Find Me…I'm Lost
Hello.
I had a comment and a PM saying that I was "drawing out" this story for filler. The two have every right to their opinions, but so do I. I don't do filler in my stories. Ever. Everything has a reason to be in this tale because the threads attach in certain ways and will make sense at the end. I have the opinion that a story that is too short, usually lacks a lot of good character development and plot details. Not saying this to show that I took any offense to the comments. However, I am allowed to say that my story is flowing just the way it is supposed to.
Some have started calling this a redemption arc for Creek. I think it is. Though Branch and Poppy are very affected by Creek's actions, the story is supposed to show the growth of someone who realizes they had been wrong for a long time. Which means that we have to see the development of this growth so the story doesn't become...
"Once upon a time, we woke up. Argued, Made up. Declared our love and lived happily ever after. The end"
That is a bad story and not one you will see out of me.
Talk to you later and review even if you disagree with me totally. It is lovely to hear from everyone even if comments are constructive criticism.
Love,
Turtle-Babe
I own nothing. Nothing.
Chapter Nine
"You will rule well once you take over your duties," Creek grinned out as Branch turned to him in surprise at the words, "You don't hold yourself higher than others. That means that your subjects will know you truly care for their wellbeing. That is why you will never be a token prince, Mate."
"Flatterer," Branch chuckled, leaning back in his chair, "I don't know, Creek. I feel all out of sorts. Kind of like there is a pull at me to be…"
"To be, what?" Creek pushed once the prince had trailed off.
"To be somewhere else perhaps?" Branch seemed to question himself as Creek inwardly cheered that the hope of Branch remembering himself was close, "Probably just a trick of mind since I've lost so many memories. Maybe I am thinking I need to be at one of the snow forts or something. Everything is so different and new feeling. Did you know that even my eyes have changed?"
"I do," Creek admitted with a frown, "You're eyes matched your siblings. They were once a lovely shade of blue, Mate. The silver is a bit disconcerting for me since I've always known you with blue eyes."
"Was told that my eyes are penetrating now," Branch joked, waggling his eyebrows as Creek laughed at him, "I've enjoyed our time together, but you should retire soon, Creek. Bhen said rest will help your hip the most."
"Sounds good to me," Creek nodded out, handing Branch his mug, "Thank you again, my prince. You were kind to stand up for me. Your brother can be intimidating."
"He's big, but mostly just all bark," Branch sniffed as Creek rolled his eyes, showing he didn't believe one word, "Frost is not so bad. He is so caring and loves his people as fiercely as he loves his family. You shouldn't fear our king."
"Hm. Fear might be too harsh a word. Perhaps saying 'healthy respect to not displease' would be better?" Creek snorted as Branch chuckled at him, "Again, thanks for today. Good night, Prince Branch."
"Good night, Creek," Branch called as the other troll limped over to his doorway in the prince's room.
Creek closed his door behind him and jumped in surprise to see Kiv sitting on his bed.
"Sorry to startle you, but did I hurt you bad?" Kiv whispered so Branch wouldn't know that the guard had snuck in, rising quickly to allow Creek to sit on his bed, "I am so sorry. I wasn't literally trying to hit you with my ice."
"I know and I'll be fine," Creek assured as Kiv breathed a sigh of relief, "Hip should be almost healed in a couple of days."
"Good because that is when the storm ends," Kiv began as Creek straightened to listen carefully, "You have a limited window to get Prince Branch home since another howler could blow in very quickly. I've managed to find a snow ferret that can pull your sled that no one should miss right away. Snow ferrets can move quickly as long as the load is light. You will not be able to take many supplies with you so you must move fast."
"Got it. I've managed to nick a sleeping tonic from Healer Bhen," Creek admitted, showing Kiv the bottle he'd hidden beneath the bed, "I hate to do that to Prince Branch since he won't understand what is happening. This time, I know that the prince won't grow ill since this is fine for ice trolls as well as warm climate trolls, but it will immediately keep him from being able to use ice or his hair to fight me. Are you sure that you can delay the twins following us? I've got to get Prince Branch to Poppy and jog his memories before his siblings show up."
"I'll do my very best, Creek, but I can't promise that the king and queen won't be right on your heels," Kiv sighed as Creek nodded his understanding, "I've got a map here that will lead you on a shortcut that few know about. That will buy you some time. Memorize this and then burn the map or this will be proof of my aid and the end of me."
"Don't you admit to anything, Mate," Creek hissed as Kiv gaped at him, "If I'm caught, I'll take all blame. You protect the prince for me and get Poppy if I fail. She will be able to help Prince Branch. I know it. If all else fails, you get Poppy, okay?"
"I promise," Kiv agreed, "Two days, Creek. Memorize that map."
