FOUR

It was well into the morning when I woke up. The smell of eggs and toast brought me out of my slumber. For a moment I dared to hope that I was at home again, with Willow hovering over the hot stove and Father digging into his food like a starving man. Willow was an excellent cook.

A sharp stab of pain in my head caused me to squeeze my eyes shut when I sat up. I realized with a heavy sigh that I was, indeed, trapped in the Goblin King’s castle. Then my anger came rushing back at the memory of why I had such a headache. Too much of that sleeping root had some rather nasty side effects, and I'd been given enough to knock out a horse!

I saw that Shadow was back, hovering above me, watching me with concern as I tried to stand up. "Well, it’s all your fault," I told it crossly. "If you hadn’t drugged me, I would be fine. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!"

Shadow had the decency to look contrite, as much as a shadow could. It focused its attention on me as I pulled myself along by gripping the bookcase, to keep from falling over. I was still woozy from the effect of the drug, and I didn’t have much of an appetite. Besides, after last night I was not about to trust eating another meal in this place, even if I ended up starving to death! I did drink some herbal tea, but only after much examination, and my headache vanished miraculously.

After dressing in a plain gown of dove gray linen I decided it was time to go exploring. The castle was very big, and rather dark and gloomy. Only the candelabras that mysteriously lit and blew out again at my passage gave it any light at all. I wandered the halls freely, and there were many of them. Soon I was becoming so turned around that I had no idea of where I was going or where I had been. Strangely enough, whenever I felt I was becoming lost, I turned a corner, and there was my bedroom right in front of me! This happened several times, making me think that perhaps I was unknowingly going in circles. I started to take a different path each time, and always I ended right back at my room. It was then that I realized that the castle was doing it. The enchantment was keeping me from becoming completely lost, and while I appreciated the thoughtfulness of this, it was not helping me to learn my way about.

So, finally, after the sixth episode of this, I stopped and spoke to the empty air around me. "How do you expect me to learn my way around if you keep pointing me right back in the direction I started from?" I asked logically. The castle did not answer, of course, but it must have heard me, because the next time I realized I was starting to get lost, I ended up staying lost!

"Well, I did ask for it," I muttered crossly as I wandered back through empty halls that I’d already been through before. There were many doors in these halls, and my limitless curiosity would not let me pass them by without opening them. The rooms were all very much alike. Most of them were bedrooms, although they were in considerably worse condition than my own room was. The gardens that grew wild in the grounds grew right up into the rooms themselves, pushing through broken, glass-paned windows. Thick, twisted ivy climbed the walls, and rose vines tangled themselves around furniture and mingled with the ivy.

Though part of me felt horrified at the mess of the place, there was a part of me that secretly thought that the wildness of the castle was a bit romantic. I could easily picture coming across a nymph or an elf lounging on one of the beds, or myself swinging from a hammock of vines dangling from the ceiling.

It was then that I saw a hairy, black spider, nearly the size of my hand, scuttle across the floor of one room and vanish beneath a chair covered with thick, glistening webs. I allowed myself the indignity of leaping several feet backward and releasing a loud screech at the sight of it. After that, I decided that living in a jungle of weeds was perhaps not so romantic after all.

* * * * *

After several long hours of searching, I came across a set of huge, gilded doors that seemed made of gold, standing on their own at the end of a long, empty hallway. Curiosity had me by the hair and was dragging me forward, and I went willingly. The doors creaked slowly open, as if their own weight was too much to bear, and behind those gilded doors lay a room of such expanse that I gasped in spite of myself. It was a ballroom.

Probably this was the Great Hall where the Goblin King had told me I was to dine with him. The marble floors had been polished to a mirror shine, and a huge crystal-and-gold chandelier hung from the domed ceiling. The windows lining the outer wall had been cleaned until the glass was nearly invisible, opened to allow a delightful spring breeze to pass through and tickle my face. Spring! But it was supposed to be winter. Still, I could tell that there was no snow outside, and flowers grew in bright abundance. It was just like it had been in the enchanted garden in the forest. No winter snows could touch this place.

I could see a huge painting that covered an entire wall, hung in a golden frame. It must have taken years to complete. Or perhaps not, if it was enchanted like everything else. Unlike the rest of the room, this wall seemed cloaked in shadow, and the painting was faint from where I stood. So I moved closer until I was very nearly standing under it before I could make out the picture. What I saw made me shudder. It was a scene of the forest garden at night. The silver flowers (I had yet to learn their true names) seemed to capture the moonlight and hold it until their petals glowed with light of their own. Everything appeared to be washed in silver, and it was indescribably beautiful, except for one thing.

