Author's Note: Hello, everyone! I've been trying to start uploading regularly and I want to quickly let you know what all I'm working on: KH: RE: What Lies in Darkness; KH: Ultimativ; Animation Attenuation #FE; KI: AtBoT- The Death of Eternity; and this and a new Legend of Zelda story that I've been drafting for some time and I want to start uploading for Zelda Month. All of these currently have chapters in progress that I want to have uploaded by the end of the year. But, of course, here's the sequel to The Brink of Change as we continue to follow our Trollhunters: Witch and Wizard, King and Knight! Enjoy!

Parent-Teacher conferences had come around shortly after the start of the school year. In a 1st Grade classroom in Arcadia Elementary, Jim and Claire sat across from their son's teacher at her desk, and she had several papers and folders in front of her.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Lake," she said. "I'm sure you're busy, so I'll try to keep this brief. Arthur is a pleasure to have in class. He's a bright, outgoing, polite, and engaging boy, and he's learning at an accelerated pace." She handed them a few papers. "As you can see, he is performing well in mathematics, reading, writing, and social skills. He truly is a remarkable boy!"

"That's wonderful," Claire said with a smile. "I know he can be a handful. I'm glad to hear he's behaving."

"Indeed, and he is quite outgoing with his peers," the teacher agreed. "I have one concern, though." She frowned. "An active imagination and strong creativity are excellent qualities to have," she said, and Jim had a feeling he knew where this was going. "But I worry a bit that Arthur is taking it a little too far. We've done exercises in class discussing family members and the like, and… well…" She pulled a paper from her folder and passed it to them, revealing a crude drawing that appeared to be of Jim's Changeling father, James Lake Sr., in his troll form. "He insists this is his grandfather." Jim sighed inwardly as he studied the drawing.

"It's a sort of game they play," he said. "Arthur loves stories of magical creatures and things like that."

"I've noticed," the teacher said. "I've overheard him talking to other students about gnomes and pixies and goblins… But more than anything, his favorite subject seems to be trolls." She paused. "Listen, I don't want to stifle Arthur's creativity and imagination. I encourage it in my students. But I just worry he isn't separating fantasy from reality." She pulled another paper from the folder. "When asked to describe a person he admires, he submitted this." She handed them the paper, and Jim had to fight the smile trying to form on his face. Though Arthur's artistic skills may have been lacking, Jim could still see himself wearing his armor and holding his sword in the drawing.

"'I admire my dad because he is strong and brave,'" Jim read aloud. "'His friends say he is kind and call him Jim the Just. He protects people and always makes time to play with me. I want to be like him when I grow up.'"

"That's so sweet," Claire said with a smile. "Good likeness too."

"Arthur always speaks fondly of both of you," the teacher said. "And he regularly calls you a hero, Mr. Lake. I suppose that's why he drew you like that."

"I do look out for people," Jim said. "And I always encourage him to put others first and do the right thing. Like we said, he loves fantasy stories and fairy tales."

"So I guess he sees his dad as a knight in shining armor," Claire agreed. "I think it's cute!"

"It is very sweet," the teacher said with a nod. "As I said, I just worry he's spending too much time in fantasy."

"All right," Jim nodded. "We'll have a talk with him. Thank you."

"Thank you," the teacher said as she stood up. "I appreciate you coming in. And I know children Arthur's age are prone to mischief, and he's just exercising his brain, especially the creative part. I just think it would be best if he takes things a little more seriously."

"Of course." Jim shook her hand, and Claire did the same.

"We'll keep that in mind," she said. "Thanks again."

"My pleasure. Have a great night, Mr. and Mrs. Lake. I appreciate your time!" With that, they left, and once they were out of the building and in the car, Jim sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"That was close," he grumbled. "I'm really glad she didn't ask about the whole 'Jim the Just' thing."

"What are we going to do?" Claire wondered. "I've never regretted raising him with the trolls, but… sooner or later, this is going to get him or us in trouble."

