Branch's Perspective

Description: The Original Trolls Story from Branch's Perspective as he battles with his feelings for Poppy and struggles with his lifelong depression over losing everyone he loved and held dear. A few extra scenes have been thrown in to help better understand everyone's favorite grumpy grey toll. A Broppy FanFic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Trolls or the plot, it belongs to Dreamworks Productions

Constructive criticism is welcome flaming is not.

(AN: Whew! I've had a rough week, lots of sicknesses going around, and just finished digging ourselves from a blizzard that hit us on Tuesday and dumped several feet of snow... how is everyone else doing? I'm so glad I could sit down and write this today it was therapeutic! Haha, anyway there will be only two more chapters after this one, they may end up pretty long but worth it! After I finish I would love to answer any questions you guys have to feel free to ask away! Thank you everyone!)


Chapter Seven

Poppy and her friends were able to complete Bridget's transformation fairly quickly. Branch had agreed to help, but hadn't necessarily contributed anything yet. He made himself comfortable atop the scullery maid's head but did not include his hair with the others. He simply sat down close to the troll princess and couldn't help but glance at her from time to time while she danced. He was careful not to let her entrance him, he could gaze at her all day, but he didn't want to rise any suspicion while they were surrounded by her friends so he remained poker faced, and tried not to get annoyed while she sang and danced with the Snack Pack.

The group ventured out into Bergen Town, and Bridget was catching everyone's eye. Branch had to give her credit for overcoming her nerves by ignoring most of the stares she received and continued on with her search for King Gristle, he was never one to feel comfortable in the public eye and probably would have retreated back to the comforts of his own home by now had he been in her shoes. But… having just opened up about his past to everyone, he was starting to think that maybe… having friends and enjoying company even if it caused a judgmental eye, wasn't so bad after all.

"Oh he's so beautiful." He heard the bergen gush and realized that she had been able to locate the King's whereabouts fairly quickly. Branch glanced through the colorful troll hair and peered into the window only to cringe immediately the moment he saw the bergen king. His confidence wavered a bit as he looked upon King Gristle shopping for a bib in preparation for this dreadful holiday he had hoped he would never have to experience ever again. Why… why couldn't they have run away and escaped when they had the chance?

"And so are you." Poppy complimented the scullery maid; unfortunately her compliment didn't seem to have the effect she hoped it would have.

"Ohh, he'll know I'm just a scullery maid!" Bridget worried, almost acting as if she were about to bolt back to the castle.

"No, no, no, no!" Poppy cried in an attempt to calm her down and prevent her from running.

"Ahh I gotta get outta here…" Bridget continued to worry as she looked in all directions in search of an escape.

"I'll be right here for you Bridget. We all will." The troll princess reassured the bergen. This statement seemed to calm Bridget down.

"You'll tell me what to say right?" The bergen questioned.

"Of course I will." Poppy reassured her again.

"Of course I will." Bridget repeated and Branch had to contain a chuckle as he listened to that exchange.

"Just wait until we get inside." Poppy commented before hiding herself back inside Bridget's 'wig' the Snack Pack had created. Branch glanced at Poppy as Bridget regained her composure once again. He might not ever be able to understand it, but Poppy's willingness to help anyone, even her enemies, always astonished him. For a princess, she was never selfish she always gave so much of herself to ensure everyone's happiness, and it made her happy to do it. In a way he admired that about her, it was a trait of hers that reminded him so much of his beloved grandmother. His grandmother had always selflessly given so much of herself no only to him, but to so many other troll children in the days she was alive that many trolls of Troll Village still reminisced about her to this day. Of course his grandmother and Poppy were still two very different trolls or whom he loved in very different ways, but he still could not help but notice this similarity between the two. It was probably one of the very reasons Poppy was able to get through to him in ways no one else ever could.

