Chapter Twenty-One – Wishes Granted
Prowlus's funny breathing grew weaker by the second. Harper's tears flowed freely from her eyes. Everyone in the traveling party was shocked to mournful silence. Prowlus looked to Ash with a comforting gaze, and his eyes fluttered shut.
"No!" Ash said desperately. "I said I was willing to take the risk to find those wishing stars, Nonna. I said I would take the risk, and my brother is not going to suffer from my consequences!" He pulled one of the lockets from his pocket and clicked it open. The wishing star glowed brightly, and Ash held it in both hands. "I wish my brother was healed and would stay alive. I want him to live. I wish he'd live." He was embarrassed by his tears, but couldn't stop them. "I want my brother to be okay. Please."
The wishing star dissolved in Ash's hands, becoming a golden smoke that enveloped Prowlus's body. In a matter of seconds, the cuts healed and the bruises faded. The smoke even went into Prowlus's mouth and healed his internal injuries. The smoke disappeared, and Prowlus coughed harshly. He opened his eyes and sat up, holding his head. He looked to everyone curiously.
'When did you all get here?' Prowlus asked.
Ash laughed and hugged his brother. Harper piled on, and everyone laughed out of relief. "I'm so sorry, Prowlus!" Ash hiccupped from his crying. He wiped his eyes on his arm. "You almost got hurt thanks to me."
'Ash, we are always there for each other.' Prowlus signed. 'It's what brothers do for each other.' He hugged Ash tightly. 'Besides, did you really think I would let an eleven-year-old do this alone?'
"What were you doing out here, anyway?" Harper demanded.
"Nonna said she had something that could get me my colors." Ash said. "And I found it! Two wishing stars, originally for Stellaluna and Zelenia. I just used one of them."
"Which means you ought to have the second one, yes?" Eclipse asked.
Ash pulled out the second locket. "Right here. I still have one more wish I can make."
"So you'll finally get your colors?" Finny asked excitedly.
"You can wish for your true colors." Sir Tandeth breathed in awe.
"Exactly." Ash nodded.
"That's great." Iris said. "You'll finally find your happiness."
Ash paused. He stared at the locket in his hands. Then he looked to Eclipse. She had a knowing smile on her lips, as if she could read his mind. Ash groaned loudly, smacking himself in the forehead. "I am such an idiot!"
Everyone stared at him in confusion, even the animals. "What's up, dude?" Gris asked. "You're about to get your colors, right?"
"Won't this make you happy? Didn't you find who you are?" Finny asked.
"Of course not!" Ash laughed. "Simply having my colors won't make me happy. I tried magically changing my colors before, and it only ever worked temporarily. But even having my colors then didn't make me feel any less like an outsider. A Dream Sucker showed me what life was like if I had colors like everyone else. Sure, I looked like I fit in, but I still didn't really feel like it. Happiness plays a role in having colors, right? Well, I am happy most of the time, just like any other troll. I've got a great family and so many awesome friends. I enjoy things like playing games or riding Steve around Bergen Town and especially magic practice with Nonna. I've felt loneliness at times, but I always had someone who loved me nearby.
"What I mean is, what if I didn't go on this adventure to find who I am? What if I did all this just to get my colors so I'd feel like I belonged somewhere? On that note, why did I even care what everyone else thought? The last time a kid made fun of my colors, I threw a ball into his nose. And why do I care so much about what other people might think of me? The only opinions I really care about are the ones coming from the people who love me." Ash looked to Eclipse, remembering her words, and he sighed heavily. "Sorry. I'm just finally understanding what everyone—you all included—has been telling me all along."
"Well, to be fair, maybe saying the same thing over and over again wasn't the most helpful. None of us know what it's like to be grey all the time. Zuli's case is special, of course." Harper said. "But you know who does understand? Your dad. He was grey longer than any troll in history."
"And I might end up breaking that record." Ash said. "So I better start talking to him more often if I'm having problems. I just can't believe I had to go on a crazy, wild adventure to figure this all out. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret this quest at all. I'm still grey, but I met some great new friends!"
"And you've changed all our lives in the process." Sir Tandeth added. "If you hadn't found me, I'd probably still be in the Fearsome Forest."
"I would not have the opportunity to see the other troll kingdoms." Zuli said.
"I finally have friends my age, thanks to you." Finny said. "And I'm starting to learn to act like a normal kid."
"Despite everything I put you through, you didn't give up on me." Iris looked around, and everyone realized this was probably her first time back in Moonlight Kingdom since her banishment. "You, Ash, are the reason I could leave my past behind me and move on to a better future."
"And I'm happy I could help you all." Ash laughed. "There, see? I'm happy! Maybe I don't really know who I am, but who's to say I have to know that now? And what if who I am now is different from who I will be when I grow up? I'm only eleven. But whoever I am now and whoever I will be later doesn't matter if I can't accept my outside like I will my inside. I'm grey. I was born a grey troll because of something I couldn't control. What if I use this wishing star to wish for my true colors, but I stay grey?"