"Best we can do is talk to him," Jim said as he started the car. "Try to get him to realize how important this is." He shook his head as they pulled out of the parking lot. "I know he loves Blinky and the others. He's proud of his family and he's always excited to go to Trollmarket. And I know we encourage him to always tell the truth, but…"

"Who knew one of the hard parts of raising a Trollhunter's son would be getting him to keep a secret?" she half joked, and he shrugged with a helpless smile.

Not long later, they pulled into their driveway and went inside their home where they found Barbara helping Arthur with a reading assignment. They both looked up as Jim and Claire entered the living room, and Arthur jumped up and ran over to hug his parents.

"Welcome home," Barbara greeted with a smile as she gave her son a hug. "How was the conference?"

"Fine, for the most part," Jim reported. "Arthur is doing exceedingly well in most areas. There's only one problem."

"What's that?" She wondered. He frowned and looked at his son.

"Arthur, come sit down with me," he said, and Arthur followed him over to the couch and Jim sat him on his lap while Claire joined them. "Listen, I think we need to have another talk about Trollmarket."

"What about it?" Arthur asked. "Are we going soon?"

"Not right now," he said. "Arthur, do you remember what I told you before you started school last year?" Arthur pondered this for a moment.

"Don't tell anyone about Trollmarket or Grampa Blinky or Uncle Aaarrrgghh or Uncle Draal," he said. Jim nodded.

"That's right. And what about this?" He pulled the Amulet from his pocket, and Arthur took it in both hands.

"Don't tell anyone you're the Trollhunter," he said. "'Cause it's a secret."

"And it's a secret because we don't want people finding out about the trolls," Jim reminded him. "Arthur, if people did know about them, it could be really bad. Blinky and the rest of them could be hurt. It's my job to protect them, okay? And that means keeping it a secret that Trollmarket exists under Arcadia. I know I've told you all this before." Arthur nodded. "But your teacher told me you've been talking about trolls and goblins and all sorts of things at school. Why?"

"'Cause my friends talk about them first!" Arthur said. "They say trolls are monsters and pixies are nice, but it's not true!" Jim took a breath and hugged his son.

"I know that, and you know that," he sighed. "But right now, a lot of other people don't. And it's better that way. The world above isn't ready for the truth about trolls."

"So… we lie about it?" Arthur asked.

"Not… lie," Jim replied with a frown. "Just don't talk about it. I know you don't like hearing this, but you'll understand more when you're older. Right now, I just need you to trust me, okay?"

"Okay…" Arthur didn't seem entirely convinced. "I won't talk about it at school anymore."

"That's good." Jim smiled and kissed Arthur's head. "I love you, champ. Now, say good night to Gramma. You gotta get to bed soon!"

"Love you too, Papa!" Arthur turned to Claire and gave her a hug. "And love you, Mama!" Claire smiled and stroked his hair.

"I love you too, Arthur. Now, go say goodbye." Arthur jumped off the couch and gave Barbara just as big a hug as he had his parents.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," she said. "I'll see you soon, okay? You go get some sleep."

"I will," Arthur nodded. "Good night, Gramma. Love you!"

"I love you too, Arthur," she said. "Good night."

"All right," Claire stood up. "Upstairs, okay? I'll be up in a moment." Arthur ran up the stairs with no care for being quiet, and Jim stood up and joined his wife and mother.

"Thanks again for watching him, Mom," he said. "I hope he takes what I said to heart."

"He's just excited," Barbara replied. "Not many kids his age have such extraordinary lives. First human to be raised among trolls, as you no doubt need reminded." Jim nodded.

"We knew from the start it was going to be fun," he agreed. "Anyway, I won't keep you. Love you, Mom."

"Love you too, Jim," she said with a smile and a hug. "You too, Claire. I'll see you later."

"Bye, Barbara!" Claire gave her a hug, and she waved for them both before heading out the front door. Claire kissed Jim's cheek, then headed upstairs after Arthur. He plopped back on the couch and kicked off his shoes, and he took out the Amulet and looked absentmindedly into its blue glow.