Hey- I'm back- and I decided not to name this chapter Make a Deal.
Thank you to Labyriana, Jenny and JLF for reviewing- I'm soo glad you guys like the story. ^_^
I have discovered that this story will not go with the book, so for those of you who are flipping out, this is based totally on the movie. I wanted to write something different! Since it is based only on the movie, I can write it this way. I was sick of seeing Linda portrayed as completely or mostly evil for ditching her daughter and husband for her career. Thus, I can write this because it is not explicit in the movie whether her mother ditched her or not. Besides, this is fanfiction, isn't it?
Also, I slightly changed the female and male goblin thing- now there are only a few female goblins that cannot conceive.
Italics are internal thoughts, k?
Part 3: Beginning to Understand
"What good fortune for those in power that people do not think." – Adolf Hitler
A flash of lightening cracks outside and Linda grasps Sarah to her chest, only to feel her empty arms pressing tightly against her trembling bosom. The young mother looks down and blinks, as if Sarah will magically reappear in her arms. A cold hand of fear grasps her neck and she trembles despite her efforts to remain as calm as possible. Her jaw drops open to scream, but she cannot make a sound, as if she can no longer control her voice. Slowly, she holds out her arms in shock, as if she is calling the night storm to bring back her precious treasure, her baby girl. Closing her eyes in a wordless prayer, Linda tries to find out what happened to Sarah.
When she opens her eyes, she shakes her head and has an urge to rub her eyes at the sight before her. Expecting to see the storm unfolding before her outside the window in the guest bedroom that had become the nursery, she blinks in disbelief. Did I imagine everything? What is going on here? Now, she stands in stone hallways in front of a humongous wooden door. Although she is close enough to reach out and press the obstruction to allow her to enter, she refrains from doing so.
All of a sudden, a little female goblin sneaks up behind her and pops between her and the door. With a courteous smile, she smiles up at Linda with respect. "His Majesty will see in you in a moment, Madame. He has been expecting you. May I get you anything while you wait?"
Linda's eyes widen in shock and amusement at the little female in a white apron and forest green outfit. Being the trained actress that she is, Linda keeps most of her feelings to herself. Still the welcoming and comforting friendliness of the goblin surprises her. As she examines the creature, she smiles and wonders. Maybe this is some weird dream about acting…
Linda feels as if her head is spinning, but she manages to shake her head as she turns 90 degrees to fully face her conversational partner. "Hello… and no thank you, I'm fine, but excuse my rudeness, but what are you exactly?"
The shorter female startles, but to her credit recovers quickly. "Why I'm a goblin, of course. What did you think I was?"
Linda bites her lip. "Well, I wasn't sure. Sorry to offend you."
"No, it's fine. We don't get others from the outside very often if you know what I mean." Of course Linda has no idea what she means but regardless the woman nods as if she understands. "I hear you don't have many of my kind over there, do you?" Linda shakes her head no. "That's what I thought. It all makes sense, so don't worry your pretty little head about it anymore." Is this really a dream? I do not know if a goblin would have looked like her in my wildest dreams. I don't usually torture myself, but this could not possibly be anything more than a strange dream, could it? In the back of her mind, a voice calls… What is real?
She smiles to herself in response, but turns her attention back to the waiting attendant. "What were you saying? The king is expecting me? I did not know that the king was expecting me. Perhaps you shall find this question quite impertinent, but where am I and who is this king that wants to see me? Why I am here?"
The goblin cocks her head to one side in thought. "Goodness, dearie. Have you lost your memory? Tsk, tsk, tsk. As to where you are- you are in the castle of the Goblin King, of course- he's waiting for you in the room beyond this door. What he wants with you I do not know myself, nor it is my place to question my master, if you take my meaning. Now, if I can get you something to drink perhaps…"
"No, thank you. You are very kind to offer, but I already feel so light-headed as it is." She puts her hand to her forehead to wipe a bit of sweat from her brow.
"Oh remain calm, Madame. He is a good king."
Another voice interrupts her statements. "It is nice to hear you speak so highly of me, Keight."
The goblin woman falls to her knees in a show of respect. "Oh Your Majesty, please forgive me if I have misspoken and offended you in any way."
"No, you have done well. I thank you for keeping the lady company while I finished a bit of business. Now please bring the special wine for our guest." Keight's eyes widen in surprise, for that wine was not asked for very often. She glances up at Linda with new respect before nodding and heading off to accomplish the task assigned to her.
Linda falls into a deep and graceful curtsy to greet the king. "Your Highness, what a pleasure it is to meet you. I am most honored, although I must admit that I am curious as to why you sent for me."
The king bows in respect for her. "Linda, my dear woman, I am the one who is honored." He smiles in a rather charming fashion and reaches over to kiss her hand. "Your beauty exceeds the bounds of my imagination. I am so pleased that you have come to see me. Before we discuss all the important matters, please come and sit down." He lets go of her hand and gestures to a circle of three chairs with a small table in the center. In a chivalrous fashion, he waits for her to sit down first before seating himself.
After settling herself in the chair, Linda sits up straight and looks him in the eye. "Forgive me, but did you say important matters? What kind of important matters could you possibly have with me? I know nothing of you."
He nods. "Yes, very important matters, as a matter of fact. You may know nothing of me in your mind, but your spirit knows me." At this moment, Keight trots in with a decanter of wine and two jewel-encrusted goblets. The king sighs in an almost unkingly show of relief. Without a word, she places the tray on the table and smiles at each of them both before scurrying off to allow the king and his guest to speak. "My dear Linda, please have some of this wine." He pours a fair amount into a glass.
