I took his lapse of silence to consider his revelation. As strange as this all was, the shock was starting to wear off a little; I began to think. What could I possibly remind, for that matter who was I reminding? And what? I never spoke to anyone about the windows I looked into or the little creatures who would walk by my side. I heard him sigh. I looked up to find that he had turned back to face me. His face had some what softened.

"You, Rebekah Aura Clydsdale, you remind us. Seeing that you still look immensely puzzled," he continued beginning a light pace about the room. "I will explain. Two months ago our local physician called me to his quarters to show me a most distraught fairy. One moment she had been flying merrily around and the next she had fallen out of the air. She had simply forgotten how to fly."

"Just, out of no where, forgot?" I was stunned.

"No matter how hard the little dear tried she could not take flight. In two weeks an entire fairy colony had been grounded. There's more," he went on, noting that I was willing to listen. "recent events that have occurred. I have goblins who cannot remember their duties or their favorite games." The frustration was becoming evident in his voice. I shuffled back a step. "Just last week I had a cook- she wasn't anything fancy, but we had our meals and were satisfied. This morning I found her starring blankly at pots and pans, not a clue as to what she was supposed to do."

"Agnes!" The cook, the goblin cook her name was Agnes. Where was that book on goblins? I realized that I had spoken her name out loud.

"You know her?" he demanded.

"I know of her. There's a goblin expert, Brian Froud who did work on her- an illustration and a description." I placed a hand to my forehead and massaged the skin. Perhaps the un-realness of it made it seem more probable. "So… what have you done to figure out the cause of the predicament?"

"The physician and I have kept a close watch on those who have…"

"Fallen ill?" I offered.

"Been affected," he countered curtly. "Then I myself began to search out someone from another world that maybe of help to us." His eyes narrowed at me.

I avoided his gaze and exasperatedly looked around the room at all of my books and writing. "Why me? What makes you think that I can be of any use?"

He picked up a few more papers. "Your voice healed one of the fairies. Does the phrase silver-tongue mean anything to you?"

I glanced at my book shelf. Silver tongue that phrase did mean something to me. The book- what was it? A character had the ability to talk things out of books- he made them come out of their world into ours by reading about them.

"A human with the extraordinary ability of reading things to life," he said as if he had read my thoughts. "Their beliefs and abilities allow our kind to thrive. I brought one of the fairies to your window one of the nights I knew you were studying their kind. Your voice worked like a drought of medicine. She leapt from my hand and took flight."

"You brought a fairy to my window?"

He ignored me. "Her recovery was infectious- most of the swarm recovered."

"My voice did it? And silver tongue? Healing fairies?"

I was repeating snippets trying to process the information. I could feel the original panic returning. My heart started to pound in my ears. I slid into the computer chair. He stood there and said no more. I closed my eyes and breathed deep. The dream I had hoped for wasn't ending. I glanced in his direction- he was still there. "So..I…" I couldn't even form the right question.

He moved to my side. His scent grew strong again. "I am here to get your aid."

"What do you want me to do- come to the Labyrinth with you?"

"Precisely!" he said it with gusto.

I brought my head up. My logical said screamed "Crazy" and my stomach was tight, but the words came out, "Alright. You're asking me to come and remind your world, the Underground, of who they are?"

"Not asking- telling you that's what I want. For the sake of my kingdom I would bring you kicking and screaming back with me."

I didn't doubt him. The lingering memory of the Labyrinth story book told me that the Goblin King always meant his threats.

"Fine, I'll come. If it's all a dream I'll wake up and be none the worse. If it's real, then I would be stupid to not see the stuff that dreams are made of. Let me just think what I'll need to take." He handed me back the few papers he had picked up.

I gathered the remaining papers on the desk and slid them into a folder. I began looking at the various books, trying to decide what I would need. I knew I wouldn't be able to recall from memory all of the goblins' names, their duties, and the like. I picked up several Brian Froud books dealing in fairies and goblins. "Is it just the goblins and faries?" I asked as I stacked the books.

"No there are others. I suggest that you bring your note book as well." He moved to a small side table and opened the drawer. I watched him closely- inside that drawer was something that no one was allowed to look at. He drew out a leather bond book.

"Not that one!" I exclaimed reaching out for his hand, forgetting who I was dealing with. "That book is personal!" I yelled at him.

