A/N: Here's the next one! This time, with a little more action and a few songs!
Jpbake – Hope you're feeling better!
TAPDANCING GIRAF – A very logical theory. And I love that you cited another text to get it! :D
Remember, all songs I use in this story are my own creations! No using without my permission, please!
Chapter Nine – Are You Proud of Me?
"Do we have to do this?" Ariana whined.
Erika giggled as she herded her sister, Rosie, and Bliss down the halls of the castle. "Come on, it'll be fun. Besides, you three need to do a better job of staying out of trouble while the kings and queens are in negotiations. Especially you two, Ariana and Princess Rosie."
"We never get into trouble." Rosie scoffed.
"Not yet." Ariana muttered.
"I think an etiquette lesson with Camellia will be fun." Bliss said. "My moms keep telling me that I'm very ladylike, and there's always room for improvement. Besides, Rosie, I would think that etiquette lessons are part of princess training."
"The only etiquette lessons I got were basic manners-learning from my parents and grandfather." Rosie shrugged.
The girls arrived at the kitchen, and Erika knocked. Camellia opened the door and smiled. "Welcome, girls. Come right in." The elderly troll stepped aside to let the girls walk into the kitchen. The table was set with just enough plates for each one of them, and the girls took their seats. Camellia sat at the head of the table, a thick book sitting next to her plate.
Ariana leaned back in her chair and propped up her feet on the table.
"Ariana!" Erika snapped. "Get your feet off the table. You're in a skirt!"
"So? I'm wearing shorts underneath. See?" Ariana lifted the skirt of her dress to show off the shorts she wore, but Erika quickly slapped her hands down and pushed her feet off the table. Rosie and Bliss struggled to hold back their giggles.
"All right, girls." Camellia spoke as though she didn't notice Ariana and Erika's little squabble. "We're going to go through three basic etiquette lessons: education, social events, and dining. First up: education, specific to Moonlight Kingdom." Camellia opened the book next to her place setting and turned it so the girls could see the inside. "The birth of Moonlight Kingdom began with the attack on the Troll Tree by the Bergens. A group of trolls were able to escape and were found by Eclipse. She led them into the forest, where she….."
Around this point, Ariana started to get bored and nearly fell asleep. Erika kept elbowing her, motioning for her sister to pay attention. Rosie and Bliss had an easier time paying attention during the lesson. Rosie, especially, wanted to learn more about Eclipse and hear about her from other trolls instead of reading books. By the end of the education lesson, Ariana really had fallen asleep. When Erika shouted at her to wake up, she fell out of her chair.
"I guess we should start the next lesson?" Bliss suggested.
"Yes, I think so. This time, we'll need to stand up." Camellia walked to the counter and picked up a stack of books and a collection of fancy paper fans. She handed each teen a book and a fan. "Balance the books on your head and hold the fans like so." Camellia demonstrated for the girls, and they began walking around the room like a dainty princess parade. "Your back should be straight and your posture perfect, so that the book balances neatly on your head. Your fan is held gently, and you move it back and forth in slow flutters to give an air of daintiness."
"I don't feel that dainty." Rosie said. Her dancing practice gave her perfect posture, but it felt a little awkward to hold a book on her head and make little movements with her fan.
"This is really dumb." Ariana wobbled and twisted to keep her book from falling off her head.
"It is proper princess training and you should take it seriously." Erika corrected. She, too, had perfect posture and fanned fantastically.
"This is actually kind of fun." Bliss admitted. She fanned well, but the book kept wobbling on her head.
"I would rather use this fan for fighting. Wouldn't that be awesome?" Ariana said, ignoring the exasperated looks from her sister.
"How do you fight with a fan?" Bliss asked.
"Like this!" Ariana closed her fan and held it out like a sword. Her book fell off her head and to the floor. "En garde!" She lunged for Rosie, who closed her fan and parried Ariana's strike. Rosie was able to place her book on the table as the girls sword/fan fought playfully. Bliss giggled madly while Erika scolded them and demanded they stop.
Camellia rolled her eyes with a smile. Patient as ever, she set her fan and book on the table and clapped to get the girls' attention. "Why don't we try the dining lesson?" Everyone took their seats again, and Camellia poured tea for everyone. "This will be just a basic lesson. We're going to have something of a tea party. Rosie, why don't you pour my cup? Show me a proper way to handle a teapot."
