The Runaway Princess

Chapter 3

Poppy was still walking in the forest admiring the surroundings. It was peaceful, the stars are out, the moon is shinning, fireflies flying around. She didn't see anything wrong at all. What was her dad so worried about, anyway? After a few minutes while she wasn't looking, she tripped on a rock & started rolling down a hill. Poppy finally got to the bottom of the hill, but her arms had a few scars & also had a twisted ankle. Everything started to get fuzzy, but the last thing she saw was a shadow coming up to her & then she blacked out.

The next morning; at the Troll Kingdom

The maid, Snowbell was walking to Poppy's room telling her that King Peppy wanted to see her. She got there & started to knock on her door.

Snowbell: Princess Poppy, your father wants to see you. Princess Poppy?

Snowbell opens the door & notices that Poppy wasn't there. She panicked & hurried to the throne room to warn King Peppy.

Throne room

King Peppy was on his throne talking to Creek about the wedding, when Snowbell bursted through the doors!

Snowbell: Your Majesty!

King Peppy: What is it, Snowbell? Can't you see me and Creek are having a conversation?

Snowbell: *bows* I'm sorry, your majesty. But, this is important.

King Peppy: What is it?

Snowbell: Princess Poppy is gone.

King Peppy: What?!

Snowbell: She was gone when I first came in the room.

King Peppy: We got to find her. Go ask her friends if she's seen her.

Snowbell: Yes, sir.

As soon as Snowbell ran out the throne room, May came in rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

May: *yawns* Daddy, what's going on? I was still sleeping.

King Peppy: Sorry, dear. It's just that your sister is missing.

May: *pretends not to know* What? When?

King Peppy: Sometimes last night, I don't know. Do you know anything about this?

May: No, daddy.

King Peppy: Alright, sorry to wake you up. You can get some more sleep.

May: Thanks. *thinks: At least I'm good at lying. I wonder where she is right now. I hope she's ok*

Unknown

Poppy woke up in bed in an unknown room with a headache & a sore body. She looked around at what looked like an underground home. Her left leg had a brace on & both of her arms were covered with bandages. On her right, there was a shelf filled with supplies like sticks, pots, scrolls, & boxes of berries. She tried to sit up, but the pain shot through her whole body & laid back down.

?: It's best if you don't move for a while.

Poppy: Eh?

Poppy looked to her left seeing a grey troll with patched shorts & a vest made out of leaves. Poppy has never seen a grey troll before in her life, but when she saw his bright blue eyes, they looked familiar to her.

?: I get you're confused right now, Poppy. But, you're safe.

Poppy: You know who I am?

?: King Peppy's daughter. Who doesn't know you?

Poppy: It's just, I've never seen you around before. Who are you, anyway?

?: The name's Branch. You're lucky I got you here on time.

Poppy: What?

Branch: You almost got eaten by a wolf. What's a princess like you doing out in the woods?

Poppy: *sighs* I left.

Branch: What for? You have a perfect life.

Poppy: Yea, not really....

Branch: What's that suppose to mean?

Poppy: All my life, I've always wanted to go out & see the world. But, my dad forbid me to. The other reason why I left is because my dad thinks it's 'best' for me to get married to a total stranger. I act happy just to hide the fact that I'm not really happy with my life. It was my choice to make, anyway.

Branch: I don't believe this, the happiest troll alive puts on a fake smile in front of her own people. That's new to me.

Poppy: Once you live your life as a royal, you'll understand.

Branch: Couldn't ask your mom talk to him?

Poppy:.......

Branch: What?

Poppy: She died when I was an infant.....So, I never knew her....

Branch: Sorry....

Poppy: Don't worry about it. I don't let it bother me. I just wish my dad would listen to me for once in my life.

Branch:.....Look, I know we just met. But, you can trust me.

Poppy: Can I really?

Branch: 100%

Poppy felt a small spark hit her when he said she could trust him. Even though she's never seen him before, she wanted to know more about him. But, there's something about him that seems familiar to her, like she's met him before. This could be a new chapter in her life.