𝓞𝓹𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓼 | 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓼 |𝓑𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓱 𝔁 𝓯𝓮𝓶 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 {𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴}

𝓢𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷. 𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓾𝓮

𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓹𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥:
The scullery maid Strolled her way down endless flight of stairs ahead of her. The cage filled with our friends, in her embrace. I caught her name when the King's royal chef - our kidnapper - scowled an order to her. Idget, I believe. One foot raised after the other, down each step, she reached the bottom of the stairs, leading to the basement's Scullery room. Which in my opinion seems more like a bedroom, pointing out the bed and pink curtains. But thank goodness, the small jumps between each step down those stairs, made it more challenging - than it already was - to hold onto the ribbon on her back.
When Branch and I got the first chance to jump, we did. We sprung off of the bow, then ran with light steps to the nearest hiding spot, which was underneath a wooden table in the corner.
The girl sat the cage down on a counter with care, getting on her tippy toes to reach. But out of a sudden, an annoyingly familiar voice made its way down a thick metal tube sticking out from the ceiling. "Scullery Maid!" The voice echoed through the room. The sound of Metals clanging got louder as it made its way down the tube. Then lots of pots, pans, plates, knifes, forks, and whatever else Bergens used to eat with, fell through. All the heavy metal equipment crashing down and stacks on top of Idget, landing with a piercing clanging sound.
"Wash these pots and pans for Trollstice! The King is inviting everyone. Except you!" The Chef added that last remark, before another kitchen tool got thrown through the tube, a wooden spoon, bouncing off of Idget's head.
Tiptoeing from hiding underneath the first wooden table to hide under another, standing closer to the scene. I whip my head back to send a glance in Branch's direction, he observes his surroundings over each shoulder, before he became comfortable enough to strike. Following my path without protest. But he move in a slow drift, making sure the Bergengirl didn't notice two Trolls on the loose.
As we were safely hidden from view again, hoping to listen in on another conversation shared, words wasn't that, it was sobs, heavy sobs.
Even though she's a Bergen, I can't help but feel bad. I always feel bad watching others misery, no matter the creature.
She let out silent sobs, trying to stay as quiet as possible.
She pushed her way through the stack of dirty dishes, the metal clanging as she pushed it aside with her body. She ran to the edge of her pink bed, throwing herself onto the sheets, face planting into the pillow to muffle the sobs she weren't able to hold. Letting the sheet wrapped around her pillow catch her heavy tears.
My heart is throbbing for this poor girl, my cold palm placed on top of my clothed chest, feeling it beat against my rib cage. My gaze turns to Branch standing beside me, catching his raised eyebrow. He caught my gaze on him, now furrowing both eyebrows at me and my empathy for a Bergen of all.
Idget's muffled sobs of pain quietened down, her face lifting from its hiding spot in the pillow. She turned to lie on her side, reaching out to the wooden nightstand, then pushing back a small pink curtain. The little room behind the curtain, was filled with magazines, filled with the King's face on the front.
🎵I've been alone with you inside my mind.🎵 This beautiful voice left her lips. I didn't know some Bergens were able to sing?
She too a hold of the magazine lying on top of the pile, then grasped a bend pink scissors, matching the curtain, cutting around the King's frame, releasing it from the page.
🎵And in my dreams, I've kissed your lips. A thousand times. I sometimes see you pass outside my door.🎵 She held the now cut-out piece of King Gristle up in front of her, the opposite hand gently caressing the piece of paper. 🎵Hello! Is it me you're looking for? I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile.🎵 Grabbing her roll of tape, grasping a few pieces, then taping the image to her pillow. 🎵You're all I've ever wanted.. And my eyes are open wide! 'Cause you know just what to say. And you know just what to do. And I want to tell you so much-🎵 "I love you" She ended her song with a whispered sentence, holding the pillow close to her face. Gazing into his eyes made all of her bottled up emotions flood right back, as she sobbed all over again, pressing the pillow against her face.
