A Time to Heal

So this is the continuation/part two of my story "Find Me—I'm Lost." For the new readers, this can be a bit of a stand-alone, but a lot of the backstory is needed from my first tale to really get why this story is taking place. Again, this isn't quite an AU story, but it is different. Please let me know what you think, good or bad, and I hope you enjoy.

I own nothing. Nothing.

Chapter Six

Creek smiled when he heard Branch enter the shower as he relaxed. He'd take a nice bath once his prince left for his date. He most have dozed because Branch was having to shake him awake.

"Drew a bath for you when I was drying up," Branch grinned out, "Have your stinky bath salts in there too so go soak that hip."

"Sandalwood isn't stinky, my prince," Creek huffed, limping to the bathroom before sighing as Branch literally lifted him over to the tub, "Thanks, Mate. I've overdone things a bit, but teaching felt so good. I have no regrets."

"Good to know, but you are certainly paying the price right now. Have a nice soak and rest your hip while I'm gone," Branch ordered as Creek began to strip, "Don't wait up for me. Poppy and I will be up late."

Creek threw a farewell over his shoulder before sighing happily as he eased into the tub. The bath was glorious. His dinner was decent since he wasn't too bad of a cook. His pajamas were warm and snug and the book he choose to read was very interesting. It was a glow from the box Crystal gave him that made him glance up. His queen wanted another update so he stood to place his hand on the box. The reports were odd. Sending feelings was a weird way of communicating, but he could also get and send flashes of images that helped get the point across.

"Curiosity," was sent by Crystal.

"Calm. Happy. Well," Creek offered as he felt a happy glow before a darker feeling overtook him.

"Concern."

"Frost," Creek laughed out as he felt the king's emotions bubbling.

"Happy. Loved," Creek sent with a flash of the larger troll's brother, trying to get the point across that Branch was fine, "Misses. Yearns"

Happiness bubbled up when Creek sent the image of the ice twins to his king. Frost was happy that his baby brother missed them. Creek blinked at getting a flash of himself.

"Calm. Well," Creek sent as a thrill that he'd even been asked about himself went through him before glowing at the happy thoughts sent before the contact faded.

The guard smiled as peace settled over him. His prince was well and that was good enough for the yogi. Creek jumped at the sudden pounding on the bunker door. What?

"You," Creek was greeted when he answered the door to find Cedar and a couple of his friends glaring at him, "How dare you!"

"How dare I, what?" Creek asked in confusion, trying to pull up in his mind what could have upset this troll now.

"Using children," Cedar spat, "Disgusting! Bad enough that you have our future king wrapped around your finger, but I'm putting my foot down over the trollings. Back off, Traitor!"

Creek grunted as he was shoved hard against the bunker door before his training took over and he used Cedar's momentum to flip him away from his person. Cedar landed feet over head and glared angrily at Creek as the guard blinked at his own actions and the strained feeling of his bad hip.

"I've been attacked!" Cedar howled, making Creek sigh at the whole fiasco, "Creek attacked me! He's a traitor to our tribe! He endangers our people!"

"Traitor!" Cedar's friends yelled as Creek sat suddenly on the ground before the door to the bunker since his hip was giving out on him, "Troll hurter!"

Trolls gathered quickly and Creek swallowed when he saw his prince shoving his way through the crowd looking furious.

"What is going on here?" Poppy demanded as she stomped right behind her lad, "What is this about?"

"I was attacked," Cedar snapped, pointing at Creek in anger while Branch reached his guard and squatted to check Creek over, "That troll is a menace."

"Liar! Da, he lying! Lying is bad!"

Everything froze when the little voice yelled out while Digger squatted to reach for his son.

"Sun-Ray, what do you mean Mr. Cedar is lying?" Digger asked as his son ran to him.

"Mr. Cedar was all banging on Mr. Prince-Poppy's-Branch's door and was yelling at Mr. Creek when he answered the door. He said that Mr. Creek was wrapping fingers around Poppy's Branch and then shoved him and Mr. Creek nearly fell, but did a spin thing that made Mr. Cedar do this," Ray explained before doing a somersault to land on his back while some trolls tittered at the child, "Mr. Creek wasn't being mean. He was fending himself."

"Defending," Digger corrected, reaching to lift his boy from the ground, "Queen Poppy, my child doesn't fib. He witnessed Cedar attacking Creek and not the other way around."

"Are you hurt?" Branch huffed, ignoring his lass turning angrily on Cedar to help his guard to his feet as Creek shook his head before hissing as his hip acted up, "Biggie, support Creek while I get his crutches."

Creek sighed as his prince disappeared inside the bunker while Biggie helped him balance before gratefully accepting his crutches.

"I'm fine," Creek assured his hovering prince, "Just did too much today and then…this."

