Bergens were welding more metal to the Trolls cage with an audience both inside and outside. Now the bars had a second layer going across the original bars. Soon a wire cover was installed and followed by one last round of welding to secure it. The wire cover had the tiniest diamond shaped holes the Bergens could create. Not even a troll's head could fit through it. Maybe one of the messenger critters could squeeze through but, no troll.

The King of Bergens and Keeper of the Trolls ,also known as the Royal Chef,  stood near the locked gate. The Keeper kept terrifying glaring at the trolls causing most to step back closer to the tree cowering in fear. The knives in her belt were not helping to put anyone at ease either. Her cruel, taunting smile masked her anger. Even her looming shadow had trolls staying far away as if it was putting them in their place.

The Keeper wasn't only in charge of feeding their royalty but, was the face of Trollstice. She planned it and managed it. Had the most authority of who could come into and out of the cage. Every year came in to collect Trolls herself even when it wasn't Trollstice.

" Don't worry, Sire. With this update none of them will get ideas. We barely lost any." The Keeper stayed with false kindness.

" Very well, Chef. Don't let it happen again! Can't have civilians snacking on our source of happiness."

King Gristle walked back to his pregnant Queen who was waiting for him in front of the crowd. Eventually all the surrounding Bergens left leaving their captured trolls to stare at added features of their prison. John Dory stood on a tree branch with his crutches outside of their family's home. Clay stood next to him acting as extra support for incase of his older brother falling over. The hard full leg cast had a couple crayon drawings decorating it.

" We're stuck and cooked now..." Clay said.

" At least Spruce and Floyd made it out. I'll handle King Peppy if he starts talking mess to you. It was me who suggested we attempt an escape. It's my fault. Just tell him that." John scratched the back of his neck.

" No. If you're going down then so I am. We have Viva on our side too. She won't let her Dad go overboard." Clay refused.

" Boys! Lunch is ready." Rosiepuff called from inside the pod.

Waiting for his currently disabled sibling to turn around and walk in first, Clay stood back hoping to give him enough room to move. It was a difficult adjustment for everyone, especially John Dory. While John refused to accept help for getting into places his mobility was limited. So was how he sat and laid down. However accepting help was not welcomed right now so Clay respected those wishes hoping that wish would change eventually.

Once John had successfully used his crutches to step inside, Clay followed closing the door behind him. Their still being apologetic grandmother placed a fresh Fuffleberry Cake in the center of the kitchen table. Grilled cheese sandwiches sat orderly on the usual serving tray. Most of them had fried bacon bits and cooked tomato but, some only had cheese and sliced sausages for Branch. That little one was still very particular when it came to comfort food.

" Thanks, Grandma." John said.

Sitting down was a tricky situation but, at least a chair was already pulled out for him. John eventually lowered himself down then moved his crutches to lean against a random chair. Rosiepuff bit down on her lower lip holding back the urge to offer unwanted help. If John wanted to handle most things independently then she would wait until he asked for help. She took a seat beside John while Clay took the one beside Branch. There was more space at the table with Spruce and Floyd gone. However the family preferred sitting close out of habit.

" Just doing my job. Now eat up. We have to go see King Peppy in a half hour. He's coming here for a "talk". I'll handle him. " Rosiepuff chimed.

Clay groaned. " I hope Viva comes with him or else this is gonna be another lecture. We already got one and a warning yesterday."

" I know, Peachfuzz. He hasn't been thinking things through either as much as he claimed he does. We all needed to cool down." Rosiepuff agreed.

" Did you really punch?" John picked up his sandwich.

" He snuck up on me and found out why nobody does. I was watching out for Bergens around you and your brothers. I apologized for the overreaction but, regardless that foolish lad should have known better than to scare an elder." Rosiepuff huffed.

John and Clay held back their laughter trying to not spit out their body. They already knew that lesson since they were small without needing to find out. They saw the consequences for themselves when some pranksters decided to prank their grandma with a flying witch mannequin. She grabbed and ripped it off the broom then flipped and threw it down the tree. The mannequin fell to the roots. While Rosiepuff was sweet, kind, caring and a bit of a mother hen she still had more spice to her personality. A true fighter.

" Oh shit." Branch said randomly.

Rosiepuff whipped her head towards Branch looking down at the toddler. Her jaw dropped as Clay and John lost control bursting out in laughter. Branch simply smiled looking up at his older brothers taking their amusement that he did something right. Narrowing her eyes Rosiepuff steadily turned her head to the most likely culprits. Her "Who did it?" mom stare was activated. Branch giggled copying his brothers more.

Meanwhile on Vacey Island, Floyd and Spruce were in Brandy's apartment. Her siblings and a couple friends who just happened to be trolls all decided to pay a visit. Scotch,her two younger sisters and younger brother stood around the kitchen island counter. The troll friends were beside Floyd and Spruce. Paloma, Brandy's youngest sister, offered Floyd a piece of chocolate she had. A country troll who went by the name "Delta Dawn" examined Spruce's bandaged arm. The other troll was a Funk troll named "Low Note".

" Oh My, Sugar. You're more chipped at than a cat that caught in a tense scratch fight. " Delta stated.

" Oh you poor thing." Daiquiri, Brandy's second youngest sister, commented empathetically.

