Author's Note: Last chapter. I might write a sequel. Who knows? Happy Easter!

Jump (part 3)

Stone. Not living stone. Just pale, grey, brittle, cold, lifeless stone.

Humans don't typically keep corpses on display. An understandable decision considering that, with time, their highly organic bodies decay. As such, they either cremate or bury them within the ground.

Blinky supposed the sight of Arrrgh every time the kids visited trollmarket was unsettling.

It isn't a photo or object... it's him. His actual physical being.

The historian could only guess they'd never quite grow used to it, and nearly approved the Krubera's request to return Arrrgh's remains to forever rest in the deep caves.

However, that pesky selfish side of the blue troll refused to let go.

Trolls keep their dead, often display them on pedestals or in a family cavern, as a reminder. The bodies are also rumored to serve as a guide to their respective souls. (A theory backed by the discovery of the void, though no troll knows if only past trollhunters have the ability.)

Toby and Claire... they often avoided that corner of the library, the spot now home to Arrrgh.

The one time Blinky mentioned the Krubera's wishes, he'd been surprised when the portly boy actively opposed them. Tobias appeared to be affected the most by recent events and couldn't bring himself within five feet of his large friend. For him to push his discomfort aside for 'what Arrrgh would want' was very heartwarming to say the least.

In the words of Toby, his 'wingman would want whatever makes Blinky happy.'

And so it stayed.

Funny how much he'd grown close to Tobias these last few days. Only three had come and gone since Jim entered the Darklands, and so the portly boy had to forgo the one he would usually lean on for support. No way would he pressure his Nana, and Claire just didn't seem right. Barbara isn't an option. Instead he went to Blinky.

Toby started by asking about his and Arrrgh's past.

He wasn't sure how many hours he'd spent reminiscing and trying his best to comfort the mourning youth.

Then of course both kids, NotEnrique, and the historian had all agreed to find a way to help Jim.

The trollhunter's absence hurt everyone involved. One doesn't just up and endanger himself after the loss of a friend. Blinky feared the death of Jim would shatter what little hope was managing to hold Toby together.

And Claire... poor girl looked to be at a loss for everything. She spent most of her time with the green changeling or nose deep in a book searching for anything useful.

Too bad these efforts were rewarded with a hefty load of nothing... Everyone's efforts proved fruitless.

Without an amulet of their own, the door to the Darklands would remain closed.

"Galadrigal." Vendel tapped the blue troll's shoulder, startling him out of his thoughts, "We may not require as much rest as the humans, but it's still a necessity. You need to sleep."

Blinky glared up at the elder troll and muttered, "I didn't come here for a lecture."

In fact, he didn't want to be here at all. It certainly wasn't by choice.

Seriously, those trolls should have just minded their own business. It was just a little stumble... and he may or may not have lost consciousness, but that's besides the point.

"I've gone far longer than three days without sleep." He said as Vendle continued to examine him, "Must have bumped my head."

"Your head is fine. However, you are showing clear symptoms of exhaustion. Are you eating enough? Correctly? I know you've taken a moderate liking to human sustenance. While high in nutrients, they provide few if any minerals-"

"I'm no whelp! Spare me the lecture... I'm fine."

He was. He needed to be.

Blinky could read through four entire books before Claire could finish one. He was the adult. He didn't have to keep up with tedious things such as school. The kids needed someone they could rely on, to be a foundation and provide the answers.

"Don't be a fool, Blinkous. What use will you be to Jim if you're too ill to function?" Vendel chided, "We all want to help our trollhunter. The least I can do is ensure his trainer's health."

The historian knew Vendel was right on all accounts. Not that it changed anything.

This wasn't the time to get sloppy. Blinky knows never to shirk on one's health. He's read and studied enough to know his diet and eating habits are well within the parameters of a healthy upkeep.

That momentary blackout of his in the market had actually frightened the stout troll. It made no logical sense.

A large hand rested on his shoulder.

"Perhaps... it may be that you're stressed and haven't the proper time to mourn your loss." The elder troll speculated.

"Nonsense. Stress maybe, but mourning can wait." He had the rest of his life to mourn.

Trolls aren't human. Vendel needed to stop handling him like one.

"I'm not fragile." Blinky stated, holding the taller troll's gaze.

His emotions are in check and he is too damn stubborn and afraid and determined to allow a little stress to tire him.

It must have shown through because Vendel offered him a nod.

"There's only one other possibility I can currently think of." He spoke slowly, his voice growing soft, "The problem...You may be eating and resting enough for one troll."

"But?" Blinky prompted.

"But you are supposed to be getting enough food and rest for two trolls... You and Arrrgh were active, we're you not?"

Vendel waited. The smaller troll's eyes widened and he turned away. The silence drew out to the point the elder troll believed he wouldn't receive an answer.

And then he heard it. Barely a whisper.

"Yes."

AN: Not much of an amazing ending, but it's where I felt I should stop it. I could go on, but if I do, it'll be it's own story. I'm trying to break this bad habit of thinking up really long stories and never finishing them because I ignore when I felt I should have stopped and then end up leaving everything in disarray. (Those of you who don't understand what just happened, i have one word for you: Mpreg!)