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.
Okay, People. This site has loads of wonderful, creative talent. Each of the writers get a group of followers who love the stories. I have followers that are friends and strangers as do most of the authors on this site. Unfortunately, there are also authors who literally take other people's works and rewrite them in a way to make the story there own, all the while rationalizing that this isn't plagiarism.
PLAGIARISM ISN'T JUST WORD FOR WORD COPYING. THERE ARE MULTIPLE TYPES OF PLAGIARISM AND THE JUVENILE INDIVIDUALS WHO KEEP PMING ME AND LEAVING NASTY COMMENTS NEED TO DO RESEARCH BEFORE RUNNING THEIR MOUTHS.
I came back from my conference to a nasty feud. I haven't contacted the person who stole no less than five, total major points of my story or accused anyone of anything. I was going to let it go because this is just a fun place to share, but I had followers incensed by the blatant copying and pointed it out to the author. Just like my story, the other story had a taller and warrior-like tribe of trolls, Branch discovers he is a half-breed from this tribe of trolls, Branch has an older sibling from this tribe, Branch finds out he is a prince from this tribe, and he is taken to this tribe with force away from his soulmate. Sorry, but that is pretty much the crux of my story and rationalizing that "everyone borrows from everyone" is untrue and against the law, really. I have received basically bullying reviews and I don't play that game. I have already taken the steps to contact the web master of this site to report the whole situation so that the proper support can deal with this mess that I didn't even begin. I don't appreciate being told to basically get over myself when I am really the party that has been wronged here. People like this author and her defensive friend are the reason why authors stop sharing. I refuse to allow childish individuals ruin the fun I have of allowing respectful readers to share my stories. All the author ever had to do was to cite my story as an inspiration point for their own. Probably would have been a good, mature idea so that negativity could have been avoided. Just saying.
Sorry for the ramble, but I don't appreciate being almost accused of having anything to do with how others feel. I did not incite anyone to point out what any thinking person could see on their own when you read the two stories. Fans of this story see the parallels and they are speaking on it. That is their right and I will not tell anyone "to back off." Everyone has a right to their opinions and if you are demanding respect then give the same respect to others. Golden rule, Folks.
Please enjoy the new chapter and know that if my story inspires you, then write whatever you wish. Just site the inspiration point. That is what professionals do.
Sincerely,
Turtle Babe
I own nothing. Nothing.
Chapter Sixteen
"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."
"Stuff it, Satin Dear," Poppy giggled back while the group tittered, "Watch your volume. Creek is sleeping."
"He looks worn to the bone," Biggie fussed, walking over to look over Creek, "Even Branch looks better than this once he woke again and the troll nearly died."
"Biggie!" Branch hissed as Poppy paled, "It's fine, Pop. I'm safe now. Don't get upset."
"Not a great comment there, Mate," a voice spoke as eyes turned towards Creek as he opened his eyes to gaze up at the contrite troll above him, "Hi."
"Hello, Creek," Biggie greeted, taking a seat in the chair beside Creek's small bed, "We came to see how you and Branch were doing. King Frost wouldn't let anyone, but Poppy visit for so long."
"Five days, Biggie," Branch snorted as the larger troll sniffed at him, "That isn't very long."
"It is when you are worried about friends," Biggie insisted as Creek's eyes widened while staring at the troll, "Friends, Creek. We've all been worried for you and Prince Branch."
Branch colored as Biggie waggled his eyebrows at him.
"Don't start with that," Branch huffed as the group laughed at him, "I mean it. I'm just Branch to all of you. No titles. You too, Creek."
"As you wish, my prince," Creek said with twinkling eyes as Branch growled at him before the purple troll sighed, placing a hand over the brand that Branch knew marred Creek's chest beneath his sleep clothes, "I'm honor guard, Prince Branch. I have no choice, but to address you with the respect your title dictates. I may only address you with just your given name if my king and queen orders me so. I took an oath, Prince Branch. The oath is unbreakable."
