The funeral passed by in a blur for all. Queen Joy brought as much joy as her name. Her singing voice could lul even the most rowdy trolling to sleep or ease even the most hurt hearts. She was kind and served as a beautiful queen for nearly twenty years, marrying young at sixteen to the, then Prince, Peppy. No one knew a true love then theirs, it was apparent when the King came to address the crowd.
His eyes were dark, circles from the sleepless night prior. No one dared to say anything. Peppy looked over the crowd and cleared his throat.
He sings:
They shine a little brighter, they feel a little more
They touch your life in ways no one has ever done before
They love a little stronger, they live to give their best
They make our lives so blest, so why do they go so soon?
The ones with souls so beautiful
I heard someone say-
There must be Borrowed Angels, here in this life
They come along, into this world, and make this world bright
But they can't stay forever
Cause they're heaven sent (song is Borrowed Angels by Kristin Chenoweth)
And sometimes, heaven needs them back again
After he finished the coffin containing queen Joy was lowered into the ground. Everyone began to hum an old troll song of sadness, until the dirt began to be shoveled atop her coffin.
"Goodbye, Joy." Peppy sighs out.
He wipes his eyes and stares out among his people. Their numbers are barely 250, but he made up his mind. After losing his most loved, he wouldn't lose another.
"In two days time we will escape. My queen will be the last marked grave, and we will no longer create any unmarked graves for those who've been lost to the bergens." He announces proudly," We will go far from this prison, somewhere we can sing loudly without rocks being thrown, somewhere where we won't fear for our lives every moment of our lives."
"Here here!" the adults yell back.
"We will give our children a place to grow up without fear. Once more we will live as trolls, not as produce! Be prepared to leave everything. Miners to the hole." Peppy commands, and the trolls follow.
Everyone celebrates and leaves the ground to go back into the tree. All except one. Gray as ever, he walks up to the mound of fresh dirt, gently placing his hand on the pile. Breathing slowly, as to not cry, he closes his hand to feel the cold dirt under his nails. The sting to real to be a bad dream, he sits back and stares at the headstone.
'Here lies Queen Joyous 'Joy' Rainbow, Loved Queen, Mother and Wife. June 8th, 2X10- April 24th, 2X45. You will always bring us Joy even in memory' The stone writes.
A large engraved picture of her kind smile, Branch found himself missing already, sits above the words written in stone. He lets out a wavering breath, holding back his tears. He looks at his hands. Where the small rompus of yesterday had caused a blue tint to come to his skin, the loss of his favorite troll plunged his pigment back into gray only burgens could accomplish.
"Branch…" Doc's voice says in a calm yet kind tone that only he could produce.
"You don't have to force yourself." Branch says in a cold tone," I might be young, but I can survive on my own."
"Oh, I know that." Doc laughs as he sits next to the small troll," But you might get lonely if you miss out on hug time."
"Hug time?" Branch asks with a throwaway scoff.
"Once we get out king Peppy is going to establish an official time in which every troll will give the other a large hug." Doc says," And we're going to start off everyday with a song."
"Then leave me here." Branch says pouring the dirt out of his hand," That sounds more torturous than anything those burgens could do to us."
"Glad I'm not the only one then." Doc laughs," I really tried to stop him, but everyone else wants that. I'm more concerned that when I'm treating a patient and we need to hug that I'll mess something up. Plus we're going to get weird bracelets that light up. Candy has already worked out the design. You know Candy Sparkledust, that old troll just can't live without hugs."
A small silence feels like an eternity between the two. Though Doc had been a student under Rosiepuff, the retired medical leader, he had never spent much time with Branch. He had only lived with her for two years before she died, so there was not much time to properly bond. Doctor Ash and Plum were better acquainted with the small troll, but with their non stop practice of medicine to become well enough to help him, they've never gotten time to visit the troll, while Doc, full name Doctor Spruce, got the occasional visit. He's see him in passing when taking care of the Queen, but there were more than a few when Branch would get hurt and visit.
Doc awkwardly hugs Branch's side, making both let out a small sigh. Doc then helps Branch up off the ground, dusting off his clothes, also faded with his color.
"If you want to live off by yourself in the new village, that's fine." Doc says with a smile," But no troll worthy of calling himself a troll doesn't know how to read and write. So you'll have to come and see me at least every other day for lessons. Alright?"
"Yeah." Branch says quietly as Doc places a hand on his shoulder guiding him slowly to the side of the tree.
"Lets see if that hair has made any progress." Doc says pointing to a nearby Branch on the troll tree," Just attach up there, and pull yourself up. I believe in you."
Branch looks up to Doc, unsure he could do even that. Docs eyes sparkle with anticipation and belief, so Branch can't find Amy objections in his heart. this doctor was too good at manipulating him, but it's not like he minded.
