A/N: Another chapter! Yay! Eleven more reviews and I'll break 100 again! Not that I'm pressuring anyone to review. Honestly, if you take the time to review, I appreciate it.

Neomoon585 – I'm glad the chapter was scary! I was aiming for that.

Sherona849 – Yes Ruby is bad-tempered. Just wait until you see what happens in this chapter.

NerdAlert8910 – Your review made me laugh so much. Even more so when Fanfiction starred out some of the foul language. I hope my future standalone story makes you this excited.

LivvyLeopard – I have thought more about Into the Psyche 3, and as I finish this story, I'm going to work simultaneously on Tarzan and Psyche.

AnimalGirl1507 – See, I think of Kerec as like Toothless but with old weapons in his back and blood red eyes. But the Maleficent dragon is scary too.

Ribes Montana – Thank you for your faith in me!

Jpbake – Sorry the site is acting all weird. Hopefully it gets fixed soon.

Chapter Ten – Mend the Bond

Now that they had a plan, Rosiepuff and Branch wasted no time in getting back to the royal pod. They ducked into the bushes and parted the foliage to stake out the situation. Guards patrolled the gates. Even with Rosiepuff's camouflage in the darkness, the torchlight would give her away.

Rosiepuff looked to Branch and shook her head. We can't go this way. Too dangerous.

"We have to get in somehow." Branch complained quietly. "Unless you have a better idea, we need to go this way."

Rosiepuff thought about it. Did she have a better idea? Wait, she did!

The dragon led Branch around the back of the Troll Tree, where nobody would see them. Rosiepuff approached a seemingly random set of roots and stuck her claws into the groove of the bark. She pulled, revealing a hidden door into the Troll Tree itself.

"That works." Branch nodded.

Through the secret passageway, Branch and Rosiepuff could make it up to the top of the Troll Tree and slip into the royal pod unnoticed. But as they approached the throne room, which they intended to pass through on their way to the tapestry, they heard furious shouting and what sounded suspiciously like war cries. Branch tiptoed to the great wooden doors and opened one just enough to see inside.

The throne room was in chaos. The four clans had set themselves up in different corners of the room, each one standing behind barricades made of furniture and decorative statues. The warriors had their weapons raised and shouted at each other. Arrows were fired. The kings of the land stood before their warriors and yelled to make themselves heard. Oaken had his sword drawn, glaring at the trolls around him. Smidge, Ruby, and Poppy cowered behind their respective fathers, unsure how to help or resolve the situation.

"We've done enough talking!" Peppy ordered. "This needs to be settled!"

"You're the High King!" Guy Diamond shouted at Oaken. "You decide which one of our daughters your grandson will marry!"

Oaken took an axe from one of his warriors and threw it, almost taking Guy Diamond's head off. "Well maybe none of your daughters are good enough for my grandson!"

"Then our alliance is over!" Biggie declared. "This means war!" He and his warriors ducked when a volley of arrows came at them.

Branch's eyes widened. All this…just for my betrothal? Seriously?! He turned to Rosiepuff. "Oh this is bad. This is so, so, so, so bad! You have to do something!"

Rosiepuff gawked. Me? She gestured to her dragon form.

Branch groaned. "But how do we get you up to the tapestry, then? The only way up is through there, and obviously we can't go this way."

Rosiepuff shrugged, at a loss.

Branch groaned again, face-palming. "Oh this is so bad." He ran his fingers through his hair, and then realized he still had Rosiepuff's silver circlet. He pulled it out of his hair. "Wait, this! Wear this and maybe they'll see it's really you!"

Rosiepuff gave him a deadpan stare.

"Okay, dumb idea." Branch admitted. "No way would they believe it."

Rosiepuff thought, and then her eyes lit up and she pointed to Branch. You! You can go in there and stop this!

Branch caught on. He had to go in there and stop this. Everything that happened today was because of him. The alliances of the four kingdoms would shatter to pieces unless he did what he had to do. He looked back to the throne room and swallowed. "I…..I can't…I mean, I know what I have to do but…..I can't go in there…" He sighed. "I'm not like you. I'm not regal or refined or brave enough to just walk into a fray of quarrelling warriors."

