Not dead. Just low on ideas for this fic, unless you want me to bring back the army of dead, I can. Thank you, TheGypsyLover04 for fav/following this. Now, on with the story.
Creeper was having a nightmare. He tossed and turned, trying to fight off anything that bothered him. His nightmare was about the Horned King's return and instead of the guards, his army of dead took him with them and they tied him up. His nightmare had come true! Needless to say, everyone thought the castle was destroyed, but for whatever reason, the Horned King and his men rebuilt it after his revival.
"So, Creeper, how was your life without me?" the Horned King asked with a sneer.
"Very good, sire," Creeper replied timidly.
"Oh, and how is the pig boy, scullery maid, broken down minstrel, and that pig?"
"Swell."
The Horned King was deep in thought on what to say next. "Hmm…that is good," he mused, "I will set you free…"
Upon hearing this, the little goblin had a grin upon his face, which soon faded at what the Horned King had to say next, "If you show me where you live."
"NEVER!" Creeper cried, "Are you insane? I will never show you where they live! If I do, I'll be betraying them!"
"Very well. With your change of heart, I'll have the army of dead find them. So stay here and watch like a good boy."
"Good thing I'm not helping you because they'll rescue me!" Creeper taunted back, confident that his friends will find him and save him.
"We'll see about that," the Horned King hissed threateningly. "Get them!" he called to his army of death. "And bring them here!"
The Cauldron Born did as their master instructed them.
Creeper, alone, struggled against the ropes around his wrists. He wanted to warn the heroes.
…
Taran woke up. "Has anyone seen Creeper?"
"I haven't looked," Eilonwy replied.
Gurgi roused himself to find Creeper gone. "Creeper gone!" he cried.
"Oh, no!" Eilonwy wailed.
"We've got to find him," Taran said with determination as he put his fist into his other hand.
"A Fflam always helps!" Fflewddurr Fflam pointed out.
Gurgi scooped up Hen Wen. "Here, piggy. We stay together," he told her.
They started to walk out of their tents when the Cauldron Born stopped them and dragged them over to the Horned King's castle.
…
Taran, Eilonwy, and Fflewddurr Fflam were tied up in the Horned King's lair, while Gurgi was trapped a in cage and Hen Wen was tied up.
"Ah, we meet again pig keeper, scullery maid, broken down minstrel, pig, and last, but not least, a hairy little monster–I don't think we've met. In either case, you all make a wonderful, noble group. If it weren't for Creeper, I wouldn't have found you."
Taran gasped. "That cannot be true!" he shouted defiantly.
"I never wanted to help you, Horned King!" Creeper shouted.
"Well, you should've thought of that before you joined me," the Horned King said in his face, "I want to strangle you so badly, but now, you will all die together because of your reckless decision."
"Over my dead body!" Creeper retorted.
"With pleasure," the Horned King said as he exited the room, leaving his captives helpless.
"What are we going to do?" Eilonwy asked.
"I don't know," Taran answered, "But we've got to think of something."
"This wasn't my fault," Creeper said, "But I let you down." Just then, he saw Hen Wen struggling against the rope around her neck until she wriggled free.
"Hen?" Taran said.
"Get the key," Creeper told her.
Hen Wen carefully pushed the stool toward the door and stood upon it, knocking over the keys. Before they hit the floor, she grabbed onto them with her mouth. She lost balance and hit the floor.
"Shhh!" the prisoners hissed.
Hen Wen got up and trotted over to the cage where Gurgi was standing. Then, she offered them to him.
"Thank you, piggy," Gurgi said gratefully as he unlocked himself, thanks to the piglet.
Freed from the cage, the little monster climbed up to the goblin, prince, princess, and the bard to untie them.
"Gurgi, you're free," said Taran.
Once Gurgi untied Creeper, he caught him.
All they had to worry about now was how to get out…alive.
"Great Belin!" Fflewddurr exclaimed anxiously, "How are we going to get out of here…alive?"
Taran peered out from the door to see any guards seeking about. To be on the safe side, there were potions to stop them. They just had to pour them into the cauldron. It was an anti-army of dead potion, the only one the Horned King had.
"I'll help," Creeper suggested and started to pour.
"Thank you," Taran replied, "You're a true friend."
As soon as the potion was poured into the cauldron, Eilonwy watched the Cauldron Born grow weaker with each step. "Taran! Creeper! Look!"
Everyone gathered around to see what was behind the door.
One skeleton approached too close to the door, scaring them before dying.
"Yikes!" Gurgi yelped.
Finally, the skeleton disappeared.
Creeper passed the keys to Taran. "Here's the keys."
Taran grabbed onto them and unlocked the door. They were out!
The Horned King was horrified by the sight of his army of dead being gone. "Creeper!"
"That was the only bottle you had for the army of dead in case you change your mind about them!" Creeper jeered and laughed manically.
"I'll get you for this, even if I have to put a spell on you!" the Horned King.
"Let me see you try!" Creeper blew raspberry mockingly as he fled to join his group.
Oddly, there was one or two more obstacles left in their path: two guards and a dog. The dog was chasing them, while the guards guarded the drawbridge, which was open, so they wouldn't escape. What were they doing there?
Before the door could close before them, the dashed out of sight.