Chapter Fourteen: Dandelions

The last piece of scab that formed over the deep cut and around the stitches came off when Branch sat down on the beetle that Barb had lent him. The skin was sensitive and he felt it tugging with small movements, but it was considered completely healed. He still felt his muscle weak, because the damaged internal fibers would take longer to heal, according to Dr. Moonbloom, but he had delayed the rescue for too long. His mind hammered each Hug Time that he passed away from his Queen.

He never considered himself a popular troll. Years of isolation had done some good for his privacy and anonymous life; perhaps the infamous grumpy would always be how people would refer to him, but that certainty shattered on the ground when colorful creatures came out of their pods to watch him leave for the rescue mission.

Branch saw the first troll coming while he was talking with Barb and King Peppy. He didn't mind the audience, but when he turned once again, three more trolls were standing there, staring at him worriedly. He waved a quick 'hello' with the usual uneasiness he felt whenever he was the center of attention, then returned to his work, tying some ropes and rappel hooks in case he needed to climb his way up to the tower.

Ten… twenty… fifty trolls gathered around him and their smothering stare were impossible to ignore.

"Mr. Branch…" A small child came forward, pulling his shorts to get his attention. "You will bring Poppy home, right?"

"We are rooting for you, Branch." Another troll said with a hopeful smile.

"T-thanks... " Branch was taken off guard. All those eyes looked at him expectantly as if they were sure that he'd succeed in his quest and bring their queen home safe and sound. It was like a small inspiring glass of good wishes that had been offered him. Somehow, seeing that they were all positive that he would have a triumphal return, made him believe in it himself. "I'll do everything I can, I promise."

The black and yellow beetle buzzed in excitement, spreading its wings so he could take off flying after a quick warm up.

"Branch… remember to be discreet." King Peppy said while taking a few steps back to allow the teal troll to take off.

"I will, King Peppy." Fast, precise and quiet like a ninja. Involuntarily, he reached for his side and felt his father's blade securely on his belt. He had never perceived his spirit so strongly present before. Branch was protected; he had inherited his father's strategist thoughts. He could do it!

"Are you ready?" Queen Barb asked, mounting her own beetle. Her courage had taken Branch aback at first, but after a quick nod, both rescuers took off into the forest, with her following the young warrior through the path he had previously walked on.

The rescue mission had been designed like a surgery. It was supposed not to cause damage at all. Barb was going to wait for both Branch and Poppy at the beach with Riff and Carol, but first she had informed the medical center in Volcano Rock City to be prepared with first aid and to have emergency rooms ready to receive the pop leaders in case they got hurt.

Trollex and Bliss Marina were waiting for them to help sail through the water into the right direction, since they couldn't use the official Moon Island boat. The techno King knew the ocean like the back of his fin and had mapped all the currents that would make it easier for them to arrive at the misty place without getting lost. He also would wait to help to extract them.

It left Branch to invade on his own and, like they had been suggested, as discreetly as possible. In the dark of the night, he knew she'd be in her room, so the climb to the balcony had to be very silent. He just needed to worry about her happy squeals once she spotted him… oh well… it was nothing a mind-blowing kiss wouldn't solve.

Their beetles flew left and right, dodging trees and spiderwebs. Accidently, Barb bumped on a mushroom causing a different type of beat and asked for Branch to hold back a little. Confusedly, he held the beetle and watched as the Rock Queen tried beating the colorful fungi with a stick. The sound was pretty amusing, almost like a percussion instrument and she quickly harvested it, placing it on her back before resuming their trip.

"What was that about?" Branch asked in curiosity.

"Oh nothing, just an inspiring sound, ya know." She answered, deep in thought. "We're trying to come up with new stuff."

"New-" He quickly pulled to the side to avoid hitting a twig. "-stuff?"

"Our bands aren't like they used to be, man!" Barb explained, seeing how the colorful flowers and green leafs were left behind as they entered the rock territory that was filled with dark, leafless trees. It was a big difference in their views. The landscapes weren't nearly as breathtaking as the Pop's. "We are re-writing music for more than a decade. One or two trolls have actually composed something new, but I'm tired of listening to the same songs."