Rosiepuff took Branch's shoulders in her paws and turned him towards her. She gave him a stern look. You can do this, Branch. She took her circlet from Branch's hands and placed it over his brow. I know you can.

Branch touched the circlet. It seemed so…heavy…..

The warriors and kings in the throne room continued to shout, ready to start the brawl that would lead to war. But when Branch willowy marched forward to the front of the room, everything dwindled down to silence.

Oaken stared at Branch strangely. When did he get downstairs? "What are you doing, my boy?"

"It's all right, Grandad." Branch assured, turning to the visiting kings and warriors in the room. He cleared his throat. "I…um….." Why didn't he pay more attention in those public speaking lessons? All those eyes on him made Branch feel tiny. "I have…well, I….have been chatting…with my grandma…..I mean, the queen."

"Oh have you?" Biggie demanded as he stomped forward, Smidge close behind.

"Yes, I have." Branch said firmly.

"Then where is she?" Peppy snapped as he came up next. Guy Diamond followed suit. Poppy and Ruby stayed with their fathers.

"She….uh….." Branch couldn't answer that one.

"What are you pulling this time?" Guy Diamond growled.

"I'm not—" Branch didn't get to finish as all three kings began speaking over each other, demanding answers. Oaken looked like he would jump forward, ready to skewer whichever king dared to touch his grandson.

Quite suddenly, Branch shouted "SHUT IT!" so loudly that it echoed around the room. Peppy, Biggie, Guy Diamond and their daughters backed up. Oaken chuckled. That's my boy.

Branch straightened up. "Okay….I…." He did a double-take at the sight of Rosiepuff sneaking around the outskirts of the room. "I….." What is she doing? Guy Diamond tried to follow Branch's look, but Rosiepuff froze and did her best impersonation of the dragon statues in the room. Everyone seemed to be fooled. Branch thought quickly. "Once there was an ancient kingdom…"

"What?" Peppy blinked a few times in confusion.

"That kingdom fell because of its eldest prince." Branch continued.

"Yes, we've all heard the tale!" Guy Diamond huffed.

"Yes, but it's true!" Branch insisted. "I finally understand how one selfish troll can change the fate of an entire kingdom."

"It's just a legend." Biggie scoffed.

"Legends are lessons." Branch said. "They ring with truths."

Rosiepuff almost made it to the stairs when she heard this, and she paused.

Branch continued his speech. "Our kingdom—the kingdom we created within this forest with four separate clans—is young. Our clans were once enemies. But when the imps of Malrock Swamp invaded us, you joined together to defend our lands. You fought for each other."

Rosiepuff began to smile, letting her guard down. He listened. He actually listened to those lessons.

Branch knew he had everyone's attention, and he wouldn't be letting it go anytime soon. "King Peppy! My grandad saved your life when the imps ambushed your army. He stopped an arrow that could've killed you."

Peppy remembered that well. "Yes, and I'll never forget it." He smiled at Oaken, who grinned back in return. Everyone began to relax from their battle stances.

"And King Guy Diamond, you saved my father when you came with reinforcements." Branch continued. Guy Diamond shrugged, even when he wore a proud smile. Branch smiled broadly. "And we all know how King Biggie broke the enemy line."

"With a mighty throw of your spear!" Guy Diamond finished.

"I was aiming at you, you glittery goat." Biggie laughed, causing laughter amongst the other trolls too.

"The story of this kingdom tells of how four enemies joined forces and found a way to live in harmony. It's a story that will go down in history." Branch said. "My grandad rallied your forces and you made him your High King. It was an alliance forged in bravery and friendship and it lives to this day."

The trolls cheered mightily, and Rosiepuff couldn't keep the smile off her lips. He listened. He really listened.

Branch's face fell. "But I've been selfish. What I did during the games….I did it without thinking….this is all my fault."

Oaken jumped down from his spot behind the table barricade and came to stand beside his grandson. "Branch…."

"No, Grandad, this is my fault." Branch sighed. "I know now that I need to fix my mistake….." He glanced to Rosiepuff. "…..and repair our broken bond."

Poppy felt her heart sink. No….Branch, please don't do this.

