A/N: Lighthearted warning: this chapter does contain bits of family fluff that is bound to rot your teeth with sweetness.

Chapter Eleven – The Perfect First Day Home

She first became aware of laying on something soft. It definitely didn't feel like the floor of her cage. When Rosiepuff opened her eyes, she grinned widely as she rubbed the warm blanket laying over her. She sighed happily and snuggled deeper into Rosie's bed. Even the nightgown Satin and Chenille made for her was made of cotton and comfortable. Rosiepuff only hoped Rosie wasn't too disappointed about last night. She had been so exhausted that she collapsed into bed instead of joining the party Rosie started.

I'll make it up to her today. Rosiepuff decided. She heard a knock at the door. "Come on in!"

Branch poked his head into the room and grinned broadly. "Good morning, Grandma." He entered the room, carrying a box and tray with tea and all the fixings. "You still like cream and a dash of sugar with your tea?"

"Absolutely." Rosiepuff sat up in her bed and happily accepted the cup from Branch. She sipped the hot liquid. "Now that hits the spot."

"You sleep all right?" Branch asked. "Was the bed comfortable?"

"I haven't slept in a proper bed in over thirty years." Rosiepuff laughed. "Believe me, this was heavenly."

Branch seemed relieved. "Great. Now, Rosie has this big plan to show you around the village and do all these fun things. It sounds like it's going to be a busy day. If you don't want to do that—if you want to stay in bed and rest—just let me know and I will tell Rosie to forget it."

"Are you kidding?" Rosiepuff scoffed, downing half her tea in two seconds. "I was deprived of the sun and seen the same inside of a cage for far too long. I want to see everything. You tell Rosie I'll be ready soon."

"You just let me know if you need a break. Rosie can get a little overexcited." Branch said.

"You're fussing too much. I'll be fine." Rosiepuff topped off her tea. "I just need to freshen up."

Branch set the box he held on Rosiepuff's lap. "This might help." He hugged his grandmother before leaving her to get ready. Rosiepuff set her cup down and opened the box. Her eyes shined with delight when she saw the contents.

Rosie skipped to her pod home, her smile so wide her cheeks began to hurt. Everything was finally in place. Now she just had to find the guests of honor. She had to get Rosiepuff first, or else Creek might not agree to join them.

Rosie approached the door to the pod and knocked rhythmically. "Good morning, good morning!" She sang. "The sun is shining through! Good morning, good morning—"

"To you!" Rosiepuff finished. She had quickly opened the door and stuck her head out to join her great-granddaughter. Rosie squealed in surprise, and she hugged Rosiepuff tightly.

"You're looking great!" Rosie complimented.

"Your 'aunts' did a pretty good job." Rosiepuff said. She did a spin to show off her new dress and knitted coat. It was the exact same outfit she always used to wear: a cream-colored, sleeveless dress with a magenta knitted coat and a pink satin trim with pink hearts. The clothes were new and Rosiepuff herself was freshened up. It was like her years of imprisonment melted away.

"Well we just have to go get Creek, and then we'll be ready to go!" Rosie cheered. "You ready?"

"I was born ready." Rosiepuff nodded confidently. "Let's go!"

"See you later, Dad!" Rosie called.

"See you later!" Branch waved as his daughter and grandmother ran off. He knew his grandmother was in good hands. In the meantime, he had a very important project to finish before nightfall.

Rosie and Rosiepuff approached Cybil's pod, and Rosie knocked rhythmically again. "Creek! Time to go! We're burning daylight!"

Cybil answered the door with a smile and a hug for both of them. "Creek will just be a minute. He's combing his hair."

"Hurry it up, Creek!" Rosie urged. "We're probably going to get messy today anyway!"

"I'm not afraid of a mess!" Creek called. He approached the door with a small grin on his lips. He wore his yellow pants and the Phoenix Tear Crystal, which looked so much brighter compared to his grey skin and black hair. "I just want to be presentable at least at the start of the day."

"I think you look very handsome." Rosiepuff complimented.

"Yeah, you look great!" Rosie agreed.

Creek's face felt hot. "Thanks."

"Well let's go!" Rosie urged. "There's so much we need to do!"

