Epilogue

I don't own Fablehaven. Last one! Enjoy!

Seth couldn't get comfortable. Every way he shifted or moved seemed to only fuel his frustration. He wasn't sure why. All he remembered was helping Bracken try to solve the plague problem, and then he had woken up. The jinn had been arrested and moved to a safer and more secure location, releasing his hold on his curse. The supposed jail-breakers had been recaptured. As far as Seth was concerned, everything was over. Solved. Fixed. Doneso. But he felt an itching. Something was still wrong.

"Can I have a seat?" Seth looked up from his spot on the porch to see Bracken standing by him and gesturing to the ground.

"Yeah, sure," Seth said. He scooted over slightly to give Bracken more room.

Both stayed silent a moment, gazing out on the lawn and watching the fairies flit around like nothing had changed.

Bracken cleared his throat. "What...what was it like?"

Seth thought a moment, resting his chin on his knees. "It was weird. Like when you have a super realistic dream, and later, you can't remember if it actually happened or not."

Bracken leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. He gazed curiously at Seth a moment. "What's on your mind? I can practically see the question burning in your head."

Seth opened his mouth to deny it, but Bracken was right. Seth pursed his lips. "I just...why? Why would those stupid goblins go to the jinn? What could they possibly want?"

"I doubt they knew what they were dealing With. Most creatures never have a chance to come in contact with a jinn. Perhaps the opportunity was too irresistible."

Seth grumbled. "Or they could have wanted something."

"Also a possibility. I find it strange, though, that they refused to answer whatever question they were given. Otherwise the Jinn would have had no power for rebuttal."

"But what kind of question would two crazy old goblins refuse to answer? It must've been something pretty bad or important." Seth sighed. "That's what worries me."

Seth didn't know what else to say, so he stood up and stretched. Bracken got up also, glancing back at the door to the house.

"Go ahead, they'll probably need more of your help," Seth said.

"I think I will." Bracken put his hand on Seth's shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find the answer in due time. In the mean time, don't worry too much. You'll make yourself sick."

"You're right." Seth gave a grin. "If I do, I'll steal all of Kendra's worry-wartness. Or worse, become like her." He shivered.

Bracken rolled his eyes and went back in the house.

Seth watched him go, and through the window, he saw something more. Kendra gave Bracken a big hug. Bracken returned it, looking back at Seth. He turned back and leaned down to give Kendra a kiss on the cheek. Her face turned red and Bracken's turned silver. Seth smiled.

Seth didn't feel ready to go back inside yet, so he jumped off the porch and crossed the yard. He picked up a whistling tune and straightened out his emergency kit. He clutched the satchel tighter just a little bit and crossed the line into the woods. He followed the familiar trail he had taken a few times before.

When he reached the spot Newel and Doren had once dropped off a note for plants, he paused. Something felt off but he kept going.

In good time, he came insight of his satyr friend's tennis court. The two redheads weren't there, so Seth cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Newel, Doren, are you there?"

He heard some rustling in the bushes and then some angry mutterings. They seemed to be fighting about something, but when Newel and Doren poked their curly heads into Seth's eye-line, they stopped and broke out into smiles.

"Hey, Seth," Doren greeted.

Newel looked at the area around Seth. "Just you?" he asked. Seth frowned and nodded. "Excellent!" Newel leaned in closer to whisper, "those other folks you always seem to have with you are much too bland for our taste, if you catch my drift. Really kills our vibes."

"So, what brings you?" Doren asked. There was a little sparkle in his eye. "You come up with any...plans you'd like to take for testing?"

Seth gave a smile and gave each of them their special handshake-high-five-greeting-Bro hug. Seth had originally come here for some kicks and giggles, but a thought wormed its way into his head. "Hey, guys, how'd you even know about the Parrions?"

The satyrs easy-going smiles fell from their faces. Doren even paled slightly.

"Guess what we found yesterday?" Newel said.

Doren brightened. "Yeah, you won't believe it! It's this crazy-awesome thing we stole from--"

"Don't change the subject. I asked you a question," Seth said.

"--this crazy dryad."