"And so, there is the matter of my betrothal." Branch sighed. "I must apologize for the disturbance I caused at the tournament yesterday." He looked to Smidge, his now-fiancée, and swallowed. "I wish to—"

Branch suddenly caught sight of Rosiepuff silently waving her arms to get his attention. She made a cutting motion across her throat.

"To…" Branch fought to keep his composure and prevent anyone from noticing the live dragon in the room. What was his grandmother doing?

Rosiepuff put her claws together and moved them apart quickly in a sort of snapping motion.

Branch slowly mimicked her. "Break….tradition…"

All the trolls in the room gasped, but Branch only kept looking to Rosiepuff. Was she being serious? Wait, she was! She was being serious! She was letting him break tradition! Branch watched for more instructions, translating Rosiepuff's charades to convey her message.

"My grandmother, the queen, believes we should be allowed to choose our own paths." Branch told the clans. "Follow our hearts, and find love in our own time."

The three kings were crying a little now. "That's beautiful." Biggie sniffled.

Rosiepuff nodded to Branch, allowing him to continue on himself. Go for it.

It took a fair amount of willpower from Branch to keep his eyes dry. "The queen and I ask you, kings of the land, might your daughters have the chance to decide who they will love and marry?"

Peppy, Biggie, and Guy Diamond exchanged looks, making strange noises but not really deciding quite yet. They did a quick huddle and whispered to each other. Branch waited anxiously, holding his breath.

Finally, the kings separated. "I have only one thing to say." Peppy said. "This is…a grand idea!"

"What?" Ruby gasped in shock.

"Really?" Poppy gasped happily.

"Yay!" Smidge cheered.

"I think our daughters are plenty bright enough and wise enough to have their own say in choosing their fate." Biggie said. "They ought to have a chance to find someone they truly love!"

"Seems for once we're in agreement!" Guy Diamond laughed. "Of course, Prince Branch, I'm sure you also are perfectly capable of finding your own true love."

"Of course he is." Oaken slapped Branch on the back, nearly knocking him down. "Just like this grandmother." He pulled Branch into a side-hug. "Ye devil."

Branch smiled broadly. "Thanks, Grandad."

"And on that note, Prince Branch, by any chance have you found love with any of our daughters?" Peppy asked.

Branch cast a look to his grandmother and grandfather, both of whom nodded in approval. "I have. And I must confess that this troll I am in love with is one I met a couple years ago. I have fallen very much in love with her. So, King Peppy, I must ask you a very important question: if she will have me, may I ask for your daughter Poppy's hand in marriage?"

"What?!" Ruby screeched in protest, drawing attention to her. "I mean, Prince Branch, are you quite sure?"

Branch stepped closer to Ruby with a snarky smile on his lips. "Sorry, Princess Ruby. I guess I have a thing for, as you say, 'filthy forest brats.'" Ruby's eyes widened. She stepped back away from Branch, her head ducked down in shame. Branch turned to Peppy again. "King Peppy?"

"If my daughter will have you and loves you, Prince Branch, then I will fully approve of it." Peppy nodded.

Branch grinned and looked to Poppy. The pink troll beamed with unbridled glee. Branch cleared his throat. "Poppy, will you—"

Poppy squealed happily and jumped into Branch's arms, planting her lips onto his as she hugged him. Everyone in the room cheered loudly for the newly engaged couple. Poppy and Branch broke their kiss so they could breathe, and they couldn't stop smiling at each other.

"Took you long enough." Poppy said sassily.

"Love you too." Branch said, kissing her. "And of course, my lords, you are all invited to the wedding."

"We would be happy to come." Guy Diamond said.

"We love a good party." Biggie agreed.

Rosiepuff sighed blissfully. But the sound came out a little like a growl, and one of the troll warriors turned around. Rosiepuff quickly posed like a statue. Branch caught sight of the troll soldier kicking Rosiepuff's leg, and the dragon looked like she had a very hard time staying so still.

Uh oh. Branch thought fast. "Everyone! Let's take this party outside! Have a real celebration!"

The trolls cheered at the thought and started walking outside, chatting like friends. Once everyone made it outside, Poppy and Branch shut the doors to the throne room. They burst into peels of joyful laughter as Rosiepuff relaxed out of her pose. Poppy jumped and spun around, kissing Branch again. Then she approached Rosiepuff and curtsied. "Thank you, Queen Rosiepuff. I promise I'll be a good granddaughter-in-law."

