Shadgirl2: Okay, I got the inspiration for this story from some of Black Raider's stories. They did Trolls stories to fairy tales or Disney movies that were different from others I've seen. A lot of fairy tale/Disney movie versions of Trolls stories I've seen are basically the movie but with Trolls characters instead. Black Raider's stories aren't entirely, each having a personal twist on the original, so I decided to try my hand at taking a fairy tale and turning it into a Trolls fic.

Midna Azusa: And, as always, I'm along for the ride! A few notes, though. For one, we wrote this story before TWT came out. Shoot, we were working on it before we saw the trailer. So...we went with Cooper's story from "The Giver" to decide how trolls are born. In other words, live births, no eggs.

Shadgirl2: Anyway, this story is our take on a Trolls version of "Rapunzel." Given how much we've already edited this, I don't think I'll have to do a lot when Midna sends me the final drafts (just fixing typos), so I should be able to update this one more regularly.

Midna: Enjoy!

Disclaimer: We don't own Trolls. Polly, Spring, and Justin belong to Shadgirl2.


An orange troll sat and waited anxiously for news from the doctor, running his hands through his pink hair. Beside him, an older purple troll tried her best to calm him.

"Don't worry so much, my friend," she said. "I'm sure Polly will be just fine."

"I know, Rosie," he answered her. It's just...I can't help but worry. This is my first time in a position like this, and, well..." He looked down, nervous.

Rosiepuff—or Rosie, as he had called her—placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. This may have been his first time, but she'd been there herself. The last time, it had been her son she'd tried to calm. "I know, my friend. I know."

Right around then, another troll came into the room, a big grin on her face. Like Rosiepuff, this troll was purple, but her pale green hair had bandage hair clips in it—Dr. Plum Plimsy, the Troll Tree's resident doctor.

"King Peppy?" she said to the orange troll. "You can come see her now. And congratulations, sire. It's a girl."

Peppy rose from his chair, excitement replacing all the anxiety he'd been feeling just moments ago. "Really!?"

Dr. Plum nodded, smiling, and asked, "Why don't you come see for yourself?" She gestured toward the room behind her, then headed back to it herself.

Peppy, now jittery from excitement, looked back at Rosiepuff. She grinned and nodded her head toward the door, signaling that he should go see his wife and child. He hurried over to meet the newly-born princess.

When he entered the room, the most beautiful sight in the world awaited him: the love of his life, a pink troll woman with lavender hair and pink eyes, holding their little bundle of joy all wrapped up in a pink blanket. Queen Polly smiled lovingly at her husband as he approached.

"Look at this, my dear," she said, looking down at the baby in her arms. "She looks just like you."

Peppy walked up and stood beside the bed, looking into his daughter's eyes with a smile on his face. The child was pink from head to toe: hair, eyes, skin, everything was pink. "Yes. She does. But she has her mother's eyes," he responded.

"What should we call her?" Polly asked.

Peppy thought about it a moment, then smiled. "How about...Poppy? As a tribute to you, my dear."

Polly smiled lovingly at him again and answered, "I like that name. It reminds me of yours, too." She looked back at her daughter with affection.

Peppy leaned in and kissed his wife on the forehead. "Then Poppy, it is. I love you, my precious Rose," he told his wife, using her pet name.

"And I do you, my handsome Cheer Maestro."


A few days later, Peppy announced a party to celebrate the birth of the princess. This announcement overly excited one small blue trolling, whose family had been talking about little more than the queen's expected child for some time. They seemed to think that the five-year-old boy would get along well with this unknown princess, and he was always eager to make a new friend (as most trollings were). His grandmother and parents were all good friends with the king and queen, so he would likely have plenty of opportunities to befriend the young heir himself.

Justin, a green troll with indigo hair and yellow eyes, donned a dark blue tuxedo for the celebration. Once he was ready, he went outside, looking for his son. The child rarely spent any time in their pod. He loved adventure too much for that.

"Branch!? Where you at, kiddo!?" Justin called as he walked around, looking for the boy. "We need to get going soon!"

Hearing his father call, Branch turned, curious. Then he ran toward his dad. He slowed down as he neared the older troll, then pounced on him from behind, laughing. Justin's eyes widened, and he grabbed the boy with a playful growl, whirling around to hold him in his arms.

"Nice try, boy! But not quite good enough!" He started tickling his son, growling playfully.

The boy had already managed to get himself dirty, even though he'd had a bath just an hour ago. His best clothes, a dark green shirt and black pants, were already a bit dirty. At least the dark colors kept that from being too noticeable.

