Disclaimer: We don't own Trolls. Thomas belongs to Midna Azusa.

Branch just lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was quickly finding that the worst part about being grounded was being left alone with his thoughts and little to occupy him to keep him away from the darker corners of his own mind. Normally he tried not to think of his family—they were dead, and nothing was going to change that. But Peppy had brought them up out in the forest. Any time someone mentioned them, Branch wound up thinking about them, which he hated. Thinking about them was painful.

Yeah, I'm sure you miss them, King Peppy, but it's not the same! You lost your wife. I lost my entire family! Don't act like you understand me! You don't!

The door opened, and Poppy poked her head in, glaring. This, strangely, was one of the few times Branch welcomed her appearance. This would give him something else to think about besides the dead, and anything that could get his mind off them was fine with him at that moment.

"Branch? Daddy said you need to apologize for being so mean today," she said, walking in and shutting the door behind her. "And, if you do and stop being mean, he'll bring you a book from the library, too."

Well, the desire to have company was gone as quickly as it had come. Branch sat up and looked at her, debating the merits of arguing with her. She'd probably run off and tell her dad on him again, and Branch didn't really want to find out what Peppy's next move would be. After a moment, he said, "I'm sorry I was mean to you." Silently, he added, Now go away.

Poppy stared at him in silence for a moment before, still glaring at him and looking very upset, she said, "You don't mean that, do you?"

Branch sighed. Honestly, it wasn't that simple. He wasn't sorry he'd been mean to her. Being patient didn't have any better results. But he was sorry he'd made her cry. "You drive me crazy, but I should deal with it differently. Okay?"

She stared at him for a bit longer, then said, "Then that's a no." She looked down, unhappy, and asked, "Why you always gotta be like that, Branch? Family's supposed to get along with each other."

She just didn't get it, did she?

"Poppy, we're not family," Branch answered her. His usual attitude was gone, though, replaced with exhaustion at the sheer number of times he'd said this to her the last couple of years. "I don't have a family."

"Yes, you do, Branch!" She moved forward, her hands to her chest, and added, "We're all right here!"

Branch looked at her lamely, trying not to snap at her again right now. He was already in enough trouble and didn't need to make it worse for himself. "...You're not my sister, and King Peppy's not my dad."

"Stop saying that, Branch!" Poppy cried. "Of course, you—"

"Oh, King Peppy!" said a loud voice that could only belong to a bergen. "Are you home?"

The bergen sounded quite cheery, even for their more recent interactions with the trolls. That almost made him sound friendly in Branch's mind, even...almost.

Poppy ran to Branch's window, wondering what that was, and Branch got off his bed and headed over to look, too. Both trollings saw Peppy leave the pod, looking at the bergen with curiosity.

"Why, Thomas! Peppy said. "This is an unexpected surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

A bergen in Troll Village would have caused mass panic just a few years ago. Now, a bergen in Troll Village would only cause Branch to panic. Most of the trolls weren't afraid of them anymore. Only Branch still thought they were dangerous.

"Well, I've got one of yours here!" the bergen, Thomas, said as he gestured to his shoulder. "Seems to have been lost for a few years. Just a little one, about your boy's age."

Branch looked at the bergen's shoulder, now curious. He only remembered one troll being lost several years ago, and he was about Branch's age. He'd been Branch's best friend before he disappeared. Not that he'd like him much these days, but it would be nice if he wasn't dead.

The purple trolling, Creek, leaped off the bergen's shoulder with the aid of a flyer bug, smiling. He looked at the bergen and clasped his hands together in gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much, you handsome young gentleman, you. I can take it from here, though."

Thomas wasn't old, but he wasn't exactly what Branch would call young, either. He looked like he was in his late 30s or 40s. That sounded to Branch like Creek was just sucking up to the bergen for some reason.

Still, the flattery seemed to get Creek everywhere with this guy. Thomas laughed and said, "Alright, you little cutie! You take care, alright?"

Peppy stared at the young troll, curious. This boy had been missing for four years. His shirt and pants were tattered, and they were so dirty that it was hard to tell what colors they were supposed to be. "...Creek? Is that...you?"

"Yes, your majesty. It is," Creek answered. He turned back to the bergen again and added with a wave, "And thank you again for all your help, Thomas. Safe journeys home."

Peppy gave a start, reminded of the giant creature still standing here. "O-oh, yes! Thomas!" He looked up at the bergen and said, "Thank you for bringing him! I'll take it from here."

"You're both welcome. It's been a pleasure, Creek," Thomas said, and he turned and left.

Branch's eyes widened. "Creek!?" He couldn't believe his eyes. Creek had disappeared when they left Bergen Town. Branch had always thought that one of the bergens probably snatched him up and ate him, too, but he'd never been able to prove this. He's alive!?

Poppy gave him a curious look and asked, "Who?"

For once, Branch didn't feel the need to be snippy with her. Still staring out the window at his old friend, he answered, "Someone I used to know."

After waving the bergen off, Peppy turned his attention to Creek and said, "Well, my boy! This is a surprise! And just what happened to you all those years ago? You never left the Troll Tree with the rest of us."

