Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia

48: In Good Hands

Gunmar and Usurna walked through the Heartstone, where Morgana was frozen. "All this time, she was beneath our very feet," Usurna said.

"Eldritch Queen," Gunmar said. "You will be freed from this wretched prison." He stuck the staff into the ground. "And together, we will bring forth the Eternal Night. Make the day night, the sun darkness, and me king." The staff glowed bright green as he held onto it tighter and tighter.

"My lord!" Usurna said.

Gunmar got flown backward into the wall. The staff glowed more and green Trollish words projected from it. "Only human hands may wield," Usurna read. "But how are we to find a human who can speak the Trollish incantation?"

Gunmar hit his fists on the ground. "Find me an Impure!"

***

Merlin looked through the fridge in Jim's house. "Fascinating."

He opened and closed the door many times. "But how do you know the light goes out when you close the door?"

Jim was near the stove, cooking an omelet. Barbara stood near him, holding three plates. "I never expected Merlin to be in my house," she said.

Claire and Toby were setting the table in the dining room. "You've had trolls, goblins, and changelings here," Claire said. "Why not a wizard?"

Strickler walked toward Merlin. "Merlin, the Immortal. What an honor." He got onto his knees. "Allow me to introduce myself. Waltolomew Stricklander. Well, Strickler for short. I've been mentoring the Trollhunter."

"Spare me the life story," Merlin said. "Now and forever, changeling."

He sat at the table and Barbara handed him the omelet Jim had made. "So, Gunmar stole your staff." She said. "Isn't that all he needs to make the...the..."

Jim walked by her. "The Eternal Night, mom," he said.

"Yes. The Eternal Night."

"Fear not, mother of Jim," Merlin said. "When I designed my staff, I put in a safeguard."

"See?" Jim said, sitting down on the couch with Claire and Toby. "We're in good hands."

"Then again, no safeguard is a guarantee," Merlin said. He took a bite of the omelet. "It's been centuries since I've eaten. Metal Face here was lucky I didn't eat him back in the cave."

"He's joking, right?" Toby asked.

"Not really. Time is of the essence. Take me to the nearest blacksmith at once."

Jim led him into the garage with Claire and Toby behind them. "We have a couple of tools and some old Christmas decorations." He said. "Will that work? What are you making, exactly?"

"It's none of your concern now," Merlin said. "No forge? No grindstone? Not even a bellows?"

"No," Toby said. "But Jimbo has a garage door. Check it out!"

He pressed a button and the garage door opened. "Open." He pressed the button again and it closed. "Closed. Open," he opened it again. "What's it do next? Close." He closed it again.

"This will have to do," Merlin sighed.

"Well, when you said you put in a safeguard," Claire said. "How long do safeguards typically guard...safely?"

"Yeah, are we talking weeks?" Toby asked. "Years?"

Merlin started kicking Jim's Vespa and Jim pushed him away. "Depends on Gunmar's cleverness," Merlin said. "A few hours."

"But you can stop him, right?" Toby asked.

"I have lost most of my magic. But this old bucket knows a few spells. I need you to acquire a few items first."