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 Fifteen

Branch cuddled in his siblings arms as the three lay wrapped around one another. They'd had a very emotional talk which had worn all three of them out. It had been three days since he'd woken and his older siblings and he had finally been able to begin the process of really getting to know one another. He'd forgiven the twins over their love-driven mistakes in judgement, but had been more than shocked to discover his permanent need for Creek's presence. Good news was that his medicinal tea tasted pretty good so that wasn't a huge issues, but Creek? Branch played with the snowflake gem around his neck as he stared up at the ceiling. He and Poppy had also had a long conversation practically from the minute he was aware again.

"Hurting?" Branch hummed to himself, looking to the door that Creek lay behind.

Grimacing in left over pain from his internal healing, Branch eased himself from between his siblings and slipped down from the bed. He panted softly as he pulled on a robe while using furniture to help him get to Creek's room. There was a lot that Branch had to say to Creek, but the prince stilled when he finally saw the troll laying in his bed.

"Creek," Branch breathed, seeing the troll's paleness and obviously faded colors even as Creek's eyes flew open at the sound of his name, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"Wasn't asleep, my prince," Creek admitted, looking away in embarrassment for a second, "How are you feeling?"

"Shaky and a little uncomfortable," Branch answered honestly as Creek glanced at him and gestured to the chair beside the bed, "Yes, thank you, but more important, how are you?"

"Me?" Creek snorted while Branch made it to the chair to sit, "Hips killing me, but I've been told its healing well, my prince. Have a bit of a fever since Bhen says I'm fighting off some infection. You should be in bed, Mate."

Branch sniffed irritably as he grabbed one of Creek's hands to look at the troll's palm. Creek paled more as the prince traced some of the deeper scabs and fresh claw marks on Creek's hand.

"Creek, what is this?" Branch demanded as the other troll looked away, "Look at me now. What is this? Talk to me, Creek."

"It's nothing, my prince."

"This isn't nothing, Creek," Branch denied as Creek sighed with his head turned away, "Look at me."

Creek reluctantly looked back at his prince as Branch sighed himself at the defeated look in the other troll's eyes.

"How long has this been going on?" Branch questioned, "Tell me the truth."

"I swore I'd never, ever lie to you again if I could get your memories back for you, Prince Branch," Creek spat, looking away again, "This is fine and not been going on too long. At least, I don't think, anyway. I've just not been able to meditate to release any negative feelings recently and most times I don't even know that I'm clenching my fists so hard that…I don't feel the pain, my prince."

"Prince," Branch groaned as Creek looked back at him in question, "There may be royal blood from my mother in my veins, but I'm still just the same old Branch that you threw mud at when we were little."

"You kept having temper tantrums, Mate," Creek accused.

"Because you cheated every time we played a game," Branch bit back before both trolls chuckled for a moment at the memories flowing between them until the prince sobered again, "I don't like that you are hurting yourself, Creek. I want this to stop."

Creek shivered as Branch's hands reached to examine his other palm. Branch was being so gentle.

"I'm not doing it on purpose, my prince," Creek whimpered as Branch glanced up at him in surprise, "I'm so sorry. I don't know why I'm so emotional all the time. I don't cry. That isn't who I am, Mate."

"You're emotional because you're broken," Branch pointed out as Creek's eyes widened, "Let's just be very truthful and put everything out on the table. You've been broken ever since you betrayed the tribe and led to this big mess for everyone."

"I'm so sorry for…for everything," Creek moaned before stilling as a finger was placed to his lips.

"You've also given me back a family," Branch started, "You've made Poppy and I stop dawdling and admit that we are soul bonded. You opened up a chance for ice trolls and warm climate trolls to be allies. Our tribe has a way to trade for supplies with my mother's people and who knows what more will happen for the good of both tribes because of you."

"I also kidnapped you. Not once, but twice," Creek sniffled as the tears finally fell, "Nearly got you frozen to death while poisoning you with hazel root. And then couldn't protect you from being cleansed. All my fault."

