A Trollhunter turned King

Unexpected Guest

Midday was when everyone was asleep, so the streets were practically empty. Jim had moved to the front and was leading the pack alongside Claire. they got a few weird stares but nothing more. seeing a group of six young trolls that just appeared out of nowhere was slightly confusing to the trolls that were roaming the market.

however, the teens were having fun. they weren't too loud and they never strayed far from the seasoned marketers, but they were teenagers. Steve even tried to sneak into the pub but Jim caught him and literally carried him away from the bar. They made their way to the forge while asking and answering hundreds of questions, luckily the pros took turns on answering things.

"What's the big one for?" Eli asked, pointing to the hearthstone as they walked by it. Jim could still feel its warmth and welcoming aura, but the remembrance of the pain from actually touching the gem made him shudder.

"Heartstone. Life force." a deep voice came from behind the group, making most of them jump and squeak. Their gentle giant had unintentionally snuck up on them and now wore a very apologetic expression.

"Hey Wingman." Toby greeted the pacifist with a wide grin. Jim and Claire shared a small laugh as the tension in the air from the accidental scare died down.

"Wingman." ARRRGGH! greeted back, holding his fist out for their fist bump. The troll still had no memory of the future or once past but Toby had told him volumes of what they were like and the krubera started getting used to doing the things he once did with the short teen.

"Guys, meet ARRRGGH!. He might look scary but he's just a big puppy, really." Claire said, gaining a smile from the troll and a happy ear flap. The teens all stared in shock as the troll's name was revealed.

"Wasn't that the guy you said Jim could throw around?" Darci asked, eyeing Toby with a worried look.

"No wonder I weigh nothing to you!" Steve exclaimed, glancing back at Jim with wide eyes. The half troll smirked with a huff of a laugh.

"Thought you'd be with Blinky." Jim commented, turning his attention back to the former Gumm-Gumm. ARRRGGH! Just shrugged his shoulders with a smile.

"Wait, what about a life force?" Eli asked, recalling what ARRRGGH! had said originally. The other teens took a moment to recall the same thing.

"The heartstone, or 'the big one', is the troll's life force." Douxie said, using Eli's description to help them understand.

"Without it, we'll turn to stone." Jim added, gaining horrid looks from the newer marketers.

"If not for the giant gem down here, you guys would die?" Steve shrieked. Mary, not wanting unneeded attention, covered his mouth with her hand before any of the others could do the same.

"Yes, and as a troll yourself, you should know that." Claire said, referring to the fact that they were all supposed to be trolls, and trolls knew that common knowledge, even as a child.

"Might we get to the forge before we are caught by someone we don't want to run into?" Archie asked from his seat on Douxie's shoulder.

"Yup, let's go." Toby replied as he turned to walk again. ARRRGGH! nodded his head forward to motion the teens to follow. The questions continued not long after but they were more related to what could kill a troll. Of course, all questions were answered and ARRRGGH! Explained some things, even with his limited English.

Walking down the dark tunnel to the forage, something unsettled both Jim and ARRRGGH!. The half troll stopped in his tracks and let out a small growl, getting everyone's attention. The former Gumm-Gumm did the same as the youngling.