Rosiepuff nodded to her, and then smiled proudly at Branch. She gently cupped his cheek in her paw. Branch leaned into the loving touch, overjoyed at how this all turned out. He gasped. "The tapestry!"

"Tapestry?" Poppy repeated. Branch and Rosiepuff already hurried up the stairs, and Poppy scrambled after them. "Hey whoa! Have you figured out how to break the spell yet?"

"Well yes and no." Branch said. "The witch told us we have to 'repair the broken bond.' And I think I know how!"

The three of them ducked into the drawing room and shut the door behind them. Branch approached the torn tapestry, right where he left it. He gently ran his fingers over the rip in the cloth. How could he get so blindly angry that this happened?

"So how are you going to fix this?" Poppy asked.

Branch analyzed the rip. "Repair the broken bond. Easy enough. We just have to stitch it up, and that will change Grandma back. All we need is a needle and some thread."

Rosiepuff nodded in understanding and trotted over to the chest in the corner. A bowl of berries sat on top, and Rosiepuff set those aside to open the chest and start looking. Her nose caught whiff of those berries. She paused.

"You sure about this?" Poppy asked. "There isn't any other spell or something?"

"I don't know what else it could be." Branch shrugged. "I tore the tapestry when Grandma and I were fighting. She did her part by listening to me when I told her how we met and fell in love. Now I have to finish the job and fix this."

Poppy took his hand in hers. "Then we should get to work."

Something clattered to the ground, causing the two trolls to spin around. "Grandma?" Branch asked. The dragon that was his grandmother gobbled up the berries that fell to the ground. When the beast looked up, however, her eyes were red again instead of green. "Oh not now." Branch groaned. "Please, please not now!"

"Branch?" Poppy asked slowly. "What's happening?"

Rosiepuff still seemed to recognize Branch, even when she was lost under the dragon side of her. She sniffed the blue troll as Branch came closer, his mind racing with how he could get her to come back. "This is so not good."

Oaken's hearty laughter echoed in the hallway, and the dragon growled. Branch closed the dragon's snout with his arms to keep her silent. Oaken marched past the drawing room, singing the song of Kerec.

"Get the tapestry!" Poppy hissed. She and Branch started tugging on the tapestry to pull it down. They had to find a new place to work before someone found them!

Oaken approached his and Rosiepuff's bedroom. He knew Rosiepuff must still be resting, but he simply had to tell her the good news. Maybe it would help her feel better. Oaken knocked on the wood before opening the door. "Rosiepuff, my dear, it seems you and Branch were able to solve the betrothal problem."

The second he opened the door, Oaken saw something wasn't right. The dark room was in complete disarray. Furniture lay broken. The bed in shambles. A tapestry torn. A mirror broken. Oaken's breathing quickened when he noticed his beloved wife nowhere in sight. Thunder roared from outside. In the light of the lightning, Oaken saw the torn remains of Rosiepuff's dress. The king fell to his knees, taking the fabric in his hands. Was that blood he saw? Or was he just seeing red? His wife…..could she….was she really…..?

"ROSE!"

Branch and Poppy froze and Oaken's anguished scream. "Oh that can't be good." Branch moaned.

"It can't be true!" Oaken denied it desperately as he ran from the room. "Rose! Rosiepuff, answer me!" He shouted as he opened doors and searched for his beloved. "Rosiepuff!" He threw open the door to the drawing room.

Quite a sight greeted him: his grandson and Princess Poppy seemed to be trying to pull down the tapestry…..with a dragon in the room!

"What the—?!" Oaken's eyes widened at the sight of the dragon snarling at him.

"Grandad, no!" Branch pleaded, stepping between his grandparents. "It's not what you think!"

Oaken pushed Branch and Poppy behind him protectively. "Branch, Poppy, get back!"

"No!" Branch shouted.

Rosiepuff, lost behind the dragon and unaware of who stood before her, roared at Oaken. The king drew his sword, swinging and slashing towards the beast.

