Greetings all. I hope this chapter finds you in great spirits for the holidays if you celebrate any. I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas, and a lovely rest of your week.

Chapter 8

Showdown of the Tiny

If one had been watching the streets of Hoboken, they would have seen a young man wandering the streets. He had black hair and blue eyes, and a permanently pleasant expression. He was also drowning in a very large sweater with a hood. He avoided large groups of people and paused every so often to sniff the air.

Aaarrrgghh felt funny with the mask on his face and the smell of the wood disrupting him. But it was faint enough that he could detect other odors. The glamor mask had been set to Jim's appearance, and it was suitable enough. But it was very strange to look down and see such thin arms and legs, such small hands. It made him uncomfortable; his thumb could crush these tiny hands. How did they hold anything bigger than a pen?

The city was full of exciting smells. Sandwiches and perfumes and pastries and exhaust. He continued down the sidewalk, stopping frequently to follow an interesting scent.

NotEnrique poked his head slightly out of the hood, concealing himself as he took in the sights. "Cor, what I wouldn't give to run loose in this burg. Getting anything, big guy?"

"Little bit. Still searching." Aaarrrgghh would not have minded going alone, but NotEnrique was the one to find the glamor mask. And he felt rather bad for the small changeling; he was too tiny to freely wander the forest without fearing predators or stalklings. It was a reasonable thing, wanting to get out of the market.

NotEnrique's eyes glistened under the lights and he pulled himself more snugly into the huge hoodie. "So. Just between you and me, I heard something on the internet that might have to do with these blokes. But if we go there, I kinda want to pick up some stuff. I got cash." He waved a tiny hand with crumpled bills in front of Aaarrrgghh, who took it bemusedly. "See, there's a candy shop that got robbed earlier. And it sounds like all the rock candy was cleared out. Either fifty five-year-olds somehow teleported in, or the boggarts stopped for a snack."

Aaarrrgghh nodded. "Make sense. They like rock candy. But makes them faster, meaner."

"Yeah, but at least you can get a good whiff of 'em. Oh, and I need to go to this shop on Friday. If you don't mind." NotEnrique passed him a scribbled store name and then rode in silence for a while, Aaarrrgghh glancing at him. "I kinda…wanted to pick up something for sis. There, I said it."

Aaaarrrgghh smiled gently. "That very nice NotEnrique."

"Ah, don't start. She's just been stressed lately, and I wanna do something nice for her. She's been putting up with a lot of grumpy trolls lately." NotEnrique grunted. "It's my fault the boggarts got out anyway."

"It okay. We find them." Aaarrrgghh followed NotEnrique's directions to a small, bright candy store. The rock candy bins were noticeably empty, but there was no shortage of other bright, sugary treats. Aaarrrgghh surreptitiously crept around the crowd and inhaled deeply by the bins.

The boggarts had been here. He stood outside for several minutes, drinking in the scent and identifying it. He headed down the street with the changeling holding onto the box, following the smell with new purpose.

Two days flew by. Jim stayed at his mother's house for the most part to focus on his studying, and in the evenings he met Claire at the college to rehearse. Aaarrrgghh texted intermittently – he was on the trail, but the boggarts kept moving. He paused during daylight and hid out in old buildings or the sewer. Jim fretted after him, but Blinky assured him that Aaarrrgghh was enjoying himself. "He's gone out to look for supplies for a few days at a time before. It's more of a challenge when the target is moving."

The fit of irritation that had held New Trollmarket had vanished along with most of the stonescale. Bagdwella's wares, previously coated in brownie spit, were all changed a little for the better. Cracks were mended, surfaces were shinier. Crystals everywhere were growing faster than before, increasing the food supply for all. And the brownies were chipper again, and they had slowed their spitting. "It's very tiring to use so much magic. They wanted to make a good first impression. They've agreed to limit the spit to a few days before the full moon," Mordred told them. He'd returned to Arcadia after a day, skittish being kept underground.

Friday came and the play drew nearer. Jim was torn between relief and petrification. And Claire did a lot of praying.

"You'll do fine." Claire's nervous tapping belied her calm tone. Jim was still reading over his lines, mouthing them.

"We both know the parts. Just…agh, it's Beauty and the Beast. It's a big play. People know this play. There are expectations!" He breathed out slowly. "Okay. Let's check on Blink and then we can go. Things should be fine, I just want to be sure." He got out of his chair, Claire rising with him, jumpy.