Branch thought about repeating the story he heard from the Prime Minister. That the Empress's job was to produce inspirations for new songs. Without one for so many years their creativity was going through a drought and, in the back of his head, he pondered what would happen if there never was to be another Empress.

Would they ever run out of songs? Oh - the Hair with it! - the trolls would have to make an effort to create their own music, but there was no way he'd allow Poppy to live in such a place to make their lives easier.

It was incredibly fast and less scary to cross the lava river on the back of the steady insect. Barb even stood up and threw the mushroom to another rock troll who came closer to check if everything was okay with their trip - she ordered him to take the new 'instrument' to her dad that he'd keep it until she returned

Riff and Carol joined them with the angler bus. Apparently - and rightfully - Barb considered it safer to take a more steady transportation in case they needed shelter. Branch was impressed with the amount of thought she had put on their plan and how committed she was to it. It didn't go unnoticed by the observant teal troll that the Rock Queen seemed to get attached quite fast to Poppy.

It could be the circumstances that the girls were raised, with queenly duties knocking on her doors too early in their lives, or the lack of friends who could share the weight of carrying the kingdom on their backs. Superficial friendships and the few people to whom they could truly open up to seemed to connect the queens..

The half day trip to the beach after the Rock lands happened in less than two hours. With their fast beetles the whole three days walking got reduced to a day of flight. Of course, Branch refusing to stop to eat or drink had made them get some spare time.

When they got there, Trollex and Bliss Marina were already waiting for them at the water, with a small capsule that would fit three trolls inside. It wasn't exactly a submarine, because it didn't move on its own, it had to be pulled like an underwater chariot.

"The tide around the island got soothing waves again." the Tecno King informed them. "It won't take long for us to cross the south current."

Bliss Marina tied one of the ropes around her shoulders and tested the weight. Branch took everything from the beetle and put it inside the capsule, hearing a different rhythm the red techno girl was humming. It was quite interesting.

"Is it new?" Trollex asked her, while tying the rope around himself as well.

"Yeah," She answered in excitement. "It just came to me." She made a series of sounds like beats. "Cool, hun? We should try it at the next party."

"We should!" He agreed before turning to Branch who had just sat down inside the capsule and closed the glass door on top of him. "You ready?" Giving him both thumbs' up, Trollex nodded fiercely and dove into the sea, leaving the rock trolls behind.

Under the surface everything was different. The absence of sound made Branch wonder if that was the kind of paradise he should have searched for when he wanted to isolate himself. Colorful fish swam by the capsule, looking at the odd creature inside. They spilled rainbows from their backs and the pop troll would have paid more attention to them if his stomach wasn't turning in a tight knot as they approached the island. Soon he'd be on his own.

The bottom of the ocean seemed to come up, like they were climbing a hill from underwater. The distance from the ground to the surface shortened and the fluffy sand got replaced by the sight of dark and mossy stones. They stopped just before they broke out the water.

"We're hiding here," Trollex explained. They were near a line of stones and sand that formed a silver coral reef. It wasn't colorful or seemed to be alive, instead it looked metallic, like it was painted underwater. "The bridge is that way," He pointed to the right, "It's almost time the boat sails so we're staying here until you return with Poppy."

"Great. Thank you!" They raised the capsule just enough so Branch could open it and jump into the water. They sank again and the teal troll noticed it was already getting dark. It was perfect to go inside without getting any attention. He marked the spot on the sand with a big shell and tiptoed his way up the stairs, tracing the same way he had gone through before with his girlfriend.

There were expected to be more white guards around, but there weren't any. Instead, the place seemed even more deserted than before. The atmosphere had changed, though. Instead of the old abandoned feeling, the air seemed lighter and cleaner. The cracks on the castle walls were gone like they had the time to fix the fissures in less than a week.

Peeking through a window, he saw the kitchen staff working with a gaiety that seemed out of place. The smiles and cheerfulness were so wide and high that they even sang and danced while baking and mixing doughs. It was insanely surreal for him.

