-O-

Picturebook Romance

A Trolls fanfic

By Dreamsinger

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cheerful Counsel

I walked with Cherry Blossom as she led me away from the village center and the crowds of meandering trolls on their way to dinner.

"I wonder why Poppy didn't want to come with us," she commented.

"Oh, she's probably going to use the time work on her surprise."

"Surprise?"

"Yeah, Poppy's planning some kind of big surprise for me." I rolled my eyes. "It'll probably be crazy and messy and everything…"

She gave me the look that used to annoy me sometimes; sympathetic on the surface but secretly amused at my discomfort. "I take it you still don't care for surprises, Branchki – sorry, I mean Branch."

She looked a little embarrassed at her mistake, so I pretended not to notice and just shrugged nonchalantly. "Actually, I've gotten pretty good at dealing with Poppy-related messes. I'm happy now, you know?"

"I know, Branch, and I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear that." Her green eyes were as open and sincere as I remembered, from when she used to date my old roommate, Leafe.

"Thanks, Cherry Blossom."

She and her husband Leafe were both school teachers, and two of the smartest people I knew. They had joined the class I'd taught a few days ago, where I'd demonstrated the Heimlich Maneuver to most of my friends and a small group of other trolls.

-O-

At first I'd felt a little awkward at their presence, but it hadn't taken long for me to appreciate it. They were good students; very quick to understand and remember explanations and directives, while helping their fellow trolls follow along as I demonstrated the procedure on Stuffie, a stuffed troll I'd brought along.

Funny how some trolls always managed to focus on the wrong thing. "You should really change his name," one student commented.

"What? Whose name?" I asked in bewilderment.

"It isn't very nice to call him Stuffy. I'm sure he's very friendly."

"What are you talking about? Who's friendly?"

"I think he's talking about him." Cherry Blossom pointed at the soft cloth body I was holding.

I looked down at the smiling figure, then looked up at the trolls in the class, most of whom were giving me earnest looks, as if they really thought a stuffed figure had feelings. I started to say that aloud, ran through the inane conversation that would follow if I did, and decided to skip it.

"His name is Stuffie with an 'i-e' at the end, not a 'y'."

"Ohh…sorry. My mistake," the student replied, and everyone looked content with that.

I met Cherry Blossom's eyes, and she smiled at me. Then Leafe had, too, giving me the look of wry amusement I remembered, and I'd smiled back before I realized it. For just a moment it felt like no time had passed and the three of us were just sharing a private joke while attending a lecture, the way we used to back when I lived with Leafe.

But now I was the teacher, so I quickly got back to business.

After class I thanked Cherry Blossom for helping me out, and she replied, "Oh, no problem. We've been there." She beamed at her husband Leafe, who, at thirty, looked a little older than I remembered, but he still had the same bright teal-blue eyes behind big round eyeglasses and the quiet smile I used to know so well.

"That was a nifty little technique there, Branchkin," he said. "Where'd you pick that up?"

"Don't call me that," I said sharply before I even realized I was going to speak.

Both of them gave me startled looks and suddenly I was the same prickly, awkward youth I had once been when that name was mine, restless and discontent, always saying something I didn't mean; the person I never wanted to be again.

"Sorry." I chuckled awkwardly. "It's – it's just Branch, now."

"Of course, Branch. I should have known," Leafe apologized. "You're all grown up now."

"Yeah…" Uncomfortably, I rubbed the back of my head.

Fortunately for me, Cherry Blossom was as perceptive as she'd always been. "Well, Branch," she said brightly, "We want to thank you for taking the time to demonstrate it to us."

"Yes, we really appreciate it." Leafe paused to study me.

I stood a little straighter, wondering what he saw. I hadn't exactly done a good job of showing them how much I'd changed. "It was my pleasure," I said with as much grace as I could muster, and tried to give them a warm smile. I hoped it didn't look too weird. Smiling on cue still didn't come naturally to me.

