Author's Note:
Thank you everyone for your kind reviews.
I've set up the first chapter to begin asking many integral questions for the plot of this story. All those questions shall be answered!
I'll be jetting off on holiday tomorrow, so next update will not be for another couple of weeks.
I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
Bog's birthday came faster than he would have liked. He didn't do well in social situations, he was far too awkward and didn't know how to get a conversation going. His mother however, was the ultimate belle of the ball. She loved social occasions. It gave her a chance to see all her friends and be the center of attention. Even though it was Bog's birthday, he was more than happy to let his mother take the limelight. She had given up on pulling Bog out of his shell a long time ago. Nowadays, she tried pushing a few friends on Bog but would give up quickly, leaving him to his own devices. Her latest obsession was finding Bog a bride. Now he was nearly of age, he was expected to find someone to become his Queen. Bog had no interest in the female goblins that sauntered around court. He just wanted to be left alone, away from everyone else. Griselda just saw a typical, moody teenager, who would grow out of it and become a fine King one day.
The goblin palace was never going to be a bright or happy place. Griselda had spent the past week redecorating ready for the grand ball. The walls were high and gray, the floor made of dirt. The throne made of bone and wood sat proudly in the middle of the room, with steps leading up to it. She'd laid out a buffet table, decorating it with white cloth made of spiderweb and an array of delicious snacks. The spiky lanterns that hung from the ceiling had paper chains attached to them in a spectrum of colors. She captured some fireflies, letting them settle in an array of patterns across the walls. Griselda stood back to look at her handiwork. She was proud of what she'd accomplished, the throne room looked beautiful. She'd missed dancing and music. Ever since Bog's father had died, the palace had been sunk into darkness. She loved that it would finally be brought back out of the shadows, with happiness and laughter filling it's halls once again. Yes, it had been too long.
Griselda didn't want to mourn any longer, she wanted to be happy and to pass that happiness onto her son, Bog. He'd been so... pardon the pun, bogged down lately with everything that Griselda was keen to lift his spirits. Bog on the other hand, just wanted to slip through tonight unnoticed. No such luck. When he was called down to the ball, he gasped at the effort his mother had gone into. "You really didn't need to do this, mum." Bog said, shaking his head as he wandered around the hall. "Shhh. It was my pleasure. Now go up and stand by Inkia, the guests are arriving!" Griselda pointed at the throne, where Inkia had just flopped himself into, already looking bored. He didn't do parties. Griselda sighed, realizing that her son had more in common with Inkia than she thought. They were both party poopers.
As the guests arrived, Bog's heart began to sink. This wouldn't be a little gathering of close relatives and friends. The whole Kingdom was here. He leaned over to his mother. "I thought you agreed this would be nothing fancy?" He asked, eying up the group of teenage girls that had just arrived. Bog swallowed. He really didn't know how to act around girls his age. "Now, now Bog. It's not every day my little boy comes of age. I wanted to celebrate... and perhaps find you someone special." She added the last part in a mumble, but her son heard what she had to say. He rolled his eyes. Not this again. "I'm a bit young to be thinking about that." He'd had this conversation too many times to count, but his mother remained hopeful that he'd find the one soon. Bog doubted it very much. All the other goblins thought he looked very odd. He was not handsome by a long shot and he definitely wasn't charming. Hardly a catch for a young girl. He wouldn't even know where to start when it came to flirting.
"Come on Griselda, it's very unlikely anyone will want Bog." Inkia remarked, which was kind of hurtful to Bog. "You never know." Griselda replied before running off to meet up with her friends. Bog stood awkwardly next to Inkia, they didn't speak or look at each other for a few minutes. "I suppose you think you'll be taking the crown now you are of age." Inkia commented, his voice deep and even. It wasn't a question. "I... I guess so?" Bog shrugged, feeling uneasy. "Not that you are ready. In fact, if we are both honest, you will never be ready. You are just like your father. He was never goblin enough to wear the crown either." Inkia said, a cruel smirk on his face. "What's that...?" Bog began but was interrupted by his mother. "BOG! Come here and get the party started. Give us a song." Griselda shouted, the hall went silent and the spotlight hit Bog. He bent his knees in the middle, his face flushing hot."I... urhhh..." Bog glanced at Inkia, who raised an eyebrow as if to prove the point he'd just made. It strengthened Bog's resolve.
"Fine." He jumped off from the ground, flying over to the makeshift stage that had been set up. Bog leaned over to tell the goblins what to play on their instruments. The music became heavy.
