A/N: Welcome to the first chapter of the second book in my Flame of Happiness trilogy! You won't see any Broppy fluff (because they haven't been born yet), but romance will be in the air!
Also, like the first book, I may include some adult-like themes. That's why I rated this story T, but nothing will go into M (at least I hope not). I will put warnings accordingly before each chapter.
On with the story!
The Flame of Happiness Trilogy – Rebellion
Chapter One – Larch's Mission
His feet tapped almost rhythmically on the ground as he ran. He leaped up to run along a log, and then jumped and did a front flip to land on the other side of some branches in the path. The debris didn't hinder the movement of the snake who chased him. Narrowing his eyes in determination, he used his staff to pole-vault himself over a tree root and disappeared.
The snake darted after her prey, determined to eat the colorful creature for lunch. But when the snake reached the other side of the root, her would-be snack seemed to disappear completely. The snake hissed angrily, her tongue flicking in and out as she sniffed out her prey. But there seemed to be nothing. So the snake slithered away.
After the snake left, one of the moss-covered rocks changed. The gray-green hairs changed to royal blue as they retracted to their owner. The troll in hiding dusted off his dark brown pants and continued on his merry way. Even a snake wouldn't discourage him from completing his mission. He readjusted his backpack on his shoulders. He combed out his royal blue hair with his fingers. The troll's emerald green eyes went skyward, and the sunshine made his light green skin seem brighter. He slid off his backpack and shed his dark brown vest so he could better pull his royal purple shirt over his head. The troll neatly folded the shirt and stowed it in his backpack, pulling his vest back on. Then he was off and walking again.
When night fell, the troll climbed up into a tree where he would be safe from hunting forest creatures. He found a hole in the tree and peered inside.
Hiss!
"Oh!" the troll jumped when an usagi-coon popped its head from the hole. The creature looked almost like a raccoon, except with buck teeth, long floppy ears, and powerful back legs for bouncing and kicking, like a rabbit. At the sight of kits staring curiously, the troll realized this was a mother. The usagi-coon weren't dangerous, per se, but any mother would do what she could to protect her babies. "I'm frightfully sorry." The troll said. "I only need a place to stay." The mother still hissed at him, so the troll pulled out some berries he gathered earlier that day. The usagi-coon sniffed the fruits, and then ate them. She crawled/hopped back into the hole and curled up. The troll tentatively stepped inside, and the kits sniffed him curiously. The troll patted them a little, and then settled down a reasonable distance away from the usagi-coon mother. But the mother picked up the troll in her teeth and carried him back to her sleeping space, where she put him between her paws and began to groom him. The troll laughed at the rough tongue going over his skin and through his hair. He pulled off his backpack and set it and his staff aside.
When the mother finished her grooming, she moved the troll to nestle with her babies. Usagi-coons were awfully soft, especially the baby ones. The troll found the warmth comforting after spending so much time in the forest. He fell asleep rather easily.
The next morning, the usagi-coon brought the troll and her kits some breakfast. Then the troll was off yet again, saying a fond farewell to the little kits. He suddenly remembered something he forgot to do last night, and he pulled out a knife from the sheath on his backpack. He made a diagonal cut across four previously cut notches in the staff. The troll glanced to the other notches he cut into the staff. He counted twelve sets of five. That means sixty days.
Sixty days.
The troll paused in his walking. He stared at the notches he cut in his staff. One notch for every day he was gone from home. It had been sixty days, exactly two months, since he managed to escape Bergen Town. Sixty days he spent in the forest, trying to find a new home for the trolls of the Troll Tree at the behest of the prince. Sixty days he spent away from his family. He was only seventeen, barely done with secondary school and not yet old enough to start learning his trade. The upside, he guessed, was that he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do with his life. Perhaps that's what made accepting this assignment easier.
Still, he often thought of his mother and father. His mother probably worried for him greatly. But he had to do this. He simply must find a safe place for the trolls to live so they had a home to go to after escaping Bergen Town. They couldn't just escape the Troll Tree and then search for a new home. It was too dangerous for Peppy to search for a new home and protect his kingdom at the same time. If he knew where to take the kingdom ahead of time, it would make leading the trolls to freedom much simpler.
The troll sighed heavily. He missed home. He missed his parents and his friends. He missed his pod he made for himself. Something wet trickled down his cheek, and he wiped the tears from his eyes with embarrassment.
This is my mission. Mine, no one else's, the troll reminded himself as he kept walking. I can't fail. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and sighed again. "My, what a mess you've gotten yourself into, Larch."