The bell signaling entrance into the store chimed as Bridget cautiously entered Bibbly's, immediately King Gristle could be heard whining like a spoiled child, so much so that no one had even bothered to notice her presence right away. Branch could only roll his eyes in annoyance at the spoiled bergen king. Boy was he grateful Poppy never acted this way, she may be naïve to the bad things that can occur in the world, but she really was the most selfless, caring, loving princess he has ever come to know, and while an exchanged occurred between the two bergen's Branch could help but take a trip down memory lane.


-Flashback-

Nine years… it's been nine years now since he turned grey, and nine years since… Grandma Rosiepuff passed away. He was fifteen now, his bunker now complete except for a few 'homey' touches he supposed but wasn't too eager to add them any time soon. His real problem now was… other trolls, he had gotten to that age where bullying was becoming a problem no matter where he went. Bullying was not considered 'troll-like', in fact it was very much frowned upon, but unfortunately it still happened, and it seemed most of the time he was the main target. Most of the kids don't remember anymore why he was grey and so depressed all the time, and if they did remember they chose not to mention it. To them, he was different, to the other troll kids he wasn't 'normal' and because of that, he was picked on.

He was used to it by now; words could never be as painful as the loss he suffered nine years ago so he could live with it. But… some kids were starting to get physical, and he knew it was time he drew a line somewhere before it escalated any further. Unfortunately he wasn't sure how…

His ears suddenly twitched and he picked up on faint snickering not too far behind him. He sighed closing his eyes, why couldn't they just leave him alone. Not wanting them to find the location of his bunker, he made a sharp left turn and began gathering some localized herbs in the area. Soon he could hear something whizzing by him and dodged it easy, casting a glance to where the object had landed he could see that it was a stone. Restraining the urge to snap at them, he continued his work ignoring the bunch, they attempted several more times to strike him with more stones, but he was quick to dodge and they missed him each time.

"Oi! Grumpy!" Finally one of them called out to him, rolling his eyes he still continued to ignore him.

"Hey! Don't ignore us!" The troll barked, suddenly Branch found himself forcefully shoved to the ground, all the plants that he had just gathered scattered everywhere. Branch laid there for a moment deciding whether of not he should stand up to this group of bullies who had now targeted him, but remembered that his words always fell on deaf ears even when he wasn't being bullied. He pushed himself up from the ground stood once more, he didn't even glance at the group who pushed him down before he turned his back toward them and continued gather the herbs once again.

"What's wrong Grumpy? Cat got your tongue?" One of the trolls teased behind him.

'Just keep ignoring them Branch, they'll leave eventually.' The grey troll reminded himself.

"Yeah aren't you going to tell us to run away? That we'll be attacked by a bergen if we hang around here?" Another troll mocked him in a monotone voice.

'Bergens aren't the only thing you should be afraid of out here.' Branch responded in his mind as he continued to increase the distance between him and them.

"HEY!" The same troll who told him not to ignore them earlier shouted, his voice was menacing, terrifying, it made the grey troll freeze in his tracks. It actually seemed like this troll wanted to inflict harm upon him, something he had never encountered before. He had never done anything so horrible to any troll that he would deserve that type of behavior from someone, so why…

"I said don't ignore us!" He barked again, and this time because Branch was so frozen and disoriented with fear, he did not notice another stone coming toward him, much larger then any of the others that had been thrown at him before. That large stone struck Branch right in his temple and the pain from the strike caused him to crumble to the ground again, his hand flew up to grasp the affected area and immediately noticed that blood had been drawn. Branch then felt the presence of the other trolls much closer then they had been before, but before he could react one of the trolls kicked him hard in the stomach, Branch felt the air rush out of his lungs and he coughed as he tumbled into a fetal position.

"Better get up Grumpy… or we'll…"

"Get away from him!" Branch heard someone scream, unfortunately he was in so much pain he could register where the voice was coming from. Whoever it was, their voice caused every troll hovering over him to freeze in shock and fear, Branch soon understood why when a familiar pink color suddenly flodded his vision. Branch felt his heart begin to race as the princess stood in front of him to protect him.