If Rosie remembered tea time with Cybil well enough, she could do this easily. She took the teapot and put a napkin between her hand and the bottom of the pot, steadying the teapot as she poured the tea into Camellia's cup.
Suddenly, Ariana spit out her tea, the spray nearly hitting Bliss in the face. Rosie jumped, and the tea spilled out of the teapot and onto Camellia's lap. Camellia yelped in surprise and stood up quickly, patting the hot liquid away from her dress with a napkin.
"Ariana!" Erika gasped, horrified.
Ariana pushed her teacup away. "I hate tea."
"I am so sorry, Camellia." Rosie said.
"Oh, it's all right, sweetheart." Camellia laughed. "It happens. Luckily, the tea wasn't too hot."
"I'll say. I hate it." Ariana stood, stretched, and walked to the door.
"Where are you going?" Erika demanded.
"Don't know, don't care!" Ariana flew out of the room before her sister could protest.
"Should we help you clean up?" Bliss asked.
"No, no, go run along and be with your friends." Camellia said.
"Are you sure?" Rosie asked. She and Bliss yelped a little when Camellia picked them up with her hair and plopped them at the door, ushering them out. The girls giggled as they jogged off.
Camellia checked her pocket watch. "Well, that last longer than I thought it would."
Erika buried her face in her hands. "Oh dear."
"Well, this is actually a good time for me to talk to you alone, as I wanted." Camellia said.
Erika stared at her strangely. Camellia did not transition to different topics smoothly. She just spoke her mind when something came to her. Who knows how long she had been waiting to talk to Erika? It could've been anywhere from a few days to a few minutes. "What do you wish to talk about?" Erika asked.
Another surprise for Erika: the normally weird and smiley Camellia became very serious. "I've noticed you and Icestorm seem to be growing closer. You are getting along well."
"Yes, we are." Erika said. "I hope our friendliness will inspire our grandfathers to follow suit."
"And you two are merely friends, yes?" Camellia clarified. "Nothing more?"
"Why would we be?" Erika shrugged innocently.
"Well, let's just say I understand how post-pubescent hormones work." Camellia said. "And Icestorm is a very attractive troll. But let me make something very clear." She stared at Erika in a way that made the princess feel small, like a child being scolded. "There is no future that involves you two in a successful relationship. Regardless of your grandfathers negotiating peace, they will never agree to it." Camellia stood, and her expression shifted to one of pity. "Just a fair warning, before you get your heart broken." She walked from the room, leaving Erika at the table. The princess stared at her teacup, feeling lost, angry, and defiant all at the same time.
Icestorm wanted to sit in on the negotiations. He felt like all the children royalty should. Is it not their right to learn from their parents so they may be good leaders as well? But his grandfather refused, stating it was a matter that did not concern Icestorm. Snowstar encouraged her adoptive son to go out and explore and make new friends. Luckily, Icestorm already found a friend in his roommate, Creek. When Icestorm was refused entry into the negotiations (yet again), Creek was there to steer him away and lead him outside where they could do some training with the guards.
While Icestorm used a blunt practice sword to fight, Creek used a staff he made for himself a few months ago. The staff stood as tall as him (minus the hair) and it became his preferred weapon of choice. He even had wire wrapped around the staff—like candy cane stripes—to keep it from breaking when fighting against a sword.
Icestorm lunged with his sword, only for Creek to duck out of the way for the hundredth time and end up behind the prince. "Nimble little fella, aren't you?"
"So I've been told." Creek said, blocking one of Icestorm's strikes and retaliating it. "My mother tells me I'm one of the best yogis she's trained."
"I could never sit still for so long. That meditation thing you do? Too boring." Icestorm chuckled.
"To each his own." Creek used his staff to pole-vault over Icestorm's head. He knocked his staff against Icestorm's knees, off-balancing him enough for Creek to kick him to the ground. "I win."
"Best five out of seven." Icestorm challenged, still on the ground. Creek laughed and helped him stand.
"You two fight very well." David complimented. "Creek, I am especially impressed by your skills. Not many who are self-taught fight as well as you."
"Thanks, David." Creek said.
"And Icestorm, your skills with a sword are exemplary." David said. "I'd love to see what you two can do with archery."
"Really?" Creek mused with a teasing smile. "I would think you'd spend more time teaching Moxie about archery. You and her get along so well."
David blushed a little. "Well, she's a fine archer."
"Oh, absolutely." Icestorm said. "Very fine indeed."