"Totally something you'd find interest in. We know how you play. A man too classy even for a fine cup of wine--"

"Guys! Spill!" Seth said.

"We were put under oath," Newel said solemnly. "Can't spill a drop of information."

Doren gave a dismissive shrug. "You know how it is, Seth. Parrions don't like their secrets spilled. And you know how Patton is. If he ever found out we told you, he'd jump into the future to smack the--" His eyes widened, and he put a hand over his mouth. He removed it, uncovering a cheeky grin. "So, about that dryad--"

"Wow, no. Patton? He has something to do with this too?" Seth wanted to know more, but he also didn't want the satyrs to think he had turned all mean and just wanted answer from them. He bit his lip.

"Patton?" Newel said. He laughed. "Oh, you misheard us for sure. See, Doren said...padding. Yup. That's what it took to get that item from the dryad, because wow does that lady hit hard."

Seth shook his head. He shook his head. He didn't think he could get much else out of these guys. And he was hungry. He figured going home wouldn't be too bad. He'd get a bite to eat and ask around and see if Patton had anything to do with the plague.

"Thanks, guys," Seth said. He turned around and started to jog back.

Along the trail, he tried to remember anything he had read that had mentioned Patton and their situation. It didn't seem like it. He realized that if he wanted to know something, it'd probably have to come from the source himself: Patton's journals. And the filthy mush that came along with it. He weighed his desire of not doing that to his curiosity to know what all this was about.

When he got home, he decided that at least taking another look over them wouldn't be too bad if he just skipped the parts he didn't care much for.

He got a sandwich and then flopped on the couch with Patton's journal in his hand. He made sure no one was watching him as he read it, less they get any ideas, and opened to the first page. This part at least was long before he had met Lena.

"Hey, Seth," someone said. Seth looked up to find Warren holding his amulet by its string. "Sorry I took this. I'm giving it back now. And is has been recharged, I made Kendra give it some juice so the next time it would be functional."

He tossed the amulet to Seth, took a look at the journal, and left back to the kitchen where Seth could hear the rest of his family chatting away. He ran a thumb over the surface of it and got back to reading.

He read for a fair while, longer than he ever would have voluntarily under any circumstance, and he got a good chunk of the way in.

Until he found something that hadn't been there before. He paused when he found it and looked back through the previous pages and the ones after. The after one's were different too. He didn't remember them having some of that writing. He pulled the journal closer and read over the note, clearly in Patton's handwriting.

To the owner of the Amulet, Seth Sorenson:

Seth, much as I have left messages for Kendra in the past, I have done so for you. I've been suspecting that what I will write about could come up again in your time and would concern you and your family. So, I have used an old method of getting my journal cursed by evil magic in specific shapes so that your amulet would tear through the magic and discover the message I leave with you. As I have started, I fear that many catastrophes will befall Fablehaven, as one such has happened to my Lena. Because of this hypothetical future, I have written down the things I have found in hopes that they will aid you, even if this situation does not happen.

Sincerely yours,

Patton Burgess

Seth read over the note a couple of times. The time Lena had fainted and had to be taken to the Parrions is what Seth was sure Patton was talking about. He desperately hoped it also had to do with something from the Jinn's curse. He turned the page and continued reading the account. Underneath, he could make out some of the words that had told the story of Lena's sickness. That felt promising.

I had taken Lena to the Parrions. I suspected that they could help her not only for the fact that they had great magic, but for the fact that I suspected most of their population had been wiped out by the same thing she faced. I knew they would have found a cure as not all of them had died by it. And I supposed they would show mercy to her. And they did.

It is funny to me how her plight actually started. Not that it started, but why it did. This perhaps is my try at humor. Regardless, I've traced the disease back to the dungeon goblins that have kept guard here at Fablehaven's prions. It was a possibility that had never crossed my notice. The disease itself stemmed from an old goblin sickness long ago. And the goblins here must have had trace amounts of symptom because they infected my wife. And she, being a being of light magic, became unconscious for the dark magic it held in it, instead of becoming sick with the disease itself. Her body rejected it, but it left consequences.

I hope this will help you with any answer you may seek about this topic. It is not much, but I must believe it will be enough.

