A/N The original Princess and the Goblin story is owned by George MacDonald, and the movie by Entertainment Film Distributions and Budapest Film. Any unrecognized characters are mine.

Irene sat up, pushed her blankets down onto her lap, and stretched her arms out. Yawning, she finger-combed her long, golden-orange hair, which had become rumpled and tangled during her sleep, and rubbed at her teal-colored eyes. She jumped when she heard someone knock at her door and enter her room. "Your Highness, are you awake?" a soft voice called out.

She sighed with relief when she recognized the voice. "Yes, Angelica," she answered.

Red-gloved hands began parting all of the bed curtains. Said gloved hands belonged to Irene's handmaiden, Angelica. Several years after the goblins had attacked, when Irene was thirteen, her nurse, Lootie, retired after having helped raise her from when she was a baby. Mere days afterwards, Angelica was hired. More accurately, her family had practically forced her into service, almost longing to be rid of her. Irene felt sorry for the girl, and allowed her into service.

Though she was very loyal and hard-working, Angelica was also somewhat strange. Everyday, without fail, including today, she wore her aforementioned red gloves, and a red veil that covered everything on her head, save for her face. Her skin was slightly-tanned, a leftover sign of her previous, more humble life, she had light-brown eyes, the whites of which appeared to have a tinge of yellow in the right light, and tufts of straw-colored hair sometimes poked out of her veil.

In addition to being loyal and hard-working, she seemed to like to be on her own most of the time, and almost seemed to fear Irene. When asked about it once, Angelica fervently denied it. But Irene was convinced; she rarely initiated conversation, was quiet and meek, and when there was mention of the goblins, Irene would see her wringing her hands or adjusting her veil, looking nervous. She chalked it up to her being afraid of goblins. But when she tried to comfort her with either holding her hand, laying a hand on her shoulder, or even a kind word, Angelica would freeze and mumble some sort of reply.

Today, she was dressed in her usual clothing: a simple orange dress that fell down to her feet, and her usual red gloves and veil. She also wore red shoes and hose.

Irene briefly shielded her eyes as Angelica parted the curtains and opened the windows, letting in the fresh air. Her room had barely changed in the past ten years, aside from the absence of child toys in exchange for books. When she wasn't attending her lessons, or sneaking outside, she would often sit in her room, with her faithful cat, Turnip, at her feet, and with an open book in her hands. Her father had told her that a well-educated woman, who knew how to read, was a powerful and wise woman.

"Excuse me for being so forward, Your Highness," Angelica said softly, folding her hands in front of her stomach, "but I urge you to prepare for the day, and quickly."

Irene nearly kindly admonished Angelica for being so meek, and for being so careful about calling her "Your Highness", as she often did, but the rest of her sentence made her forget her words.

At her confused expression, her handmaiden asked, "Do you not remember, Your Highness? Today is your betrothal ceremony."

The past few weeks came flashing back to Irene. Her father had left on what he called important business. When he returned, he told her he had spoken with the counsel in a different kingdom, and they had agreed to a betrothal between her and their king.

She hadn't known quite what to think of the situation. She was disappointed that she couldn't even meet her future husband, and was very nervous about marrying him without knowing him. But her father assured her that there would be a betrothal ceremony where she would meet and get to know him. This made her feel a little better, but she was still apprehensive about everything.

"Ah, yes, I remember now," she nodded. "Thank you, Angelica. Will you help me prepare?"

"Certainly, Your Highness."

Irene removed her light-pink nightgown, and Angelica helped her into suitable clothing for such an occasion: a pink and dark-pink gown. The main body and skirt were pink, her elbow-length sleeves ended with dark-pink ruffled cuffs, with matching wrapped shoulders and bustle. Under the front of the bustle was a darker-pink triangle-shaped fabric. Under the dress was a white petticoat, dark-pink pumps, and pink hose.

As she sat down, and Angelica began to brush her hair, her father, Jamison, stepped in. He had hardly changed during the previous ten years, save for some gray in his long red hair and full beard. He wore a red doublet, with a brown belt around the middle, and a round green gem on a golden necklace over it. On his legs were pale hose and red flats, and over it all was a red cloak trimmed with white fur.* "Good morning, my child," he smiled, holding a hand behind his back.

"And to you, Father," Irene answered, not moving her head as to not disturb Angelica.

"Are you excited for today?"

