Under The Land Of Wonder

Chapter 4 - Vines of Tells

Soft pacing feet is the only sound that one could hear in the small bedroom. 'What am I going to do?' Trish thinks as she makes her way yet again pass the small balcony.

'I could leave,' her mind races, 'but what good will that do? I don't have really anywhere to go... I could simply will myself to wake up, but then I'll never know what would happen. No,' she resolves, 'I started this and I'll see it through. If something bad happens, I'll simply wake up.'

With a nod of her head she walks over to the balcony gazing down at the Queen's garden. Along the border of the garden is a vast hedge maze. As Trish's crystal eyes study the scenery she could swear that pieces of the hedge began to shift. Before she could give it another moments thought she hears a knock at the door.

"Enter," she exclaims, turning around as wispy haired goblin comes into view. "Hello Charles, what brings you here?" she asks sweetly.

The age worn goblin looks at her for a moment before clearing his raspy throat. "It seems that the Queen is in a fuss. She has locked herself away in her room. Not allowing anyone near her. I wonder why that is?" He gives her a look, "It may be purely coincidence, but as my sources go, you were the last person to see her." At his words Trish feels her heart drop to the floor. 

'Busted,' she thinks, as she suddenly seems to see something interesting on the floor.

"Trish," the goblin inquiries, "What happened?"

Trish looks up, letting out a soft sigh. "Well, after dinner Her Highness wanted me to join her on a walk. And, well... She asked what I thought and saw in her kingdom..."

"And," Charles exclaims, slightly narrowing his black eyes, "what did you say?"

"Um... I kinda told her that she's a selfish mother who cares nothing for her children," she states, shrinking a little.

"What?" Charles says with a baffled look upon his face. With another sigh Trish explains what had occurred between her and The Queen.

"I don't believe it," the goblin finally utters after a few minutes of awkward silence.

"You don't understand," Trish stammers, "You don't know just how much they're suffering," her gaze lowers, "There's no hope or joy in this kingdom. All I see is pain, fear, and sorrow. It's only a matter of time before those feelings of oppression turn to fury. This nation would be crippled by a civil war."

Charles eyes soften and a sad smile forms upon his thin lips. "That's not what I was referring to, dear. I know very well the state of this kingdom. What I don't believe is that you would have this effect on the Queen."

"What do you mean?" the watery eyed maiden inquiries, sniffling slightly.

"Her Majesty does not do well with any form of criticism. For those who do, usually meet a terrible fate, however, with you it seems your words have cut her to the core. A very difficult, near impossible thing to do; even for those who have known her for many years," he sighs stroking his chin looking off into the distance, "I wonder how things will play out." He slowly returns his gaze to Trish. "You are right though, if things do not change I fear this kingdom will come crashing down."

"What caused this?" She asks, "I mean why is this land so fragile?"

Charles lets out a breath. "That is a loaded question, my dear. One that goes back many, many years. This land, this kingdom, you see here is a broken piece of something much larger. A few centuries ago," Trish's eyes widen at the remark, yet keeps her mouth shut despite the swarm of questions seeking to make its way out. Charles eyes Trish with a questionable glance, but smiles when he sees he's not going to be interrupted.