Chapter 16

It had been over a month since poppy had been bitten by the snake, as well as been attacked by creek. He was still being held prisoner in the palace. And as usual, trying to charm his way out of both confinement and punishment, trying to convince the other trolls everything was a 'mistake'. King peppy allowed poppy to be  the one to come up with his punishment. Branch thought that was fitting, because if HE had that opportunity, creek would be dead. Poppy stayed a few more weeks in bed after branch gave her the gloom blossom mixture. She was still weak from the venom being in her system so long, sometimes feeling sick with nausea. Branch let her choose if she would rather be in her own room at the palace, but she wasn't comfortable knowing creek would have been so close by. Branch understood, and so he let her stay for as long as she needed. Branch practically waited on her hand and foot, helping her with walking and massaging her muscles to help with blood flow. She was grateful for all he was doing. However, she sometimes got annoyed that he wouldn't let her do the most simply of tasks the first few weeks. Such as lift anything over 5 pounds, walk up stairs on her own and moving too quickly. During the night, he held her tenderly in his arms, caressing her body as she slept, sometimes while she was awake. She enjoyed the feel of his big hands over her skin. Her favorite thing, was laying on his chest at night, listening to his heartbeat as she dozed off to sleep. 

Over time, her strength returned, bit by bit. Her friends came to visit her everyday. Bringing gifts for both poppy as well as branch. Branch was happy to see such loyalty and love from her friends. He thought that she was fortunate to have such loyal friends, although, she was the kindest and most warmhearted troll in the village. So it was easy to see that she was the most well loved troll in the village. With several weeks of recovery under her belt, she was finally well enough to walk around troll village without the help of another person. She never would have dreamed that a snake bite would take so much out of someone, let alone take so long to recover from. But with the help and her friends and from branch, she felt like the luckiest troll in the world. She had noticed that other than taking care of her and helping the king with needs around the village in her stead, branch had been off doing something on his own the last few days. She wondered where he could be, perhaps he was taking extra precautions and planting some extra firebell plants? She had no idea. As she traveled around the village, she was greeted by her loving subjects, all asking her if she is feeling well or happy they were that he was doing so well after her attack. She was glad to see that everyone was back to their happy carefree ways. They all felt a higher sense of safety since she and branch had planted the flowers. They had already sprouted, but it will still take some time for them to fully bloom. Still, it made the people feel so much safer. Poppy looked around the square, looking for branch. He had been acting particularly strange the last few days. It was dusk, she had spent most of her day conversing with the trolls in the village and enjoying the fresh air. She missed the warmth of the sun on her skin, the feel of the wind in her hair. But since it would soon be dark, she wanted to find branch. And so, she headed to village center, looking for navy blue hair and a green leaf vest.

As she passed the square and headed towards the palace, she saw a tuft of navy dark blue hair walking into the palace. She would recognize that hair anywhere. She speed walked to the palace, being sure not to do anything too strenuous just yet. Walking in to the great hall, she looked in all directions, finally, she saw him talking to king peppy int the far end of the great hall. Both looking rather happy, peppy looking particularly cheerful. "Branch! Hey, there you are"! She yelled across the room as she walked towards them. Branch and peppy look over to her direction, both smiling. Peppy smiles wide as he enthusiastically shakes branch's hand, walking away to give his daughter a hug. "Poppy, how are you feeling my dear? It's good to see you up and walking around". He beamed. "Thanks dad, I actually feel pretty good today. I thought it was about time I tried walking on my own, I must say, it feels good to walk under the sun. I never thought I would miss something so simple". She said as he looked out the windows to the village square. Looking eagerly to branch, peppy bid his farewell. "Well, I'm going to go and handle another pod construction matter, one of the pods on the end of the district is damaged from a fallen tree branch, I'll see you later". He finished with a wide smile as he left.

Poppy was confused, he was much more chipper than normal, but she figured it was because she was finally well enough to walk on her own. It had been very difficult to do the simplest tasks until now. "What's up with him"? She asked curiously. "He is just happy to see you well, pop. You can't blame him, you gave us all a massive scare that night". Branch said as he turned to see her. She understood where he was coming from, she would have been just as terrified if it was someone she cared for as well. Looking down to her face, branch gave a tender smile. Noticing him looking at her, she wondered what was going through his mind. "What? Am I still grey or something"? she asked him jokingly. Branch laughed to himself. "Nope, you're still as vibrant and beautiful as the first time I saw you". He said as he kissed her forehead. His sweet remark made her heart flutter. "Come with me pop". He said as he took her hand and lead her up the stairs. After the stairs they passed along the corridor leading to the garden area, opening the wide door, he revealed a beautiful and luscious new section of the garden. A small pond lay along the eastern side of the garden, conjoined with a fountain and a sitting spot in the center of the pond, most likely for her reading. Cattail plants and some water lilies were strewn along the banks of the pond, but what caught her eye, was a beautiful dark blue flower on the end of the bank near the center stone, closed like it was sleeping. She gasped at the lovely site of the new section. She knew exactly what that flower was. Even though it wasn't in bloom, it was still a lovely color. "Oh, branch! It's amazing! Is this what you have been working on"? She asked with joy in her voice. Branch loved the sound of joy in her voice.

