The day Jareth made a return visit to our neighboring kingdom, everyone's mood was suffering due to the weather; my mood included, although, the weather was only partially to blame.
I had been away for sometime visiting one of my friends who just had her first child. It was a beautiful baby boy. However, before my visit was finished, some conflict developed and she and the baby were sent to her father's and I was sent home.
I arrived about a day and a half earlier than was expected. Worn out and in no mood to wake anyone up, I climbed the stairs to the bedroom I shared with my sister, wearily and quietly.
I opened the door to our bedroom and received the shock of my life. Apparently, my sister had decided to—I can't even think about, much less put it into words. Let's just say I went searching for a place to sleep in another part of the castle...It seemed my sister had a male visitor.
I knew it wasn't Edward, her betrothed, but I wondered who it could be. Shaking my head in disgust at the direction of my thoughts, I broke into a run and headed for my lake. I refer to it as my lake as I am the only one who knows it exists; At least so far.
Shedding everything but my shift, I dove into the lake. Swimming never ceased to relax me, however today, it took more effort and I knew it showed.
"Your strokes leave a lot to be desired." A very male voice called out.
I started, coughing up the bits of water I'd swallowed because my rhythm had been abruptly broken by this intrusion. I concentrated on keeping myself from the man's eyesight. Slowly, I treaded in until my feet could touch the soft bottom of the sandbar within the lake.
"You, Sir, could be a proper gentleman and turn your back." I admonished this stranger who dared act as though he were familiar with me, and me, him.
"Most would never believe I could be one however, that's my concern and admittedly it hurts me that my Little Princess does not even recognize me."
As I studied this stranger, letting his words be absorbed and studied in my mind, recognition dawned. "Jareth?" I whispered, afraid to be wrong.
"Could it be anyone else?" He tossed back, arrogantly.
I snorted, "No. Anyone else would have been more proper, less arrogant, and a lot more—" I was interrupted when, with a purposeful wave of his hand, the sand bar gave way under my feet and I felt the water momentarily close over my head. I came up sputtering, but no less discouraged.
"Can't take the truth, Jareth?" I taunted. In spite of not seeing him for years—almost ten—I felt brave in taunting him. Of course, when it came to him, either I had no sense or pure stubbornness was the culprit, I never knew when I should call it quits. Perhaps it also is because I was the only one who ever lived to tell about it. Not to mention even getting away with thinking it.
Jareth turned his back without answering, prompting me to get out of the water. I did so, slowly, both eyes on him as though afraid he would turn around.
He must have felt my eyes on him, because he spoke suddenly. "No worry there, Princess, I have no desire to sneak peeks like some juvenile at someone who could pass for a boy."
I flinched inwardly, and was at once glad he still had his back turned. It took a moment to compose myself so the hurt would not show. I smoothed my dress down over my hips and stood with my hands planted on them, deciding to best him at his own game.
"Perhaps; although at least I'm mature enough to refrain from stuffing my bra unlike some egotistical men who stuff their—"
Jareth had whirled around and covered my mouth with his hand before I could even blink. He grinned down at me, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "I'm getting the distinct impression that you're looking for a good dunking. Oh, I wasn't referring to the lake." He added quickly when I opened my mouth to protest.
He was standing so close I prayed he didn't have a clue that my heart was hammering against my chest. Even if he could tell, I hoped he would consider it to be due to his threat. Blinking, I brought my thoughts back to what he was saying.
"I was actually thinking of something more distasteful…" He finished, looking as though it were an absent-minded thought.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head. He had to be thinking of the Bog. "You wouldn't da—"
"'Dare'? Would you like to risk the Bog of Eternal Stench, Princess?" He took a threatening step forward.
"Jareth!" I pleaded, my eyes searching his franticly.
In reaction, he only chuckled. He took my hand and pressed a brief kiss to the back of it. "Ah, Kimberly, you amuse me. Now if only I knew what has troubled you so much..." He used his crooked index finger to lift my chin to look into my eyes.
I took a cautious step back. "No crystals. No magic." I warned him. Such things made me nervous, had for some time now. I moved to sit on a nearby rock and missed his frown. I knew Jareth would not leave me alone until he hand the answer he was looking for.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Are you certain you want to hear this?" I asked needlessly. At his nod, I began to tell him everything. I told him first about my sister's betrothal, my trip next and then finished with the scene that had been there to welcome me when I arrived home last night.
Jareth listened intently, without comment, letting me get all pent up emotions out. When I finished, he wrapped me in a comforting hug.