A/N- I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this! I hope everyone will enjoy this next chapter as well!

Chapter 4

Horses packed and ready to go, Diamond and Gump departed from the kingdom's walls. An entourage of citizens of the kingdom gathered at the gates to wish them good luck. Even the High Priest had been there, shouting that he would keep her kingdom safe for her while she was away. Diamond looked backwards at her kingdom until she could see them no longer. Then, with tearful eyes, she turned around and faced the looming Elderborn Forest ahead.

"Who did you leave in charge, Princess?" Gump asked.

"The High Priest," she answered, her voice low and clouded with sadness.

"High Priest Luca?" Gump said. He then added, nodding, "An excellent choice."

"I hope so," Diamond stated.

"Do not doubt yourself, Princess. That is where all failures begin. Not with a mistake, but with doubt. You are a Princess and the daughter of Jack and Lili. You should not doubt," Gump said, his chest puffing with pride.

Diamond gave a short laugh. She had never seen the elf look as pompous as he did at that moment. He looked at her, an expression of slight confusion on his face. Then, seemingly realizing what he was doing, he let out the air that had keep his chest inflated and grinned sheepishly.

They rode on, the forest growing ever closer. Fear began to seize Diamond's heart. She kept compulsively glancing between Gump and the line of trees. After several times of doing so, the fairy child raised his eyes at her.

"What ever is the matter?" he asked.

"Oh…" Diamond said, finally catching herself. "Nothing."

Silence fell once more. Now, they were so close to Elderborn that Diamond could smell the pine of the trees, and there was no wind to carry the scent. Her white eyes widened as they broke the barrier and was now within the confines of the enchanted wood.

"You know, this is where your mother and father met," Gump said, trying to ease her fear from her.

"I know," she said, looking around.

The forest she had known as a child--from a distance, for her father had forbidden her to enter--had always seemed so bright, cheerful, and full of wonder. Now, with the poisonous cloud hanging over the canopy of it, it was dark and intimidating. The trees cast longer shadows than they normally would at this time of day, and every birdsong sounded so mournful.

"The forest wasn't like this then. It brilliant and jovial. Many of my kin could be seen on a daily basis, dancing about the various streams that flow through here," Gump continued.

"Where are the elves and forest children now?" Diamond asked.

"Probably hidden away. They know this cloud is of dark magic. Now, we'll find only the foulest of creatures present."

Diamond's eyes widened as a bush ahead of them moved.

"What is that?" she whispered in a panic to Gump.

Gump had dismounted and had his bow ready. He brought up an arrow and steadied it against the string.

"Get off your horse, Princess," he said.

She did so slowly, so as not to startle the horse or any other animal. Gump, meanwhile, was standing as still as a statue, his eyes locked on the bush. Diamond stood a bit behind him, glancing from the bow to the bush.

Suddenly, a creature leap from the shrub. It's nose was long and slightly curved, and it was hunched over, a greasy looking hump on its back. It's feet were cloven, and it's hands had claws. Gump lost no time. He let loose his arrow, and then another and another until the beast fell. Once assured that it was dead, he approached it.

He kicked it over onto its back and let out a hiss.

"Goblin," he said.

"Goblin," Diamond repeated under her breath, wrapping her arms about her.

"Come, Princess. We must make it to our first camp quickly," the elf said, remounting his horse.

Diamond did the same. "Where is our first camp?"

"It is a fairy holy ground. No evil may touch us there. Now, hurry!" Gump responding, kicking his horse into a gallop.

Diamond kicked at hers and rode at a steady pace behind Gump, cringing with every unholy howl she heard in the distance.

End Notes: I'm so sorry that these chapters are so short. I'm trying to spread out the action. Please review!