She continued the sobbing, until she fell into a deep sleep, just like that, falling back first to lay on her bed.
"Awh, she's in love with the king!"
"What are you talking about, Bergens don't have feelings?" Branch spoke up from beside me, trying to reason, while eyeing my palm still placed upon my heart. "Well, maybe you don't know everything about the Bergens." I shrug my shoulders, meeting his eye, letting my hand relax against my side again. 'What would he know about feelings, anyway...' I couldn't help but let that thought wander through my head. But I shake it out, deciding to change the subject.
"Now, let's go." Receiving a, agreeing nod from him, we then sprint our way across the floor, reaching the bottom of the counter our friends is placed upon. Branch offers me a head start, lifting me by my waist, for me to reach the duvet scattered across the table.
Branch jump to catch the end of it himself, the both of us clinging to the duvet, crawling our way up. As we reach the top, standing back up straight, we run to the cage. Branch pull the tea towel covering the cage off, revealing our friends and my dear sister.
"Poppy-Flower!" I yell out with my arms spreading out to both sides in excitement, overly glad we got the opportunity to reunite. In the act, I forgot all about the snoring Idget still passed out behind us.
"Sunshine!" Poppy then answer with the same loud volume in her voice, taking a hold on two of the beams.
"Guys!" My gaze shift from Poppy to the others gathered behind her.
"Juniper!"
🎵Celebrate good times come on!🎵 They suddenly started harmonising, stepping side to side with the rhythm. 🎵It's a celebration!🎵 I start singing along, swaying my hips and raising my arms above my head. Before me or any of the others could continue the song, Branch jump in, pressing his pointer against my lips and shush the others.
🎵There's a party going on right here-🎵 They decided to continue, in a whisper this time.
"No! There is not a party going on right here!" Branch's harsh whisper fan past my face, making the singing stop in the exact moment those words fell from his lips. He reached a hand up into my ponytail, snatching the pair of scissors I usually keep up there, for the special occasions where I have to scrapbook. With heavy stamps, he reach the lock dangling from the cage, closing the scissors and stuck them inside of the key hole. When the lock clicked open, he hand me the pair back, completely bend and isn't able to cut properly anymore.
I gave Poppy a nervous smile, my eyes apologising. it is actually her pair I have burrowed.
"The sooner we get you guys out of here-" Branch snake the lock out from between the beams and with slow movements, lowers it to lay on the table.
"The sooner we can save Creek!" Poppy shoot in, finishing Branch's discontinued sentence.
"Yes!" I agreed. "What!" Branch's voice raise, clear disbelief ringing from it. Before..
"Hello!" Idget Stir out of her sleep, shooting up into a sitting position with her eyes wide open.
Small gasps erupts from all of our small mouths. My blood running cold in my veins.
Her eyes were open, but they never shifted to the cage, not seeming to have noticed the current situation happening right underneath her nose. "Is it me you're looking for-?" My adrenaline was still dangerously high, even after she lowered back into the sheets, turning to her side with her hands tugged underneath her cheek. But it went back to normal when I let out a breath of relief, the others copying me, releasing one of their own they have managed to hold.
"I know you two are looking for the cupcakes and rainbows here, but let's face it. Creek has been eaten." Branch continued on with the discussion, keeping his tone low this time. He went to the cage, opening up the little hatch the lock has kept shut. Poppy jump out as the first one, and I cannot waste another second standing around. I throw myself on her, trapping her in an embrace.
"They put him in a Taco!" Biggie inform, unknowing that Branch and I were there to witness it for ourselves. But how would Biggie know. "It was horrible!" Cooper whine, jumping out behind Biggie and Mr. Dinkles, of course. Hearing the sound of Cooper's familiar voice, I step back from the embrace I shared with Poppy, letting her go, only to run at Cooper, throwing my arms around him bone-crushingly tight. He didn't mind, only responding to it with his neck pressing against my back.
