DG followed the summons along with the goblin horde to find herself standing in a darkened room that could only be described as shabby. The goblins took the baby that had been wished away and left their princess to deal with the mortal who had said the words.

She looked around, her eyes able to see in the dark just as well as if it were high noon. There, in the corner, huddling in onto herself and shaking, was a girl-child of no more than thirteen annuals.

The Goblin Princess called a crystal ball to her and filled it with light.

"Who are you?" the girl asked as DG crouched in front of her. Fear laced her words as she tried to shrink into the wall.

"The one you called to," DG replied calmly, her face kind as it revealed nothing. There were tear tracks on the girl's face, and bruises that were just starting to appear.

"Is Hope safe?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"The baby is safe," DG replied with a nod. "She will be well cared for and loved. Wanted."

Tears welled in the girl's eyes again as she looked away from the beautiful vision before her. "Thank you. She shouldn't have to live like this."

DG heard shouting from the hallway and sounds she could only describe as violent. Anger welled inside her that anyone would treat a child with such disregard. She stood to her full height, added to by the heel on the boots she wore. Holding out her free hand, DG offered, "Come. Join us."

The girl's frightened eyes flickered from the door to the shabby bedroom to the hand offered to her. When she looked back at DG's face, there was terrible hope in her eyes. "Why?"

There was no hesitation as the princess responded, "Because you called her your Hope. And no child deserves to live in fear. Come where you are wanted."

"Wanted," the girl said, her voice barely audible. Without thinking any more about what she was doing, nor caring about the consequences, she took the offered hand and let the chips fall where they may.

Before transporting the two of them back to the Labyrinth, DG threw the orb at the door, embedded within it a spell that would cause the perpetrator of the crimes against this girl and the baby to suffer untold mental horrors for the rest of his days.

Back safely on Goblin soil, within the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, DG escorted the girl child to the infirmary and left her in the very capable hands of Chief Healer Leena Paisley.

"What's your name?" DG asked her as they walked.

"Susan. What's yours?"

"Crown Princess Dorothy Galinda Susanna Ozma Maria Gale." She smiled at the shock on Susan's face, "Most people call me DG."

"Sweet Lurline, child, they already brought me a newly born babe with more bruises than I've seen in annuals," Leena said as she saw the state Susan was in. "Sit her down, your highness. I'm going to have to look her over."

Susan thought that Lena looked like a favorite spinster aunt ... with pointed ears and eyes much larger and blacker than a human's could be. There was not a speck of white in her orbs.

"Don't be afraid, Susan," DG said, patting her hand as Lena started looking her over. "This is Leena Paisley. She's a healer -- she'll take good care of you."

"Wha-what is she?"

It was Leena who answered, "My father was a Gnome -- that's where I get my eyes. The rest comes from my mother -- an Elf. Now lie back so I can see to your injuries." The stunned girl did as she was told, letting this fairytale creature treat her wounds, both the old ones and the new ones.

DG placed a hand on Leena's shoulder, "I'm off to find Uncle to report ... then I have a group of in-laws I have to go back to."

"You don't sound too pleased with that prospect," Leena said with a light smile.

The princess smiled back at her friend, "They have many misconceptions about the Labyrinth, Leena. It's difficult to control my temper."

"You've taken down a castle full of enraged suitors, lass," the healer replied, her eyes kind as she gripped DG's hand firmly before turning back to her patient. "After that your Wyatt's family should seem like a piece of cake."

She laughed as she began to walk away, "Don't let Uncle hear you using that phrase. I heard he had it banned after Aunt Sarah's first visit here."

"Aye, he did. Doesn't stop me from saying it."

It didn't take DG long to find her Uncle in the throne room with Sarah. She cleared her throat loudly before entering fully. Watching them pull apart like that was quite humorous and entirely worth having to miss an hour or so with Wyatt's family.

"I received a Summons, Uncle," DG said, her voice grave. "Any idea why?"

Jareth frowned, "I've not been overly busy, DG. However, with recent events ... the Labyrinth may have decided its time for you to share in the duties of the crown."

The princess nodded once. "What recent events?"

Jareth and Sarah shared a look but it was the latter that replied, "I'm pregnant."

DG moved to embrace her aunt, "Congratulations, Sarah. May your child have your good heart and my uncle's wit."

"Well said," Jareth's voice was filled with love.

"And now, I believe it's time I get back to my own bond mate so he doesn't have to deal with his family alone," DG said with a smile.

