"It's hopeless!"

With a shriek, Gwyn hurled the crystal goblet into the fire. His companion, Cerridwen, a crone in dark blue robessent him a dark look before turning her attention back to the cauldron. It seemed she stirred forever while he seethed; every so often she'd cast a handful of ground sage, nightshade, or henbane into the murky liquid. The contents of the cauldron bubbled, and finally, she dipped a ladle below the surface, scooping up a generous portion.

She blew on it to cool it.

"So easily discouraged," she said, "Have a taste; perhaps, it will change your outlook."

He sniffed disdainfully.

"Not likely," he said, "You forget, I saw what went into the pot."

A ghost of a smile graced her lips.

"Very well," she said, raising the ladle to her own lips, "But should you change your mind---"

"I never change my mind," he said.

She drank deeply, her eyes clouding over a misty white. The ladle clattered to the floor and she sank to her knees to wait for the vision. When it came, she was unprepared. Image after image cavorted wildly, flashing, twisting, darting in and out of her awareness. Barely did the sight register before it was gone, replaced by another.

"What do you see?" Gwyn asked.

As the last of the images faded, she sighed, looking up at him with clear, gray eyes.

"A mortal woman," she said, "And death."

At the Castle...

Sarah pulled her robe tightly around her as she stared into the wardrobe, pondering whether or not to change out of her grubby night clothes and into one of the outfits that wasn't really hers. Hoggle had left moments before when a horrible woman appeared to announce dinner.

'There's not enough for the likes of him,' she had said rudely.

And although, Sarah had been ready with a retort of her own, Hoggle had bowed his head and hurried out the door. His shoulders had hunched forward with a resignation she resented. The Goblin King was a specially breed of mean, she decided, wondering why her own presence was tolerated. And why hadn't he sent her home yet? The woman had smirked at Hoggle's retreating form before turning a disapproving glare on Sarah's bedraggled attire.

'Hardly appropriate for dinner,' she had muttered, 'Some one will be by for you within the hour, at least wash your face.'

And then she was gone, leaving Sarah alone and feeling all of 3 inches tall.

Now, her face scrubbed and clean, she half heartedly sorted through the clothing in the wardrobe. All of the dresses were beautiful, and most were wholly impossible to get into without someone else's assistance. There were no pants, but a few skirts looked promising.

She decided on a green peasant skirt and cream colored tunic. No sooner had she slipped the tunic over her head, adjusting it until it rested properly, when a tiny goblin pushed open the door.

"Dinner's ready," she announced, "Follow me!"

Before Sarah could so much as blink, the goblin ducked around the door.

"Hey, wait!" she called after the goblin.

She ran after her, her bare feet padding uncomfortably against the cold stone floor. The goblin glanced over her shoulder as she ran, ducking around a corner and darting down the hallway. Sarah took a deep breath as she ran, struggling to keep up. She never would have guessed that something so small could move so quickly!

The goblin eventually stopped in front of a grand archway.

Just beyond the archway was a room with a high ceiling and a long table. The Goblin King sat at the head of the table, glowering. She stood behind the goblin, unwilling to meet the king's fearsome gaze, her heart thundering in her chest.

The little goblin smiled up at her, revealing a row of sharp yellow teeth. Despite herself, she smiled back, her heart warming.

"So glad you decided to join us."

A dry voice interrupted her thoughts. Looking up at the grumpy monarch, she felt the smile slide off her face. His eyes were dark, his smile bitter, and his face a sour mask of indifference. He stood, gesturing to one of the many, empty chairs.

"Sit," he said.

Dimly, she realized she was moving, her legs obeying without waiting for her command. And as she sat, he sat.

A long silence stretched out between them.