Creek waved farewell to his mother and Rosiepuff guided him as they followed Rosie. Rosiepuff gave Creek's hand a squeeze. "You're going to be all right."

"Right." Creek exhaled slowly. "I'm ready. Can't wait to see what Rosie has in store."

First stop for them was Biggie's home, where he already had breakfast set out and ready: pancakes, bacon, eggs, and all kinds of juice. Biggie took it upon himself to pile as much food onto Creek's plate as it could take, claiming the grey troll was far too skinny. Creek couldn't deny he was a tad malnourished, though he still only finished half of his plate. The Snack Pack mostly forgave Creek already, seeing how he was the reason Rosiepuff escaped. Besides, he already received enough punishment from Blackwood. After breakfast, Biggie shooed them off to their next adventure while insisting that he take care of the dishes. Rosie practically dragged Rosiepuff and Creek along as she excitedly showed them their new and improved home. The trolls greeted the trio warmly (mostly smiling only at Rosie and Rosiepuff). Several trolls happily chatted with Rosiepuff and reminded her that she nannied them once upon a time. Of course, Rosiepuff could identify them before they even introduced themselves. Creek stayed quiet during these times, avoiding eye contact with the other trolls. To Creek, it looked like someone took the old village and plopped it right in the middle of Bergen Town. Everything looked the way it should be: colorful pods in the trees, flowers all around on the ground, and trolls dancing and singing and playing to their hearts' content. Now, there were little shops here and there, and the trees on the edge of Troll Grove had Bergens for neighbors. Even within Bergen Town itself, there were troll-sized products so that the colorful creatures didn't feel left out.

Whenever Rosiepuff or Creek saw a Bergen, they immediately became tense. Creek looked mostly uncomfortable and fearful. He had been stuck in Chef's fanny pack during the last Trollstice, so he didn't get to see Poppy's miraculous transformation of the Bergens. Then again, he only got to hear Poppy sing for a little while; and then the next thing he knew, he was on a crazy flaming cart ride through the forest. Rosiepuff was extremely wary of the Bergens. Rosie could see hatred burning in Rosiepuff's eyes when she stared at the Bergens. Rosie never saw such a look before, much less one from her normally cheerful great-grandmother. She decided this just wouldn't do.

After lunch with King Peppy (who was still in shock at seeing Rosiepuff and Creek home again), Rosie announced, "Next, we're going to visit King Gristle and his family!"

"That sounds like a lovely idea." Peppy agreed.

The lemonade in Rosiepuff's mouth turned sour as she swallowed. "I don't think we should. The castle is far and too large for us. We may get lost."

"Oh, no!" Rosie assured. "Chad and Todd are going to pick us up to take us around Bergen Town anyway. We'll just stop by the castle first!"

"I'm really not so sure about that, Rosie." Rosiepuff said.

Creek could see Rosiepuff's discomfort even before he felt it in her aura. "I think it would be good to stay in Troll Grove for now. Take this one step at a time."

"Well then why don't we just stop by the castle?" Peppy suggested. "It will be a little introduction to the kindness of Bergens."

Rosiepuff scoffed quietly. "Kindness…right….."

Rosie held Rosiepuff's hand in both of hers. "Please, Grandma? I bet you'll love Prince Randy. He's so cute!" She pouted as best she could, pleading for Rosiepuff to agree. Rosiepuff saw a strong resemblance between Rosie's pleading eyes and the eyes Branch used to give her when he wanted an extra cookie for dessert.

Rosiepuff sighed in resignation. "Fine. Let's go."

"I'll go with you." Peppy offered. "I could use a walk." He, Rosie, Creek, and Rosiepuff started off with Rosie in the lead.

"Hi Dad!" Rosie waved to Branch as he passed them. He pushed a cart covered by a blanket, and paused so he could hug his daughter.

"How's the tour?" Branch questioned, looking to Rosiepuff.

"This new home is quite lovely." Rosiepuff said. "Barring the albeit unsavory neighbors." She glanced towards a nearby Bergen restaurant when she said that last part.

"We're actually going to visit King Gristle and his family." Peppy said.

