by Emma Hamm
“Ruric, will you translate for me?”
He nodded behind her and moved in front of her so that the goblins would hear him easily.
“The people that traveled with us are not the humans that harmed Ruric. They left their homes in the hopes that we would provide them sanctuary from the evil that lived in the City.” Her voice became stronger with every word that she said. “They do not ask to live in the caves with us, but for a partnership to be created. They will watch over the opening to the Underground and in return they ask that we provide them with water and food.”
She could see from the expressions of the goblin council that this was already not going as planned. There was very little else she could say to them. Jane did not have a gift with words when it came to convincing others. She preferred a more direct route of honesty and point blank tones.
Ruric finished translating for her and stepped backwards. He listened very carefully as the Council began to speak amongst themselves. He was careful not to look at Jane as they spoke, but eventually his eyes strayed towards her. A short shake of his head was the answer to her unspoken question.
When they did finally speak, it was exactly as Jane had expected. Ruric’s expression tightened in anger as he repeated their words. “Based on the behavior of the humans in the City, the Council has chosen to not honor any promised alliance. The humans must leave this land or become slaves in the mines.”
Jane tried to control her anger as she knew that the only way for any progress to be made was so remain calm. But those words sparked a fire in her that could not be stopped by any means.
“I will not accept that.”
Her voice was a harsh whip crack that echoed in the cavern.
“Ruric, translate.” She glared at him. “I will not accept that.”
She could tell he was trying to warn her to stop. But she kept glaring at him until he finally sighed and stepped forward towards the Council once more.
Jane squared her shoulders and stepped forward with him as she refused to allow this choice.
“These are good people with no wish to harm anyone. They came here knowing that you may enslave them. They came here trusting that you would make the right decision and not make some foolish choice based off of the limited amount of humans that you have met.
“You sit on your thrones and make decisions that have nothing to do with you. They left their homes. They did not have to leave them. But they made this choice because they believed that you would take care of them! And you now want to throw them to their deaths?”
Ruric sighed and translated as the Council began to respond.
“We make this choice for the safety of our people.” Said one elderly goblin.
“The choice is not made lightly.” Said another.
“You know that there are many reasons we do not trust humans.” Yet another goblin threw back in her face.
Jane’s cheeks were starting to heat with anger. “These are not answers. You are running from helping other people and passing judgement without even attempting to meet them. These are healers, builders, farmers, intelligent minds that could only help you. Why would you send them away?”
“Our decision is final.” Jane glared at the familiar male face on the Council.
In this moment, she hated every single one of them. They were staring down at her with disapproving expressions. She didn’t want to ask if they would allow her to stay because she already had an idea of what their opinion would be.
She looked at the Queen who had remained surprisingly silent throughout the entire argument. She had her chin in her palm as she locked gazes with Jane.
“And you? You’re going to allow this?”
The Queen did not answer nor did her eyes waver from Jane’s fierce expression. This reaction only managed to enflame Jane’s anger.
“This is ridiculous! You’re sending away people that have offered to help you! You’re going to make the wrong choice and I will not stand by it.”
Ruric sidled towards her, “Jane don’t say anything you’ll regret.”
“I won’t.” She said firmly. “If this is a community that would send away others in need, I will not stay here.”
Her eyes flashed as they raised to look at the Queen who continued to stare down at her as if bored.
Once more, Jane firmly added, “I will not.”
Ruric clearly wanted to throttle her. Even his green skin had darkened in a deep angry blush. But Jane would not waver as her chin raised even higher. Child or not, she would not have these people teach her own child the wrong things. She would not allow anyone to be prejudiced around her baby.
“Jane,” Ruric murmured. “We haven’t said everything we could.”
“I won’t use that to our advantage.” She replied in hushed tones. “This says more about your people than I thought it would.”
Even Ruric appeared to agree. His shoulders slumped downwards and slowly he nodded. He too was surprised at how callous his people were being.
“Fine.” Jane’s voice rung loudly in the cavern. “Then we leave.”
She hesitated a moment to enjoy the expressions upon the goblin’s faces. A few were surprised, some were apathetic, and the rest held a joy that made her hate them all the more. They were foolish creatures who were not willing to change.
Just as Jane was about to reach out and pull Ruric from the room, there was a loud crashing noise outside the cavern. They could hear rocks as they skittered across the floor and then a very familiar shout.
“Let go! I have to go in there!”
The blood drained out of Jane’s face as she turned to see her wild little sister burst into the cavern and skid to a stop in the center of the room.
Willow’s blonde hair was puffed out around her like a halo and her fists were planted firmly on her hips. She glared at the goblins on their crystal thrones as though they had no right to be looking down upon her.
“You’re making a big mistake.”
