Within the Pages

Chapter 13

As Goldilocks and I walk out of the keep we ask the guards where the Old Fox Inn is. Recognizing who we are, the guards are quick to tell us how to get there but offer a warning that there might be dangerous men out there and that we should bring a couple of guards with us. That suggestion we quickly turn down as we don't think we need help but it takes some talking to get the guards not to send for men. We thank them for their help and head along the path until we get to the Old Fox Inn. Taking a deep breath, I head inside with Goldilocks behind me. Immediately I regret telling the guards we don't need them to accompany us as I see that all the men in here the two things people should be afraid of. Drunks and men built like trucks. We head to the counter where the innkeeper is talking to one of the men and we try to get his attention.

"Excuse me sir" I call out to him but he is still talking to the guy. I try flapping my arms around to get his attention but there is still no result. Then I take out one of the gold coins and put it on the table. Almost right away the innkeeper turns to us and asks what he can do for us.

" We are looking for the man who resides in room six and this gold coin is yours if you can tell us where he is." The man that was talking to the innkeeper turns to us then and grabs the gold coin.

"You kids should know better then to walk in here alone with a gold coin. But I'll be nice and tell you what you want to know anyways. The man in room number six almost never comes out of there and talks to no one except to order his food which he brings back to his room. He's lucky he has a bunch of gold coins like you that allows him to stay here because if he didn't he'd be kicked out in a heartbeat. The door's over there" He says pointing to a door labeled 'six' in the far corner of the room.

"Thank you sir" I say and Goldilocks and I walk to the door and knock on it. After a moment a deep voice calls out.

"Who dares disturb me?"

"I'm looking for a man named Robin." I announce.

"This is Robin" "He calls back.

"And I am Charlie, your son." I say. Immediately after the door opens to reveal a man with a long beard almost as long as Merlin's, shoulders bigger than most of the guys outside, dark hair, and bright blue eyes and I recognize that face from when I was younger. This man is indeed my father. We come together is a big hug that takes the breath out of me. Goldilocks turn away with a sad look on her face and I know she must be sad because she has left her dad back in Little Red Riding Hood's world. 

"Dad this is Goldilocks" I tell him trying to get her more involved in the moment. My dad takes a look at her and recognition enters his face but he quickly draws the look in.

"Nice to meet you Goldilocks." He turns back to me,"Wow you've gotten so big. May I speak with you privately for a moment Charlie, maybe Goldilocks could get us something to drink"

"Yeah sure I'll go get some drinks" Goldilocks replies taking three gold coins from my dad and heading back to the innkeeper. My dad takes me inside his room a bit.

"Charlie your mother is in danger and we must go save her. Does Goldilocks know she's part of a book? How did you even get here anyway"

"I've told her I'm from a different world but she doesn't know she's in a book. How am I supposed to tell her that? And I don't know how she got here, she just came through the portal with me. Now it's my turn to ask questions. Why have you been gone so long? Why does Morgana have mom and why haven't you gone after her? Also why are you so strong now?" I say answering his questions and throwing some of my own at him.

"I have no idea why Morgana has your mom, maybe she knows we are from a different world. As to why I have not went after her it's because I was too weak. I began training and now that I am strong I was going to head after her. Then you showed up and while I said we must go after her, I think it's too dangerous for you to come with me so I'm going to ask that you stay here."

I am about to reply to him when Goldilocks come back with beer for my dad and milk for the two of us. After she hands the drinks out to everyone I try to object to my dad.

"I need to go help mom. I haven't seen here for about 10 years. It would be stupid of me to object to the chance to see my mom. I am coming with you dad. I'm not risking losing you again." After saying that little speech I almost feel like stamping my foot down to emphasize my point but it doesn't seem like it's needed as my dad starts to nod his head and agree with me.

"Alright you can come, but you have to promise to be careful and do everything I tell you to do."

Standing up straighter and pretending like I feel insulted that he is questioning my loyalty to my recently recovered dad I ask, "You think I would disobey you when I have just found you again? When I am this close to finding mom and finally reuniting our family after 10 years?"

"Of course you're right Charlie, I shouldn't doubt you. Let's sleep for the night and we'll leave first thing in the morning. I'll go buy you another room Goldilocks" And with that he walks out the door heading to the Innkeeper.

'Well, I'm glad you found your dad Charlie, Goodnight'' Goldilocks says and with that she leaves to go to the room my dad bought her, right next to ours in room number 5. My dad returns.

"We should probably get some sleep, big day tomorrow" He tells me then heads to his bed and goes to sleep immediately. I walk over to the other bed in the room and try to get some sleep but too many questions are circling around in my head. How many times has he travelled through the books? How did he get to be so big? Why did Morgana kidnap my mom? How would we be able to rescue my mom? With all these questions in my head and many more I fall asleep.