"Then I will be talking to my brother and sister very soon," Branch grumbled as Creek gave a half smile, "Biggie slide that pillow at the end of Creek's bed behind his head so he can sit up just a little, but be gentle of his healing hip."
Biggie placed Mr. Dinkles on the chair he stood from and hopped to do as Branch asked.
"You're…you have a fever," Biggie gasped, gently settling Creek on the extra pillow as the hurt troll grimaced for a moment in discomfort, "Did I hurt you?"
"No. Just have to realign myself a bit so I'm not putting pressure on my hip," Creek sighed, shifting slightly, "I'm fine and the fever is nothing. Just left over issues from my injury."
"He's been fighting an infection, but Bhen said the elixir Creek is taking has begun to work," Branch offered as Biggie relaxed while reaching for his pet, "How do you feel, Creek?"
"Tired," Creek sighed, glancing to Branch and seeming to study him before closing his eyes again, "Really tired."
"You just read him," DJ Suki accused as Creek's eyes opened to regard her, "Branch. Your eyes kind of flicker in a certain way when you look at auras."
"Do they?" Creek hummed, "Didn't know that. Didn't…"
"Eyes open, Creek," Branch ordered as Creek began to drift back to sleep, "Biggie, don't let him fall asleep."
"Come on, Creek," the rotund troll said as he patted the yogi's cheek lightly, "Need to wake up."
"Kiv!" Branch called, looking to his bedroom door expectantly.
"Yes, my prince," the large guard asked as he stepped into Branch's room, "Ah! He's awake. Good. I'll send a servant for some broth."
"Tired," Creek whispered as Branch glanced back at him.
"You are tired which is making it so you don't want to eat," Branch described as Creek's eyes rolled to look at him, "However, not eating is a large part of why you are so tired. Double edged sword, Creek. Kiv and I were instructed to get some food in you as soon as you woke. Eat some broth and you can go back to sleep."
"Pushy prince, Mate," Creek mumbled as Branch snorted at him.
It took a little more rousing to keep Creek awake long enough to get the broth brought to the room. Chenille spooned the delicious smelling soup carefully into the ill troll's mouth little by little.
"Smells great," Chenille tried as Creek hummed lightly, "No. Keep your eyes open. Creek? He's out."
"At least he ate a little," Branch sighed, "Creek will eat better once he gets some more sleep. Biggie was right. Creek is worn out."
"From his hip or from everything else?" Guy asked.
"All of it," Branch admitted, "But it will be okay. He and I both will be okay because we've got all of you, right?"
"Right!" the rest cheered as the blue troll smiled slightly.
The problem was that as Branch strengthened over the next few days, Creek grew weaker. No matter the amount of rest or how much food Creek ate, he was clearly getting worse with time. Poppy and the royal twins had their hands full calming Branch when Bhen was examining Creek once again to try and figure out what was happening to the troll.
"Calm yourself, Baby Brother," Crystal tried as Branch was held in bed by Frost, "Bhen can't help Creek if he needs to see to you as well."
"You know that Creek picked up on the pattern that your ice reacts to your emotions," Frost offered as Branch glanced to his brother, "Getting upset will wake Creek up and he needs to sleep so he can strengthen, right?"
"I know," Branch agreed, watching as Bhen examined Creek, "But why is this happening? Bhen said his infection has cleared up and the fever broke a few days ago. Creek should be healing as much as I am."
"Maybe his healing is just taking a lot out of him," Poppy suggested, casting worried eyes to the other troll, "It's like he's being drained."
"Drained?" Crystal gasped as her brothers turned to her, "Of course! The little fool! Could that be what is happening?"
"What?" Branch demanded, glancing to his bodyguard and back to his sister, "Are you saying that Creek did something that is causing this? He's hurting himself again!"
"I don't think on purpose," Bhen called as the group looked to the healer, "I think you hit the nail on the head, my queen. There is no physical reason for the fade that is occurring and your younger brother rebounded too quickly for what he was put through. It's got to be that of all things."
