The Goblin Princess

Chapter 10

Resting against a tree, little Veena sighed. She had no one to play with. The two ladies that took care of her wouldn't play with her. So here she was in this strange forest alone, trying to keep herself entertained.

Little Veena hadn't seen a single creature, since coming here a few weeks ago. Not a butterfly, rabbit, or squirrel. Something told her that was odd. She didn't know much, but she had a very good idea that forests had animals living in them.

Little Veena pushed against the tree. She wanted to know why her father had sent her here. Why couldn't she had stayed at home, where ever that was?

She rested her tiny hand on her head. Her head was hurting again. She knew she should go back to the cottage and tell one of the ladies about it, but she wasn't. No she wanted to walk the forest. So she lowered her hand and began to walk into the dark forest.

Chapter 10

The sun light filtered through the glass into the Library. Veena stood looking out at the light hitting the edge of the forest. Her head still pained her a bit, but she refused to remain in bed any longer. No, she refused to let a slight headache keep her in bed. She also needed time to really think over what the Sorceress had told her only a few days ago. She was going to be sent to her father.

Yes, she had quite a few things to ask him, but she didn't want to leave. For the first time, she actually had friends. She wasn't spending hours by herself trying to keep herself entertained. There was no way of knowing what would happen when she left. She doubted much would change for anyone here. They would just go back to how everything had been before she had come.

She could feel the tears beginning to form. How was she going to tell Adam? Veena hadn't seen him since she had woken up. Resting her forehead against the glass, Veena sighed.

"Veena, what's wrong?"

She didn't want to answer him. The sound of Adam's boots against the floor came closer. She didn't turn to face him as his reflection slowly began to appear in the glass before her, with Cringer not too far behind.

He frowned in the glass, "Veena?"

She looked into his face in the glass, "I have to leave."

He moved to stand beside her, and then reached out and took hold of her arm, "what do you mean you have to leave?" He slowly made her turn to slightly face him, "Ve, what's going on?"

Veena fought back the tears, but she could feel a few slide down her face. Refusing to look at him, she hung her head, "the Sorceress said that it's time I return to my father."

His hand slowly released her arm, "Why? I thought you needed to train."

"She says she doesn't have any more to teach me."

Adam placed his hand on her shoulder, "do you want to go?"

She looked at him glaring, "does it look like I want to go? I didn't have friends before I came here. Of course, I don't want to leave." Veena hiccuped as Adam pulled her towards him into a hug.

Adam wrapped his arms around her, "it'll be all right, Ve. Maybe we can talk to your father to see if either we can visit or you can."

Closing her eyes, Veena pressed her face into his chest, "that's too many ifs, Adam."

Adam sighed, "it's the best I can do." She felt him moved his head slightly, "we'll think of something, Ve."

"I hate to interrupt, but I must have a word with you two."

Slowly Adam released her as she lifted her head. They both turned to face the Sorceress who stood in the doorway.

Adam took a step back from her, "ah, Sorceress..."

The Sorceress smiled softly, "you have nothing to fear, Prince Adam. Although, it is true. Princess Veena will be returning home, but when she does you will be accompanying her. Her father wishes to meet you."

Veena glanced over at Adam as he frowned.

"He wishes to meet me? But why?"

The Sorceress leaned her staff to the side, "he did not say. He only requested that I send you with her. He no doubts wishes that she not traverse the Labyrinth alone."

Veena frowned, "the Labyrinth?" Lush green walls, happy creatures singing and dancing, and a castle rising high into the sky in the center came suddenly to her mind.

The Sorceress nodded, "it protects your father's kingdom. It can be difficult to solve, but he assures me you should not have a hard time."

Veena and Adam looked at each other.

The Sorceress moved back into the corridor, "come with me. It is time."

"I can't just leave, Sorceress. What if...?" Adam took a step forward.

"Have no fear, Prince Adam. We will not be defenseless. Man-at-Arms will tell your parents you are working on a new alliance, which is true. If we do become in need of your help, I will call."

XOXOXOX

Adam followed with Veena and Cringer after the Sorceress. Already he could tell they were in a part of the castle he had never been in. It wasn't near the Library, the Throne Room, nor the hall of King Grayskull. It felt almost as deep as the Crystal Cravens, but he knew it couldn't be that deep. Could it?

He glanced over at Veena. She didn't seem that much better than when he had first found her in the Library, but she was walking beside him.

Reaching over, he took hold of her hand.

Squeezing his hand, she glanced over at him and gave him a weak smile.

Cringer came up and head butted their joined hands, and then he sat his chin on top of their joined hands.

They both turned slightly and looked at the green tiger behind them, who looked up at them as they walked along. Slowly they turned back to see where they were going.

The Sorceress stopped once she entered a room full of doors, "we have arrived." Adam, Veena, and Cringer followed after her. She floated over to a door that looked ancient compared to the others. The wood almost seemed to be rotting away around the rusted metal hinges and door knob, "this door will take you right outside the Labyrinth." Turing to face them, she rested the bottom of her staff on the floor, "you may need your staff, Veena." She waved her hand, and Veena's staff appeared in front of its owner.

Veena reached out and took her staff from mid air, "why does the door look like that?"

The Sorceress stood salient for a moment and then sighed, "each door reflect the world in which it is attached. The Labyrinth is in very dire straights at the moment."

Adam nodded, "that explains why your father sent you here."

The Sorceress nodded, "yes, but you will have to ask your father for the details." She turned towards the door ans pointed the top of her staff towards the door, The staff and door soon began to glow in a golden light. The door suddenly flew open.

The Sorceress quickly turned to them "quickly, it will not remain open for long."

Walking towards the opened door, Adam glanced at Veena, "well, we better get a move on."

Veena nodded as she followed after him with Cringer hugging her side, "right. Come on feet."