Disclaimer for the entire story: Sadly, I do not own Strange Magic, although I do have the DVD that I play once a week.
This...um...this was supposed to be a long one-shot and it...uh...it evolved. Be prepared for chapters of varying length and lots of time skips.
Long, long time ago, okay back at the end of 2017, I finally watched Strange Magic, completely by chance even though I had wanted to watch it when I saw a trailer before it was released (which I completely forgot about), and as a result I was hyperfixated and watched it EVERY single time it came on, no matter the time (seriously, I woke in the middle of the night just to watch it). I scoured the internet for more, tripping upon tumblr and discovering AO3 by accident (I already had an FF account but fell out of fanfiction and reading by that point). As per usual whenever I hyperfixate, I devoured everything written within the span of a few weeks (completely wrecking my sleeping schedule, thank you very much), and also as usual, I didn't become invested in the fandom since I USUALLY fall out of the hyperfixation shortly after and it becomes a fond friend that I just think about periodically...except it didn't. My mind came alive as I read these fabulous authors' creations, jumpstarting an imagination that was flatlining, and for the first time in over a decade, I had a finished story playing in my head. Even more astounding is that more than one became finished, and they demanded to be written in physical form because the space was getting CROWDED. At first, I figured that I'll just turn the story of Badge of Valor into an original story that will just get thrown to the old files like so many others, except Bog and Marianne refused to stay out, screaming that it was their story and when it was finished (an extremely surprising turn-of-events), I couldn't resist sharing it, first to FF before deciding to get an AO3 account as well.
While a lot of the stories I've written are newer ideas (being created by newborn plot bunnies who don't have the patience of their elders), there are several that were the stories that started the craving to write again. This is one of them, a story originally "written" back in the end of 2017 (or the very beginning of 2018, I can't remember exactly when). Constructive advice is appreciated but please refrain from criticism. Enjoy!
Chapter 1/A Bargain Made
Within the midst of a human kingdom, there lies a thick lush forest that borders the castle grounds. Within the midst of that forest, there lies an ancient decrepit tree surrounded by a stream that's always covered in mist. Some say the forest belongs to the good neighbors, the fair folk, though most wouldn't call a goblin either good or fair. They say that one must never enter past the trees that border the forest because of the danger that lurks within, and that should you dare enter, you must never travel as far as the tree because not even a gift would save such a one who enters so near to the entrance of the goblin king's kingdom.
Of course, that's only for those who actually believe in such fairytales. Most say that it's only the royal family who poses any danger. After all, the royal family never feared entering the forest, so surely there was no danger except in the minds of children and those easily fooled.
At this moment, though, he didn't care about the foolish beliefs of humans. His kind never made such assumptions about the fae and respected their dwelling. Shifting nervously in the foliage of the large bush he'd hidden behind, the stallion could only wish that his rider had been born as sensible as a horse.
"Do you truly understand what you're asking? A bargain made is a bargain done," the male goblin states firmly, causing the hidden stallion to shiver when he chuckles soon after. "It means that no matter how long it takes, no matter what has happened in your life, no matter if you regret the price to be paid, I own what you have promised me. There will be no backing out. No changing of mind. As of this day, your end of the bargain is already mine."
The stallion screams in horror as he hears his rider agree, only his fear of the fae keeping him from rushing out to attempt a rescue. How could humans, his usually-sensible human especially, be so foolish?!
"Your horse has more sense than you do," the goblin comments snidely before crying out in pain after the sound of a punch rings through the air.
The goblin king slouches back on his bone throne as he surveys his waiting subjects. Waiting. Of course, they're waiting. Not that they should be. There were things to be done, after all.
But unfortunately, waiting is all that they can do.
A growl escapes his lips as he repositions his form. Fairies are such a nuisance! How hard is it to fulfill a simple request that he sent weeks ago?! He had half a mind to visit that lazy king of fairies to force him to hurry!
Except that would mean a longer waste of time because of those inane creatures' habit of throwing a great party at any given excuse and he'd be obligated to suffer through the festivities they'd throw in honor of his visit. How those silly fairies ever got any work done is a wonder.
"Finally!" the goblin king mutters when a glowing blue fairy flies into his throne room. "Are you the fairy of love?"
"Yes, indeed, o king of the goblins!" the blue fairy twitters. "The benevolent king of the fairies has sent me at your bequest. I am Sugar Plum, maker of potions, charms, and spells. An expert in all things love and very able to assist you in whatever you so desire."
"Be quiet and listen!" the goblin king orders. "I've sent for you for one purpose, not for potions or charms or spells, but because it is said that you can see whether one's love is real or not. In the domain of humans, at the edge of my forest, there lives a woman with a goblin's child."
"A goblin's child living in the domain of humans?" Sugar Plum interrupts. "Not many humans willingly consent to bear the weight of a goblin and fewer are let free after the deed. Surely the child is the result of a bargain, are they not?"
"What those of my kingdom do is no concern of yours! Your concern is the task I have for you," the goblin king growls. "Now that the child has come of age, I have been informed that he has fallen in love with a human he grew up with and wishes to make his intentions known to her. As the child's sire is a goblin, the child is under my rule and must have my consent."
"And you want me to see whether this goblin's child is truly in love," Sugar Plum comments.
"No. I want you to go into the human village nearby and see whether the woman he desires is in love with him," the goblin king corrects. "Return to me once you've determined her feelings so that I may decide whether to give the child my permission to court her."
Watching the flighty creature leave in a flash of blue light, the goblin king sighs deeply as he slouches further on his throne. Something told him that somehow, someway, that fairy is going to cause him a lot of trouble. Probably a good idea to send his subject to warn the child's mother.
Sugar Plum huffs as she walks through the small village, barely able to keep her human glamour on in her agitated state. Goblins are such an annoyance. Even half-goblins, apparently.
The nerve of that child! Accusing her of wrongdoing when it was him who was in the wrong! Ridiculous!
She'll show him. After all, just because he lives in the human domain doesn't mean he'll be able to escape the wrath of his sire's king. That little spell she put on him is merciful to what the goblin king will do to him for his treachery.
The local tavern catches her attention as she passes it, and she quickly decides that it won't hurt anything to quench her parched throat for a moment before returning to the fae domain. Just a drink or two as a reward for all her efforts. As well as maybe enjoy the company of that boisterous group of humans for a while.
Her grace and beauty work like a charm as she saunters through the door, immediately catching the attention of the best-looking of the group, and she coyly runs a hand through her long blonde tresses as his green eyes roam her glamoured voluptuous body. Maybe this trip to the human domain outside the goblin's kingdom won't be such a waste of her valuable time, after all.