A/N: Just so you guys know, as I am answering your reviews, if I don't respond or answer to your review, it's because I didn't see a question that needed answering or your question will be answered later in the story.
To everyone who pointed it out, yes I did see that Trolls 2 is going to be a thing! Yay!
Chapter Twelve – Because I Love Her
Poppy slept agitatedly that night and resumed her searching the next day. This was now her eighth day home. She was supposed to be back in the castle now. Hunter must be so mad at her. However, Poppy searched all day and still didn't find the amulet. She searched the next day and the next, until almost a week passed without finding the amulet. Poppy became more and more distressed. If she could, she would've hopped on a horse and rode right out into the forest and straight to the enchanted castle. But Peppy kept the guards on alert. Poppy tried several times to sneak from the kingdom, and the guards stopped her every time. She couldn't even leave the palace without good reason.
"The amulet is my only way out of here." Poppy told Suki, the two of them talking in secret while sitting in the library.
"We'll find it, Poppy." Suki assured.
"How?" Poppy sighed. "We've looked everywhere."
"Maybe not." Suki said, trying to keep her hopes up.
A knock on the door made the princesses look up, and a troll servant bowed to them. "Excuse the interruption, Majesties. The troll warrior Creek is at the door and requests your presence, Princess Poppy. He'd like to invite you on a stroll through the forest."
"I'm not in the mood." Poppy sulked, crossing her arms.
"Hold that thought." Suki turned herself and her sister away from the servant. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Poppy, you should go."
"I said I'm not in the mood." Poppy repeated in the same hushed tone.
"Then pretend you are." Suki encouraged. "The trolls are worried about you. Taking that walk with Creek will reassure them that everything is normal. If you want to keep Hunter a secret, you need to alleviate everyone's suspicions."
Poppy liked her sister's thinking. "But what about the amulet?"
"I'll keep looking for it while you go on your walk." Suki assured.
"Thanks, Suki." Poppy sighed. She stood from the couch and followed the servant to the doors of the castle. Poppy gave a little curtsey to Creek. "Thank you for the invitation. I would love to go on a walk with you."
"Wonderful!" Creek clapped excitedly. He offered his arm. "Shall we?"
Poppy put on a smile. "We shall." She took his elbow and allowed him to lead her out of the kingdom and into the forest. Poppy almost made a break for it, but she knew Creek would follow her. Even if he lost her, Peppy would lead an army to destroy Hunter if she tried to leave. So Poppy waited for Creek to start a conversation. Though, oddly enough, he stayed quiet throughout most of the walk. To be honest, the forest ambiance was enough sound for them. It had a peaceful effect that helped even Poppy.
After several minutes of walking, Creek broke the silence. "Poppy?"
"Hmm?" Poppy answered.
"What's wrong?" Creek asked.
Poppy stopped walking. "What do you mean?"
"You've been acting strangely ever since you returned home." Creek pried. "I'm worried for you. Everyone is worried for you. It's like there is a dark cloud permeating from your aura. It dampens your bright and happy mood."
Poppy stared at the ground. "It's nothing you need to worry about."
Creek gently put a hand to Poppy's cheek and guided her eyes back to his. "Poppy, I worry because I care. I will not pry anymore if you do not wish it. Clearly you went through a horrific experience while you were gone."
Admittedly, yes. Some moments of her time with Hunter were terrifying. But Poppy would never admit it. She did, however, take comfort in the soft tone Creek used with her.
They continued their walk, talking about life and memories. While a voice in Poppy's head reminded her of Hunter and the amulet, she felt much more at peace with Creek helping to get her mind off things. Creek noticed Poppy beginning to smile like she used to, and he continued to guide their conversation towards happy things. Soon, they circled back around and arrived at the palace gates once more.
"I truly enjoyed this, Creek." Poppy said sincerely. "Thank you."
"I had hoped you would like it." Creek said. "Because I must ask you, once again, if you would marry me."
Poppy's smile fell away. "Creek….."
