Find Me…I'm Lost

Okay. This is a unique take on Trolls. I wouldn't exactly call this an alternate universe, but it is a little different. Bear with me, but also tell me what you think…good or bad. This is a look into what could possibly be.

Hi, again.

Many keep telling me this through PMing. Yes, I know the author that basically copied chunks of my story published on another site. No, I'm not going to do anything about it because it is this author that has to face herself in the mirror each day and I know I can without reservation. Not sure the same can be said for her, but I'm not going to judge. No, I'm not telling anyone, friends or not, to do anything against this person. Let it go. We know what's going on. Enough said about it.

Thanks for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Turtle Babe

I own nothing. Nothing.

Epilogue

Creek watched familiar lands roll by in the carriage Branch and he rode in. The carriage was completely closed off, unlike the usual snow sleds to keep all cold from affecting the prince's ice. King Frost and Queen Crystal insisted that he and Branch be inside the whole trip since both were still not at one hundred percent yet despite that fact that Creek no longer needed the brace for his hip. Still needed the crutches at the moment, but he was strengthening. However, Branch needed to be safely kept as far from the icy cold as possible despite the prince's stubbornness to not show weakness.

"Calm yourself, my prince," Creek said, turning to Branch as he pouted, "We just left your mother's lands. The rest of the trip should go faster, Mate."

"I am sick of being in here," Branch sulked as Creek rolled his eyes at him, "Don't you dare, Creek. I've been cooped up in here day and night for three days. I want to get home because I need to feel grass between my toes again."

"We're still too close to the cold lands, Prince Branch," Creek admitted, looking back outside, "We still don't know how cold weather would affect your ice even if the warmer-climate region's cold is a lot milder. Just be a little patient, Mate."

"I wish you'd call me Branch," the prince huffed before stilling as Creek pulled the neck of his shirt down to show his brand to him, "I know, but I still don't understand why my siblings insist on all this formality. Poppy doesn't insist on that and she is still loved and respected in the tribe."

"Ice trolls are different," Creek breathed as he remembered back to one humiliating time.

"Look at this," Creek heard as he was practicing in the palace halls with his crutches now that the brace was off his hip which changed his balance.

Creek turned and kept his face straight as three guards walked towards him. These three had been terribly hard on Creek the minute he took his vows and started his honor guard training.

"Jhon," Creek greeted, trying to straighten as best he could, "Vik, Mhen."

"So its true that the wee babe here got himself crippled, hm?" Jhon snorted as Creek hid a grimace, "Knew such a wittle troll couldn't make true honor guard material."

"You are wrong. I am the crowned prince's guard," Creek snapped, rising his chin proudly, "Prince Branch trusts me and I was hand selected by the king and queen themselves."

"Only because I heard that they felt sorry for you," Vik spat, kicking one of Creek's crutches so he went down hard in a heap of limbs as he cried out in pain, "Going to cry, Mr. Hugs and Kisses? How dare you use the prince's name so casually, Cretin."

Creek growled, but was glad he hadn't landed on his healing hip. The guards cracked their knuckles as they stared down at the purple troll. Jhon, Vik, and Mhen had been furious that Creek had even been allowed to train and now their looks said "payback." The three guards were shocked to find themselves tripped backwards by a sudden swirl of hair as Creek did his best to defend himself.

"Creek! Stand down now, you morons! Get away from him!"

The three guards gasped as their very angry prince sped by them to reach Creek, but they gulped in true fear when they saw King Frost striding over with rage written on his face.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Frost thundered as ice penned the three guards to the wall with one flick of the king's wrist.

"He attacked us," Vik spat, pointing to Creek as Branch helped the injured troll to stand.

"Liar," Kiv snapped, running from another hall and pointing up at a strange, silvery stone in the wall, "The spy glass caught these three cornering Creek and Vik, himself, kicked Creek's crutch out from under him, my king. Creek was merely defending himself from an unprovoked attack on his person. I was coming to help when you and the prince happened upon the scene first."

"How dare you!" Branch yelled as his brother had to grab at him as the prince leapt at the three guards, "Let me go! Choke you!"

Creek's mouth hung open when Branch's hair wrapped around Vik's neck in a strangle hold. Vik's periwinkle face was going red at lack of oxygen. Branch had always been good at that move.

