aimed at me.
“Check it out!” Toby began to point to different stones. “Peridot, Topaz, Cassiterite!” He gasped, grasping a large boulder, “Kornerupine!” the boulder began to mover as Toby touched it, glancing up he quickly realized he was grabbing a troll and began to stammer an apology.
I shook my head pulling him along quickly before the troll decided to toss him off a ledge.
“Your knowledge of minerals is almost troll-like, Tobias” Blinky complimented as we caught up to him, Aaarrrgghh, and Jim.
“So, your kind, you all live here?” Jim asks, slowing his pace.
“Trolls travel from afar to our market to find comfort and remedies,” Blinky explained, gesturing to different stalls. “You’ll find most anything you need and sometimes you’ll find what you never knew you needed.”
I glanced into a dark cave seeing dark blue crystal spikes. Pausing when the spikes began to move, I realized they were part of another troll, with sapphire stone skin and bright golden red eyes, similar in color to the crystalline fire in the center of Trollmarket. We locked eyes for a moment before the troll huffed, looking towards Aaarrrgghh and Blinky as they kept walking. I shook my head and quickly followed after the group, not paying attention to the troll now following me.
As I caught up with the others, I had to push my way through a crowd of trolls that had circled them, questioning Blinky about the humans.
“What is this?” a deep voice brimming with irritation roared from behind me. Looking back, I notice it was the troll I had seen in the dark cave. He was pushing the crowd away as he walked up to us, stopping in front of me. He stood to his full height glaring down over me, growling.
I had to crane my neck back slightly with how close he was standing. A deadpan expression never leaving my face as he yelled.
“I was just getting to that, Draal.” Blinky replied, trying to pull me back from the angry troll I now knew as Draal.
Draal walked forward and I matched his steps walking back till I was between Jim and Blinky. “Human feet have never sullied the ground of Trollmarket before.” He claimed, now circling Jim. “Who are these fleshbags?” he questioned with a slight growl, getting in Jim’s face causing him to step back quickly, hands up in defense.
Seeing how anxious Jim was at having Draal in his space I quickly stepped between them, glaring at Draal and refusing to back down as he got in my face instead.
“Believe it or not, he is, um,” Blinky began to fidget as he tried to explain, “How do I put this? Our new Trollhunter.”
Most trolls in attendance gasped in disbelief, some jaws dropped, and all were stunned at Blinky’s answer.
Draal glared over me to Jim, growling. “He can’t be the Trollhunter.” He stated, “He’s not a troll!” He pushed me to the side, then slammed his fists into the ground, breaking the stone and causing Jim to jump back, falling against Aaarrrgghh.
I growled at being pushed, hands heating up as I stepped in front of Draal, blocking him from Jim. “And yet the talking amulet called his name.” I spoke, irritated with Draal.
Aaarrrgghh helped Jim up quickly, glaring at Draal. “Amulet chose.”
Blinky tried to diffuse the situation as Toby spoke up. “Show him, Jimbo.”
Jim glanced up to Aaarrrgghh trying to gauge if summoning the armor was a good idea. Once Aaarrrgghh nodded, I stepped aside so everyone, including Draal, could see Jim. Jim read off the incantation as the amulet began to glow, and in a flash of light, he was now fully suited in armor. “Pretty cool, right?” He asked the trolls.
“A human, protecting us?” a female troll asked from the crowd, hands on her hips as she eyed Jim wearily. A second female troll next to her fainting.
“Bushigal!” Draal yelled, stalking towards Jim. “I am Draal,” he began, hitting a fist over his chest, “son of Kanjigar and the amulet’s rightful heir!” He exclaimed.
“Uh, you’re his son?” Jim asked, distress evident, “He’s his son?” he turned to Blinky for an answer.
Blinky winced, wringing his four hands together and nodding slightly.
“Yeah,” I spoke up, looking to Draal, “I can see how this is a problem.” Toby nodded in agreement.
