Chapter 27: A Mystery Unfolds

"Your Highness? Are you ready?" a young female goblin called, standing outside Adina's room. It was almost time for court to begin, and the goblin knew how Her Highness hated being late.

"Yes, Orwege, I'm here." Adina swept into the hall, wearing a delicate pale blue dress. This is so nice! Now I see why Mother always liked flowy dresses. I feel pretty, oh so pretty- say, that would be a good song.

"Your Highness," Orwege breathed in wonder. "You look like a clear blue day! That is, I mean, very nice," she formally approved, trying to be proper.

"Thanks, but it still needs something," Adina headed back inside to her vanity, and searched for a necklace or bracelet or... "This!" She pulled out an amulet and slipped it around her neck.

"Are you sure?" Orwege asked, wide eyed.

Why the worry, Orwege? Doesn't it match? "Yes, this feels right. Hurry, or we won't get there on time!" Off Adina went, Orwege watching her the whole way.

The goblins were beginning their morning shenanigans- belching, slapping each other, and hooting- when Adina entered the throne room. All noise subsided upon her arrival, and every goblin face showed great respect.

"Good mornin', Your Highness!" a group said quietly, which was rare for any goblin.

"Could you sing somethin' for us, since da King ain't here yet?" a stupid but lovable one asked as politely as he could.

"I'd be happy to," Adina responded, delighted that they still remembered her singing. For them to remember anything besides drinking and being fools, it must be decent. "My mother, Her Majesty the Queen, sang this to me, when I was a child.

"Hui!

Chirping, the birds take wing,

freely darting aloft.

They defy the clouds

and the burning sun,

and on they go

along the trails above-"

"Where did you get that?" Jareth demanded, standing in the entrance. The goblins all bowed, and Adina looked startled.

What is he talking about? She followed his gaze, down to her chest...and settled on the amulet. "This?" Adina pointed to it. "I...I...don't remember." Realizing how stupid that sounded, she blushed. "No- I can't remember."

"Why not?" Jareth walked straight up to her. Something is wrong...this isn't like her...

Yeah, why not? Adina asked herself. She probed her mind and memory, but nothing came back. "It's blocked," Adina said in a confused tone. "Somehow." She forced a smile. "Don't worry; if it bothers you..."

"No, it's fine." Not really, but why unnerve poor Adina any farther? Jareth smiled back at her, as the goblins rose cautiously. Just something to puzzle over later.

Several days passed, and with each day the mystery of Adina's amulet deepened. She still could not remember where it came from, or when she had gotten it. Both Adina and Jareth tried spells of all sorts, but nothing worked. They began to think it was hopeless.

Back in the Faerie Realm, the Queen had slowly recovered. She freely walked around, slept peacefully, and was no longer in a daze. When she would ask for Adina, the usual response was, "You'll see her soon. All in good time." Knowing this was a lie, she usually backed off. Finally she snapped, saying, "I am still Queen here! You cannot keep me from her!" and headed to her daughter's chambers.

Inside, Galinda was busy dusting bookshelves when the Queen entered, followed by her ladies in waiting. "Your Majesty, I didn't-"

"Galinda, where is my daughter?" the Queen asked, glaring.

Mother help me, what to say? Galinda panicked. Well, there is nothing I can say, except the truth. And so she did, ignoring the warning looks from the Queen's ladies.

"So, she is with Jareth," the Queen sighed, feeling great pity for Adina. "at least she is safe. I shall send her a message, telling the poor dear she can come home. No more of this guilty without proof nonsense!"

"I wouldn't bet on that if I were you," a deep voice purred from the window. Galinda, the Queen, and her ladies screamed as it moved toward them, and everything went black

So what does the amulet mean? Why can't Adina remember how she got it? And what does the shadow want with the Queen? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Adina, Galinda, Orwege, and the Queen are all my characters; everything else here(including the song, which is 'Stridono lassu' from I Pagliacci) is borrowed. Please review!