In the center of this painting there crouched a horrible beast. A creature with fur as golden as sunlight, a long, red-gold mane that flowed in wild tangles down his back, and burning, amber-gold eyes that looked very familiar to me somehow. The beast stood on two legs, like a man, and in his clawed hands was clutched the remains of what looked like a deer. His cat-like face, though vaguely human, curled up in a snarl of rage, revealing sword-sharp fangs not unlike the fangs of the midnight stallion, Isolese.

He was dressed in fine clothing, though they were torn and stained, and those golden eyes seemed to burn down into my own. I bit back a cry of fear, but just as I was about to turn and run from the room, something else caught my attention. Off to the right, behind the beast’s form, stood a slender figure nearly hidden in the shadow of a tree. I thought at first it was maybe an elf or nymph who stood there, to give the painting an even more mystical look, but then I realized that it was actually the Goblin King. This astonished me, and I strove for a better look. There was such an expression on his face, one that made my heart ache for him. Such sadness in his eyes! Such a lost, hopeless look as he gazed at the beast in front of him.

What does it mean? I wondered. Was this beast a pet of Briar’s? Or a companion of sorts? A rather strange companion, but then, given the options, probably much better company than the silent shadows. Perhaps it was even intelligent. No, I knew it was intelligent. Those burning eyes were very intelligent, indeed, as they stared down at me, but the beast was vicious and wild. I simply could not imagine it being tame enough to be approached by anyone, even the seemingly feral Goblin King. Surely this creature was why I had been warned to stay inside my room at night.

I fled from the Great Hall, unable to stand the feel of those painted eyes staring into me and through me. I ran into the gardens and stood panting in the sunlight, trying to calm my racing heart. The scent of the gardens hung heavy about me, smelling of pure water and roses, with the sweet, enchanting scent of the silver blossoms hovering over everything. There were more of those than of anything else, I noticed, growing with wild abandon everywhere. What was even stranger was that they not only grew on their own pale vines, but upon the vines of other species of flowers, as well, and even on trees!

Right beside me, in fact, bloomed a particularly large bud…right on a low-hanging tree branch that was laden with peach blossoms, just as though it had every right to do so. Its alien beauty made the poor little peach blooms look like withered leaves in comparison, and I frowned, feeling somewhat unnerved by this blatant disregard of Nature’s order. I had to fight the strong urge to pluck the offending bud from the branch, remembering how I had come to be in these gardens in the first place.

It’s funny, I thought wryly as I fingered a silver, velvet-soft petal, how such a small blossom, lovely as it is, could be the cause of so much trouble!

I sighed, lowering my hand from the petals lest the Goblin King somehow find out I had dared touch one of his precious blossoms. Given the fact that I was trapped in an enchanted castle, I supposed flowers that grew wherever they pleased was only normal, and certainly nothing to worry about. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to these little blooms than met the eye, and I resolved to some day discover what it was.

The sun shone warmly on me, and I lifted my face to let the bright rays fall softly across my closed eyes. It was a beautiful day--a perfect time to go walking. I had not much else to do, and I needed exercise. I began to stroll calmly along cobblestone paths, drinking in the beauty of the morning…but presently it occurred to me that something was wrong. Pausing, I frowned slightly as I tried to assess the problem.

Then I realized what the dilemma was. It was too quiet. My frown deepened as I listened with my head cocked to one side, trying to pick up on the faintest noise. The only thing I could hear was the sigh of the wind as it brushed the trees. There were no birds singing. Not a one. Moreover, the bees and other insects, which should have been swarming in such a paradise, were conspicuously absent. There were no squirrels, no chipmunks, and no rabbits. It was just as it had been in the ruined city. All life seemed to have vanished.

This unnerved me even more, and I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself to ward off a sudden, overwhelming feeling of aloneness. I began to walk again back toward the castle, quickening my pace until I was nearly running. However, as I was crossing over a low terrace, I spied the Goblin King standing below me beside a large rose bush. I abruptly froze, my breath stopping in my throat and leaving me light-headed. He was oblivious to my presence, it seemed, as he bent to inhale the fragrance of a golden rose.