Creek did and burned the map completely that very night. Two days later, he cursed himself when he caught Prince Branch from behind as the troll struggled while Creek held the rag of sleeping tonic over the prince's nose and mouth. Prince Branch's eyes held such a look of betrayal as he arched to see his attacker that Creek's heart hurt terribly.
"I'm so sorry, Mate," Creek whimpered as Branch fought him before finally going limp, "Please know that I'm doing this for you. Alright, up we go."
Creek flipped the still troll over his shoulder and hurried as fast as his healing hip would allow him through the servant tunnels to reach the escape route. Prince Branch rested for a good two to three hours each day since he was still recovering from his illness and cleansing which is why Creek had snatched the prince at this time. That gave Creek a good head start. Kiv met him at the sled.
"The king and queen will be in a meeting for hours," Kiv grunted as he took Branch from Creek and tucked him under many furs on the one man sled, "Put on the white poncho I gave you and hide your hair in the hood. It will be harder to spot white against snow which is why everything on the sled is also white. Creek, keep Prince Branch safe. I'm trusting you to be the bodyguard you've been training to become. Don't allow harm to befall our prince."
"Our prince." Creek pulled on the poncho and retied his belt around his waist as the words played in his head. Was Branch really his prince? Was his honor guard vows real to him?
"Yes," Creek whispered as Kiv looked up from strapping Branch safely down so the purple troll spoke louder, "Yes, Kiv. I'll keep our prince safe. I swear it. No tricks, no manipulations, just the honest to troll wish to see Prince Branch restored to who he truly is. I'll protect him with my life."
"Then go and may fast winds spur you on," Kiv spoke as he stood and placed a hand on Creek's shoulder while he kneeled, "I hope this plan works. You remember the rein training I gave? Good. Keep a steady speed and don't wear out Grittle."
"Grittle?" Creek asked before seeing the ferret look up at him, "Oh, his name is Grittle."
"Her," Kiv snorted, placing goggles over Creek's eyes, "Go before you are discovered. Safe travels, Creek."
Creek nodded quickly at his comrade in thanks. Grimacing, Creek pulled his hood up and hid his hair before snapping the reins to get Grittle going. Kiv's plan was to use this old tunnel to reach a rarely used back way towards home. The tunnel would hide his escape and he'd come out into the open far away from the palace. Creek felt like his insides were being jiggled into disorder, but soon got a handle on riding the sled footboards. Branch slept on without any awareness of what was happening. Kiv had also hidden the prince's mane well beneath the blankets. All Creek could see was Branch's closed eyes whenever he'd lean over to check on his charge.
"Let's go, Grittle," Creek urged as the ferret sped up, "Steady on."
It took little time to leave the tunnel and reach the snowy lands of this region. The wind was cold, but Creek was getting used to these lands to a point. He kept the mountains in sight and lined up the landmarks to keep on the right path as Kiv had taught him. One hour crept by and Creek felt his muscles aching. Another hour crept by and Creek checked on his prince to make sure he was breathing and well before taking off again. The third hour crept by and Creek was getting sick of seeing nothing but bits of scraggly trees and snow. Another hour past and Creek hissed when a great icy explosion boomed far back from whence he'd come.
"Frost," Creek gasped, watching as the mountain behind him shook with another explosion while small avalanches began piling up snow here in there, "He knows. Prince Branch, we've got to get you home. Go, Grittle! Run, Mate! Go!"
Creek snapped the reins and kept urging Grittle to get going. In his rush, Creek nearly caused a terrible crash when he happened on a small group of struggling figures. Creek engaged the brake to try and keep from hitting anyone.
"Whoa, Girl!" a voice spoke as an ice troll grabbed Grittle's harness, "Calm down there. Who in the great ice wall do you think you are racing this poor girl so hard and using this path?! Who are you?"
"I…please, I have no time," Creek snapped, leaping to place himself in front of a vulnerable Branch while his hood fell back exposing his face and mane, "I need to be on my way. Let Grittle go."
"Creek?!"
Creek gasped at the voice and turned only to find a mass of pink hair hurtling his way. His training snapped in and Creek dodged Poppy's attack. He surprised even himself at his natural reaction to shield himself.
"It's you!" Creek cheered, forgetting the moment and launching himself to hug Poppy as the queen squeaked her surprise while the Snack Pack gaped at what was going on, "Thank the Troll Tree that you are here!"
"Get off me!" Poppy snarled, pushing Creek away in justifiable anger, 'Where is he? Where is my Branch you kidnapping, traitorous, mean, horrible thing?!"
Creek grimaced at the pink troll's rage. Poppy rarely showed anger and it was a bit disconcerting to see on one that was usually so happy. He'd brought this out in the queen. This was Creek's fault and he knew it.
"Here," Creek insisted, pointing at his cargo quickly, "I have your Branch. He's here, sleeping and I need to explain everything, but we've got to go. The king and queen can't get a hold of him. Let's go!"