Branch takes in a breath, it'd been a year since he had used his hair. whipping his head back and forth his hair grows. When he thinks it's long enough, he shoots it up, and somehow it sticks on the branch. Excited he pulls himself up, grunting as he forces his hair back. He doesn't realize how fast he's approaching the branch, nearly hitting it at damaging speeds, until Doc shoots up and cushions Branch from the impact with his own hair.
Branch spits the glittery hair from his mouth, and looks up to Doc discombobulated. Doc gives him a hug with a loud laugh.
"That's my boy." Doc says happily," I knew you had it in you. Even more powerful than I could've thought."
Branch can't say anything and just rubs the back of his head, prideful about the praise but not happy about how he landed. Doc once again helps him up, and they walk back to Doc's pod, near where Branch is staying, all the while with Doc not letting go of Branch's shoulder. Once they reach the entrance of Doc's pod, Branch says his goodbye and walks in the direction of his own pod.
When he reaches his pod, he quickly moves inside, closing the leaf flap he uses as a door behind him. The small room isn't much to look at, an old bed covered with cotton and waxy leaves as covers, and above the bed is a small shelf full of books he could only assume his father was proud to read as they were so tattered and torn from use it amazed Branch they still held together. There's also a small chest full of clothes, only two outfits of which he actually liked to wear. Finally, next to the bed is a small nightstand, with a lamp and two pictures, framed and well taken care of. One of his Grandma Rosiepuff and Grandpa Trench standing next to his proud father and mother who hold a small lightblue trolling with navy blue hair.
Next to that picture is a picture of his mother and father happily looking down at the small Branch, his mother in a gown with tears in her eyes as she touches Branch's nose, and his father crying with a big dopey grin on his face while gripping both shoulders of his mother. Branch picks up this picture, gently outlining their faces with his thumb.
He wishes he would've known his mother. She was beautiful, dark purple skin like Rosiepuff, with hair that transitioned from a deep navy blue to a mint green with a slight curve at the end of her hair, like a wave reaching its peak and crashing down. Her sapphire blue eyes always managed to sooth Branch when he felt upset. She also took up the profession as doctor under Rosiepuff, and was a rising star, depended on by many trolls, but her unfortunate passing led to Spruce taking that title from her. Her name was Blossom, and his father's name was Bush.
Bush was, and still has been, a troll among trolls. Never afraid to sing to lift spirits, or protecting those he loved in the face of danger of any kind. He was an adventurer of sorts, born in the troll tree, he was the one who discovered the marmot tunnels under the tree several years prior. He had even gone on adventures to seek the trolls new resting place, but not being the one to find the true area. He had a light blue body with a deep blue nose and deep green hair that easily camouflaged him in the trees. He was a survivalist, something Branch has always thought was the coolest. Branch wished he also had gotten to speak with his dad more than the measly two years he had with him.
Branch puts down the picture, rubbing his eyes and breathing deeply as to not cry in front of them. He then gently pats his cheeks to get refocused. He stands on top of his bed and takes down the books. Unfortunately, Branch couldn't read the covers, for he doesn't know how to read at all, but just looking at the books would give him a sense of hope that nothing else could.
"I can't mope around now, I need to pack." Branch says to himself.
He know Peppy said not to bring anything, and just to leave, but Branch couldn't just abandon what few treasures he has in this world. He jumps down and grabs a small pack from beneath, an old keepsake of his dad's. Carefully he puts in the books, then the pictures. He seals the pack and holds his hand on top of the pack.
"Mom, dad, I'm going to a better place." Branch whispers as if talking to his parents," I'll be safe from burgens, you can bet on that. So don't worry, wherever you are now, because I'm going to be a big boy. I'll be strong like you, Dad, and I'll care for others, like you mom. Tell grandma and grandpa I say hi. I'll see you when we get to our new home."
He smiles a small smile as he hangs the pack up next to the door. Relieved to leave this place so full of memories, to make new ones in a place safely away from their main predator. He puts his head on his pillow of cotton, thinking of what his new home would look like. No bright colors, they hurt his eyes, somewhere with a lot of space, and a homey feel that would make him feel safe, so probably on the ground as the suspension of these pods kind of freaks him out. Wherever it would be, it'd be better than always being moments from death.
As if on cue to his thoughts, his pod begins to shake violently. The gravity shifts, and Branch flies out of the leaf door. So shocked he can't even scream, he lands on a semi-soft surface, which quickly encloses him. All of the air in his lungs escapes, and he follows the hunk of meat to its source.
A large burgen holds him, weather it's a male of female he honestly can't tell, but it looks at him with a wicked grin. It brings up it's other hand and pulls up on Branch's hair, to fluff it up.