Everyone in the cave was shocked that such a small human was standing in front of them. For the moment, they were all entirely speechless.
Willow tsked and repeated herself much louder. “I said, you’re making a big mistake!”
Only then did Ruric step forward, a half smile on his lips as he translated.
He was nearly silenced by the glare on Willow’s face that looked very similar to his wife’s. “What?” He asked her once he had translated her words.
“I don’t need you to talk for me.”
He had to hide another smile under a cough. “They don’t understand your language.”
Willow’s eyes narrowed as she turned to glare at the goblins. Her fists dug firmly into her hips. “Oh I think they understand me just fine.”
A few of the goblins betrayed their knowledge as their eyes widened and sought the gazes of other Council members across the room.
Willow sniffed loudly, but she gestured at Ruric. “Fine, you can translate if you want to. But they don’t need it.”
Jane was shocked that the small terror in front of her was her sister. Willow had always been confident, but Jane had never thought she would stand in front of a Council of elders and be able to hold her own.
She could see with her own eyes that the goblins were listening to the small child. More so than they had listened to Jane herself.
Willow began to speak and her voice was clear and loud. “I know you’re nervous about what might happen, but that’s life. You can’t control the future and you ain’t gonna convince anyone that you’re a good species to have on their side if you just throw visitors out on their asses.”
Jane covered her mouth when Willow glanced over her shoulder to her sister. She knew that Jane didn’t like her to swear like that, and was already waiting for the reprimand.
When Jane didn’t speak, Willow continued.
“Look. I know you’re scared, we’re all scared up there too. You have claws and teeth and can see in the dark! We’re nothing compare
d to that, but they still came here hoping that you weren’t monsters under the bed. If you don’t help them then you’re only proving them right. You actually are monsters.”
She looked at Ruric and nodded firmly. “I’m done. They can make their own bad decisions now.”
One of the Council members shook his head and said in the human language, “My vote remains the same.”
The rest of the Council echoed his words, but Jane was still shocked that the goblins understood and spoke her language. It made sense that they would have used Micah in case a war had happened. Yet forcing Ruric to translate while they fully understood what the humans were saying seemed underhanded.
“We will help.” The Queen’s voice rang out in the cavern.
Jane’s heart jumped in her throat but it was Willow who responded to the Queen.
“What?”
“I said we will help you, child. You would do well to listen.”
“I was listening.” Willow grumbled. “I just didn’t think I heard you right.”
The severe look that was sent in her direction managed to silence even Willow. Jane was impressed.
“I will help under one condition. This must be asked of you, Jane.”
Jane’s eyes narrowed, but she slowly nodded.
The Queen continued. “It has been a long time since I have seen another female that showcased the qualities that I require in the next Queen.”
Instantly the Council erupted. At the movement of a clawless hand, they fell silent as they realized the Queen was entirely serious.
She continued. “As I was saying, it has been a long time I have seen another female. Let alone one that exhibits the quality of a Queen. I am growing old and would be relieved to find someone who has been trained to take my place. “
Jane felt as though the world was tilting. The Queen was asking her to take her place? Though Jane was flattered, she couldn’t help but feel as though it was a poor decision. She had already caused enough trouble that made the goblins not want to trust her.
Certainly she had made those decisions based off of what she felt in her heart, but Jane knew now that there were better ways for this to be handled. She swallowed hard and continued to hold the gaze of the other woman on the throne.
“It is because of this,” The Queen said. “That I must ask you to make a sacrifice.”
Jane didn’t want a sacrifice. She wanted a small quaint life with many children and peace.
She nodded though, trying to hold the gaze that made her feel incredibly small.
Jane was shocked when the Queen’s hand raised to point towards Willow.
“I ask that you give your sister to me to train. She will be raised as only a true Queen should be and must learn a considerable amount before she will be considered by the Council.”
Jane couldn’t make her mouth work. Her jaw opened and closed as she alternated staring at the Queen and then her sister. Willow looked as shocked as she was and for the first time in her life remained silent.
“What?” Jane asked.
The Queen rolled her eyes. “I see this is a family trait.”
Stammering aside, Jane finally managed to find her voice. “I’m sorry, I just… I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“I know what you were expecting.” The twinkle in the Queen’s eye made Jane blush. “Your sister is a remarkable little creature.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.” Jane murmured. “But it’s not my choice if Willow stays here with you or not.”
She looked towards her sister and wistfully realized that the little girl was no longer little. When had her sister grown up so much?
Willow met her gaze and shrugged. “What do you want me to do Jane?”
“I can’t tell you that.” Jane replied. “This is your choice. You’d have to stay down here with the goblins.”
“Where are you going to be?”
“I don’t know.”
Willow bit the inside of her lip and turned to look at the goblin woman. “Can I ask a few questions?”