"She is a very nice troll and I am happy to give her archery lessons even when she doesn't need them because she's already amazing." David said firmly.
"Really? Thanks!"
The boys turned—Icestorm and Creek bursting out laughing—and saw a smiling Moxie standing behind them. "You're very sweet, David. Thank you." Moxie said, hugging David before walking off. David looked like he would pass out, his blush consuming his face. when Tyto called for his help elsewhere in the training area, David ran off as fast as he could. Icestorm and Creek had yet to stop laughing.
"That was great. His face was just so priceless." Creek wiped the tears from his eyes.
Icestorm took a few deep breaths to calm himself. "Say, speaking of girls, aren't you in a relationship with Emperor Branch's daughter?"
"Rosie." Creek confirmed. "Yes, she and I are soulmates. It took quite some time and a lot of growing on my part. She's truly my saving grace."
"Now that's true love, right there." Icestorm said. "That's awesome."
"It is." Creek nodded. He would always be thankful of his relationship with Rosie. After all, she was the one who helped to fully pull him from the darkness he fell into.
"So, on that note, do you mind if I ask you something?" Icestorm asked. When Creek gestured for him to go ahead, Icestorm rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Well, what would you do if you found yourself attracted to a female troll and she's showing signs that indicate she might feel something for you too?"
Creek raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Oh? Which troll are you attracted to?"
"I'm not!" Icestorm insisted. "I'm asking for a friend." He said it with such determination that Creek might've believed him if he didn't already know the truth. During the initial meeting of the royals, Creek could easily sense the auras of Icestorm and Erika feeding off each other. They were very much in love, and Creek didn't even have to try to sense it.
But, for Icestorm's sake, Creek would play along this time. "I would say you should act on it. Talk a bit and see if there's chemistry between you two. And, if there is, go on a date. Let the relationship flourish."
"You think so?" Icestorm asked. "What if this troll who my friend likes is also not from a great family? As in, there might be something in the way of them being in a relationship but they don't care but they also care a little bit. You know?"
Creek did know, even if what Icestorm said didn't make a lot of sense. "There's nothing wrong with being in love. Any obstacles you face, you must be willing to face together." Creek stared off into space. "I did some things that still haunt me to this day. But with Rosie's help, I've been able to forgive myself. Whatever hurdle is in your—uh, your friend's way, he can get over it with the help of his potential lady love."
"She's not a potential lady love. She's a beautiful and kind and smart and funny troll who's got the most wonderful laugh and the most gorgeous eyes and the silkiest hair in the world." Icestorm sighed blissfully. Then he caught himself, and he coughed. "I mean, the girl who my friend likes. Yeah. That girl."
Creek snickered. "Your secret is safe with me, Icestorm."
Icestorm sighed heavily in relief. "Thanks, friend."
The fountain in the village square was humble, yet pretty. It served as the only decorative part of the village, and was enchanted thanks to Eclipse's magic so that the water flowed in a sort of cycle within the fountain itself. It would never run dry, which was helpful should a drought come.
Rosie, Bliss, Moxie, and Aka met with Kyle, Robin, Prowlus, and Kessie at this fountain. Prowlus was babysitting Ash while Poppy was with the other royals in negotiations. As the friends chatted and laughed, they were soon joined by Creek, Icestorm, and David. Then, later, Ariana and Erika dropped by.
Rosie looked around at her friends, and wrote a few more lines of her song. Prowlus looked over her shoulder and read the lyrics. He pulled out his flute and began playing a little. Rosie listened closely as Prowlus backtracked a few times before finding a melody he liked, and she quickly wrote down the notes.
"Be careful, Prowlus." Kessie warned. "You know that music draws it near."
Prowlus looked a little sheepish as he put his flute away. 'Sorry.'
"What's attracted by music?" Bliss asked.
"The shadow spirit." Kyle said. "The same one that attacked at the ball."
"It hates anything that encourages happiness." Robin said. "That includes music, dancing, and laughing."
"Is that why we never play ball for very long?" Rosie asked. Her Moonlight Kingdom friends nodded. Their ball games only ever lasted half an hour at the most.
"It is rather sad." Aka sighed. "The shadow spirit can sense when we play music, and will attack because of it. We try to keep the song-and-dance numbers to a minimum."
"Well that doesn't sound very fun." Moxie pouted.
"It's necessary for our safety." David shrugged.
