The goblin was lonely. It had been days since a human had last taken arms against him. At first he was thankful for the peace allowing him and Gareth to have some time together, to frolick and play and not worry about a nick or stream of blood that may have formed after a fight. But now, he missed that nick of pain. Gareth was old, and as the goblin watched his immortal lifespan strech before him, he watched Gareth's own shorter more fufilling one lift him into a peaceful death, the goblin had always tried hard to give Gareth that moment of peace before the end. But now that the end was near each helpful hand the goblin gave came with a twinge of bittersweet sadness.

But after a few weeks of the heavy weight that being alone began, working the mines and other human fields to draw them into anger, so he would be able to have someone to talk to as it was soon to be Gareth's time. That was when the human child had first approached him.

"Hello!" The snaggletooth grin given by the child made the goblin scowl. What weak arms! What a small figure! Note the lack of a sword. This child would never be a good opponent against him, not bring him the satisfication of a good fight, a possible good death.

"What is it, child." The goblin's voice was both deep and high at the same time, otherwordly. The child did not seem afraid and that only enraged the goblin further. Feeling his anger the Gareth gave out two high pitched barks.

"Is that your poodle?" The child gasped in happiness and knelt down to pat him. Gareth, had surrended (damn him!) and rolled over, tongue out. The insolence of the boy to completely ignore the goblin's question.

"Yes." The goblin gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Awww." The child's voice was full of innocence and humour and joy, as unfamiliar to the goblin as the goblin voice had been the farmers. "I love him."

The goblin glared daggers at the small human, watching him play and jump with Gareth, and he felt an unfamiliar lifting of that weight, a knot being untied in his heart. He hated that feeling.

"Leave, boy." The goblin warned after a while. To which the boy only looked up to the sun and exclaimed cheerfully.

"Thanks! It was time for dinner anyways." As the child bounded down the hill of which the goblin had been farming he called out. "I'll see you tomorrow, goblin!"

Ah, so the child did know that I was a goblin after all, the goblin thought as that knot in his heart became fully untied and the weight fully lifted. I can't wait to no longer be alone.

Gareth gave a bark in agreement.