Find Me…I'm Lost
Okay. This is a unique take on Trolls. I wouldn't exactly call this an alternate universe, but it is a little different. Bear with me, but also tell me what you think…good or bad. This is a look into what could possibly be.
I own nothing. Nothing.
Chapter Thirteen
"And Poppy's feelings are always right," Biggie grinned out before sobering, "Let's just hope your Bean can help Branch so he can forgive you."
"Bhen," Frost corrected softly as Biggie blushed, "What is that thing you hold?"
"My pet glowworm, Mr. Dinkles," Biggie said, holding up his swaddled pet, "This weather makes him sleepy."
"Ah. Odd little thing, but not without it's charm," Frost muttered, glancing at the sleeping worm as Biggie puffed up proudly at the praise before everyone jumped as the door to Branch's room flew open, "Bhen?!"
"Get in here, my king," the old healer ordered urgently, "The prince's ice is out of control and yours is the closest match to help Prince Branch suppress his powers. You come too, my queen. Hurry!"
"Come on, Sister," Frost ordered, racing inside with Crystal right behind him.
"Wait!" Poppy called, taking a step towards the door.
Creek growled when the door was closed firmly behind the ice twins. He knew that this was an emergency, but there was a whole group of trolls in the hallway worried too and no one had thought of them. Or of the fact that Branch's soulmate was hurting for her lad. Murmuring began as Poppy began to shake in her distress, making her friends converge around her for support. The purple-skinned troll slipped away in the commotion to quietly enter his old room. He didn't want to tell Poppy of the other entrance until he knew what was going on. Silently, Creek cracked the door that led to Branch's room so he could see inside. It wasn't good.
"Prince Branch," Creek whispered when he saw Frost desperately leaning over his brother as the smaller troll's body continued to buck in the throes of what looked like a seizure.
Branch was so pale that his normally sky blue skin looked the lightest of blue-white and there was bits of ice and frost creeping up the walls and over the bed sheets. Creek gritted his teeth in horror at what he was seeing.
"Do something!" Crystal ordered the healer as she held to Branch's ankles, "He'll injure himself or his heart will give out!"
"I'm trying," Bhen snapped, forgoing diplomacy as he tried to get some elixir down Branch's throat, but the troll was too out of it to cooperate, "This will stop the seizure, but I have not a clue how to deal with his ice. Frost is sucking up as much as he can, but it is like the young prince cannot contain his powers. His organs will shut down if I can't figure out what is happening."
Creek cursed before limping straight up to the bed as the three, ice trolls looked up at his entrance in surprise. Branch's aura shone hot with sharp, painful ice. It hurt just looking at it so what was Branch feeling right now? This had to end or they'd lose the prince.
"What about your opal, my queen?" Creek asked, turned to Crystal as her eyes widened in comprehension, "That thing can suppress memories. Can it do more than that?"
"Of course, Creek," Crystal eagerly agreed before stiffening when she realized she didn't have her necklace, "It's gone! The little queen!"
"Poppy, get in here!" Creek yelled, hobbling to the door as Poppy burst inside and gasped at seeing Branch's plight, "No questions! There isn't the time. Do you still have Queen Crystal's necklace? There is a chance that it can help Prince Branch."
"Please tell me you still have it," Crystal begged, hurrying over.
"Here," Poppy breathed, pulling the opal from her hair to toss to the queen while the rest of the waiting trolls gathered outside the door to watch, "Please, help him!"
"We're trying," Crystal snapped, looking scared, "Please work."
Crystal had already placed the oval opal to her brother's forehead by then. Branch's seizing lessened and finally died off as the gem glowed softly against his skin. Frost lay his hand against Branch's chest and literally pulled every inch of frost and ice straight into his own body before groaning softly.
"There is so much that is building," Frost fussed, taking a cloth from Bhen to try and wipe some more blood that dribbled from Branch's lips, "It's like he's being ripped into pieces. What is this? What is happening, Bhen?"
"Branch's system is too small to handle the power of his ice," Bhen admitted, making the whole room grow absolutely silent, "I think I finally figured out why ice trolls and warm-climate trolls shouldn't have children of shared blood since this would be the truth of all half breed offspring. This was the first time that the little prince used his abilities to their fullest and the side effects have revealed a terrible truth. The 'hot' ice that you said Creek can sense is Prince Branch's powers overloading so bits of ice shards are developing in the lad's bloodstream. There is already damage being done to his heart as we speak. He is literally being torn up inside as the ice rips into his organs. That is why he bleeds from the mouth."
"No," Frost moaned as his eyes glowed white and he pulled more ice that had formed around Branch into himself, "Sister, what can we do?"
"We cannot undo what we've done, Frost. Once ice is awakened it will not sleep again," Crystal groaned as her brother cursed, "But there might be another way. Bhen, do you think I could possibly bond the ice opal to Branch? The opal's powers are to suppress."