"Sorry Poppy, Creek is gone." Guy Diamond's voice spoke, jumping out of the metallic prison as the last one. He laid a firm hand upon Poppy's shoulder, offering his comfort, knowing how much Creek meant to her.
Poppy's gaze fell, a forced realisation hitting her like a ton of bricks falling from an already burning house. Pulling back from another embrace, this time shared with Cooper, I then move to Branch's side. Poppy is clearly down and needs comfort. A perfect chance for Branch and Poppy to start over.
My elbow nudge into Branch's side. He can be mean, or maybe just too honest, but his realism could maybe cheer her up. Or maybe not.
His clueless eyes glare at me, while his hand rub the now sore spot on the side of his stomach. He didn't budge, so I push him with both my palms pressed against his shoulder blades, making him stumble forward in the direction of Poppy.
He sigh in defeat. "Poppy, how could you possibly think Creek is still alive?"
Her gaze raise from staring at her feet, to Branch, now standing in front of her with slumped shoulders. "I don't think he is alive, I hope he is alive, and that's enough."
"How do you always look on the bright side? There is no bright side here!" Branch clearly became irritated by the unrealistic view on the situation, that Poppy choose to face.
This was not a part of my plan. "Guys stop fighting." I warn, getting in between the two, who has stepped dangerously closer. I grew afraid their sudden argument would wake Idget back up.
"None!" Branch decided to ignore my order and my frame blocking his full view on Poppy. "There's always a bright side!" Poppy whisper above my shoulder, both of them ignoring my presence completely.
But they decided to stop their stupid argument too late. A large lantern hovered above us, blinding us, and the scullery girl is the one holding it. "Hey! Where do you think you're going!"
Jumping up in terror, we started screaming at the top of our lungs, scurrying off in different directions. Guy Diamond shot Glitter in her eyes to blind her temporarily.
"No! Get back in your cage!" Her voice was shaky and her fists started to rub her eyes, trying to rub the glitter out of them. Once her vision was somehow back to normal, she raised her palm and slammed it against the wooden table, hoping to catch a Troll in the move. But luckily missed.
Branch's grasp took a hold of my hand and led me towards some of the others, in the same direction they're running. Diving over the edge of the table. He kept his fingers threaded with mine as we were falling freely, and once the feeling of the cold tiles hit our toes, he dragged me along with him to hide underneath another table further back in the room.
Once the shadow of the table above covered us, we slowed down our pace. I turn back in the direction we ran from, no matter where my gaze landed, I couldn't spot Poppy.
"Chef's gonna be so mad!" Idget cries out with clenched fists, Trolls keep avoiding her desperate attempts on grasping them. "No!" She scream another time, chasing the Trolls running across the floor, trying her best to keep up as they kept parting ways.
Her eyes then feel upon Branch's small figure on the ground, noting how he weren't moving from his current spot nor running the opposite way of her approaching figure.
He has gotten that splendid idea to make himself visible to the naked eye, in other words, he has left our shared hiding spot to go and grasp a tool, usable for protecting.
"Branch get in here!" I caught myself scream at him as the Bergengirl reached her open grip down another time, just for him to ignore me.
The tool in question is a fork, which must've fallen out of the large pile of dishes.
Branch spun the kitchen tool above his head as a threat against Idget, which responded with getting a hold of a rusty Frypan beside her head, ready to throw back at Branch.
"Bridget, Stop!" Poppy's voice came between the two, all actions coming to an end as everyone's attention turn to her.
'Wait. Her name is Bridget! That makes so much more sense.'
"You're in love with King Gristle!" She pointed with an accusing finger at the girl, feet planted on a shelf with a larger, somewhat similar pink curtain in her background.
Bridget gasp, covering half of her face with the Frying pan, clearly trying to hide her reddening cheeks. "Uh, I don't know what you are talking about-" Poppy shove the curtain aside, revealing a whole collage full of bodies dressed in suits, with taped-on pictures of King Gristle's face. "Excuse me!" Bridget scurry to the curtain, ripping it back out to cover the collage. "That not mine!" She was quick to deny.