"Our kingdom doesn't need some dirty blooded prince anyway," Mhen suddenly spat as everything grew silent and eerily still.

"Stop, Baby Brother," Frost ordered as Branch retracted his hair and was set back on his feet, "See to your guard, Little One. You dare? You dare insult my family? The royal family. My brother's name is Prince Branch and you will never lay insult upon him again or his guard. Being ice troll means showing strength and courage and not merely being born in the lands of ice. You three have shown disloyalty to the crown and are hereby stripped of your rank and banished from these lands. Kiv, show them out."

Branch didn't spare the squawking guards a single glance as he hooked Creek's arm over his shoulder. Vik's kick had broken one of Creek's crutches and the two trolls made their way down the hall as Frost continued to tear into the three, former guards.

"My prince…" Creek began before growing quiet as Branch shook his head, "They only insulted you because of me. Don't let their words hurt you."

"I am not upset by what was said," Branch finally spoke as he continued to support Creek's weight as they slowly made their way down the hall, "Those three are ignorant about both me and you. Pay them no mind."

Typical Branch. The troll never changed.

"You are strong, my prince," Creek sighed as Branch snorted at him, "Does nothing chip at you?"

"Stupid titles and stupid people," Branch bit out before calming, "Remember, I was once the tribe's crazy troll. I'm used to insults. Especially about my old vest, Creek."

"Ooh. You remember that, Mate," Creek sighed as Branch waggled his eyebrows at his guard, "I was being mean, my prince. I'm sorry."

"Well, in all fairness, I was being paranoid," Branch admitted, "It was the first time my paranoia was right in those twenty years when Chef showed up. Everyone teased and insulted me for years. Doesn't bother me anymore."

"But it did once if you used the word 'anymore,'" Creek pointed out as Branch stilled, "I'm sorry. I wish I had been a better friend back then, Mate."

"I'd have turned you away," Branch said, urging Creek forward, "We've started over now. It's all good."

However, the whole situation with the three guards had just cemented Creek's belief that Branch deserved proper respect and he was glad that the king and queen had denied Branch's request to drop his title among friends. No one was allowed to show disrespect to his prince. Not ever again.

"Hey," Branch called, tapping Creek's clenched hands, "Where are you right now?"

"Just remember things, my prince," Creek hummed, unfurling his hands as he gazed at Branch with a smile, "I'm good now. I'm getting better at the whole clawing thing. Haven't done that in at least ten days. I have you and Poppy to thank for that."

"You are welcome and I do think you are getting a bit better at the clawing," Branch agreed, checking Creek's palms before clicking his tongue in disapproval at the leftover marks, "I'm going to make you wear mittens."

Creek laughed at that as Branch joined in. This easy comradery between them had developed naturally. Creek never worried that Branch simply felt sorry for the looney troll who couldn't feel when he was hurting himself. Branch really cared…like Creek was family. It felt good to think of their friendship moving in that direction.

"Okay, you two," Frost's voiced boomed as the two jumped and looked to see the king outside the door of the carriage even as Branch still had Creek's hands in his, "Hm, what is this?"

Creek blushed as the king opened the door to inspect his palms. Neither Creek nor the prince had felt the carriage stopping for a break.

"Going to make you wear mittens," Frost fussed as Creek and Branch laughed again, "What? Anyway, time for a break. Branch, wear your cape while I get Mr. Claws here."

"Ha, ha, your majesty," Creek deadpanned as the larger troll lifted him carefully from the carriage, "I can walk with my crutches, King Frost."

"No, Bhen wants you resting on this trip," Frost denied as Branch hopped down still fussing with his cloak, "He felt that your hip was a bit swollen when we left. Thought you could use this time to heal some more. Baby Brother, how do you feel? Any strain from the cold?"

"None. I'm good."

Creek sighed at the babying, but couldn't deny that the cold was certainly putting a bit of a strain on his healing injury. It had felt good just sitting for a while. Creek blinked at an internal pull and glanced over Frost's shoulder to regard Branch.

"His tea wouldn't hurt," Creek whispered to his king as Frost nodded once and flicked his eyes to his sister as she seemed to get the message and bent to hang a pot of water over the newly lit fire, "I'm thirsty."

