Chapter Twenty-Three – Finally Know
Prowlus and Harper put Ash to bed, tucking him in and sneaking out of the room to let him rest. The travelers joined the royal family for dinner. There was much talking and laughing during the meal, and everyone was in awe that Ash finally received his colors.
"I can't wait to see his face tomorrow!" Harper squealed. "He's going to be so excited!"
'I know he said he was ready to learn to accept his grey colors, but I always knew he'd get his true colors someday.' Prowlus beamed proudly.
Iris glanced to her hands. She pulled down a bit of her hair. Though her skin was still mostly grey, her hair started to look purple again. "Those colors suit him. He's going to be thrilled."
"I wonder what finally brought them out." Finny said. "Was it the magic?"
"The colors did not show up until we had come into contact with the prince." Sir Tandeth mused.
"We'll ask him about it when he wakes." Zuli suggested. "And then will we journey back to the Troll Tree Kingdom?"
"Yes, absolutely." Harper agreed.
"We'll be going home soon, too." Cobalt said.
"Already?" Finny asked, pouting a little.
"We will see each other again, as often as possible." Ariana assured. "No way will we miss out on seeing you whenever we can."
Finny looked relieved. She hugged Cobalt. "I'm glad. I'm so happy. It's so dumb how happy I am!" She seemed to catch herself, and she sat down quickly. "Um, Queen Snowstar?"
"Nanna, my dear granddaughter." Snowstar corrected with a smile.
"Nanna, I have to warn you: I'm not a normal kid. I was raised wrong." Finny said.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Yuki asked.
"She just had a very different childhood." Harper explained. "Developed some bad habits, you could say."
"We'll do what we can to help you." Snowstar lovingly tousled Finny's hair. Finny tensed a little at the touch, but melted soon after.
Everyone trickled off to bed after finishing their dessert. Prowlus and Harper had their own room, where they changed into the nightdresses left for them by Snowstar. Prowlus hugged Harper around her waist in the middle of her hair brushing, and she giggled. She handed him the brush so he could finish detangling her hair. Then they crawled into bed and cuddled close together.
"You know, since we're engaged, we could maybe skip ahead to the moving in together part when we get home." Harper suggested.
Prowlus nodded happily.
"We can move into my pod, since you still live in the royal pod with Branch and Poppy." Harper offered. "I promise I have lots of space. Might just have to clean up the art stuff."
Prowlus snuggled closer to his fiancée. He yawned, his eyes already fluttering shut.
Harper kissed Prowlus's cheek. "Love you, Prowlus." She pulled the blankets closer around them.
Then, Harper felt something hit her face. She sat up a little and saw a light flitting about the room. A streak of rainbow lights carried a piece of paper through the room and dropped it on Harper's lap. The folded paper had Ash's name written on it.
"What on earth?" Harper picked up the paper and unfolded it. She read the writing inside, and her eyebrows furrowed. "Prowlus. Prowlus, wake up!"
Prowlus woke thanks to Harper shaking him, and he sat up. His face indicated his confusion.
"Prowlus, look at this." Harper showed Prowlus the note. "It says, 'Bring us our daughter or we'll kill you.' You don't think…"
'Erika and Icestorm. It must be.' Prowlus agreed.
"If they're here, why didn't they just come to the castle?" Harper wondered.
'We should go find out.' Prowlus said. 'Something doesn't feel right about this.'
"I'll go alone, and I'll take Ebony." Harper offered. "You stay here and cover for me."
'I do not want you to go alone.' Prowlus shut his eyes meditatively.
Eclipse appeared at their bedside. "Good evening. You called?"
"Can you read Prowlus's mind?" Harper asked incredulously.
"In a way, yes." Eclipse nodded. "How may I help you?"
'This letter came for Ash. We think it's from Icestorm and Erika.' Prowlus pointed to the note, and Harper showed it to Eclipse.
Eclipse hummed in thought as she read over the brief letter. "I can find them, if that's what you want."
"Yes, and I'm going with you to confront those two. I want to give them a piece of my mind." Harper said.
