A/N: NOTE: If you have not read 'Goblins', I suggest you read that before starting this story. This is the sequel to it and things will make more sense if you read the first book! Thank you!
For everyone else: Hey everyone! By request, I have started this sequel. I hope you like it, I'm pretty excited about it, myself! ;)
Goblins Above
Chapter 1: Nightmares, and a meeting with High King Oberon
Water dripped somewhere nearby, echoing in the prisoner-less dungeons. Prisoner-less; save for one individual, curled up and shivering in the black stone prison. Aelhaeran was all alone and had been for the last four years; in the worst hell he had ever experienced in his very long, Fae life. The white haired man shuddered in his position on the floor as he relived the horrors he had caused through the eyes of his victims. He flinched when the sound of a door slamming open echoed down the stone hallway, and he scrambled into the corner, curling up once again. Footsteps announced the presence of a woman and two men. They came to a stop before his cell, and one of the men's muffled voice spoke from behind his helmet, "This is the one, Your Majesty."
"Open it." Commanded a woman's silky voice. Aelhaeran's head snapped up with wide eyes. They quickly shut again and he put his head back down at the two bright, green-glowing torch stones the men were holding. The torch stones were each a fist sized, rough pale green stone mounted on a short, spiraling black metal handle with a pointed end. One of the men moved to unlock and open the gate, and then stepped inside and stood clear for her. She entered into the tiny cell, lifting her skirt to aid her feet in deftly avoiding the filth. Once she reached him, she crouched down and placed her hand under his chin, lifting his face. His eyes squinted at her, and she gestured at the man behind her. Lifting his free hand, he waved it around the stone, and the light dimmed.
Aelhaeran slowly blinked his eyes until they were almost fully opened, and he peered at her in quizzical amazement. "Aerea?..." But then he frowned and said to himself. "No. You are not real, you are an illusion." He dismissed her and went to put his head back down, but she held his chin fast in her claw like hand, startling him. "Luckily for you, I'm quite real, brother." She said with a thin smile, and he stared at her in shock. "How-?" He began, but she cut him off and released his chin at the same time, coming smoothly to her feet. "I must go. But before I do, tell me who did this to you, and I swear I will make them pay." Aelhaeran seemed to not comprehend what it was she was saying at first. But then his mouth stretched into an enormous grin; and the madness in him shone clearly through his eyes. "You might need something to write with. I've a list."
Leah's eyes snapped open and she sat up in her and Jareth's enormous bed. Sweat gathered on her body like dew, and her fingers clenched the bed sheets shakily. It was still dark outside, and somewhere crickets were chirping peacefully. Leah looked around, reassuring herself of where she was, then sighed and rubbed her face slowly. What was wrong with her? She hadn't had a single nightmare since Aelhaeran had removed himself from her mind; and now, over the past few days, they were back to haunt her. Swallowing, she extricated herself carefully from Jareth's arm. She pulled the blanket up around him and he stirred a little. Stumbling to their master bathroom, she washed her face and looked at herself in the mirror.
Leah studied her reflection. She had really blossomed here in the Underground. Whether by the food-Jareth had mentioned something about some of the fruit having healing properties-or by the influence of magic, she wasn't sure. But over the last few nightmare-filled nights, her eyes had become red from lack of sleep. She heard Jareth beginning to wake up, and she quickly went back to bed. His one blue eye and one brown eye looked at her in concern, but she quickly silenced them by climbing back into bed, and kissing his lips softly. Jareth relaxed and wrapped her up in his arms, placing a kiss on her brow, and soon his breathing slowed and he fell asleep.
Leah stayed awake long after he fell asleep, her heart warmed and comforted by her loving husband's warm embrace. But an image-burned into her mind's eye, kept popping up in front of her. Leah closed her eyes to avoid it, but still unbidden it came. Her Aboveground family's home-her parent's home-was engulfed in flames. Firefighters were desperately trying to put it out, to no avail. She couldn't see anyone from her family, and it terrified her. Leah didn't know why, but she had an urgent feeling that Oberon might be able to help her. 'First thing in the morning,' She told herself, 'I'll ask Jareth if I can speak with Oberon.'
"Absolutely not." Jareth stated firmly the next morning, arms folded unrelentingly as he stood before their thrones. She had had to rein in his enthusiastic designs and keep him from going overboard in designing her throne. He wanted it jewel encrusted, to her incredulity. Finally he allowed her to do some sketches, and he was amused when she showed them to him. Leah's was exactly like his own, only with some delicate, tiny, scroll work weaved into the chair back, and fabric on the back of her chair that matched his. She wanted to keep the Goblin Kingdom spirit, while adding her own personal touch. They looked very nice together, she thought.