"Sounds great." Branch said. He smiled comfortingly at his grandmother. "You're going to love them. Trust me."

Rosiepuff relaxed a little. "Care to join us?"

"Actually, I have a few more things to do." Branch said. "I'll come get you at the end of the day for Rosie's final surprise."

"Can't wait." Rosiepuff said sincerely.

Branch pushed the cart off again. He shot Creek a death glare as he left. Creek waved awkwardly. Branch glared at him like that all day. Not that Creek didn't expect that, but it was still unsettling. This was different from the irritated glare Branch used to wear when he was grey. It began to make Creek feel unsafe in Branch's company.

Once they reached the edge of Troll Grove, they found Chad and Todd waited for them. The guards lowered their palms to let the quartet climb up. Rosiepuff hesitated until Peppy gently pulled her up onto Chad's palm. Rosie eagerly yanked Creek onto Todd's hand, making Creek feel like his arm nearly got torn off.

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall off." Rosie assured Creek, still holding his hand as Todd and Chad headed for the castle. Creek felt his face grow hot, and he hoped his blush wasn't too noticeable. He was completely tongue-tied standing next to the princess. He tried to step away from Rosie, but she pulled him back. "Whoa! Be careful!" Rosie laughed. "Don't get so close to the edge, Creek." She pulled him so close that their shoulders smooshed together and they were practically cheek-to-cheek. Surely Rosie could feel the burn in Creek's face now. It was like his blush radiated from his skin.

Peppy looked to Rosiepuff and saw her tense and maybe a bit angry. He nudged her to get her attention. "Hey, everything's going to be all right."

"Oh sure." Rosiepuff's tone dripped with sarcasm. "It's not like we're going to see the king of monsters and his hideous wife and equally as ugly child."

If it had been any other troll, Peppy would scold them for harboring hatred against the Bergens. His daughter worked hard to attain peace between the two kingdoms. But, of course, Rosiepuff hadn't been around for that. Her only experience with Bergens involved being eaten by them; even worse, Rosiepuff's experience with Bergens resulted her in separation from Branch, the only family she had left since the deaths of her husband, son, and daughter-in-law. Peppy was just thankful Todd and Chad couldn't hear them whispering.

Peppy put a hand on Rosiepuff's shoulder. "Trust me. Things are a lot different from what you remember. The Bergens are our friends." Rosiepuff relaxed ever so slightly. She still frowned the entire way to the castle. When Bridget answered the door, Rosiepuff had to admit that the Bergen queen looked pretty…..at least, in comparison to other ugly Bergens Rosiepuff had seen.

"Hello Rosie! King Peppy, good to see you too." Bridget greeted, ushering her guests into the castle. Chad and Todd still carried the trolls so they wouldn't have to run to keep up with Bridget. The queen noticed the extra trolls she didn't recognize. "Who are your friends?"

"This is my great-grandmother, Rosiepuff!" Rosie introduced. "And this is my friend, Creek!"

Bridget paused and took a closer look at Creek. "Hey, don't I know you?"

Creek swallowed. "Uh…..no?"

"Hey there, Rosie!" Gristle greeted, approaching his visitors with his infant son cradled in his arms. Gristle did a double-take when he saw the extra trolls with Rosie and Peppy. "Hey, aren't you that little troll Chef stuffed into a taco and tried to force-feed me?"

Creek sighed. "Hello again, King Gristle."

"You tried to eat him?!" Rosiepuff growled. Peppy put a hand on Rosiepuff's shoulder to keep her from jumping off Chad's hand and attacking Gristle. He didn't know how likely it was, but better safe than sorry.

"Well, more like I was shoved into his mouth and then he spit me out again." Creek corrected.

"Yeah, for what it's worth, you tasted terrible." Gristle laughed. Creek chuckled nervously. He quickly silenced himself when he saw Rosiepuff's glare hadn't eased.

"Gristle, you already know Creek." Rosie said. "Now I'd like you to meet Rosiepuff, my dad's grandma."

"Pleasure to meet you." Gristle bowed to Rosiepuff. "I am King Gristle. This is my wife, Bridget. And this is my son, Randy."

