The Goblin Princess

Chapter 23

Little Veena didn't understand. She stood in a clearing in a forest with her father, holding his hand, and two strange women.

"Daddy, why are we here? I want to go home."

Releasing her hand, her father didn't look at her as he walked up to the door of the cottage. He opened it and gestured towards the two women, "is everything prepared?"

One of the women nodded, "yes, Your Majesty."

"Do not address me as such. What did I tell you?"

The woman flinched, "sorry, ... sir."

Nodding, he turned towards his daughter, "Veena, come along. I need to return soon."

Slowly Veena walked towards him. Something has happening. Something she didn't want to happen.

"Veena, hurry up."

Veena ran up to him at the door. She stopped and looked at him.

He walked inside, "come along."

She followed closely behind him as he lead her up stairs and into a bedroom.

Her father looked around the room before nodding, "everything seems to be in order."

"Daddy, what's going on?"

He knelt down in front of her, "Veena, you're staying here."

Little Veena began to shake her head, "no! I want to go home." She began to cry.

Her father stood up as one of the women came into the room, "this is home now."

The little girl frowned, "what's going on?"

Her father moved away from her and looked at the woman, "I leave her in your care."

The woman nodded, "we'll protect her with our lives."

Her father nodded as the woman walked up behind little Veena placing her hands on the girl's shoulders.

He looked at her for a moment, then closed his eyes, "forgive me." He then turned away from her.

She tried to follow after him as he walked away, but the woman held her in place as her father walked away.

Chapter 23

Still holding the chunk of wall, Veena couldn't believe her eyes. She had seen He-man being trapped by the falling wall. That hadn't been her imaginations. Had it? No, she had clearly seen He-man become trapped by the Minotaur.

Cringer began to gently rub his head against Adam's left arm, while Hoggle and Veena continued to clear the rubble off of him. After a few more minutes, Veena finally found the sword. It looked as if it had never been in battle.

Slowly Veena pulled it out and handed it to Hoggle, "hold this. I need to figure out to wake him up."

Hoggle took the sword, frowning, "yeah, sure, but I don't know if that's a good idea."

The sound of metal clinking against itself and feet on stones was becoming louder.

"I have to try, Hoggle."

Frowning, Veena placed her right hand onto Adam's forehead. Slowly she could feel his forehead becoming cooler. Adam began to slowly move his head.

"Adam, wake up."

Slowly Adam's eyes fluttered opened, "huh, what happened?" He tried to sit up.

Veena placed her left hand on his shoulder, "not so fast. You aren't in any shape to get up yet."

Adam shook his head, "where's the Minotaur?"

"It's gone. Your secret's out by the way."

Adam frowned, "huh, what secret?"

"Did you forget who was trapped under the wall?"

Adam's eyes grew wide as they moved quickly went side to side.

Veena smiled at him, "I know you had your reason for not telling me."

Adam frowned, "I need to get up. You need to get into the Castle." He tried sitting up again.

Pushing down on his shoulder, Veena shook her head, "Adam I really don't think you get up just yet."

He placed his hand over hers, "I'll be fine. You need to get to that Castle."

Veena glanced up to see some of what appeared to be either the Army or City Watch coming towards them, finally.

Hoggle stood up and began to walk towards them, "about time you showed up. We need help."

The goblin, well it had to be a goblin at the front of the massive group walked forward carrying a pike, "you are all under arrest by the order of the Lord Mayor of the Goblin City."

Hoggle groaned, "you idiots! You can't arrest the Princess!"

"He's right you, Cretins. How dare you even think to arrest my daughter."

Veena pulled away from Adam as she slowly stood up. She turned towards the voice to see someone she hadn't seen in years. Her father.

He stood with his back to her. So she couldn't see his face. The goblin who had spoken took a step back, "Your Majesty, I was only following orders. They destroyed the Gates and part of the City Wall."

"We wouldn't had done it if the idiots would have let us in."

"I know, Higgle."

Hoggle hung his head slightly, "ah, of course, Your Majesty."

Slowly the group of goblins left.

Veena turned as she heard the sound of rocks moving, "Adam, stay put."

Adam shook his head as he sat up, "I'm fine, really."

Veena frowned as he stood up, "if you fall down, don't ask me to help you up."

Adam smiled as he gingerly put his feet beyond the rubble, "I've dealt with worst, I promise."

Veena turned away, "Hoggle, you can give him back his sword."

Hoggle looked between the king and princess. Sighing, he walked over to Adam and returned his sword.

"Well, then we better get to the Castle."

Everyone looked at the King as he walked towards Veena.

Veena took a slight step back, moving closer to Adam. She might have been angry with him, but the truth was she knew him better than the man before her.

Her father frowned, but said nothing as Adam walked up beside her with Cringer by his side.

Adam looked from her to her father, "Ve, I'll explain I promise."

Veena nodded, "I know."

Adam frowned, "what's wrong?"

Veena shook her head, "not now."

Adam slowly nodded as her father glanced around them.

"I must thank you for helping deal with the Minotaur, Prince Adam."

Veena caught Adam give a slight nod out of the corner of her eye.

"You're welcome, Sir."

Her father looked at her, "allow me to escort you all to the Castle."

Veena glanced at Hoggle, who was frowning, "lead the way."

Her father gave a quick nod before turning and walking away. Hoggle and other two followed after him immediately, while Veena, Adam, and Cringer remained in place for a few more moments, before following after the Goblin King.