Draal stood at his full height over Jim, chin raised in the air as he glared down at him. “When my father fell, the honor should have passed on to me.” He grabbed the amulet, trying to rip it out of the armor. A bright blue light enveloped Jim and pushed him and Draal apart.
Aaarrrgghh quickly caught Jim, holding him out slightly to Draal as if proving a point. “Amulet chose.” He stated again.
Draal was staring at the amulet, shocked it had rejected him. Blinky ushered us by Draal quickly, heading to our next destination in Trollmarket. Draal eyed us, standing up again. “We’ll see what Vendel has to say about this,” he growled out.
“Feel free to fetch him.” Blinky turned towards Draal, still leading us away. “In the meanwhile, lots of Trollhunter business to be done. Draal, wonderful to see you as always.”
I paused as I passed Draal, bowing my head slightly in empathy for his father’s death. Draal growled at me, huffing as he saw my palms, still red and burnt from our run-in with Bular earlier. He hummed and quickly turned heading off to find Vendel.
We reached a cavern entrance that had a glowing yellow sign in the outline of the sword of Daylight. As we walked into the cavern, Jim’s armor disappeared. “Um, what just happened?” He asked Blinky, catching the amulet as it fell from his chest.
“The amulet responded to your unconscious command, Master Jim.” Blinky explained, “You are at ease, are you not?” he asked, hands pressed together in thought.
“I am, actually,” Jim replied, holding the amulet up with a small smile as he looked it over.
“It senses that. You are beginning to master it. “Blinky complimented as he continued to guide us through the cavern. We soon came to a large opening, a natural stone bridge leading to a large, stage-like area surrounded by statues of trolls on high pedestals.
“Is this a palace?” Jim asked in awe.
“This is ‘The Hero’s Forge.’” Blinky exclaims as we cross the bridge. Toby taking pictures of every square inch, mumbling about different minerals.
Jim took notice of the statues and Blinky was quick to explain that they are the remains of his predecessors, including an empty pedestal for Kanjigar’s remains.
I was walking around the perimeter of the Forge, hand ghosting over the markings and runes carved into the stone walls. “This is amazing,” I came to a stop next to Blinky as he was finishing his explanation of the Trollhunters.
“A line of heroism that reaches back to the age of Merlin, he exclaimed, walking to a lever in one of the walls.
“Merlin?” I asked, following him. “As in the wizard in the tales of King Arthur and Camelot?”
Blinky nods, “The very same Lady River, I’m glad you’re familiar with your history. Especially after witnessing your own magic tonight.” Blinky grinned.
I furrowed my brow in confusion. “My history?” I stared up at him. “Wait, what magic tonight?”
“I assumed you knew, after all the spell you used to attack Bular takes years of training to control.” Blinky paused in thought.
“I didn’t use a spell; I was just scared Jim was going to die.” I looked at my palms, still inflamed and burning from the light that had encased them during our altercation with Bular.
“About all this,” Toby broke our conversation, “there’s just one thing I’m not getting.” He was looking between Aaarrrgghh and Blinky, “You guys are trolls. So, ‘Trollhunter’ sounds a little like you hunt yourselves, you know?” he asked, confused.
Aaarrrgghh grasped Jim’s shoulder as he answered, “Hunt bad trolls. GummGumms.”
“Not exactly a terrifying name,” Jim stated, recovering from Aaarrrgghh’s grip.
“In Trollspeak,” Blinky began, “‘GummGumm’ means ‘bringer of horrible, slow, painful, and thoroughly-calculated death.’” Jim gulped at Blinky’s answer. “But do not be too concerned, Master Jim. The GummGumms were exiled to the Darklands centuries ago. Only one roams free.”
“And that one wants to kill Jim,” I spoke up quickly, shaking my head at the thought.
“His father and the rest of their number remain exiled to the Darklands, but they have been trying to escape for centuries. I sense ill times are upon us. Hence the need for us to begin Master Jim’s training now.” Blinky stated as he raised a hand to the lever. “Step back please.” He motioned to the boys as I stood next to him. “A little further, Tobias.” He waved slightly. Toby took another step back and Blinky shrugged. “oh, very well.” He pulled the lever and the entire forge came to life.