Rosiepuff stared at the royal Bergens with contempt. "Hello."

Peppy face-palmed. This may be harder than we thought.

"How's Randy today?" Rosie asked, eagerly bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"He's doing much better." Gristle said, bringing the baby Bergen closer to Rosie. "I thought I would take him for a walk through the kingdom."

Rosie stood on the very edge of Todd's hand. She leaned over so Randy could see her. "Hey there, Randy! How you doing today?"

Randy giggled and reached for Rosie. That's when Peppy became aware of someone's quiet, quickened breathing. Had he not been standing right next to her, Peppy wouldn't have heard Rosiepuff hyperventilating. He glanced to her and saw that she had gone completely rigid save for her trembling hands. Her eyes were wild and she didn't breathe properly.

She's having a panic attack! Peppy quickly turned Rosiepuff so that she faced him. "Hey! Hey, Rosiepuff? Look at me." Slowly, Rosiepuff's eyes focused on him. Peppy stayed calm. "Take a deep breath. In for four seconds, out for four seconds. Come on, we'll do it together." He demonstrated the meditative breathing; and, after a few rounds of mimicking, Rosiepuff could do it without shuddering. By then, everyone realized she was in distress. But Peppy kept her focus on him. "It will pass. Just keep breathing. I'll stay right here with you. There's nothing to be afraid of. But, if you want, we can go back to the Troll Tree now."

Rosiepuff nodded eagerly, even though she still didn't speak. Chad turned and headed for the door.

"We'll come to." Rosie said. "I'm sorry, King Gristle. Maybe it was too soon to bring her here."

"No, no. I understand." Gristle assured. "Your great-grandma is part of that older generation of trolls who were still really scared of us, right? And she wasn't here when we worked so hard to get trolls and Bergens used to each other. Give her as much time as she needs."

"Thank you." Rosie curtsied a little.

Upon arriving at Troll Grove, Peppy brought Rosiepuff, Rosie, and Creek to his home to have tea. Rosiepuff finally calmed down and talked as though nothing happened. Rosie, however, still felt guilty.

"I'm really sorry, Grandma." Rosie said for the hundred time.

"It's fine, Rosie." Rosiepuff assured. "You didn't know."

"But now I do. And I won't force you to go near the Bergens until you're ready." Rosie said.

Rosiepuff only smiled and nodded in thanks. She didn't want to hurt Rosie's enthusiasm by telling her she would never go near the Bergens again. Creek took the teapot into the kitchen to refill it. Just as he left, Poppy arrived at the pod.

"Hey Dad!" Poppy greeted warmly. "Do you still have that box I was asking you about?"

"In the kitchen." Peppy said.

"Thanks!" Poppy skipped off to the kitchen. But when she stepped into the cooking area and saw Creek, she froze.

Creek turned when the door opened, and he offered a friendly grin. "Hello, Queen Poppy."

Poppy shook off her frozen expression. "Hey, Creek."

Creek went back to filling the teapot with more hot water, adding some extra tea leaves to keep the flavor strong. Then he realized Poppy still stood by the door. He noticed she seemed tense, almost nervous. Creek remained calm, hoping his own energy would transfer to Poppy and help her relax. "Something you need?"

"Uh…..that box right there….." Poppy pointed to the box on the counter. Creek stood between her and the box.

"Oh, let me get that." Creek picked up the box and brought it to Poppy. "Kind of heavy. What's in this thing?"

"It's…just for the surprise…..that's later….." Poppy shrugged as she took the box. "But don't tell Rosiepuff!"

Creek held up one hand and used the other to make an X over his heart. "My lips are sealed."

Poppy smiled a little. "Are you adjusting well? I know it's only been a day, but how are you doing?"

"Rosie has enthusiastically been pulling me back into life with the trolls." Creek said. "It's going to take a bit of time to get used to it."

"Well, Rosie's good for feeling welcome." Poppy said.

"That she is." Creek agreed.

Poppy giggled a little. "I should get going. Branch and the Snack Pack are waiting."

"See you around." Creek said cheerily.