Apparently I looked okay, because both of them smiled back and Cherry Blossom said, "The pleasure is mutual. We always enjoy learning something new, don't we, dear?"

"We sure do, hon. And so will our girls."

"Your girls?"

"Yes, we have two wonderful daughters, Pippin and Bonny," Leafe said with a father's pride. "They're ten and eight years old, and just as smart as their mother."

"And their father." Cherry Blossom gave her husband an affectionate look before turning back to me. "In fact, Branch, would you be able to come teach our girls your technique?"

"Seriously?"

They both nodded.

"Wow." I gestured toward them, a faint blush of pleasure warming my cheeks. "That's the first time anyone's ever asked me for more information after a lecture."

Leafe inclined his head. "I know you're probably busy preparing for the Beadfest, but after it's over…"

"Sure." This time the smile I gave them was completely natural. "I'd be happy to."

-O-

With the sounds of the Beadfest fading behind us, I asked, "So, what did you need to ask me?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the little lesson you taught the trollings earlier."

"Oh, you mean when I was showing Fern and her brothers why her headband kept slipping?"

"Yes, and also what you said about assessing everyone's skill before you allowed them to replicate your demonstration."

"Oh, I'd better do that soon, actually. Thanks for reminding me."

"Do you really think anyone is in danger?"

I shrugged. "I'm not super worried about it, to be honest, but there's always the chance of a freak accident. Since trolls in general are very accommodating, what I said about waiting ought to be enough to prevent any major accidents from happening. It'll also serve as a reminder for people – especially parents with young trollings – to practice fall-deterrent skills if they need work."

Cherry Blossom looked at me without speaking for a long moment, a pleased smile growing on her face.

"What?"

"The more time I spend with you, Branch, the more I admire you."

"Huh? I mean, uh, thank you?" I was still puzzled as to where this conversation was going, and now being complimented out of the blue like this was a little disconcerting.

Cherry Blossom read the confusion in my face and laughed lightly. "Sorry. I meant that I admire your forethought. Between the class you taught earlier this week and what we've seen today, Leafe and I think you're a natural teacher."

"Oh," I said, pleased. "Well, that's nice of you to say."

"And with the number of trollings increasing the way it has in recent years, we need teachers, Branch."

My mouth dropped open. "You - you want me to be a teacher?" I put a hand on my chest. "For the school?"

"We do." She gave me a proud smile that warmed me.

Touched, I looked away. I truly didn't know what to say. In many ways, I felt like I was still trying to prove myself to everyone. It felt really good to know that she and Leafe both held me in such high regard.

Then I remembered my current situation and my smile faded. "Uh… Thanks for the offer. I'm flattered, but I'm going to have to turn you down." I dropped my gaze, feeling my ears tip downward.

"But why, Branch?" Her tone held a mix of bewilderment and concern. "Leafe and I were quite impressed by the way you encouraged Fern to think about what you showed her and then draw conclusions herself, rather than just giving her a ready-made solution."

I looked up to see her giving me an earnest look, her forehead wrinkling as she explained, "You see, most trolls want to help too much. It's a rare troll who understands how to teach in a way that will help his or her students think for themselves, something which will benefit them over the course of their entire lives."

Uncomfortably caught between choices, I cleared my throat. "I get what you're saying, and I wish I could help, but right now I've got kind of a lot going on. Maybe next year-"

"Oh, you mean because you and the queen – I mean, Poppy – are dating now?"

"What?" I yelped, my ears flipping back as I gave her a shocked look. I whipped my head around to see if anyone had heard her, but no one was nearby. Thankfully, we had wandered into one of the empty grassy fields surrounding the village. Or did she lead me here on purpose?

"Shhh!" I put a finger up to my lips and scolded in an undertone, "That's supposed to be a secret, Cheery! How did you find out?"

She didn't whisper, but she did keep her voice low. "I saw the two of you this morning riding the slide."