Pendulums, spikes, blades of all kinds were erupting from the floor. I watched as Jim and Toby quickly ran to the walls, Toby screaming his lungs out.
“Blinkous Galadrigal!” an aged voice yelled over the instruments of death. Blinky quickly shut the forge down, obviously nervous about this voice. The blades retracted to reveal a goat-like troll walking towards us from the stone bridge. “Blinkous Galadrigal.” He repeated, walking up to us quickly. When he was close enough I could see his eyes were grey though they sparkled as if they held a galaxy within.
“That’s your name?” Jim asked, turning to Blinky.
Blinky gave a short nod, “Horrible, I know.”
The elder troll walked to Blinky before turning to Toby. “I wish to meet the fleshbag supposedly chosen by the amulet.” He began to prod at Toby. “I am Vendel, son of Rundle, son of Kilfred.”
Toby stammered slightly, “Uh… Toby, son of Ralph. I live with my Nana.”
Vendel picked Toby up by his arm and began poking him in the stomach. “Produce the amulet, Trollhunter,” he demanded, dropping Toby again.
I chuckled at the obvious confusion, glancing at Jim as he pulled out the amulet.
“I think I’m the fleshbag that you’re looking for.” Jim chuckled, holding the amulet up to Vendel.
Aaarrrgghh stood next to Jim, pointing to him, “Amulet chose.” He stated in a less aggressive manner than he did with Draal.
Vendel hums as he walks over to Jim, “So Draal tells me. Ridiculous!” He states. “However,” he continued, leaning down so his face was level with Jim’s, “the amulet had been known to make ill-fated choices, as you know better than most.” He turned to stare down Blinky.
I frowned looking up at Blinky, “What does he mean?”
Aaarrrgghh answered for Blinky as Vendel moved to the center of the forge. “Blinky trained Trollhunter before.” He points up to a statue of a troll covering his face in fear. “Unkar ‘the Unfortunate.’” He states.
“Why is he unfortunate?” Jim asked, worried.
“First night out, torn.” Aaarrrgghh answered, a pained look on his face.
“Like conflicted?” Jim asked.
Aaarrrgghh raised his hands making a ripping gesture. “No. Limb from limb.” As Aaarrrgghh said this, Unkar’s arm fell to the floor between Toby and me, startling us.
“If the amulet chose true,” Vendel began, gesturing to the floor in the center, “the Soothscryer will reveal it.”
“Please,” Blinky pleaded, “Master Jim hasn’t had but an hours training.”
Vendel only glared and hummed harshly as he pointed to the floor again, commanding Jim to move.
Jim looked down at the footprints carved in the floor then to Vendel. Once Vendel nodded he placed his feet on the corresponding carvings. The amulet began to glow and the carvings in the floor of the forge did the same, a mechanism kicked in causing the floor to move and a large troll-like statue erupted from the carvings. The mouth of the statue opened.
“Behold, the Soothscryer!” Vendel began, “It will judge your true spirit. Insert your right hand Trollhunter,” he directed Jim, nodding to the open mouth of the Soothscryer.
“Um,” Jim stammered, “I’m going to get it back, right?” He asked Vendel.
“That is part of the test.” Vendel stated.
“You can’t be serious.” I stared at the Soothscryer, my brow furrowed in disbelief.
“I assure you, young sorceress, I am serious.” Vendel stated turning slightly to face me.
Jim waved Toby over to give him a boost, he sighed looking in the mouth of the Soothscryer before slowly inserting his right arm. The Soothscryer clamped down on his arm and Jim shrieked, he began pulling and kicking, trying to rip his arm free.
“Jim!” I ran over and tried to pull him free, yelping as my burnt palms flared at the touch, letting him go quickly.
The Soothscryer released Jim’s arm and he fell back onto Toby holding his arm. “I’m okay!” He yelled.