Poppy left the pod with her package and headed back to her husband and friends. She thought back to her brief exchange with Creek. Ever since Creek returned, Poppy didn't know what to think. It still hurt to think about his betrayal. At the same time, Poppy felt a sensation like she missed Creek. To lose a friend hurt as bad as the betrayal. Poppy had yet to determine if Creek deserved a second chance, like he wanted. The casual conversation she just had helped ease of some that discomfort she felt.

"Give it a few days."Poppy told herself. "Just give it time, and then decide."

Rosie decided they needed to just walk around Troll Grove and meet some of the other trolls: Maddy in the salon, Mandy who makes the Hug Time bracelets, Aspen who nearly ran into them on his skitterboard, and Bliss who orchestrated a mini dance party in a small clearing. Several trolls came by with instruments, and it didn't take long for other trolls to follow Bliss's lead and start dancing to the music. Rosie pulled Rosiepuff into the dance while Peppy and Creek sat on a couple small rocks nearby.

Creek stared at Rosie and Rosiepuff as they danced. Both of them smiled broadly and laughed as they moved. The other trolls treated Rosiepuff kindly. None of them really spoke to him. Some still tossed him nasty glares. Others just averted their eyes. Creek expected anger or even fear from the other trolls. Still pockets of anger here and there, but Creek mostly saw discomfort.

"Something wrong?" Peppy's voice pulled Creek from his deep thoughts.

"Just thinking about the other trolls." Creek said. "I know it will take time before they get used to me again. They're whispering about me."

"Of course they are." Peppy nodded. "But you know what they're pointing out?"

Creek shrugged. "The fact that a traitor has returned?"

Peppy shook his head. "They're whispering about your scars."

Creek blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"How many trolls do you know have scars?" Peppy asked.

Creek thought about it, counting off on his fingers. "Just one: Branch has a scar on his arm from something in the forest. I think he took a spill or something when we were teenagers."

"I know several trolls who have a couple scars." Peppy said. "Aspen has taken quite a few spills. He has a small scar on his knee and his elbow from a trick that went wrong. Karma slid down a cliff and scraped up her arm. Branch has more than that scar on his arm from the things he's done in the forest. But all these trolls have scars that are small; little scrapes and cuts from minor injuries. What you have, Creek, are the marks of torture."

"Well…..yeah….." Creek shrugged. "Blackwood was horrible to me. Why would that make the trolls uncomfortable? Wouldn't they think I deserve it?"

"Maybe they do. But, ultimately, no one knows how to deal with the concept of torture." Peppy explained. "We're trolls. Habitually, we are perpetually happy creatures. We don't know how to cope with the idea of physically harming someone for pleasure. Heck, I would never consider such a barbaric punishment for any crime. The trolls were mad at you. Now, they're trying to figure out if your punishment is justifiable."

"I sold out the entire village." Creek said. "I did a horrible thing because I let my fear control me."

"And you think being enslaved and tortured is an adequate punishment?" Peppy scoffed. "Where I'm from, that's called overkill."

Creek shrugged, staring at the ground. "Maybe I do deserve it. Maybe Blackwood should've killed me."

Peppy frowned. "No. Do not think like that, Creek. If you had returned with your colors intact and your body unmutilated, I would've banished you on the spot for betraying us. That is an adequate punishment for people who do things without remorse. I see you, and I see a troll who has lost all hope. You lost your way, and you're trying to find it again. That is what I see: a troll who wants a second chance. You want to start anew and show that you've changed. How you show that to the other trolls is up for you to decide. But don't you dare go suicidal on me. I won't stand for it. Understand?"

Creek hesitantly looked up to Peppy, and then nodded. He cleared his throat and stood. "I'm going to get something to drink for the girls. Can I get you anything?"

Peppy shook his head, and he watched Creek walk over to the juice stand near the dance area. He wasn't lying when he said he would've banished Creek for the betrayal. But seeing Creek now changed that. As king, Peppy was responsible for determining problems in the kingdom. He developed a sense of perceptiveness that allowed him to listen instead of just hear. Peppy saw that Creek had changed. Now, he just needed to grow a little more, and all would be well.