"What do you think you are doing?!" She demanded, the grey troll glanced up at the pink trolls face, his heart literally stopped beating. A look of anger he had never seen on her before was plastered on her features; the hard glare she was shooting at the group of bullies was sending shivers down his own spine. Why was she so angry for someone like him? Her voice then dropped down an octave as she spoke in warning to the group who attacked him.

"What you've done is unacceptable in my Troll Village and you better believe my father will be hearing about the actions you have taken against Branch." These words caused the group to step back, the troll who had struck Branch with the stone attempted to speak up.

"W-we didn't…"

"There is nothing you can say that will change my mind. Leave here NOW!" She shouted, silencing him instantly. They all turned around to leave and once the troll princess was sure they had disappeared from their sight she dropped to her knees in front of him, her anger now replaced with intense worry.

"Branch are you alright?" She spoke softly, her hand reached out to gently touch the wound on his temple, he flinched in pain the moment he felt her touch and Poppy quickly retracted her hand.

"I'm so sorry Branch…" She whispered, as she reached an arm around his shoulders to try and help him sit up. He allowed her to do so, his mind still reeling at the actions she had just taken to protect him. Why would she do something like this? She never left him alone sure, and always tried to include him in everything, but he never imagined she would go this far for him. He just couldn't figure her out, he was always so mean to her, so harsh, if someone had treated him the way he treated her he didn't think he'd ever be able to stand up for him or her the way she just did for him. Once he was sitting up, he finally found the will to speak.

"Why… did you do that for me?" He asked, unable to look at her directly. She didn't answer right away, when he peered over at her it seemed as if she were shocked.

"No one likes me. You… you could end up disliked, or worse hurt for what you just did… You should just… let me be…" He answered truthfully. She shouldn't get involved with him; she shouldn't try to get close to him. He couldn't give her anything she wanted or deserved and the only thing getting close to him would offer her was pain.

"I can't do that!" She shouted making him jump a bit. She said it with such determination he could no longer find the words to speak, he could only watch her with shock.

"I don't care what others say. I like you Branch and no one deserves to be treated that way!" Branch felt the air leave his lungs again, but this time it was for a completely different reason. This young princess was only ten years old, still just a child, and yet her she was speaking to him with more maturity and determination then he'd even seen in some adults. Not only that, but she was willing to fight… for him.

"Branch I don't know why you lost your colors but…" She looked away from him seemingly embarrassed; her cheeks even flushed a deeper shade of pink causing his own cheeks to flush slightly with embarrassment.

"And I won't force you to tell me… but… I hope…" she was silent for a moment. It appeared she was trying to figure out if she should say what she was about to say, it didn't take long for her to come to a decision and she soon turned to face him again with a bright smile.

"I hope one day you will be able to tell me… that you be able to… confide in me." Branch's eyes widened in surprise, he could feel his heart in his throat beating rapidly and couldn't find anything he wanted to say. No one… no one ever said anything like that to him, no one ever cared. But Poppy….

"Until then I promise to protect you!" She declared and Branch could no longer look at her. He was too embarrassed, his heart felt as if it were about to burst out of his chest. He… he was in love with her…

"Come on." Poppy was standing now, holding a hand out to him to help him up.

"Let's get you cleaned up." Normally he'd wouldn't take her hand… normally he was say something harsh, tell her he'd be fine on his own and head back to his bunker without another word but right now… he couldn't find it within himself to do that… he knew he should but he couldn't push her away. Without meeting her gaze he accepted her offered hand and allowed her to help him up. Smiling the entire way, she did not let go of his hand until they arrived at her Pod which was dead center in the middle of the village. She invited him inside to she could tend to his injuries and or the first time ever, Branch paid no mind to all the stares they received from the rest of the trolls.

-End of Flashback-


"And who might you be?" The bergen king asked as Branch came back from his trip down memory lane, it appears the female bergen had worked up the courage to speak to him. She had began to falter when the king had asked for her name, Poppy and the rest of the Snack Pack were also unsure of what to say.

"You're name is um.. uhhh…." Poppy had turned around to look to him for help, but he could only return a surprised look. It was difficult to come up with something like that on the spot.