"That bad, eh?" Sarah asked with a wince.

DG shook her head, "The children like me at the very least ... and I'm pretty sure that some of his sisters like me, but there are a few that I'm concerned about."

She bent and gave her uncle a kiss on the cheek, "Be good. I'll be back in the Labyrinth in a few weeks."

"Try not to castrate anyone while you're gone, Starlight."

She smirked before opening a portal to take her back to Wyatt's side, "Only if they deserve it."

Millie commandeered her son soon after he made sure Babette and Elliot knew how things were going to be. She linked arms with him and they took a little walk to the stables to talk around the horses that they both loved so much.

"She's a real spitfire, isn't she?" Millie asked, watching her son's reaction carefully.

Wyatt grinned softly, "That she is. You should have seen the way she dealt with some of the nobles that didn't want to listen to her or her uncle."

"I can imagine."

They were silent for a time, each enjoying the beauty of the animals in their own way.

"She mentioned something about a squirrel," Millie finally said. "Care to tell me about it?"

Wyatt blushed crimson, fixing his eyes on the brown gelding in front of him as he told his mother, "It was while I was at the boarder helping rescue Az -- Princess Azkadellia. Jackson sent some men after DG." He paused, but his mother didn't prompt him, knowing her son would tell the tale in his own time.

"Those three goblins out there disabled and castrated most of her attackers by the time I got there."

"Most?"

He gave her a hard look, "The last one became very well acquainted with my fists. We didn't kill any of them, but Ding, Bing, and Ring took great pleasure in castrating each one of the men before they were sent back to Jackson's camp."

Millie nodded, unsure whether to laugh at the humor of it, or be scandalized and demand that the three playful beings stop playing with her grandchildren. She decided to stick with the first reaction.

"I didn't know why at the time, but even then I was very protective of DG. Possessive, even. Since she was attacked while I wasn't there, I decided that I'd just have to stay with her as much as possible. If not in my line of sight, at least within hearing range.

"Anyway, she needed to take a bath at the lake and I was keeping watch. ..." he trailed off, knowing that his mother could fill in the blanks.

"He was so trigger happy he nearly shot a squirrel that was scurrying up a tree," DG said from the entrance to the stables.

Wyatt gave her a look filled with so many emotions Millie couldn't name them all. He took in her appearance quickly, noting that she was once again dressed in the long pencil skirt, waist cincher, and linen shirt. Gone were all traces of the Goblin Throne's Crown Princess. "No runner, then?" he questioned with a frown.

DG shook her head, "No. The child and the baby she wished away are with Leena, having their injuries cared for." She wasn't sure how to put to words what the situation had been, but luckily she didn't have to. "The man responsible is currently suffering from what the Other Side will call a psychotic break."

"And what would you call it?" Millie asked.

A bitter smile crossed DG's features for a brief second as she looked at her mother-in-law, "Justice."

The older woman nodded, "Good. It's always comforting to know there is one less child abuser out there, on either side of the rainbow."

DG went willingly into Wyatt's arms, letting his arms chase away the demons that those two children had introduced into her soul. Millie watched in fascination and understanding as the two interacted. So this was what they were together. She wouldn't interfere with that, nor condemn it for any reason. Not if it gave both of them such peace, and gave Jeb a mother who loved him unconditionally.

"Did you find out why you got the Summons?" Wyatt asked after DG had settled.

She shook her head, "Not really. Uncle thinks it's the Labyrinth's way of training me. The last piece of the puzzle so I'll be prepared to take the throne when the time comes."

"A bit early for that, ain't it?" Wyatt asked, cocking an eyebrow up in curiosity.

DG grinned, "Not really. Sarah's pregnant."

"That's great," Wyatt said with a grin.

"You do realize that it's just one more celebratory ball we'll have to throw before the annual is out, right?" DG asked, her own eyebrow quirked up in amusement. "As happy as I am that my Uncle and Sarah are having a baby, I'm none to pleased with the idea of another petticoat monstrosity."

"They're not that bad," he protested even as he winced at the idea of an overly starched dress uniform.

Her incredulous look spoke volumes to Millie, "Have you even seen what they want me to wear for Az's wedding? It's wider than one of those trucks we came in!"

Millie snorted, unable to stop herself. DG grinned, laughing herself. "Perhaps you can help me talk some sense into those seamstresses, Millie? I'm sure you've got a will of iron to raise this one."