"Liar, you just want me to have my tea," Branch snorted, plopping next to Poppy as she cuddled against his side, "Don't play me."

"I am thirsty," Creek fussed as Frost settled him on a rock draped with leather near the fire, "You having your tea is a bonus, but my new medication makes me crave water, my prince."

"Bhen warned me of that," Crystal spoke up, handing Creek a canteen of water as the troll eagerly took a swig, "Seems you react very oddly to medicinal plants, Creek."

"Always have," Creek fussed, shaking his head, "Worse was during the flu outbreak when I was just a kid still."

"I remember that," Guy Diamond said, picking irritably at his clothes, "That was a bad time for the whole tribe."

"What happened?" Frost asked, accepting the pouch of medicinal tea from Creek so the large troll could pour some into a mug for Branch.

"Just about the whole tribe of trollings came down with a really bad flu," Branch started, shaking his head, "The sickness was terrible, causing very high fevers. There were about four trolls that we'd thought might not make it. Flu never touched me though."

"Ice trolls don't get that sickness," Crystal admitted, pouring the bubbling water into Frost's mug, "You are probably naturally immune, Little One."

"What age were we all?" Branch hummed, taking the tea offered to him, "I guess between twelve to fourteen years old. The gathers and I were searching the forest daily to find herbs and plants the healers needed since the outbreak was so bad. Problem was, the medicines were not working for Creek. He was one of the last to get ill and everything given to him just made him worse. We very nearly lost him. He was one of the four I mentioned"

"I remember," Poppy groaned, shivering as she cuddled more against Branch, "Father was so worried and wouldn't let me out of our home. I never got the flu either, but I remember watching from the door way as Cybil saved Creek."

"She stole me away from the clinic and dipped me in, no pun intended, a creek," Creek explained at the twins' searching looks, "The medicines weren't working so my teacher knew that she had to find another way to lower the fever, but the healers didn't want to try something that'd make me worse. I remember nothing, but her actions saved my life because the cool waters helped my fever break. I have always owed Cybil a lot of gratitude for allowing me to be her student and for all she had ever done for me."

"She will be missed," Poppy added as silence reigned in respect for the dead.

"Um…where's Cooper?" Creek suddenly asked, seeing a pile of familiar, snow boots.

"Went on ahead to let the tribe know we are coming," DJ Suki grinned out, stretching happily as she shrugged out of her jacket, "Former and still perfectly respected King Peppy was left in charge and I'm sure he's been worried. Can't wait to feel warm air again."

"And glitter!"

"And less bulky fashions, Darling."

"Too true, Sister, but I'll miss Thorn's tiaras of ice."

"Oh, yes. Along with braiding his mane. Such lovely hair."

Creek nodded as Branch tapped one of his hands silently to not draw any attention to the guard as he relaxed his anxious grip on the canteen. The fears were still there. What kind of a welcome would he get? Creek's hand reached to brush the back of Branch's neck so he could feel the chain clasp of the ice opal. He tended to have the need to assure himself that Branch's necklace was firmly around his neck whenever he felt anxious.

Hey, Creek," Satin called as the troll looked to her, "So how close do you have to be to look after Princey? Might cramp the lovebirds' style if you have to be present all the time."

"Satin!" Poppy fussed as Branch huffed beside her.

"That is not something I wish to think about," Frost scowled out, "He's too young and his name is Prince Branch, Little Lassie."

"Fully grown here, Frost, and shut it, Satin," Branch groaned as his sister chortled from her seat, "Shut up too, Sis."

"I can see Prince Branch from a decent distance, Mates," Creek chuckled out as Branch blushed and looked away to sip his tea, "I just can't be too far so I can reach him in time if I sense a flare starting. We've been testing my range recently."

"Is that why you two have been scampering all over the palace?" Frost snorted as Creek grinned at the king, "Drove me batty when I needed to find you two and probably why your hip is acting up, Creek. You overdid it."

"I told you," Branch hissed as Creek hid a grin from his prince, "Don't think I can't see you trying not to smile. You are spending the next week in bed until you heal more."