"I don't think we could stand going even an hour without music in the Troll Tree." Bliss said. "It's unnatural."
"For us, at least." Creek added.
Rosie looked around. Everywhere around her, the Moonlight Kingdom trolls seemed to tiptoe through their lives, afraid to make a mistake, afraid to attract something sinister. It just didn't feel right to her to let them live their lives like this. Yes, they were trolls of a different kingdom. But they were rainbow trolls, just like her.
"I'm not going to stand for it." Rosie decided, tucking her book and pen in her hair. She stood up and looked around. "It's about time we brought a little more light to this place."
"You really don't have to do that." Kessie said.
"In fact, it might be safer if you don't." David added.
"Nonsense." Rosie looked around again, and she saw the Snack Pack passing by. "Hey Uncle Cooper!" She jogged over to the llama-troll, who met her halfway. She whispered into his ear, and he grinned toothily. He nodded, and he pulled his harmonica from his hat. He began to play and upbeat song, loud enough to catch the attention of some passing trolls. Rosie smiled from ear to ear, and she began her song.
Let the music take control
Be like a puppet on a string
Your heartbeat is the tempo
Don't be afraid to sing
Moxie and Bliss were quick to harmonize with Rosie and join her in an impromptu dance. More of the Moonlight Kingdom trolls began to pause and watch the girls with awe.
Be loud and be proud
This is our night to be crazy
We're gonna dance, dance, dance
So hold me tight, baby
Let the glitter rain down
Lights shine, shout it oud loud
Just dance, let go
Get on with the show
Let loose, be free
You don't have to follow me
Move your feet to the beat
Even walking down the street
Let the music take control
Prowlus began to accompany Cooper's music on his flute. Bliss scooped up a couple sticks and tapped out a beat on the edge of the fountain. She passed the job onto Robin and continued to dance with Rosie and Moxie.
An audience began to form as the girls continued their dance. The Snack Pack were quick to join in the dancing, encouraging the other trolls to do the same. Most of the Moonlight Kingdom trolls were apprehensive. Kessie, Kyle, and Robin used the materials near them to create more music. Rosie grabbed Creek and pulled him into the dance. Bliss did the same with Aka, and Moxie managed to encourage/yank David into dancing with her. The captain of the guard looked mortified until Moxie showed him the moves.
Listen to the sounds around you
Find the beat some other way
Express yourself and be brave
Think you're no good? That's okay
Don't hesitate another minute
This is the moment you waited for
Spin and jump, hair in the air
Spread your wings and soar
Ariana began to sing with Rosie, Bliss, and Moxie, smiling broadly and pulling Icestorm into a dance. Rosiepuff and Camellia, alerted by the commotion, came to investigate and watched with impressed looks. Slowly, the Moonlight Kingdom trolls began to warm up to the dance.
Even when the rain pours
Though the thunder roars
Just dance, let go
Get on with the show
Let loose, be free
You don't have to follow me
Move your feet to the beat
Even walking down the street
Let the music take control
As the music temporarily slowed, Ariana twisted herself away from Icestorm and pushed her sister towards him so they could dance together. The two of them blushed, but danced with one another until the pairs split and they began dancing as one big group, with Rosie herself leading everyone.
The royals who were in the middle of negotiations also heard the hubbub, and they hurried down to the village.
Quiet the fear inside
Replace it with pride
Know that you're who you're meant to be
And in time, everyone will see
Just dance, let go
Get on with the show
Let loose, be free
You don't have to follow me
Move your feet to the beat
Even walking down the street
Let the music take control
Let the music taken control!
When the dance finished, everyone erupted into applause for the dancers. Rosie hugged her friends, elated by the new light and happiness around her.
"Your daughter is a truly amazing child, Emperor Branch." Yuki said.
"I must admit the same." Cobalt said. "I did not know there could be light in this kingdom."
Branch grinned at the kings, and then gestured to the happiness before them. "This is what I hope for Moonlight Kingdom, and I believe it will get stronger when our friendship and alliance is solidified." Yuki and Cobalt shared a look. A look of resentment mixed with understanding.
Prowlus suddenly became aware that Ash was squirming in his arms. The baby fussed and whined agitatedly. Prowlus bounced Ash to soothe him. Then, he heard a soft rumbling. It grew louder and louder, until other trolls began to take notice of the sound. It sounded like thunder in the ground. There was no shaking, so it wasn't an earthquake.
