A/N: Oh my gosh! I got over 100 reviews on this story! I am so honored! Here's the last chapter for you guys! I am working on Brave now, and I want to get a couple chapters done before I start posting. I won't make any guarantees about daily updates for this story, but if I get started on some chapters now then I won't be keeping you waiting too long for updates. I will be posting the first chapter of Brave on Friday!
NerdAlert8910 – I like it when my villains are hate-able because they wouldn't be real if you actually liked them.
FandomsAreLoveFandomsAreLife – Well, if I answered your questions in this note, there wouldn't be a need for this last chapter. :D
Just Me – I'm glad you enjoy my stories! I hope you like my Brave story, because I'm trying something a bit different. Don't worry about Guffin. Everything will work out.
MaxDark158 – I can assure you that Guffin will get what's coming to her in the end.
Moonlightdreamer1 – I like to think that Creek and Guy Diamond didn't treat Branch well because they were following their mother's (poor) example. Doesn't mean they're evil like her.
Neomoon585 – I actually edited the last two chapters purposefully to add a bit of drama and more of a cliffhanger in that last chapter.
GalaxyMegaGirl – Honestly, I don't know how I do it either. Sometimes I write something and I'm surprised when it actually works.
AnimalGirl1507 – Nah, I don't think so. I would react that way too.
Callisto Altair – Keep that bird thing in mind. You're close.
I know you all hate Guffin with all your hearts, so I'm sure you'll love the punishment I wrote out for her!
Chapter Ten – Two Halves of a Whole
Branch rode his llama deep into the forest, taking the backways only he and his grandmother knew. All he had to do was clear the mountains north of the kingdom. If he could get over them, he'd be free to make a new life in a new home. He wouldn't have to be a servant. Maybe he could be a guard or take up some trade. Anything would be better than the life he lived as a slave to Guffin.
He would miss Poppy, though. That was his only regret.
After riding for maybe an hour, Branch stopped at a stream and let his llama rest. Branch dismounted and knelt beside the water, taking a drink himself. It would be many days travel before he arrived at another village. His thoughts traveled back to Poppy, and his heart suddenly felt heavy. He didn't want to leave her. He just couldn't stay in the kingdom anymore. Especially if Guffin was around. There was no guarantee that he would be safe from her, even in the palace.
Branch stared at his reflection in the water, and a smile came over his lips. It was at a stream like this where he first met Poppy. He never believed in love at first sight until he met her. He was glad he listened to his desire to see her again. Talking to Poppy and getting to know this new friend made him happier than he had felt in years. That song he sang at the ball had been partly a tune his grandmother sang for him when he was scared or depressed. When he sang it to Poppy, it was the best way he knew to show her how he really felt about her. He may be leaving her behind, but he would always have his memories with her to look back on.
Branch thought only of Poppy and the ball as he sang, wanting to keep those memories at the forefront of his mind. Those nights with Poppy and his golden childhood with his grandparents would drive him to keep going and keep living his life. Only this time, he would live it the way he wanted.
Branch didn't hear the footsteps, too engrossed in the song.
Branch froze and went silent when he heard someone else singing. But he soon recognized the voice and turned with wide, disbelieving eyes to see Poppy approaching him. Cooper and the horse Poppy rode stood a short distance away.
Branch smiled broadly as Poppy approached him. He stood and the two finished the song.
Poppy didn't need any more proof. This was her Mystery Troll, her true love. She took off her pendant half and held it out to Branch. He took it and, just for the heck of it, connected Poppy's half with the half he wore.
"True love comes when true colors shine together." Poppy recited from the engraving.
Branch sighed heavily, feeling as though a great weight was lifted off his shoulders. "Princess Poppy, my name is Branch. I am that 'prince' you danced with at the festival. But I'm not a prince. I'm not royal in any way, shape, or form. I'm an orphan who was treated like a slave for several years. All I have to offer you is myself. So, if you decide you still want to marry me, will you take me as I am? A simple, honest country troll who has fallen very much in love with you?"
Poppy took Branch's hands in her own, a loving gaze in her eyes. "Only if you will take me as I am: an apprentice still learning her trade."
Branch grinned. "Well, I can promise that I'll call you 'Poppy' no matter what mood I'm in."
Poppy laughed, hugging Branch. He returned the warm embrace, his heart soaring. The air became silent around the tender moment.
Then…..
"Branch!"
Branch and Poppy yelped when someone tackled them to the ground, and they heard someone shout in pain. Branch held Poppy close, in a protective manner, and looked to who tackled them.
"Creek?" Branch gasped.
Creek groaned in pain, his teeth clenched, and he clutched his arm where a dagger stuck out of it. Poppy looked past Creek and saw Guffin growling in frustration.
