Good Knight

The Fall of Grendelmere

Prince Misereoux got to his feet and went to Princess Peppermint's aid. Miss Krabbtree let go of Sir Theodore to avoid any wrath from the king. The Fable Keeper came running to Sir Theodore and Sir Puck and helped them to their feet. King Somnolent slowly approached Prince Grendelmere.

"It is time I stepped in and punished you for your evil crimes, Grendelmere," the King stated. The Prince of Nightmares smirked, finding it hard to take his father's statement seriously.

"You won't," he replied matter-of-factly. "You never did and you never will. I'm your son and you do not have it in you to vanquish me."

"I would never vanquish you, Grendelmere," King Somnolent assured him. "But I can end your villainous reign. You'll start by growing up. I said, UNHAND THAT GIRL!"

The throne room darkened and Penelope could spot a flicker of fear in Prince Grendelmere's eyes. After a moment of hesitation he put her down on the floor and she ran to Sir Theodore, who welcomed her in a comforting embrace. They watched from the sidelines.

"Alright, what will it be this time father?" Grendelmere insisted. "You've already banished me and I have come back. That won't do you any good. So what, I ask, do you plan to do?"

The king remained calm and allowed his youngest son to speak. The rest knew that Grendelmere was right. The king would never vanquish him. They too wondered what he had in store for the villain.

"You wish to rule over the dream world, but I'm afraid you can only rule over a portion of it just like the rest of us," King Somnolent explained.

"What?" Prince Grendelmere asked. Their audience grew tense. Was the king really letting Grendelmere win? Or did he have a trick up his sleeve?

"Yes Grendelmere, the balance of the dream world is, shall we say; off-center. Although you have taken over Nix, the Nightmare kingdom, by slaying its former ruler, you are not officially its king," King Somnolent explained.

"This doesn't change my mind, nor my heart!" Grendelmere argued. The Fable Keeper rolled her eyes.

"If he even has one," she mumbled only loud enough so Sir Theodore and Penelope could hear her.

"It is LAW, Grendelmere! We all must abide by it. You are not officially king until you are sworn in. Kneel down will you?" King Somnolent insisted. Prince Grendelmere was just as shocked as everyone else.

"No," Sir Theodore whispered anxiously. The Prince of Nightmares slowly bent down on one knee, practically bowing before his father. The king formed an expression of regret when his son wasn't looking. He took a short deep breath and began the ceremony.

"Do you, Prince Grendelmere, solemnly swear to govern the Kingdom of Nix and follow the dream world's respective laws and customs?" he asked. Prince Grendelmere looked up at him, about to argue. King Somnolent looked down at him sternly. Grendelmere bowed his head again in defeat.

"I so solemnly swear," he reluctantly answered. Everyone held their breath, all in complete disbelief that this was happening.

"So, Prince Grendelmere, my son, I hereby crown thee Grendelmere to the kingdom of Nix, King of Nightmares!" King Somnolent announced. Grendelmere looked up at him in shock and slowly rose to his feet.

"I'm king?" he asked. "I'm really king! I've won! All of the Nightmares finally in my control!" He turned to Sir Theodore. "And now the knights of Nod are mine." Sir Theodore's heart sank with disappointment.

"Not so fast Grendelmere," King Somnolent added calmly. Grendelmere turned to him.

"You wanted to be king. You got what you wanted . . . and all the laws and customs that come with it. By swearing your official oath, you cannot own anything that belongs to another king without his permission. If you do not have a law-abiding trade then it is untouchable to you. I do not give you permission to the knights of Nod and therefore they are not yours," King Somnolent explained.