Poppy then pull at the corner of the curtain, revealing a smaller part of the collage. A figure wearing a white wedding dress came into view, Bridget's face taped on as the bride.
"What does it matter? It's not like he even knows I'm alive." Bridget sigh in defeat, her face falling into a frown. "Bridget! We can help you!" Poppy claim. "What if there is a way, where we both can get what we want?"
"You love Gristle too!?" Bridget's palms grab into the shelf, Poppy is standing on. "You better, back off, girlfriend." That was a desperate attempt on a threat, awkwardly scratching her nails and hissing at Poppy. Poppy seem just as confused as everyone witnessing the sight, her face questioning every thought going through that girl's head. "No, Bridget, no... That Troll - King Gristle put in his mouth - that's Creek." While the conversation continued between the two, I cleared the distance from the wooden table I stood underneath to the shelf where the scene was currently happening. Once I stood beside Poppy, I reach up into my hair, pulling out the frame-of-friends I have brought along with me. Handing the burrowed frame back to its original owner. She accepts it with a soft hand, offering me a thankful smile, before eyeing the portrait of Creek. "I would do anything to save him... The only problem is, we can't go anywhere near the King, without him eating us."
"Oh.." Bridget acknowledges our current dilemma. "But, You can!" Poppy add, Bridget's eyes lightening up. "You can walk right up to him and tell him how you feel!" My gaze lands on Poppy and doubts her choice of tone, she makes it seem so easy to approach. I caught my gaze now peering down at my bare feet, before falling upon Branch's figure. He has moved to stand between Biggie and Cooper, arms crossed across his torso, listening in on the active conversation like all of us are.
I have somehow analysed, that I do have unexplained feelings for him, without his knowledge, and too close to home for me to just approach and tell him.
"As if! I can't just walk right up to the King! His royal awesomeness would never talk to a Scullury maid like me.." Bridget denies another one of Poppy's request, her eyes falling in disappointment, peering at her fiddling fingers held up in front of her.
"Bridget has a point." I add in on the conversation with my arms crossing across my chest like Branch's arms are. "But what if he didn't know she was a Scullury maid? What if he thought she is this total Babe?" Poppy explain, acknowledging my presence all over again.
"What kind of total Babe would be dressed like a Scullury maid? I smell like Gravy.."
"What if we made you a new outfit?" I add in another time, shrugging my shoulder as this idea just popped into my head. I catch Satin's eyes.
"I'm thinking-" Satin send a knowing grin my way, before gazing at her sister standing beside her. "Jumpsuit!" The interlinked twins point at each other as they said it at the same time.
Them and the rest of the group of abandoned Trolls, has made their way onto Bridget's bed. The wide movements, making the mattress bounce.
"What's the point of a 'Jumping-suit' if I still have this hair.." Bridget kept asking these protesting questions, not seeming to trust our control of the situation. She reach up, grasping a thin piece from her purple strands - which is covering a large area of her forehead - between her fingers. "Oh we can fix that!" Poppy kept rolling in with the solutions.
"What's the point of a new outfit and new hair, if I don't even know what a 'total Babe' would ever say." Bridget, once again, denied. "We can tell you what to say!"
"Really?"
"What do you say Bridget? You get us Creek, and we'll get you a date with the King!" Poppy lean on her tippy toes, leaning closer to Bridget, as Bridget did.
Everyone kept their tongues still, waiting impatiently for Bridget's agreement.
Branch was the only one standing out, as usual, he clearly isn't convinced that Creek somehow has survived.
Bridget place a firm palm on a picture of Gristle, covering it, while the ideas went thought her mind. "Let's do it?" That's the closest we would get to a yes, but there was a pang of unease in her voice, which got ignored. "5, 6, 7, 8!" Poppy yell out, jumping up and down.
Each Troll got a hold of different beauty things scattered around. Whatever seemed useful was taken. And for the fun of it, we sung a short melody as we gathered the beauty products.