Make Me Wanna Die - The Pretty Reckless
Bog bobbed his head in time to the music, letting it flow through him as he took a deep breath ready for the first note. Goblins quite enjoyed rock music, so everyone began dancing. Bog wondered if they had even noticed that it was their crown prince singing.
Take me I'm alive
Always was a guy with a wicked mind
But everything looks better when the sun goes down
I had everything
Opportunities for eternity
And I could belong to the night
He turned to face Inkia, making it look like he was actually singing to his mother, but catching Inkia's hard gaze as he sang the next verse.
Then your eyes
Your eyes
I can see in your eyes
Your eyes
Bog turned back to the crowd, who were signing and dancing to the music. He quite liked the response he was getting from everyone. For the first time, Bog felt included. He knew it would only last as long as this song. Bog stomped along the stage, leaning down to touch his long claws against upheld hands in the crowd as he sang. The chorus picked up the beat and the guitar became heavier.
You make me wanna die
I'll never be good enough
You make me wanna die
And everything you love will burn up in the light
And every time I look inside your eyes
You make me wanna die
Bog couldn't help but smile, his pointed teeth showing as the corners of his mouth upturned. His mother almost swooned, Bog didn't often smile.
Taste me drink my soul
Show me all the things that I shouldn't know
When there's a blue moon on the rise
I had everything
Opportunities for eternity
And I could belong to the night
It was then that he saw her. It made him stop in his tracks, his mouth hanging open slightly as he locked eyes with her. She smiled. Her skin gleamed under the spotlights, her pink lipstick outlining her kissable lips, her big eyes framed by long lashes. Her body was slim, with a bulbous chin hanging down. She was beautiful. The most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. Bog almost missed the next line, but just about managed to save himself, keeping his eyes locked on hers.
Then your eyes
Your eyes
I can see in your eyes
Your eyes
Everything in your eyes
Your eyes
She looked away first, her smile fading as a friend pulled her away from the crowd. Bog snapped out of his trance, concentrating once again on the music. The last few lines flowed effortlessly.
You make me wanna die
I'll never be good enough
You make me wanna die
And everything…
Who was she?
Bog felt his mother wrap her arms around his waist, cheering happily and congratulating him on his performance. He barely felt her there, concentrating on wherever the girl had gone. She'd disappeared. Bog's heart sank. "Well done Bog, you've made your dear old mother proud." She said, pulling him down to kiss his cheek. He groaned as she touched her soggy lips to his bristled cheek. "Mum, you are embarrassing me." He complained, straightening himself up. The party was now in full swing, Inkia made his excuses and left, leaving with one last unimpressed look at Bog. With Inkia gone, Griselda sat down on the throne, lounging and watching the party whilst munching on some snacks. Bog leaned against the throne, his mind elsewhere. Who was that girl? Where had some come from? Bog was certain he'd have remembered her if he'd ever met her before. A beauty like that was hard to forget. Perhaps she was new to the Kingdom. He hoped he'd see her again soon. His heart fluttered in his chest, his stomach churning nervously. Would he ever muster up the courage to speak with her? No. Bog was far too shy for that.
He eventually made his excuses, wanting to retire to his bedchamber. He wandered down the long halls towards his bedroom, stopping in his tracks when he heard someone singing softly in an adjacent room. He leaned against the door, peeping in through a tiny crack. It was the girl. She was sitting on the bed, running her hands down her chin, stroking it as she sang absentmindedly.
Your Song - Elton John
So excuse me forgetting
But these things, I do
You see, I've forgotten
If they're green or they're blue
Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
Bog's eyes widened as he heard those words. Was she singing about him? Had she felt the same when their eyes had locked? His heart thudded in his chest, his hand touching the door, ready to open it and join in. His shyness got the better of him.
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but
Now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world...
The girl sighed, leaning back on the bed and shooing away the fireflies so that the room went dark. Bog stayed outside for a minute, thinking about what he'd just heard. This was the girl. The girl he was going to marry. He could already feel that unfamiliar swell in his chest. Yes, this was love. He smiled as he began to creep away, heading to his own room. Bog flopped down onto his bed, holding his hands over his heart as he quietly whispered the song to himself.
How wonderful life is now you're in the world...
He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift to sleep with the image of the girl burned into his mind. He didn't even know her name, but she was going to be everything to him. Now all he needed to do was speak to mother to find out who she was. He couldn't wait for what tomorrow would bring.