The healer hummed in thought as Frost had to again pull more ice within him to keep Branch from damaging himself worse.
"That just might work, but the prince's abilities are very strong," Bhen pointed out, "The ice opal can only do so much and will not be as strong out of our lands. However, I can prepare a medicine that can suppress the remainder of his ice. The elixir would have been worthless before because it wouldn't have helped with all Prince Branch's ice, but if the opal works, it will be invaluable to suppress the remainder. However, vigilance will be necessary. He'll need to take the medication on a regular basis and also whenever his ice tries to flare up again. The problem is, that once Prince Branch feels his ice flaring, it could already be too late for his weakened heart."
Frost and Crystal gasped and looked desperate for a moment. That was, until something seemed to dawn on the large king.
"Unless there is a being that can see his ice," Frost gasped, turning to Creek, "You! You can see my brother's ice within him, can't you? You sense things that others cannot."
"I can, my king," Creek nodded out, "You and your sister's ice looks like an ice-blue gem deep within you, but reading ice trolls' auras is much harder than reading those of my old tribe. I can see Branch's aura better, but his ice has always seemed different from you two, Mate. It started out ice-blue, but it looks almost like a diamond now and fills his whole aura with white, searing heat. The flare ups are agonizing for the prince and one is about to happen now."
Frost hissed as more ice formed around Branch which he immediately dealt with while Branch once again cried out in pain despite being unconscious. The prince's coloration was telling. Time was running out.
"Sister, bond the little one to the ice opal," Frost ordered as Crystal nodded and began to chant softly, "Weave the spell carefully. The opal needs to be reminded that our Branch is of royal blood. Hold on, Baby Brother. Just hold on."
Creek watched everything with wide eyes. Would this work? He was a bit surprised to feel Poppy latch onto his arm. She was so scared and really, so was Creek. Queen Crystal's chanting grew stronger as the ice opal suddenly took on a life of its own and began floating above Branch's chest on its own volition while Frost backed away from his brother.
"What is happening?" Poppy gasped as the oval opal began to spin in place before slowly seeming to unfold itself, "Creek?"
"I don't know," Creek whispered, watching with his inner eye before realizing that the soft moon-glow of the opal was causing the ebbing of the hot ice within Branch, "Whatever it is, it is working. The ice is slowing and dissipating inside of your lad, Poppy."
"Be silent!" Frost hissed, keeping his eyes glued to his siblings.
A blinding light flashed over the room and everyone had to blink their eyes before being able to see again. Everyone gasped in surprise as the opal's shape slipped into that of an intricate snowflake before magically settling upon Branch's chest. Crystal instantly latched the chain around her little brother's neck before placing her hand to Branch's forehead as she went still. Frost stepped forward eagerly when Crystal opened her eyes and sat on the edge of the bed, looking exhausted a moment later.
"Sister?"
"It is done, Brother," Crystal answered Frost, reaching to tuck Branch under the covers of the bed "The opal has accepted the little one as its new owner. You know the gem will only accept royal blood."
"I was a bit afraid that the opal might reject our brother over his other half," Frost breathed, sitting heavily in a chair, "Thank the softly falling snow that this worked."
"Agreed," Crystal sighed, "I was worried about that too, Brother, but it's working now. The ice opal must always remain around the little one's neck or his ice will flare and destroy Branch from the inside."
"He will also need this," Bhen insisted, handing Frost a cup of what looked like tea, "Get this into your brother quickly. This will deal with any left over ice flares. The lad must never use his ice again or he…he'd not survive another episode like this one."
The words drew murmurs and gasps from the Snack Pack as Poppy paled. Frost blew on the cup and lifted Branch up to slowly work the medicine bit by bit down his brother's throat. Branch choked a little, but eventually settled into what looked like a deep sleep as color began to slowly work its way back into his face. Creek saw the white diamond within Branch fade back into a very small ice-blue within Branch's aura. All the trolls breathed a sigh of relief once Bhen announced that the crisis was over.
"His organs will heal over the next few days, my king and queen" Bhen described, "The ice opal is helping with that, but it would be safer to get Prince Branch to warmer climates as soon as he is well enough to travel. We don't need our lands helping his ice to manifest."
"I see," Crystal breathed.
The twins looked at one another sadly as Creek's heart went out to them. They'd not be able to keep their little brother here. Good for Poppy, but not for the king and queen. Creek also knew that his prince couldn't lose his new family.
"You will visit often, right?" Creek questioned as the rulers glanced to him, "Branch will always, always need his family. He was eager to talk with you. Work things out. Losing you two would destroy him."
"Yes, it would," Poppy agreed, "Branch has lost too much over the years. He can't lose his older brother and sister. Oh, dear! Ice trolls can handle our warmer weather, right?"