"To be quite honest, Father... I'm quite nervous. I don't know him, and I'm sure he doesn't know about me."

"That is what today is for," Jamison said, laying a hand on her arm. "I wouldn't marry you off to someone you didn't know. Everything will be all right. Now then, I have a gift for you."

"A gift?"

"Yes," he nodded, presenting the arm that was behind his back. It was a small, pretty box. It was made of shiny brown-red wood, and had their sigil engraved on the lid: two pigeons facing each other, with opened wings, under a crown.* He set it on the vanity in front of his daughter.

As Angelica began to style her hair, Irene opened the box, and gasped softly at what was inside: it was a gold-chain necklace, with two flat pieces of gold in the shape of pigeons in flight, each half the size of her fist. Between the pigeons, and seemingly being held by their bills, was a rose-shaped gem, double the size of her thumbnail, and was red-orange with gold specks.*

"Father... it's beautiful!" Irene whispered.

"It was your mother's," he said softly. "She would have wanted you to have it on this special day."

Irene never knew much about her mother. She, of course, had seen paintings of her, and heard stories of her. She had pale skin, blonde hair, and green eyes. She often wished she knew her, but was grateful that her father could tell her about her all the same.

"Would you like me to put it on, Your Highness?" Angelica asked.

"Yes please, Angelica," Irene nodded. She lifted the necklace out of the box and handed it to her handmaiden.

She draped it around Irene's neck so the rose and pigeons rested just above her breasts, and clasped it around her neck. The princess smiled at her reflection. Some of her hair was pulled around and pinned to the back of her head, while the rest flowed down her back, and a few strands of hair hung and framed her face. "My hair looks lovely, Angelica. Thank you."

"I agree," Jamison added. "You did a remarkable job."

"Th-thank you," she blushed, wringing her hands.

Irene stood up and smoothed out her skirt. "When shall they be arriving?" she asked her father.

"In a few hours, perhaps," he said, leading her out of her room and towards the main hall. "At least after breakfast."

Indeed, after breakfast, a messenger stepped into the main hall. "Announcing His Majesty, King Aldrich!"

An older man stepped into the main hall, flanked by a few knights. They were dressed in armor, and on the front of their purple cloth shirts was evidently their sigil: a white eye shape with a purple pupil in the middle.

Aldrich himself was nearly as tall as Jamison, had pale skin, bored-looking amber eyes under scruffy eyebrows, and his long gray-streaked dirty blonde hair was tied in the back, save for several loose ends. His mustache curled under his broad hooked nose and joined with his beard, which covered his chin and traveled up his squared jaws and almost up to his ears.

He wore a blue-violet doublet trimmed with muddy orange, and fastened with golden buttons and a brown belt with a gold buckle. His baggy pants ended above his knees, and were mauve in color. His hose and scarf, which fell over the front of his doublet, were muddy orange, and he had dark-brown silver-buckled shoes. He also wore a large mauve hat with a gray feather tipped with black.

"Welcome, Aldrich," Jamison greeted, rising from his throne. "It's so nice of you to come."

"Thank you, Jamison," Aldrich nodded. He had a husky voice, as though he had a bad coughing fit in the past, and it had left his voice scarred.

Jamison gestured for Irene to come closer. She stood up, brushed her skirt, and approached the two men. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Aldrich," she greeted, curtsying and holding out her hand, as she had been taught.

"And I you, Princess Irene," he finally smiled, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "You are even lovelier than your father told me."

"Thank you," she simpered, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly. At least he's polite and charming.

More and more guests began to arrive. Irene froze when she saw a familiar face. "Curdie!" she cried out happily, lifting her skirt to run to him.

Curdie was no longer the scrawny twelve-year-old miner-boy she knew ten years prior when she herself was eight years old. He was now much taller, and more muscled. His scruffy red-orange hair was chin length, he had a slight bit of fuzz on his chin and jaws, and his broad, button nose looked as though it had been broken once or twice. He wore a brown long-sleeved shirt, a darker-brown short-sleeved jacket that was held together with a belt, tan hose, brown-green pants that ended a little past his knees, and brown shoes. Around his head was a blue headband, similar to the one he wore years before.

Some things hadn't changed, though. He still worked in the mines, though he was able to do more than take rocks to the carts. His brown eyes were still kind, and when he was able to visit Irene out in the meadow, he would always whistle that tune that helped save them from the goblins all those years ago.