"Oh. Well, that was just because- We didn't-" I had a vivid, guilty memory of holding my girl close while we rode the slide, of Poppy's hand on my cheek, neither of us willing to let the other go just yet. I closed my eyes and sighed, letting my shoulders sag. "Okay, you got me. Were we really that obvious?"

Cherry Blossom put a hand to her cheek, her face going embarrassingly lovey-dovey, just like the Whizbangs had when I'd admitted that our queen had a secret boyfriend. "It wasn't only what you did, it was… Well, you both just had that look, you know?"

"Look? What look?" I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one hip, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"The look of two people who've fallen in love," she said softly. "Where you only see each other, as if you were in your own little world." She sighed dreamily. "It's really quite unmistakable."

I wrinkled my nose. "Well, gee…I sure hope I didn't look as lovesick as you do right now."

The ruby-red troll giggled and confessed, "Also, when I asked her if you two were a couple, Poppy said yes."

"Oh, so it was you she told." That made me feel better, to tidy up that little loose end. Then something else occurred to me. "Wait, does that mean Leafe knows, too?"

"He does; I asked Poppy's permission to tell him. He sends his congratulations." She took a step toward me and put her hands on mine. "And we are so happy for you, Branch."

I scanned her face hesitantly, but her gentle green eyes held no disapproval, none of the doubt or worry I might have expected from someone who had good cause to remember the unhappy trolling I'd once been.

My heart felt lighter. "Thanks. I was wondering why there hasn't been a big fuss over us yet, but if it's you and Leafe, I don't need to worry. You two always were a lot more discreet than most other trolls." I let go of her hands. "Could you really tell what was going on between me and Poppy?"

"Well…you were rather unsubtle." The corner of her mouth lifted in a grin.

I said quietly, "That's because Poppy and I agreed not to lie to anyone about this, or even pretend we're not dating. It makes her feel guilty to deceive people."

Cherry Blossom's face lit up. "What an interesting idea! It sounds like a wonderful game…" Her voice trailed off as her expression turned thoughtful. "Although I would have thought secrecy would be more your thing."

"Well…originally I was thinking that it would be nice for the village to celebrate with us, but when Poppy pointed out how we're not likely to get a moment alone together once we make this public, I came around in a hurry."

She chuckled. "And there's my old friend." The sheer affection in her tone embarrassed me. She laughed again at my telltale blush, reaching out to tweak my cheeks. "Such a cutie-pie."

"Cheery…" I whined, but underneath I was pleased. I remembered her as being more reserved.

"You remembered my nickname," she said in delight.

"Of course. I gave it to you, didn't I?"

My friends had had a good laugh over a misspelled note I'd written one day when I was in too much of a hurry to proofread it. Leafe had taken to calling her Cheery, or Cheery Blossom, and it had rubbed off on me. She hadn't seemed to mind.

Both of them had still been calling me Branchkin then, back when the two of them were first dating.

Now I'm the one dating… A shiver of delight, of excitement, of sheer nerves ran through me, my hair crackling and my toes curling. It's finally my turn. This is really happening to me, isn't it?

I spoke before I thought. "Hey, Cheery, can I ask your advice?"

"Of course, Branch."

I looked carefully around us to make sure no one was in sight. "So the thing is… Wait." I held up a hand while I scanned the skies above us, which were a clear, spotless blue.

"What are we looking for?" Cherry Blossom whispered, tilting her own face up.

"It's okay. No evidence of Cloud Guy. We can proceed with the conversation," I reported as I turned to face her, only to see her staring uncertainly at me. "Cloud Guy is this annoying cloud that… Have you heard of him? He's… Never mind. Okay. So…um."

Cherry Blossom waited, but I was stuck, random thoughts and feelings bouncing around in my head. I gave her a sheepish look, spreading my hands to the sides. "I don't know where to start."

She touched me gently on the arm. "Take your time."