"Then you risked everything to get me home despite the fears of my very large and very angry brother murdering you on the spot," Branch snorted, stroking Creek's hand in his, "You tried to sacrifice yourself so the rest of us could escape and I owe you a big smack for that knock on the head."

"Then your ice nearly killed you when you tried to defend me," Creek whispered, "There was blood and you were in so much pain and I did that to you. I brought you here and you were hurt because of me."

Branch breathed out slowly as he stood to sit beside a troll he never expected to want to offer comfort.

"Yeah. You brought me here and I've had some odd setbacks," Branch agreed, tugging on his opal necklace as Creek groaned softly, "But I wouldn't trade anything that happened if I had to lose my brother and sister. I've been alone for so long. Even with Poppy, it wasn't the same. I needed family and I have that again. I know everything about my ice and my condition. I can live with taking that medicine and even having an annoying troll as my bodyguard, Mate."

Creek bit back a small grin as Branch tweaked his nose. Frost and his brother were very much alike.

"What I can't live with is this," Branch continued, flipping Creek's hand open to show the evidence of Creek's self-loathing, "It seems that you and I have become a sort of team. You swore to my brother to protect me, but you doing this to yourself hurts me, Creek. I don't want anyone hurting around me. And…"

Creek gasped as Branch hunched suddenly as he sensed the change in the prince's emotions. Creek yelled for help while he tried to support the panting prince as Branch clutched at his chest. Hands reached for Branch as Creek looked up in a panic.

"His ice is reacting to his emotions," Creek hissed as Frost held Branch against him while Crystal disappeared out of the room to grab her brother's medicine, "Just breathe, my prince. This isn't a true flare, but the beginnings of one. You just need your medicine and everything will be alright. Breathe."

It was several long moments before Branch was able to regain his speech one he'd downed his tea.

"The flare up began because I want this to stop," Branch insisted, leaning against Frost as he pointed to Creek's hands, "I forgive you, Creek. I forgive everything. Stop hurting yourself. I don't hate you. I remember firing that word at you when you kidnapped me the first time, but I never meant it. Poppy doesn't hate you either and it is time for you to stop hating yourself."

"I can't."

"You can," Branch snapped, making Creek blink up at him, "Let your guilt go, Creek. No one is blaming you for anything any longer."

Creek choked hard for a moment as he shuddered. Branch watched as Creek covered his face with his hands and sobbed loud. These were emotions that had been hiding in Creek for a long, long time.

"Oh, you poor, little one," Crystal cooed, reaching to try and offer some comfort to the distraught troll, "Everything is okay. Don't be upset."

"How could you be so kind to a troll that caused your own brother's pain just now?" Creek huffed, glancing up at the queen indignantly while the tears still fell, "I'm horrible."

"Frost and Crystal would not have known that a flare up was starting without you looking out for me, Creek," Branch breathed, shaking his head at the stubborn troll, "You did what was needed just now. You did your job well and it seems I will always need you. You talked about positivity in the hidden village over and over again, remember?"

Creek nodded as his queen continued to stroke a hand through his hair. It felt good. Like when his mother still watched over him as a boy.

"I am positive that you are forgiven by me and by Poppy," Branch urged, "My siblings forgave you already. Soon we can go home, Creek. Home to the Troll Tree where we were born and where the tribe will forgive you too. I'm positive that you've been there for me the minute I needed you to look out for me since you've grown so much from the troll you once were. I'm sorry."

"For what?" Creek asked in confusion.

"I'm sorry that I accused you of being a liar and manipulator when I was told that these two were my siblings for the first time. You were even then trying to protect me," Branch pointed out as Creek blinked at him, "That's the work of a troll that is good. I'm positive that you are not horrible and that you need to believe in the goodness of your heart because you have moved mountains to try and help me. I can't handle you hurting anymore, Creek. I can't because I've tried so hard my whole life to protect people and you just…you can't hurt. Please, Creek. It is time to forgive yourself."

Creek stared at his prince in shock as Frost and Crystal exchanged quick smiles. The two thought they were so sly.