"Lady." Biggie started which didn't seem too bad.

"Glitter?" Guy Diamond added.

"Sparkles!" Smidge added confidently, what the heck kind of name was that? King Gristle was never going to buy that!

"Seriously?!"

"My name is Lady Glitter Sparkles…seriously." Bridget you weren't supposed to repeat that! At this rate they were going to be found out!

"Well, my Lady Glitter Sparkles…" What the heck he bought that?!

"Haha! Would you care to join me an evening at Captain Starfunkles roller rink and arcade?" Was this really happening right now? Poppy's plan was actually working! This bergen just scored a date with the King!

"Would I!" Bridget responded initially with confidence, but hesitated a moment later.

"Would I?" She questioned Poppy.

"Yes you'd be delighted." Poppy reassured her.

"Yes you'd be delighted." Bridget repeated, Branch rolled his eyes at this response but paid no mind to it understanding that this was just how Bridget was, it seemed the King didn't mind at least and although he gave a curious glance now and then he seemed to go along with Bridget's act.

"Oh… indeed I would." Well the date was settled, but Branch couldn't help but feel slightly impatient, he didn't really understand completely Poppy's entire plan and where she planned to go from here. And if he was being honest he didn't really want to be an attendee to this date Bridget was about to embark on. He had confirmed with himself that he sympathized with Bridget because she was in love with someone she thought she could never have just as he did, but now that she had scored the date and he was still the same as he ever was, he was having mixed feelings.

"When are you going to ask him about Creek?" The grey troll practically spat the purple trolls name as he faced the troll princess who stood right beside him.

"Well we have to warm him up first. Don't you know anything about romance?" Poppy asked him almost mockingly, almost as if she knew he wouldn't know anything about it. What she didn't realize is deep down, there was more to the grey troll then what meets the eye but he wasn't ready to show that side of him to her yet.

"Of course! I'm passionate about it." Branch replied sarcastically.

"Really?" Poppy responded honestly in disbelief, had she seriously not been able to pick up on when he was being sarcastic yet? Plus he a bit offended that she really didn't think he could be romantic.

"Don't you know anything about sarcasm?" Branch deadpanned.

"I think I had a sarcasm once." Cooper chimed in with an unwanted comment; obviously not understanding what sarcasm was either. So maybe Branch had never been on a date in his entire life and he really could not consider himself an expert in romance, but there was a little something that Poppy did not know about him... something no one knew, was the way he felt about Poppy, and how he expressed those feeling through words in private. Over the years his feelings for her would sometimes become overwhelming, especially on the days she really expressed and showed him and everyone else that she really cared about him. He needed a way to express these overwhelming emotions without Poppy ever knowing about them so he began writing his feelings down. It was incredibly therapeutic even if it did sadden him at times that he would never be able to express these feelings out loud, but also he truly believed he was actually a great poet and songwriter, he never would have learned that about himself if it wasn't for her.

As Branch's thoughts wandered to the book of poetry and songs he always kept close to him at all times, he found himself absentmindedly touching his hair almost as if he needed to reassure himself that something that held great importance to him was still safely tucked away. Once he became aware of its presence, he once again found himself wishing he could admit his love for the troll princess one day, the tug in his heart once again making itself known. But this time, he didn't find himself getting depressed that he would never be able to admit those feelings to her one day, this confused him a bit because he always felt he could never be the troll she needed him to be, if it were possible that he could actually become that troll, Creek was still in the picture, well at least Poppy believed so anyway, so even if he could become that troll one day he would never win against Creek… so why did he feel hopeful that he could? Shaking his head to rid of those thoughts for now he noticed King Gristle and Bridget had already arrived at their date destination and were enjoying their meal.

"Bridget!" He suddenly heard the troll princess still sitting beside him chide the scullery maid.

"Compliment him back!" She urged.

"I like your back." Branch face palmed… Seriously? Did Bridget or any of the bergens for that matter know anything about romance? He was starting to grow worried that this wasn't going to end well for her and them.