He arched his arm above his head, putting the book well out of my reach. "We're bringing it."

"No, that book isn't a story or any form of research, it's personal."

"I know what it is- something of a diary. It is important." He shoved it into my hands.

My mind was racing. The contents of this diary were incredibly personal- my thoughts, my desires, my perceptions. These were things that I especially did not want the Goblin King to see. Reluctantly I added it my collection of books and sought out my messenger bag to carry the load in. He waited at the window all the while tapping one of his boot clad toes as if he were impatient to leave.

I shouldered the bag. "Alright, I think I'm ready."

"Good." He moved near to me, opening his arms. I shrunk back in alarm. "I'm not going to hurt you, silly woman. You need to hang onto me in order to come with me."

Part of my so called "silly woman" side rolled with glee. I mentally slapped myself and remained composed- this man was a Fae with powers and authority I needed to be wary of.

"Put your arms around me."

Almost fearful that my touch would make him vanish in a puff of glitter and smoke, I put my arms around his waist, leaving barely enough breathing room. I heard him snicker, and in an instant his arms were around me pressing our bodies together. My feet left the ground the same moment I yelped.

I don't know what he expected or for that matter what I even expected of the situation. He stepped away from me, and I looked to see myself standing in a throne room. In front of me a wide chair was positioned- it was enclosed by a set of ivory tusks. It was the Goblin King's throne. Surrounding that, on the walls, were various objects of war: shields, swords, morning stars, spears. I gulped. From behind the throne a little head appeared, followed by another. I realized that there were goblins, openly staring at me from various places. 'Don't panic, don't panic!' I thought to myself. Someone cleared their throat and I turned to find the king looking at me with a quizzical look on his face.

"Is something wrong?"

I glanced nervously at my leering audience. Best feign confidence, "Nope. I'm good."

"Then quit standing about and follow me." He turned on his heel and made for a stair case. I followed, happy to leave behind the goblins. "Things are in such disarray that I will have to do as something of a personal guide for you."

"Thank you."

"I take no pleasure in it," he snipped back. "I should be about my usual kingdom affairs, not escorting you about."

I snipped back, "You won't be about any kingdom business unless your subjects are returned to their normal state."

He abruptly turned to face me. I knew I had spoken too brashly, but I wasn't about to be bullied into helping. "Watch your tongue or there will no gratitude for your services. I am well aware of your temperament, and at present I am no mood to deal with stubborn young ladies." He gave me no opportunity to respond (and how I wanted to retort!), but turned and continued up the stairs.

He provided me with a room for my own personal use consisting mainly of a bed and a desk. There was also a wardrobe which contained a few dresses. I was instructed to change while he waited outside. I sat down my bag and pulled open the wardrobe. Standing there, looking at the clothes that seemed right out of Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast, my original panic returned. What the freak was I doing here? Why had I agreed? And why had I chosen to be involved with the Goblin King? I wanted to cry. 'Why?" my conscience responded. 'Because you're too dang curious that's why. Admit it to yourself girly the prospect of being escorted around by one Goblin King was an offer even too tempting for you. Plus to see the creatures you envision?'

"I would have done anything," I said out loud finishing my own thought. I selected a very simple gown in time to hear knocking at my door. The king was demanding to know what was taking me so long to dress. "I'm done! Come in!" I rolled my eyes.

He entered. "Come along now- quite dawdling about!"

"I'm not dawdling!" I exclaimed. The intensity of the few hours past was getting the better of me. "A little patience and even a little courtesy wouldn't hurt you at all. You need me, ok? So allow me a moment or two to come to grips with the fact that I'm living in a fantasy at the moment, or you won't be getting my help!"

He stood there, calm and silent. No reaction occurred, not even a flinch. I spun from him, fuming. "Are you quite finished?" he finally asked.

"What if I'm not?" I retorted hotly.

"Forgive me if you current predicament isn't to your liking and that you find yourself lacking the self control to deal with the situation, but I have kingdom falling to ruin about my head and I cannot stop it. So excuse me if I am not currently in the mood to bend to your whims. I am rather in a hurry to fix things." I heard foot steps and a door opening. Turning to look at him I found him standing beside the bed room door. "Come along," was all he said. Chocking back tears I complied.