Branch laughed, squirming.

"I'll teach you to sneak up on me!" Justin growled some more, still tickling the child.

"Okay! Okay!" Branch surrendered through his laughter. "Uncle!"

Branch's mother, a blue troll with blue eyes and teal hair, came up behind the two then, saying, "Alright, you two. That's more than enough of that."

For the event, she wore a cardinal red strapless gown with a slit up the side. She had a pair of heart-shaped earrings in her ears.

Justin turned to his wife, Spring, putting his son down with a grin. "Yeah, you're right, dear. My bad."

Branch bounced a bit, looking excited, and asked, "So!? Is it true, is it true!? Did Queen Polly finally have her baby!?"

Spring smiled at her little boy and answered, "Yes. Queen Polly has just given birth to our new princess. And, if we don't get going right now, we're going to be late to her coming home party."

Rosiepuff came out of the pod then, carrying a comb and some hair spray. She hadn't gotten as dressed up as the others. Given that Branch and one of his friends tended to get into crazy adventures, the children's families always planned to have someone ready to chase after them if need be. It was Rosiepuff's turn today. She walked right up to Branch and started combing the twigs and leaves from his hair. (The boy certainly did try to live up to his name. He frequently had such debris in his hair from all of his adventures.) "Now just remember," she said. "We're meeting with royalty, and we aren't the only ones invited. So be on your best behavior, alright?" Silently, she added, That means you, Justin! You overgrown kid, you.

One would think she would give that reminder to her grandson, not her son. However, the boy's father hadn't really matured himself, and having a child of his own hadn't done anything to change that.

Spring did mean to address the actual child as she said, "Stand up straight, smile politely, and remember, the princess is very young, and loud noise isn't good for her, so keep your voice down."

"Okay..." Branch pouted, crossing his arms.

"Aw, he'll be fine, ladies," Justin assured them. "The boy knows how to behave himself. Right, Branch?"

Rosiepuff finished cleaning the boy up and gave his hair a quick dose of hair spray to finish it up.

Branch made this slightly difficult when he nodded happily. "Uh-huh!" he answered.

"See?"

Rosiepuff chose not to point out that she'd been talking to him, not Branch.

"Yeah, alright," Spring said. "Well, we should get going, then. Come on, you two."

She and Rosiepuff headed off, Justin following with the overly-excited child.


Branch had visited the royal family on several occasions before. Since his parents were so close to the king and queen, he knew them rather well himself. However, he'd never been to see them in a packed, formal event. The royal pod—a large pod that housed the royal family and was frequently used for parties and other gatherings—was packed when Branch's family arrived. The place was set up for an old-fashioned, quiet ball. The king and queen sat on thrones, greeting all of the trolls that entered. Polly was holding the baby in her arms. One troll stood at the entrance, announcing the names of every guest as they arrived.

"Cybil, Daisy, and Lemon!" the announcer said, and the three trolls in question approached the royal family and bowed.

This was all much more formal than Branch was used to. Even when hosted by Peppy, most parties were much more casual. Trolls came in unannounced (unless they chose to announce themselves, like that one glitter troll woman who seemed obsessed with her own greatness) and the king and queen were just as involved in the festivities as anyone else. The idea of being announced to everyone here and having to walk over and bow to his parents' friends made Branch rather uncomfortable. He fidgeted a bit, suddenly not as eager to attend this party as before while his family waited their turn in line.

To add to his anxieties, as he was waiting, he heard several names he knew—all of his friends had, apparently, arrived before him. One of his friends, a giant troll by the name of Biggie, nearly fainted. This only served to make Branch even more anxious. He grabbed his dad's hand.

Justin gave his son a reassuring look. "Shh. It's okay," he soothed.

This had the desired effect, calming Branch down a bit.

Finally, it was his family's turn. "Rosiepuff, Justin, Spring, and Branch!" the announcer said.

The ladies headed straight for the thrones, unfazed, and bowed to the royal family. Branch squeezed his dad's hand, feeling nervous again.

Justin looked down at his son again, the same way as before. "Come on. It's our turn."

Branch nodded and quietly answered, "Okay."

Justin walked over to the king and queen, still holding the child's hand, stopped next to his wife, and bowed. Branch followed his father's lead, but he couldn't help but sneak a peek at the royal family as he bowed.