Toby groaned underneath Jim in response, “Ooh, everything hurts.”
I sighed in relief seeing that Jim’s arm was still intact and that he didn’t seem hurt. Vendel approached the Soothscryer, next to me, analyzing it. “What is it?” I ask concerned.
Vendel hummed before looking down to us, “Inconclusive,” he simply states.
“What does ‘inconclusive’ mean?” Jim asks as Vendel turned to leave.
Vendel paused his steps, “It means, Trollhunter, that there’s never been a human to bear the mantle before.” He turned slightly to look at Jim, “The Soothscryer needs more time to render its judgment. Let us all hope you live long enough to see it.” He turned back to the stone bridge, “Young sorceress, you will come with me, your wounds need to be treated properly.”
I sigh looking at my hands, not sure if I trusted Vendel enough to follow. Blinky nudged me towards him, smiling assuredly. I give him a small smile as I run after Vendel, keeping quiet as we walked.
We ended up in a cave that was made up of different sections of the Heartstone. I wanted to look over everything, there were hundreds of bottles on different tables made of stone; scrolls and books covering others.
Vendel gestured to an empty table, “Sit here.” I did as I was told, once I was settled on the table, he took my hands and began to examine them, “Seems Draal was correct when he said Blinky brought two humans and a sorceress to Trollmarket.”
I frowned, “I don’t understand, I’m not a sorceress, I don’t know any spells or incantations.” I watched Vendel pull out a jar with mossy green salve inside. He began to spread the salve over my palms. I let out a sigh of relief as it cooled the burning sensation.
“If you’re not a sorceress, how do explain using a powerful spell in the midst of a fight?” Vendel question, wrapping the salve in banana leaves before covering everything in gauze from the tips of my fingers to the middle of my forearm.
“I don’t know.” I frowned, recalling the fight. “I remember thinking that Bular was going to kill Jim, then my hands felt hot,” I look over my bandaged hands. “then there was a glow, it got brighter. As I saw Bular was about to strike Jim, I just,” I sighed, trying to wrap my head around everything, “I threw my hands out and the light left my hands and hit Bular.” I explained, slowly clenching my hands.
Vendel hummed, processing what I told him, “Magic runs through you, strongly it seems.” He paused, then nodded, “If the human Trollhunter is to train in the forge, then you are to train here in the Heartstone.”
“Train?” I asked, looking up to him.
“Come, we will get tomes from Blinkous’ library.” He stood, turning to the entrance. “It would be beneficial to start with the basics. If left untrained you could pose a danger to yourself, and those close to you.”
My eyes widen, I nod and get up quickly to follow him. He led me past the forge and back into the market. As we walked Draal fell into step with Vendel.
“The fleshbag is still in the forge?” He asked Vendel, confused as to why Jim was still here, with the amulet no less.
Vendel nods, “The Soothscryer was inconclusive, we cannot act until it makes a judgment. However, I must thank you for informing me of the young sorceress, she will be studying here from now on. Lady River, correct?” Vendel paused to turn, addressing me.
“Um, just River,” I said, arms stuffed into the pockets of my jacket, uncomfortable.
Draal snorts, “Quick to abandon a title, a witch is more like it.”
Vendel shook his head at Draal, “She has no proper training, and like our Trollhunter, was unaware of this world until the amulet showed up.”
“Powerful yet ignorant, that’s a dangerous mix, fleshbag,” Draal spoke to me.
I leveled a glare at him, “Well excuse me for being an oblivious human, it’s not like I grew up around magic and trolls.”
Draal barks a laugh, “It thinks it’s a human fleshbag!”
I turn to Vendel confused, realizing that he, Draal, Blinky and Aaarrrgghh never addressed me as a human.
Vendel sighed seeing my confusion, “While you have the appearance of a human your essence is that of magic, as all sorcerers are. Take Merlin for example.” He explained, walking into the library and gesturing for me to follow. He began collecting books from different sections of the library.