“I would be surprised if you didn’t.” The Queen replied.
“Can I visit my family?”
“Any time you wish.”
“Do I have to sit at a desk? I didn’t do so well at a desk in school.”
Jane covered a smile when the Queen looked at her for clarification. “It’s a small table.”
“Ah.” The Queen said as her brows furrowed. “Well no, you don’t have to if you do not wish.”
Willow’s finger twirled the curls in her hair. The movement was sure to cause more snarls. “Well… What happens if I agree?”
“Then we’ll allow your people to remain where they are. We will provide food and request that they serve in our mines as much as they can. We will assist in building a small town during the night as they rest.”
Willow looked to Jane for confirmation that this was a good deal. At her sister’s nod, Willow looked back at the Queen and nodded firmly.
“Alright, I can’t imagine learning to be a Queen would be all that bad. If it helps everyone else, then I guess I can go back to school.”
Even though the words obviously made her sick, Willow had done the right thing in that moment.
“Then I will provide all the assistance you and your people need.”
“My Queen,” One of the Council members stood. He immediately sat back down when the Queen silenced his words with a glare.
“You are a council member. You offer your advice when I request it. I have taken all of your opinions into consideration, however, I believe you are wrong. We will help the humans and benefit from it. Now be silent.”
With a whoop of laughter, Jane rushed forward to scoop her little sister into her arms.
“You did it!”
Willow began laughing as well. She didn’t even mind that her sister was lifting her up as though she was a little girl again.
And though she was worried about what being a Queen would entitle, Willow knew for the first time in her life that she had made a difference for people that she loved.
She could get used to that.
15
Two years later
“Willow!”
The shout stretched across the vast expanse of sand that was now dotted with small houses. They weren’t large structures, but they were sturdy and safe. Thatch roofs covered stones that had been carefully placed to build walls.
Her home had become beautiful, more so than Jane could ever have expected.
Neither race truly wished to trust each other in the beginning. Jane couldn’t count the number of times she had pulled apart a human and a goblin that had gone toe to toe. But it was also reassuring that they were comfortable enough with each other to get into a screaming match.
At least there was never any worry that one was going to kill the other. As far as Jane was concerned, that was improvement.
Willow had continued to be her wild self. She had taken to the Queen as a third mother, Jane being her second and the mother she never knew, her first. The Queen had much to teach the little girl who remained just as wild and untamed as ever.
Jane had worried in the beginning that her little sister would turn into someone else. Surely the teachings of being royal were going to breed a young girl that would become entitled or bratty. Yet Willow changed very little in the two years of her teachings.
She grew into more of a woman. Her legs lengthened and her body shifted as she slowly changed into a more feminine form. The entire family was shocked to see that the wild little girl was going to be a stunningly beautiful woman. Willow was entirely ignorant to that fact.
Puberty added a certain sharpness to her tone much of the time, but Jane was pleased that she had made a good impression on the goblins.
It wasn’t hard for the women to charm the goblins. There were far too many males that hoped for families and far too many females here that wanted to try something new.
News of Ruric and Jane’s pregnancy had spread
quickly. There had been many nights of celebration for the new life that had left the two of them exhausted.
“Willow, come on!” Jane shouted with a laugh. “We have to go!”
She could see the blowing golden hair of her sister at the farthest house. No matter how happy she was, Willow always looked towards the horizon for new and exciting adventures. She hadn’t had one in a long time. For now, their life had boiled down to simple peace.
Jane sat on a small porch in a rocking chair that one of the carpenters had built for her. The humans had managed quite well for themselves. Somehow they had even managed to find wood, though Jane was still a little confused on how they had managed to do so. She had a feeling it was from their old home in the City but she had learned to not ask questions.
The City remained a mystery to those who lived in the goblin town. They hadn’t heard anything from those who lived there, and none of her people could find it in themselves to care. Every now and then they would find a straggler asking for sanctuary which they would provide.
The newcomers from the City did not want to talk about what had become of their home.
“Jane, I don’t want to go yet. The sun is still up!” Willow had finally reached her sister.
“Just barely.” Jane replied as she stared at the red streaks in the sky.
Without a thought, Willow reached out for her little niece.
Ruric and Jane had welcomed a daughter into their family an estimated fourteen months after the child had been conceived. Catherine suspected that it was likely that goblin and humans simply had to carry the child inside them longer.
Jane had been ready to kill something for much of the latter part of the pregnancy. She was large enough to be carrying twins and wanted the creature out of her. Somehow, Ruric had managed to quell all of her crying spells and strange cravings with ease.
He was simply happy that they were going to have a child. It didn’t matter that the doctors didn’t have the equipment they needed to check over the baby and make certain it was healthy. He knew that their child was healthy long before she came into this world.