"What an adorable little entree." The creature says, in a feminine tone so Branch can only assume she's a girl," Now if you don't want to get eaten here and now, tell me about your princess."
"Poppy?" Branch asks before his hair slaps across his mouth realising what he's said.
"Ah, so it's princess Poppy." She says with a disturbing coo in her voice," I hear she's young, what color is she? What pod would she be in?"
"I'm not telling you anything!" Branch says with a scowl.
"Oh, a feisty one eh? Well then I need to make sure you are included in the feast." She laughs," Why don't you cry for help. I bet mommy and daddy would be more than happy to come and get you."
"And lead another troll here to get eaten by a greedy pig like you? No thanks." Branch says with a defiant smirk, he had no idea where this confidence was coming from. The grip on him gets tighter.
"What is your name?" She asks in a deathly serious tone.
"Branch Sparrow." Branch says looking her in the eyes.
"Well, Branch, just know no matter how much confidence and luck you have, if you can't even hear me coming up to grab you, then you'll get eaten at any minute." She says with an evil laugh," You're powerless to save yourself, as well as your troll friends."
Branch takes a second to absorb the information, and she's completely right. She's so large, yet he hadn't noticed her coming at all. No loud footsteps, no heavy breathing. If she could sneak up on him, then what about others, how would they be able to hear a burgen coming? For the first time in a long time he felt something other than sadness, fear.
"I just needed to know if you had a princess." the burgen says, dropping Branch onto the tree branch.
"You aren't going to eat me?" Branch asks, gasping for air he didn't know he so desperately needed.
"Oh heavens no, not today. I need to stay on the kings good side, otherwise he'd have me executed. Such a short fuse on that one." She says with a click of her tongue," But on trollstice, know that you'll be the first one I'll aim for."
With those words, she left as swiftly and silently as she came, the only sound being the loud slam and lock of the cage they're stuck in.
Information swirling through his head, Branch acts only on instinct. His legs sprung him up, and he ran. Whereto only his muscles know, but he knew he had to get there fast. As he runs, he notices trolls looking around in a panic, they must think the bergen just entered. He sprints, so fast and far his lungs burn from use.
Finally he arrives to the tunnel in the center of the tree. An older male troll tries to stop Branch from entering, but Branch just runs in and jumps down. Thought trolls secret special sap which helps them stick to surfaces, he just jumps down the hole, using his hair, extended in both directions to slow him down so he doesn't crash into the floor. He still lands with a thud onto the ground, startling all the tunnel workers. Peppy jumps up in shock before quickly approaching Branch.
"My boy, what's the matter with you? It's dangerous down here!" Peppy yells at Branch in a worried tone. Without a second to process the kings anger, Branch quickly snaps his head up to stare into Peppy's eyes.
"Burgens plan to eat Princess Poppy." He says without a moment's notice," She's a target. I don't know why, but she needs to be protected, sire."
Everyone takes a second to look at the normally soft spoken troll suddenly bursting out at the king. They rush over and help Branch up to his feet.
"Do you know for sure?" Peppy asks, his voice and eyes dripping in fear and concern.
"Yes, she just told me." Branch says absentmindedly.
"'She'?" All the trolls ask in a wave of murmurs.
"Who is 'she', Branch?" Peppy asks grabbing him by the shoulders.
"A burgen who just inside." Branch says with a straight tone," She shook me out of my pod, then squeezed me until I gave her information. I only said Poppy's name on accident, I didn't mean anything by it. I wasn't trying to sell her out, I promise." With every word, Branch's voice broke more and more.
"Get Doctor Spruce here immediately." Peppy demands before pulling Branch in for a tight hug," Are you alright? Are you hurt? What else did she do?"
"She told me I was on the menu this year." Branch says with a quivering voice," I didn't mean to tell her about Poppy, honest. I was shaken by her squeezing me. I'm sorry."
"Poppy is safe, Branch, I'm not angry." Peppy says while still hugging Branch," I'm just scared of what might've happened to you. They won't put you on the menu, I'll make sure of it. You're as safe as Poppy. They only know her name, nothing else, so they won't be able to do anything to her."
Peppy says whatever comes to his mind in order to keep Branch from apologizing for the small error. Peppy knows Branch hasn't even thought of the fact he could've easily died, and as soon as that thought comes he might become even more shaken. Finally Doc arrives and takes Branch away from Peppy.
Looking up and down with concern, the troll puts a shaking hand on Branches shoulders. After a minute of intense inspection, Doc sighs and falls to the ground, causing all the trolls to quickly come to his side and help him up.
"You aren't hurt, thank Troll." Doc says as he sits up looking at Branch," A burgen really picked you up? Weren't you scared?"
Branch thinks about the question and begins shaking," Terrified." He responds quietly. The Doc holds Branch's hand and hums quietly to calm down the small troll.