Draal huffed taking a seat at a nearby table, “How do expect her to learn from tomes in Trollish, can she even read Trollish?” He asked Vendel in a condescending tone.
Vendel sighs and sits one of the smaller books he grabbed next to Draal, “Sit and read that,” he ordered.
I sighed sitting down by Draal and picking up the book. Looking over the cover at the runes, I snorted a laugh reading the title. “‘How to keep King Arthur in line,’ Let me guess, Merlin wrote this?” I asked.
Draal’s jaw dropped, looking over the runes himself, then to Vendel.
Vendel smirks slightly at the stunned troll next to me, “She may be untrained, but the blood of Merlin runs deep.” He packed a few books into a black satchel, including the book he had me read. “You will return tomorrow; I expect you to have finished these by then.”
“Not gonna happen.” I shook my head. “I can come after school, but I won’t have time to read all of these and do the necessary homework for my human classes as well. Can you give me a couple days to go over these? I want to read over them carefully.” I frown slightly, looking at my bandaged hands. “I don’t want to be a danger to anyone, so I can’t half-ass this.” I look up to Vendel.
Vendel tilts his head in consideration, “I did not realize humans had learning institutions they attended, though it has been decades since I have left Trollmarket. It can’t be helped.” He nodded, “Study these at your pace then, we will still train after your school.” He looks to Draal, “see if the humans are still here, it is getting late.”
Draal grumbled but left to check the forge.
I took the satchel from Vendel, trying to process everything. “So, I’m a sorceress, and that’s different than a witch?” I asked, remembering Draal’s remark when I asked Vendel to just call me by name.
Vendel sits at the table with me, nodding. “Blinkous explained the difference between GummGumms and other trolls correct? It is similar for sorcerers and witches if they are evil and practice dark magic they are referred to as witches and warlocks. If they are morally sound and do not practice dark magic, they are sorcerers,” Vendel explained.
“What about wizards?” I asked, noting that Vendel didn’t use the term.
Vendel smirks, “You are quite perceptive for someone so young.” He nods slowly, “Wizards tend to be morally sound, though they practice all types of magic, dark magic included, and therefore they are powerful but flawed.”
“Since you refer to Merlin as a wizard, then he was morally sound, but he practiced dark magic. Powerful but flawed.” I stated, tilting my head. “The spell I supposedly used, wasn’t dark magic then since you have been calling me a sorceress. Why would calling me ‘River’ opposed to ‘Lady River’ mean I’m a witch?”
Vendel remained quiet for a moment, collecting his thoughts, “Refusing a title is a show of discord in one’s self, however, humans are deeply flawed creatures, and you have been raised as one. It is reasonable that you would be uncomfortable with such notions of perfection.”
I nod and sigh, “Master Vendel, I don’t want to be perfect, I’m flawed, and I like my flaws. I don’t know if I’d feel the same if I wasn’t raised as a human, but I was always taught that my flaws are what make me… well, me. I don’t want to give that up for a title.”
Vendel hummed, a small smile gracing his face. “Your scent is similar to the amulet; I should have expected this.” He nods, “If you wish to embrace your flaws then do so, perfection is not for everyone, and it could end up holding you back, or destroying you, as it has others.”
A huff at the entrance of the library catches our attention. Draal stood at the entrance, Blinky and Aaarrrgghh behind him, “They sent the fleshbags home already.”
Vendel nods, standing. “Draal, please escort our young sorceress home. It would prove dangerous if the GummGumms were to take her.”
Draal growled but gives an indignant nod, “Hurry up witch.” He turned, walking out of the library, shoving pass Blinky and Aaarrrgghh.
I wince at the thought of having to deal with an irritated Draal all the way home. I grab the satchel and start heading out, nodding to Blinky and Aaarrrgghh, pausing in the doorway, “I’ll see you tomorrow for training Master Vendel!” I then took off running to catch up with Draal.
Thank you for reading! As always I’m open to suggestions and feedback!