"What's the password?"
"Love live the future king."
A blue-skinned troll with blue hair and eyes, donned in brown pants and wooden armor, cracked open the entrance to the pod and saw a familiar trio of trolls. "About time you got here, Mizuki," the blue troll scoffed.
"Can it, Oaken!" the aqua green troll of the group snapped. Her hair was ocean blue, and her eyes the same color as her skin. She wore a sea foam green dress with blue wave designs on the hem.
"Mom, not now," the second female troll scolded as the trio hurriedly entered the pod. "I really think your playful banter can wait."
"Thank you, Ninfea." Oaken said. Ninfea simply nodded. Her skin was pink like the inside of a seashell, and her nose was light orange. She had indigo eyes and teal hair that faded to bright green. She wore a sleeveless, ocean blue sundress.
"Sorry we're late." The third troll of the group said. He had purple skin, blue eyes, and neatly combed dark purple hair. He dressed only in yellow pants.
"But nobody saw you, right, River?" Peppy asked.
"Of course." River nodded.
Peppy nodded in satisfaction. He did a quick headcount: himself and his wife, Joy; his guard and friend, Oaken, his wife and son Rosiepuff and Larch; Rosiepuff and Joy's friend, Cybil; his good friend Mizuki, her daughter Ninfea, and Ninfea's husband River. Everyone was there and accounted for.
"Thank you all for coming out so late." Peppy said as everyone took a seat in the living room of Oaken and Rosiepuff's pod home.
"Anything for our prince." River said. "I assume it is good news?"
"Have we figured out a plan to get out of the Troll Tree?" Ninfea asked.
"If Wolfrick would let us, it would make things much easier." Cybil said. Rosiepuff shushed her. Cybil was one of very few trolls who would openly and boldly speak ill against their King Wolfrick. She spoke calmly, as usual, but with an underlying tone of resentment.
But Peppy couldn't exactly blame her. Ever since they were captured by the Bergens, Wolfrick tried to encourage the trolls to basically grin it and bear it. Nobody wanted to try and cope with the fact that their loved ones were being taken every year. River's parents and Ninfea's father were lost a few years ago. But Wolfrick was firm. He shut down and threatened imprisonment or even execution to any who tried to speak out against him. Empty threats, maybe, but nobody would dare to test Wolfrick. Peppy, kindness ever in his heart, simply said that his father was beginning to go senile. It did frustrate him, however, when Wolfrick refused to abdicate the throne following Peppy and Joy's marriage. Kings in the past often retire after their heir reached a certain age, or proved themselves ready to be a leader. Wolfrick claimed Peppy would not have the throne until the old king had died, "per tradition," as he said. Which meant that, for the past twelve years, Joy was only the Crowned Princess of the Troll Tree and not yet the Queen. Peppy was only a prince, and would stay that way until his father died.
That didn't mean he couldn't do his best to serve his people until then.
"I do have a plan." Peppy told his secret council. "I think I know a way we can sneak out of the cage and get out of Bergen Town." He pulled out a rolled-up length of paper from his hair and laid it out flat for everyone to see. The paper depicted a map of Bergen Town and the Troll Tree.
"Getting through the bars of the cage will be a cinch." Larch said.
"Yes, obviously." River scoffed. "We could cartwheel through those bars."
"Boys, don't start." Joy scolded. "Not tonight." Larch was only seventeen, but River was three years his senior. Tonight, especially, was not a good time for their boyish bickering.
"As I was saying." Peppy spoke a bit forcefully to regain everyone's attention. "We can get through the bars of the cage easily. If we do it under the cover of darkness, the Bergens won't even realize we're sneaking away. The reason they aren't worried about us escaping is because they know we don't know our way around Bergen Town. Besides, that front gate is locked every night, and those bars are too small for us to get through. But I think I've figured that part out. There are drains scattered about the town for rainwater. To the southwest of us are some trees that grow taller than the other trees in the forest. In the spring, I see birds flocking to those trees. I think those trees get more water and….fertilizer…than the other trees in the forest. These drains must be connected to pipes that lead to the forest."
"Pipes. So, like rainwater and Bergen…." Mizuki grimaced in disgust. "….waste?"
"Yes." Peppy stuck his tongue out a little. "It'll be a bit of a smelly trip, but it may be our best shot at getting out of here."
"Well then what are we waiting for?" River urged. "Let's get the hair out of here!"
"There's one little problem." Rosiepuff said. "Once we get out of here, then what? Where do we go?"