"What? Will someone explain, please," Branch huffed, "What is happening to Creek and how does that involve my recovery?"
"He's been feeding you energy," Crystal explained as Branch gaped at her, "Creek has wrapped his own chakra points around you to sense your ice better. Unconsciously, Creek has been helping you heal by giving up his own energy. I actually think he's draining himself dry without even realizing what he is doing."
"Get off me," Branch hissed, wriggling from his brother's arms before being caught by both Poppy and Crystal, "Let me go to him. He's got to stop this. I can heal on my own. Let…unhand me!"
"Stubborn," Frost sniffed, scooping up Branch as the younger growled at him, "Fine, Bossy. Looks like you inherited the same genes I did, right, Sister?"
"Certainly," Crystal chuckled, following her twin as Frost walked Branch over to where Creek slept, "Careful, Branch. Creek is too weak for a battle right now."
"I have no intentions of battling," Branch snapped, kicking his legs, "Put me down."
"Okay, okay," Frost soothed with an eye roll.
"Wake up," Branch insisted once he was sat on the edge of the bed, "Creek? Time to wake up for me. Come on, Creek."
Branch patted Creek's cheeks lightly and gently prodded at the other troll in hopes of rousing the guard. Creek sighed and eventually groaned while his eyes fluttered open to regard Branch.
"My prince?" Creek whispered as Branch glared at him.
"Stop this," Branch ordered as the other troll looked confused, "Stop…whatever this is so you can heal."
"Stop…sleeping?" Creek questioned, "Um…okay, Mate."
"No, Creek, stop feeding me your own energy," Branch insisted as Creek blinked up at him, "I'm on the mend and don't need you draining yourself dry. Stop this now."
"Energy?" Creek echoed before reaching and taking Branch's hands in his as the prince startled at the touch, "Give me a second, my prince. I need the touch to try and feel what you are talking about."
Silence reined for several moments when Creek closed his eyes in what looked like concentration. Poppy went to say something and was immediately hushed by Queen Crystal.
"Oh," Creek breathed a moment later and opened his eyes again, "I-I didn't even realize…not even sure how I did that or even when, my prince."
"Can you undo this…connection thing?" Branch asked as Creek nodded, "Do it now, Creek."
"Kay," Creek agreed and squeezed Branch's hand in his tight as his eyes closed once again, "Be still, my prince."
Branch grunted suddenly as a feeling of disconnection came and went painlessly. It had felt very odd, almost like a loss. Frost kneeled to look over Branch carefully.
"Are you harmed or feel ill?" Frost demanded before relaxing as Branch shook his head.
"Creek?" Branch called as the other troll breathed in deeply, "What is going on?"
"Undoing some of the channels that I formed between us, Mate," Creek answered, opening his eyes and releasing Branch's hand, "Strange. I've never done something like that before."
"Voice is a little stronger," Bhen pointed out, leaning to look into Creek's eyes, "Your eyes are focusing better too. Makes a difference when you have enough energy to function, Foolish One."
"Stop with the name calling," Poppy snapped, surprising everyone, "Creek just said that he didn't know what he was doing. That doesn't make him a fool. That makes him a kind troll who was trying to help even unconsciously. Thank you, Creek, for looking out for my Branch."
"But I don't want you to do that again," Branch butted in as Creek glanced to him, "Do you think that you'd reconnect like that without knowing in the future?"
"No. I'd feel it now that I know what to sense, Prince Branch," Creek denied as Branch nodded, looking pleased, "I've been worried that I'd miss sensing any flares so I remember focusing most of my senses on your aura, but didn't realize that I could even transfer energy to another. Fascinating, but tiring."
"I need a moment alone with Creek," Branch spoke up as the others in the room looked at one another, "Just five minutes. Creek is about to fall back asleep anyway. He and I need to talk first and then even I'll take a rest, okay?"