Kessie's ears twitched. "The fountain…."
Aka looked to the fountain and realized the water from the fountain had stopped flowing. "Everyone get down! Away from the fountain!"
Just in time, the trolls scattered before the fountain could explode and rain down water and debris onto everyone. The shadow spirit shot up into the air, swirling around like a cloud. Most of the trolls screamed and began running around, looking for places to hide. Rosie and Bliss ushered their friends to safety. David, Aka, Moxie, Creek, Icestorm, and the rest of the guards prepared for a fight. The shadow shot down and lunged for the guards, knocking them down with every strike. Branch guided Poppy, Yuki, Snowstar, and Cobalt to a safe place before running out to fight the shadow. Rosie was right by his side, firing magic like he did and trying to drive the shadow away. But it seemed that every strike simply made the shadow angrier. It lunged for Rosie and Branch, and the latter put up a shield to protect them. The shadow continued to ram against the shield, trying to break the protective bubble.
"Stop!" Aka shouted. The shadow turned and hissed.
"Aka, don't!" David warned.
Aka ignored him. "Everyone stand down! Just be calm!" The guards looked back and forth between Aka and David. Which officer should they obey?
"That thing is not going to listen to us, Aka." David insisted. "It doesn't want peace."
Aka glared at him defiantly, and she turned to the shadow. "Please, you must stop this. I know that you're not as evil as everyone thinks. You have suffered greatly, and I wish to help you. But I can't do that if you keep attacking my home and people. I know who you are, and I know that you still care for this kingdom." Aka smiled in a friendly way. "Let me help you."
The shadow let out a low hiss. Then, it shrunk in size until the cloudy creature was only about as big as a troll. Aka slowly stepped forward. David held his breath. Moxie could sense his fear. She didn't dare fire an arrow, in case she hit Aka by mistake. Rosie secretly created a fireball in her palm, ready to throw it. Branch tensed up for whatever might happen.
Aka reached out a hand to the shadow. The spirit reached out a shadowy tendril, and suddenly wrapped it around Aka's waist. The shadow tossed Aka into the air, eliciting a surprised shout from her. The shadow shot up after her and smacked the troll out of the air, causing her to crash into the ground.
"Hey!" Bliss shouted, chucking a rock at the shadow. "Back off you big jerk!" The shadow whipped around and hit Bliss, knocking her into Rosie and sending them to the ground. The shadow spirit transformed into a single, sharp spike and shot towards Aka, who was still trying to catch her breath. David ran towards his sister, dived for her, and hugged her to his chest as he rolled them both out of the way. The spirit pierced the ground. Branch and King Cobalt each shot several magical blasts, hitting the shadow and causing it to snarl. The shadow moved to strike another troll, but Branch and Cobalt continued to attack the spirit. Working together, they sent so many magical blasts that it drove the shadow spirit away from the village.
There wasn't any cheering, though. Slowly, the trolls emerged from their hiding spots and looked around for any more signs of danger. Branch went to Rosie and Bliss, helping them stand.
"Aka, are you okay?" David asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Aka muttered. Crimson and Jasmine hurried to their children, helped them up, and hugged them tightly.
"What in the fox hair was that?" Snowstar demanded.
"That was the shadow spirit that's been attacking my kingdom." Branch said.
"And here I thought you meant some sort of heavy aura, similar to what Lady Jasmine teaches." Cobalt said.
Rosiepuff scoffed. "Oh, it's real, all right. But it hadn't attacked in a few days. The attacks are so sporadic."
"No, they're not." Robin said.
'The shadow hates music. It didn't like that we were having fun.' Prowlus signed, and Kyle translated.
Yuki glared in the direction the shadow left. "So, it will come back?"
"Probably." Poppy sighed. "I guess it really just doesn't like us."
Yuki nodded slowly. "Branch, as much as I enjoy visiting, I don't wish to stay in this kingdom longer than necessary. Especially since the negotiations are going nowhere. But—in honor of my dear friend, Eclipse—I wish to remain in Moonlight Kingdom until we have found a way to take care of that shadow spirit once and for all."
"Agreed." Snowstar said. "I'm sure we can find a way to vanquish this spirit. Or, at the very least, ensure it cannot reenter the kingdom."
"Thank you, both of you." Branch said appreciatively.
"I never thought I'd agree with a ruddy mountain troll," Cobalt said. "But I don't like this spirit terrorizing innocent trolls. Our relationship is improving, Emperor Branch. I believe we can better solidify it if I also lend my assistance in vanquishing the spirit."