Leah came back to the present with a shake of her head. "I'll be fine! It's not like I haven't lived there most of my life!" He pursed his lips-a sign he was thinking rapidly-before continuing, "What about Melina and Leo?" Leah rose an eyebrow and looked at him suspiciously, speaking slowly. "What about them?" Jareth straightened his posture and continued on righteously, "How will they be able to handle your departure?" With his words, realization dawned on her. He was using their own children to guilt trip her into staying home! Leah stared at him for a moment and then smirked, "Oh, I think they can handle their Drama King father, just fine."
They took their conversation to their bedroom so she could pack, arguing along the way. Jareth indignant, and Leah frustrated. Leah sighed in exasperation for the thousandth time. Jareth-the ever fashionable Goblin King-was trying to convince her to take her more extravagant clothing to the Aboveground. "It's too much!" She exclaimed. "No one except royalty wears these kinds of things-and even then, only on special occasions! At what point, Jareth, am I going to be wearing that?" Jareth stopped, nearly shoulder deep in white satin, in the process of trying to shove a crystal covered ball gown into her suitcase. It was really his way of attempting to change her mind-though clearly with little success. He frowned at her, looking perturbed. "My Love, you are royalty!" Jareth argued, "You should dress to match your status. I cannot allow you to dress in those drab clothes."
The Goblin Queen flushed angrily; she had been wearing those 'drab clothes' most of her life! Leah shook her head, holding up an elegant long sleeved sweater and dark blue jeans. "These are hardly drab!" Jareth eyed them, and Leah could see his determination beginning, very slightly, to crumble. "If I want to remain inconspicuous, than I need to dress like I used to." He sat down slowly on their bed, the dress forgotten. He gazed at her sadly. "I will miss you when you're gone." Jareth's voice was soft and filled with emotion.
Leah's throat constricted painfully and she swallowed, coming to stand between his opened legs. She took his hands gently in her own, and kissed them both lightly and tenderly. "You will know where I am, and you can drop by whenever you like-subtly though." She added as a precaution. He sighed and tilted his head to the side, cupping her face in his hand. "How you turn my world..." Leah smiled and leaned forward to kiss his lips sweetly, firmly; a kiss to say, 'I will always be here'. Jareth soon pulled away, looking more at ease. "Very well. I concede your point," The King agreed. Leah smiled widely in gratitude; but then a twinkle entered his eyes and she felt a strong sense of foreboding. "However, I get to approve your clothing choices." Leah rolled her eyes and groaned.
About two hours later Leah stood in the throne room once more; wearing the 'drab clothing' Jareth had grudgingly approved. She wore the same dark grey long sleeved swoop-neck sweater, and the dark blue boot cut jeans. Instead of the usual ballet slippers and heels she had become accustomed, she wore brown low heeled boots that rose up to just below her knee. Leah put her hip length, golden brown hair into a side braid to keep it out of her way. After she had changed, Jareth didn't seem too grudging at the way her Aboveground clothing hugged her curves. She was just glad it hadn't occurred to him yet about the fact that there were other men Aboveground. 'He'd never let me leave if it did!' She sighed.
Soon Jareth herded their children into the throne room, Matilda following. She would help take care of the children while Leah was away. The king and queen then explained why Leah was leaving, and why she was-according to Leo-'dressed like a man', and soon it was time to go. The goodbyes to her children were short and filled with lots of hugs and the kissing of foreheads. "Be good, and make sure to listen to your father and Matilda." She told them both. "Don't get into too much mischief." She told Leo. "Keep an eye on your brother." She said to Melina.
And then Leah took a deep breath and told them both firmly, "Now you two behave yourselves; if I have to come back here because someone," she looked pointedly at Leo, "Set the Bog on fire again;" Leo suddenly found his shoes very interesting and Leah turned to Melina, "Or because someone dressed up a goat and let it loose in the castle kitchens," Melina flushed and shifted from one foot to the other guiltily. "Then you'll both be grounded, with no magic-" The children looked up to argue the injustice of this consequence, and she rose her voice a little in the end. "-For a month." She gave them both an enormous hug before they could begin complaining about what she'd said, "I love you both very much." Leah took one last long look at her children and spoke to Jareth.
