Chapter 7

Sarah frowned at the small creature before her. It looked so familiar, but she couldn't place it. A vague yet familiar story drifted in and out of her memory as the small creature raced around the room.

"You don't have to do that." Sarah tried to stop the creature from doing yet another task.

"Grand Lady told me to keep the room tidy and to watch over you as you recover."

Sarah frowned as she settled back into the chair. That alone had been a hard battle to win against the creature. She didn't need someone watching over her every second of the day. She wasn't completely helpless.

"Could you please sit down? It's tiring just to watch you running around."

The creature frowned slightly. "I don't know. Grand Lady might be angry."

Sarah smiled. "I'm sure she would want us to get to know each other since she wants you to stay with me."

The creature slowly nodded. "That makes sense, but I don't want to upset her. She is very busy since she and our King are preparing for the assembly."

Sarah frowned. "Your king? There's a king here?"

"Well he just arrived, but he's our king and the ruler of these lands. Even non-goblins have to obey him."

"Wait he just arrived?" She couldn't mean the man that had carried her into the Inn; could she? "Wait, what do you mean by non-goblins?"

The creature shrugged her shoulders. "You know non-goblins. Like you."

"You're a goblin?"

The goblin nodded. "Yes. Oh, sorry, Grand Lady didn't really introduce us did she?"

"No, she didn't. I'm Sarah."

The goblin gave a slight nod. "Ansi."

"So why exactly were you chosen to come watch over me?"

"Cause Stilx asked me when Grand Lady asked for someone."

Sarah frowned. "Who's Stilx?"

Ansi frowned. "He's been our leader since well almost forever."

"But you just said your king has returned. I don't understand."

"We've always watched over ourselves even more so since the Queen left us."

"Why did she leave?"

"Ah..." The little goblin frowned. "I think I've said too much."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't want to say something I'm not supposed to. I can't afford to make Grand Lady angry."

"Why do you call her that, Grand Lady?"

The little goblin shrugged. "It's what we've always called her."

Sarah sighed. Well, she wasn't going to get any answers to her real questions at this rate.

A knock came at the door. The little goblin walked over. "Hello?" Slowly opened the door a crack.

The little goblin yelped and swung the door completely open. She then suddenly bowed.

"Sorry, your majesty."

Sarah frowned as the man who had helped her walked into the room.

He looked down at the bowing goblin. "I'm not sure you should be doing that here."

The little goblin frowned. "But isn't this the proper poetical?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"Has Grand Lady asked me to not treat you as my king?"

"Not exactly." He frowned.

"Then what is the problem, Your Majesty?"

He stood with his mouth slightly opened, looking down at the small creature.

"What I think he means, Ansi; is that he doesn't want everyone knowing that fact just yet."

Ansi turned and looked back at Sarah. "Are you sure?"

Sarah nodded. "Not everyone may be ready for his arrival."

The little goblin gave a slow nod. "Okay, but Grand Lady did tell me to not allow anyone into this room unless I was here."

"Ansi, you are here."

"Ah, yes I am." The little goblin straightened her apron. "Then I guess it's all right."

The man gave her a nod as he walked past. "Thank you."

The little goblin walked behind him and shut the door as he cleared the doorway.

"I only came to see how you are doing today, my lady." He smiled as reached her.

Frowning, Sarah leaned back into her chair. "You haven't come to see since we've arrived."

He smiled at her. "Well, I beg your forgiveness. Gran has kept me very busy. Who knew the old lady had so much energy?"

Sarah chuckled behind her hand. It was almost comical to her how his eyes betrayed him. "So Gran has been keeping you busy?"

He frowned slightly. "It seems I have a lot of people I need to meet." He gestured towards the empty chair opposite of her. "May I join you?"

Sarah shrugged. "Sure."

Tilting his head, he really frowned. "What?"

Now it was her who was frowning. "Huh?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't understand what you said."

"You can sit down."

He sat down, frowning. "So 'sure' meant yes?"

"Yeap." Sarah cringed as the word escaped her mouth.

He smiled at her. "Another word for yes, I assume."

Sarah nodded. "Sorry, I'll try to not use words that might confuse you."

"Thank you, My lady." He tilted his head slightly as his brow furrowed. "How are you feeling? Shouldn't you be resting?"

" I still feel like I got hit by a freight ..." Sarah caught herself. "I still feel horrible, but I refuse to just lay in bed."

He nodded. "I'm much the same. I can't just lay in bed. I need to sit up. Has anyone offered a book or something to help you pass the time?"

"Amelia said they didn't have any I could borrow."

He sighed. "I wish I could go to, well what was my castle and get some books for you. It must be terribly boring sitting here alone all day while Gran is gone."

"Well, I have Ansi now to keep me company." She tilted her head towards the little goblin.

"Still..."

Sarah frowned at him. "What does that mean?"

"My lady, forgive but I am still new to all of this as you are."

"Not exactly." She shook her head. "You're from this world."

"Ah, true. Forgive me."

"Well, there you are. I've been searching everywhere for you."

The pair turned towards the voice to find a glaring Gran, frowning at them. She marched into the room. "Why are you here bothering Sarah? She needs her rest."

Ansi hid behind the door as Gran thundered towards the pair.

"Where's Ansi? She supposed to be here."

"I am here, Grand Lady." She trembled as she walked into view.

Gran stopped turned towards her slightly. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Your Majesty?"

Sarah watched as the fury began to appear on his face. She needed Gran's help, and it seemed he did as well. It wouldn't be smart to anger her.

"He came to check up on me. We were having a nice little chat. I didn't get out of my chair once."

Gran frowned and then smiled. "Well, then that's good, but I recommend that I'm present at any more chats. It won't do you any good, Sarah, if your reputation is in shambles."

Sighing, the new Goblin King stood. "I understand your warning, Gran."

"Good. Cornell is waiting for you downstairs."

Nodding, he turned to Sarah. "I'm sorry for any trouble our little chat has caused you, Lady Sarah."

Sarah shook her head, smiling. "Don't worry about it."

He gave her a curt nod before walking out of the room. Giving a quick glance at Ansi, Gran followed after him.

Leaving, Sarah with a frown, and Ansi still trembling.


So sorry I forgot to post this earlier in the week. I completely forgot.

Thanks for all reviews, faves, and follows.

Review if you please.

CL