The Goblin Princess

Chapter 17

The throne room was packed. So many goblins filled the room leaving little room to move about. That did not make the little princess happy. She couldn't see nor get to where she wished.

Why was every goblin in the city packed into the throne room? Little Veena was getting angry. Didn't any of them realize who she was?

Little Veena frowned. Her brothers would do all sorts of things to get attention. She on the other hand, could only do so little.

Suddenly, she was picked up out of the massive put of goblins and pulled to her father's side.

"Why are down there, Precious? Shouldn't you be with your mother?"

The little princess looked into much older blue eyes, "I wanted to spend the day with you." She pouted at him.

Sighing, her father placed against his hip, "all right." He carried her to the throne and sat down, moving her to his lap. "Now you'll have to stay quiet. I have listen to the goblins' complaints."

Little Veena smiled up at him, "okay, Daddy." She turned to face the hoard of goblins.

Chapter 17

The fire in the hearth gave them all a soft glow inside the dark cottage. The dirty splintered floor wasn't much, but at least they had somewhere to sit as they ate their soup, well except for Cringer. Veena had found some meat drying in the cellar, and the tiger was enjoying himself.

Veena sat her wooden bowl on the semi-clean floor in front of her,"that actually came out pretty good."

Hoggle nodded as he slumped some from his bowl, as Adam held his.

They hadn't been able to find any spoons. So the three of them had just slurped their soup from the bowl. There was still some left, but Veena doubted they would touch it tonight.

"Ve, that was better than most of the stuff from the Palace."

"Thanks."

Hoggle lowered his bowl, "thanks, Princess. I haven't had something that good in a very long time."

Veena nodded, "how much farther till the Castle, Hoggle?"

Hoggle frowned slightly, "not much I think. I haven't been to this part of the Forest in awhile though. So I could be wrong."

Veena nodded, "I guess we'll stay put, at least till morning. We'll be safe here won't we?"

"I think so, Princess. I haven't heard of it entering the forest before."

Adam frowned, "I'm thinking it would be a good idea to keep watch."

Veena frowned at him, "we all need rest, Adam."

"I know, but someone should be on watch in case something happens."

Veena sighed, "okay, but I'll take first watch."

Adam shook his head, "it's been a hard day on you. You need more sleep than me. Besides more than likely you would be more helpful than me."

Tilting her head slightly, Veena glanced at Cringer. She had seen Adam sparing a few times. It wasn't like he couldn't fight. He had seemed really good. So why would he say she would be more helpful?

"Since this place seems filled with magic, you seem the one to deal with anything. Although, if that Minotaur shows up, I'll do my best to keep if off the two of you as you escape."

"If the Goblin Army couldn't stop it, what makes you think you could?"

Adam looked at Hoggle, "I have a few tricks up my sleeves, Dwarf." He turned back to Veena, "we can't really take the chance it won't come here."

Nodding, Veena sighed, "all right, but you can't stay up all night. We'll split it in half. You take the first half, and I'll take the second."

Giving a slight nod, Adam stood up, "I suggest that we all stay down here. It'll be able easier to keep an eye on everyone."

Hoggle lifted his bowl up to take a sip, "I highly doubt that's your only reason."

Veena gave the dwarf a slight smile, "that's enough, Hoggle. He's right. I'll go upstairs and get what blankets seem still usable."

Adam nodded, "don't take too long."

Veena stood up, "I won't." She walked over to the battered stair case. "Only my room is still intact."

XOXOXOX

Adam sat leaning against the wall by the hearth. Maybe there wasn't a reason to be on watch, but something told him that they needed to do it. This Minotaur didn't sound like a good thing, at all. At least with him on watch, he could call on He-man if needed. More than likely He-man would be only one could deal with the creature.

Sighing, he tilted his head back against the wall. This world was so strange to him. It didn't worry him. No, what worried him was Veena. What had caused so much destruction to this place? Or whom?

He saw magic all the time fighting Skeletor, but something about this felt different. This actually made his skin crawl. The fact was this place was attacked more than likely to get to Veena. That didn't sit well with him. Why would someone want to hurt her?

Tilting his head forward again, Adam glanced over at Veena's sleeping form. Cringer was curled up close to her. For being such a coward, the tiger was being very protective of her, or most likely he knew she would keep him safe. Yawning, Adam glanced at the dwarf whom seemed very happy in his little makeshift bed.

Fighting to keep his eyes opened, Adam leaned his head back against the wall. It was going to be long night.