They left his alcove and stopped by Blinky's, Claire fighting the urge to chew her fingernails. Not seeing the troll, they checked the infirmary. Blinky was within, expression dour. He was staring at his phone. "Yes…they're here. I…oh, this is not good."

"What is it Blinky? We were about to head out, is something wrong?" In answer Blinky showed them his screen. Aaarrrgghh was on the screen, though it was weird for Jim to see his own face looking back. "Aaarrrgghh?"

The troll shifted his phone. "Boggarts have led us all over town. But they stop here."

"We're sure of it." NotEnrique poked his head out from under the large hoodie. "Even I can smell goblins nearby."

Claire's heart surged into her mouth. "Oh my gosh! Where are you guys?"

The two uneasily moved the phone so they could see the building in the background. Claire let out a dismayed cry. Because right the two was the very familiar college theatre, with banners proclaiming, "Tonight only, Beauty and the Beast! Free entry! Come support the arts!"

"That's unbelievable. They ended up there? Of all the places, the boggarts went to the one place we know goblins have been prowling!?" Jim pulled at his hair. "The others will be showing up any minute to get set up, the play's in a few hours!" The sun would set soon – Aaarrrgghh was hidden in the shadows of the building, as the glamor provided no protection from the sun – and Claire imagined hundreds of tiny, angry creatures loose on campus. It wasn't a pretty picture. "We have to get them all out."

"Aaarrrgghh will go inside, keep them from leaving if can. Hurry." The call ended and Blinky put it away.

"We have to get them all out but keep them from running. And keep the goblins from hurting the boggarts. Great. This is fantastic!" Claire sat on the nearest cot, fighting the sensation of tears at the corners of her eyes.

"Okay, what's up?" Barbara poked her head into the infirmary. Kwagga was hanging on to her shoulder, looking groomed and neat, and Claire realized the goblin had started willingly bathing. "He needs help reaching his back," Barbara said as means of explanation. "I hear despair and possible tears." Claire felt Jim's arm around her shoulders. Jim relayed the situation and Barbara listened intently.

"I have an idea about how to get the boggarts to come back," he finished. "But the goblins are another problem."

She offered Claire a tissue and fixed them with a steely look. "Call your friend Kim, let her know about the goblins and boggarts. Is it possible to get the goblins to break Fama's control?"

A clatter from the corner surprised them all. Tagga was chattering loudly, shaking the cat carrier. Jim approached the carrier and bent to look within it. "I'm sorry, I don't understand you. Is Strickler around?"

"He hasn't headed out from the high school yet, had some tests to grade. But let me see…" Barbara trailed off. She placed a call, putting it on speaker. "Walter, honey? We need some help."

"What is it darling?" Claire couldn't help but smile a little at the term of endearment. Jim's mouth quirked to the side, but there was a sort of fondness in it. "Is anyone hurt?"

"No, but we need to understand what Tagga is saying. The boggarts and goblins are both at the theatre, and the show goes on in a few hours." Barbara held the phone to Tagga, who peered at it before repeating his words.

"He's saying he can help you win the goblins over to your side. Many of them are his hive and if they can listen to him, they will." Strickler paused to allow the goblin to continue. "But it will be difficult. He has been parted from them for too long and Fama has full control. He will no longer be recognized as a hive leader."

"Can we trust him?" Blinky frowned deeply. "I would like to believe him, but we did capture him during an attack on the brownies."

"What have we got to lose?" Jim asked. "Nothing could be worse than Fama, he tried to gouge my eye out. Can we help you get control back?" He unlocked the cat carrier and Tagga crawled out, gibbering.

"He says that having even one hive member following him would increase his sway. It would give him the authority of a hive leader. But that would require a goblin to subject themselves to his leadership."

"Waka-chak-chaka!" Kwagga hopped down, looking sharply at Tagga and chattering at him. The older goblin seemed stunned and then grateful. Claire watched in bemusement as the two touched their foreheads together and Kwagga blinked, shaking himself and looking thoughtful.

"…I believe Kwagga just submitted himself to Tagga's control." Strickler sounded a little surprised. Jim turned to Kwagga, who stood resolutely beside the older goblin.

"Kwagga…thank you. But why? You're really okay with that?" The younger goblin nodded and spoke into the phone, waiting for a translation upon finishing.

"He says that Tagga obviously cares for his kin. He's fretting after them, and that Kwagga has been very fortunate to live in Trollmarket for so much of his life. He believes that the other goblins would live in peace if only they had leaders that would let them. He also believes Tagga is one of them, and he's willing to help him if it means more of his kin will have a chance at their own lives."