Though they were very close friends, and people would wonder if they would end up together, it wasn't to be. They were too different in social statuses, and as they grew, their feelings for each other didn't grow into romantic feelings. But they were content with staying close friends. Irene had been happy that her father had allowed them to still see each other. He often said he owed Curdie so much for saving them, but Irene knew Jamison liked Curdie too.

"Good morning, Irene," Curdie grinned, bowing at the waist. His voice had deepened considerably, though not quite as much as his father's. "You look lovely."

"Thank you."

"Who is this peasant, and why is he allowed near the princess?" Aldrich sniffed, standing just behind Irene's shoulder.

She turned back to him, eyebrows furrowed slightly. "He is a dear friend, and is allowed to be here!" she countered.

"Indeed," Jamison chuckled, clapping his hands on Aldrich and Curdie's shoulders, "he is an absolutely welcome guest. He helped drive away the goblins many years ago when they invaded our castle and tried to take my daughter away."

Some of the guards standing about nodded and voiced their agreements. Curdie had become well-acquainted with them, and they often invited him to join in their ranks, though he politely declined each time. "He knew how to fight back against them. He was a tremendous help," one of the men remarked.

"Hrmm," Aldrich grumbled, looking down past his nose at Curdie—he was a few inches taller than him. But Curdie didn't break. He crossed his arms and met his gaze head on. "Well then, I suppose you have a right to be here. However, once Irene and I are married, I'll be able to protect her from these goblins! Those foul creatures shan't come near the castle, or you, my dear!" he said proudly, patting at a knife attached to his belt.

Irene didn't quite know how to respond, so she simply smiled and let out a chuckle. When Curdie quirked an eyebrow at her, she shrugged slightly.

Once all of the guests had arrived, Jamison called for the chaplain to come and initiate the betrothal. He announced the future union of Princess Irene of Porumbel, and King Aldrich of Acreditam.* They exchanged vows that they would marry, and unite the two kingdoms, and Aldrich slipped a ring on the ring finger of Irene's right hand. It resembled two hands clasped together, and was made of silver.

As Aldrich and Jamison discussed the terms of the betrothal, Irene wandered away, looking for Curdie. She saw him speaking with the knights and guards he had befriended ten years prior during the battle against the goblins. She waited patiently until he excused himself and joined her. "So... how are you?" he asked.

"Fine," she nodded. "I'm," she stammered, rubbing her arm. "I'm still having nightmares of that morning."

"I've been having bad dreams too," Curdie nodded solemnly. "But I know you must have it worse, considering... Well, anyway, how is Aldrich so far? Is this the first time you met him?"

"Yes," she nodded, glad for the change of subject. "But he seems... nice, so far."

"He seems like he's at least willing to protect you. That's good, at least. But I would have thought he was already married."

"I did too," she nodded. "Apparently he was married previously, but his wife passed away, and he was left without providing an heir. No offense to him, but I'm willing to bet he's never encountered a goblin before."

"He would probably get the fright of his life if he encountered Froglip," Curdie chuckled.

Irene laughed as well, though she felt a shiver when that particular goblin was mentioned. "Speaking of, have you seen any goblins?" she asked.

His amused expression turned into a serious one. "Not really, no. I mean, I sometimes hear them skittering about in the mines, when there wasn't other noise. And sometimes there are shadows, and miners claim to see glimpses of them. But they seem to be avoiding us."

"And you haven't seen Froglip?"

"Not at all. If the miners or I hear the goblins talking, they don't even mention him. Though I can barely make out what they say in the first place."

Despite still fearing him, Irene couldn't help but wonder where Froglip was, and what he was thinking about.

I decided to try something I saw in one of Detouredbe's stories (one of the Great Mouse Detective ones) where they would put an asterisk after a certain sentence, and at the end of the chapter, they would explain notes about that particular part.

* This is was the outfit the king had during the battle against the goblins. Also, he isn't named in either movie or book; that's my own contribution.

* The sigil was seen above the fireplace during the scene where Irene tells her father about meeting her Grandmother-Irene.

* Goldstone, which looks so pretty :3

* I took some inspiration from Game of Thrones for their "surnames". Irene's house (I guess you could say) is simply "pigeon" in Romanian, since Grandmother-Irene, either Irene's father/mother's great-grandmother, is symbolized by pigeons (I thought they were doves when I was little) Aldrich's is "believe" in Portuguese. You'll see what that means much later on.