Chapter one:

When princess Poppy had been only two years old a powerful troll enchantress demanded that she be betrothed to her son. King Peppy had refused he would not allow his daughter to be betrothed to a troll she did not even know let alone love. The King's refusal to do as the enchantress wanted caused her to try to lay the powerful curse of the grey also known as the curse of the unhappy broken heart on the young princess. What she had not counted on however was that unbeknown to King Peppy's people there was an enchanter amongst them, young Branch had stepped between the curse and the princess taking it for her. The curse turned him grey, he lost his ability to be happy, to sing, to dance and it gave him a broken heart. Despite the enchantress's curse, Branch had drawn himself up and cast his own spell turning himself into the protector of the troll tree and the princess before the young troll had then banished the enchantress from the tree.

King Peppy had made sure that what Branch had done to save Poppy and what the grey troll had become was kept a secret from his people. When those few trolls who had known about what had happened passed away, Branch slipped into obscurity becoming the resident village outcast. There was however one thing which the troll King was unable to erase, Branch's actions had left a mark on his back it was a green tree with a gold crown round it's trunk and a pink heart with a poppy in its centre which was in the middle of the crown. In order to hide this mark from his people King Peppy had ordered the grey troll to wear a top which would cover the mark on his back. As this was a royal command Branch had no choice but to obey it. The King made sure any trolls who asked were told that Branch had become grey after losing his grandmother as such a young age. The grey troll wanted to contradict Peppy's words but he knew that he could not because of the fact that Peppy was the King of the trolls and he was just a common troll.

The grey troll knew that the enchantress was not likely to give up without a fight so he read everything he could about magic most of which came from the books left to him by his long dead parents and grandmother all of whom had been enchanters and enchantresses. In order to practice his magic in safety and secrecy Branch built his home away from the troll tree underground. So it was that the years passed and alone in his dark home underground, the grey troll practiced his magic until it was strong and reliable. Branch because of his curse stayed away from the happy events in the troll tree which meant that the trolls and the princess continued to be totally unaware of their magical protector. He also learnt to be self-sufficient and it wasn't long before his underground home was well stocked with food and water. Branch taught himself how to use parts of plants in order to heal wounds and to cure any ills so that if he needed that knowledge for any reason he had it. The grey troll loved to invent new things, whether they be something useful such as cogs and gears or just something beautiful like metal ornamental hair combs.

It was when the grey troll was ten that one of the other trolls discovered part of his secret. Creek had been out for a calming walk in the forest, when he came across the grey troll sitting on a rock. The purple troll had been about to say something about how unusual it was to see Branch out in the open when he realised that the other troll was topless and there was something on his back. As Creek took in the mark on Branch's back his blue eyes went wide, it wasn't possible he knew from his father's teaching that only the protector of the troll tree was supposed to have that mark. The purple troll moved closer to get a better look at Branch's back, as he got closer Creek could see the detail of the mark much better, this wasn't just the mark of the one who protected the troll tree, the crown represented the great troll King and the poppy heart clearly stood for Branch being the one who protected the princess too. From somewhere Creek found his voice and addressed the grey troll. "That mark."

Branch gave a surprised start, he turned to look at Creek and his eyes went wide. "Oh no…" The grey troll threw on his leaf vest which quickly covered the mark away. "Please Creek you can't tell anyone. The King would be furious if any of the other trolls found out about this."

Usually Creek would find Branch begging him like this amusing but the purple troll was well aware that this was a serious situation and knew deep down that betraying Branch's secret would be very unwise for both of them. Creek let out a deep sigh and then gave Branch a nod. "I won't tell anyone I promise."

As Branch looked at the other troll he could tell that Creek was being serious in his promise and the blue troll was grateful for this fact. "Thank you."

"I do however have a question how…How did you get that mark?"

Reluctantly the grey troll began to explain what had happened and what he was to the other troll. "I saved princess Poppy from a curse by taking it on myself…The tree chose me because of what I did, so I became the protector of the troll tree and of the princess." Branch reached round and touched the mark on his back. "It's a bond I can't undo and one I wouldn't wish to undo. I'm still learning what being both of those things entail for me…"

Creek moved closer to the grey troll. "The curse…That's really why you are grey isn't it?"

Branch gave him a single nod. "King Peppy has me a hide it and everything that happened to me from all of the other trolls. He wants to protect Poppy from everything and I cannot blame him for that. I've had to carry my secrets for a long while…I didn't plan on ever telling any troll."