Claire stroked Kwagga's head. "That's very brave of you. We'll do our best to bring them all back safe." He growled in a pleased way, letting her scratch behind his ears. "I'll call Kim. Let's get going – we've got brownies, goblins, and a show to save!"

"So there are about a hundred magical creatures inside that are angry, ten that want to eat those creatures because they've been brainwashed or are just horrible, and a troll that looks like a human with another tiny troll on his back. And you're going to try to get them all out without anyone noticing or getting hurt, and get back in time to do the show." Kim looked at Claire and Jim, face waxy. "How long do you need?"

"As long as you can give us." Jim ignored the sensation of Tagga and Kwagga shifting under his jacket. The girl was overwhelmed enough; seeing two goblins for herself might push her too far. "We won't let the play be ruined. Just stall long enough for us to settle the situation, please."

Kim checked her phone. "The others will be here in fifteen minutes." She stared at the door. "I'll do what I can. But please…keep the play intact. I couldn't bear it if-"

Claire nodded, expression set. "We won't let it be ruined," she said, echoing Jim. "We need to get in there, now."

Kim unlocked the door, hands shaking. "Let me know if I can help more. Good luck." Jim didn't know what to make of her; she had questioned them so little. But he heard her breathing – it was one he'd heard before, when his mother had realized James Lake was never coming back. A panicked breath, trying to keep calm. Maybe she wasn't asking anything more because she couldn't handle it.

He put a hand on her shoulder, and when she jerked her head to look at him, Jim said, "It's okay. We've got this."

And with that he and Claire were inside the building, the door clicking shut behind them. Jim considered troll form and decided against it. It wouldn't do to startle either group. Claire took his hand and they crossed the lobby, decorated for the play in gold and paper roses, and headed back into the theatre itself.

At first they didn't see anything, though the skitter of little paws and the hisses of angry goblins echoed. It was Claire who looked up first and pointed. High above their heads, in the rafters and lights, the tiny creatures loomed like an army of angry squirrels, facing down a tiny group of goblins.

And, much to Jim's surprise, the goblins were no longer a threat. They had stunned looks on their faces, and were tied back to back in a mass of string. Bruises and bite marks covered them, and more than one had a black eye. NotEnrique stood in front of them, glaring at the brownies. "Look you lot, I know you hate these fellas. But we ain't doing anything else until the Trollhunter and my sis get here!"

"NotEnrique!" she called. He jumped, peering down at her.

"Sis! Perfect timing. Aaarrrgghh can't come up here, he'll bust the metal!" Jim started, finally noticing Aaarrrgghh crouching in his real form in the aisles, shifting uneasily as if to try to catch anyone that fell. "And these boggarts are pretty cheesed off. Let's just say the goblins didn't have a prayer."

One snarled and threw a wad of paper at him. NotEnrique glared back at it. "Get your skinny behinds up here! Unless you want goblin mash to stain the seats!"

Fama shrieked in fury, kicking and glowing with purple fire. The threads sizzled, but the other goblins cried out in pain where the heat burned them.

Tagga climbed out the neck of Jim's jacket, Kwagga following him. He roared at Fama, who was so surprised he stopped the flames, staring down. The boggarts followed his gaze, ears pricked. Kwagga growled beside the older goblin.

Fama spat. "You no hive leader now. Fama is fragwa of hive! Stupid goblin!"

Tagga's face darkened in fury. He sputtered and puffed before managing, "…No…hurt…my…goblins!"

Jim took Claire's hand and they sidled to the wall, transfixed. "Since when can he talk?" Jim asked.

"He's been in the infirmary a few days now…and blood goblins can talk, so who knows?" Claire eyed the rafters and metal beams. "Think you can get up there?"

"As a troll, yes. But I need to be in human form or I'll bust them too." Jim scanned the wall. "I have an idea. Help Tagga and Kwagga distract them."

Jim shifted to troll form and took to the stairs, moving as quietly as possible. When he came out onto the mezzanine he could see the situation much more clearly. The boggarts were more interested by the situation than angry at the goblins, but if that didn't last, they could jump and push the group of goblins down at any moment.

"Not your goblins! Mine! You old and weak!" Fama wriggled again and a few threads popped. "You have weak goblin following you, traitor from market!"

