The Goblin Prince.

In which the Prince fufils one of his many duties.

Seven mortal years later.

"Hello."

Ginny turned to see a boy standing in the archway, leaning against the ivy-covered wall. He had eyes that shone like emeralds, peeping out from beneath locks of midnight black hair. His tunic was a darker shade of green than his eyes, his black pants long enough to conceal he was barefoot until he stepped forward. He looked about 13

"Um, hello." She looked down, feeling a bit embarrassed to ask him her questions, especially since she had no idea how she had ended up in a hedge maze in the first place.

"You're in the Labyrinth." He said, taking a step forward and revealing that he had living vines interwoven in his hair like Ginny's mother would weave ribbons into hers.

"The Labyrinth?"

"A land that exists in the realm of dreams and wishes."

"Am I dreaming?" Ginny asked incredulous. "But it feels so real."

The boy nodded, smiling gently. "And you are not the only one. Would you like me to lead you to the others or would you like to explore? I can show you the rose gardens. Or perhaps the fountains?"

"You're not lost?" That was even a crazier idea then the dreamrealm one.

The boy shook his head and grinned. "Nope. It's actually my job to help dreamers find their way. And I've been at it a long time."

"Oh, mum would be mad if she was here. Even if it is a dream. I'm Ginny." She held out her hand to shake.

"You may call me Prince." The boy said, shaking her hand.

"Is that really your name?"

"One of them. Now, what would you like to see? The gardens or the glades where the other dreamers are playing?"

"Oh, the glade, please."

Prince gestured to the door that had most definitely not been there a moment ago. "After you."

"Was that there before?"

"Does it matter if it is there now?" Prince asked a crystal ball has appeared in his hands, moving hypnotically over his fingers.

"Is that magic?" Ginny asked, entranced as they moved through the Labyrinth.

Prince stopped and held the crystal up to the light. "Tis but an ordinary crystal until you turn it just the right way. Then it shows your dreams."

"Can it show you anyone's dream?" Ginny said, looking closer and seeing a flash of a Quidditch player.

"If you know what to look for." He answered cryptically, resuming the hypnotic swirls as the crystal danced across his hands.

Before Ginny could protest they emerged into a glade that had several goblins, pixies, and dreamers playing tag.

"Go and have fun." Prince encouraged, pushing her forward slightly. "Remember, dreams are but fleeting realities and here, nothing is as it seems."

Before she could turn around he was gone.

When Ginny woke up she remembered the older boy most of all.

It was a few months later after several trips into the Labyrinth before she felt sure enough to broach the subject.

She was playing with a fox knight named Sir Didymus, who was much more eager to play with her than her big brothers.

"Is Prince here?" She asked between rounds. It was quite difficult to win when the fox knight rode his noble steed, a sheepdog named Ambrosius.

"No, Lady Ginny. He is off helping a child who needs him most dearly."