"Don't try to stand up or move from this spot," Frost finally voiced as his brother promised, "Five minutes, Baby Brother, and I'm coming back in here."
Creek watched everyone leave before looking up at his frowning prince. Branch wasn't happy at all.
"Okay, I know that you are trying really hard to make up for everything, but this harming yourself is going to stop," Branch began as Creek listened, "I realize that most of your self-harming is happening without you being aware of it, but I can't allow you to go down this path. Being selfish is wrong. However, being self-sacrificing is just as wrong, Creek. Do you understand why?"
"No," Creek said, sitting up a little more on his pillow, "I don't, my prince."
"Self-sacrificing means that you don't value yourself," Branch continued, "You are just as important as every other troll, Creek."
"But…I am honor guard," Creek reminded, "And you are my prince. Your life is more…"
"No!" Branch interrupted as Creek regarded the other in shock, "Just stop, Creek. I know that you have vowed to protect me with your life, but I don't want that. I don't want you to ever feel that you have to decide between my life or your own. It is hard enough…."
"What?" Creek pushed, tugging on Branch arm when the other troll trailed off, "What is hard, Prince Branch?"
"It is hard enough knowing that you have to give up so much of yourself to look after me because of my condition," Branch whispered, blushing hot as he looked away, "I just can't think of you sacrificing anything more, okay? You're already cursed with being tied to me. I hate that I've almost become a shackle or punishment for you, Creek."
"You are not a shackle," Creek gasped before stilling as Branch reached to tap his fisted hands before he clawed himself again, "Oh. Right. You are no punishment, my prince. I gladly serve, Mate. Not for your brother or sister or even for Queen Poppy. I'm glad to serve Prince Branch. You."
"Why?" Branch asked, pulling Creek's fingers away from his palms before sitting up to listen to the other troll.
"Because you are my friend," Creek admitted as Branch glanced to him in surprise, "One that I had to realize was very important to me. I failed to be a good friend for a long time and forgot how much I enjoyed your company, even when I was being a brat. I've missed you over the years and really, really acted out, didn't I?"
Branch chuckled as Creek sighed softly. "Acting out" was putting things mildly.
"Your sister made a request of me as my queen," Creek continued, making Branch look up, "She asked me to find someone to confide in, Mate. My prince…Friend, I'm scared. I'm so scared."
"Of what?" Branch gasped, reaching for one of Creek's hands to hold tight in his.
"Of going home and being rejected," Creek sniffled, closing his eyes in shame, "Of failing you. I can't bear the thought that I'd fail others again. I'm frightened of myself."
Branch knew Creek was being absolutely honest. The desperation in the other's eyes was impossible to deny and heartbreaking to see once Creek had looked back up at his prince.
"Alright," Branch decided, reaching to unfurl Creek's other hand as the troll unconsciously fisted his hand again in his stress, "So that is what is causing you to do this to yourself. Thank you for trusting in me to tell me the truth, Creek, and you can relax. I promise you that you won't be rejected by the tribe. I also know that you'd never fail me."
"How?" Creek whimpered as Branch gave him a smile once the ill troll looked back at him, "How do you know that?"
"Because my friends don't let me down," Branch soothed as Creek gaped at him, "And this friend here has learned a lot about himself. You're a good troll, Creek. You just need to get to know yourself more and your fears will go away. You trust me, right?"
"Of course, Prince Branch," Creek answered immediately.
"I know you will never let me down again," Branch assured, reaching to wipe Creek's tears from his cheeks, "So if you know that I believe in you, you can trust in yourself, right? You and I are going to be okay. I'm getting stronger and you need to get better so we can go home. Trolls have fast healing when they are not feeding every bit of energy to someone else. Time to heal, Creek."
Creek breathed deeply and nodded as Branch squeezed his hand. Frost found Branch watching over a sleeping Creek a minute later.
"Our sister took your little queen on a walk," Frost whispered as he lifted Branch back over to his bed, "How is the wart?"