"Kwagga no traitor! Market not bad!" Tagga turned to Aaarrrgghh, who lifted him and Kwagga and pitched them upward so they could reach the rafters. They clambered onto the beams, and Tagga's goblins chittered in fear to see him wobble. "Messy place but nice! Didn't treat Tagga bad! People friends there! And it wrong to eat brownies – they help market, are not food!"

Jim gathered himself and sprang from the mezzanine up to the rafters, shifting to human form as his hands latched onto one of the beams. His stomach dropped when the rafters creaked, but he hauled himself up with difficulty so he could crouch on it. He didn't dare to put on the armor – there were already enough creatures up here, and any extra weight could be too much. The boggarts turned and hissed, but Jim pulled his phone out. "Before you freak out, take a look at this. The trolls have been working on an apology gift. Your friend is okay, I promise."

He selected a picture and held it up so they could see it. Several black, furry creatures picked their way toward him, squinting at it. "They've been working on homes for you. They realize now you were trying to help. We want you to stay in New Trollmarket, and not just because you can help make it better. We want everyone to be able to live together. Even if some of them do draw on the walls or are really grumpy." He lowered the phone, legs shaking. The boggarts murmured and ran back to their group, muttering. Jim's heart pounded as he waited, wondering if the sight of hundreds of holes carved into the crystal veins along a wall would be enough to soften the angry hearts.

It was a beautiful picture, one of honeycombed openings for the brownies to live in close proximity to each other. Mordred's model had provided reference, and the craftsmen among the trolls had carved tunnels expertly into the mineral. Was it enough? Jim knew how hard the trolls were working – would the boggarts understand that?

One brownie lightened to a soft tan, and then another. Like tongues of flame the group lightened, and Jim grinned at the sight. They wouldn't revert unless they were willing to try again, would they?

But Fama broke free of the threads at last, the other goblins barely catching themselves as the bundle came apart. "Goblins! Kill brownies! Eat them, become strong!" Purple flames erupted along his body and the other goblins held their heads, keening.

The brownies shrieked and began jumping down into the seats, but the few that hadn't yet reverted moved as one and spat at Fama. Where their saliva hit the flames guttered, sizzling, and their tails lashed. Bright flashes and the sound of firecrackers emanated from where their tails whipped. The other goblins writhed in pain as Fama's control buckled down, and they attacked the boggarts with high leaps, springing after the furious creatures. Jim glanced down at Claire and Aaarrrgghh – they were catching batches of brownies, keeping them from falling to their deaths.

"You don't have to listen to Fama! Tagga is a hive leader too! You can live in Trollmarket if you just live in peace, just like anyone else!" The goblins whimpered, looking at Jim and then at Tagga hopefully. "Tagga, help them!"

Tagga's face screwed up in concentration, and Kwagga hollered, pumping his fists as if to cheer him on. The other goblins, green and blood alike, shook their heads and tried to skulk toward him. Fama's eyes were thunderous, and they all froze in pain again. Tagga tried again, and Jim struggled toward the goblins foot over foot. "Fama, stop it! There's no reason for this! Surrender and no one will hurt you!"

Fama snarled. "Goblins free from Gunmar! Not going to trade one master for another! No one will tell goblins what to do now!"

"Oh shut up!" NotEnrique had been quiet and still, all but ignored in the battle for control, but now he flung himself into the goblin, kicking him hard in the head. Fama plummeted to the ground, wailing when he hit the floor. "Ain't nobody a 'master' in New Trollmarket. We got leaders, but we have choices and opinions too! It ain't a thing like Gunmar!" Not Enrique jumped down and Claire caught him. "These people care! They won't ship you out to die if you mess up, or make you steal babies! So don't go complaining about the old days! Gunmar and his scum are gone! And you're not going to start up any trouble now that they are!"

Jim jumped down as well, shifting to troll form in time to roll and absorb the impact. He turned back, Daylight gleaming. "Fama, you won't win this battle. Just stop."

The goblin sat up, glaring at them and panting with pain. The remaining boggarts glowered down at him, and with a great leap they descended on him, tiny claws outstretched.

Jim grabbed the goblin and bent over him, the claws skittering as the boggarts bounced off and leaped away like startled cats. "No. That's enough. He can't hurt you now." He lifted his head and set Fama on the floor. The goblin gaped at him. "I mean it. There's no reason to fight. I'm not going to let you hurt the brownies for your own power. You're just like Gunmar if you go that way. But I'm not going to let them destroy you without giving you a chance to think it over."