Brandy was the eldest out of all her sisters while her brothers. Scotch was older than Brandy but, was not the eldest. That title went to their brother, Rum. Whiskey was the youngest brother but, he was older than Paloma. The order was Rum, Scotch, Brandy, Daiquiri, Whiskey and Paloma. Their parents got quirky when picking out their total of six children's names.

" What happened?" Whiskey tilted his head.

" Oh a massive beer bottle shattered behind me. A Bergen threw it at me and missed. I was just trying to get John and help him up. He got thrown pretty hard." Spruce said causally.

" WHAT!?!" Brandy and her siblings exclaimed.

Brandy dropped the metal bowl she was drying to the floor as horror dawned on her. Delta Dawn froze automatically letting go of Spruce. Low Note's glasses fell off as his jaw dropped. Floyd quickly picked them up and handed it to the stunned Funk. Silence took over the room causing Floyd to sweat while Spruce nervously laughed.

" It's nothing serious. Just very minor cuts on my arms and legs. Only a faint bit of blood came out. Floyd patched me up real quick when we were in a safe spot. I'm fine. I got more clothes that I can wear to replace my cut up ones." Spruce announced.

" I tried my best. I'm no first aid expert." Floyd cleared his throat.

" Oh My Vacey!!!" Brandy scooped up Spruce.

" What about you,Floyd? Any bruises? Cuts?" Low Note said.

Floyd shook his head. " No. I'm physically okay."

" Oh Thank Heavens! " Delta sighed with relief.

" Who throws a beer bottle at someone? That's mad!" Scotch said.

Spruce blushed as he sat in Brandy's cupped hands. She held him up high close to her face so they would be at eye level. She was more beautiful in person than in her photo. Normally someone her size would spook him but, Vacationers had proved themselves to be the opposite of Bergens. Plus the thought of Brandy caring about him so much made it hard for Spruce to not fall for her. It was too soon for their feelings to be labeled yet but, there was a spark.

" Oh I wished I knew sooner. We need to get you to a doctor to get your cuts checked. Broken glass is no joke." Brandy said.

" Oh we don't need to rush to that. Really. They stopped burning yesterday when me and Floyd got on the island. They don't sting anymore. And you are already doing more than enough for me and Floyd by housing and feeding us." Spruce brushed off.

" Spruce... You can't just walk this off. Your arms and legs are covered in them. Please. Just let me do this. Health care is free here. You won't be owing me anything if that's what your worried about." Brandy insisted.

The woman's soft gaze and words sent Spruce backing down. How could he even argue right now? He didn't want to anyway. Especially since he knew that Brandy was right. The troll just didn't want to take advantage or break the foundation of trust they built over a year of being pen pals. Despite knowing each other for a year being together in real life felt like they had met for the first all over again. Spruce didn't want to look bad in front of Brandy.

Spruce sighed then nodded his head. " Okay. Your right. We should go see a doctor just in case."

Brandy smiled making Spruce's heart skip a beat. " Good! Let's go now. Floyd? How about we get you checked too?"

" I-hmm. Okay." Floyd stuttered.

Back in the Troll Tree in a specific Pod... Rosiepuff, Clay and John sat on the couch while Branch sat on their grandmother's lap. Princess Viva was there too as promised. She sat on the arm rest holding Clay's hand. King Peppy pinched the bridge of his nose trying to rethink his phrasing. On one hand he already gave the Timberlakes a warning but, on the other according to his own laws unauthorized escape attempts must get some form of punishment. However the boys did get hurt which was a consequence and a natural punishment of its own right.

" Listen. I have a reputation to uphold and had made it law that a fitting punishment would be given... So considering everything you all will be on pod arrest until further notice. Even you, Rosiepuff." King Peppy said.

" Fine. But, who will be making sure we don't run out of food and necessities?" Rosiepuff crossed her arms.

" I volunteer!" Viva weighted in.

" Viva,no. " King Peppy shook his head.

" No,Dad. Viva,Yes. You taught me to be kind, to have empathy and help those in need. If your going to put their family on pod arrest then someone should make sure they have no reason to leave and are cared for. Plus John,Branch and Clay are on medications. John is disabled. They need support and accommodations right now even when punished." Viva stood her ground.

King Peppy sighed running his hands through his hair. Him and his deceased wife, Joyce, did give their eldest daughter those teachings. Joyce wanted their daughters to be understanding and kind to their subjects. While a part of him was proud that their daughter had taken those lessons to heart, Viva insistence was now undermining his say. Being too tired to fight Peppy considered letting her win this time but, under his conditions of course.

" Okay. Fine. But, then that means you will be solely responsible for them. If anyone on pod arrest leaves you will be expected to take the blame for allowing it to happen. This will be added your Royal Duties. Do you understand?" King Peppy said sternly.

Viva excitedly nodded her head grinning. " Yes,Sir!" She saluted.

Clay looked up at Viva adoringly unable to hold back a grin of his own. John glanced at the pair noticing the way his brother was looking at the princess. It was somewhat different from the usual looks. This one was more fixed and loving. Something was different now but, neither seemed to be paying attention to it. Normally John would tease but, he just smiled saving the teasing for later. Today he was going to be nice.

" Oh Thank you, Princess Viva. You're too kind." Rosiepuff responded.

" Don't worry about it,Mrs Timberlake. Just call me "Viva". No need for formalities. I'm gonna be here everyday to annoy Clay." Viva joked.