III

"Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain."

--Aristotle



"Goblin Princess?" Duncan repeated absently. He blinked, trying to ignore the empty crib beside his hand. "What do you mean, Goblin Princess? There is no Goblin Princess. The Goblin King spurned love; he was rejected by the woman he loved. There is no way that you could be the Goblin King's daughter!!"

Jade smirked, her eyes lighting up with mischief. "Oh, no?" she asked the stunned youth. "But couldn't something change the story that you know so well? Couldn't the Goblin King get a happily-ever-after?"

Duncan shook his head, silently disagreeing with her. "No, never. Something like that doesn't deserve to have a happily-ever-after. The King was evil. Everyone knows that. He couldn't have gotten a happily-ever-after because he's evil; and that means that your claim of being his daughter is false. You're lying. Now tell me where my nephew is!!"

Jade frowned in disgust. Mortals are so stupid......when you finally tell them the truth, they refuse to believe you!! No wonder mother wanted to leave here and live with father..... Jade glared at the taller teenager. "You very well know where your nephew is, Duncan. He is where all the other children are. Where all the unwanted children go. To the Goblin realm. Where you wished him to be."

"No! That's not true! I didn't mean the words!" Duncan said desperately, wanting his little nephew back now that he was gone.

Jade shrugged and gave him a dark smile. "They all say that. I guess now.....you'll learn to watch what you say, am I right?" With another amused grin at Duncan's expense, she pointed to a large grandfather clock that had suddenly appeared at her right. "You know the stories, Scotsman. You have thirteen hours to retrieve your nephew, Malcolm. If not...." she shrugged, "he becomes one of us."

With another dark grin aimed at Duncan she repeated what her father had said so many times before. "Such a pity......" The goblins broke out in laughter and Jade laughed with them, her laughter darker and much more amused than the others. And then she was gone.

Duncan stared at the place where Jade stood just a minute before. "But I didn't mean it...." he whispered softly. He hung his head; and, one by one, he let the tears fall.

~*~

Jade stared into her crystal and grinned in amusement. Now I know why father enjoyed tormenting mortals so much. It's fun! She sighed in contentment and settled back into her throne. Idly, the ball began to weave between her fingers, soon joined by others.

----didyougetyourwish?---- the old goblin asked, scuttling up to her.

Jade smiled darkly down at it. "Of course," she answered, watching as Duncan slowly raised his head, a determined expression flittering over his face. "I think that I'm going to enjoy this game......" she continued softly.

The elderly goblin just shook it's head. ----don'tsaywhatyoumightregretlater----

"What do you mean?" the Princess asked, throwing a sharp look over the crystal. The old goblin seemed smug. Too smug. "Why do you say that?"

----you'llfindoutsoonenough---- was the answer. Then, before Jade could ask yet another question, it scuttled away, blending in with the darkness in the throne room. Jade glared after it. Then, she sighed and settled into a more comfortable position. Well.......like the old one said, I'll find out soon enough. she thought. But I wonder if I'll like this surprise......

~*~

Duncan lifted his head. His eyes seemed brighter, more determined. I made a mistake..... he thought. That won't happen again. Ever. "Don't worry, little nephew. I'll find you and I'll take you home," Duncan vowed.

And then his world went topsy-turvy.