"We can," Crystal assured, looking a little happier as Frost seemed to brighten a bit, "We will visit as often as we can. Branch is precious to us. Forgive us if we seem staid. My brother and I are feeling a lot of regrets right now…like we are losing Branch forever because we didn't think of his needs more."
Frost bit his lip as he nodded while reaching to hold his brother's hand in his. The king and queen were hurting.
"You are not losing your brother forever, my queen and king," Creek denied, "It is just that your brother needed to be with Poppy anyway and now his health needs are priority. Prince Branch will do better in warmer weathers."
"Though it saddens me to say it, Creek, you are right. Branch needs to be far from our lands," Crystal breathed, stroking a finger down Branch's pale cheek, "My heart already hurts at the thought of that."
"Agreed, but it is necessary, Sister. Creek, you have no idea how important you have become," Frost spoke up as Creek turned to him in surprise, "You are the only troll in existence that can keep our baby brother alive. Without your special sight, Branch would die. My sister and I cannot express to you how much we need you now. You have become Branch's permanent bodyguard for his life is literally in your hands."
Creek gasped at this before something horrible occurred to him.
"I…I want to protect my prince for as long as I am needed, but I am banished from Poppy's tribe, my king" Creek groaned in dawning realization as the ice twins stood in horror, "That is why I sought your tribe out in the first place."
"No, you aren't banished. Not anymore," Poppy denied, placing a hand on Creek's shoulder while the royal twins relaxed, "I lift the banishment. I am still furious that you kidnapped my lad and did what you did with the Bergens, but I am beginning to understand your thinking a little more now. I also appreciate all that you have done for my Branch since you realized that you'd acted wrong and tried to set things right. He will need you to watch over him and I won't deny Branch the troll he needs more than anyone else, in regards to his health. You will remain by his side, by order of the queen."
"Actually, he will remain by our baby brother's side by order of Queen Crystal and myself," Frost chuckled as Poppy turned to him, "Queen Poppy, Creek is of my tribe now. He is officially a member of the honor guard and is assigned to protect Prince Branch's health. Little Brother cannot go home with you unless Creek is by his side at all times. I can't allow Branch to leave without your promise that no one will hinder Creek's duties to his prince."
"I swear that Creek will be under my protection so he can do his duties," Poppy snorted as the twins blinked at her laughter, "My people are not as…surly as ice trolls. There won't be any problems with Creek coming home too once I explain the situation, right Creek?"
"Yes," Creek answered, hoping this was truth as he turned to the twins, "Warm climate trolls are very gentle natured. The worst that has ever happened between trolls was truly my betrayal. I am so, so sorry, Queen Poppy. I will never act so cowardly again. I've learned a lot in my time in these lands."
"It does seem that you've grown a lot in a short time," Crystal complimented as Creek blushed while Poppy squeezed Creek's shoulder, "Queen Poppy, it also seems that we might need to have a discussion when my brother is stronger. I think Master Thorn here can help us set up some good trading routes between our tribes. The land of ice grows no fruits or vegetables. It would be good to have a source to trade for some which will appease my twin here. Frost will want constant updates on Branch's health. He worries and frets. A lot."
"I'm the eldest," Frost sniped in irritation while Poppy and Creek hid smiles from the king, "It is my job to watch over my little sister and brother. I don't like that Branch will be so separated from us in the least. What if there is an emergency?"
"Enough, Frost," Crystal snickered, rolling her eyes before gesturing to Branch, "Today has been eventful and the little one needs undisturbed rest. We should eat and get some rest. Creek, do you sense anything amiss within our brother's…what do you call it, aura?"
Creek looked to Branch and smiled up at his king and queen.
"He is at peace at the moment," Creek described, making the twins turn to smile tenderly at their brother, "Prince Branch's ice has subsided into a normal state that is similar to what I sense in you two. However, I do sense some residual pain from the damage caused by his attack."
"I added some numbing medicine in the elixir I had you give to him, my king," Bhen spoke up, "That will help with his pain and he'll sleep for quite a while. I plan on keeping him in this state until most of the damage is healed so the young prince doesn't suffer any more than he already has. The more he rests, the quicker Prince Branch will strengthen so we can get him to warmer weathers."
Poppy eagerly joined into the conversation as plans were made on what to do next. Creek felt eyes on him and turned to see Kiv smiling at him. The smaller troll nodded at the guard's proud smile. They'd done well. The crisis with Branch's ice was unforeseen, but as long as Creek was vigilant, the prince would be fine. Creek took a step towards Kiv before gasping as agonizing pain raced down his leg and up his spine. He couldn't understand why the floor was growing closer or why Kiv was racing towards him before he blacked out completely.
To be continued…
Not quite over yet. What do you think so far?