"However, you're here now. You survived a burgen attack, and still rushed all the way to tell king Peppy his daughter was in danger. Why, I think the only other troll who could've done that would be Bush Sparrow." Docs says with a calming smile.
"Dad?" Branch asks, his shaking steadily ceasing.
"Any other troll would've cried out for help, but you didn't. Blossom would've done the same, not risking another trolls life." Doc says gently patting Branch's face," You are truly the son of the bravest trolls this tree has ever known. I can't put into words just how proud I am that you're here. Thank you Branch, you're a true troll."
"Great job, Branch." An adult troll says coming over and rubbing his head," You're so much braver than i could be."
"I would've been eating with how much I would've cried." A troll says with a laugh.
"Branch, great job." Another troll says with a smile and thumbs up.
Suddenly all the trolls in the cavern compliment and praise Branch, some giving his head pats, others hugs, and many giving thumbs up. Peppy even comes over and lifts the troll up with his hair into the air, for the rest of the trolls to cheer for him.
Peppy and Doctor Spruce take Branch back up to the main tree where a flood of trolls rush over. Many mothers grab parts of his body, and worredly looks over for any scratch or cut or bruise. Some even come up to the doctor and king pair and begin to yell at them.
"This is why we're against such a small child being alone on the outskirts!" One female yells at the king.
"He could've been killed!" Another screams.
"You didn't walk back with him to his pod, Spruce? Are you serious?" One yells while whipping at him with he electric pink hair.
"Are you alright, sweety?" a female troll with yellow skin and grey hair asks holding both of Branch's hands.
"Yes?" Branch asks back.
"I don't see any bruises." A red troll with green hair says with a sigh.
Suddenly the crowd parts and a deep purple troll with electric green hair filled with bandages sprints towards Branch, and picks him up. She quickly moves her hand up and down Branch's arms, legs, back, head and chest, then lets out a loud sigh of relief.
"He's perfectly fine everyone!" She yells and all the gathered trolls let out a collective sigh.
"Ah, Plum, didn't see you there." Doc says with a smile as the three trolls back down from yelling.
"You idiot!" Doctor Plum Plimsy yells back, standing up with Branch still held tightly in her arms" Here I was, thinking 'oh, if it's Spruce I won't have to worry', but on the first day he's attacked by a burgen of all things.I mean, sure you don't know a tiddilywinking thing about trollings but you can't seriously believe that it's alright to let him walk alone after the funeral of a loved one."
"I walked with him until we reached the clinic." Doctor Spruce says to try and justify his actions to a loud collective groan.
"Ash and I had thinks covered, you could've at least gone to his pod!" Plum yells, before putting a hand to her furrowed brow and taking a couple deep breaths," It's alright, it's alright, Plum. At least he's safe. He's safe so it's fine."
Plum looks to Branch, whose just looking at her in amazement. She smiles and leans her forehead on top of his, letting a few tears drop onto his face. The cold sting of the tears makes Branch suddenly realise the reality of the situation. He could've died, he kept provoking the burgen that it's a surprise he didn't die.
All the fret and fuss, all for him. He looked behind Plums ear, looking at the entire village smiling in relief, even the parents who whispered about him yesterday sob in relief into each other's arms. Everyone was worried, for him, and now he couldn't stop tears forming in his eyes. He was loved and he didn't know, he was cared for.
"Due to the information Branch has delivered to me, we're moving our escape to tonight at midnight. We've broken through to the tunnels. Get ready to leave, take only what's necessary." Peppy addresses, and the trolls all bow and stand.
Every troll checks in with branch before they leave to their own houses to setup their decoys. Once their gone, Plum, Doc and Peppy walk Branch to his pod, where he grabs his pack. They all walk him to the royal pod, where Poppy and a female caregiver greet the king. The caregiver hands over the small princess and takes her leave.
"You'll stay here until the escape, taking care of Poppy like you've done this past week." Peppy says, handing Poppy over.
"Branch!" She says happily hugging the young troll.
"Yes, sire." Branch says, getting a good grip on Poppy.
The adults smile and leave the room. Branch looks to the small troll he felt he betrayed. He gives her a small hug.
"I'm sorry, princess." He says.
She laughs in response, before breathing in deeply and beginning to cry. Branch is alarmed, not knowing what she wants, he takes her around the room trying to find something for her to calm down to. They pass a cowbell with a small stick, and Poppy reaches out. Branch stops and let's the princess pick up the bell. She bengs it in a rhythmic fashion that only a troll could accomplish, laughing she's done, she puts it in her hair and smile to Branch.
He smiles back and they both yawn. They go into the guest room to rest, knowing a long journey is ahead. They fall asleep with smiles on their faces, and a little blue in Branch's nose.