"No! I meant… say… something nice about him." Poppy was beginning to fumble, unsure of how to make Bridget understand properly.

"But I do like his back." Bridget answered innocently. Okay… that response confirmed Branch's suspicions… As far as romance goes, Branch was pretty sure he knew more about it than any of the bergens.

"Eh?" King Gristle responded confused, giving her a curious look.

"Um, uh…"

"Poppy! Help her…" Branch urged, King Gristle was starting to think something was up, if they didn't do anything soon this would be all over.

"Uh… your eyes… uh…" Poppy gagged a bit as she tried to look at King Gristle and attempt to pull a compliment out that she could feed to Bridget. Unfortunately this task proved to be a bit harder than any of them had anticipated.

"Ooh your… ears?..." Poppy was at a loss, it was obvious that she was unable to compliment someone she didn't personally find attractive. She was honest and Branch loved that about her, but that honesty was about to get them into serious trouble here.

"Your eyes uh.. ears uh…" Bridget started repeating after Poppy.

"Nose!" Biggie was the first of the Snack Pack to try and lend a helping hand.

"Skin." Chimed in Satin and Chenille.

"Neck." Copper included.

"Skin, neck, ears, nose, face uh your head…" Bridget was starting to loose track of everything being said and couldn't keep up.

"Are you okay?" This entire scene was starting to look ridiculous and the King had finally started to notice.

"Your teeeeettthh." Why was Guy Diamond singing right now? Branch covered his eyes with his hand and sighed, if someone didn't do something quick it was all over.

"Teeeeettthh."

"W-What's going on?! Are you making fun of me?!" King Gristle was ready to leave, clearly offended by the scullery maid indecisiveness and very confused by the entire situation at the moment.

"Your eyes!" Bridget shouted and paused for a moment when she realized that Branch was the one helping her. Clearly it was not a move she expected from him, and honestly Branch was surprised he was doing this right now himself, especially for someone of a race he considered an enemy for his entire life. But at this point someone needed to do something before they were found out by now he knew Bridget was not intending to hurt anyone, everyone knew they could trust her, and it was simple for him to picture Poppy in this moment and recite one of the many poems he had written and memorized.

"They're like… two pools, so deep… I fear if I dive in…"

"I might never come up for air."

"I might never come up for air." Bridget was repeating his words confidently now, good it seemed he was able to smooth this situation over. At this point he was also well aware that everyone's attention was now directed at him, he knew everyone was probably incredibly surprised by him right now, he was acting in a way that was typically unusual for him but at this point there was no turning back now. So, brushing off the feeling of being watched he allowed his feelings for the troll princess to overflow and began to get lost in his own poetry as he continued.

"And your smile… the sun itself turns jealous and refuses to come out from behind the clouds…"

"Knowing it cannot shine half as bright…" King Gristle, seeming to have calmed down now, sat back down in his seat and smiled at the scullery maid.

"I kind of do have a nice smile… don't I?" Upon hearing this question Branch turned to face the troll that these words were truly meant for.

"Yes… you do…" A smile, sweeter then he had ever seen before formed on her lips as he watched her and Branch felt his heart pound in his chest. He was not expecting her to react that way toward him…

'Oh snap…' Did he just… Did she realize that those words he spoke were actually meant for her? What did he just do? What should he do now? Shyly he tore his gaze away from Poppy who was gazing back at him so lovingly. It was another look he never expected to receive from the princess; there was no way she could possibly…

Branch halted those thoughts from developing. Poppy likes Creek… Branch reluctantly reminded himself, and while he still had doubt tat Creek was still alive at this point, he knew he was not the troll who could ever take that purple trolls place in Poppy's heart. Whatever the outcome may be, Branch had vowed to stay by Poppy's side right up to the end whether it was good or bad, he vowed to be there for her and make sure that beautiful smile never left her features ever again, even if it would never be meant for him.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this…" Bridget began without any prompting from any of the trolls.

"Guys she's going rouge!" Biggie worried.