"Princess, please!" Creek sighed, sounding at a loss. "You disappearing for so long has only proven that you need someone around to—"
"To take care of me?" Poppy spat.
"To watch your back." Creek corrected. "To be there when you need it. As your husband, I wouldn't lock you in the castle for protection. I just want to be there in case you ever needed someone to have your back. I can be that someone. I can protect you from any monster who would dare harm you."
Poppy sighed slowly. She took Creek's hands in hers. "Creek, you are brave and noble. But understand this: I am just not ready to be married. And I don't know for sure if you and I are a good match. You are a good friend, but I can't be sure if you are anything more. Give me time and back off a little. When I feel I am ready for a husband, then I will reevaluate your proposal to me." She kissed his cheek before slipping into the castle, shutting the door after her.
Creek glared at the door, turned on his heel, and stomped back into the village. She denied me. AGAIN! How could she deny me? I'm the best she's every going to find. There isn't a troll alive who would be a better suitor. He glanced over his shoulder to the castle. "I will have Poppy for my wife."
Poppy opened her eyes and saw that she lay in the garden of her father's castle instead of her own bed. She shot upright and then jumped to her feet, looking all around in wonder.
"You forgot about us."
Poppy spun around. "Branch!"
The blue troll child frowned at her. "You forgot about us. Why aren't you back yet?"
"I'm trying to get back." Poppy asserted. "But my dad rarely lets me leave the castle and I can't find the amulet to bring me back!"
"Then you gotta try harder!" Branch said, stomping his foot for emphasis.
"I am trying!" Poppy shouted, making Branch flinch. Poppy sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging. "I'm trying, Branch. I want to go back, and I will. Somehow, in some way, I'll go back."
"Tomorrow?" Branch pleaded.
"If I can find the amulet, maybe." Poppy said.
Branch's face scrunched up in anger. "No! You have to come back tomorrow! If you don't, something bad will happen!"
Poppy's jaw dropped a little in fear. "What? What will happen?"
"King Hunter misses you." Branch said.
"I miss him too." Poppy said honestly.
"Yeah, but he really, really misses you." Branch said. "If you don't come back soon, he's gonna die from grief!"
Poppy gasped. "No. You can't let that happen!"
"What am I supposed to do?" Branch asked.
"Tell him that I miss him. Tell him to hold on a little longer. Anything!" Poppy said desperately. "I'm coming as fast as I can."
Branch stared at the ground, and then ran forward and leaped into Poppy's arms. He hugged her tightly. "Please come back."
Poppy blinked furiously to keep her eyes dry of tears. "I will. I promise."
Peppy finally had enough. When he found Poppy in the library, looking under every cushion in every chair and sofa, he pulled her to her feet and stared at her sternly.
"Now that is quite enough, Poppy!" Peppy said firmly. "You're not going to find that amulet. Let it go. I'll get you a new one."
"You can't replace this one, Dad." Poppy protested, trying to pull herself free of her father's grip on her arm.
"Why was this so important?" Peppy demanded. "Why on earth would you want to return to that Grey Troll anyway?"
"Because he's my friend!" Poppy snapped, jerking her arm away from her father. Though surprised by her own words, Poppy found she truly meant them. "Hunter is my friend and I made him a promise. He's waited too long for me!"
"He can wait for the rest of his life. He's never getting his hands on you." Peppy declared.
Poppy's eyes widened in realization, and then she glared at Peppy. "You took the amulet. You hid it, didn't you?"
"Of course I did!" Peppy confirmed. "To protect you!"
"Where is it?" Poppy growled. Her father didn't answer. "Where is the amulet, Dad?!"
"It doesn't matter!" Peppy shouted. "You'll never find it and the Grey Troll will never find you. And if he tries to come here and take you, I'll send out my guards and have him executed on the spot!"
"Why? Because of a choice I made?" Poppy demanded. "A choice I made to protect you? Hunter is not a monster and I will prove it to you!"
