Disclaimer: The Princess and the Goblin, all characters, places, and related terms belong to George MacDonald.
Author's Note: This is a plot bunny that I've had for a long time. It is from Curdie's mother's point of view and is a little AU.
Through a Mother's Eyes
Curdie's mother, Mary, sits before the fire, deep in thought as she stares into the dancing flames. Once in a while she gently rocks the sleeping princess in her arms.
It has been several hours since she was awakened by the timid knock sounding on the door. On answering it, she was filled with amazement and alarm when she beheld the little Princess Irene on the doorstep, looking about with uncertain, frightened eyes. She had immediately brought the child inside; she then gave the princess some warm milk before settling before the fire. The princess had said little, but quickly fell asleep.
Now the good woman gazes down on the sweet face of the child, wondering what has caused her to come here and if she has perhaps been missed back at the farm. Oh, how she wishes Curdie were here! He would probably know what to do.
As though he heard her silent plea, the door opens and in walks Curdie. He is out of breath as though he has run without stop up the mountain. His eyes are wide and filled with despair and frightened hope. His gaze does not linger on her but quickly falls on the little child sleeping contentedly in her arms. Upon his realizing it is the princess, a silent sigh escapes him. The shadows are gone from his eyes, the frown disappears, he straightens to his full height, and he suddenly seems younger, as though what he had gone through the previous night had aged him. He reaches his mother and the princess in several quick strides.
"Do not wake her," Mary cautions him as he sets himself on a stool beside her, his eyes never leaving the princess. "I feared the cobs had caught you again, Curdie!" she exclaims softly.
She watches as her son tears his gaze from the princess, meets her concerned eyes, and smiles softly, reassuringly, at her.
"Oh, Curdie! You've come! I thought you would!"
Mary looks down to see the princess shifting in her arms. Delight shines in the child's eyes as Irene looks at Curdie. A smile tugging on the woman's mouth, she returns her gaze to her son, who now stands before the princess, his eyes to the ground.
Mary is silent as Curdie apologizes to the princess for not believing her. The smile on the woman's face broadens as the princess readily, eagerly forgives him. She watches the two children. And though this is her first meeting the Princess Irene, and though the child has not been friends long with her son, she reads many things in each child's eyes – things that seem unusual for ones so young. Yet Mary silently approves, knowing only time will tell what shall become of this.
She settles the princess on the chair and hurries to make some coffee. Glancing over her shoulder as she puts the kettle on, she sees Curdie has brought his stool closer to the princess, and their heads are close together as he explains what has been happening down at the farm, and tells of his own adventures. The girl trembles, hearing of how the goblins meant to carry her off. He pats her shoulder, a protective light in his eyes, his words soothing and comforting.
His mother's eyes note all and twinkle.
THE END