The purple troll placed a hand onto the shoulder of the other troll. "I know that you have little reason to trust me but I want to tell you something…I knew there was something different about you…I could sense it and see it in your aura…I didn't know how to react what I could sense. I'll be the first to admit I've been an idiot around you but I want to change that."

"Why…?"

"Because I understand your protective streak of Poppy now…And now I know what you are, I can help you with what you need to do." Creek told him keeping his eyes locked with those of the other troll trying to convey his sincerity to him.

"It may take time before I trust you completely Creek." Branch told him honestly.

"I understand that, if I were the protector of the troll tree and the princess I would be careful of anyone wanting to become close to me too." As the purple troll spoke he decided to say nothing about the crown part of Branch's mark yet, it was clear that the other troll already had a lot to deal with already without that knowledge to. Little did Creek know that Branch was already aware of the crown part of his mark, he just avoided thinking about what it meant.

So it was that the two trolls came to a truce and each evening the two trolls would meet up in the same clearing were they had first met. Creek and Branch talked about all sorts of general things, slowly trust came the purple troll spoke about his dead father and how it had effected his life and that it had made his already spiritual mother even more spiritual than before. Branch returned his trust by talking about never knowing his mother and father as they had died when he was very young, he had also told the purple troll all about being raised by his grandmother.

It was two weeks later when Creek got to see how the mark affected Branch's life, they had been sitting by a lake sitting together talking when Branch had let out a hiss of pain. The purple troll quickly looked at the other troll, he was leant forward, his eyes were closed and Branch had one of his hands was under his vest on his back. Suddenly Branch stood, his hand fell away from his back, his eyes opened, they had a distant look in them which unnerved Creek slightly. "Poppy…" Branch said softly.

The spiritual troll came up onto his feet and stood beside the grey one. "The princess needs her protector doesn't she?" The eyes of the grey troll focused on Creek and gave him a nod. "Then let's go." The purple troll said encouragingly to Branch.

Together they dashed off into the forest, Creek didn't know how Branch knew which way to go but he was sure it had something to do with him being Poppy's protector. Eventually they both started to hear the cries of distress, this caused both trolls to run faster and when they found Poppy she was being attacked by a gala bird. An expression of furry came onto the face of the grey troll and Creek found himself suddenly glad that he had decided to stop teasing Branch and become his friend. The grey troll ran straight for the bird snatching a sharp spike off of a nearby plant as he went, Creek ran to the side of the princess, the purple troll pulled the pink one up out of the grass, as Branch jumped on the bird and brought the long sharp spike plunging down into it.

The bird let out a cry of fear and pain, Creek could see that the princess wasn't badly hurt, so he grabbed hold of the pink troll's hand, quickly the purple troll ran with her to some nearby tall grass and looked down at the younger troll and said to her in commanding tones. "Blend in princess."

Poppy gave him a nod before quickly still hand and hand both of them blended into the tall grass. The princess found that she was unable to take her eyes off of the battle before her, Branch was to her amazement was fighting the gala bird off with both his hair and the sharp spine. Eventually the bird realising that it could not defeat the grey troll and it was wasting it's time here the bird flew off with a disgruntled noise. Branch let out a relived breath, he turned to where he had seen Creek take the princess and said simply. "It's over."

Both of them came out from where they had been hiding, the purple troll spoke to the other male troll. "Are you alright?"

"Yes…Creek you should take Poppy home."

Creek gave Branch a nod, he led Poppy away from the clearing and back to the troll tree. The purple troll escorted the princess all the way to the royal pod, he explained what had happened to King Peppy. The King looked at his daughter then back to Creek before saying. "Give Branch my thanks Creek."

"I will King Peppy." With this assurance given the purple troll headed back into the forest and back towards the clearing were he and Branch always met. He knew that the grey troll would more than likely be there as he would want to make sure that Poppy was alright and had arrived home safely. Sure enough Creek found Branch in the clearing he was holding out his right hand and concentrating, the purple troll wondered what he was doing. Then slowly Branch started to glow with a sky blue light, Creek's eyes went wide as all at once a sword appeared in his hand, the hilt was shaped to look like a tree, the blade of the sword came from the roots of the tree. "Oh wow!" Creek said loudly, Branch jumped and turned towards him. "You know what sword that is don't you?" The purple troll asked the other.

The grey troll gave him a nod. "Yes I do…It started appearing shortly after you left with Poppy…Is she alright?"

"Yeah it doesn't surprise me that the sword should start appearing to you after what happened…Yes Poppy is fine. Poppy is lucky to have you as her protector, I'd never seen any troll take on a gala bird and manage to get it to leave before today. You fight well but then again you certainly keep yourself fit from all the physical work you do, so I should have expected you to be able to fight well."