"I've already lost too many trolls to the Bergens. I can't lose any more to other forest creatures." Peppy said. "That's the problem we're faced with tonight, ladies and gentle-trolls. We need at least some semblance of an idea of where we're going to live after we get out of here."
"Except none of us have been in that forest in almost two decades." Oaken said. "Things could've changed. We have no way of contacting the Mountain Tribe trolls in the north. Even if we could reach them after escaping, it would take far too long to get in touch. Where could we go following our escape?"
"The only way to really know is to search the forest ahead of time." Joy said.
"Then that's what I'll do." Peppy determined.
"No!" Joy protested. "Your father will get suspicious."
"Joy is right." Cybil said. "Besides, you're our future king. You have to lead us once we get out of here."
"I'll go!" Larch volunteered.
"Absolutely not." Rosiepuff snapped.
"Actually, that's a great idea." Peppy said. "You're sneaky, Larch. Plus, my father doesn't keep track of the trolls like I do. He won't even notice you're gone."
"Did you not hear me?" Rosiepuff demanded. "My son is not going anywhere!"
"I'll go!" River offered.
"No offense, River, but I think my son has a better chance." Oaken said. "Not to sound biased, but Larch has more training. He's sneaky and quick. I taught him everything I know about fighting and navigating the forest." Oaken looked to Peppy. "My son can do this, Peppy. I say we trust him."
Rosiepuff scoffed and rolled her eyes, quite irritated that no one seemed to be listening to her. Peppy took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "Rosiepuff, we don't really have another choice. We need him to do this. I want my future child to live without fear. I want you and Oaken to live to see your grandchildren. I want the next generation of trolls to be free." He sighed heavily. "What I am asking of you is too much, I know. But I need you and Oaken to trust me. Trust me and your son."
The look in Rosiepuff's eyes indicated she understood what Peppy told her. Larch redirected her attention to him. "Mom, I can do this. I'm ready. I'll find us a new home, and then we'll all escape and live in peace and harmony. Then I can find a nice girl and give you the grandkids you always wanted. Promise."
Rosiepuff cracked a grin. "I was only teasing yesterday when I said I wanted a bunch of grandchildren out of you. You're too young for that, anyway."
Larch laughed. "Maybe. But I'm not kidding about this. Please let me go. I promise I'll come back."
Oaken put a hand on Rosiepuff's shoulder. "Rose, my love, he's ready. We've taught him everything we know."
Rosiepuff looked back and forth between her husband and son. She looked to Peppy. "I don't want him gone long."
Peppy nodded in agreement. "Trollstice isn't until autumn. Larch, I'll give you three months. You have until the day we have our Midsummer Festival to return to the Troll Tree with a location for our new home. Think you can manage it?"
"That'll be plenty of time." Larch assured. "I'll scour the forest for a safe place for all of us to live."
"Good." Peppy pulled a ring off his finger and handed it to Larch. "Take this. In case you run into any of our allies. This will prove where you come from."
Larch stared at the golden ring in his hand. The ring had an image of a tree and a crown stamped into it: the royal seal. Larch closed his fingers around the ring and held it to his chest. "I won't let you down, Prince Peppy, Princess Joy. I promise."
Rosiepuff hugged her son. "Three months. That's all. I'll be counting down the days. If you aren't back by then, I'm coming after you and dragging you back."
"Mom, don't worry." Larch said. "I totally got this."
"I totally got this." Larch sighed as he walked. "Maybe I don't got this. I should've found someplace by now. But every potential home I've found is either too dangerous, already occupied, or riddled with poisonous flowers!" Larch yanked the map out of his hair and crossed off another area. "At this rate, I'll never find a place for us to live!"
Part of him wanted to give up. But he quickly stomped out that idea. He couldn't stop. Prince Peppy, Princess Joy, his parents, all the trolls, they were counting on him to do this. There had to be someplace for the trolls to live. Someplace far from Bergen Town.
Larch checked the map again. His eyes traveled around the crossed-out places on the map. He made his mark on trees everywhere he went so he wouldn't be lost. But now, the entire map had been crossed out. Larch's eyes went to the corner of the map, where there was a pocket of tree drawings not yet scribbled on. Beyond those trees…..Larch didn't know what was there. He got this map from his father, made back before the Troll Tree was captured. This was the area Oaken mapped out, the farthest he went in his travels.
"I'll make a new map as I go." Larch decided. He pulled out his compass, compared it to his map, and headed off.