She gives him a skeptical look. "As I told Keight earlier, I am feeling rather light-headed and it would not be prudent to put wine on my stomach when I am already feeling slightly unsteady."
He holds out the goblet to her. "That will take longer to explain. You have suffered several shocks this evening; one of them being your journey to this world. The magic is not completely stable and you were not aware of your journey and so were therefore unable to prepare yourself. This wine also contains a special agent that I have concocted to counteract this unfortunate side effect. Of course, without a background, you have no idea what I am talking about, but will you please trust me?"
She considers the glass in his hand for a moment before reaching out and taking it in from him. After curiously glancing inside at the red liquid, she starts with a couple of sips. To her immense relief, her light-headedness begins to pass. She raises her sparkling green eyes to the king. "Thank you, Your Highness. You were true to your word; I feel much better already. However, you are correct. I am very confused. How can I be in another world and what is this nonsense about magic?"
"I am pleased that you feel better. As for the rest, that will be rather hard to explain. Well, no, please allow me to rephrase. The explanation will not be extremely short, so if you are ready?" She nods so urge him to continue. Understanding her, he begins his tale. "Yes, you are in another world, a place full of magic, too much magic sometimes." Linda raises her eyebrow at this joking statement. "Linda, magic has its shortcomings, so do not think of magic as a quick fix. I can compare it to technology. In your world, you have come to rely on technology, but now when you use it, you hurt yourselves, but in order to continue living as you have, you are forced to rely on these uncertain technologies. Let me give you a more specific example. You rely on cars and energy sources that pollute your environment- the air, the water, and the earth- and yet you continue even knowing the negative consequences. It is the same with my world and magic."
"Does magic exist in my world?"
He nods. "Yes of course it does. Most of the people in your world either do not have magic or do not know that they have it. Ok, as Keight told you before, I am Mikal, the Goblin King. This…" he gestures out the window. "is my kingdom."
She looks out at the desert. In the distance, a sandstorm is brewing. In surprise, she glances back with questions shining in her eyes.
He nods. "The land was not always like this. It used to be temperate and lovely, but as humans have changed, my kingdom has substantially deteriorated." She raises her eyebrow again. "Oh yes, I forgot. I am not human; I am Fae. Second, our two worlds are connected by magic, but since magic is more prevalent on this side, its effects are far more destructive. You see, there have been times in which humans have chosen logic over fantasy. When it happens on a large scale, for some reason, the lack of dreams has a tendency to make the magic in this world go haywire. It is my dream to begin fixing this problem. Since I have studied the issue in great detail, I was able to make that potion that you are drinking."
Fascinated, she nods, but then she begins to wonder why she is here. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, that is all well and good, but what does it have to do with me?"
"Yes that is a good question. Let me start with this- what do you remember about this evening before you came here?" He leans forward to hear her answer.
She looks away slightly to think, but she cannot summon the memory. "I'm sorry, but I truly do not remember."
He nods. "Sadly, it is as I suspected. This will make it a bit harder to explain. Do you know why I am called the Goblin King?" She shakes her head no. "Obviously, many of my subjects are goblins. A few have always been goblins, but most were once human children."
With yellow bile rising higher in her throat, Linda looks away in disgust. "How could you possibly do such a thing? Why on Earth?" She looks at him accusingly.
The elegant Fae sighs and frowns. "The first Goblin King was not called by that title until after his death, because there were so few goblins. The land- this kingdom- was far more unstable than it is now and consequently, he knew that something had to be done in order to protect his domain, his subjects and his family. After examining the situation, he realized that the instability came from the world of humans. Thus, he decided to watch the humans through his crystal orbs, the trademark of our family's magic. He discovered that many people hated reality and wished fervently to be protected from the harsh truth of the world. After many trials, he discovered that the most beneficial solution was to single out people who wish their children away. The child could become a goblin and the wisher could be placated with the promise of fulfilling their every dream."
She puts the goblet down on the table, leans forward and looks him right in the eye. "So what happened if someone challenged the claim? Don't they mind having their children taken from them?"
"At first they did, but the children could be with them in their dreams. It took some time, but as far as I know, everyone has accepted."
"How could they accept? How cruel!"
"You misunderstand, Linda. We are not talking about as many as you are probably imagining. Most of the wishers were desperate and thankful; they were pleased with the outcome. As for the goblins, they are well treated. Their bodies are much stronger than their frail human bodies would have been, so they live longer, healthier lives than they would have as humans in most cases. Something human sometimes remained in the goblins, which was the point. The worlds were connected by the blood and spirit of humans. Over time, we have discovered that we needed the human trait of innovation, of adaptability. This ruse is a necessary evil that protects our world."
Linda fumes, "A necessary evil? What are talking about… slavery? Surely you have heard of the debate, have you not?" He nods. "Although the South felt as if they were protecting and taking care of their slaves by keeping them, they were depriving the slaves of their freedom. The African-Americans have learned to take care of themselves and they do- sometimes much better than the descendants of their former masters! Who are you to keep these beings in slavery?"
"I understand, but please hear me out. It is not my intention to allow things to remain as they are now." She looks at him, puzzled. "Yes, you, Linda Katrina Ostling Williams- I need you to help me change this world for the better."
Ok review, review, review… please! The next part, part 4 will be called Make a Deal. This chapter already ended up chock full of stuff, but the next should be up pretty soon! Later, everyone!