Queen Polly was wearing her usual light blue sleeveless dress with two layers. The top layer was almost entirely made of lace and longer in the back than the front, dragging the ground slightly. She had donned a pearl necklace and matching bracelets for this occasion, and she wore a tiara made of leaves with light blue flowers that had white centers. The queen's royal cape, a family heirloom, hung from her shoulders.

Peppy smiled at them in greeting, saying, "Ah, Rosie, Jay, Spring, and Branch. Glad you could make it. And, my, how you've grown, my boy!" He looked at Branch. "The last time I saw you, you were this big!" he said, holding his hand out to indicate the size difference.

It wasn't really that much of a difference, but Branch hadn't really been around the royal family at all for nearly a year. They'd been so busy preparing for their unborn child that they hadn't had much time for guests.

"Hello, King Peppy," Branch said, trying to be on his best behavior and use his manners, like his mother and grandmother had told him to do.

"Hello, Branch. Welcome," Polly greeted the child. "Would you all like to see my new daughter?" she asked.

"We'd love that, Queen Polly," Justin answered.

Polly held out the princess, wrapped in a pink blanket, for them to see. She looked at them all, smiling and laughing, and reached out for Branch.

"This is Poppy," Peppy told them. "Our new princess."

Branch looked at her. He'd never seen a baby before, and he'd been told this one might make for a good friend. "She's so small!" he said, forgetting for a moment that he was supposed to be quiet.

"That's because she was just born," Polly told him. "But please keep your voice down. Her ears are very sensitive right now."

Branch covered his mouth with both hands, then whispered, "Sorry, Queen Polly."

"It's alright," Peppy assured him. Looking at his daughter, who was still reaching toward the boy, he added, "I think she likes you, anyway."

"She's very beautiful, my friend," Justin told him. "Well done."

"Yes. She looks just like her mother. But she's got her daddy's hair," Rosiepuff observed.

"May I hold her, King Peppy?" Spring asked, holding her arms out.

"I don't see why not. Just make it quick. There are other trolls waiting to see her, too."

Smiling, Polly handed the infant over to Spring. "Here you go, my dear. She's all yours."

Spring took her, a smile on her own face. "Thank you." She held the baby down to Branch's level so he could get a better look, smiling at her son as she asked, "She's very pretty. Isn't she, Branch?"

Poppy's full attention was on the young boy. She laughed, still reaching for him with both hands.

Branch smiled, looking at the princess, and said, "I think she wants a hug."

"Well, why don't you give her one?" Polly said. "But be gentle. You don't want to hurt her."

Branch gently hugged the young princess, who hugged him back. Then she blew a raspberry into his chest playfully.

Branch laughed a bit as he let go of the baby. "She's fun," he said.

Poppy laughed some more and stuck her tongue out at him slightly as Spring handed her back to Polly. Branch stuck his tongue out at her in retaliation, playing around with the baby.

"Isn't she, though? She's just like her father, the rascal," Polly said, giving her husband a mischievous grin.

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm not that bad!" he responded with a grin of his own.

Justin put a hand on his son, grinning himself, and said, "Well, come along, Branch. Let's let the king and queen greet their other guests. There's a party waiting for us, after all."

"Okay," Branch answered, heading off with his dad.

As his family left, the next group of trolls was announced and approached the royal family. Branch's family took him over to a play area set up for the young ones. It was on the other side of the room, far enough that the children would be able to get a little rowdy without bothering the princess. Branch's friends were already there, playing, along with many other children.

"Now remember to play nice with the other trolls, alright? Daddy, Grandma, and I will be out there with the other adults, okay?"

"Okay!" Branch answered, heading over to join his friends.

Two of them, Biggie and an animal troll by the name of Cooper, were chasing each other around. At the moment, Cooper was the one being chased by Biggie. The oldest of Branch's friends, a purple guru troll by the name of Creek, sat by, watching the show, as the younger two ran around in circles.

"Oi, oi!" the 6-year-old protested. "Don't you two ever get tired of that, mates? You're making me dizzy!"

"Nope! It's fun!" Cooper answered.

"Why don't you join us?" Biggie suggested.

"Uh...I suppose I could..." Creek got up, assuming a pouncing position. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Branch approaching. He called out, "Oi! Back me up, mate!" and then lunged after both Cooper and Biggie.

Branch grinned and ran over to help, answering, "Sure, Creek!"

Cooper and Biggie were still running around, neither having stopped. Branch looked at Creek and mouthed "get behind them" before going around to block the two from the front. Creek nodded and charged straight for Biggie and Cooper. The two ran from him, not even realizing they were headed toward their other friend. As they neared him, Branch jumped out in front of them, grabbing Cooper around the neck.

