One A-mazing Night - The Next Chapter

Chapter Two

I walked to the walls as the sun rose in the sky. I found someone by the wall killing what appeared to be a faerie. My first reaction would have been to tell him to stop, but then I recalled the stories of how mean faeries actually were, and give no more thought to the matter. I walked up to what appeared to be a dwarf, and said,

“Excuse me sir, but could you show me how to get into the Labyrinth.”

“Uh...Why do want to go in there?” he said, as he turned around and seemed dissatisfied or irritated. “Oh, it's you.” he said. “Do I know you?” I asked in consternation.

“No, we've never met, but I know a lot both you.” he said. “Okay then, if you know so much here a trivia question for you.” I said. “What's my name. My full name, and how old am I?” I asked.

“Your full name Leslie ------------ --------, and your seventeen years old.” he said.

“Okay, I gave you an easy one. Here it goes. What are my two favorite game series?” I said.

“Uh...uh...I give up.” he said. “My two favorite game series are The Legend of Zelda, and Star Wars.” I said. He shook his head and began to kill faeries again. “Say, you know my name you mind telling me yours?” I asked.

“The name's Hoggle.” he said flatly.

“Well, Hoggle you mind showing me the way in?” I asked. “You get in over there.” Hoggle said, and turned around and pointed behind me. I turned around to see gates open to the path within the Labyrinth.

“Thanks Hoggle, see ya 'round.” I said as I waved goodbye to Hoggle.

I stepped into to the Labyrinth and puzzled over which way to go. Decided to try going forward. Sure enough the wall ahead was fake, and I found an opening. I knew if I though of this as a regular maze I was doomed for failure, and failure was not an option. I kept on going straight not only relying on my inner compass, but I was also listening to my instincts. If playing video games had taught me anything it was to trust your instincts. I walked for about five more minutes going forward to find a fork in the road. I Walked up to see if the wall was fake again, but this time it was real. So, I listened hard to my logic, and instincts and chose to hang a left.

As I walked on I routinely check each wall on either side for an opening. Nothing yet. It felt like one hour had passed since I'd started. I had no clue as to how long it had been since I had started this contest, but it was certainly more than an hour. Then, I remembered I had a wrist watch on. I looked down to see how long I had. Holy smoke! I had only Twelve hours left, and I was only half way into the Labyrinth! It felt like I knew this place, and could tell the right path from the wrong ones. Perhaps, I really could get out of here in two hours. I looked up to check my orientation again. The castle appeared to be getting bigger. Which meant I was getting closer. I began walking again.

Still feeling for openings along the both walls. I found one! I listened to my instincts and I went through the opening. I walked only a short distance until I dropped into a hole in the ground. Okay, sometimes your instincts are wrong. I knew where I was. I was in an oubliette. I sat there wondering if someone would come and find me. Sure enough someone did. I heard footsteps, and said, “Who's there?”

“It's me.” said an all to familiar voice. A match was struck, and I saw Hoggle's face.

“Hoggle what brings you here.” I asked. “I've come to get you out of here.” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

“You're a nice kid, and I'd hate to see nice girl like you stuck in a nasty oubliette.” Hoggle said patting my knee.

“Thanks, Hoggle you're a good friend.” I said smiling at him.

“Say If I give you my watch will you take me as far as you can in the Labyrinth?” I asked.

“Sure, but don't you need your watch to see how much time has passed?” he said.

“I've got my cell phone.” I said, and pulled it out. “Wow! Excellent reception!” I exclaimed.

“Okay, I'm makin' no promises, but I'll take you as far as I can.” Hoggle said.

“Did you mean it?” he asked me.

“Mean what?” I asked confused.

“You said I was good friend. Did you mean it?” he asked. “Yes, I certainly meant it. You've been so kind to me, and the least I could do to repay you is give you my watch as a trade for your kind help.” I said.

“I've never had a friend before.” Hoggle said.

He walked over the wall picked up a door and opened it. It opened to reveal sun light.

“Well, come on.” he said. I stood and walked out he shut the door we were in a vast forest. “Whoa! What happened to the Labyrinth?” I asked a little baffled. “You're still in the Labyrinth. But it just looks like you're not.” Hoggle explained. “Oh, I get it.” I said.

We walked on to find a clearing in the forest. In the center stood a sword in a stone it was covered by vines, but I could make out something on the hilt. A rose emblazoned in red on the pommel. “My symbol!” I said with a gasp.

“What's yer symbol?” Hoggle asked. “Oh, the sword, several people have tried to get that sword, and no one has succeed.”

“Well, I will.” I said and walked over to the sword. I took hold of the sword, and pulled lightly. Sure enough it came out. I raised it up toward the sun.

Light surrounded me, and next thing I knew my hand had the a rose, and swirls surrounding it emblazoned on my skin. Like a birth mark. I looked down at my clothes, and my black shirt was red, and was a tunic top with rose vines running down the sleeves. I was not wearing skinny jeans, but black leggings, and red boots. on my chest was the sideway squiggle that was on the tip of my sword blade. I wore red leather fingerless gloves with black protective leather arm pads with that same squiggle. Everything on red was embroidered in black, and anything embroidered on black was sliver. The only other color besides red, black and silver that was present was a hint of green. My belt was green and looked like a rose vine. On the belt hung the scabbard that would hold my sword. It was black with a rose and vines on it, but it was actual metal. The sword itself was the size of a two handed broadsword, and had the squiggle I mentioned on the tip on most of the blade were vines embossed and gave the illusion that it wrapped around the blade. It felt light and It was most likely made with a light durable metal.

“Wow!” Hoggle stammered. “Ya know there's a big legend 'bout that there sword ya got.” Hoggle said.

“Really? Do tell.” I said. “Talk while you walk, were I've got a schedule to keep.” I added.

We began to walk along the path ahead. Hoggle continued to tell me the legend behind the sword I now carried. According to him the original owner of the sword was the first and only Goblin Queen. She supposedly was a warrioress that the first Goblin King fell in love with and made her his queen. She fought in the wars that expanded the Goblin Kingdom's boarders. She was from a tribe of warriors call the Rose Clan.

As the legend goes at the end of the thousand year's war when peace was established the Goblin Queen placed her sword in a scared stone in the center of the forest, and it was blessed by the Gods of her people. She promised to never take up that sword again unless the Goblin Kingdom or her people were in danger. One night an angel came to her in a dream. She told the queen that her promise would be kept, and the only person who could take up that sword would be the next chosen hero of the Goblin Kingdom. For she was the first chosen heroine of the Goblin Kingdom. The Rose Clan was from a collection of other tribes that made up the a small community of humans called the Flower Tribes, because each clan was a different flower, in the Goblin Kingdom .

“So, yer the next chosen hero of the Goblin Kingdom. The only question is why?” Hoggle said. “What do you me why?” I asked. “To have taken that sword ya must be a from that tribe or from the Labyrinth and to be from here to have to either have a goblin or one of the flower tribe's people for one of yer parents.” Hoggle explained.

“I was adopted, but I have no clue. I've always had these little quarks, that make me different.” I said.

“Well, you'll figure it out sooner or later.” Hoggle said. Then, I fell silent. Thinking about what Hoggle had told me. So, I was the Goblin Kingdom's new chosen hero. Technically I was a heroine, but who cares.

What will happen next? Will I be able to make it through the Labyrinth? What is this role I am destined to play as Hero of the Goblin people? Is going to lead me to my destruction or grant me something that will strengthen me? Find out more on my journey through the Labyrinth in the next chapter of One A-mazing Night.