Branch's Perspective

Chapter Three

Branch's Perspective

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Chapter Three

It had taken Branch some time to gather the items he thought they would need for the journey, as well as attempt to sneak out without being noticed by any of the other trolls who now crowded his once spacious bunker. Luckily, he believed he had the upper hand since he knew his bunker better then anyone else, or so he thought.

"Branch." Rang a familiar voice that startled the grey troll, he had not been expecting to be caught mid route in his escape. He stopped before entering a hidden tunnel he had dug as an emergency escape route to acknowledge the troll who now stood behind him.

"King Peppy..." The King, who was still dressed only in his underwear, was watching Branch with intense, worried eyes. He felt himself falter slightly in his presence, what could the King possibly need from him? There was no way he figured out that Branch was going to go after Poppy... right?

"You'll... go after her... won't you?" The King asked softly, almost as if he was pleading with Branch to ensure his daughters safety. Branch's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting the King, who was known to be a bit oblivious and forgetful at times, to figure out Branch's intentions. Branch recalled the tender moment he had witnessed the King and Poppy share before he left, this must've been why King Peppy had allowed her to go, he had known Branch would follow her from the start.

"Ah... yeah..." Branch responded shyly, he could feel the heat rise to his cheeks. It wasn't often he showed such an emotion, but not only had the King read Branch's every move, he really respected the troll who stood before him right now. This man had been watching over him since the day his grandmother left, he could never lie to him. King Peppy smiled softly at the grey troll and placed a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder.

"Please protect her..." He asked kindly, almost as if he were pleading with him.

"And come home safe... both of you." It wasn't an order, but an honest wish. Just like Poppy, the King never gave up on Branch, always wishing for him to find happiness again one day. He grew resilient to remainder of the Troll Village no longer paying any attention to him, but once in a while... it was nice to know there was still someone out there who cared about him. The King's kindness caused Branch to smile slightly. Branch looked up at King Peppy with a strong gaze.

"I will." He answered King Peppy confidently, before turning to make his leave once again.

'I would have done so, even if he hadn't asked me.' Branch found himself thinking as he climbed into his escape tunnel. This time the King made no move to stop him and just watched the young troll he almost considered his own son, with a proud heart as he left.

Once outside of his bunker, Branch quickly spotted the large bergens footprints on the ground. Taking this as his lead, and assuming Poppy used this as her lead as well he started off on his journey, hoping he would catch up to the troll princess soon. Unfortunately as time dragged on, almost half a day in fact, there was still no sight of the pink troll who held a special place in his heart. She had either gotten along a lot farther then he had anticipated her to, or she was already... Branch shook his head furiously in an attempt to rid his mind of those unpleasant thoughts, he may have been pessimistic by nature, but he did not want to think that way when it came to Poppy. In an attempt to calm the anxiety that was building up within him with each step he recalled a memory he shared and cherished with the Troll Princess.