Peppy suddenly grabbed Poppy's arm and half-dragged, half-led Poppy to her room. "If you won't listen to reason, you'll stay here until you do." Peppy locked the door after Poppy. She kicked the door angrily before throwing herself onto her bed. Part of her knew Peppy only wanted to keep her safe, but she was still livid at her father for his deception. Poppy thought back to what she said about Hunter. He truly was her friend, and she missed him and the castle staff very much. She just wanted to go back to them.
What Peppy and Poppy didn't know was that DJ Suki heard their entire argument and even saw Peppy take Poppy away to her room. After seeing Poppy dragged away, Suki sprinted off towards the garden.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Suki thought. This is definitely a desperate time.
Suki stopped at a small statue deep in the garden. The golden statue depicted a troll lady with an ankle-length sundress and her hair pulled into a ponytail. Suki knelt down before the statue, closing her eyes and bowing her head in prayer.
"Mother." Suki breathed. "I've always been able to come to you when I need guidance. You were always there for me. Right now, I really need your help. Poppy is in love with the Grey Troll, King Hunter. She may not know it yet, but I can see it in her eyes. She has to go back to him, but Dad won't let her out of his sight. Poppy needs the magic amulet King Hunter gave her. Please, Mother. I know you've watched over us. Show me where the amulet is. Please."
Suki slowly opened her eyes and looked up to her mother's statue. She waited patiently for an answer, praying her mother could help.
Then, the wind picked up, and several tiny flower petals swirled around Suki and flew off. Suki rushed after the petals, going through the garden to a patch of tiny poppies. The gardeners planted these flowers two weeks ago. Suki watched as the tiny petals, guided by her mother's spirit, settled around a couple of the poppies. Suki fell to her knees and dug up the flowers until her fingers brushed against something cold and metal. She pulled out the amulet and dusted off the soil, smiling broadly.
"Thank you, Mother." Suki breathed, tucking the amulet into her hair.
Poppy didn't feel very tired when night fell. She was too busy sulking. How could her father do this to her? Who was he to decide her fate? If she wanted to return to Hunter, then she would.
But how would she?
Poppy sighed heavily, burying her face in her pillow.
"Poppy!"
Poppy looked up and nearly screamed when she saw Suki outside her window. Suki swung in by her hair, letting her ponytail retract as she jogged to Poppy's side.
"What are you doing here?" Poppy questioned.
"Look what I got." Suki said in a singsong voice, pulling out the amulet.
Poppy might have screamed if Suki didn't cover her mouth. "Thank you!" Poppy squealed, hugging Suki tightly. "Thank you thank you thank you a thousand times thank you!"
"Okay, here's the deal: you can go, but I'm coming with you." Suki said. "If I think it's too dangerous, we're leaving."
"Deal." Poppy agreed. She knew Suki would see Hunter's kindness and understand why Poppy cared about him. Poppy pulled Suki under the comforter of her bed, the two of them cuddling close like they used to when they were little girls. Both princesses looped some of the amulet's chain around one of their wrists and settled down to sleep, preparing to wake up in the enchanted castle.
Suki woke up first, taking a brief glance around before going back to sleep. Then, her eyes flew open and she shot upright.
This was not her sister's bedroom.
It certainly looked like a bedroom fit for a princess, but the décor used more blues and grays whereas Poppy's room used much more pink. Suki shook Poppy, still sleeping beside her.
"Poppy, wake up!" Suki whispered.
"Hmm?" Poppy moaned sleepily.
"I think we're here." Suki announced.
Poppy sat up quickly and looked around. She smiled broadly. "I'm back! I'm really back!" She leaped off the bed, still in her nightgown, and made a break for the door. Suki scrambled after her and followed Poppy out the doors and into the hallway.
They barely made it around the corner when they slammed into someone, sending everyone to the floor.
Suki looked up and screamed. "Ghost!"
"Where?!" Cooper yelped, ducking behind Rosiepuff.
"Suki, calm down!" Poppy grabbed her sister's hand before she could take off.
"Poppy?" Rosiepuff gasped happily, pulling the pink princess into a tight hug. "Oh you're back! It's so good to see you again!"