🎵When you look in the mirror, let it disappear, all your insecurities!🎵 Satin, Chenille and I filled our fawns with colourful fabric and needles to sew her jumpsuit with.
"Wait!" Bridget suddenly interrupted with raised palms, everyone freezing in their current spot and shifted our focus to Bridget with a shared confusion. "Why isn't this one singing?" She stretched her pointer finger at Branch - which is now standing on the same shelf Poppy is still on, where I was standing only a moment ago as well. He was leaning his full body weight against the collage, half visible from behind the curtains, his leg crossed over the other.
He soon realised who Bridget was mentioning too, as he discovered all eyes is now on him.
"Come on Branch! Sing with us!" Cooper encourage, multiple heads nodding in agreement. "Oh no, that's okay." Branch turned down the request in a nice way. "Branch?" Poppy's nervous chuckle then followed, afraid his denial will make her hopes fall drastically.
"You don't think this will work?" Bridget shot in, on the verge of breaking into tears again. Only proving Poppy's point. "Oh no no! It's not that, I just don't sing."
"Really Branch?" I tilt my head, speaking up this time. "No. He's right, this idea is stupid!" She sniffles. "King Gristle will never love me!" Bridget then ran back to her comfort, pushing all air out of her lungs as she threw herself back onto the bed, sinking into the sheets. Her back raised and fell rapidly as the sobs got muffled into the already damp pillow. Trolls gathered around her head, patting her pigtails in an attempt to comfort her. Poppy shot Branch a stern look with her lower lip pushed out and furrowed eyebrows, before jumping onto the bunk, landing beside the buried head.
"That's right Bridget! Just let it all out. Get a good cry." Biggie advice, which makes Bridget push herself up to let go of a loud whiny sob, before face planting back into the pillow. "Okay... now bring it back in, reel it in" Biggie's 'advice' made Branch roll his eyes with a breathy scoff, turning around to face the curtain. Poppy waved her arms in circles above her head, aggressively pointing out for me to follow him with her motions.
I gently placed the long sewing needle, still carried in my fawn, beside me. Close to where I found it.
standing back up, I lengthened my hair out, getting a hold of the silvery curtain rod, using it as a way to swing myself onto the same shelf, landing on Branch's right side.
"Branch, what are you doing?" I ask with clear annoyance in my voice, without any response to my question. My eyeballs move as he do, following him as he crept his way up the curtain. I dust my dress off with my hands, straightening my back before following right behind, crawling up the curtain. "If you don't sing, we can't get Creek back."
"I've told you all already, I don't sing!" He shouted back at me, eventually reaching the surface, pulling himself up to walk on the window frame. "Well, you have to, so Bridget goes with Poppy's plan."
"I'm sorry, Juniper. I can't!" His voice is raising, my heart skipping a beat by his harsh choice of tune. "No, you can, you just won't." I choose to press on once I reach the window frame too, straightening up behind him. "Fine! I just won't!" He struggled to unlatch the window. "Do you really agree with everything Poppy commands you to do?"
"No I don't. But this time it is quite important!" He is starting to play with the wrong buttons, hitting a sore spot a little too close to home. Without me noticing, my own voice started to turn up its volume.
"I don't sing!" Our gazes met through our reflections forming in the window glass. "You have to!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!!"
"Why not! Why won't you sing!" This time, he hit the final button, my voice loud and clear, which accidentally caught everyone's attention.
"Because singing killed my grandma, okay!" He rant about, his voice as raised as mine. He spun back around to catch my eyes directly and not the reflection of them. But it didn't last, I was soon facing his back again, as he was quick to turn it towards me. "Now, leave me alone." With his tone a lot lower, he crept into the corner, lowering himself down to his butt, knees raised to his knees.
My eyes was wide from realisation, not moving with his figure as it did. I got eye contact with my own reflection in the window, disappointment written all over her face. I feel terrible.