"I…promise that I will try, my prince," Creek finally allowed as Branch grinned at him, "There has just been such a hole here."

Branch watched as Creek patted his chest above his heart.

"The hole just got bigger and bigger with time," Creek continued, "Loneliness ate at me constantly. I really don't feel when I do this."

Branch reached to take Creek's hands as the troll showed his abused palms.

"Well, then as you are watching over me, I will just have to watch over you," Branch decided as Creek gasped, "You know I have to babysit Poppy most times too, don't you? You don't realize what she can get herself into. The worst was the Bergen honeypot. Honey is so hard to get out of hair so prepare yourself for having a few adventures since you're stuck with me now. Everything is going to be alright, Creek. I promise."

Creek immediately recognized his own wording being spoken to him. The same words he'd promised Branch again and again since reaching these lands. Hesitantly, Creek returned the grin Branch was giving him as something clicked back into place within him when the prince gently squeezed his hands. Branch beamed when Creek's coloring grew a little brighter. Not quite back to normal, but on the way.

"Enough for now," Frost pushed, all but holding Branch's weight up, "Little One, you should have waited until you were stronger to have this conversation."

"Perhaps, but this had to stop now," Branch fussed, rubbing his thumbs over Creek's palms in gentle circles, "And I want Creek's bed moved into my room. I don't like how isolated and alone he is. Why would you do that to him?"

"Bodyguards have their own bedrooms attached to the royal suites," Frost insisted, lifting Branch into his arms, "And you needed undisturbed rest. That is always how things have been done by ice trolls."

"Well, maybe you wouldn't be such a grumpy lot if you looked out for one another more," Branch pointed out as his siblings snorted at him, "I mean it and I want Creek brought in here."

"After you both get some more sleep," Crystal chuckled, continuing to stroke Creek's mane, "Get some sleep, Baby Brother. I will watch over your little keeper until he is asleep."

Branch's grumbles could be heard until Frost kicked the door mostly shut behind him.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, my queen," Creek offered as Crystal laughed at him, "My queen?"

"It would seem that quite possibly my twin and I have inherited another baby brother," Crystal chuckled out as Creek's mouth dropped open, "You and Branch are tied together with a very unusual cord. I have learned that you and he have always fought like cats and dogs because I do believe that cord just might be one of brotherly affection, hm?"

"I would never…I would not be so forward to lay claim to your brother, my queen," Creek gasped out as Crystal laughed at him some more while he blushed scarlet, "I told you before that I was more of an annoying bully than true friend to Prince Branch."

"Older brothers are usually bullies when younger," Crystal snorted as Creek gaped up at her, "I mean it, Creek. Frost drove me crazy when we were little and I've been talking with the little queen's friends. You and Branch had spats growing up all the time, but somehow you never avoided one another permanently. Why is that?"

"Because Poppy was always trying to drag him places," Creek insisted, "And I always got dragged into keeping the peace between the two, Queen Crystal."

"Sure, Creek," Crystal giggled, "Admit that you care for him, Lad. That is why Biggie would see you sneak into Branch's bunker when he wasn't seen for days on end to check up on him in secret. Why you always seemed to be near whenever the arguments happened between Poppy and Branch. Or that you felt a little better that Branch would be here when you planned on joining this tribe. You are not the only one with a good sense of other's emotions, Creek. You were watching over Branch all along."

"I…I never looked at it like that," Creek breathed before yawning wide, "Excuse me, my queen. I haven't slept well for a long time and it seems that sleep is catching up with me."

"Because your heart is beginning to heal finally," Crystal suggested, "You have begun to forgive yourself. I am your queen, right?"

"Absolutely!" Creek agreed with no hesitation.

"Then I ask you, as your queen, to open up to someone that you trust. I don't care who, but someone you can confide in," Crystal urged, "You hold too much inside which can lead to panic and depression. I know that you meditate and release as much negativity into the…atmosphere?"

"Universe," Creek corrected.

