Prompt #3- Sticks and stones will break my bones... Trollhunters set in S1, between e3-6

"-A fleshbag?-"

"-Merlin expects that to protect us?-"

"-I could snap him with two fingers.-"

"That fleshbag dares take my father's mantle?!"

Though he'd been trying to tune out the conversations around him, Jim winced at Draal's outraged cry. Trying to remain inconspicuous- a vain task as Trollmarket had no other humans scurrying through its streets- Jim kept his head down and hurried for the Heroes Forge. Hopefully if he moved quickly enough he could avoid another confrontation with Draal.

"Oi there's our 'saviour' now."

Or not.

The crowd suddenly drew back from Jim, leaving him encircled by very large, and very oarney trolls.

"H-hey everyone. Now if you'll excuse me, Blikey's waiting-"

"He can wait longer." Draal's voice came directly behind Jim.

Jim squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before carefully turning on his heel. "Draal. Hi- hi. Sorry to bother you. I was just heading-"

"Doesn't look like it."

Because Jim really could cut his way through a crowd of trolls who all were at least three times his size when they wanted to box him in?

"What do you want, Draal?"

"I want Kanjigar back, but since that's not possible I want a Trollhunter who's actually capable. Or a troll for that matter." Draal stepped forward, putting himself way into Jim's personal space.

"Uh, yeah. I bet, but, as I've said the amulet chose m-"

"Well Merlin made a mistake." Draal's roar rose above all the chatter of the market.

Everything went silent and Jim felt the weight of every eye within a four block radius. He desperately wished he could disappear. Blue light pulsed from his pocket. Jim moved to cover the light with his hand but Draal caught his wrist. With ease Draal lifted Jim so they were looking eye to eye. Jim choked back a gasp of pain.

"You don't deserve to be here at Trollmarket. You don't deserve to be our protector. Most of all, you don't deserve that amulet. I bet my socks Bular crunches on your bones before a fortnight's passed. Then maybe Merlin will choose a Trollhunter who can actually do the job." Laughing harshly, Draal released Jim's arm.

Jim couldn't get his feet under him fast enough to avoid a collision course with the ground. He let out a yelp on impact, eliciting a scoff from Draal.

"Fleshbag. A fortnight's too generous, but I guess we'll see. After all, you have the great Blinkous Galadriel training you. How could that go wrong? Tell Unkar I send my regards."

Draal turned and sauntered off into the market. The remaining trolls continued to shoot contemptuous looks at Jim. Face flushing red, Jim scrambled to his feet.

High pitched shouting came from close to the ground. Jim grimaced, and looked down to see a party of three gnomes standing with fists in the air.

"Look I'm just trying to get to the Forge if you'll excuse me-"

The lead gnome blew a raspberry. That served as some sort of signal as the three launched clumps of - 'I really hope that's mud!'- at Jim. The rest of the trolls jeered and Jim quickly dodged a barrage of trash being chucked in his direction. He didn't move fast enough to avoid a can hitting his cheek.

Jim sucked in a cry of pain. His hands flew to his face, only to come away sticky and wet. 'That's gonna be fun to explain to mom.' More mocking jeers rose as Jim felt blood trickle towards his chin. Hardening his expression he glared at the trolls.

"If you're all done, I've kept Blinky long enough."

This time the crowd began to break up. Jim stumbled out of Trollmarket, wiping vainly at the gunk covering his clothes. It did little more than smear it around. 'Great. Just great.' Jim sighed. Tears prickled in the back of his eyes. Did Draal, or any of the other trolls, really think he chose this? A month ago his biggest worry was if Mom made it home safely and had breakfast waiting after a long shift. Now... now he might be the one not to make it home.

Jim grit his teeth and clenched his fists. For better or worse (which, worse definitely seemed to be the case) the role of Trollhunter fell to him. Even if the trolls hated him and were rooting for his death, he now had a responsibility to them.

"Master Jim! You are twenty minutes late. Now we've talked about-"

Jim blinked back the barrage of words. He hadn't realized he'd made it into the Forge. Looking up he saw Blinky and AAARRRGGHH staring at him. Jim flushed under the scrutiny.

"Master Jim! Are you alright? What happened to y-"

"I'm fine. Blinky. Let's just get started."

Blinky and AAARRRGGHH shared a look.

"Jim sad. Need break?"

Jim scoffed. "Bular's out there waiting to ground my body into pulp. He won't care how I'm feeling about that. Come on, Blinky. Just tell me what I need to do."

Slowly Blinky nodded and directed Jim toward an area of the arena. Jim pulled out the amulet and felt the familiar weight of the armor encompass him. Daylight manifested in his hands. Jim gripped its handle.

Yes, Draal was right. Jim might- probably would- die in the line of duty as the Trollhunter. That didn't mean Jim wasn't going to do everything in his power to show Draal, the rest of Trollmarket, and to himself that though he might be an unconventional Trollhunter, he was the Trollhunter.