"Very well. Then put on your coat and boots, and mount Ebony." Eclipse instructed.
It didn't take long for Eclipse to locate the former prince and princess, and she led Harper and Ebony through the darkness of the mountains. Harper had a lantern; but if she didn't have Eclipse to guide her, she wouldn't have a clue where to go. It was almost pitch black with partly cloudy night skies. Eclipse's glowing form was easy to follow to a cave less than a mile from the Mountain Troll Kingdom.
"I'm afraid this is where you go alone." Eclipse said. "But I will be nearby and invisible. I will step in if you need help."
"I'm tougher than I look, Eclipse." Harper assured. "Just stay close, in case things get dangerous." She steered Ebony to the cave, stopping at its entrance. Harper slipped off Ebony's back and carefully stepped into the cave. She shined her lantern all around her, searching for Erika and Icestorm.
Something jutted into her bubble of light, and Harper jumped back. A sharp-beaked bird hissed at her.
"Frosty, sit!" Harper barked.
Frosty shut his beak. He wasn't used to being ordered around. Most were intimidated by him.
"Impressive, Miss Harper." Icestorm emerged into the light, followed by Erika. "Very few have stood up to Frosty in the past."
"Where is the grey prince?" Erika demanded.
"He couldn't make it. I came in his stead." Harper answered coolly.
"Then perhaps you can tell us what happened to Phoenix!" Icestorm snapped. "Erika and I went to the Troll Tree, and we heard you had gone to the Mountain Troll Kingdom of all places! What were you thinking?"
"It was Ash's idea." Harper explained. "He wanted there to be peace between the kingdoms."
"That's not possible." Erika insisted. "I believe we expressed that very clearly to all of you."
"But you were wrong." Harper smiled a little. "Finny is now officially a princess, the heir to the Mountain Troll Kingdom throne, and she has brought peace between your families. You should see your grandfathers. They adore her."
"Peace will never be fully attained between our kingdoms! You're lying!" Erika screamed, her voice echoing in the cavern.
"I am not lying, Erika." Harper snapped. "Come with me to the kingdom, and I'll show you."
"No! We'll never go back." Icestorm declared. "We swore we'd stay away when we realized our families would never accept us. You can't make us go back."
"Maybe I can't, but I can sure try to convince you." Harper said. "Your daughter misses you, and—"
"Our daughter is dead. You're just trying to trick us into going back so we can be separated again." Erika growled.
"Why would I do that?" Harper demanded. "Ash even said that if your families hadn't accepted Finny, we'd take her back to you or even give her a good home in the Troll Tree. But there was no need for it! Yuki and Cobalt are actually getting along for once!"
"Lie after lie you tell us, and we will not believe a single one." Icestorm said. "We know our grandfathers better than you. They would never accept a half-breed child."
"That's your 'half-breed child,' and she's worried about you." Harper growled.
"We won't fall for your tricks." Erika said stubbornly. "You weren't there when our grandfathers nearly started a war just to keep us apart."
Harper groaned. "You two are so self-centered! You know, maybe Finny is better off without you! Heaven knows you weren't the best parents for her!"
"Well we didn't even want a kid in the first place!" Erika screamed again.
Harper's angry expression turned into one of shock. She was stunned into silence. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Look, we didn't want a kid." Icestorm scoffed. "That girl was a mistake."
"She's a miracle!" Harper corrected. "The idea of two different troll breeds creating a child together? Nobody could imagine it! It's never been attempted! Until Finny came along, no one knew if it was possible."
"Miracle or mistake, we still didn't want her!" Icestorm sighed in frustration. "Have you ever heard of a plant called Queen Anne's lace?"
"No." Harper said sassily.
"It's an herb grown and harvested in the Wing Troll Kingdom to prevent pregnancies." Erika explained. "If taken daily, it can keep you from getting pregnant. Icestorm and I have both been taking it religiously for years. I guess we forgot one lousy time and it resulted in Phoenix."
"I understand that, sometimes, people aren't ready for kids and then poof they get pregnant." Harper said. "But that is no excuse to neglect your daughter! You still had to be her parents, and you failed her!"