"Ah! Branch!" Cooper cried out, startled.

Biggie was close enough that he tripped over Cooper, crying, "Whoa!"

"Got you, Cooper!" Branch said triumphantly.

The three were effectively in a pile-up at this point, and Creek wasted no time in jumping onto the pile, using his hair to tickle Biggie and Cooper. "Ha! That's what you blokes get for driving me mad!" he said.

Though Branch had just arrived, he joined Creek in his efforts to tickle the other two into submission, and shortly, all four of them were laughing and having fun.

"Okay! Okay!" Biggie cried through his laughter after a while. "We're sorry! We'll stop!"

"Yeah, dude! Just stop tickling us!" Cooper agreed, also through fits of laughter.

"Say uncle!" Creek demanded, looking to Branch for agreement.

"Yeah!"

"Uncle! Uncle!" the two cried in unison.

With their demands met, Creek and Branch stopped tickling Cooper and Biggie, and they all got off each other, still laughing.


After several more games, the four children finally settled down a bit and decided to talk about the only new thing in everyone's lives: Princess Poppy.

"So what did you guys think of the princess?" Creek asked. "She's really pretty, right?"

"She stole my hat!" Cooper laughed.

"She's very sweet," Biggie added—even though she had bopped him in the nose when he met her.

"Yeah, she is," Branch agreed. "And she's gonna be a lot of fun, too."

"Do you think she'll enjoy playing with us? She pulled my hair when I tried petting hers," Creek said with a slight grin.

"I think she will," Biggie answered, though he couldn't help but wonder if he really wanted another friend as mischievous as that. He already had Cooper and Branch. A third just seemed like one too many.

Branch nodded, however, very enthusiastic. "Yeah. We're gonna be the best of friends!"

Creek then looked at Cooper with a new question. "And, uh, speaking of, mate, did you get your hat back? It appears to be missing."

Cooper had, indeed, been running around this entire time without his trademark green hat. It wasn't normal, but nobody had thought to question it before. Now, however, it was looking like the princess might have eaten it.

"Oh, yeah, I got it back," Cooper answered. "But she got baby drool all over it, so Auntie Opal's washing it!"

Branch looked grossed out. "Eew, Cooper, I didn't need to know that!" he said, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

"Well, that's what babies do, isn't it?" Biggie asked. "Drool on everything?"

Creek cringed and said, "Ew! That's so gross!"

Cooper just laughed.


By this point, all of the guests had arrived. Polly was still on her throne, too tired at the moment to really join the fun, but Peppy was mingling with their guests. Rosiepuff moved up beside him, smiling, as the boys discussed the possibility of befriending the princess.

"Well. The kids seemed to get along really well," she observed.

"They did, didn't they?" Peppy agreed. "I'm sure they'll become the best of friends."

"Yes. And, about that, I've been thinking. What if there's more to them than just that? The princess really seemed to like Branch a lot."

Peppy tapped his chin, thinking about that a bit. "Hmm... Yes...I noticed that, too..."

The two were silent for a moment, letting that hang. Sure, it was too early to be certain, but the two might fall in love someday. Given how close Peppy had always been to Justin, if Poppy was anything like her dad, she'd adore Branch. The young boy was almost exactly like his father, after all.

Peppy and Rosiepuff looked at each other curiously.


"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Rosiepuff asked.

"Why, I believe I am! But I'll have to run the idea by Polly first. You know how she gets when she's left out, after all. That, and we'd need to see just how well the two of them do together. We don't want to rush into a decision that could end in disaster."

After all, there was always the chance, slim though it may be, that the two would barely like each other at all. Peppy didn't want to trap his daughter in a relationship she hated.

Rosiepuff nodded in understanding. "Yes. I see your point. Plus I'd need to tell his parents, too. Justin and Spring can be the same as Queen Polly sometimes..."

The two looked at each other curiously.

Shortly after that, the party ended, and everyone headed for home. Many of the children had already fallen asleep, too tired from playing all day. Branch was one of them. When Justin went to get his son, he ended up picking him up and carrying him home.

"Wasn't that a great party, everyone?" Justin asked his wife and mother along the way. "King Peppy really knows how to welcome a princess!"

"Yeah!" Spring answered. "That was the best! I'm really glad we went!"

"Yes. It was quite lovely, wasn't it? And speaking of, mind if I talk to you a bit before the night is out?" Rosiepuff asked.