His beauty struck me anew, even more now that he stood in open sunlight. He was dressed in gray; the same shade I was wearing. He wore a pair of loose-fitting breeches tucked into high white boots, and his flowing tunic hung open and low to reveal quite the most splendid chest I’d ever seen. Not that I had actually seen all that many…

I knew I was gawking, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. Handsome men were quite rare in my village, and the few that existed never would have dared display themselves so openly in public. Of course…it wasn’t like the Goblin King was in public; this was his castle, anyway, and he had every right to dress as he pleased. Quite frankly, I didn’t care! Still, I knew that at any moment he was going to look up and see me gaping at him like a ninny, so I quickly pulled myself together and turned to leave.

"Good morning, Gabriella. I trust you slept well."

The sound of his voice, low and rich, with a curious accent nearly like the purring of a great cat (if cats could talk), caused me to jump, greatly startled. I let out a squeak of surprise. Apparently he had known I was there the entire time, and had let me stand there like a dolt! Probably relishing my worshipful gaze! I felt a quick flush of anger color my cheeks and drew myself up. "Very well, thank you," I replied stiffly. Then, as I remembered why I had slept so well, I added waspishly, "But you knew that already, didn’t you? You certainly made sure I wouldn’t wake up until next year, what with that drug you put in my dinner last night! Have you no civility in you at all?"

The Goblin King, to my surprise, looked genuinely startled at my words. "Drug? What are you talking about?" he asked. "I put nothing of the sort in your meal!"

"Then I suppose it just put itself there," I huffed, crossing my arms stubbornly. A small voice warned me that this was the Goblin King I was speaking so boldly to, and if I had any sense of self-preservation at all I would stop right that instant. As usual, I ignored it.

"I tell you, Gabriella, that I ordered no drug to be put in your meal," the Goblin King was telling me quietly, though his eyes held a dangerous glint.

"Well, I didn’t dream it. They gave me enough drugs to put out Isolese for a month. I had a headache the size of this castle when I woke up this morning," I snapped. "I don’t like being drugged. It tends to make me cranky. Besides, could not a locked door keep me in my room just as well? I heard that devilish wailing last night, and I wouldn’t leave my room now even if I were allowed to!" It occurred to me, as I spoke those words, that perhaps the cause of the wailing was the reason why there was no wildlife in the castle grounds. Surely no creature, no matter how dimwitted it may be, would stay where there was so obvious a threat, no matter how beautiful the hunting grounds were.

Slowly, understanding dawned on the Goblin King’s face, and he nodded. "The shadows must have drugged you, knowing you would be afraid. It can be rather unpleasant at night. They feared you would be kept awake," he said. "I’ll speak with them about it. It will not happen again, unless you wish it, of course. As you’ve discovered, it is frightening here after sunset."

"No moreso than it is now," I replied stiffly, preparing to leave him. "Good day."

"Wait!" he suddenly declared, seemingly anxious. He gazed at me with his head tilted slightly to one side, as if sizing me up. I felt a little uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but refused to show it. For some reason this seemed to impress him. "Such bravery in the face of such ugliness," he told me with a touch of grudging respect. "Any other maid would by now have screamed and run, or perhaps swooned."

"I do not swoon," I replied indignantly, drawing myself up haughtily even as I wondered what he was trying to say. "And I have no reason to be afraid." Well, not too much of a reason. He had not harmed me so far, but one never knew.

At this, he gave a sharp laugh. "No reason?" he asked, spearing me with his glance. "None at all, even though I know you think me hideous. Don’t think I didn’t see you staring at me. You were not subtle about it."

To my chagrin, I felt my cheeks bloom with rare color. "I-I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself," I managed to stammer. "I have never…seen anyone quite like you before…"

He waved aside my explanation. "Never mind," he said his voice gruff, like a low snarl. "It matters not, and I hardly expected otherwise. It’s something I’m long used to. You’re not the first to have seen me, you know. Though you are the first to ever grace my castle since…well, since ever."

I was dying to know what he meant, but before I could question him, he added, "I like to walk in my gardens at this time of day. I am a lover of beautiful things, and their beauty soothes me, as does yours. Will you walk with me?"

