It Began in the Woods

Chapter 1: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

There are those creatures whose soul purpose is to stand watch and witness the changes of our environment. Not only do they guard the secrets of the ages, but they also possess certain properties which those around them have tried to harness for many ages. In the Underground this is not different.

In the Underground at the far edge of the Western realm; this is where the sentinels stood watch. No one cared to give them a second glance for there was no seeing beyond them. The forest which lay here had stood as such, or at least jested by those who live in its shadow, since before time began or perhaps just as time began in these lands. These trees which stood for so long would make the tallest redwood seem like a mere sapling, but no one could say exactly what type of trees they were. Some held the properties which one could name them as oak of yew, but there was just something different about them; something which would make this classification ring false.

It could no longer be remembered exactly when they had stopped trying to reach beyond these trees, for they realized it was futile. It had instead been accepted that the trees stood to mark off the edge of the realm and since nothing was ever seen to come from the area there was no need to worry about what lay beyond. There was no entering this forest and if one did there were few who managed to escape it to tell their tale. For the forest meant to keep its secrets and only those meant to find their way through it were able to find the right path to navigate their way in order to find the borders beyond.

One may begin to wonder what lay within this forest which these trees kept so well hidden, but it is hard to say exactly since all accounts seem to end in the same conclusion. This conclusion is similar to what the people who live around the trees still believe to this day. If the trees are standing guard to keep people out, then they should heed its warning. If they are keeping something in, then perhaps they do not wish to find out what exactly lies beyond or within. Thus, they believe to let sleeping dogs lie. Perhaps this is the reason why they make sure to build their homes some distance from the forest and why they do not let people get too close. Although, it does provide an excellent setting for bedtime tales and threats to keep children under a parent's thumb. However, it has been said that not all dogs should be left sleeping because if they sleep too long …

"You must bring her to us. She has been gone too long. You must bring her to us." One voice began to utter.

Soon a second followed. "Yes, we must have her return to us. She is worthy to be counted amongst our numbers."

"We must have the girl." A few voices join together, but it is hard to say how many speak in unison. "Go now."

A figure bows and begins to exit the circle, but pauses when a throat is cleared. "Oh, and this time do not forget to do your complete duty."

With another quick bow the figure is off again, but this time grumbling something under breath.

In as many ways as the goblin kingdom had changed over the years, in the same number of ways had it remained the same…

The Goblin King sat in his throne gazing blankly into the crystal he held. Just what had he been meaning to look at? At the time when he conjured the crystal he thought it rather important, but now his thoughts seemed to evade him.

A light breeze whispered past and everything became clear once more. Yes, that was right. He had been about to check on the child's progress. Time was nearly up and so he wanted to see how far the child had gotten. Even though he knew it would probably not be far at all. Perhaps if the child was lucky they would be trapped and waiting in an oubliette. It would make things a lot easier for Jareth, at least when he had to send the child home.

He banished the crystal and rested his arm against the back of his throne. Lightly tapping his index finger against his temple he tried to concentrate for a few moments. There was something else he had been thinking of, but still nothing came to mind. Perhaps it really had just been the child, but he usually wouldn't check on them until the game was over. There must be something, but there really wasn't, nothing was amiss. The only reason for his misgivings was a slight nagging at the back of his mind.

"Sister, sister!" The girls giggled together as they tugged on the sleeves of her dress. "Please won't you finish the tale?"

Sarah looked down at the book in her hands. She must have been daydreaming again because she didn't even remember what had occurred in the book previously or that she had even been reading. Smiling fondly at the girls she looked down for a moment at the book saying. "But I seem to have lost where I was. Please, tell me what have I been reading to you?"

One girl in an excited haste replied. "You were telling us a marvelous tale about a fantastical land beyond our realms."

"Yes, a tale with all sorts of interesting places and things!" The other soon joined in.

"And people from all walks of life. Please, sister, go on." The girls smiled at her with an energetic pleading in their eyes.

With a sigh Sarah opened the book and began to read to them. "And in one of the rooms there was a great mélange of decorations, but each would hold a certain significance soon enough..."

"I see you have succeeded. Very good." A voice began.

"We see you have also taken the necessary measures to fulfill all aspects of your duty." Another voice joined in.

"Very well, but do not become too confident in your abilities. Over confidence will surely be your, and by extension, our downfall. You may go."

After a deep bow the figure leaves. Once the figure leaves the discussion continues.

"We must be cautious."

"Yes, we must."

"There are changes afoot. There is a change in the air and it has yet to be determined what the outcome of that change will be."

Also just a note; no, Sarah hasn't joined a convent. Things in this chapter are not necessarily in an order you would expect them to be in.

MQ: Horrid dribble, but that's alright. I wrote this all in my head while at work on lunch and managed to later scribble it out. If it's slightly abstract… Well, it's slightly meant to be and it's slightly my style. Also you will learn I can at times be an ellipsis fiend. This is mainly because I believe I actually speak in intentional omissions at times.

I had originally planned for this to be longer, but since I'm still working out all the logistics of this and trying to call back my knowledge of English and the fact that I can't speak by certain omitted understandings anymore; it will be an interesting challenge. And got to love how my lovely line breaks have all decided to disappear. Eh, too lazy to type the html, so I shall just use the underscore.

Will hopefully update this soon when I have all the logistics down and when I have some spare time. [Here's hoping I won't scrap this chapter like so many essays. This means anytime between now and my next break.