Brothers Atwood and Ignis manned the juice stand. Their original shop was in their pod home in another tree. When they heard of the impromptu party, they rushed over with refreshments for their fellow trolls. The trolls hung around the drink station, talking and laughing. But when Creek stepped forward, the trolls who noticed became silent and stepped out of the way. They stared at him. No, they stared at his scars, further proving Peppy's point. Creek tried to ignore their stares as he approached Atwood and Ignis. The brothers' smiles dropped to looks of surprise when Creek caught their attention.

"Hello." Creek kept his tone even and civil. "Mind if I grab a few drinks for Princess Rosie and her family?"

"Of course." Atwood shook off his shock first. "How about blueberry lemonade?"

"I'm sure that will do." Creek nodded.

"And…." Atwood cleared his throat. "I mean, do you want a glass too?"

Creek was rather surprised that Atwood offered. He expected to be refused service if he asked. "Yes, I would. Thank you."

Atwood got to work preparing the drinks. Ignis stared at the remnants of scratches and burns on Creek's skin. "Um…how did you….you know…..get those scars?"

"While I was a slave to a rather nasty troll named Blackwood, he would beat me whenever he felt like it or if I did something he didn't like." Creek said, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal.

Ignis swallowed. He looked afraid to ask his next question. "So…..he like…what did he do?"

"He liked to use a whip, or his knife." Creek didn't want to go into the details. But if the trolls asked, he would answer. He would be honest. "Sometimes he used a fire poker."

Ignis shuddered. Atwood's hands shook a little as he set the cups of drinks on the counter. "That's horrible…" Ignis whispered.

Creek cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"No, no!" Ignis forced a chuckle. "I asked, you answered."

"Here are your drinks." Atwood placed the cups on a tray and handed it to Creek. "Have a nice day."

Creek nodded in thanks and took the tray. Atwood's and Ignis's smiles were ingenuine, hiding their discomfort around him. Creek started back towards Peppy, only to be stopped by another troll.

"Hey." The orchid-colored troll greeted.

"Hello." Creek thought for a moment. "Moxie, right?"

"Yes!" Moxie cleared her throat, brushing off her yellow dress. Moxie had dark orchid-colored skin and eyes, and her hair was a lighter shade of the pretty color. "I just wanted to bring you this." She held out a jar of lavender-colored, creamy-looking stuff. "It's a lotion I use to soften up my skin. Maybe you can use it on your…blemishes…..and they won't look so bad?"

Creek could tell by her tone and aura that Moxie didn't mean anything harsh by saying "blemishes." If anything, she probably thought "scars" would sound offensive. Creek smiled. "Thank you, Moxie. That's very kind of you."

Moxie nodded slowly. "It won't work, will it?"

"No, I don't think so." Creek chuckled a little. "But it was still a kind gesture. Save your lotion for yourself or someone else." He excused himself and continued walking. He finally reached Peppy, and that's when a voice calling his name made him jump.

"There you are!" Dr. Plum huffed as she marched over to him. "I've been looking all over for you."

"You….you have?" Creek asked, surprised.

"How soon do you think you can come into my office for an appointment?" Dr. Plum asked, analyzing Creek and paying particular attention to his scars.

"Uh…well…." Creek didn't know how to respond to this attention. "Whenever is most convenient for you, I suppose."

"Great. How about tomorrow at around three?" Dr. Plum suggested. "I want to check your physical and mental health. You've been imprisoned for over a decade; and now that you're back, we need to measure your level of trauma and see what kind of recovery is in store for you. So I'll see you tomorrow. Three o'clock, on the dot!" She marched off, murmuring to herself in the way she did when she planned something for a medical exam.

Creek stared after Dr. Plum, and he looked to Peppy questioningly. Peppy only shrugged and grinned in an "I told you so" way.

After the dancing, Rosie had prepared a picnic dinner for herself, Rosiepuff, and Creek while Peppy mysteriously disappeared to "run an errand," as he put it. Creek allowed himself to relax more, and even laughed when Rosie told a funny story of how she once got her hair caught in some twigs and ended up looking like Karma. By the end of the day, all three of the trolls were worn out from all the excitement. Nonetheless, Creek smiled genuinely as Rosie escorted him home. Branch came to retrieve Rosiepuff, leading her to the Troll Tree.

