A/N: Here's another chapter for you! Don't worry, this will have a lot more cupcakes and rainbows compared to the last one.

GalaxyMegaGirl – yes, both parents died in Frozen. There's a reason I kept Peppy alive. A reason you will see later in the story!

Chapter Three – For the First Time in Forever

THREE YEARS LATER

It took quite a bit of love amongst Peppy, Poppy, and Branch to help them regain their colors fully. While they didn't turn completely grey, they did often feel that leftover pain at the thought of Joy dead. In an attempt to cope with the pain, Poppy tried to be as happy as she could. Of course, it would be easier if she could leave the royal pod. Peppy became a bit overprotective of her, and kept the gate around the pods not just locked but guarded at all times.

Soon after Poppy turned eighteen, Peppy called the royal children to the throne room for a talk. Poppy hardly changed: her hair, skin, and eyes were still pink as ever, and she generally like to keep her hair in a ponytail, and her favorite outfit was usually a blue and green sundress matched with a green headband that had blue flowers on it.

When Poppy arrived in the throne room, she saw Branch already there. His greyness disappeared for the most part, though his blue skin still had a bit of its ashen hue and the tips of his sapphire-blue hair were black. Most of the time, Branch wore an old pair of patched brown shorts and a vest that was leafy in design and color. A pair of simple black gloves covered his hands.

Branch locked eyes with Poppy as they stood side-by-side before King Peppy. They broke their gaze away. Branch rubbed the back of his head. Poppy wrung her fingers.

"Hello Poppy." Branch greeted.

"Hey Branch." Poppy greeted back.

Peppy could clearly see the awkwardness between the two. But he had to ignore it. "I have called you two here for something very important." The royal children straightened up and paid close attention. "Poppy, you have finally come of age." Peppy said. "And I'm not going to be around forever. So I have decided it is time for you and Branch to take the throne."

Branch's and Poppy's jaws dropped. "WHAT?!"

Peppy jumped at their outburst. "I don't know why you're so surprised. This is what Joy and I have been preparing you two for your entire lives."

"But…..are we ready?" Poppy asked.

"Absolutely." Peppy assured. "I'll be your guide while on the throne. But it's time that you two marry and be crowned king and queen of the trolls."

The idea wasn't a surprise to Branch and Poppy. Branch had always been the love interest for Princess Poppy. The two of them always appeared to be good for each other, especially before Branch shut Poppy out. Queen Joy suspected that Branch had royalty in his blood, despite knowing nothing about his past or his family. Branch himself never talked about where he came from. Long ago, Peppy and Joy agreed that Branch and Poppy made a good match, and they decided the two should marry.

Branch cleared his throat. "Uh, King Peppy, I don't think we should."

"Poppy has finally come of age, Branch." Peppy said. "This is the traditional time for royalty to take their place on the throne. Joy and I have trained the both of you to the best of our abilities. The time has come for the trolls to look to you for guidance."

Branch and Poppy exchanged worried looks, but put on fake smiles and nodded in agreement. Neither one of them really felt ready for this. Poppy especially didn't know if she could do this. Branch never proposed to her, or even showed an interest in marrying her. Maybe it was always planned for them to get married and rule the trolls, but that didn't mean they were ready now. In fact, as Poppy noticed, their relationship was rocky at best. And now she's expected to marry him?

What Poppy didn't know was how much Branch truly loved her. He loved her so much, since the day they met. Branch wrote poetry about the beautiful princess. Poppy would make invitations as a way to try and get him out of his room and play with her. He kept every single one, despite his refusal to come out of his room. Sometimes he would crush the invitation right in front of Poppy, only to take it back into his room to fix it. Ever since Joy died, Branch had wracked his brain and tried to find a way to gather his courage and reach out to Poppy. He even fashioned an engagement ring for her made of wire and colorful string. He tried to propose to Poppy for almost a year. Every time he made an attempt, he felt like he would throw up from his fear. His fear that she would reject him. That she didn't love him anymore.

Despite their problems and not feeling ready in the slightest, Branch and Poppy knew they had to take the throne. Peppy was getting sick, and he couldn't rule the kingdom as well anymore. So, whether they liked it or not, Poppy and Branch were getting married.

The summer sun shone bright in the clear skies, its warmth making everyone feel good. But the sun didn't just affect the rainbow trolls; it affected every other creature sailing and walking and in general arriving to the Troll Tree. Today was no ordinary summer day. Today was the day Princess Poppy and Prince Branch would marry, and their coronation would make them king and queen of the trolls. Royal dignitaries from all the kingdoms came to congratulate the new leaders and witness a momentous occasion.

