Claire was trying not to tremble, but it was hard. She could see that everyone was tense, but now they were coming to be judged?

Why?

The galleries were full of trolls, more streaming in from the lower levels every moment. They were quiet, staring down at them, even as Vendel took his place in the council.

“James Lake, Jr.,” Usurna said. “You have violated your trust as a Trollhunter. You have brought humans to Heartstone Trollmarket, revealed the very heart of our society to humanity—and to the Asgardians!”

Nick Fury strode up to stand by Jim, the silver armor contrasting with his dark clothing. “We were already in the process of investigating this region due to information that had come to light during the invasion of New York. Jim Lake has done nothing that would not have happened eventually. He has already helped us remove the Janus order and its changelings from positions of power.”

Claire blinked. He’s not… Oh. Right, if they knew it was me using the shadow staff, they’d have more reason to blame us.

At the word “changeling,” there was a rumble from the gallery, until Vendel brought his staff down.

“You claim this is true?” Usurna asked.

“I say it is true,” Fury replied.

“And I saw it with my own eyes,” Thor added. “I trust that my word is good?”

“I would assume that none on this council would doubt the Odinson’s word,” Vendel’s voice was dry.

Usurna looked like she’d eaten something sour. “I would not make such a foolish statement. What is your plan?”

“We, uh, have a way to use the shadow staff and a fetch, uh, your majesty,” Bruce said. “We can use it to enter the Darklands without opening the bridge.”

At that, there was an explosion of whispers.

“And why should we risk even that?” Gatto said. “The bridge is safe.”

“Because there are human children in it,” Jim said.

“My brother, for one,” Claire snarled. She’d always disliked Gatto.

“And the bridge isn’t safe,” Fury said. “It was almost opened once, and it can be opened again. Work with SHIELD, and we can dismantle the bridge and spread the fragments so far that nobody will ever be able to reassemble it.”

“I think there is room for a few fragments in Asgard,” Thor said.

“And if you’re worried about how people might feel, returning kidnapped children would be a good start,” Hawkeye said.

“And they are humans, and it’s my duty to protect them,” Jim said.

“If the human familiars were returned, then the changelings would lose their greatest strength.” Vendel was speaking to the air, but Claire noticed that he was looking at Usurna.

“If there is no danger of freeing Gunmar…” Gatto rumbled. “I have no objection.”

“Nor do I,” Vendel said. “I would hope that you would allow us to observe this—fleshbag technology is not a subject that many of us have studied, especially when it is combined with sorcery.”

The others weighed in, and soon Usurna was isolated. “Very well,” she said. “But that does not absolve the Trollhunter of his violations of our code. We must now determine how he is going to be punished.”

“James Lake, Jr., is an American citizen,” Fury said. “You brought him in before he was aware of what being a Trollhunter entailed.”

“Yeah, the whole ‘to the death’ part was probably a surprise,” Mr. Stark said.

“Even if it hadn’t been, human youths aren’t legally allowed to make binding contracts, at least not without the permission of their parents,” Natasha added.

Claire and Toby stared at each other. This is getting really weird. It was like a whiplash—one second, they were being treated almost as if they were Avengers, the next, they were being told that they were kids.

Claire wished that people would decide, one way or the other.

“So you are saying that our Trollhunter is only bound by our laws when you wish it?” Usurna said, and now the crowd had gone from appreciative back to grumbling.

“Wait!” Jim said. “I need to speak, without interruption.” He looked at both trolls and Avengers.

“Very well,” Vendel said. Fury nodded.

“The Avengers are right. Legally, I can’t make a contract like that. And I didn’t know what I was getting into. But Queen Usurna is also right. I can’t come in here, act like the Trollhunter… And then run and hide from the consequences of my actions because I’m a kid.”

“It would seem that we are at an impasse, then,” Usurna said. “For as you have said, you cannot hide from the price of your crimes.”

“I haven’t been tried yet,” Jim said. “But you are all missing something.”

“What is that?”

“I’m a kid, now.” Jim looked up, his silver armor gleaming. “But I’m sixteen, and in two years, I’ll be an adult. In both worlds.”

Claire felt a shiver of dread touch her. The trolls were surprised—even Blinky and Arrrggghhh often didn’t understand ages, treating them as if they were far older than they were. For the trolls above, who never really interacted with short-lived people, well, like her…

“And what does this mean?” Gatto asked.

“It means that in two years, I’ll come back to the tribunal, and I will be an adult, and then, I will stand trial and accept whatever punishment you see fit to grant.”

There was an explosion of shouts, cheers, and jeers from the crowd.

Claire wanted to scream. Two years, Jim? Gatto hates you! Vendel is only one vote!

But she didn’t. Because there wasn’t anything to say.

“That is no—” Mr. Stark fell silent as Captain America touched him on the shoulder.

“Tony. He’s right. In two years he’ll be an adult. It’s done.”

For a moment, Mr. Stark looked like he was about to fly up and attack the council. Then he almost seemed to crumple. “Right. We’ve got two years to figure something out.”

“Very well, Trollhunter,” Usurna said. “We will expect you to hold to your word.”

“The Trollhunter has never broken his word,” Vendel said, and his voice was cold. “Would you accuse a troll of faithlessness without proof?”

Usurna opened her mouth, but then closed it. Claire noticed that Thor had casually started slapping his hammer into his open hand, with a…

Okay, it was technically a smile as he was looking up to Usurna.

“Now, Avengers, what will you need?”

“We’ll need some of my people to bring the children back up to the surface,” Fury said. “A team will prepare the tech side of things for the bridge, and Claire will be needed to make the link.”

“Very well,” Vendel said. “And may you be successful.” The council rose and started to leave, but Vendel stopped. “Trollhunter—James Lake, Jr.”

“Yes?”

“I do not know where your words will take you, but while I have often been critical of you… You were very properly chosen by the Amulet, and you are a worthy Trollhunter, even were Deya herself here.”

“I—” Claire saw Jim swallow and then nod back. “Thank you, Vendel.”

Claire wanted to give him a piece of her mind.

But she couldn’t. Jim had done what every teen dreamed of, now and then, force everyone who told them they had to wait to stand and let them make the choice.

She couldn’t get angry at him if the end point of his choice might be… Jim’s end.

Even if it broke her heart.