It got darker, which was better for Branch, since his colors would be more easily camouflaged in the night, and he used his hair to move from bush to bush until he reached the opposite end of the castle. His primary idea was to climb directly to her balcony, snatch her away and quickly get out of there, but a few notes and different tunes were heard from the ground level and his heart allerted him that his loved one was in the Creation Room.

Another quick peek inside and he found the corridor that led to that marvelous room completely empty. He slipped one strand of hair inside the window to strategically pull the lock. With a small push, Branch opened the glass and jumped inside in silence.

"If I die young bury me in satin

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Sink me in the river at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh uh oh"

It was her voice! Her nearness made his breathing shallow. All he had to do now was to show her he had come to her rescue. With the tip of his toes he peered inside the room and found her pink form looking exquisite in a white dress, reading the lyrics and fixing them with a small silver pen. He needed extreme willpower not to just jump inside and hug her then.

"The sharp knife of a short life,

Well I've had just enough time

So put on your best boys, and I'll wear my pearls"

That was the most un-Poppy like song he had ever heard. He didn't even have the time to understand why she'd sing something like that, or if she was sad to the point of thinking that her life was ending, because at that time the unmistakable voice of the Prime Minister sounded cheerfully with several claps.

"Excellent song, your grace," he was sitting down in a corner of the room, with his back turned towards the door. Branch crouched behind a statue just outside, hiding the best he could. At least no guard was spotted so far. "I'm sure that fills the Country Trolls quota for the weekend."

"I think Country Trolls need happier songs," she blurted out. "Times are changing…"

"Nonsense. It has always been like that. Country trolls enjoy singing sad songs! Now…" he flipped a few papers, checking a few items on the list. "Just one piece for the Classical Trolls and you can get some rest."

The survivalist had to hold the urge to growl. That back-stabber was making Poppy work hard! It was late and if she was tired; she was supposed to rest and not just start composing another piece just after finishing a song! Wait, did the Prime Minister look less wrinkled? At least, he seemed thirty years younger!

"Maybe… something with a Cello…" Poppy's voice sounded tired, but it didn't seem like she was doing anything against her will. It was quite the opposite, she positioned herself with the instrument and started playing a piece so beautiful that Branch felt the air leaving his lungs. Her eyes were closed, her hands slid the chords, touching them with a mastery he didn't know she possessed.

Then something started to shine in front of her and Branch moved a little out of his hiding place to take a better look. It was a small white dandelion that was being filled with one shiny pappus, right in the middle, around hundreds of others. He noticed that the tiny white and fuzzy piece grew as the tune progressed, until it looked as tall as the others, completely filling the small delicate plant.

The Prime Minister stood up then, slowly walking towards Poppy, who didn't seem to notice or care about his proximity. Branch's stomach twisted from watching it. The old yellow troll with purple hair leaned down, picking up the dandelion with a smirk. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. His hair curled and his back got straighter, as if he was given an extra strength and energy just by inhaling its perfume

The classical music ended and, once more, the Prime Minister clapped. The shine in the plant faded, making it look like an ordinary seed head once again. Poppy looked completely drained and for the first time Branch saw the old maid right behind her, taking the Cello to hang it in its place. The breathtaking girl stood up, taking the small dandelion in her hands and walking to the window. Branch didn't miss a single move: she raised it to her lips and blew the seeds into the night, seeing them shine brightly under the moonlight.

"Find your way to a willing heart," she whispered to them as they disappeared, each taking a different direction.

"May I escort you to your chambers tonight?" The Prime Minister offered her his arm and to Branch's surprise she took it with a faint and tired smile. It wasn't the scenario he had pictured. He imagined she'd be fighting them, being locked up and crawling her way through the walls in desperation.

His heart clenched when he thought that maybe she had given up because she had liked the place… because she had chosen to stay permanently.