"I would appreciate that." Branch said. "Honestly, I may need all the help I can get. For now, we should let the trolls recuperate." He looked to Crimson and his family. "David and Aka, tend to your guards and your wounds. Your parents will care for you as well."
Dinner that evening was quiet save for the discussion amongst Branch, Poppy, Yuki, Snowstar, and Cobalt about what to do about the spirit. Most of the questions asked about the shadow spirit had to be answered by Crimson and Jasmine. Aka excused herself early and retired to bed, refusing comfort from Bliss and David when they offered. Rosie and Moxie kept exchanging looks, both thinking the same thing. Someone could've been killed today. The shadow spirit once again showed how aggressive it could be. Aka's confidence had been battered.
Everyone trickled off to bed after finishing dinner. Even Poppy and Snowstar left, the former needing to take time to put Ash down for bed. Branch, Yuki, and Cobalt were the last ones to head for their rooms.
"I think, tomorrow, we should skip the negotiations and spend some time in the library." Cobalt suggested. "There must be some texts that can aid us in our dilemma."
"I agree." Branch said. "But I want us to continue negotiations between figuring out a solution."
"Really?" Yuki mused.
"I understand your hesitation." Branch said. "But I hope we can mend the rift between the Wing and Mountain Trolls. It would benefit our alliance."
"Hard to argue with that." Yuki sighed.
"Though I bet we could try." Cobalt muttered under his breath as the kings departed for bed. Branch watched them go. Once the kings disappeared around the corner, Branch sighed heavily. He moved to a nearby window and stared outside. He couldn't see the village from where he was. But he could see the forest. It was so dark he couldn't distinguish the shapes of the trees. It was just blackness and vague shapes.
Was the shadow spirit watching him right now? Was it staring at him as he stared into the never-ending darkness? Did his mother watch him now? Maybe Eclipse? Were they proud of him?
For far too long, I didn't know
I wish you didn't have to go
You could've said if you could see
That I'm being the best I can be
I didn't know this place was here
My destiny is suddenly unclear
I'll do my best to make you proud
Yet I still feel outside the crowd
As Branch journeyed through the halls of the castle, he thought about all he learned about the kingdom. Everything that everyone told him made it feel like Branch was supposed to be born here. He felt like he should've been raised in Moonlight Kingdom. Yet he still had this feeling of belonging yet not belonging, and he wished his mother and grandmother could be here to help him.
I wish you were by my side
To guide me through the dark
All I have are stories of you
Somehow, I'll make my mark
But I want to know if you can see
Tell me, are you proud of me?
Branch reached the throne room. It was empty, but the magical chandeliers on the ceiling illuminated when Branch entered. He shut the doors behind him and walked up to the thrones and sat in the one that used to be Eclipse's, now deemed by Crimson to be Branch's own throne. No one else could sit there except him. It was yet another symbol of his power and authority in the kingdom. When Branch married Poppy and became king, he had to learn what he could from his wife and from Peppy. But being King of the Troll Tree was very different compared to being Emperor of Moonlight Kingdom. So different—so much more difficult, it seemed—that Branch didn't want to subject anyone else to this weight he had to bear on his shoulders. Not even Poppy or Rosie. He needed his family, his Moonlight Kingdom family, here to teach him.
You're not here, taken a way
Only this crown remains
It's mine alone, hope Poppy sees
No one else should try to be me
Rule the kingdom the best I can
Responsible for my homeland
It'd be great to have you around
Will I hear you when there's not a sound?
I wish you were by my side
To guide me through the dark
All I have are stories of you
Somehow, I'll make my mark
But I want to know if you can see
Tell me, are you proud of me?
Branch stood from the throne and walked towards the door. But he paused only five steps away from the thrones. When he looked back to the ornately decorated chairs, he could almost imagine Eclipse and Stella sitting there. Maybe it was his own imagination or a hallucination, but Branch could see the entire room lit up with trolls. Trolls who trusted Eclipse and Stella, and looked to them for guidance. Now, they looked to him. They trusted him, whether they supported Eclipse or not, to be their leader.
There's so much I don't understand
But I promise to do the best I can
I wish you were by my side
To guide me through the dark
All I have are stories of you
Somehow, I'll make my mark
But I want to know if you can see
Tell me, are you proud of me?