"We'd love you anyway." Harper reminded him.
Ash smiled gratefully. "Then it's about time I started loving myself. Maybe I'll get different colors someday. Maybe I'll be grey for the rest of my life. It might take a little longer to get used to the idea, but that doesn't mean I can't learn to be proud of who and what I am."
Prowlus and Harper hugged Ash tightly. 'We're really proud of you, Little Brother.' Prowlus signed.
"Thanks." Ash said. "But I still can't believe I had to go into that death trap of a castle to figure this all out. I really am an idiot."
"No, just insanely stubborn." Eclipse said. "Runs in the family. I sent you into the castle to test you, to see just how much you were willing to risk and sacrifice for this quest."
"That's why I wanted to go alone." Ash said. "I didn't want anyone else to risk anything of theirs. It's not fair to ask someone else to take a risk when I'm taking it myself."
"So then what will you do with the wishing star?" Gris asked. "You're not going to go back into that death trap of a castle to put it back, are you?"
Ash shook his head. "Not just because it'll be dangerous, but because the wishing star is so powerful. Dad told me all about these. A wishing star can grant almost any wish at all. They're complicated to make, but extremely valuable. I'm a little afraid of what might happen should it fall into the wrong hands. So I'm going to use this one now, to make sure it's used well."
"What are you going to wish for?" Zuli asked.
'You mentioned knowing what you wanted to do with both wishes.' Prowlus remembered. 'You used your colors wish to bring me back. What will the second wish be?'
Ash smiled, and he opened the locket. As the wishing star glowed, Ash shut his eyes and wished with all his heart. The wishing star became a golden smoke. This time, the smoke went to Finny and began to surround her.
"Uh, Ash?" Finny gulped.
"It's okay." Ash assured. "Just let it work."
Finny's wing that curled around her like a poncho unfurled, and she felt a tingling in her back. Everyone watched, wide-eyed, as a new wing grew from the stump on Finny's back. Once the new wing had grown, the golden smoke disappeared. Finny felt something she hadn't felt in a few years. She stretched one wing, and then stretched the other. She looked back and forth between the two wings, wondering if she was seeing things.
"You…" Finny stared at Ash in amazement. "You…my wings…."
"I couldn't stop thinking about what you said." Ash explained. "How you used to have so much fun flying around the treetops. I figured Dad or maybe Grandma Rosiepuff would be strong enough to magically regrow your wing. But this, I think, works better."
Finny tentatively flapped her wings. Muscle memory reminded her how to do it. "It feels great…"
"Go on, Finny!" Zuli encouraged. "Go touch that sky!"
Finny smiled broadly. She shot straight up, laughing and whooping. She flew so high up that she was a dot against the clouds. Everyone watched as Finny did a few aerial tricks. Then, she did a stoop dive like a falcon, and she tackled Ash to the ground.
"Thank you!" Finny squealed happily. "Thank you thank you thank you so so so so so very much!" Finny let Ash sit up, and she touched her face when she felt tears running down her cheeks. "Wait, what's this? Why am I crying? I'm so happy, how can I be crying?"
"It's okay!" Ash said cheerily. "Sometimes you cry when you're happy. That's normal."
"Okay, good." Finny took a few deep breaths to calm down. "I've wished for this for so long."
"That was very kind, my prince." Sir Tandeth said.
"You're like King Oz!" Gris pointed out.
"Who?" Harper asked.
"King Oz! He's from one of my favorite book series." Gris explained. "He's a wise and kind king who often grants wishes for people who are pure and gentle of heart. That's you, Ash."
"Maybe." Ash shrugged. He looked to his other friends. "Are there any other wishes I can grant?"
"I got one, actually!" Gris raised his hand as though he were a student in school. "Can we go home soon and safely?"
"I can grant that." Ash said. "I'll make sure everyone stays safe, and we'll go home very soon. Anyone else? Come on, really!"
"I have a wish!" Harper said. "Can we at least leave the Western Woods?"
"Let's grant that wish now. Come on!" Ash mounted Steve, and Sir Tandeth and Iris joined him. Prowlus and Harper climbed onto Ebony. Gris carried Finny and Zuli. Eclipse flew ahead, guiding everyone the quickest way out of the Western Woods. When they left the woods behind, they set up camp at the base of the mountains.
'Should we head home tomorrow?' Prowlus suggested.
"Great idea." Ash nodded. "I'm excited to see everyone back home."
"Pardon me, my prince, but are you still granting wishes to those who are worthy?" Sir Tandeth asked.
"Is there something I can get for you, Sir Tandeth?" Ash asked. "Especially after you nearly died saving me in those tunnels."
"If I am worthy of it, my prince, I am in need of a steed." Sir Tandeth said. "The crocodile, Steven, has become a very dear friend of mine. If I am to be an effective knight who can protect you, I need a mighty steed."
