Trolls and the Hunters

Chapter 12

     In the morning Branch walked into the kitchen, Peppy preparing breakfast, while Poppy, Azalea, and Twig sat at the table.

     "Morning, Poppy," Branch greeted, kissing the top of Poppy's head. She smiled up at him, kissing his cheek. "Good morning to you too, Branchie," she said with a smile.
"And good morning to you, little cutie," he said, tickling Azalea, who giggled.

     "Daddy," she laughed. "Stop it! It tickles!"

     Branch kissed her cheek, heading over Twig, who sat in a high chair, splashing in his cereal bowl.

     "Good morning, my little man," he said, ruffling Twig's hair, before kissing his head.

     He grabbed a muffin off the table, heading out the door to finish setting up his traps.

     "Whoa, whoa, whoa," Poppy said, noticing Branch leaving.

     Quickly, she jumped to her feet, grabbing onto his hand, to make him stop. He turned to look at her confused, raising an eyebrow.

     "Where do you think your going?" she asked him firmly, her hands on her hips.
"Umm... to set the traps?" Branch answered, starting to walk again.

     "Nope," Poppy said, shaking her head, as she grabbed him, pulling him back over to her. "You are not going back out into that forest. Don't you remember what happened yesterday?"
"Come on, Poppy," Branch whined. "I'll be fine. Besides, we have to protect the grove. The Synathins' lives depend on it. Uueeka's life depends on it."

     Poppy sighed, taking his hands in hers, as she gazed into his beautiful blue eyes.

     "We'll find another way to protect the grove, Branch," she said softly. "But right now... I only really care about protecting you. You can't go out there alone. It's too dangerous."

     "Danger? Ha! I laugh in the face of danger," Branch said, smiling confidently, as he chuckled loudly.

     Poppy sighed, rolling her eyes at him.

     Suddenly, her eyes went wide, as she looked at something behind Branch.

     "Oh no! Branch! A bird!" she yelled pointing.
"AHHH! Where!?" he screamed, quickly jumping to hide behind Poppy.

     She looked down at him, smiling smugly, as she put her hands on her hips.

     "Fine... so maybe I don't laugh in the face of danger..." he said, turning his back to her, as he crossed his arms. "But I'm still going. And you can't stop me."

     He started to walk towards the forest, Poppy watching him, as she crossed her arms.

     "Maybe I can't stop you, Branch..." she said quietly. "But I know someone who can. Uueeka!"

     Uueeka looked up at the sound of his name being shouted.

     "Grooba!" Poppy yelled, pointing at Branch, as he walked away from her.

     Suddenly, Uueeka began charging at Branch, as fast as he could.

     Branch heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming up behind him, his ear twitching slightly, as he turned to see what was causing the sound.

     His eyes widened, as his ears drooped a bit, seeing the giant Synathin running right at him.

     "AHHH! No! Uueeka! Stop!" he shouted, trying to run, but Uueeka quickly caught up to him, grabbing him by the back of his vest, and lifting him into the air.

     "Hey!" Branch yelled. "Put me down, Uueeka!"

     Poppy walked over to them slowly, as she smirked at Branch, pleased with herself.

     "When did you even learn to speak Synathin?" Branch grumbled, crossing his arms, as he dangled from Uueeka's beak.

     "Mom taught me," Poppy said smugly. Then she turned back to Uueeka. "Uueeka. Watchu."

     The Synathin put Branch on the ground, the little blue troll immediately trying to run away, but Uueeka quickly grabbed him again, pulling him back, as he sat on top of him.

     "Come on!" Branch yelled, trying to escape. "Get off of me you oversized bird!"
"Synathin," Uueeka corrected, pecking Branch gently with his beak, to get him to stop squirming. "I don't care! Just get off of me, so I can save your life!"

     "Now..." Poppy said, squatting down to look Branch in the eyes. "You stay here. I'm going to the other side of the forest with my mom to put up signs to deter the hunters."
"Wait... how come you get to go out, but I can't!?" Branch objected.
"One... I'm not the one who's hurt. And two... I'll have my mom. I won't be alone."
"This is so unfair..." Branch pouted.

     Poppy smiled, kissing his cheek, before walking away.

     "Don't let him out of your sight, Uueeka," Poppy said, as she walked into the tree house to get her mom. "Goobie," Uueeka responded with a smile, laying his head down to snuggle up with Branch.

     "Stupid bird..." Branch grumbled quietly, as Uueeka nuzzled his face with his head. "Synathin," Uueeka corrected again, curling up for a nap.

     "Ugh!" Branch groaned, slamming his face down into the dirt.