There was only one way to find out. Hiding behind the tapestry, he had to fight the itch on his nose to avoid sneezing. He moved as quickly as he could, climbing the wall from behind the staircase before a very enthusiastic Prime Minister led the tired Empress upstairs. It took Branch years of silent sneaking around the village at night to master the art of being invisible and he had never been so glad for that ability until that moment.

It was incredibly easy to sneak inside her room when nobody thought he was alive in the first place, let alone think he had the nerve to go back. The best place to hide was under her bed. With the long sheets completely covering it until the rem touched the ground, it was possible to stay in there until it was safe to come out in a dazzling surprise.

"I suppose we should understand that everybody is living in harmony now that the tribes are united." Poppy said, entering the room with the old and annoying man on her heels.

"It won't take long until they start fighting, your grace," he said. "They can't manage the kingdom on their own."

"I hope they can. If they inspire each other maybe I will be free." Poppy yawned, but the man didn't get the clue to leave her alone. It was the maid's turn to enter and walk straight to the bathroom to fill up the tub for her. She pushed open a big curtain that let the moon shine directly in the water.

"Go recharge, your highness. I'll send you breakfast at 7am," the Prime Minister bowed down and walked towards the door and left, closing it behind him. Branch cursed that the maid remained.

Poppy's pink feet walked towards the bed and he saw the mattress moving down as she sat on the edge. If only he could touch her then…

"Can you tell me more about my mom?" Poppy asked and the maid chuckled while going through her wardrobe.

"I think I told you everything you needed to know, your grace," the woman avoided a straight answer and Poppy stood from the bed.

"Did she ever leave the Island?" Poppy insisted with a kind of cheerfulness that was naive and was uncorresponded.

"No, your dear mother never knew the misfortune of life outside." Branch watched when Poppy dropped her dress on the floor and he immediately gulped. The sound of straps and elastic were followed by bras and painties on the ground as well. It suddenly got too hot inside that room. "You are protected here."

"Was she ever in love?" he heard a loud crash from inside the bathroom and Poppy stepped out of her dress, rushing to the maid. "Are you okay?"

"I was just clumsy, I'm sorry."

"Well, was she?" Poppy insisted and the sound of water splashing was heard next. Poppy had gotten inside the tub.

"I've told you, your grace, falling in love is forbidden - don't wet your hair, please," as Branch listened he understood that the woman was more than a maid. She washed, she cleaned, she dressed the Empress and she had her ears trained to pick troublesome subjects.

"I sing about love all the time…"

"That's for others to feel and for you to inspire."

"Then… why do I feel like there's an ocean of love inside me and no one to pour it out to…?"

There was a long silence and the only sound was the running water and gentle scrubbing of skin and hair combing. Branch knew Poppy too well to figure she was in deep thought, trying to find a reason for the big nonsense she had just heard.

"How... did she die?" The maid took a sharp intake of breath, certainly surprised at the morbid subject and the peculiar curiosity coming from the young Empress.

"She… lost her mind," and once again the old woman avoided the answer Poppy wanted to hear. From what Branch could understand from what King Peppy wrote, she had put an end to her own life, to buy them time to escape from the island. It was a heavy subject, but his girlfriend deserved to know the truth.

"Could you leave me alone tonight?" Poppy's plea was quiet, her voice wavered as if she was about to break down crying. "I promise I'll finish my hair."

"If that's your wish, your grace…"

It took the woman several minutes to walk around the room, fix the sheets -which caused Branch to hold his breath - and to fluff her pillows before walking out.

The sounds outside were slowly diminishing, but he could still hear people walking around, patrolling the corridors and snooping through every corner. He couldn't walk out then, if Poppy gasped loudly at the sight of him a dozen guards would burst into the room. He couldn't risk her getting hurt.

More splashes and Poppy walked back into the room, crossing it while dripping water everywhere. Her pretty feet and ankles were everything in his sight but it was enough to make his blood ardently pulse for her.

She entered the closet and he heard her trying a dress that wasn't meant to be worn in bed. The sound of twirling and brisk steps alone told him she was playing with her mother's clothes. Probably dancing around, pretending she was in a ball or somewhere filled with trolls. She was desperate for socialization. That monotone island was torture for a spirit full of festivity.