I stared at him, thinking, My beauty? Surely he’s joking. I am not beautiful! I opened my mouth to tell him so, but instead I found myself replying, "Very well. I’ll walk with you." And my legs moved to stand by him of their own accord, the traitors. So, I found myself walking with the one person I hated and feared more than any other in the world, but I felt no fear now as I strolled along with him through the gardens. Strangely enough, I felt no hate, either. For how can one hate a man who is so beautiful as the Goblin King, and who, despite all of my misgivings, appeared only to have my best interests at heart? It must be the lack of companionship in this castle, I reasoned. It was so big and lonely, and shadows were not good at striking up conversations.

The Goblin King was just as tall as I’d first thought. My head, which had so easily passed above my father’s, now barely reached his shoulder. This made me feel, for the first time in my life, short! It was an odd feeling, but one I didn’t mind. His movements were so very graceful that he seemed to float beside me, his wild mane flowing behind him like spun sunlight. Neither of us said anything as we strolled past fountains, waterfalls, and walls of flowers.

I was curious about my strange companion, though I did not care to admit it. Who was he that lived such a lonely life with only his gardens and an enchanted stallion for company? He, who was said to be a king, and yet commanded nothing but shadows? I mulled this over in my mind, though I dared not ask the question aloud, much as I wanted to. I was still not comfortable enough with him to do so.

Surprisingly, it was he himself who rescued me. I felt his eyes resting upon me, and when I looked up at him, he seemed amused. "You have questions," he said matter-of-factly. Stunned, I managed to nod. Was he a mind reader, then, that he could so correctly guess my thoughts?

The Goblin King was smiling now as he regarded me. "Well? What do you wish to know?" he asked. "Ask me anything, and I’ll answer, if I can."

This was more than I’d hoped for. Perhaps I could better understand my captor if I better knew him. Perhaps then he wouldn’t be so frightening to me. But what to ask, and how to ask it without offending him? Pausing beside a sparkling fountain, I pondered my questions. There were so many of them! Which held the most important answer? Finally, after careful consideration, I timidly asked, "Who are you?"

A sly smile curled that sensuous mouth. "Did I not already make that clear to you?" he asked coyly. "I am Briar."

"No! I mean, who are you? You’re not a man, clearly. Not a mortal man, at least. Are you of the Faerie Realm? Is this where we are? There aren't any Fae here, as far as I can see, and yet enchantment is at your every beck and call. Every person I have ever known calls you…that name, and yet I see no proof that you are a king of anything. How did this castle come to be here, and why?

I was quite out of breath by the time I finished speaking. Yet the Goblin King did not answer me straight away. He seemed to be seriously thinking, and I waited until I thought I would burst with the need to know before he spoke. When he did, it was simply to ask a question of his own.

"Who do you think I am?"

I shot him a rather exasperated look. "If I knew that would I have asked you?" I cried, throwing my hands in the air. "I am not in the mood for games!"

"Indeed, and I am not playing any," he said quietly. Then he reached out and dared to touch my chin with his fingers, and a strange sort of thrill ran through me as he lifted my face until my eyes met his own. "Look at me, Gabriella, and tell me…what do you see?" His eyes were calm today, the terrifying rage having vanished as though it had never been there, and they seemed to draw me in, deeper and deeper, until I thought I would drown in them. But I didn’t, and in those glowing pools I saw overwhelming loneliness, mingled with sadness. And there was the rage that frightened me so, hidden deep within.

But there, also, lay something I did not expect to see. Love and tenderness were buried deep within that rage and sadness, just waiting to break free. It drew me in and wrapped me in warmth so that I felt protected, and safe, and loved as I had never felt before. It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. This was the kind of love I had always longed for, yet knew I would never have.

Suddenly, the image of a dark and terrifying beast seemed to spring from some dark shadow. A fierce beast with gaping jaws and burning eyes, and I stepped back with a gasp at the sight of it, for it was the same image as in the picture in the Great Hall. My connection with him broken, I came back to myself, trembling from head to toe. He was gazing at me steadily. "Who am I?" he asked again, and I realized, suddenly, that I felt a strange sort of pity for him.

"You are a tortured man," I replied evenly. "You’re filled with loneliness, but I know you are capable of great kindness and love, though it lies nearly buried beneath hatred. I know it’s there, but you cannot truly love until the hate has been lifted from your soul, and for now you are cursed by such ill-fortune."

The Goblin King gazed at me silently for several long moments, his expression unreadable, and then gave a single nod of his head. "And that…" he said firmly, finally, "…is all you need know of me." He then turned and started walking back to the castle, and I had no choice but to follow him, filled with more questions now than what I had started out with.