"Grandad, stop!" Branch ordered, pushing Poppy a ways away for safety's sake. Poppy was too in shock to really respond at the moment. Branch grabbed Oaken's arm. Suddenly, Rosiepuff swiped her claws, catching Branch's arm and scratching it.

"Branch!" Oaken's eyes blazed with fury as he pushed Branch back again, lunging for the dragon that dared to harm his family. But anger made his attack sloppy, and Rosiepuff sent him flying into a wall with a single strike. Oaken slumped to the floor, fighting to keep himself conscious.

"King Oaken!" Poppy gasped. She and Branch stared in horror as Rosiepuff snarled at them, looking ready to attack.

Then, as quickly as she left, the dragon's eyes became green and Rosiepuff returned. She panted heavily. What did…how….what happened? Then Rosiepuff saw the overturned furniture and her darling husband struggling to rise from the ground. It came rushing back. Rosiepuff stared at her claws. I attacked them….I hurt them…

"Grandma?" Branch's voice came out like a whimper. Everything was falling apart.

Rosiepuff looked to Branch, and then saw the scratch on his arm. Oh no…did I….?

Branch covered the wound. "It's okay. I'm fine. It's nothing. It doesn't even hurt."

But Rosiepuff wouldn't listen. She finally went too far and hurt her own family. She had to leave before she hurt someone else!

"Grandma!" Branch called as the dragon bounded out of the room.

When the three kings realized Oaken had yet to join them at the party, they decided to journey into the castle to find him.

"My liege!" Guy Diamond called, laughing.

"Oaken!" Peppy chortled. "Come now, you're missing the party!"

The kings came to the top of the stairs just as Rosiepuff did.

The dragon blinked.

The kings blinked.

"Dragon!" Biggie screamed.

"King Oaken, are you all right?" Poppy asked worriedly as she and Branch helped him stand.

"I'm fine." Oaken looked to Branch. "Are you hurt?"

"Grandad, it's your wife, Rosiepuff!" Branch explained hurriedly.

"What?" Oaken gawked.

"That dragon!" Branch said. "It's Grandma! You have to believe me!"

"You're talking nonsense, Branch!" Oaken snapped.

"It's the truth!" Branch insisted. "There was a witch and she gave me a spell. It's not Kerec!"

"Kerec or not, I'll avenge your grandmother." Oaken marched past Branch and Poppy and slammed the door to the room shut, locking it. "But I'll not lose you too."

"Wait, please!" Poppy called.

"Grandad, no!" Branch begged as Oaken stomped off. "You don't know what you're doing!"

"King Oaken! Listen to us!" Poppy shouted.

Oaken didn't listen. "Fuzzbert, keep this and don't let them out!" The troll butler nodded hurriedly.

"Oaken!" Peppy shouted as he burst into the throne room. "There's a dragon! It's escaping into the forest!"

"Get the horses and the crocodiles! We're going after it!" Oaken ordered. He whistled, and his hunting dogs were at his sides almost instantly.

Branch began hyperventilating. "No. No, this can't be happening!"

"We have to get out of here!" Poppy began tugging on the door handle futilely.

Branch scanned the room and grabbed a side table. He heaved it up with all his strength. "Poppy, move!" The pink troll obeyed and Branch threw the table into the door. But all that did was break the little window in the door itself and smash the table to pieces. Poppy tried pulling a bobby pin from her hair to pick the lock, but it wouldn't work. Branch grabbed a fire poker and stabbed at the hinges of the door. Sparks flew, yet the door remained shut. Branch slammed the poker against the door, so fueled with rage that Poppy had to jump back to avoid getting accidentally stabbed. When hitting the door didn't work, Branch stabbed the fire poker between the door and the wall and tried to wrench it open. Except that just bent the fire poker.

Suddenly, Branch and Poppy heard shouting, and they hurried to the window. Branch broke the glass, but the narrow space wouldn't allow him to jump out. He and Poppy stared out into the dying storm as the trolls from the four clans mounted their steeds, readied their weapons, and galloped off into the woods to find and kill the dragon they believe killed the queen.

"Grandma!" Branch screamed. "No…no…" He turned from the window and sank down into the couch below it, his body shaking with sobs. Poppy knelt down beside him, her head hung.

They failed.