"Hey, we had a perfectly good life going on before it got ruined by a stupid baby!" Erika snapped.
"Having a baby does not ruin your life!" Harper sighed heavily. "Why am I even arguing with you? You're just a couple of stubborn, selfish brats."
"At least we came back to see if Phoenix survived your murderous mission to the mountain trolls." Icestorm said. "If she had been alive, we would've taken her with us. But if that grey git of a prince couldn't answer our letter and follow our demands, it means he's too much of a coward to face his mistake."
"You don't deserve to have Finny as a daughter." Harper growled.
"Like we told you: we never wanted one anyway." Erika scoffed as she and Icestorm mounted Frosty. "Take this warning back to your friends: we will not hunt down Prince Ash; but if he ever crosses our path again, we'll kill him."
"If you want to hurt him, you'll have to go through a lot of people who love him." Harper promised.
"Then you better hope we never run into him!" Erika threatened. Icestorm kicked Frosty's flanks, and the snow phoenix took off over Harper's head. Ebony hissed at Frosty as he burst from the cave and disappeared into the night.
Harper emerged from the cave and glared in the direction the former royals left. "Rotten, trashy trolls."
Eclipse appeared next to Harper. "We will ensure they don't make the same mistake. Come. We must report back to Prowlus."
The girls headed back to the kingdom. Harper returned Ebony to the stables, and Eclipse helped Harper sneak back up to her and Prowlus's room. Once there, they reported to Prowlus everything that happened in the cave.
Prowlus's face never before portrayed such anger. He made several signs that Harper didn't care to repeat nor translate.
"Prowlus, be calm." Eclipse soothed. "We must make a decision. What shall we do with this information?"
"We need to tell Finny, of course." Harper said.
Prowlus shook his head in disagreement. 'She already accepted that she may never see her parents again. Why should we be the ones to tell her that her parents never really loved her?'
"But if there is any hope that Icestorm and Erika might come back, how can we let people live on a false hope?" Harper protested. "And Ash needs to know that he needs to run if he ever encounters them again."
'Icestorm and Erika do not strike me as trolls who keep their words.' Prowlus said. 'But they also won't go to the trouble of trying to track down Ash. They want to escape to a life free of their families, including Finny. I doubt we will see them again.'
"It is hard for me to admit this, but I think Prowlus has a point." Eclipse agreed. "Ash shouldn't have to spend his life worrying about a supposed target on his back. Besides, I have devoted my afterlife to guarding Ash. I can protect him. However, I believe we should at least tell Cobalt and Yuki. You are right, Harper. They should not live on false hope. They need to be content with Icestorm and Erika's daughter."
Harper sighed. "Sounds like a fair compromise."
"We will inform them in the morning." Eclipse said. "Also, Harper, I need your help. We should be able to find the ingredients back at the Troll Tree. Branch is good at keeping potion ingredients on hand."
"What potion?" Harper asked.
"You're going to concoct an infertility potion, and I will help you find Icestorm and Erika so you can slip it into their drinks." Eclipse explained. "Those two don't deserve children, even if they want them in the future."
'But they tried to stop themselves from getting pregnant, and it did not work.' Prowlus looked confused.
"Magic potions are much more potent; and, oftentimes, permanent." Eclipse assured.
"Well, I'm with you." Harper decided.
"Good. For now, sleep." Eclipse encouraged the pair to bed. "We will discuss things with the kings tomorrow."
Early in the morning, before everyone else had awoken for breakfast, Harper and Prowlus approached Cobalt and Yuki to explain what Harper discovered last night. Needless to say, the elder kings were heartbroken to hear such hateful things from their grandchildren. But, reluctantly, they accepted the information and even thanked Harper for finding answers. They each reaffirmed their promise to love Finny and raise her well. When everyone gathered for breakfast, Yuki and Cobalt did not look like they received poor news.
"Where is Ash?" Zuli asked.