"I have had enough of this," Branch spat once he knew Creek was settled as the guard grimaced while his prince stomped up to Cedar, "This is the example you set for your son? For the other trollings, like Ray? Unacceptable!"

"Here we go," Creek heard Biggie whisper to Cooper as the giraffe-like troll nodded while Cedar spluttered angrily, "Knew Branch or Creek would have to deal with that one sooner than later."

"He was using children to get acceptance," Cedar hissed, pointing to Creek.

"It was my child that asked to learn yoga," Digger interrupted with an angry growl, handing his son to his wife so that the lass could take the babe away from the fuss, "Creek was kind enough to teach my son and his friends today despite not having planned to do so. He didn't even lose his patients when my Ray asked so many questions like the lad does and couldn't settle down. Teaching something useful is not using anyone to get acceptance. Cedar, you just used physical force against another troll for no reason and in front of my child."

"I did not!" Cedar denied, "I mean…yes, I did that in front of Ray, but I didn't know he was even near. This is stupid! I used force against a traitor to our people and everyone knows it!"

"I am so…gah!" Branch snapped, pulling at his hair in anger as Creek blinked at seeing the rage in his prince's aura, "Pop, I leave this to you. I'm taking Creek inside now. Deal with Cedar as you see fit. He comes near my guard again, I'll deal with him as I see fit and…"

Cedar backed up as Branch got in his face once the blue troll had trailed off.

"And you won't like how I see fit to deal with you if you come at my guard again," Branch bit out as Cedar cowered, "Stay away from Creek!"

The prince stalked away as Poppy and the Snack Pack hid their grins. Branch urged Creek inside while he mumbled threatening things under his breath.

"What are you doing?" Branch questioned when he realized Creek was going to the kitchen once the prince had closed his front door.

"Your tea, my prince," Creek snapped as Branch realized that his ice must be reacting to his anger so he hurried to take the pot his guard was filling to place on a heating stone, "I can do this even on my crutches, Mate."

"I need to move to release my anger so allow me," Branch sighed as he helped Creek over to a chair, "Chamomile?"

"Please," Creek agreed as he worriedly watched the ice within Branch rippling, "Drink some of your tea first, my prince."

Creek breathed easier when he saw his prince chugging his tea as he gratefully accepted his own cup a few moments later.

"Tell me what happened, Creek," Branch ordered as his guard nodded.

"Pretty much what Ray reported," Creek groaned, taking a sip of his tea to calm himself, "Cedar accused me of using the children to garner…I guess, positive attention from the tribe. He thought he was protecting the trollings from the traitor and he shoved me pretty hard. My training set in and I reacted to defend myself."

"And you're drawing blood!" Branch gasped, slamming his mug on the table to grab Creek's empty hand as the guard realized he hadn't placed his gloves back on after his bath and he was clawing himself again, "Relax, Creek."

"For trolls' sake," Creek grumbled as his prince wrapped his hand in a nearby dishcloth once he'd uncurled his fingers, "I haven't even been clenching my fists lately. Here we go again."

"Not a wonder with what Cedar just shoved in your face," Branch hissed, applying some pressure to stop the bleeding, "The grub eater needs to back off. You aren't a traitor anymore and you weren't using any trollings to get acceptance. Digger said it, his son asked to learn 'gaga.'"

"Yoga," Creek snorted at his prince's tease before glancing up as Poppy and the Snack Pack walked inside.

"Again?" Poppy fussed, hurrying over to unwrap Creek's hand and take a look, "I could skin that Cedar. You've been doing so much better lately."

"Ooh, not good," DJ Suki said glancing to Creek's palm, "That's pretty deep marks. Going to need to be bandaged there."

Creek found himself cleaned up, bandaged and whisked over to the couch to finish a new cup of tea while Branch drank his reheated medicinal tea.

"That Cedar dude is getting to be bad news," Cooper sulked out as the others nodded around him, "Biggie and I knew someone was going to have to take that one on eventually. Cedar's bad attitude didn't just start with Creek coming home. He's not been pulling his weight around the tribe either. "

"Really?" Creek questioned, "That's how my own arrogance began. Thinking I was above others and not putting a lot of effort into much unless it benefited me in some way."

"Which is why I've got him taking some anger management classes with Dr. Plum," Poppy began as Branch leaned forward to listen, "He and his friends aren't happy, but are assigned to the classes and some extra chores for the next three months. I'm hoping Dr. Plum can help Cedar work out why he's so angry all the time."

"Are you sure it's not me that is causing this?" Creek whispered, looking down to make sure he was keeping his hands relaxed while the anxieties roiled within him.

"No. Glade is as high maintenance as his father," Branch assured as Creek glanced to his prince, "That was why I had taken the lad out for a walk to try and teach him a nature lesson to give the child a hobby when you…well, you know, Creek. Both Cedar and Glade are overly dramatic and boil over too easily. Glade is actually beginning to show some calming, which I think comes from his mother's side, but Cedar has moments that are not acceptable. He won't touch you again."