"But… being here with you today… makes me realize that… true happiness is possible." Bridget 'swords did not only surprise and move the troll princess… they had stirred something deep within the grey troll as well. It seemed those words were the exact words he needed to hear to realize that hope and happiness was always bubbling deep, deep down inside him. Poppy had began to bring that hope to the surface once again on their journey, and Bridget's words had finally, truly made it known. If these bergens… a race that was known for living in misery, could find happiness without eating a troll… then maybe… just maybe Branch would be able to find happiness again as well. Maybe it really was okay for him to be happy… glancing at the troll princess his heart began to race again, she'd been saying this to him for twenty years, that everyone deserves to be happy, even a troll eating race like the bergens, it wasn't until this moment that Branch finally started to really believe those words as well.

"It is! True happiness is a lot closer than you think." King Gristle mentioned as he scooted to sit closer to the scullery maid.

"It's right here." He whispered suggestively as he leaned in close to Bridget and rested his hands on the gem holding his cloak around his shoulders. Branch was beginning to grow suspicious upon realizing the bergen King was not speaking of the happiness they were thinking out. What was he talking about?

"Ohmm that's… pretty I guess…" Bridget relented, obviously not interested in the King's gem he was now holding out to her. He seemed to pick up on her uneasiness and continued.

"What do you think now?" He added as he opened the locket to reveal…

"Creek?!" Branch shouted in disbelief.

"I knew he was alive!" Poppy breathed. Branch was now in complete shock, he was no longer paying any attention to the events occurring on Bridget's date. He was so sure that he hadn't been wrong about this one, from what they witnessed they were no possible way the purple troll could have lived and yet… here Creek was, being held hostage within the bergen King's locket this entire time. He just couldn't wrap his head around it and had no idea what possibly could have happened for the situation to turn out this way. At this point now, whatever hope he had at being able to maybe one day have a chance with Poppy were now completely crushed…

Branch was finally pulled from his thoughts when he felt himself, along with all the other trolls bring lifted into the air and away from their positions on the scullery maids head, completely exposing them for anyone to see. He quickly realized that Bridget and King Gristle had moved out onto the roller rink and a fancy spin had been the cause of this situation, he scrambled for anything to grab onto to while the rest of the Snack Pack held on tightly behind him and found himself reaching out to grasp the pink trolls hand who had been able to grab hold of the scullery maids hair. Branch and Poppy held on tightly to each other while Poppy tried to think quickly of a way to rescue everyone. Bridget had been able to buy the group some time by sending the bergen king into a fancy spin of his own before he was able to look behind him and notice something was wrong.

Acting quick, the troll princess yanked on Branch's arm hard and was somehow able to pull everyone back safely onto Bridget's head again, although it wasn't very graceful. While the rest of her friends landed behind Poppy, Branch found himself landing right in the troll princess' arms, the grey troll was unable to contain the pleased smirk that formed on his lips upon realizing this. The pleasant moment didn't last long unfortunately as everyone quickly got back into his or her places once again. By the time King Gristle turned around to face Bridget again, it was as if nothing had even happened. After that incident the two bergens continued to dance with one another and truly started to enjoy the time they were sharing together, that is until a bone chilling voice could be heard echoing through the restaurant.

"Your Majesty." Everyone literally froze, including Bridget as Chef rolled over to the bergen pair in her own pair of roller skates.

"You seem to be having… fun." Chef mentioned seeming a bit bewildered and confused. Unfazed by Chef's presence King Gristle responded.

"Oh I am! Meet… the lovely Lady Glitter Sparkles." Gristle introduced Bridget, and Chef eyed her very carefully seeming to pick up on something that didn't seem quite right.

"Hm… you remind me of someone…" While the rest of the trolls began to shake with fear upon hearing this comment, Branch stood his ground among the group, preparing to act in case the worst was about to happen.

"She's uh, gonna be my plus one." King Gristle chimed in confidently, breaking the awkward silence and relieving the slightest bit of tension.

"Oh I see." Chef acknowledged the King, before redirecting her suspicious gaze on the scullery maid once again.