"Yeah, I thought he'd be super-hyped. You know, having his colors and all that." Finny wolfed down her breakfast. "Hey Nanna, what is this stuff?"
"That's gypsy toast." Snowstar said.
"And this sticky stuff?" Finny practically drowned her food in the bronze-colored liquid.
"Maple syrup." Yuki answered.
Finny shoveled more of her breakfast into her mouth. "It's so good."
"Wipe your mouth, little princess." Cobalt handed Finny a napkin.
"Yes, Grandfather." Finny's cheeks were bulging like a chipmunk with acorns in its cheeks.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Zephyr scolded gently.
Finny swallowed the toast in three big gulps. "Sorry. Hey, you guys are leaving today, aren't you?"
"Sadly so, my niece." Ariana gently hugged Finny. "But we'll be back soon."
"Can she come for the festival?" Ellie requested.
"I don't see why not." Cobalt said. "Any of the festivals, really. And Queen Snowstar and King Yuki are welcome to join you."
"Then you ought to come up for some of our celebrations." Yuki said. "That is, if you can handle the cold. Wouldn't want your wings to freeze solid."
"It would require a much colder temperature than your mountains to freeze our wings." Cobalt said matter-of-factly.
Yuki coughed a little. "Um…that was a joke…"
Cobalt nearly choked on his tea. "Oh. Of course. I knew that." There was some giggling from the awkwardness of the kings' conversations.
"They'll get better at being friendly, I'm sure." Ariana whispered to Harper.
"I'm sure, too." Harper agreed. "Ash really needs some congratulations for this. I was a little afraid it wouldn't work."
"Is he going to be all right?" Sir Tandeth asked. "He's been asleep for so long."
"I had a very good friend named Eclipse, who was a sorceress herself." Yuki assured. "She has said that magicians often need more rest when they use a lot of magic."
"I just want to see his reaction." Iris said. "I bet he'll be thrilled."
Everyone jumped at an excited whooping that seemed to ring throughout the castle. Then, there came the speedy taps of a child's footsteps on the stone floor. The door to the dining hall flew open, and Ash stood there with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.
"Guys!" Ash laughed. "Do you see this?! I finally got my colors!"
"We saw." Harper laughed.
"Congratulations, my liege." Sir Tandeth said.
"I gotta show Gris, too! Where is he?" Ash asked.
"He's having a picnic breakfast outside." Snowstar said.
"This is awesome!" Ash's face dropped to a worried frown. "Wait, is this a dream? Am I dreaming right now? When did my colors even show up?"
"Yesterday, after you passed out." Zuli explained. "We all wrapped you up in the biggest group hug, and your colors just magically appeared!"
"But how?" Ash wondered. "What did I do to make them come out? Was it because I finally stopped worrying about them? Because if that's the case, that's totally bogus."
"Well, do you have a better idea of who you are?" Finny asked.
"You know, a troll's colors shine brightest when they're with people they love." Snowstar pointed out.
Ash stared at his hands. Then he looked around to all his friends. "My colors didn't come out until all of you guys hugged me?"
"We were worried about you, kid." Iris said. "You risked a lot to protect us."
"You're our friend, Ash, and friends stick together." Harper said.
"Friends stick together…" Ash grinned. "Yeah. Friends are not too many levels away from family, anyway."
"A very good point, my prince." Sir Tandeth said.
"I'm going to tell Gris right now!" Ash piled some breakfast on a spare plate and then sprinted away, much to the amusement of his friends.
Just as Snowstar said, Gris was having breakfast by a small bonfire in the courtyard. "Ash! You got your colors! You look awesome!"
"I feel awesome!" Ash laughed.
Hey Gris, check this out
It's what this quest was all about
I think I know who I really am
Even if it wasn't quite according to plan
Who am I?
Now I finally know
Look at how far I had to go
Wouldn't trade this adventure for anything
Found my colors, and I want to sing
Met some new friends along the way
Bonds made that were meant to stay
Finally I know
Think I understand
Who I am!
A/N: Fun fact: "gypsy toast" is another name for "French toast"
Song: "Who Am I" reprise 3/Finale