The Goblin Princess

Chapter 13

Veena stood at the edge of the clearing where the cabin stood. The forest was silent, like always. She could hear the women inside calling for her, but she didn't care. She wasn't ready to go inside the cabin yet. Turning around, she headed back into the forest.

The forest seemed more welcoming than the cottage, even though it seemed so empty of life. She wandered through the underbrush farther from the clearing. The voices seemed to get louder.

Veena ignored the sounds as she moved deeper into the forest. Suddenly, the ground began to shake beneath her, causing her to fall over. She caught herself with her hands. What was happening?

Suddenly, an owl came flying at her. It almost hit her, but it stopped and landed on a branch very close to her. It began to hop and and make quite a bit of noise.

Slowly, Veena stood and walked over to the owl. Once she stood in front of it, the owl calmed down a bit.

"What is it? What's happening?"

The owl took off again, and flew around her a few times.

"You want me to follow you?"

The owl hooted before flying off deeper into the forest.

After a moment, Veena followed quickly after.

Chapter 13

Slowly, Veena walked towards the stone chair. She knew this place. Actually, she hated this place, but couldn't exactly remember why. Images flashed in front of her eyes. She stumbled to the chair and sat down. The pain was almost too much. Closing her eyes, Veena leaned her head back against the stone.

She sat in a pit in a room. The goblins were bickering around her. She turned to face the throne.

Thunder crashed. Lightening flashed in the sky. She hid in her secret place. What had happened?

"Ve? Veena open your eyes!"

Slowly, Veena opened her eyes to find Adam standing in front of her. The worry was clear on his face.

"Sorry, had a flash of memories. Give me a minute."

Hoggle frowned, "we really need to be moving."

Veena took a deep breath. She needed to calm herself. Slowly she closed her eyes again. Gradually, the sound of thunder lessened. She opened her and looked up to find the dark clouds were slowly disappearing.

Adam looked up as well, "Veena, I think you did that."

She gave a slight nod, "I think so, too." Veena glanced around them, "okay, I'm ready. Let's get a move on. The sun's not going to be up for much longer."

The other two looked towards the setting sun, as Veena slowly stood up.

"You're definitely not under the same rules as a runner."

"What's a runner?" Adam moved slightly to give Veena more room.

"Someone who runs the Labyrinth. I don't want to say too much."

Frowning, Veena nodded, "it's okay, Hoggle. I understand. He wants to explain everything."

Hoggle gave a slow nod, "I would think so. I may know somethings, Princess, but he's the best person to explain things to you."

Cringer came up and butted his head against Veena's hand. She absentmindedly petted him, as she looked around the stone clearing, "do we continue following the melody I'm hearing, or do you want to take the lead again, Hoggle?"

Hoggle shook his head, "I think you did better than I did."

Veena nodded, "okay, then. It sounds loudest this way." She slowly began to walk towards the beginning of a new part of the Labyrinth.

XOXOXOX

Adam officially didn't like any of this. Why make them solve this maze? This made no sense. His parents had been so happy to see his sister once again. Veena's father wasn't acting at all what he had expected.

Sighing, Adam glanced down at Cringer as the tiger walked over to him, "I know, Cring. I'm worried, too."

He watched as Veena placed her hand on a wall on the far side of the clearing. After a few moments, the wall split in half, creating a new path to follow.

The dwarf walked through the opening, while Veena turned to face him, "Adam, is something wrong?"

Had she heard him? Slowly, he walked up to her, "just worried about all of this. Aren't you?" He stopped right in front of her. Cringer walked up and stood between the two of them.

Veena glanced towards no doubt where the dwarf stood, "nothing here is allowed to harm me, but I am worried about why my father doesn't want Hoggle to explain things."

Adam nodded, "he has to have a reason, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy it."

Veena gave a small, "from experience, huh?"

Adam laughed, "ah, yeah." He then quickly frowned, "but that doesn't mean that it's right."

A sound most likely from an animal came not too far away. Adam glanced at Veena who was frowning.

"Ve?"

Veena seemed to almost not be actual in front of him. It was if her mind wasn't there.

"Veena?!"

She shook her head slightly, "sorry. We better get moving. I want to be closer to the City before it gets dark."

Adam nodded as Veena walked through the opening. Cringer followed after her. After a moment, he followed after her, not noticing the bird of prey standing on a wall not too far away.