~You Give My World Color~ Jlaire

Chapter 1: Jim's History

Hello hello! Quick author's note here! 💗🍒
I love Trollhunters, and love Jlaire even more. This story will be pretty long, and updated as much as possible. For the most past, we will stick to Jim's POV unless Claire's is needed, like when she finds the Amulet of Daylight.
Remember, this is a Dark!Changling/Troll Jim AU.
Thank you, and enjoy!

P.S. Italics are thoughts/flashbacks. Bold is author's note.

Jim

I remember the day when my step-dad first took me to the Darklands to teach me what I really was. I was scared, of course. No six year old ever enjoyed dim, dark places with sounds of growls and howls. At that moment, I almost admired Stricklander, walking into such a terrifying place without so much of a blink with his yellow, beady eyes. But I was too petrified to voice that to him.
If I thought I was scared then, I was a complete fool.
Every place like that has a leader, someone who thrived within the environment of despair and chaos. Who was that leader? Gunmar. And I was about to meet him...
I heard about Gunmar through Stricklander, as he spoke about him on our way there. As we passed through the strange bridge called Killahead in the shrewd covering of the night, I finally asked my first question.

"Will Gunmar show me who I am?"

Stricklander stopped to look at me briefly, the small, scrawny, pleading kid in his arms. He looked over my features, before trying his best at a warm smile.
"Yes, he will."
And then he changed right before my eyes.
What started at his toes was a glowing ring of light that quickly rose up around his body. In the blink of an eye, Stricklander was no longer Stricklander. But yet, he was. It didn't matter if his skin was green or his hair was white, or if his eyes were yellow with red pupils. I still saw the same safety and comfort he held for me.

I didn't protest when we entered the Darklands.

I felt, no-KNEW, I would be safe with him. After all, he was my step-father. He was the one there for me when I scrapped my knee. He was there for me to comfort me when I was teething and it hurt. He was there for me to help me tie my shoes, which I still couldn't get right sometimes. He loved my mother, and he loved me. He wouldn't let us down.
So, as we walked through the dark but murky lit hallway, I trusted him to keep me safe. He was my dad, after all.
Gunmar was waiting on a throne made of black rock and stone. His red eyes shone against his crusted, dark Stony body as he focused in on us. I moved my head away from Stricklander's shoulder to look him in the eyes. He was straight nightmare fuel.
I whimpered a little, but otherwise remain quiet. It If wasn't for those eyes, I could almost mistake Gunmar for a statue. He looked to be one with the environment around him. How fitting.
"Stricklander. So you have brought this halfling with you. It is about time." His voice was gruff and ancient, like he has seen it all.
Stricklander cleared his throat before speaking himself. "Yes, Gunmar. I apologize for my slight delay, but he came willingly and quietly. This is a good sign."
Gunmar stepped up and walked right up to us. His steps sounded heavy, like impending doom was upon me, but I could only stop and stare as he got closer, despite my instincts telling me to run, hide, do something.
He stopped before me, judging me with those eyes I already hated. It was like he peeked into my very soul searching for something. But for what? What could he possibly see in me? I wanted to know so badly.
"It's clear he won't be as big as us, or even possess half of the strength of a real Changling," Gunmar began, and I couldn't help but glare at him. His eyes widened a little, but it was gone as soon as it came, and he smirked. "but it appears he has three times the spirit than anything I've seen. If we break and rebuild him enough, he could become a fine warrior for my army. See to it that he begins proper training and...education."
Stricklander bowed, "Of course," and turned on his heel to leave. "He will be your best warrior."
"Let's hope for his sake, that he is."