Cooper saw the entire thing: Guffin had tried to kill Branch by throwing a dagger towards him, but Creek managed to jump in the way and save him. Cooper saw a couple royal guards and shouted at them. "Arrest her! Now!"
Guffin turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. The guards chased after her. Guffin knew she wouldn't be able to outrun them, but she had to try. Only what would she do if she got away? She was ruined! What would she do now?
Suddenly, Guffin noticed the royal guards skid to a halt, turn, and run the other direction. She slowed to a stop, panting heavily.
"Ha! Cowards!" Guffin boasted. "Can't even catch an old lady!"
What Guffin never realized is that the guards weren't running from her. They ran from a carnivorous bird whose nest sat in a tall tree nearby. Guffin saw a large shadow on the ground and looked up to the source.
She didn't have time to scream before the large bird snatched her right up.
Guy Diamond finally caught up with his brother and looked him over for injuries. Save for the dagger wound, Creek was not seriously harmed. Branch, having thought ahead and brought supplies, pulled some bandages from his backpack and wrapped the wound.
"What are you two doing out here?" Branch asked.
"Mother was going to kill you." Guy Diamond explained. "We just had to come and make sure you would be okay."
"Listen, Branch, we're really sorry." Creek said sincerely.
"Yeah, real sorry." Guy Diamond echoed.
"We never should've treated you the way we did." Creek continued. "You were the one who took us into your home. Despite everything we did, you still called us family. If we only had a second chance, we would do things different."
"We'd treat you like a proper brother, the way we should have a long time ago." Guy Diamond said. "Can you ever forgive us?"
Branch smiled. "You kidding? You guys not only helped me escape, but risked your lives to save mine. Like I said, family looks out for each other." Branch helped Creek and then Poppy stand. "Poppy? With your permission, Your Highness, I'd like to invite Creek and Guy Diamond to live with us in the castle and be part of the royal family."
Creek and Guy Diamond stared in shock. "Really?" they asked simultaneously.
Poppy raised an eyebrow with a playful smirk. "You're sure?"
Branch nodded. "They are my stepbrothers, after all."
Poppy looked to Creek and Guy Diamond. "I will allow it. I'm sure you two will find good wives of your own. Until then, you are welcome in the palace."
Creek and Guy Diamond could hardly contain themselves, thanking and bowing to Poppy several times in their excitement. Guy Diamond even hugged Branch as tightly as he could. Branch couldn't help his laughter, happy to see his stepbrothers truly changed.
"Thank you." Branch told Poppy gratefully.
Poppy smiled coyly. "And as for you…." She grabbed Branch by his vest and pulled him forward, crashing her lips onto his. Branch gave a muffled yelp in surprise, and then melted into the kiss. When he and Poppy pulled away, he noticed something happening to his skin and hair. Looking into the water of the creek, Branch saw his true colors returning fully. His smile widened at the sight, and he laughed as he pulled Poppy into a hug and spun her around.
Then he caught sight of Creek's and Guy Diamond's dropped jaws. "What?"
"Y-you….." Creek stuttered.
"You're th-the….." Guy Diamond stammered.
"The same troll you guys used to play with when we were kids? Yep." Branch confirmed.
Creek and Guy Diamond simultaneously face-palmed. "We're idiots." Guy Diamond groaned.
"Agreed." Creek moaned.
Branch laughed again, Poppy joining in.
The entire kingdom showed up for Poppy and Branch's wedding. Peppy already loved his new son-in-law and treated Branch as though he were his own. Creek and Guy Diamond became crowned princes of the castle. They each had a date for the wedding: troll ladies whom Poppy recommended. Already, Creek, Guy Diamond, and their dates were hitting it off.
"Yeesh, I see what you mean now." Branch laughed as he stared at a painted portrait of himself and Poppy. He dressed in white pants and a forest green jacket for his wedding attire. Poppy wore a beautiful white wedding dress. They each wore half of Rosiepuff's pendant too.
"What do you mean?" Poppy asked.
"I hate seeing myself in painting." Branch said.
Poppy laughed. "The real thing does look better."
Branch took Poppy's hand as they headed for a balcony nearby. "Have courage….."
"…..and be kind." Poppy finished.
"And all will be well." Branch assured.
"Well get on out there!" Peppy encouraged, standing with Creek, Guy Diamond, and their dates. They gestured out to the balcony overlooking a crowd of trolls from the kingdom. Branch and Poppy walked out to the railing, hand-in-hand, and the entire kingdom gave a cheer.
"You suppose this is the part where we live happily ever after?" Poppy asked.
Branch pretended to think about it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the ghostly form of his grandmother waving from the top of a statue across the courtyard. "I think that's about right."
The two of them came together for a tender kiss.