"Most of this, yes. I know how much you love to read stories in your scrapbooks. So I made you a special place to relax. Do you like it"? He asked with an almost hopeful tone."Like it? I LOVE it! It's beautiful! Thank you so much! I cant believe you did all of this just for me......". She said softly as she blushed. "Knowing that you would like it, makes it all worth it. I was happy to make this for you, just to see your beautiful smile". He said to her as he traced her lip line with his thumb. She looked at him lovingly. "You said that this wasn't the only thing you were working on? What else have you been working on"? She asked him. Branch smiled, bringing her by the hand to the edge of the garden, there was a guitar already waiting for them. Poppy was confused, What was a guitar doing here? Branch took the guitar, then gestured for her to take a seat on the stone bench that was positioned against the flowerbed. Curiosity peaked, she sat, rather excited to see what will happen. Soon after she sat, he began to play a lovely, slow tune on the guitar. And to her astonishment, something else happened, he started to sing. 

" Heart....beats....fast

Colors and promis-es

How to be brave

How can I love when I'm afraid, to, fall

But watching you stand, a-lone

All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow....

One step cloooser.....

(Branch's voice had poppy's breath halted, she was smitten with his smooth and angelic voice, Branch laid down the guitar, holding out his hand, waiting for poppy, she slowly took it. Moments later, he began to slow dance with her as the sun finally vanished, leaving the dark sky with an early moon shining down on the two trolls.)

I  have died every day, waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thoooousand years

I'll love you for a thooousand moooore.....

(poppy looks over to a bright blue shimmer from the corner of her eye, suddenly, the gloom blossom bloomed under the moonlight. A beautiful glowing dark blue and purple hue that created a romantic ambiance.)

Time, stands, still

Beauty in all, she, is

I will be brave

I won't let any-thing take, a-way

What's standing in front, oooof meee

Every breath, every hour has come to this........"

He stopped dancing, looking into her eyes with love and passion. Fireflies dotting the area around them as their bellies lit up the garden. The moonlight shining down on her hair, making it look almost purple. She loved the way he looked at her. After looking at her for a moment, he bent down on one knee, pulling something out of his vest pocket. It was a clam shell, Light bluish grey and smooth. He pulled the top open, revealing that beautiful fire opal he found in the pond on his journey, attached to a gorgeous silver band.

Poppy's eyes began to tear as she brought her hands to her mouth, her lower lip quivered from anticipation. "Poppy, I love you more than you could ever know. Because of you, I got to experience what real love is. You have always treated me with kindness and respect, you never looked down on me for being different, for being unique. You're sweet, kind, loyal, and the very definition of joy. Poppy......will you be my wife"? He asked her with a whisper so soft you could hear the crickets singing their nocturnal song. Poppy's eyes filled with tears of happiness. She couldn't believe what was happening. She was so happy it seemed as if the color of her skin began to glow. "Yes! yes, yes a thousand times yes"! She squealed as she jumped into his arms, kissing him passionately. Branch felt a single tear of happiness roll down his cheek as they lay on the soft grass, the sound of crickets humming in the air and the luminescent glow from the gloom blossom radiating a lovely blue glow. Returning her kiss, he lays her to her side, stroking her cheek, he reached for her hand. Taking the ring from his nautical ring box, he slid the ring onto her finger, fitting perfectly. He looked into her eyes, bright and shimmering with the starlight dancing in her pupils. Stroking her face, his face lit up with blue blushes, happiness welled inside him. He finally made it official with the troll he loved most in life. "I love you poppy..." He whispered to her. "I love you too branch". She replied to him softly. He gripped her face gently, pulling her over to his lips. Their kiss was deep, and passionate, lasting a good long while. Pulling away from the kiss, the newly engaged trolls look at one another, giving chuckles of happiness, holding each other tightly in the night. Looking to the stars, they greatly anticipated their future, wondering what it would bring them.

End of chapter 16