"What do you think, Steve?" Ash asked the crocodile.
Steve wagged his tail like a happy puppy, and he licked Sir Tandeth's helmet.
"Well, Sir Tandeth, I think you and Steve will make a great team." Ash said.
"May I please ask for something?" Iris asked timidly.
"If I can grant it, then wish it!" Ash said. He was having a lot of fun with this wish-granting thing.
"This is just something I've been thinking about for a while." Iris said. "A lot of the trolls from Moonlight Kingdom will either remember me or will have heard stories about me. But I will be remembered in a bad light, and I fear I will be treated unkindly. I cannot go back to trolls who cannot forgive me as you have. But I also don't want to be alone. Do you think you can direct me to a different troll village where I can live out the rest of my days?"
"I think I can figure that out." Ash nodded. "No worries." Iris smiled gratefully, and she accepted Ash's hug.
"My turn!" Zuli said. "There is a very serious promise made in my homeland. An oath of eternal friendship. That means that we will be true and forever friends. No matter where we go in our lives, our very souls will be bonded."
"I like that." Ash nodded. "How does it work?"
"We can complete it at your home." Zuli said. "We will create special gifts for each other to represent our friendship."
"That sounds lovely." Harper sighed blissfully.
The night began to wind down, and it looked like everyone would be going to bed soon.
"Hey, Ash?" Finny piped up. "I have a wish; and it's a wish I think anyone could grant."
"Lay it on me." Ash said.
"I want to know more about my family." Finny said. "Not just about my parents. Can anyone tell me more about the Mountain and Wing Troll Kingdoms?"
'I know the story.' Prowlus signed, translated by Harper. 'I was living in Moonlight Kingdom when King Yuki, Queen Snowstar, Prince Icestorm, King Cobalt, Princess Erika, and Princess Ariana visited Father. They were negotiating a peace agreement. Father told us the story about the feud. Many years ago, when the mountain trolls and wing trolls first met, a wing troll girl fell in love with a mountain troll boy. But when their relationship was discovered, there was a lot of fighting, and they were going to be forced to separate. The wing troll girl and the mountain troll boy later died, and each kingdom blamed the other.'
"When Branch heard the story, he tried to help the two kingdoms negotiate a peace." Eclipse added. "They had been on the edge of war for decades."
'Erika and Icestorm fell in love during the negotiations.' Prowlus continued. 'I and several of our friends kept it a secret. Unfortunately, they made a mistake, and their relationship was found by their grandfathers. King Yuki and King Cobalt were threatening war. Father managed to calm them, but the peace treaty they had made with Grandpa Peppy was now useless. Erika and Icestorm ran away during the night. We did not see them again until this quest. Father decided that Erika and Icestorm running away would be King Cobalt and King Yuki's punishment for fighting so much. The kings decided to limit contact with each other. They thought that not talking to each other might prevent war. But Father does say he worries they may start fighting again someday.'
Finny stared at the fire. "So, my parents' families….they never knew about me, huh?"
"I don't think they knew if Erika and Icestorm were alive." Harper admitted.
"Mom and Dad never talked about their families much beyond 'They hate us and always will.' They also didn't have a lot of nice things to say about Emperor Branch." Finny said. "After spending time with you guys, I don't know how much of what they said was actually true."
"Dad can tell you more, I'm sure." Ash said.
"Yeah, but I'm a little worried about what Emperor Branch will do since my parents basically abandoned their kingdoms and families." Finny admitted. "Plus, I don't know if I'll even find my parents again. Do they know where the Troll Tree Kingdom is? Will they want to go back if they know Emperor Branch is there?"
"Well, I don't think you're going to start a war if you come back with us." Harper said.
"If anything, you might be the one bringing peace." Zuli pointed out.
Ash gasped. "Wait, that's a great idea!"
"What is?" Finny asked.
"I think you might be the key to securing peace for the Mountain Troll Kingdom and the Wing Troll Kingdom!" Ash declared. "You are the child of both! You can bring them together!"
"Oh, I don't know, Ash." Finny said. "Even if what my parents said was a lie, what if some of it was true? I don't look like a mountain troll or wing troll."
"Yes, you do." Ash insisted.
"But my wings?" Finny tucked her wings in close.
"You'll look like a little angel troll to them." Iris said.
"Agreed." Sir Tandeth nodded.
Finny looked to Ash. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that we should make a slight detour to the Mountain Troll Kingdom. They're closer." Ash proposed. "We're going to bring the two kingdoms together, and they're going to have peace at last. You, Finny, will have the family you deserve."
Finny gulped a little. "Okay. Okay, sure. Let's try it."
"What's the plan, Ash?" Gris asked.
Ash settled into his leadership mindset, ready to guide everyone for his plan. "We need to split up. If this is going to work, we need to work together."