Sincerely yours,

Patton Burgess

Seth blinked down at the paper book in his hands. Patton went to all the work of ruining his journal with dark magic so that he could give Seth a message of an event that may or may not have had. He grinned. As more days passed on and he learned more about the famed man, the more Seth admired and wanted to be like him.

He grabbed the journal and the amulet and went rushing into the kitchen. He placed both on the table and instructed everyone to read. Kendra picked the book up and read it aloud for everyone who had gathered around.

When she finished reading, she set it down and looked up at Grandpa. Seth could see some hurt in her eyes that Patton, who she was close to, had not mentioned anything about it to her or even directed it to. But she continued on to ask her question. "Grandpa, how could this disease come if the old goblins aren't the ones in the dungeon anymore?"

Grandpa's eyebrow furrowed. "What do you mean? They're not there? Have they run off somewhere?" He seemed deeply troubled by this fact.

Kendra frowned. "The new goblins, Forvon and Jorgo, said that you replaced Slaggo and Voorsh. You did that, didn't you?"

Grandpa shook his head solemnly. "There appears to have been unauthorized activity afoot at Fablehaven. We will have to question the goblins I suspect."

All was agreed on that front and they went into the basement, passing rows of newly imprisoned prisoners, all on the first couple of levels to keep an eye on them instead of being all spread out.

It didn't take long to find the two imposter goblins, as forvon, the shorter and stouter of the two, yelled, "We ain't meant to e on this side of the bards! Ain't that right, Jorgo? You tell them, huh? We make slop, we feed slop, we are not slop! You get us out of here right now, deal? Hey, look, Heroine, you're back, tell the big man we had nothin' to do with any of this business, right, Jorgo?"

Jorgo, who had been placed in a separate cell, looked out with sad eyes at the rest of them. He rested slumped on the back of the cell wall and didn't seem to care to respond to forvon's words. Seth figure he'd be better that way instead of clammed up with the Forvon fellow.

"Why are you here?" Seth asked, folding his arms. "And don't give me some dumb answer about you being innocent and mentioning the cell. I wanna know why you're here at Fablehaven."

Forvon looked from him to Kendra and back again. Then he responded while he picked things out of his teeth with his fingernails. "Don't like the brother much, Heroine. You should get that checked. As for you, Wonderboy, we're here as replacements for those other no-good guys, Slaggo an Voorsh."

Seth was about to defend his honor, but Kendra spoke faster than he did. "But why were they replaced? And why without any of us noticing?"

"Easy. Ain't that right, Jorgo? See, there's this thing called Sickness. And when a goblin is suspected of this Sickness, the plug is pulled on whatever operation they've got running. Slaggo and Voorsh, those guys were suspected of getting the Sickness. Uh, oh, bad news, right Jorgo? You lard, you gonna answer my questions or sit there like a dead beetle? What I wouldn't do for a qualified friend, sheesh.

"Like I was saying. They think they've got the Sickness, so they leave. Not because we likes you or anything, but because you've got some big deals in this dungeon of yours. If we got them sick, all ties would be cut from that great power. So, us. We're here, sent by her Majesty herself, the Goblin Q ."

"And you're just telling us this?" Bracken asked. "I suppose you are. Tell us this, why did you go to the Jinn in the first place? What could the two of you possibly want? You seem excited to be here."

Forvon's expression soured. He clearly didn't like the presence of Bracken. "I won't answer anyone of your likes," he said to Bracken.

"Then I ask the same question," Kendra said.

"Alright, alright, don't go yanking my chain to China. See, us goblins, we don't like somethings or someone's coming for us. So, we ask the Jinn for protection to save our sorry butts. We fail, oops, oh no."

They waited for more, but Forvon shut his mouth and walked to the far end of his cell, the farthest away from an of them.

Seth came closer to the bars. "Hey! We have more questions for you. What kind of answer did you not give? What was the question?"

Forvon drew his finger across his lips. "My lips are sealed, aren't they, Jorgo? Don't think about asking that kid for any kind of answer, he won't peep. Probably wouldn't know how to if his child depended on it, right Jorgo?

