Nothing Is What It Seems

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

"What's happening?!" High King Diedrick yelled as he stumbled back, trying to grab hold of something.

Grabbing hold of the Goblin Throne, High Queen Evera tried to steady herself as the ground beneath her feet began to rumble.

Crash. Shatter. Boom. Thud. Sounds soon began to fill the air. Screams soon joined in with the chorus.

Ludo fell against the stone wall with a thud. "Rocks mad."

Sir Didymus caught his lance between two iron rings attached to the stair well leading to the Main Entrance. "Ambrosius!"

Shaking, Ambrosius hid under a table, whining as objects began to fall off the table to the floor.

Unable to grab hold of anything, Hoggle lost his balance and fell into the pit in the center of the room. Ah!"

When the ground became still once, Queen Evera slowly released the Throne. "Everyone all right?"

Ludo stumbled from the wall. "Ludo good."

Didymus left his lance in place as he walked over to Ambrosius. "I am fine, Your Majesty." He knelt down beside the dog. "Come, Ambrosius." The dog slowly climbed out from under the table.

King Diedrick released the sconce he had been able to take hold of before falling down. "That couldn't have been a good sign."

The gruff dwarf sat up, groaning. "What was that about?"

"I'm not sure." Evera slowly began to move away from the Throne. "The Labyrinth's doing something."

Hoggle huffed as he climbed out of the pit. "Well obviously." As he finally freed himself, he frowned.

Frowning as well, Evera quickly walked towards the window as Sir Didymus returned to his lance. Her eyes widened at the horrific scene outside.

The damage from the invading army had been at least doubled by the quake. What was the Labyrinth doing? This one gave more for its citizens to repair.

Diedrick walked up beside his wife. "I may not have a connection to this land as you, but could the Labyrinth have been storing energy in preparation of dealing the enemy and just released it?"

Looking at him, Evera sighed. "It's possible."

Hoggle marched up to the monarchs. "We have to do something. I can't just stand here and not do anything! Not anymore!" He stopped in front of them. "We know they are in the Room of Stairs. So why haven't we gone to help?" The old dwarf took a breath. "They'll need it. No one should have to fight a Forgotten One alone."

Evera sighed. "It's not that simple, Hoggle. This Forgotten One is very dangerous."

Sir Didymus walked up to them, lance in hand. "Your Majesty, thee knows our oath. We must protect the Lord and Lady of the Labyrinth."

Giving the old knight a soft smile, Queen Evera sighed. "I know, Sir Didymus. I don't doubt how loyal any of you are to them, but how do you think Sarah would feel if any of you were harmed?"

Hoggle shook his head. "She'd forgive us, in time." Hoggle took a deep breath. "Evera, we wouldn't be able to bear it, if there had been a chance to do something and didn't." He looked at his old friend. "You should know that better than anyone."

Evera wiped a tear off her cheek. "Hoggle, please."

Hoggle looked over at Didymus and Ludo. "I'm going. You two are free to do whatever you wish." He then began walking towards the stairway leading to the Room of Stairs. Ludo, Sir Didymus, and Ambrosius soon turned to follow after him.

"You would dare to go against the orders of the High Queen, Dwarf?" King Diedrick turned towards them.

Hoggle stopped and turned to face him. "I am not the ones who may very well allow their son to die. Am I?" He then promptly turned and marched up the stairs with the others behind him.

"I hate to say it, but Hoggle's right."

Frowning, Diedrick looked at his wife. "What do you suggest we do?"

Evera shook her head. "I don't' know, but can we truly just stand around while that monster is near them?"

Diedrick sighed. "Will you be able to do this again?"

"I have no choice. Hoggle's right. I couldn't bear it if something happened!" Tears began to truly fall from her eyes.

Diedrick reached out and took hold her hand. "We'll go then." Slowly he pulled her into a hug. "The bastard's not going to harm our family again."