"For a moment I was concerned you were… changing the plan." Branch could tell Bridget was beginning to loose her resolve, King Gristle had been able to ease the Chef's suspicions slightly, but Branch could tell that the Chef was still aware that something wasn't quite right about the female bergen standing beside King Gristle.

"Well this won't be a problem at all your Highness. I'll just get my worthless scullery maid to get another place setting for the lovely lady… Glitter Sparkles." That confirmed it, she was onto them, and they needed to get out of here… fast. While the bergen king grabbed Chef's attention once again Branch whispered harshly to the scullery maid.

"Bridget run!" Without a second thought, Bridget immediately acted on the command and raced out of the roller rink before King Gristle could even finish his sentence.


Bridget was able to make it back to her room in the castle safely and unnoticed. Rolling in on her one remaining roller blade, she soared around her room feeling like she was on cloud nine. She then pounced onto her bed excitedly, scattering the trolls who had been resting on her head, around her on her bed.

"Hah!" The scullery maid signed dreamily.

"I think the king really likes us!" Cooper exclaimed as he turned to face Biggie who was lying beside him.

"I know right!" The large blue troll responded.

"That was the greatest day of my life!" Bridget proclaimed like a giddy schoolgirl in love, before rolling over onto her stomach to face the troll princess. Branch could help but smile at the scullery maid as well, he'd actually felt happy for her, his uneasy feelings from before now gone.

"Thanks Poppy!" Bridget acknowledged her, and the pink troll simply smiled at the happy scullery maid while nodding her head.

"Thanks to all of you!" She gestured to the rest of the Snack Pack before facing the grey troll who was sitting on the end.

"Even you I guess." She added less enthusiastically, Branch face fell with that comment. Hey, did she seriously forget who it was that pulled her out of that sticky situation when no one could figure out how to compliment the bergen king and who it was that told her to flee when Chef was bearing down on them! Branch glared at her but before he could retort the scullery maid had redirected her attention again.

"I just never thought that something like that could ever happen to me and it just did! I'm so excited I could just scream!" The giddy bergen continued before quietly exclaiming.

"Ahhh!" Oh well, Branch decided to let her comment from earlier slide, there was no way he could dampen the great mood Bridget was in now.

"Oh! I could scream too!" An ecstatic Poppy chimed in as she bounced to her feet. Branch glanced at her and smiled warmly, feeling truly happy that everything she had hoped for was coming true. Wait… happy… for Poppy?

"Creek is alive! Yay!" Poppy and her friends began to cheer, and even Branch hoped onto his feet to join in.

"Aaaahhhh!" Suddenly, he noticed he could no longer hear everyone else cheering anymore and stopped to find everyone starring at him. Great… what had he done now?

"Branch what's wrong?" Poppy asked him, voice tinged with worry.

"Nothing, I thought we were celebrating." The grey troll answered honestly.

"That's your happy shout?" Cooper asked in disbelief and Branch was finally able to realize what had caused everyone to stop. Way to bring a guy down guys…

"It's been a while." Branch deadpanned. Thankfully though, his spirits were lifted again as Poppy approached him stating.

"Well you're gonna have plenty of practice, cause we're gonna save Creek and life will be all cupcakes and rainbows again!" It was strange, here was the troll he loved more than anyone else, getting excited over Creek… the one troll who could infuriate him like no other… his only rival and yet… he wasn't annoyed he wasn't even jealous. Actually he had found himself smiling at her, seeing Poppy smile happily and act worry free again after watching her silently battle her anxieties and nerves over her friends the past two days was exactly what he had been wishing for this entire time. Her never wanted to see her upset, scared, sad or worried, her smile was perfect and she deserved to be smiling happily from her heart all the time.

"Up top!" He teased and the princess actually fell for it just as he anticipated that she would. Right as she brought her hand up to meet his, he quickly pulled his away.