"I wonder…" paper flipped and she returned to the bed. "... if it's true you've never loved anyone..."

Poppy opened the balcony doors with vigor, the noise of the ticking of the clock was noticed for the first time as a sign that things were quieting down. No steps were heard from outside, no clacking of leather boots or the grinding of blades.

"Mama… I wish I could have met you…"

His heart broke at the sound of her voice. He knew the kind of loneliness she was feeling, they shared the adversity of not meeting a parent and having a cloudy past to figure out. Their parents were people with dreams and hopes, they gave them up for a greater purpose and to keep their children safe.

Branch turned on his stomach, under the bed and lowered his face to the ground to watch what she was doing. The book he had found on that fateful day was on top of her vanity and she was outside, looking at the Moon that made her skin glimmer like it was lightening up itself.

The ethereal feeling was back. He felt the heaviness of his heart being lifted. Poppy closed her eyes and irradiated a healing feeling, as if she could infiltrate into his soul, clean it up, kiss his internal wounds better and leave. That combined with the sight of her, with a dress so white and so smooth, made of the finest silk and pearls… and her hair! It floated with the breeze behind her. It was so full and so curly that he had to take a moment to understand that it was really her.

She had dressed up for the moon.

Her strawberry perfume invaded the room and he took a deep soothing breath. She was fine, unharmed and not one bit desperate as he had thought. He couldn't fathom the reason behind her behavior, but as the light shone brightly upon her, and she soaked herself in it, he had a feeling that she learned a new trick.

Was she doing what her mother did?

It was time to be her knight in shining armour. It was time to go and burst her out of that tower with a victorious move, it was time to see her happy tears and get a kiss in return.

Branch carefully crawled out of bed and even if his heart screamed at him to go and hug her, first he took the rope out of his hair and tied it safely on the first banister, making sure it wouldn't fail under their weight. He tested the length, seeing it fall perfectly until it almost touched the grass.

It was such a beautiful night.

He carefully picked the book that her mother had gifted her and placed it securely in his hair. He took one more look around the room, knowing that they wouldn't see it again. In the end, he mused, things sort of went as he wanted them to go. He found out more about his father, Poppy had gotten the gift her mother had left her and both knew more about where they came from.

Branch turned his full attention to the glorious girl on the balcony. Her eyes were closed and her lips held a content smile. She was so breathtaking that he had to hold himself together for a moment. It was like he had forgotten how to speak. His mouth moved, but the sound didn't come out. Even his knees had weakened, as if he was going to introduce himself to her for the first time. It was so insane, they had been around each other their whole lives, they had kissed and they were so close to making love not a week ago. Why would he feel so nervous?

He took another step towards her, allowing his feet to make a quiet noise. It was enough to make himself noticed by her.

Things seemed to happen in slow motion. First she turned her head, then, noticing she wasn't alone, she turned her full body towards him. The front of the dress was a low cut and he saw the ring with the white stone on her finger. Blue met magenta for what seemed an eternity of waiting, of wanting, of hoping.

He raised his arms and took another step, but his smile died on his lips as her forehead wrinkled in a frown and she distanced herself from him with a surprised, but quiet gasp. Did she think he was a ghost? He had to touch her to show that he was very much alive.

Maybe it was the sword that scared her, but soon he'd explain everything that had happened while he was gone.

Another step and her back touched the balustrades, grinding herself against them dangerously. A hand raised to her chest and her hair flew forward, covering part of her scared face. Branch felt fear rising and used his own hands to show her that he meant no harm, that they would get out of there safe and sound. All they had to do was to keep quiet.

"Poppy…" he whispered so lowly that he wasn't sure she had listened to it. But she had, and the sound of her name coming out of his lips made her lines turn from scared to surprised. Her back straightened, but she still didn't dare approach him. Branch was sure she would understand and forgive him for leaving her, but what she said next turned his world upside down:

"Who are you?"