#i think his horns came in during adolecence | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

arcadiaoaksusedbooks · 4 years

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Balor had gone back to wearing his veil in public, and had been more withdrawn and quiet than before. He was a growing troll, and a Shardborn at that, so his quick growth would lead to some side effects. But growing pains didn’t happen overnight, and neither did depression.

After getting word from others, she found her answer, and took to Trollmarket with furrowed brows. The second someone greeted her, all she would answer with was a stern, quiet, demanding “Vendel.” And she was taken to Vendel.

“Welcome back, Nadia.” the elder greeted once she crossed the threshold into the Heartstone. “It has been a while. How is the surface? Your shop?”

“Vendel,” Nadia sighed, “I would love to visit and chat, but something happened that needs addressing.” She stood by her adoptive brother’s side, her stern and cold stare quickly turning to worried concern. “Something happened to my son here a couple of weeks ago. I just heard about it. Do you know anything? Who did it?”

“Ah.” Vendel sighed. “Yes, I do know what you mean. Before I explain, the culprit was brought to me, made to apologize and promised to never let it happen again.”

“Vendel.” Nadia gave another sigh, feeling exasperated. This was not going to satisfy her, even with an explanation. Vendel gave some solemn nods, sat down himself, and explained with a tired voice.

“Young Balor came here looking for a Year’s End present for you. He did find one, paid for it, but ran into Bruk. I don’t know if you remember Bruk, but he and his friends are Killahead veterans, and became little more than occasional troublemakers here in Trollmarket. Also, I should note, now that you’ve accepted Angor Rot as your family--”

“Vendel.”

“This is relevant, I promise.”

Nadia gave a tired sigh again, but let Vendel continue.

“--it did cause a little unrest in the market. A year ago, not long after Jim became the Trollhunter, Angor Rot was resurrected and hunted him. Angor had gotten his hands on a Horngazel and invaded Trollmarket. He killed several of our residents, including Bruk’s two friends. Bruk survived, and has been grieving ever since.”

Nadia’s eyes turned away for just a second for self reflection, before turning them back to Vendel to listen.

“Bruk saw the face of Angor in a whelp, felt enraged at the trauma resurfacing, and did only what a troll knows--”

“This does not excuse attacking a child.” Nadia said firmly. “A grown troll could be put to death for that.”

“No damage was done to Balor.” Vendel insisted. Nadia balled her fists.

“He has a chip on his horn. That can’t be fixed even with magic.” Nadia explained, through grit teeth. “He’s been hiding in his room ever since. He’s lost all energy to be active at night. He’s wearing his veil again when he goes out. To hide his face! SO HE ISN’T SEEN AS THE SON OF ANGOR ROT ANYMORE!”

Vendel closed his eyes, one hand going to a temple to rub the growing headache away.

“Your frustration is shared with many.” he calmed. “The rest of Trollmarket feels the way you do. How it’s not fair to take the frustrations of a father’s sins on the innocent son. Bruk was caged, and later made to apologize.”

“To whom?!”

“To the market, for a few things he said in the heat of the moment.” He carefully studied Nadia’s still heated glare. “Did you want him to apologize to you? To your son?”

“It would be a start.”

“And do you really think a simple apology will instantly cure what ails young Balor.”

“It. Would. Be--”

“I sympathize with the child, I do, sister.” Vendel sighed himself as he stood up, slowly. Nadia instinctively went to help him. “But there is only so much one can do in the situation. We cannot change what happened to Bruk and his friends, and we cannot change how he thinks. I have done what I can, and I assure you that Balor is safe here if and when he comes to visit again.”

Nadia turned her head away, frustrated. Was this really all that was going to happen? Vendel put a patient hand on her shoulder.

“What would you suggest we do to rectify this?” he asked.

Nadia turned her head, opened her mouth, and found just a single sound came out. “Ah--” She couldn’t answer. What more could be done? She was near angry enough to suggest capitol punishment, but did this really warrant it?

“You’re angry and protective, as a mother should be.” Vendel explained. “You feel as if you’ve failed him, and for the first time in your gentle life, you feel the need for vindication.” He was right, and all Nadia could do was give a couple defeated nods of the head. “You can meet with Bruk if you like, and get his side of the story. I don’t know Balor well enough to know what he would like to do. The situation is resolved on our end, and has been for weeks. How we feel about Angor Rot is our own business, but we won’t condemn his family or his kind for his crimes.”

Again, Nadia closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. It didn’t feel fair that everyone else had closure except herself and her son. Balor would probably never come to Trollmarket again, or trust another troll who wasn’t Yateveo. He may never stop hating himself. And she felt powerless to help him.

“I can live without a resolution to this.” she said quietly, looking up to Vendel. “But my son still suffers. I cannot sit by and watch him hate himself over something that couldn’t be helped.”

“I understand.” Vendel nodded. “Talk to him. Let him know that he has friends and family who care. Many of the trolls here are old boulders who have gathered moss for two hundred years, and their opinion is not worth dwelling on. That he’s a gifted young wizard who will build his own legacy and reputation, and that is what everyone will see when they look upon him. Simply being there and supporting him will work its own wonders.”

Nadia could only again give solemn head movements in acknowledgment, which prompted Vendel to pull her close with one arm.

“You did not fail as a parent.” he assured her. “You’re a good mother.” Nadia gave a smile and turned to hug her brother as he gave a small smirk. “You’re just a terrible observer.”

“I--” she balked before pushing herself away. “I am NOT!”

“When did you find out about our new Trollhunter, hm?” Vendel teased as Nadia looked more frustrated. “Or that Angor Rot had come back? Our growing goblin problem? That the bridge was being rebuilt? Did you see any of that during your surveys, sister dear?”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?!” Nadia growled, fighting back laughter.

“We didn’t even know you were in Arcadia.” Vendel chuckled with a smile. “You were still too ashamed to even come say hello. To your own brother.”

“You know why.” Nadia insisted, finally feeling laughter coming through.

“And you know that we forgive you. We move on, enjoying the simple lives we now have. As I said, some of us are moss covered boulders who can’t move on from the old ways. Who are we to say what is and isn’t forgivable?”

“Of course you’re right.” Nadia gave another sigh. The frustration and anger had lessened, at least Vendel knew how to ease the mind. “Very well, I’ll talk to Balor and give him all the motherly love he needs right now.” Her gaze wandered to his potion table. “Before I leave, Vendel, Balor is heading into his adolecence. I’ll need some hair of mountain cats and toad warts to make something for growing pains.”

“Oh dear, already?” Vendel chuckled, going to his bottles. “Shardborn trolls shouldn’t grow so fast, but it should be over before the worst of it hits.” He handed her a bottle of ingredients and a finished product. “Here, treatment for now, and supplies for the medicine you’ll be making once it wears off.”

With a smile, and a couple other pleasantries, Nadia headed off, feeling much better. As she walked home, she only hoped she could give the same peace to her son back in his room.

#prose #well shit its been a while since I did something like this #long post

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