Jorgo didn't make any kind of recognition. Forvon was probably right, they wouldn't be getting anything out of him.

So Seth held up his amulet, sticking it through the bars and towards Forvon. "This has magic in it. If you don't give us nay answer, I might accidentally use it on this cell. It's too bad really, since it just got juiced up."

Forvon eyed him with his beady black eyes. "You'll have to pry any further answer from my gold dead hands.:

Seth tried several more threats, Kendra put in one, Grandpa put in several, and even Bracken tried to make one. Every time was as unsuccessful as the first and it made Seth's blood boil.

He shoved the amulet in his short's pocket and walked over to Jorgo's cell. He crouched down so he could be at Jorgo's sitting down height. "Hey, what happened?" And, so no one else except maybe Bracken could hear, he said, "Forvon doesn't treat you fairly. He calls you rude things and doesn't take into account your feelings or what you want to say. You don't have to put up with a guy like that if you don't want to. We can help out. But right now, we need some help too. We really need to know some answers. Would you give them to us?"

But Jorgo continued to stay dead to the world. Seth sighed but he wanted to try one more time, so he added, "we can get you back home to wherever that is. You can be with your family if you've got any. Friends too. You don't have to be stuck in this damp place for the rest of your life if you don't want to. How 'bout it?"

Once again, nothing. Seth rose to his feet and was about to turn around and go away when he heard Jorgo speak. "Okay."

"Really?" Seth asked. He repeated the question they had given to Forvon.

"Jinn wanted to know where the Parrions lived," Jorgo said. "Wanted to take them away. I wouldn't let Forv do it. I couldn't have. A parrion tribe saved my little sister from Sickness. So, the Jinn curses us. Gives us the same thing we feared, but worse. Any human who touched the door would get it, and go crazy, crazy enough to come after us to give it to us and get revenge. And that happened. We don't like someone's coming after us. Especially if they've got Sickness."

Seth smiled. "Thank you, Jorgo. I'll get you back to your little sister."

He stood up and everyone was looking at him. Maybe they could hear After-all. He gave them a smile, which melted away as a new thought entered into his head. "Hold on," he told everyone, "I have one more question."

"Not before I brain Jorgo, ain't that right, Jorgo? You dang messed up." Forvon had gotten to his feet and came close to the bars. Bracken reached forward and touched the goblin with a finger, whispering something in a language Seth couldn't understand.

Forvon sat down and his eyes slowly shut as he drifted off to sleep.

Seth gave Bracken a "teach me later" look and started to speak again. "One last question. But not for Jorgo. For Vanessa."

Vanessa blinked in surprise. "Me? What have I to do with any of this?"

"Everything, really," Seth said. "You sorta started all of this." He squinted at her. "What I want to know is why you were going down into the dungeon in the first place. What's going on, Vanessa?"

She looked at all of the faces whose expressions had turned to anger, surprise, and disappointment. "it is not what you think at all. I was not in cohorts with any of the prisoners down here. I visited because last month, Stan sent me down to ask one of the prisoners here a question, as a trust of faith. One probably not holding any value except for what it would show about my faith.

And while I was down, the goblins Slaggo and Voorsh were acting more peculiar, almost sick. I recognized it as symptoms of the sickness, although we called it Lent where I am from. I had seen it in my own town, nasty business. And so, when I went down, I went down for the sole purpose to check if it was still there, and something needed to be changed. I didn't tell anyone because I was sure that was something one does not bring up until they have acquired certain facts, especially when someone is not as trusted as they once were."

Seth offered a guilty expression before he sighed in relief and leaned back against the prison walls, arms behind his head. His work here was done. Well, mostly. After-all, he would just have to keep a closer eye on the goblins.

Aaaaaannnnnndddd that's a wrap! Wow, it's finished! I did it! Woooo! I hope you enjoyed it! And thanks to everyone who made it this far :D I started this odd little story over a year ago, crazy! (Almost as crazy as it is too :P) I really wanted a full Fablehaven Fanfiction, and one that's kind of mystery-ish, cause the ones that are are very fun to read. So, I bring you: Jinxed. Catch you on the flip side :)*