"I'm ready." The king nodded simply and came to stand beside her, picking up her suitcases. Jareth's lips were pressed into a thin line. He wasn't happy about this; but he knew there would be no convincing her to stay once she'd made up her mind to go. Leah threaded her arm through his, and like before when they had transported to Oberon's castle, the ground vibrated subtly-shaking a little dust from the ceiling-and the sound of distant humming like millions of bumble bees sounded. Everything became hazy around them, and Leah kept her eyes fixed on her children as long as she could; until they, too, became lost in the haze. The queen and king were there, and then they were not.
Leah felt Jareth's eyes on her, and the mother tried to keep her composure. She knew part of the haziness had nothing to do with the spell. It broke her heart to be leaving her family; but she had to be sure her family Aboveground was alright. This wasn't goodbye. She would see them again soon. Quickly and carefully she wiped her eyes with her free hand, trying not to let Jareth see. It was dark now; the gap between the Goblin Kingdom and Oberon's castle being bridged, and she could feel the subtle changes in the air. They landed in the transportation tower, and Jareth set down the bags. "Inform Lord Oberon that the Goblin King and Queen have arrived."
A guard bowed low and quickly left the room. Jareth looked sideways at Leah but didn't say anything. Not even a moment later, the guard returned with the high king himself. He looked at them quizzically and spoke, "A pleasure to see you again, Lord Jareth and Lady Leah of the Labyrinth. I understand that you have a question for me?" He extended his hand towards the door behind him, inviting them in. Oberon led them to a study filled with books, where they met Titania, his wife and queen.
The High Queen was quite beautiful. She had fiery red hair and sharp, calculating green eyes. Her skin was pale as the moon and equally as radiant. She wore rectangular glasses at the end of her pointed nose, held by a diamond string. She lowered them and set down the enormous-and probably ancient-book she had been reading. "A pleasure to meet you," she said after the introductions had been made. "So," Oberon began as they all took a seat. "What is it you need to ask me, Lady Leah?" His face was perfectly friendly and obliging, and Leah suddenly wondered if her question was really all that important. But then she thought of all the work she'd gone through just to get to where she was now, and her courage came back to her.
"I've been having a recurring dream-or nightmare, really." Leah began. "About my family in the Aboveground. My parents house is completely on fire and I can't seem to find them. The dream has been so vivid, that each time I forget that it isn't real." Oberon frowned, his eyebrows meeting together. Leah continued, "So I want to travel Aboveground to check on them and make sure they're alright." She finished. Titania looked to Oberon, who gazed back. There was a silent communication between them; and suddenly Oberon turned back and nodded seriously. "I see. And you want advice on how to go about it?" It was her turn to nod. "Yes."
"One way would be through the transportation tower-the way you came in-and we'd have to use a strong spell." Leah looked bewildered. "But how do you go about traveling between the worlds when dealing with wished away and runners?" Leah looked at her husband. Jareth smiled a little, "The only way I'm allowed into your world, is when someone is wished away. The goblins fetch the unwanted ones, and I give the wisher the choice to rescue, or to forget them."
Leah frowned. So the only way he could go was if he was summoned? This was turning out to be harder than she thought. Titania spoke up after the group had fallen silent, "Well, why don't we get you ready to go Above, while our kings search for a way to get you there." At Jareth's reassuring nod, Leah followed Titania out of the room.
Once the two women were in the hallway, Titania led Leah down the hall and a few minutes later they arrived in an extravagant garden. It had lushly cushioned chairs and beautiful white marble fountains. Women who looked like they were born from trees and rivers walked gracefully through the area. "We need to change your appearance. Any Fae in the Above who are an enemy to your husband, could recognize you and try to assassinate you or hold you hostage." Leah thought at first that Titania was joking; but when she saw the queen's face, it hit her like a ton of bricks that Titania was in fact deadly serious. Leah swallowed anxiously. "Then what do we do?" Titania's face lit up, "I'm so glad you asked!" The young Goblin Queen was not so sure she liked the gleam in Titania's eyes.
A/N: Thoughts on the chapter? Let me know in a review! Aerea's name is pronounced: Aw-Ree-uh (Kind of like an Aria in Opera music).
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters and the ideas for this story. The Jim Henson Company and Brian Henson own everything else. Oberon and Titania are the brilliant Shakespeare's creations, and certainly not mine. ;)D
Please Read and Review! Reviews inspire and encourage me to continue writing! Thank you again for your support, I appreciate it. :)