Now seemed as good a time as any to bring up her conversation with the king. She did need to run it by the boy's parents, after all. He wasn't her child, so she wasn't the one who should be making decisions about his life.

The three trolls stopped right outside of the family's pod then, with Justin and Spring both looking at Rosiepuff curiously.

"Well, I don't see why not," Justin answered. "Just let me put Branch to bed, and I'll be right with you." He headed inside, carrying the sleeping child to his room to tuck him in for the night.


Both Rosiepuff and Peppy discussed their idea with those closest to them that night. Luckily for them, Polly, Justin, and Spring loved the idea. However, they all agreed that there was one thing they needed to do before committing to it—run it by the children. At least, the one old enough to answer them.

The next day, Rosiepuff walked into the living room to find Branch playing with building blocks. He was building a tall tower, trying to make it as tall as he could.

"Branch? Sweetie? May I ask you something?" she asked her grandson as she approached, smiling.

Branch stopped what he was doing and looked at his grandmother before smiling. "'Course, Grandma! What is it?"

Rosiepuff looked at the tall structure, smiling in amazement. "My! What a lovely tower you're building there! It's the tallest one I've ever seen!"

"That's 'cause it's the tower Rapunzel's trapped in! I'm gonna get her out of that tower and save her from the evil witch!"

Spring had a thing for reading fairy tales to her son. He never really seemed that interested in the romantic elements, but he did enjoy the adventures the characters had. A couple of days ago, she'd read him a version of Rapunzel. It wasn't the traditional version, where the witch finds out about the prince and throws Rapunzel out before setting a trap. Spring tended to avoid the original stories due to how gruesome those could be. Instead, this version had the prince rescue Rapunzel from the tower and fight the witch. After hearing that story, Branch had expressed his desire to be that brave someday and save a princess in need, too.

It was one of the reasons Rosiepuff thought this would be a good match. Her grandson would take good care of the princess—and the rest of the trolls in the Troll Tree.

"I'm sure you will," she said. "And speaking of, how do you feel about being king one day? Would you like that?"

Branch thought about it for a second, cocking his head to the side. Then he smiled and answered, "That sounds like fun!" He frowned then, confused, as he remembered something. "But how could I be king? I thought King Peppy was the king."

Rosiepuff smiled at his naivete and tried to explain, "He is for now, yes. But one day, Poppy will take over as queen, and she'll need a brave, strong king by her side."

Branch jumped, excited, and said, "Yeah! Like me!"

Rosiepuff smiled again. That was answer enough for her. "Yes. Just like you."


Now that the princess had finally been born, Branch went to the royal family's pod every day, partially as his choice, and partially because his grandmother, the king, and the queen were trying to see if this match would work. Even though Poppy was just a baby, it didn't take long to learn that the two had a great deal in common, and both of them enjoyed their time together.

After about a month, Branch had become such a frequent visitor at the royal pod that it was almost like his second home. He just walked right in, as if he lived there. "Queen Polly? King Peppy? Anybody home?" he asked as he entered.

Peppy turned with Poppy in his arms and offered the boy a smile. He held a bottle for his daughter, feeding her. "Ah. Branch! Welcome. Have you been being a good boy today and staying out of trouble?" he asked as Poppy happily drank her milk.

"Uh-huh!" Branch said with a nod. He then looked at the king curiously and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Oh, just giving Poppy here something to eat. Babies need to eat a lot if they're going to grow up big and strong. Isn't that right, my little Princess?" Peppy playfully tapped his daughter's nose, making her release the bottle and laugh.

Rosiepuff came through the door then, catching her breath. "Honestly, child. Don't you know it's rude to run off on someone as old as me like that? It's hard for someone like me to keep up!" she teased lightly.

Branch jumped slightly before looking at his grandmother. He'd almost forgotten she was coming with him. "Oops! Sorry, Grandma!"

Peppy chuckled, amused. "Well, hello to you, too, Rosie. You on babysitting duty today?"

"Yes. Spring and Justin went to help Opal and Billy catch Cooper again. You know how that tends to go," she answered.

Peppy sweat. Of all the parents in the Troll Tree, those two had to be the most patient with their child, which was even more impressive since they were only his foster parents. "Unfortunately, I do. They may need to put that kid on a leash if he keeps this up. So why don't you let me put Poppy in her playpen, and I'll see about heading off to help." He headed over to do just that, putting the now empty bottle down as he did. "Polly, my dear!? Cooper's run off again, so I'm going to go help everyone catch him!" he called.

