Moonlit Horns (Trollhunters fanfic)

Chapter 3, Thief

Jim woke up in Kanjigar's cave, but he was alone. He was growing fast in just a short amount of time. He was still only a few days old but now had the mental capacaty to know exactly what he wanted. 1, for someone to cuddle with. And 2, the Heartstone.

Jim scurried out of his new crib and out into town, causing trouble again. He made a mess of a stall and then found his way up to the Heartstone while everyone was distracted and panicked. Vendel was there, of course, but left once he heard the commotion. Jim crawled in and sniffed around.

He wedged himself behind a bookcase, and touched the wall, his arms begining to glow as he 'ate' from the Heartstone. Black tendrils began to creep into the Heartstone where his hands were.

The corruption area was small, as Jim was small, but the longer he stayed, the larger the dark spot got. Jim let go and giggled as his tiny body was glowing in strange patterns. It soon vanished and he crawled out from behind the bookshelf. He crawled around some more before Vendel found him and picked him up.

"Causing trouble again little one?" He sighed. He took Jim back to Kanjigar, who had just got back to Trollmarket. "Kanjigar, your son is causing trouble in the market again." The Trollhunter sighed as he took Jim from the old troll. He turned and walked away, looking at his son. "You seem to have a knack for getting into trouble, little one. How about a nice trip outside?" Jim purred happily, feeling good from the Heartstone.

Kanjigar walked up the crystal steps and used the horngazel to open up a way out of Trollmarket.

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The night was cold and Bular was on the move.

He sniffed the air and walked around an open meadow. There was a faint smell in the middle of the meadow. It did smell a bit different than the cave. With a gnarled smirk Bular sniffed around and began following the faded scent. It wasn't until another shale came into the mix that Bular truly got excited.

"Trollhunter..."

Jim squealed and shuddered, shivering in the cold. "Hush Jim, I know it is cold out but bear with me for this walk my son." Kanjigar crawled up out of the canal and into the forest, holding Jim closely. He had already done a quick patrol, so he wasn't to exceptionally worried about brining Jim to the surface.

From the shadows, a large figure watched the Trollhunter, quietly observing.

Kanjigar set Jim down and only held his arms, making him stand. "Look how well you're  doing Jim!" Jim laughed but his mouth was suddenly covered and he was scooped up, Kanjigar standing in the direction of the figure, who was now approaching.

The Trollhunter gasped as Bular appeared from the trees.

"This cannot be!" He made Daylight appear while cradling Jim in his other hand. He looked for a way to escape, knowing he couldn't fight well with his son in his arm.

Bular stared at the whelp in the Trollhunter's arm. A single sniff of the air told him he had found who he was after. Bular drew out only one of his twin blades, which Kanjigar took note of quickly. Bular charged and swung his sword at Kanjigar, who dodged the attack. The sudden movement made Jim whimper and cry, making the two combatants look at him, only one in worry. Bular regained focus first and charged Kanjigar, slamming into him and sending him to the ground.

Kanjigar recovered quickly, but not quick enough. Jim was no longer in his arm and Bular had taken off full speed into the woods.

"JIM!"

Kanjigar tried to follow. He looked all night for his son until the sunrise. He cursed and tried to get back to Trollmarket before the sun got to high. He didn't make it in time though, and as he had no path to get under the bridge, so he was forced to remain in the forest that day.

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Bular was already back in the Darklands with Jim in tow, racing to his father. He paused for a moment and looked down at the whelp in his arm. He noticed the collar on his neck and looked at it. He couldn't read human, or English, whatever it was. But he heard the Trollhunter call out enough times he put two and two together.

"Jim."

Jim had calmed down now that they had stopped moving and looked up when Bular said his name. "You respond to such a weak name?" Bular shook his head and continued on but at a slower pace.

Bular eyed Jim a while longer, and sighed.

"You are my brother. You may be weak but that changes nothing. I will make you less weak. I cannot guarantee you will ever be strong, you tiny thing, but less weak for sure."

Jim shivered a bit from the cold air, and Bular did his best to keep Jim close and warm.

Once he arrived at the throne room, Gunmar stood up, a look of surprise in his face.

"Father. I located the bridge and retrieved Jim."

"Jim?" Gunmar said with distaste.

Bular nodded and approached, showing the pink cat collar to his father. Gunmar sniffed Jim and then the collar. "He responds well to that name, father."

"It seems his wretch of a mother gave him this name. It fits perfectly. A weak name for a weak son. Dispose of him."

Gunmar looked away and sat back on his throne. Bular nodded and left, but couldn't bring himself to 'dispose' of Jim. He knew he was going to fail his father once again but during the short time spent together, Bular had grown slighty attached to Jim.

"I am your brother Jim. I will make you stronger so father will think-no... He will KNOW  you aren't useless!" Jim giggled and snuggled into Bular, who hid him and went to his room.