"That she does," Wyatt said, grinning at his mother and his bond mate. "And the best mug lug this side of the rainbow."

"Really?" DG asked.

"He's exaggerating," Millie protested with a mock glare to her son. "It's not that good."

"I've found that Wyatt only exaggerates when his family is being discussed," DG told the older woman.

Millie smiled at that, "All too true. Especially Jeb's accomplishments."

A flicker of pride flashed through DG's eyes at the mention of the boy. "Did Wyatt tell you about the time that Jeb rescued the chef's daughter from the wolf pack?"

Wyatt groaned playfully as they started back to the house, "Now you've done it, Mother. If there's one person who likes to boast about Jeb more than I do it's this one right here."

Millie just laughed heartily. "No, actually, I haven't heard that one yet."

"Well, it all started with a chocolate cake that Jeb knew he was not supposed to touch ..."

Ambrose watched his princess throughout the meeting, noting how she seemed to cling to the Viewer Lylo. Something was wrong with her. He didn't know what, but he knew that Lylo was protecting her mind from the other Viewers so they would not be sucked into her sorrow.

After the Council meeting was over, and many more congratulations had been given to the Crown Princess on her upcoming marriage, Ambrose made an executive decision to follow the princess as she left with the two Viewers, Lylo and his brother Raw.

"Rosie?" Ambrose asked softly when he caught up with the three.

Az looked back at her mother's advisor and attempted to give him a small smile, "I'm fine, Ambrose."

"I don't think so, Rosie," Ambrose responded, his face baring no argument, "Otherwise you wouldn't have two Viewers shielding your thoughts from the others. And you wouldn't look like you were about to go to attend your own funeral rather your wedding."

Az shook her head, fighting back a fresh wave of sorrow. "It's not something I feel particularly comfortable discussing, Ambrose ... especially with a man."

He looked up and down the corridor before giving her a glare, "Your sister isn't here, Rosie, so it looks like you're stuck with the only alternative. I'm not exactly your average man."

She bit back a snort at that, "That's true, Ambrose, but I'm not even sure what ..."

"So then we sit in your room while you rant like your sister does. It'll do your heart good to let it all out."

"Ambrose right," Raw rumbled. "Strange man, but right. Not good for heart to conceal so much sorrow. Must let go."

Az hung her head, defeated, "I can't fight both of you. Come on. I'll tell you what happened."

"Explain to me this bonding you two have," Gwen asked, her curiosity getting the better of her about halfway through an excellent supper of roast deer and mug lug.

"I don't really understand it, either, sis," Wyatt said, smirking as he turned to his bond mate, "DG?"

DG looked up from her plate to find everyone's eyes fixed on her, waiting for her to speak and explain the bonding. "What? Just because I'm the princess I'm supposed to know these things?"

"Are you saying you don't?" Wyatt teased.

"Of course I do," DG frowned, "And so do you, Mr. Don't-Ask-Me- Questions." Someone snorted at Wyatt's new nickname, but DG just continued, "The bonding is a bit complex, but there's a poem that explains the purpose well:

"Between the Land and People there be

A Keeper in whom the power all see

Kept safe in the Guardian's embrace

With love, only to look upon his face

Land, Keeper, Guardian, three as one

Safe keep the People, the Darkness, and the Sun."

"Pretty," Jael said with a soft lilt in her voice. "But that still doesn't really explain what the bonding is."

"The bonding is how the three become one," DG explained, her eyes locking with the others as she spoke. "When I was five the Labyrinth chose me and bound herself to me." A smile crept to her face as she thought about the day she was wished away, "And then, using its own judgment and criteria, it marked Wyatt. However, in the end, it was his choice to enter into the bonding."

She smirked at him, "It wasn't actually completed until a little over an annual ago."

Elliot choked on a piece of deer meat. "What?"

DG grinned at his reaction, "A bonding is completed by a kiss. Nothing more."

"But what does it mean?" Gwen questioned, still unsure.

"It means that I'm the Voice for the Labyrinth to the People, and Wyatt is the Voice of the People to the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth chose us both, marking us, but it was our own decisions to make it permanent."

"Permanent?"

The princess looked at her bond mate before turning to look at Gwen. "There's a reason the bonding is uncommon. It can't be broken -- even by death."

A/N: I just love this new breakdown of visitors by country feature FF has now. So this chapter is dedicated to those of you reading in Ireland. Why? Because I said so.

Oh, and those of you in the States: I'm guessing this chapter is one of the things you're thankful for this year.