"Okay, dear!" came Polly's voice from another room. "Good luck!"

Peppy set his daughter down in her playpen, saying, "Now you be a good girl for your mommy while daddy's away, Princess. Daddy will be back shortly." Silently, he amended, Or, more likely than not, later this evening again. That child breaks the all-time speed record every time he has too much sugar!

Poppy laughed happily, then stuck her tongue out at her dad, ever the playful little child. Peppy made a face back at her, making her laugh.

Peppy turned to Rosiepuff and asked, "You don't mind watching Poppy, too, while Polly's still sleeping, do you?"

"I don't see why not," she answered. "Good luck, King Peppy. You'll need it!"

As he headed out the door, he said, "Thanks. I know I will..."

Given that Cooper, even at 4 years old, was the fastest troll in the Troll Tree, of course he would need some luck. Rosiepuff chuckled a bit before taking a seat and pulling out a sewing project she'd been working on.

Branch ran over to the playpen to see his youngest friend. "Hi, Poppy," he said, even knowing that she wouldn't say hi back.

Poppy took one look at him, though, and her face lit up. She started wiggling around and reaching for him. That was greeting enough for Branch. He made a funny face at her, and she responded in one of her frequent ways—she spit at him and threw a set of toy keys at him over the top of the playpen.

Branch ducked the keys, then laughed. "What'dya do that for? Now you lost your toy!"

Poppy just stuck her tongue out in response and started pulling on her face as she tried to mimic his. Branch covered his face so she couldn't see it, then made a goofy one as he moved his hands to show her. Poppy laughed and made another silly face, pointing at him as if to say that was what he looked like. She puffed her cheeks up and pulled down on her lower eyelids some.

Branch laughed and said, "Yeah? Well, this is you!" He stretches his mouth out with his fingers and crossed his eyes.

Poppy fell over backward, laughing a lot at that. Branch grinned, glad he'd made his friend so happy. She sat up and reached out like she wanted a hug.

"You want a hug?" Branch asked. Looking at the tall wall of the playpen, he said, "I can't reach you in there!"

Hearing this, Rosiepuff got up and came over, a smile on her face. "Let me help with that, kiddo," she said, and she picked the boy up and put him in the playpen. "There you go. Now play nice, you two." She picked up Poppy's discarded toy and gave it to the baby, who took it and promptly stuck it in her mouth.

"Thanks, Grandma!" Branch said, then he gave Poppy that hug she had wanted.

The baby tossed her toy keys aside, hugged Branch...then grabbed his hair and started chewing on it.

Through laughter, Branch said, "Hey! That's not a chew toy!" He gently tried to get his hair out of her mouth, still amused at this development.

Rosiepuff watched them, feeling a sense of pride, as a tired yet happy Polly came out to join them.

"From the sound of things, the kids are getting along quite nicely," she said.

Rosiepuff turned to her, smiling. "What did I tell you? These two were just made for each other." She looked back in time to see Branch tickling the baby, who was rolling on the floor and laughing.

"Hmm... It would appear so. And you say Branch has already expressed an interest in becoming her king someday?"

"He has. He thinks it'd be fun to become the king of the trolls. And he simply adores the idea of ruling by Poppy's side. So I'm sure that, with the proper guidance and care, he'd make a fine king one day. He'll just need the appropriate training when he's old enough, and we'd have a king to be proud of in no time at all."

"Now, let's not forget, my friend, that the children have a say in this also," Polly reminded her gently. "So we'd first need to see how my little Poppy feels about that idea as well, bearing in mind that either one of them could change their minds at any given time. So we'd best be prepared for that possibility, also."

"I know, I know. But it couldn't hurt to work on Branch's education in the meanwhile. I mean, if they do decide to go through with it, they'd need to be properly prepared."

"I couldn't agree with you more, Rosie. We'll see how it all turns out."

Polly looked at the children again, grinning in amusement as Poppy whacked Branch's leg with her keys, laughing. She once again had his hair in her mouth, too. Branch tickled her some more, which caused her to stop everything and just laugh.

"Yes," Rosiepuff agreed, watching Poppy spit on Branch's chest. "We will."

"Hey!" Branch laughed. "That's gross!"

Polly and Rosiepuff watched the children play for a while, proud of how well they were getting along. When Branch started singing, Poppy joined in with baby garble (she hadn't started speaking yet). Listening to the two sing, even though it was a mess of noise, it was clear that their voices synced up well, too. It was clear to their families that these two were perfect for each other, and they were going to make sure the little ones knew it.