I closed my eyes and tried to focus, to distill all my concerns down into a neat list of questions, but what came out was, "This is all still kind of new to me. Having friends, being part of troll society again, and a future where I'll be part of that society. And now, a future with Poppy, who just so happens to also be the queen. I guess I want to know what my role will be, and how I should fulfil it."

"Well, you don't start off with the easy questions, do you?" Cherry Blossom shook her head, but she was smiling.

Her comment made me chuckle. "Sorry. I guess asking you to outline my entire life is a pretty odd request."

"Not as odd as you'd think. I am a teacher, after all. People look to me for guidance. And…" She hesitated, looking apologetic.

"What is it?"

She said delicately, "I don't mean to bring up unhappy thoughts, but it's natural for you to seek the advice of someone older than you are, and you don't exactly have..."

"Yeah." I didn't need her to remind me that I had no relatives left.

"Okay, let me scale it back a little." I cleared my throat and tried again. "So. I have a girlfriend for the first time in my life, and I'm really, really happy, but I'm also a little scared. I mean, it all happened so fast, almost too fast. I'm worried that she'll change her mind and want to go back to just being friends. And it's like I don't want to go any further until I'm sure."

"You don't think she's in love with you?"

"No, I believe her. I just…don't know if it will last. What if I'm just exciting to her because being in love is new and different and she's not afraid to take the plunge? I mean, it could be like one of those temporary crazes that come and go all the time in the village. I know most trolls would just go with it and enjoy it while it lasts - and I'm going to try - but I'm not sure I can."

"Branch, I think you're under mistaken impressions. Other trolls would be a little uncertain in your situation, too."

"They would?" I looked at her a little uncertainly.

"Of course. Some things are universal, and fear of rejection is one of them." Her tone softened. "I think you're being too hard on yourself. You haven't even been out of your bunker for a year yet, but you've already made so much progress. No one expects you to-"

She stopped, frowning thoughtfully at me. "Or is our young queen trying to urge you into something before you're ready? She's a lovely person, but she can be a little bit…"

"Pushy?"

Cherry Blossom laughed, the light, delighted laugh I used to know so well. Somehow, hearing it made me feel better. "I was going to say 'dynamic'. She tends to forget that some of us like to live life at a more moderate pace."

I remembered when I shared a pod with Leafe. Once in a while he would go to a party, but my friend's idea of fun ran more to baking and playing chess with me. "Poppy can be a challenge to keep up with," I agreed, and then admitted, "But you know, I need that. Need to be pushed once in a while, to make sure I keep making forward progress."

"It sounds as if you two complement each other well."

"I hope so. I'm just not sure what she gets from me." I spread my hands out. "I mean, what can I offer her that she couldn't get from any other troll?"

"Maybe you can show our energetic young queen how to appreciate the quiet times," she suggested with a hint of amusement.

Our recent picnic came to mind, and I gazed out over the gently rippling grass, recalling how calm and peaceful Poppy had seemed, snuggled up against me as if content to just…be.

With me.

I pulled my thoughts back to the present as Cherry Blossom asked, "Let me ask you something. If you knew for certain that your relationship wouldn't last, would you still want to proceed?"

"I've thought about that. And I should say 'no', but…" I took a deep breath. "I would. Even if it turned out that I was nothing more than a fling to her."

"Oh, surely not. I can't remember Poppy being one to have flings." The ruby-red troll tapped her chin as she gazed at the sky. "I can't recall her dating at all, actually."

"She hasn't," I informed her. "I'm her first boyfriend. See, Poppy told me that she had to choose carefully, because she's the queen."

Cherry Blossom beamed at me. "And she chose you. Oh, well done, Branch."

I nodded. "I know. I can't believe how lucky I am."