Poppy returned the hug, giggling when Cooper joined in. "It's so good to see you too." She pulled away and gently brought Suki forward. "This is my sister, Suki. Suki, this is Cooper and Grandma Rosiepuff. They work in the castle. And Rosiepuff is Hunter's grandma!"
Suki stared at the ghostly troll, blinking a few times in bewilderment. "Well, I can see where he gets his…grey….."
Rosiepuff laughed good-naturedly. "It's a long story, sweetheart." Her eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! Hunter! He's been waiting for you!"
"I know, I know." Poppy moaned. "I'm so sorry. Where is he?"
"In his room in the West Wing." Cooper said.
"Okay, Suki, stay with them for now." Poppy instructed. "I'll be right back." She lifted the skirt of her nightgown to better run down the hallway and towards the West Wing.
Suki cast a glance to Rosiepuff and Cooper. "She'll be okay, right?"
"Yes." Rosiepuff nodded. "I can promise you she will be just fine. Come along. I'll introduce you to the rest of the staff."
Suki liked Rosiepuff's warm and welcoming nature, and she let the ghost lead her deeper into the castle. Be safe, Poppy. Please.
Poppy took the stairs two at a time and raced down the hallway, throwing open the doors to Hunter's bedchambers. She saw Hunter standing at the table where the enchanted rosebush rested.
"Hunter!" Poppy cried happily, wrapping her arms around him. "I missed you so much! I'm so sorry I'm late!" Hunter didn't move a muscle. Poppy stepped away from him and saw his eyes staring emptily at the enchanted rosebush. Poppy's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Hunter?"
Hunter's gaze turned cold, like he just realized Poppy was in the room. "You broke your promise. You forgot about the castle. You forgot about me."
"No. I didn't." Poppy assured. "I thought about this place every day. I tried to come back, but I lost the amulet and Dad wouldn't even let me leave the castle and I couldn't find the amulet no matter how hard I looked and—"
Hunter suddenly raised a hand, and Poppy flinched. She braced herself for a strike or Hunter shouting at her. Instead, Hunter put a tender hand to her cheek. His icy glare warmed up to hold more sorrow than anger. "Do you still have the amulet?" He asked. Poppy looked down and saw the amulet still looped around her wrist. She handed it to Hunter, who tucked it away in his pants pocket before looking to Poppy again. He still had his palm pressed softly against her jawbone. "Keep the enchanted looking glass, so that if you ever think of this castle again, you can check in on us."
Poppy stared at the Grey Troll. "Hunter?"
"You have to go back to your home, Princess." Hunter said in a soft tone. "Go back to your kingdom and never return to my castle again."
Poppy shook her head in denial. "Hunter, please."
"It was wrong of me to keep you prisoner here." Hunter continued without really hearing Poppy. "You don't belong here, and you never did. You need to be in a place where you can sing and dance and read to your heart's content. This is not the place for you. So go home. Go back to your father and sister and whatever suitor waits for you."
Tears came to Poppy's eyes. "Please. Please, I want to stay here. I never forgot about you."
Hunter shook his head. "Go, Princess Poppy. You are no longer my prisoner." He turned from her and walked to the balcony of his room, leaning on the railing.
Poppy felt tears run down her cheeks, and she started sobbing as she ran from the room. Cooper and Rosiepuff, who came to see the happy reunion after leaving Suki with the rest of the staff, jumped in surprise when they saw Poppy run past them, weeping.
"Cooper." Hunter called.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Cooper stood up straight.
"Prepare the carriage. The princess is leaving." Hunter ordered.
Cooper knew better than to disobey. "Yes, King Hunter." He slunk away, saddened by the thought of Poppy leaving so soon.
Rosiepuff marched forward until she stood right behind Hunter, who still had his back to her. "What are you doing?"
"The right thing, for once." Hunter replied somberly.
Rosiepuff sighed, seeing her grandson in a significant amount of pain. "But…why?"
Hunter's head lowered, tears coming to his eyes. "Because….I love her…"