Creeks words caused Branch to let out a small snort of laughter. "Looks like I am going to have to learn how to use this too…"

"Branch you have to say something this is the second sign now that you are the K…"

"Don't!" The grey troll said interrupting Creek midsentence. "Don't say it…Please don't say it…Poppy deserves her own choice. You can't say anything about this…"

"You knew didn't you about the crown…" Branch gave him a nod and Creek spoke to the other troll again. "I won't say anything…Look how about this I will make you a promise right here and right now. King Branch, true King of the troll tree and all the trolls, I swear on all I hold sacred I will not betray what you are to anyone. Whatever you tell me unless you give me permission I will not tell any other troll, your secrets are my secrets everything will stay between us." As Creek spoke he knelt down on one knee before Branch, who stared down at him wide eyed with disbelief. "You are the true King of the trolls Branch, you are the first great King in centuries and I acknowledge that and to you I freely pledge my loyalty."

"Creek…" Was all the shocked grey troll was able to say, he hadn't been aware that Creek had even known about how to make a pledge of loyalty, but then again the purple trolls father had taught his son a lot of things about the old ways.

"Will you take my pledge my King?" The purple troll asked him with complete seriousness, as Creek looked up at him he could see the silver leafy circlet or crown of the King of the troll tree was now ringing the grey troll's brow.

Branch gave the other troll a nod. "I take your promise and pledge Creek."

"Thank you my King." The purple troll said before he rose to his feet again.

"I can't believe you just did that…" Branch said blushing, Creek reached out, he gently touched the circlet on the brow of the grey troll. Startled Branch reached up he also touched the circlet. "What…?"

"It's the Kings circlet or crown…" The purple troll told him.

Branch closed his eyes, he reached up, the grey troll took the circlet off and then looked at it in his hands. "So I really am the great King…"

Creek gently took the circlet out of the hands of the grey troll, he looked at it for a moment, the purple troll knew only Branch could wear the circlet as he had been chosen by the troll tree. Creek placed the circlet back onto the head of the other troll, he watched with awe as the same blue light glowed from Branch again, causing the sword and crown to vanish. "So, are you going to tell me what the blue light is yet?"

Sighing the grey troll settled cross legged on to the forest floor and Creek sat next to him also cross legged. "It's difficult…I've hidden so much for so long."

"I understand that…Look you can tell me when you are ready. I'm learning to meditate from my mother…Would you like me to teach you too?"

"I'm not sure I am spiritual enough for such a thing." Branch told him with honesty.

Creek looked at the other troll sitting next to him. "Trust me you don't need a lot of spirituality in order to meditate and it might do you some good."

"Alright."

So it was that Creek started to teach Branch to meditate, the purple troll got to watch as the grey troll practiced summoning and fighting with his sword. It was a month later one evening after they had meditated together that Branch at last told Creek what the blue light was. "You wanted to know what the light was…"

"Yes, do you feel ready to tell me?"

"Yeah I do…It's my magic…I'm an enchanter that's how I could take the curse for Poppy…And get rid of the enchantress who cast the curse."

Creek stared at the other troll in silence for a few moments before he asked. "How old were you then?"

"Five…I didn't exactly know what I was doing I did it purely by instinct. Now I'm stuck like this…I know what can cure it but…That's not going to happen."

"What is the cure to your curse?" The purple troll asked with interest.

Branch looked up at the moon for a few moments before he answered this question. "True love…"

Creek shook his head at the other troll. "Wow, no wonder you say it's not going to happen…What a mess."

The grey troll let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "Yeah trust me I know…I worry about Poppy…You know I told you I was cursed in her place, I think the one who cursed me is going to come back and try to finished what was started."

Creek could hear the seriousness in the voice of the other troll, the spiritual troll gulped and those words sent worry running through him. "What will happen if they come back?"

Branch didn't answer, the silence stretched between them and in its own way the silence became the answer to the purple troll's question. Creek shivered, the purple troll wrapped his arms round himself and shuddered again. He had a terrible feeling that whatever would happen if the one to curse Branch came back to the troll tree it was not going to be a good thing in the slightest. Shortly after this the two trolls parted ways for the night, but when Creek got back to his pod his thoughts were still on the grey troll. He was only just starting to realise what Branch had already been through and the weight he had to carry even now. Now more than ever the purple troll regretted the way he had acted towards Branch in their early years and felt ashamed for the fact that all of the other trolls treated the grey troll as an outcast. Creek was determined to keep his promises to Branch, the spiritual troll also wanted to make sure that he was a good and supportive friend to the other troll.