"It wasn't luck, my friend," she said encouragingly. "You've worked very hard to reach the point you're at now, haven't you?" She took my hands, her gentle green eyes meeting mine. "You've come such a long way from the troubled young troll you used to be. And I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks. I appreciate the support." I looked down for a moment, smiling a little, before I let my face go serious the way it wanted. "But still, I really want to know what I can do to make this relationship last."

I crossed my arms apprehensively. "We're not like you and Leafe. We argue. We don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. I don't remember it being like this with you two. Right from the start it all just seemed to fall into place so easily for you."

"Well, Leafe and I are both scholars," she said gently. "We share a lot of common interests and have the same outlook on many things. You and Poppy may be less alike, but that doesn't mean you don't have anything in common or share the same outlook on at least some things. Unless Poppy said something to you?"

"No. Actually, Poppy pointed out that both of us want what's best for the village, and that we just have different ideas about how to do that."

"So, in other words, you're covering more bases than Leafe and I would."

"Yeah. I guess I hadn't thought of it like that."

I mulled that over in silence, while the pale-pink-haired troll waited patiently. Cherry Blossom seems to think we're compatible, although given our history, I'm not so sure. What I remember most is all the times we got on each other's nerves. I mean, Poppy's always been my friend, but she's never exactly been passionate about me except for-

I winced as a long-buried memory surfaced, along with a rush of angst.

I don't know what my face looked like, but Cherry Blossom stepped toward me with a look of alarm. "What's wrong, Branch?"

My stomach was jittery. "Maybe - maybe this whole thing is just a crush. See, when Poppy and I were teenagers, I'm pretty sure she had a crush on me."

"She did?" Her eyes widened.

"I think so. For a little while. It didn't last long, just a few weeks." I blew out an anxious breath, my distress rising. "Cheery, what if this is just a recurrence of that old infatuation, just more intense because we're both adults now, and because we've become much better friends?"

"What happened the first time when you realized she was interested in you?"

"I kind of freaked out." I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment. "And then I came up with a plan to discourage her, and it worked. Don't you see, if she'd really liked me, it shouldn't have. Poppy doesn't give up that easily."

Cherry Blossom thought about that. "Then maybe the last time, she could tell you weren't ready to handle a romantic relationship." She smiled and spread her hand in the air. "And now you are."

I gave her a skeptical look. "Really? As simple as that?"

"Well, you aren't trying to discourage her any more, right?"

"No, but like I said, I can only seem to go so far, and then it gets to be too much for me. Poppy's been understanding up to now, but…"

Cherry Blossom gave me a warm smile and shook her head. She began to speak but I interrupted her grumpily, "I know, I know, you're gonna tell me not to worry, right? It's the bergens all over again."

I didn't have to point out how it might have taken twenty years, but time had eventually proven me right, and it could again. And just like then, I didn't want baseless reassurances.

Cherry Blossom read the challenge in my face and answered it. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "All right, then. If you and Poppy were to break up, how could it happen?"

I hesitated. Many of the things I'd worried about last night and this morning when I woke up seemed less important somehow, after spending a wonderful day with the girl who had eyes for no one but me. Every time I'd been uncertain, she'd said or done just what I needed to make me feel better, more confident, even if it meant pushing me a little, as I'd told Cherry Blossom.

"I don't know," I finally admitted. "Things are so good between us right now…but that could change."

"I see. And you're worried that you won't be able to keep up with the change?" she asked quietly.

I lowered my head. "I guess so."

Then I lifted my chin. "Don't get me wrong, I'm way better at rolling with things these days. But I'm still me."

She gestured toward me. "You truly can't see how much you've changed?"

Impatiently I answered, "Listen, getting back my true colors might have looked magical, with all the glowing and the sparkles and everything, but it's not like I was transformed into a prince."

Her eyebrows went up, and then she gave me a shrewd grin. "Perhaps not, but…you could be king someday."

My stomach lurched and I swallowed hard. After a moment I said unsteadily, "Sounds really weird to hear someone actually say that out loud."

"A little daunting, my friend?"