As Larch walked, he continued to mark his trail on the trees with his knife and make an extension of his map on a fresh sheet of parchment. The direction Larch chose took him to a happier part of the forest. The flowers weren't poisonous. The animals were (mostly) friendly. There were plenty of large trees with lots of branches for hanging pods. Plus, there were lots of wild roots, nuts and acorns, and berries that the trolls could safely eat.
"So far, so good." Larch mused. He looked up as the sky grew darker. The sun peeked through the trees to allow some light. But Larch knew he would have to find shelter soon.
Rumble…..BOOM!
Rain immediately poured down and soaked Larch.
"Of course." Larch sighed. He hurried through the forest, desperately scanning the area for someplace to stay. He burst through the wet grass and looked around. Thanks to the clouds, it was much darker. A flash of lightning revealed a large mushroom just ahead. Larch immediately ducked under it, finally shielded from the rain. He unshouldered his backpack and wrung out his hair. He checked his backpack. His father had the right idea to line the outside of the backpack with waxy leaves, making the pack mostly waterproof. His map especially was safe.
Larch pulled out some dry kindling from his backpack and a couple flint stones from his hair. In no time at all, he had a little fire and a clothesline strung over the flames. Larch peeled his wet clothes off, wrung them out, and hung them over the fire to dry. He pulled out the small blanket he packed and wrapped it around himself, the cold air nipping at his skin. He looked out to the downpour. He couldn't see a thing in the darkness and sheet of rain.
Larch reached into his hair and pulled out a picture frame. The image in the frame depicted himself, his mother, and his father last Midwinter Yuletide. It was his parents' favorite time of the year. Larch rubbed the frame with his thumb.
"I miss you guys." Larch said. "Mom, don't worry too much about me. Dad, all those wilderness lessons are really coming in handy. Thanks. Don't worry. I'm close. I can feel it. I'll be home before you know it." Larch swallowed the lump in his throat. He kissed the picture. "I love you." He set the frame down and curled up on the ground to sleep.
Larch awoke the next morning to bright sunshine and even a rainbow. He stood and stretched, pulling his dry clothes off the clothesline and dressing himself. Then he packed up his things and walked out from under the mushroom to get a look at everything.
His jaw dropped. This had to be paradise. Did he die and go to heaven? Larch climbed up on top of the mushroom and did a full circle. The trees were tall and bountiful with acorns and berries. There were colorful, wide-capped mushrooms dotted here and there. Was that a stream over there? Larch hurried to the water and found it clear and cool. Yes, it certainly tasted pure. Larch returned to the mushroom and looked around again. The rainbow seemed to stretch right over the little patch of forest. Larch took a deep inhale of the fresh air. There was even a patch of flat land nearby, perfect for farming.
"It's perfect. It's perfect!" Larch cheered. "Oh, wait. One more thing." He cleared his throat, and began to sing. "Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, di, do!"
An acoustic echo responded.
Larch grinned widely. He whooped and cheered and did a little victory dance, continuing to sing.
L, A, R-C-H!
I just found the perfect place
for trolls to hug and dance and sing
And who found it? Me!
Larch paused. "Yeah, I was never very good at impromptu rhyming. But who cares? I found it! I found our new home!" He ran to his backpack and pulled out his map. He filled the map where he needed to, drawing a big circle around the area he was in. Larch grabbed his dagger and made a mark on the nearby tree.
"Finally." Larch sighed, tucking the map away for safekeeping. He continued his little victory dance as he packed his stuff. He finally found a new home for the trolls. Now he had to get back to Bergen Town as fast as possible. Larch shouldered his backpack and scooped up his staff. He checked his compass and started walking back into the forest. He wished he could stay in the area a little longer, but he had to get home as soon as possible. He wanted his parents to see this wonderful place.
The only major disappointment for Larch was the fact that he found no other trolls, nor any creatures who could help the Troll Tree residents fight off the Bergens. If they could band together, they could beat the Bergens even if the monsters were so much bigger than them. Alas, it seemed that wasn't possible. The trolls in the mountains wouldn't be able to come down soon enough. Larch didn't have any way to contact them except to go up to the mountains, and he had no time for that.
No worries. Larch shrugged. I'm going home and I'm bringing the trolls here. We can get in touch with those mountain trolls after the move.
A/N: What do you think? Good start so far? Fun fact: the Midwinter Yuletide holiday I mentioned before is my version of the trolls' Christmas. I saw a lot of stories using "Trollmas," but I wanted to do something original.