Tagga howled with joy as he finally reached his goblins, each of them embracing him and crooning happily. Fama watched as his own blood kin gave him nervous looks and edged toward the group. Tagga turned his attention to them and their expressions relaxed. "You're not the hive leader now. But you don't need to be." Jim knelt, knees still trembling after being up so high. "Come to New Trollmarket. It's safer there, and you won't have be afraid of someone taking over goblin groups and forcing them to do dangerous, terrible things. We just want to live in peace. All of us." He directed this as the final boggarts, still staring at him. Their ears lowered slightly and the dark coloring eased back to brown. "Give it a chance. Trust me, there's a lot better things to do there than eat brownies and control people."

Fama lowered his head. "Hive leader shamed. Must die."

"Oh, sod it with that crap!" NotEnrique stomped over, irate. "You want to lay off the old garbage, or do I have to hit you again? Gumm-Gumms aren't in control anymore! We have a choice about how to live now! The Trollhunter's being real generous, so why don't you take him up on the offer?" He paused. "But gnaw a brownie's tail even once and you're out!" Jim nodded.

Tagga approached, the other goblins in tow. Fama cowered, eyes resentful. But Tagga shook his head. "You hurt my goblins. You hurt your own. But won't make it right if you die." The old goblin snorted. "You never have any hive leader that treated you good. Might like it."

"Tagga's right. What do you have to lose by seeing if New Trollmarket can be a home for you?" Claire crouched beside Jim and NotEnrique. "It's a new world Fama. Why don't you see if you like it before you dismiss it out of hand?"

Fama didn't look up at them, but he nodded at their shoes. "Fama surrender. Will…come with you."

"And you won't try anything with the brownies?" Jim added firmly.

"Fama will leave brownies alone." As if to prove it, he inclined his head to Tagga. "Know when beaten.

Jim sighed with relief. "Good. Now we need to get you guys out of here, they'll be here any minute." The brownies gathered around and the goblins approached slowly, gingerly. "How are we going to move all of them without anyone-?"

He heard the door open and Jim's heart stopped. Were they too late? Had Kim been unable to stall them? A familiar step stopped in the theatre entrance. "Well. Looks like I missed the party."

Merlin didn't look at all like himself. He was wearing khaki pants and a long black trench coat, and on his face was a set of sunglasses. A cap atop his head read, "I Went to Europe and All I Got Was This Stupid Hat." On top of this was a snowy owl, staring at all of them with bright yellow eyes. Merlin removed the sunglasses, taking in the sight. "Brownies. I wasn't sure if any of them were left!"

"What you doing here?" Aaarrrgghh asked in surprise.

"Well, I wrapped up in Russia and figured I ought to come back and check in. Blinky informed me of the situation and seemed to think I ought to come assist if possible. There are a few dozen people outside. I froze them. They were about to enter, so I though it might be helpful if they stayed outside a few minutes more." He reached up and stroked the breast feathers of the owl, who poked his finger with its beak. "This is Cato."

Jim shook his head. "I am honestly glad to see you Merlin. Think you can help Aaarrrgghh, NotEnrique, the goblins, and the brownies get back to New Trollmarket? We have a play to put on."

"A play? Interesting." The wizard looked around, shaking his head at the brownies. "Don't let those cute faces fool you, they can get mean if angered. But their magic is quite helpful, if you don't mind a little spit." Jim shook his head helplessly – of course Merlin would know. Of course he'd know. The old man's fingers glowed and he patted one pocket. "All right, everybody in."

The brownies and goblins disappeared. Merlin's pocket glowed a bright green. "They'll be contained for an hour. That should be plenty of time to get back to the market." Aaarrrgghh said nothing, merely picking up NotEnrique and sliding on the glamor mask. "Anyway, I suppose I'll see you back at the market. The spell won't last much longer, so those college students will be coming in at any moment." He strode out of the room, Aaarrrgghh in tow. NotEnrique freed himself from the gentle grip, grabbing a mass of cellophane from the troll's sweater as he dropped.

"I'm sticking around. I've only seen sis in one play, I kinda wanna see her in another." He handed her the cellophane. "I was gonna give that to you after the show. But uh…figure you need a pick-me-up after all this. Claire peeled the wrap away to review a single red rose, a little wilted and abused from a day hidden in a sweater. .

Claire knelt, scooped NotEnrique up in one arm, and pressed a big kiss to his cheek. He squawked in dismay. "You're the sweetest little jerk around. You know that, bro?"