"Keep your eyes closed!" Branch instructed, holding his grandmother's hands to guide her along.

"They're closed!" Rosiepuff laughed with her eyes shut. "They've been shut since we got into the tree! Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Branch said in a singsong voice.

Rosiepuff giggled. "What exactly are you planning?"

"Your final surprise for, as Rosie called it, 'your perfect first day home.'" Branch said. "Just be patient. We're almost there." He kept walking, leading Rosiepuff to a very specific destination on the tree.

After a while, Rosiepuff felt a rug under her toes, indicating Brach led her into a pod. "Can I open my eyes yet?"

"Not yet!" Branch let go of her hands and darted around the room. He feverishly looked over every little detail, minutely altering things here and there. "Okay. Open your eyes!"

At first, the interior light blinded Rosiepuff. When her eyes adjusted, she gasped softly.

"Surprise!" Poppy, Peppy, and the Snack Pack cheered.

Rosiepuff looked all around her. Her old pod looked just as she had left it. Her favorite cushioned rocking chair sat in the corner. The round rug on the floor looked as though someone plucked a fresh rainbow out of the sky. The deep purple couch had a blue blanket draped over the back of it. A gentle fire crackled in the fireplace, and picture frames adorned the recently dusted mantle. A short bookshelf sat near the rocking chair, and doors led to the bedroom and the kitchen area.

"Is this where you've been all day?" Rosiepuff asked Branch in an amazed smile.

"We've all been here." Branch admitted.

"We spent the entire day cleaning up and making sure it was ready for you to live in again!" Cooper cheered. He sneezed from leftover dust on his nose.

"Branch and King Peppy told us where everything went and how everything looked." Suki added.

"And now you can move in!" Poppy said happily. "Everything is prepared and ready to go."

"You've got food in the pantry." Biggie said.

"And we made you new bedding." Satin and Chenille said at once.

"And if you need anything else, you know where to find us." Peppy finished.

Rosiepuff laughed. "All right, now you're just fussing over me. This must've been a lot of work."

"Well we certainly weren't going to let Branch do it alone." Smidge shrugged. Fuzzbert nodded in agreement.

"We're really glad to have you here." Cooper yawned.

"I appreciate this." Rosiepuff said sincerely. "But now you are all tired, so march yourselves to bed."

"Yes, Grandma Rosiepuff." The Snack Pack chorused before scampering off, laughing all the way.

Peppy hugged Rosiepuff. "It's great to have you back."

Rosiepuff smiled warmly. "Thank you for coming after me, Peppy. It was foolishly dangerous, but I thank you nonetheless."

Peppy chuckled, bid her goodnight, and departed for his own home. As he left, Rosie hopped inside with a small backpack on her shoulders. "You like your surprise, Grandma?"

"It's very nice, yes." Rosiepuff nodded. "Shouldn't you be getting to bed soon?"

"Actually, I wanted to ask you about that." Branch said to Rosiepuff. "Would it be all right if Rosie spent the night here? Just in case you need anything?"

"Will it make you feel better if she spends the night?" Rosiepuff asked, her eyebrow raised. Branch shrugged and nodded.

"I'll sleep on the couch!" Rosie offered.

Rosiepuff laughed. "You are more than welcome."

"Yay!" Rosie cheered. "I'm going to get into my pj's!" She skipped off to the bedroom to change.

Branch chuckled at his daughter's antics. Then he noticed a strange look in Rosiepuff's eyes. "Grandma? What's wrong?"

Rosiepuff sighed. "This has to be a dream. I'm going to wake up tomorrow, and I'll be back in that cage."

Branch hugged her tightly to reassure her. "This isn't a dream. You're home, and this is where you're going to stay. I promise."

Rosiepuff sighed again, this time with relief. "All right, young man. Off to bed."

Branch laughed. "Things never change."

Poppy hugged Rosiepuff. "Goodnight, Rosiepuff. Sleep well."

"You too, Poppy." Rosiepuff said.

Branch couldn't keep the smile off his face. He hugged his grandmother one more time. "Goodnight, Grandma. Love you."

