THREE:

Fatherly Woes

"Where's the fairy princess?" Glob demanded, brandishing his javelin.

"Yeah, we demand to know where the princess is!" Glum said, failing to sound as ominous as Glob, who made Glum look like a thin stick.

Mr. Gibbles, turning away from the mirror, faced the Goblin King's henchmen. He said, "I'm afraid I haven't seen her, boys. You might want to search the rest of the castle."

Jack, rocking back and forth, agreed. "Yeah, go back to the pit!"

"Watch your mouth, Jack! Your master is coming with us to see the king!" Glum threatened. Mr. Gibbles' expression turned grim.

"Very well. My service and loyalty to the King comes first," he said, giving Jack a forlorn look. "Would you watch my precious books, Jack?"

The pumpkin sighed. "Yes, master." He watched helplessly as Mr. Gibbles allowed himself to be taken by the goblins. Jack didn't move. He had a bad feeling about all of this.


The party had finally died down. The Goblin King watched with numb relief as the fire sticks were put out by the reaming goblins that were beginning to leave.

"You're Highness, we have grave news! The Princess has escaped!" Glob's voice came floating across the pit and the King sharply raised his horned head. He was surprised to see Mr. Gibbles hanging from the grips of his two henchmen.

"And here's the culprit who let her get away!" Glum cried, helping Glob lower Mr. Gibbles down at the Goblin King's feet.

The King rose from the throne. "You fools! You were the ones who let her get away! I put you in charge!"

Glum and Glob quivered at their king's thunderous voice. Mr. Gibbles didn't move a muscle.

His eyes burning with baleful hellfire, the King glanced down at Mr. Gibbles. "Up! Explain what happened!"

"She desired to go to the human world, sire, your Highness. I couldn't refuse her! She so dearly wanted to go!" the old man revealed, shifting his feet anxiously. The King slammed his scepter forcefully on the ground.

"Fairies do not last long in the mortal world, Gibbles. Neither do goblins! You should've learned that after encountering Krudsky!" he bellowed. Mr. Gibbles closed his eyes regretfully.
"Forgive me, your Highness. She only wanted to see Scooby and Shaggy," he muttered. The King's expression darkened.

"Scooby and Shaggy? Those two blundering idiots who saved us? GAH!" he howled in frustration. "I'm going to the dungeons. Apparently it's going to take an idiot to save a bunch of idiots!"

"Idiot, sire?" Glob questioned. The King nodded.

"Yes, I meant Krudsky. I'll get him to go back to the mortal's world to fetch Willow. If he comes back with her alive, I might just let you dim-witted fools live!"

With that last outburst, the King soared out of the room.

"He has a bit of a temper doesn't he?" Glum needlessly asked.


The cell was dark, lonesome, and unbearably damp. Krudsky had found himself getting used to these dire conditions after being imprisoned for what seemed an eternity.

He had lost weight. That was another thing he noticed. His beard had also gotten longer. He needed a bath. The mental list of changes he had in his mind kept on growing and growing until…

"Krudsky! Get out of there! You got a job to do!"

Krudsky ducked and scooted to the back of the cell as, in a blinding flash of light, the Goblin King stormed into the room, aimed his scepter at the bars that barred Krudsky, and blasted his cell open.

"What d-do you want me to d-do?" Krudsky stuttered as the Goblin King hovered above him.

"Find my daughter, Krudsky! Bring her to me alive," the King grated, giving Krudsky chills.

"Did that l-little b-brat run away a-again? How d-do you expect me to find h-her?" the former magician continued to stammer. The King smiled.

"Go back to the human world. She went after Scooby and Shaggy. Do dress up, though, before you leave!" the King cackled with laughter and glided out of the room. Krudsky shamefully followed him in his destructive wake.


"Ah, that's much better." Krudsky decided as he twirled about in his new suit. He was wearing a black tuxedo, a pair of black trousers, and a very fashionable hat. He had also trimmed his beard back to its shorter, normal length.

"It's certainly more stylish," Jack grumbled as he watched Krudsky spin around. He turned to the King and asked, "Sire, can he leave now?"

"Yes. The sooner he gets going the better. So long, Krudsky!" the King shouted and, without warning, sent Krudsky tumbling through the mirror.

"Thank goodness! I'm back in my precious library and its all in one piece!" Mr. Gibbles gushed, gazing around at all of his wonderful books. He had been the one who had magically outfitted Krudsky's new suit. "Please, sire, am I free to stay here?"

The King grunted. "Do as you wish. I need to think," he muttered to himself and quickly left the library.

"Its good to have you back, Master," Jack said to Mr. Gibbles. The old man nodded.

"Yes. It feels good to be back in here," he agreed, making himself comfortable in a nearby chair. Jack was able to smile again.


The King brooded. He was at a lost. He didn't know what to do about Willow. He knew why she had run away, of course, but he also knew his daughter too well. She didn't run off just because of a state of boredom.

It was her mother. For years he had feared that Willow would run away in search of the woman and it had finally happened. His daughter was gone. His beloved Queen also remained missing after all of these years.

He was completely alone. Unless Krudsky found Willow, or Willow did find her mother, he was utterly vulnerable. If there was ever a war his kingdom would inevitably loose.

He couldn't let that happen. Not in a million years. He would not let his kingdom fall.