"Shut up!" Poppy snapped.
The queen pushed past Creek to get to Branch while her friends hurried after her. Creek cursed and tried to follow as the ice troll finally released Grittle and grabbed the purple troll's arm. Creek tried to twist away in his anxiousness to convince Poppy that they needed to leave. Now.
"Wait, wait," the familiar troll spoke as Creek looked up at the stranger, "You're that Creek creature that I saw taken to the palace. You came to my tribe and now you want to leave? What is going on? These poor trolls have worked their skins off trying to find you and the troll you stole. Queenie has been worried sick for her laddie."
"I know," Creek hissed, yanking his arm from the troll, "I take full responsibility for my actions, but this isn't the time or place. Look, Poppy's 'laddie' is in serious danger and I know that I caused all of this, but he can't be found. I need to tell you all the whole story, but we haven't the time. He can't be taken back to that palace. We need to go!"
"Why?" Poppy demanded, looking up from checking on Branch, "What have you done now, Creek?"
Creek grimaced that the queen knew he'd done something again. The messes he kept making seemed to get bigger with time.
"I accidentally uncovered a huge secret that involves Branch and then everything just blew up worse, Poppy," Creek admitted, wringing his hands as he watched the horizon, "We need to go! Now! You, who are you?"
"Names Thorn," Thorn bit out, glaring down at Creek.
"You have no idea who this is, do you? This is your prince, Master Thorn," Creek insisted as Thorn startled while the other trolls gasped loud at Creek's words, "Lost, younger brother to the king and queen. He needs shelter and safe passage."
"Im-impossible," Thorn stuttered while the rest of the trolls were giving Creek looks of disbelief and rolling their eyes, "My king and queen have no other siblings. You lie."
Creek sighed and stomped over to the sled.
"Recognize the color?" Creek asked, revealing Branch's mane enough for Thorn to gasp loudly and drop to one knee in reverence of seeing a royal family member, "The story is complicated and long and you all need to know the truth. You helped Poppy and the others, Master Thorn. Please, please help me set what I did right again. Poppy needs to know the whole story so she can help the prince. I can explain everything. The whole truth of the matter and why Prince Branch needs to be with Poppy so badly. Please."
Thorn glanced up at Creek in surprise before everyone looked up at a far off explosion. Frost was angry and moving fast.
"This way," Thorn decided finally as he took the reins of the sled, "I can use ice to hide our travel. I know of a cave that can give us shelter that no other troll knows about. Come."
Creek limped after the group before grunting in surprise as a river of ice snatched him and the rest of his old tribemates up to follow the retreating sled. It was several moments later that Thorn drove the sled into a cave hidden so well it looked like solid rock. Thorn sealed the entrance with more ice before hunkering over an old fire pit filled with fresh wood.
"My grandpa of several generations back found this cave," Thorn began, lighting a fire with great expertise, "Made adjustments that my family has added to over many years. Fire won't give us away. The smoke is pulled through a wind tunnel and comes out on another side of the mountain. We'll be safe here for the time being."
Creek sighed in relief as the rest bustled around him. Thorn lifted Branch to tuck him closer to the fire as Poppy watched everything anxiously before she glued herself to her lad's side.
"Tell your story," Poppy hissed, sitting by Branch as she uncovered his head to check on him, "What have you done to Branch?"
Creek sighed and began his tale as the trolls gathered around the fire to stay warm and listen. He was barely into the story when he was interrupted.
"Half-ice troll?" Thorn snorted a while later, "I knew it!"
"You…you did?" Poppy questioned.
"Wondered why there seemed to be so much attention shown to one, sunny troll of your tribe," Thorn admitted, "My king and queen could care less about warm climate trolls, Queenie. No offense meant, but our tribes have never needed to intermingle in the past. Started wondering what was so special about your little laddie that my rulers would be so interested in finding out about him. Started wondering if Branch might be a half breed since you all said he was certainly born to the warm climate tribe, but some of what you described about him sounded a lot like characteristics of my people."
"But you said he was Thorn's prince, Creek," Poppy pointed out as the troll nodded, "How is that possible?"
"He is the younger brother of the ruling twins of the ice trolls," Creek continued while gasps and murmurs met his words, "His mother set out to find a male of our tribe to breed an ice troll that could use ice and our hair abilities. Ice trolls can use frost to disguise their hair like ours and the prince's mother was very petite for being from these lands. I think she was planning on spiriting Prince Branch back here as an infant, but Bergens got to her before that happened. None of us knew the truth since Prince Branch was a normal height for his birth tribe. Plus, his ice has been sleeping within him so there was few clues that he is of two bloods. His brother and sister just recently awakened his ice, but they did so only to…ack!"
Chaos erupted when Branch launched up from his pallet after having used his hair to knock Creek over.
To be continued…