Song of the Vikings - Draal x OC

2. Wherefore Art Thou, Trollhunter?

- rewritten: 6/13 -

"This is..." Toby trailed off.

"Yeah..." Jim continued

"Amazing," Kit breathed out, taking in all the color and glow from the various stones.

"This is your home?" Jim wondered allowed, enchanted by his surroundings.

"Trollmarket is home, and heart, and sanctuary for all good Trolls," Blinky informed the trio. He waved, walking them ahead. "This way, my friends. There's much to see."

"Dang!" Toby exclaimed, peering around at all the rock forms they walked past. "And here I thought the only thing underneath our town was dirty plumbing."

Looping one finger through Toby's shirt collar, they pulled the boy back from wandering off too far. "Whoa, easy there, tiger! Stay close to Blinky and Arrrgh."

"Indeed," Blinky mumbled, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "Human feet have never graced the ground of Trollmarket before."

"This is crazy!" Jim exclaimed. "Are you getting this, Tobes?"

"Oh yeah, on it!" Toby cheered, whipping his phone around and taking pictures of everything in sight. "Check it out! Peridot, topaz... cassiterite! Corneroupi..."

Yelping, he stepped back from the array of minerals that spun towards him, the troll glowering down at the boy.

Toby gulped. "Uh, hi."

"Pardon us," Kit interjected. They wrapped one arm around Toby's shoulders and ushered him away with a small nod towards the troll. "Didn't I tell you to stay with the group?"

"Sorry."

Blinky hummed. "Your knowledge of minerals is almost troll-like, Tobias!"

"So, your kind? You all live here?" Jim asked, keeping pace with the larger troll.

"Trolls travel from afar to our market to find comfort and remedies," Blinky explained, "You'll find most anything you need and sometimes you'll find what you never knew you needed."

Kit chuckled. "Kinda sounds like my library."

A low growl was unheard by the trio as they passed by a large blue troll. He scowled, disappearing into the shadows and out of sight.

Jim looked down, his eyes catching sight of a little critter wearing a red hat. "Aw, hey little guy! That's a cute pointy hat-"

The critter cut him off with a hiss, baring a set of sharp fangs. Jim yelped, scuttling backwards into Kit, "And pointy teeth!"

Blinky let out a small yelp, trying to stomp on the creatures running underfoot. "Go away! Get out of here! Vile vermin! Begone!"

"What was that?" Jim panted.

"Gnomes," Blinky replied, scowling lightly. "Vermin, pick-pocket, scum of the Earth! We only tolerate them for their grooming services."

Kit raised a brow. "Grooming?"

"They eat the parasites on the larger trolls." Blinky gestured towards Arrrgh, who flicked a gnome from his horns.

"Jim! Kit! Check it out!' Toby called. "Maximum coolosity there!"

Jim took off after his best friend, Kit following behind at a slower pace. A soft gasp escaped them as the large amber crystal filled their view, a soft glow illuminating the entire underground city.

"Look at that," Jim breathed out with a grin. "It's amazing!"

"Words can't even describe it," Kit murmured, eyes still trained on the crystal.