"Yeah yeah! Lemme down, I gotta find a hiding spot!" He hopped back down and took off, disappearing into a hall and leaving Jim and Claire alone in the theatre. The doors in the front of the building opened and Jim stowed the amulet in his pocket.

Kim dashed in first, eyes wide. "Everything okay?" She glanced around and Claire nodded. "No…uninvited guests?"

"Nary a one. And I don't think there ever will be again." Kim sighed deeply and Jim could have sworn her whole body slumped with relief.

"You guys missed it. There was some guy outside with an owl on his head. Get all kinds in Hoboken." An actor thumped Jim on the shoulder. "Nervous newbie?"

Jim's relief faded into nerves. They'd cleared out the brownies and goblins. Now he had to act in front of a crowded theatre. But Claire took his arm and squeezed his hand. Her hand was a little sweaty and he realized she was as nervous as he was. Jim met the gaze of the actor and said, "Not really. No reason to be nervous. I'm working with talented, seasoned actors." He nudged Claire. "Especially this one."

She blinked up at him. Then she smiled, and Jim managed to breathe evenly. "Yeah. No worries."

"I'm here. Everything…everything will be all right." There were tears in her eyes. Jim hoped his horn wasn't poking her side, because they both knew from experience that getting poked with one of those really hurt.

"I'm glad I got to see you…one last time." He reached up and touched her face. She held his hand and Jim let it drop, shutting his eyes and letting his head fall – carefully – into her lap.

"No! No, no…don't…" she whispered, tucking her head over his. "I love you." Her hair smelled really nice, floral and sweet. Jim tried not to inhale, both because it would show he was alive and because it would seem really creepy. Murmurs from the audience rose and he held his face as still as possible.

"Mommy, is he gonna be okay?"

"She said she loves him, the spell should break!"

"I hate that mean guy that stabbed him! I think the beast is cute!" He almost lost it at that one, and he felt Claire tremble. He wasn't sure if it was a laugh or a sob, but the "tower" began to turn as the music swelled. He opened one eye and Claire lifted her head a little.

"You're good," she whispered. Jim returned to human form, Daylight flashing as his armor went pale. Claire winked and lowered her head against so she was covering his face. The tower stopped rolling and Jim shifted.

"Belle?" She sat up sharply, revealing his face. Standing up, Claire backed away, as if frightened, and Jim rose slowly. "It's me!"

She stared at him for a moment before joy spread over her face. "It is you!" She hurled herself into his arms and Jim spun her around, the kids in the audience cheering. Jim took her face gently in one hand and drew her in for a kiss, the lights around them flashing to simulate magic. The other actors rushed the stage, a euphoric mass, reenacting the castle coming to life.

By the time they took their bows, Jim was almost loopy with relief. He looked up and felt weak in the knees at how many people there were – so many more people than in Romeo and Juliet – and most of them barely waist-high. But they were happy. Really, really happy.

He glanced at Claire. "I think I get why you like this." She beamed at him. Jim felt his face redden a little when he spotted James in the back row. The man waved, opening his jacket a little to reveal NotEnrique hiding under it, shooting them a toothy grin.

When they got backstage Kim attacked them with a hug. "You guys were all so, so, so great! Oh my gosh, did you see those faces!? Those kids had the best time!" She went around to everyone, hugging them in turn. "Okay everyone, one more hour. The kids want to meet the characters, so remember, stay in character! These little ones are the future of the world of the arts!"

Claire looked radiant in the golden dress. Her hair was in a high knot, and though she complained that the petticoat made her look like a walking blimp, Jim thought she made Belle look plain. Emma Watson and the animated version. A small table had been set up in the lobby for all the characters so the kids could meet them.

Jim sat beside Claire, and he watched the kids come up to her with starry eyes, delighted to meet a "real princess." One of them was a little girl, maybe four. "You're pretty," she informed Claire. She then turned to Jim. "Are you okay? That mean guy stabbed you."

"Oh, I'm fine. Magic fixed it up." She had big green eyes and a solemn face, hair blond. "Did you have fun?"

"Uh huh. I liked the show a bunch." The girl looked from him to Claire. "Are you gonna get married? I ship you two."

It was all either of them could do to keep from dissolving into fits of giggles after that.

End of Chapter 8

I foresee one more chapter for this story, with much romantic fluffy goo because I can write what I please. I hope you have enjoyed this little foray, as the next story will be much less light-hearted. But have no less familial bonding.