"I think he'll be better now," Branch answered, swatting Frost playfully at the "wart" comment, "Crystal asked Creek to confide in someone. He admitted some of what has been bothering him to me and I think I helped him work out some of his fears. I think even his coloring looks better."
"I think so too," Frost offered as he tucked Branch under the covers, "I don't remember him ever being that shade of purple before."
"His colors are brightening," Branch cheered softly so not to wake Creek, "I'm so glad."
"Nap," Frost ordered, poking Branch's chest as the smaller troll snorted at him, "You promised."
"Hm," Branch hummed, giving Frost a smile, "Grandma used to order me down for a nap like that."
"She was a good grandmother then, Little One," Frost complimented as his brother nodded, "Would you tell me all about your grandmother Rosiepuff one day? I think I'd have really liked her a lot."
"One day," Branch agreed with a yawn, "Napping, by order of my king."
"By order of your big brother," Frost snorted, flicking Branch's nose as the smaller troll snickered, "You are a bit paler to me. How do you feel?"
"Like I don't have extra energy being given to me," Branch admitted, gesturing to Creek, "I'm not healed yet. I can feel it and won't be stubborn about resting. I'm really tired, Brother, but there are so many thoughts running through my mind. Sometimes, I miss Grandma's lullabies. They always helped me relax."
"Well, I'm no warm climate troll," Frost smiled out, "But I do know a lullaby. Close your eyes. That's a lad. No laughing at my voice."
Branch giggled and snuggled down against his pillow as Frost's deep voice began to sing.
"Icy winds a howling long,
Snow and ice, but nothing's wrong.
Here you lay within your bed,
Sleep, Dear One, rest thy head.
Dream of warmth and training done,
Dream of strength and battles won.
Know I'm here and will always be,
I sing this song just for thee.
No harm will befall you, nothing may try.
Sweet dreams, my darling, as the wind doth fly."
Frost grinned at Branch's snores while he glanced back to see his sister at the door. The elder twin nodded at her and rose carefully as Branch slept on.
"That was Mother's song," Crystal accused as Frost grinned at her once out in the hall, "You have a lot of her in you. For an ice troll, you sing well. Most of us can shatter glass, including me."
"I know," Frost snickered as Crystal laughed, "Did you hear that Creek took your advice and confided in our brother?"
"I did," Crystal grinned out, "I think Branch will be good for Creek. Our brother has a natural way with leading softly. Creek needs Branch as his anchor while he discovers who he is inside. Branch can help the lad stay on the straight and narrow. Keep Creek from causing himself pain."
Crystal gazed at her twin and chuckled softly as she took his hand in hers.
"Our little one will be fine, Frost," Crystal soothed as her brother sighed, "Queen Poppy is a good queen…a bit wild, but good. She will watch over our brother with Creek's help and Branch will watch over our adopted brother."
"Creek?" Frost hummed, thinking to the other troll, "Guess he is a bit adopted by us, isn't he? He'll become a good guard. He has the drive to protect within him. Always has, but the ice wart didn't know it yet."
"Older than Branch, but still very young," Crystal reminded, "His yogi training has him in touch with his inner self, but he wasn't aware of how many facets of his own personality there really was. He'll learn and be fine or Branch will bust him one.
"That's my baby brother," Frost complimented as his twin giggled, "Ice trolls rule!"
"But so do the warm climate trolls," Crystal grinned out, seeing Poppy peeking at them from the end of the hall, "After all, our brother has both sides within him. Would you change that?"
"Maybe, if only for curing his condition that we caused," Frost stated sadly as Crystal nodded her understanding, "But only for that."
"Agreed, Brother," Crystal offered before welcoming Poppy over as Frost watched.
"Wouldn't change him for the world," Frost thought as he glanced back to where his brother rested before another thought came to him, "Wouldn't change either of them."
To be continued…
Hope you enjoyed and updates will come quicker now that the conference is over. By the way, I did indeed write Frost's song.
Hope you like the original lyrics.
TTFN!