"But that is just releasing the negativity and not really dealing with why you felt bad to begin with," Crystal continued, "It is time to drop your shields and let someone inside. I want both my little brothers healing good as new."

"I am not…," Creek began before finding another finger pressed firmly to his lips.

"Go to sleep, Little Brother," Crystal ordered as Frost snickered from the doorway, "By order of your older siblings and king and queen. Sleep. Now."

"Weird," Creek mumbled once his door was shut again, "Weird trolls. Just like Prince Branch."

It was still a bit of a thrill to hear such a title falling from the pretty queens lips. "Little brother," indeed. As if.

oOo

"How long has he been asleep like that?" Poppy asked from beside Branch as she looked over at the new resident to the prince's room, "Creek hasn't budged since I came to visit."

"Since Kiv and Frost lifted him, bed and all, into the room two days ago," Branch answered, watching Creek for a moment before gazing back to Poppy as they snuggled against his pillow, "Fussed the whole time being moved and then zonked out like he'd been drugged. Frost has been so nervous that I'd have a flare up and Creek wouldn't feel it."

"Doubt that," Poppy denied, "Creek would never allow that. Bet he'd be awake the minute he felt any shift in your ice. I know it."

"Then it's true because Poppy feelings are always right," Branch teased as his lassie blushed, "It is good to know you again, Poppy. I didn't like that you admitted to hurting when your memory was blocked in my mind. Gave Frost and Crystal quite an earful over that one."

"I like your brother and sister," Poppy chirped before stilling as Branch gestured to Creek with a quiet finger to his lips, "Oops. Sorry. I do like your siblings. They are really nice and I forgive them so no worries."

"There is," Branch hissed, suddenly pushing Poppy towards Creek, "He's dreaming and clenching his fists again. He'll draw blood soon. Get something soft in Creek's hands to protect his palms."

Poppy hopped over and coaxed the sleeping troll's hands open to place a rolled up washcloth in each hand as Creek's fingers curled up into another tight fist.

"Do you think he hurts himself more while he sleeps?" Poppy questioned, reaching to stroke one of Creek's arms to try and soothe the dream.

"Yeah. It happens unconsciously," Branch remarked, rolling to his side to watch Creek, "I think he relives memories in his dreams and then the clenching begins when he gets upset over his past actions. He's getting better during the day when he's watched carefully and reminded to unclench. Time will help him heal enough to stop this self-hurting he is doing. Creek's just pretty raw right now."

Branch watched as Creek's face smoothed and slowly the sleeping troll's hands unclenched.

"Coconuts," Creek mumbled in his sleep as Branch snickered.

"What is it with you two and coconuts?" Poppy chuckled, coming to hop up beside Branch again once the prince sat up against his pillows, "You told me to hide coconuts before when I woke you once."

"Did I? Creek used to steal my stuff and hide it in odd places to drive me crazy when I was younger," Branch explained, "Coconuts are one of my favorite treats and I was always concerned with hiding them from Creek's sneaking fingers. Never worked. He found them every time and I'd usually find them strung up in trees to spite me. Could have wrung his neck sometimes."

"Is that why you rolled your eyes every time I would mention Creek's name when we were younger?" Poppy pushed.

"That and he liked you," Branch huffed with a teasing grin, "I liked you and didn't want a sneaky troll around the lassie that I loved. Plus, you had a crush on Creek and I hated that."

"It was only a crush because I didn't realize that my pull to you was our souls reaching for one another," Poppy giggled, rubbing noses with her lad as Branch smiled, "And to my surprise, not only do I have a soul match, but he's also my prince charming. My heart does swoon, Prince Branch, my man."

"Brat," Branch spoke, swatting at Poppy's tush after she had "fainted" into his lap, "Sit up, Silly, before someone walks in and gets the wrong idea."

"Too late, Darling," Satin challenged as Branch groaned as the Snack Pack filed into the room, "For shame, Queen Poppy."

To be continued…

Have to go to a training conference for my job. Poop. Won't be able to update until very late next week, but hope you enjoyed this chapter.

TTFN