Creek looked traumatized as he answered, "Oh, King Peppy! It was just plain horrible! This one bergen turned on the rest and tried to eat me, but—"

Peppy put a hand on Creek's shoulder to calm him and guided him into the royal pod, saying, "Come on. We can talk more about this over dinner."

Creek calmed slightly and stammered, "Y-yes. Thank you, King Peppy. H-how very...k-kind of you..."

"Shh..." Peppy rubbed the boy's back a bit. "There, there, my boy. Deep breaths." He looked off up the stairs and called, "Poppy!? Branch!? Come join us! We're having a guest for dinner, and you'd better be on your best behavior, boy, if you don't want more trouble! You hear me!?"

"Okay!" Poppy called down. "Coming, Dad—"

She cut herself off as Branch unexpectedly ran out ahead of her, almost as if he was actually interested in talking to someone for once.

Poppy blinked, confused. "Huh!? H-hey! W-wait for me!" she called, running after him.

Branch didn't like anyone. Who was this guest of theirs?

Creek and Peppy took their seats at the dining room table. Peppy, having heard a few graphic details of Creek's story, decided to hold off on further discussion until he put Poppy to bed for the night. This clearly wouldn't be an appropriate dinner conversation.

Since Peppy said he wanted to talk more about Creek's story later, the young troll decided to ask his own question. "King Peppy. Might I ask, what is Branch doing here of all places? Shouldn't he be off with one of the trolls that took in the orphans?"

Sure, Creek remembered Branch had lived with Peppy for a little while, but he also remembered Branch being placed with a different couple only a couple of months into that arrangement. He could hardly blame the king for that—as much as he cared for his friend, Branch had been difficult to get along with after that Trollstice. Creek had considered asking his family to take Branch in, thinking maybe he could help him recover if they lived together, but Peppy was insistent that Branch should have a home without any other children in it. Why he'd changed his mind about that now, Creek didn't know. Even worse, Creek thought it would make more sense to have Branch live with one of his friends. At least he, Biggie, and Cooper knew that Branch hadn't always been like this and might be able to help him feel better. Poppy was only a baby the last time Branch had done so much as smiled.

Peppy looked slightly uncomfortable. "Uh, yes, well, about that..."

Running footsteps came down the hall, and Peppy expected his daughter to come barreling in. Instead, Branch appeared in the doorway and looked at Creek as if he'd seen a ghost. If Peppy didn't know any better, he'd say he saw a hint of happiness in those icy blue eyes. Maybe this would be good for the boy.

"Creek? You're alive?"

Creek looked his way as Poppy came in behind him, looking just plain curious. "That I am, mate," Creek answered, giving his friend a curious look of his own. "And what are you doing here?"

"Creek, as I was trying to tell you, Branch here is my future son-in-law," Peppy said, gesturing at the gray troll. "He's living with us because he's vowed to marry the princess."

Creek's eyes widened in horror. That went completely against his master's plans. "What!?"

Branch sighed but didn't say anything. He didn't really relish the thought of being sent to bed without dinner tonight, and not because he was particularly hungry. No, he was more concerned about finding out what had happened to his best friend.

Poppy just looked as confused as ever, her gaze traveling from Branch to her dad and, finally, Creek. "Uh... What's going on? Who's this, Daddy?"

"Well, my Princess, this is Creek. He's a troll that was separated from us when we left Bergen Town, and now he's back!"

From the excitement and the way Peppy threw his arms up, Branch could tell that Creek's story wasn't appropriate for Poppy.

Still, she seemed satisfied with this answer. "Oh." She smiled at the guest and said, "Well, nice to meet you, Creek! Your hair's really pretty!"

"Uh—well—Th-thank you, princess. Y-you, too..." Creek stammered, still recovering from the shock of finding that his closest friend was standing in the way of his violent master's plans. This wouldn't end well. He turned his attention to the troll in question, saying, "But, uh, Branch. How long has this been going on? And—"

"Don't worry about it, Creek," Branch cut him off simply.

"Yes, but—"

Poppy eagerly leaped into a seat then, and Branch came over and took a seat as well.

With his daughter sitting at the table, Peppy cut Creek off by saying, "Yes, well. Why don't we all just forget this here messy business, and the three of us can talk later, alright?"

"Huh?" Poppy blinked, looking around the table as she counted the number of trolls here. "The three of us?" She looked at her dad and protested, "But, Daddy! There's four of us now!"

Peppy just patted her head, grinning. Branch, meanwhile, was glad to know he'd be allowed to take part in this upcoming conversation with Creek. Knowing that Peppy could change his mind if Branch acted up, however, he made sure to keep his attitude in check throughout dinner.

After dinner, Peppy tucked Poppy into bed and read her a bedtime story. Then, with that situation dealt with, he sat down with the boys to discuss Creek's tale. Creek told them that a bergen had tried to eat him and claimed he'd gotten away and been living in the forest ever since.

After offering the boy some comfort, Peppy explained in more detail about Branch being Poppy's fiance. He told Creek what everyone else in the village already knew. It was the queen's and Rosiepuff's dying wish that the two be wed, and Peppy had vowed to make it happen, no matter how hard Branch made things for him.