"Which is nice to know, Prince Branch, but I never wanted to cause trolls any problems again," Creek reminded before gasping as he was surrounded by hugging friends suddenly.

"Cedar and his friends have caused their own issues," Biggie sniffed, squeezing Creek so tight that he thought he'd pop.

"Air," Creek gasped as his large friend let go, "Right, thanks, Mate."

"We aren't perfect."

Everyone looked at DJ Suki in surprise as she sat back from the group hug after having spoken.

"Trolls aren't perfect," the orange-haired troll continued, "Yes, we are happy. We love to sing and dance and hug. We usually mean no harm, but trolls sometimes do harm. We sometimes hurt one another's feelings or react because we are passionate. Or sometimes make bad decisions."

Creek flushed in shame, but nodded his understanding.

"I'm kind of tired of people pointing out Creek's mistakes so much since we do have a history of other trolls in our past causing other problems," Guy Diamond spoke up, "Suki's right. Trolls aren't perfect and maybe we've allowed ourselves to get a little arrogant that our tribe never causes harm. Maybe we need to remember that we all make mistakes and no one is perfect."

"And that decisions can be pushed on us in times of fear and hurt," Branch reminded, placing an arm around Creek to pull him against his shoulder for a second to give a brotherly squeeze, "Creek paid for his mistakes and that should be in the past now. I'll not have anyone trying to harm him again."

"Well, I think you put the fear of Ice-Troll-Branch into Cedar," Poppy snorted as Creek smiled at his prince's blushing face, "Never saw a troll go so pale so fast before."

"He attacked my guard and brother," Branch snapped, flushing in anger for a second, "It won't happen a second time. I'll toss him from the top of the Troll Tree, Pop, mark my words."

"I doubt you'll need to since he cowered before you, Dude," Cooper smirked out, "You were all like, 'I be ice troll. Fear me!'"

The group all burst into laughter as Branch smacked Cooper in the face with a pillow. Creek chuckled along before sighing as a thought came to him.

"Perhaps…I don't know," Creek began as Branch glanced to him in question, "Perhaps, Cedar and I need to talk at some point, my prince. Really talk so he understands how sorry I am. Maybe that will help him settle down and know that I'm no longer a danger to the tribe. I think he's trying to be a good father and protect his son. His aura shows sincerity, but he is really angry."

"Might not be a bad idea, but shouldn't happen until Cedar has developed better anger management skills," Branch nodded out as Creek listened, "I won't have him lashing out again when you are still healing. In fact, I think Dr. Plum should take a look at your hip to make sure you didn't do any damage when you got pushed and needed to defend yourself. Your hip wasn't able to handle your weight afterwards, Creek."

"I'm not in pain so I think I'm good," Creek assured, but didn't fuss when the doctor was fetched anyway.

"Little strained, but fine," Dr. Plum assured as Branch hovered close as she examined his guard, "Creek, lay off of any stretches or yoga and use your crutches for a couple of days. I'll check your hip on the third day to make sure that there is no swelling and if everything checks out, I think you can get back to using yoga for physical therapy. Okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Creek agreed.

"Here, Prince Branch," Dr. Plum said as she handed Branch a small, tied bag, "Make sure Creek soaks at least once a day using these bath crystals. The crystals have some herbs that will help ease any swelling or pain."

"What about his reactions to medicinal plants and herbs?" Branch questioned, looking concerned, "Will Creek's allergies act up with these crystals?"

"No. The herbs in these crystals are all ones he's used before with no problems," Dr. Plum assured as Branch relaxed, "Good night, Friends, and, Creek, get some rest soon."

"I will," Creek promised and turned to everyone once Dr. Plum left, "I'm going to bed now. It's been a long day. Good night to you all. Prince Branch, go watch some stars with your lass."

"Not tonight," Branch denied, reaching to help Creek with his crutches when the guard stood, "Poppy and I will reschedule for a better night. Tonight's been ruined with Cedar's shenanigans."

"I think it would help you relax," Creek pushed, "Cedar has you all stressed out and Poppy knows how to help you settle your nerves."

"No, Creek," Poppy snorted with a rueful shake of her head, "Once Branch is in protection mode he needs to hover. Hovering helps him relax."

"I don't hover," Branch fussed, reaching to wrap an arm around Creek in case he falls while his guard shook his head at him, "Your hip is strained. Dr. Plum said so. I'm not hovering…I'm helping."

"Right, Darling," Chenille giggled out as her twin hid a grin behind a hand, "That isn't hovering at all. Right, Creek?"

"Not at all," Creek answered as Branch rolled his eyes at him, "You are hovering."

"Bah," Branch hissed before sighing softly as Poppy came over to nuzzle her nose with his, "Okay. I might be hovering a little bit."

To be continued…