I took a deep breath and let it out, but it didn't help. I could feel my heart practically galloping in my chest. "Yeah. It's not so much the duties – I grew up with Poppy, after all; and lately I've been helping her with - It's just-" I groaned aloud, clenching my fists. "Poppy is the focal point of the entire village. Everyone looks to her to be their emotional support, their anchor, even me. Could Ipossibly do the same for this village?"

I let my body sag, and my ears wilt. "And even if I could, I'd know I'd never be as popular as King Peppy was."

"Why not?"

"Because I'd want to use the position to mandate better safety practices and procedures, and nobody wants that." I tugged my hands through my hair, pacing restlessly. "It's not like I don't see things from their point of view, you know! I love having fun, too, but-" I spread my hands helplessly. "I know that so much more could be done to make this village a safer place. But I feel like all I'm going to get is opposition! I'll end up making the entire village unhappy, and what good is a king like that?"

My rant finished, I faced her with clenched fists, breathing hard, knowing that there was nothing she could say. I'd spoken the truth.

But just like Poppy often did, she surprised me and came at my issue from a different angle. "You know, I can empathize with you. As a teacher, I have a responsibility to keep my students safe, and they aren't always completely happy with that, either."

I blinked in surprise. I hadn't thought of that.

"Poppy's a teacher, too. Is she really so unsympathetic?" She tilted her head to the side.

"Well…" I remembered how Poppy had supported me about the boingo-riding helmets. "No… I guess not."

Cherry Blossom held up her forefinger. "And yet, as a fun-loving troll, I confess that I'm not fond of having my freedom of choice taken from me. It's all a balancing act, isn't it? You see, too much control stifles one's spirit." She touched my hand gently. "Do you understand, Branch?"

Something shifted in my head and my mind began to whirl. Sensitive as always, Cherry Blossom kept quiet, letting me work through my thoughts until I said slowly, "Before I finally learned how to let go of my fear and be happy, I don't think I would have understood, no. But now…I see. I see." I heard the sheer awe in my voice as I gazed off into the distance, an incredible revelation bursting into being behind my eyes.

"All these years, I was stifling my own spirit, wasn't I?"

She gave me a kindhearted smile, and suddenly I couldn't help myself, catching her up and spinning her around in a joyous hug. "Thank you so much, Cheery!"

She hugged me back. "Anytime, Branch. Anytime."

When I set her down, she suggested, "You might want to present your safety procedures as recommendations rather than mandates. Most trolls will be happy to comply if they believe they're following the best practices."

"You know, that's a great idea!" I felt so light and free now, almost giddy, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. "I can totally see where you're coming from. I know I don't like it when Poppy makes me do things- Hey, can she still make me do things I don't want to do even if I'm king?"

Cherry Blossom chuckled. "Speaking from the perspective of a married spouse, it's better to find ways to compromise when you have a difference of opinion."

I set the backs of my hands on my hips. "What are you talking about? Poppy and I never disagree."

Cherry Blossom stared at me uncomprehendingly until she saw the smile I was trying to hide. "Why, Branch, are you teasing me?" she asked in delight, crossing her hands in front of her knees and bending forward to look playfully up at me.

I couldn't hold back my laugh any longer, and she laughed too, clapping her hands. "You are, aren't you?" Then her expression softened, and she took my face in her hands, her green eyes shining with affection. "Oh, Branch. You'll figure it out. I have complete faith in you."

"Thanks, Cheery," I said gratefully, blinking away the sudden heat of tears. "That really means a lot to me."

"Poppy's a lucky troll," she murmured affectionately, tweaking my cheek before releasing me.

I gave her a fond smile. "You know, considering how often I get roped into Poppy's plans, I actually get the feeling that things wouldn't be much different from the way they are now. It just means that the title would be official," I said wryly, and Cherry Blossom laughed again.

Author's Note:

Cherry Blossom speaks with a British accent similar to Biggie's.