"Yes, Mother," Creek teased as Branch scowled at him, "I really did need to see how far my sight extends, my prince. There may be times that you truly, deeply, madly need some privacy, right, Poppy?"

"Hush," Poppy snapped, blushing red as a tomato, "Stop all the teasing about…that. Have some manners."

"And understanding that older brothers can't handle even considering that in relation to younger siblings," Frost shuddered out as Crystal roared with laughter, "Hush up, Crystal. Oh, images in my mind are making me want to hurt someone!"

Creek giggled with the rest of the group before helping himself to some more water. Branch gazed at him, looking worried once they were both bundled back to the carriage.

"What did Bhen honestly say to you before we left?" Branch pushed as Creek cocked his head at him, "Creek?"

"Might have pushed my hip a bit too far and that the medicine is working, but having some odd side effects," Creek sighed, "I'm staying a little dehydrated and bruising easier. See?"

Branch took the hands offered to him and hissed when he saw the bruises forming around the last marks Creek gave himself.

"Kiv?" Branch called to the guard walking beside the carriage once he'd opened the window as the ice troll hurried over to listen to his prince, "Would you please get me that canteen of water? Creek is going to need it."

"Right away, your majesty," Kiv agreed.

"Anymore bruises?" Branch demanded as Creek sighed.

"Nothing too bad, my prince," Creek soothed, "I only need to be on my medicine another couple of weeks and then Bhen said I could start some simple yoga to begin to stretch my muscles more. It's fine, Mate."

"Why is it that medicine affects you so much, Creek? Ah, thank you, Kiv," Branch asked before taking the canteen from Kiv and closing the carriage window again, "Here, Creek. I want you sipping from this for the rest of the trip. Hydration is important."

"I will, my prince," Creek agreed, taking the canteen, "As far as medicines go, I just think I'm sensitive. My father was the same way. I lost him when I was about ten, remember? He had a reaction to something in the forest and passed away before any help could come. I think his sensitivities and allergies were much worse than mine ever were. I've been all over the forest and was fine. It's just medicinal plants that seem to be the problem for me, Mate. You have an allergy to hazel root."

"And gooseberries," Branch pointed out as Creek filed that information away, "I puff up like a frog. It's itchy and awful. Pop is allergic to another type of berry. Kithel berries look like blueberries. She swells and breaks out in spots. She promised not to eat any berries unless I've gathered them so I know that what she eats is safe for her. What are you smiling at?"

"You are so cute, Mate. Boop," Creek teased, tweaking Branch's nose as the prince growled at him while twisting his lips in disgust, "You and Poppy make a good couple, my prince."

"Shut up. Jerk," Branch mumbled in embarrassment, kicking at Creek half-heartedly as the guard snickered at him in amusement, "Drink your water."

"Yes, my prince."

"Stop, that."

"Anything you wish, my prince."

"I already owe you two smacks. I'm going to choke you, Creek."

"Wait until I don't bruise so easily," Creek advised as Branch frowned, "I'm fine, Mate."

"You will be," Branch stated as Creek blushed, "We'll both be okay."

Creek wasn't so sure, but had to gape in astonishment from King Frost's arms when he was helped out of the carriage to see the Troll Tree a few days later. There was a banner—"Welcome Home Branch and Creek!" Cooper was there grinning proudly as he performed a tap routine.

"We're home," Branch grinned out as Creek stared at the sign before jumping as the prince tapped his foot and gestured to his fisted hands, "I'm here, Creek. Don't be scared."

"I'm not," Creek denied as Branch raised an eyebrow, "Nervous, but not scared and I'm glad you're here. Here, where it is warmer and where you will be safer from your ice with Poppy by your side."

"And a bodyguard that might as well be a brother," Frost reminded as Creek blushed, "Time to get my two, little brothers home. Let's go meet this tribe of yours."

And the tale of that meeting is a totally different story.

The end.

Yay! Done, done, done. What do you think? I have part two to this story almost completed. It is called "A Time to Heal" and will complete this world that I've created with the ice twins. Thank you so much for the readers and reviewers. So sorry that this story brought on that bit of drama, but it is said that a form of copying is a bit of a compliment so I will take it as that.

Be cool, be safe, and continue loving trolls.

Trolls are worth it.

TTFN,

Turtle Babe