Rosiepuff kissed his head. "Love you too, my angel." She watched her grandson and his wife leave, and the older troll let out a content sigh. It still seemed too good to be true. Once she got back into the swing of things, this would all feel real. Rosiepuff moved to the bedroom to change, and she found Rosie sitting at the vanity. The teenager had since changed into her pink and blue-heart-covered pajamas and stared in awe at a canister of green lipstick.

"This is so cool!" Rosie breathed. "I've never seen lipstick this color before!"

"Well how else do you think I get these lips?" Rosiepuff puckered hers a little for emphasis, and Rosie giggled. Rosiepuff pulled a tube of lipstick from her hair. "Never leave home without it."

"Where did you get it?" Rosie asked.

"My husband, your great-grandpa Oaken, gave that to me as a birthday present." Rosiepuff said. She pulled a nightgown from the closet and went into the bathroom to change, talking to Rosie from inside. "It was soon after we met. There was a troll I knew named Mac who made about a dozen tubes of that color lipstick, and nobody would wear it. Oaken took the box of lipstick and gave it to me on my birthday because, apparently, it matched my hair perfectly. Of course, he was right. It matched almost exactly. You should've seen the look on your great-grandfather's face. He looked so nervous. But you know what? I loved it! And from then on, I always wore that green lipstick." Rosiepuff emerged from the bathroom wearing a white nightgown, and she hung up her dress and shawl in the closet. "There should be a few extra tubes somewhere in there. You can take some if you'd like."

"Thanks!" Rosie chirped.

"Now come on, off to bed." Rosiepuff ushered Rosie off the vanity stool and into the bed.

"I'm not sleepy." Rosie protested.

"Oh yes you are." Rosiepuff said. "I can see the tiredness in your eyes. Come on. The bed's big enough for both of us."

Once Rosie settled in, Rosiepuff crawled up next to her and pulled the blanket over both of them. Rosie hugged her great-grandmother, almost relieved to feel Rosiepuff returning the embrace. Having her home made Rosie so happy. To think Rosiepuff suffered so much, and was gone for so long, and now she was home, safe and sound.

"Hey Grandma?" Rosie piped up.

"Hmm?" Rosiepuff asked.

"When I grow up, I want to be just like you."

"A senile old lady with a bad hip?"

Rosie rolled her eyes while her great-grandmother laughed. "No. I want to be brave and strong and patient and kind. Like you."

When Rosiepuff finally calmed down, she stared at Rosie somewhat strangely. "I think you already are."

Rosie shrugged. "Nah. Not really."

"Rosie, you saved me and Creek from Blackwood, even when you knew how dangerous it was." Rosiepuff pointed out. "You gave Creek the second chance he so desperately wanted. You are one of the bravest, kindest trolls I know."

Rosie rubbed the blanket with her thumb. "I think I could still use a little practice."

Rosiepuff thought for a moment. "Here. Maybe this will help." She reached up behind her neck and unclipped something. She pulled out a metal, rose-shaped locket. "I want you to have this."

Rosie stared in awe and held the locket in both hands, as though it were a fragile piece of glass. She opened it and found a picture of a troll who looked similar to Branch. The troll had Branch's cerulean skin, azure hair, and icy blue eyes. But this troll was older, and shirtless. He had a small talon on a string hanging around his neck. He also had a goatee; but not like Blackwood's goatee, which was really just a small, pointed beard sitting dead center on his chin. This troll had short, bristly hair around his mouth and tracing his jaw.

"Who's that?" Rosie asked.

"Oaken, my husband." Rosiepuff said. "He was the bravest troll in the entire village. You hold onto that locket, and let his strength be yours."

"Are you sure?" Rosie asked.

"Of course." Rosiepuff clipped the locket around Rosie's neck. "I always believed Oaken watches over us. He was protective of his family. Keep that with you, and you'll know he's always there."

Rosie shut the locket and held it close to her chest, her eyes shut. "I feel him…"

Rosiepuff hugged the younger troll. "Get some sleep, Rosie." She encouraged the girl to lay down and sleep. Rosie sighed softly as she settled down.

"Love you, Grandma."

"Love you too, little Rosie."