With everyone caught up, Peppy offered to let Creek stay with them for the night and told Branch to show Creek to a guest room. For once, Branch didn't complain about being made to socialize, and Peppy once again wondered if Creek's miraculous return would help Branch in the long run.

As the two walked through the pod, heading for the guest room, Creek was still absorbing what he'd heard. "I can't believe it... I just can't believe it! When you told us you thought that princess might make a good friend, you most certainly weren't kidding, mate. And here I'd hoped I'd get to marry her someday!"

That seemed like an odd thing to say, given that Poppy had only been a year old the last time Creek saw her, but Branch didn't question it. If Creek wanted power, who was Branch to call him out on it? He'd probably make a better king, anyway.

"Sorry, Creek," Branch said. "If I had my way, though, you'd have that chance. I don't want to marry her."

Creek stopped outside the guest room, his eyes widening in shock. "What!? And miss the opportunity of a lifetime!? Now, why would you turn down something as lovely as—"

"I don't want to be king, Creek," Branch cut him off. He looked away and added, "It's just not a good role for me."

His grandma had died trying to save him, and he'd turned into the least trolly guy around. Nobody really wanted him here, and he couldn't blame them. He didn't want to do any of the things that were considered a royal troll's responsibility, and he just wanted to be left alone. It was obvious that king wasn't a good role for him.

Creek stared at him for a moment. Then, with a lame look on his face, he said, "You're still struggling with that whole 'I don't do happy' thing from our childhoods, aren't you?"

Branch returned the look and asked, "What do you think?"

"Oh, come now, mate. How long are you gonna act like that?" Creek asked, looking at Branch in concern. "Look, there wasn't much anyone could do back then. Chef was...a very dangerous...unpredictable...terrorist of a..." As he spoke of Chef, Creek fidgeted with his hands. He looked around, eyes wide, as if he expected something to leap out and attack him. Then, suddenly, he forced himself to calm down and finished, "Well. You get the point, I'm sure."

Branch looked at Creek in concern, tilting his head slightly. That reaction would have made sense from someone Chef had taken, but Creek had just said it was a bergen. He didn't seem to know who had tried to eat him at the end. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yes. R-right as rain, mate," Creek answered, looking uneasy again. He clapped his hands together gently and headed into the guest room, saying, "Well! It's quite late, and I'm positive you have things to do as prince come morning. G-good night...old friend." With that, he shut the door, and Branch heard the lock slip into place shortly after.

Something about those last two words didn't seem so innocent. It almost sounded like Creek was struggling with something that he had to do but didn't want to do. It couldn't be anything malicious—Creek wouldn't hurt him, Branch was sure. They were friends, after all. But it almost seemed like those last words were a sign of some kind of trouble, especially with the look Creek gave him. Was it Branch's imagination, or had there been some guilt and sadness in those eyes?

He raised an eyebrow and wondered, What was that about?

He hoped it was his imagination. Creek was his best—and, at this point, only—friend, after all. Branch headed for his room, hoping that Creek was just skittish after everything he'd been through.

But something told him that was false hope.

Creek waited a moment until he knew that he was alone. Once he heard Branch's footsteps retreat, he spoke aloud, seemingly to himself, "I-I'm guessing y-you h-heard all of th-that, m-m-master?"

"I did, Creek," he heard Chef answer in his head. "That little gray troll's nothing but trouble. We'll have to come up with a way to dispose of him quickly."

He was afraid she'd say that. "I-if I may, master? W-what if w-w-we didn't?" he hesitantly suggested.

"Oh?"

He had to be careful how he worded this. Creek knew he couldn't stop Chef from targeting Branch, but he also knew he couldn't live with himself if he completely betrayed his friend and let someone kill him. Besides, thanks to Chef's training, he knew the best way to approach this situation.

"W-what if w-we took h-him f-f-far away f-from h-here and locked h-him up?" Creek hesitantly suggested. "T-that way, h-he'd be out of y-your hair, and y-you wouldn't need d-dirty y-your own hands w-with his u-unworthy b-blood?"

The trick Chef had taught Creek about flattering bergens worked just as well on her as any other bergen, and Creek hoped she'd fall for it this time, hence the comment about Branch's blood being unworthy to sully Chef's hands.

"Hmm... Well, I suppose that could work," Chef answered. "I mean, there was one spell I remember reading about in the castle in Bergen Town that could work. And it would make it possible to prevent escape as well."

"E-exactly, m-master! Y-you're a g-genius!"

"Hmm... That I am," Chef said, sounding pleased. "Alright, then here's what we'll do. Meet me at the root tunnels tonight. And bring your little friend along with you. I'll be waiting for you both."

"Y-y-yes, m-master... W-whatever y-you say..." Creek sighed, both relieved and upset at the same time. Well, at least I managed to save him for now. Now if I can just find a way to keep him safe without putting myself in danger, this might not turn out too badly.

He sighed and headed out to find Branch. If Chef was expecting him tonight, he'd have to find a way to convince Branch to come with him. If he was lucky, maybe Branch would just sleep soundly enough that Creek could carry him to the root tunnels without the gray troll ever knowing what was happening.