Aspen of the Troll Tree kingdom greeted these dignitaries and ambassadors at the harbor. "Welcome to the Troll Tree!" the orange-skinned troll called. "Please make your way to the town square. The wedding will begin soon."

Farther in the village, trolls set up a maypole for the celebration later. Some ways down, a lone rainbow troll rummaged through his cart when his llama friend's head nudged him expectantly. Smirking, the lavender-skinned troll turned with a carrot behind his back.

"What do you want, Cooper?" the troll asked knowingly.

"Give me a snack, Creek?" the llama pleaded with a wide, goofy grin.

Creek held up the carrot. "What's the magic word?"

"Please!" Cooper chirped.

Creek chuckled, breaking the carrot in half and tossing one half up. Cooper caught it easily and chewed with that same big grin on his lips. Creek didn't need to wear his winter gear, so he dressed only in his yellow pants while Cooper only wore his hat. Since becoming Rosiepuff's adopted sons, they also learned the ways of the Magi Trolls. To mark them as her children, Rosiepuff gifted them crystal necklaces like the other orphans. The crystals were light blue in color, but would change to a new color when the boys earned it.

The most interesting guests so far were the trio of imps who arrived. Imps were generally greenish-brown in color, dressed in rag-like clothing and always barefoot. They had no hair save for their eyebrows. Their skin had a rather scaly texture, and their nails were more like claws. Their pointed ears sat high enough on their heads to look like horns. This imp had skin that was more green than brown, and his eyes were the same color as swamp moss. His eyebrows were more of a unibrow. He wore black boots and black robes embroidered with silver and jewels, a wooden crown on his head embedded with rubies. His guards wore raggedy clothing with pieces of wooden armor, each one armed with a sword and a crossbow.

"Ah, the Troll Tree." The imp sighed. "Our most mysterious and powerful trading partner. What a joy it will be to…..explore its riches."

"Oh I just can't wait to see the king and queen!" the fairy king said happily as the guests headed for the Troll Tree. "I hear the princess is especially lovely."

"She is!" a rainbow troll nodded. "Princess Poppy is beautiful!"

Fast asleep in her room, Princess Poppy was a far cry from her normal beautiful state. She had such a bad case of bed head that her hair seemed to stick up and all around like porcupine quills. A brisk knock at her door made her snort and jerk awake.

"Princess Poppy?" one of the servants called from the other side of the door. "Princess Poppy?"

"Yeah?" Poppy called as she sat up in her bed.

"I hope I didn't wake you, madam." The servant said.

"No, not at all." Poppy yawned. She propped her elbow on her knee and leaned against her arm, starting to snore again. But she forced herself awake. "Who is it?"

"Still me, ma'am." The servant stammered a little, inwardly chuckling at the princess's behavior. Clearly the soon-to-be queen stayed up late again last night. "It's time to get ready!"

"Of course!" Poppy stretched her still-sleeping muscles. "Ready for what?"

"Your wedding and coronation?" the servant said.

"Oh, that." Poppy finally blinked open her tired eyes and they fell upon a dress with a sky blue, semi-poufy skirt, a darker blue top, and spaghetti straps made of silk. The skirt part was covered in elegant silver designs, and the top part had a floral design on the front.

Suddenly, it came rushing back and Poppy gasped in realization. "It's Coronation Day!"

The servant outside chuckled at hearing the princess's fast movements, and decided he could move along to the rest of the preparations. Minutes later, Poppy came tearing out of her room while adjusting her flower headband over her hair. She passed another servant and spun her around excitedly.

"It's finally here!" She cheered, running off. The servant only chuckled, shaking her head a little. Poppy ran into one of the rooms to see the servants opening the doors and windows, letting sunlight flow into the room for the first time in years. Poppy felt her smile broadening at the wonderful sight. She ran about the royal pod, feeling as though she saw it for the first time. She rushed to a nearby window, smiling at the sight of the ship sails and carriages in the near distance and all coming towards her kingdom.

Poppy stretched her hair up and hoisted herself to the top of a pod to get a better look at the ships and carriages coming in. She pranced around on a tree limb within the gates of the palace, passing by a flurry of butterflies. She leaned her head back to let the sun wash over her face, and she giggled. "Oh I can't wait to meet everyone! So many people to see and friends to make!" She sighed. "I hope Branch can learn to relax." She gasped. "What if he does?!" She hurried back to the ballroom, where the servants continued to set up the area for the ball to follow the coronation.