"Too slow." Poppy looked back at him with shock, but the shock was quickly replaced with the same beautiful smile she wore when he had recited his poetry for Bridget and he could easily read that she was happy for him. He could not help but return her smile as well, probably revealing to her the first warm smile he had ever let loose in a long time. Something within him had changed when he opened up to her before they got Bridget ready for her date with the King. Happiness was beginning to make itself known within his heart again and the grey troll realized the source of his happiness… was Poppy's happiness… even if that meant she wasn't meant to be with him. He was able to come to the conclusion that even though he might never be able to reveal these feelings he felt for her, it would be okay as long as she was happy. As long as he could somehow always contribute to that happiness even if it was just as a friend, it would be enough for him as long as he could always see her smile. The tug in Branch's heart that he always felt toward Poppy when he thought this way began to make itself known again, but he was growing used to needing to ignore it, he knew now that as long as Poppy was happy, he could be happy and he could never ask for anything more.

"Okay everybody! Let's go save Creek!" The troll princess exclaimed, and the rest of the trolls were quick to follow her lead. But just as they were about to approach the door to exit the room…

"Ah! No!" SLAM! Bridget had inserted herself between them and the door, blocking their exit. What was she up to?

"You can't leave! Lady Glitter Sparkles is gonna be that King's plus one at dinner!" Bridget frantically explained, Branch cocked an eyebrow at her reasoning.

"The dinner where they're serving troll? Yeah… I think we're gonna have to skip that one." Branch responded before starting to make his way toward the door again.

"No! No, you have to help me be Lady Glitter Sparkles!" Bridget pleaded with him as she landed on her stomach in front of them to get down to their level.

"I need you!" She begged, Branch couldn't find the words to say, luckily Poppy did.

"You don't want to pretend to be someone you're not forever." The princess standing beside him stated, attempting to reason with the scullery maid, unfortunately what they were trying to convey just wasn't getting through to her.

"Then… how about just for tomorrow?" The young bergen pleaded again.

"Bridget, you don't need us anymore. You and the king can make each other happy." Poppy pleaded back as well, and Branch could tell she was starting to worry that the scullery maid wasn't going to let them go.

"That's impossible!" Bridget spat, seemingly offended as stood back up again.

"Only eating a troll can make you happy! Everyone knows that!" The scullery maid cried as she ran back across her room and threw herself against the collage she had pinned to the wall above her bed, she then slid down to her knees and tore the photos while proclaiming.

"I wish I'd never gone on this stupid date!" Well this was quite the mood swing that Branch was witnessing. Had this bergen learned nothing? Did she not remember herself stating that true happiness was possible without eating a troll? This was useless; there was nothing more they could do for the scullery maid if she herself refused to open her eyes as well as her heart. Branch knew that better than anyone, but Poppy on the other hand...

"Bridget…" Poppy called to her softly, attempting to console her.

"Just go! Get out of my room! Leave me alone!" Bridget cried and turned away no longer able to face the troll princess.

"Please listen!" Poppy pleaded, but Branch began to back away and tried to think of a way to get Poppy to go with him as well, the rest of the Snack Pack had already gathered behind them.

"BRIDGET!" came that bone chilling voice once again. That was their cure.

"We've gotta go." Branch urged as he backed away from the scullery maids room along with the rest of Poppy's friends.

"Bridg…"

"Come on." He knew better than anyone else, Poppy was having a hard time leaving the scullery maid alone like this, he knew every fiber of her being was aching to help her out in some way no matter how much Bridget tried to push her away. But with the threat of the Chef having now returned to the castle they had no other choice, right now they needed to leave.

"What's going on down there! Bridget! Scrub that dish!" A dish struck the hysterical scullery maid on the head.

"The King's bringing a plus one!"

"Yes Chef." Poppy lingered a bit longer, but upon realizing that there was nothing she could do for her new friend right now she too, although very reluctantly, retreated from Bridget's room to catch up with the rest of her friends.


(AN: As I mentioned earlier I only have two more chapters left for this story! Once it is finished I would love to answer any questions y'all might have! Just leave them in the reviews! Thank you for being so patient with me everyone!)