The tale of The Princess and the Goblin concludes with the ultimate defeat of the malicious goblins and the triumphant safety of Princess Irene and her kingdom, largely due to the courage and resourcefulness of the young miner, Curdie.
The ending unfolds in a dramatic sequence of events that highlights Curdie's heroism and the goblins' self-destruction.
The Goblins' Failed Abduction and Curdie's Rescue
The climax of the story begins with a direct and desperate attempt by the goblins to abduct Princess Irene. Their well-laid plans, however, are met with unexpected resistance:
- Curdie's Escape and Intervention: Curdie, having been imprisoned by the goblins, manages to escape his confinement at a crucial moment. He immediately confronts the goblins, effectively neutralizing them by stamping on their uniquely vulnerable feet.
- Following the Magic Thread: Guided by the magical thread given to him by the wise old princess, Curdie follows its path directly to where Princess Irene has taken refuge—in his own home.
- Restoring the Princess: After successfully finding and rescuing Irene, Curdie ensures her safe return, restoring her to the anxious King.
The Flooding of the Mines and the Goblins' Demise
In a final act of vengeance and desperation, the goblins resort to a catastrophic measure that ultimately seals their own fate:
- The Flood: The goblins intentionally flood their underground mines, hoping to cause widespread destruction and harm.
- Water Reaches the Palace: The rising waters from the flooded mines begin to seep into and enter the royal palace, threatening its inhabitants.
- Curdie's Warning: Recognizing the impending danger, Curdie acts swiftly to warn everyone in the palace about the encroaching floodwaters.
- The Goblins' Self-Destruction: In a twist of poetic justice, the very waters the goblins unleashed to destroy others become their undoing. The goblins, unable to escape the rising tide, are ultimately drowned by their own destructive scheme.
Thus, The Princess and the Goblin concludes with the kingdom freed from the goblin menace and Princess Irene secure, all thanks to Curdie's bravery and the benevolent, albeit often unseen, aid of the old princess.