What if they could rekindle their bond? What if Poppy could make Branch smile again? The thought of Branch smiling again made Poppy even happier. In her ecstasy, she moved on to the painting room to sing to the portraits, her thoughts consumed by romantic fantasies.

Across the palace, Branch approached his bedroom window to stare at the multitudes arriving at the Troll Tree. He dressed in black pants and an evergreen jacket with gold embroidery, a blue cape the same color as his hair clasped around his shoulders. His hands remained covered by a pair of gloves, per the usual, only these gloves were dark green with gold designs to match his jacket. Branch inhaled calmly. He approached a painting of King Peppy and Queen Joy on the day of their coronation as king and queen. They looked so strong, unbridled by guilt or the burden of ice powers. A candlestick and small wooden box rested on the table in front of the picture. Branch stared at Peppy and Joy's painted faces as he removed his gloves. Branch lifted the candlestick and box, pretending it were the scepter and orb he would hold during his and Poppy's coronation. Before his horrified eyes, ice immediately formed on the candlestick and box. He hurriedly put down the things in his hands, staring at his palms in fear. Could he do it? Could he hold back his powers so no one would notice? He had years of practice…..maybe he could do it.

Poppy excitedly opened the doors to her room and looked out.

Branch pulled on his gloves.

Poppy ran out, ready to dart out those gates the second they opened wide enough.

Branch bravely opened the doors to his room. "Tell the guards to open the gates."

Now or never.

Poppy finally reached them, sliding past when the guards opened the gates wide enough.

It was everything she imagined and more. She could see people! Fairies, several breeds of trolls, animals, Smurfs, elves, and even King Gristle Jr. and Queen Bridget of the Bergens on the outskirts of the party where they wouldn't accidentally step on someone. So many new faces she'd never seen before! The marketplace! It looked so much more wonderful when up close instead of from the castle windows. So many new sights, sounds, even smells! If Poppy hadn't been so excited, she would've been very overwhelmed by the assault of new sensations. Branch wished Poppy would stand with him to overlook their kingdom, but she disappeared long ago and left only Peppy to stand with the future king. Branch tried to put on a façade of bravery and confidence.

While Branch was internally freaking out, Poppy bounced and danced her way through the kingdom without a care in the world. Suddenly, something hard and a fuzzy slammed into Poppy, forcing her to fall to the ground and cutting her song short.

She grudgingly pushed herself upright. "Hey!"

"I'm so sorry!" Creek yelped. "Are you hurt?"

"Sorry!" Cooper chuckled nervously, having been the one that hit Poppy when he and Creek ran for the gates.

Poppy blinked. The troll looked rather handsome. His indigo eyes made her melt a little. "Hey….uh, no, no. I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Creek asked worriedly, pulling Poppy to her feet.

"Yeah." Poppy assured. "I guess I was just caught up in the song and all."

Creek looked much more relieved. "Oh. Well, that happens." He smiled warmly, mesmerized by Poppy's beauty, before he realized he was staring. "Oh, uh, my name is Creek and this is Cooper, of Aurora's Mountains."

Poppy curtsied politely. "Princess Poppy of the Troll Tree."

"'Princess'?" Creek suddenly knelt down in respect. "Your Majesty, what an honor!"

Poppy didn't really know how to respond, and she jumped back when Cooper's head almost hit her as he bowed. Her heel caught the edge of her dress, and she started to fall backwards. Luckily, Creek reached forward and grabbed her hand, pulling her in close and instinctively wrapping his arm around her waist. The two of them were almost nose to nose, and they broke apart quickly. They each chuckled nervously.

"That was awkward." Poppy chuckled, but then began stammering. "Not that you're awkward, I'm awkward and that was weird but not that you're weird I'm just…" Poppy cleared her throat. "I'm going to stop talking now."

Creek laughed good-heartedly. "I'd like to formally apologize for my friend here hitting the future queen of the Troll Tree."

"Oh, no!" Poppy assured. "It's fine. But I should get going. I need to find an engagement present for Branch before the ceremony."

"You haven't found one yet?" Creek asked, a bit surprised. Then again, if it was an arranged marriage, Branch probably hadn't found something until recently.

"Well, I just don't know what to get him." Poppy shrugged.

"Why don't I help you?" Creek offered. He caught sight of Cooper's knowing smirk and raised eyebrow. "I mean, why don't we help you?"

Poppy giggled. "I'd like that. Thank you." She tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach, reminding herself that she was already taken.

Creek hoped the blush in his cheeks wasn't too dark, trying to keep himself from staring. I could get used to her.