Chapter 2 – A Simple Girl?
Jareth sat in his tall, black throne, which was covered in many carvings of the goblins in the kingdom. Each was small and simple, but full of memories. They were carved on a black-cherry wood that the back was made out of. The seat was made of tarnished mythril while the armrests were made of a white Kurish, a rare, white goblin metal that matched with the mythril.
The goblins were playing around the room, some singing random songs that they made up, some laughing while others were playing tag or wrestling with each other. Jareth was sitting with one leg drooped over the side of the chair while the other hung down the front of it. He was leaning back against the corner where his back met the chair. He rested his head on his hand lazily, while he looked off in the distance, thinking.
"Daddy," asked one of the younger goblins, as he came up to Jareth. He stopped at the bottom of the throne and looked up at the Goblin King. Jareth seemed to ignore him, while he was lost in his train of thoughts. "Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy!!!!"
Jareth jumped slightly, being startled at the little goblin that had now given up on calling him, and climbed up his throne, jumping into his lap. "Oh, hello there little one!" he said, startled at the goblin. "What brings you to…my lap?"
"I wanna hear a story," the little goblin, one of the younger ones of the kingdom, shouted at the top of his lungs. "Tell me the one about the Princess in white!"
"Princess in white," Jareth spoke, curiously. "What princess in white? What are you talking about?"
"The one you were mumbling about in your sleep last night," He said, his arms now folded as he gave him a pout-face. "You said you knew her and were shouting her name. I wanna meet her!"
Jareth's eyes shot open-wide, as he took in a deep breath. He couldn't help but jump up and get filled- with anger and rage, as he now felt like he was put on the spot. The small goblin plopped down on the ground just in front of him. "What are you doing listening to me in my sleep?!" He shouted, at the top of his lungs.
The little goblin couldn't help but look at him with shock and a tear-filled face. His pout quickly changed to a look of hurt and confusion at the angry goblin-king. "I-I-I…" He trailed off, unsure of what to say. He looked around at the others as if they would give him an answer. Quickly he looked back at the goblin king. "I was just…curious…I didn't mean to do it! I'm sorry!" He hurriedly ran over to him and hugged his legs. He only came up to his knees, which was as tall as he went. He was now crying and refusing to let go.
Jareth's eyes shot open wide, confused at his reaction and slightly red from all the other goblins who were now looking at him in shock. "It's alright," he spoke, as he bent over and picked up the little goblin. He was trying not to hurt him, but trying to get him off at the same time. "Come, here. Let go of me!"
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A large, brown goblin stood at a tall, stone gate, its metal was old and worn, yet still worked strong. He had a spear next to him, and his helmet under his left arm. He wiped some sweat from his brow with his other hand, after taking off his somewhat heavy silver-gauntlet. He mumbled something in Goblin meaning "Cursed heat!" as he put his helmet and gauntlet back on. He picked back up his spear and looked next to him at the other goblin, who was taking a small nap. "Hey! Wake up!" He shouted at him, in goblin. "Quit nodding off, lazy bones!"
The other goblin who was kind of stick-like, yet still somewhat large, shot up and picked up his axe which was next to him. He raised it menacingly. "Chaaaaarge!! I shall attack all who decide to…" he trailed off, realizing that no one was there. He looked around, making sure no one else saw what had just happened, catching the other goblin that was glaring at him, seeming to drill into his eyes through his armor and into his heart. He jumped back a bit, making his armor cling against itself. "Um…hi?" He lifted up his ventail, a part of his helmet that slid up and down the visor of his helmet. A small wave escaped his hand.
"What do you think you are doing," the first goblin scolded, very loudly. "If the king saw you, do you know what he would do to us? He would not only skin us alive, but we would be put out on duty at the city-dump again! That's next to the bog! Do you know what that place smells like!?"
"Well, I was just…" he trailed off, trying to muster up some sort of excuse for his dozing off.
The other goblin's look shot to the front of them, his hand sticking up to silence the other goblin. "Shhh!! Someone's coming this way!" They both stood up straight, acting like they had been doing as such since first getting there. The second goblin's ventail slid back down, clinging and making him jump, startled at its loud noise. He looked over at the other goblin that was glaring at him, making him quickly jump back to his previous position.
A large, black carriage approached from a distance along an aged-stone path. It was pulled by two graceful looking quarter horses, one a silver-gray, the other a brilliant chestnut color. Both were garnished with black blinders and other normal tack for carriage horses. Upon closer inspection, one would notice the carriage to be made of walnut. It pulled up to the black, iron-gate, the coachman gently pulling on the reigns to stop the horses. A tired nicker escaped from each of the horses' mouths as they looked at the new scenery around them.
"Halt," the stick-like goblin shouted, this time speaking in broken-English, while acting like he knew what he was doing. His axe glimmered in the beaming sunlight. "What business you here?" The first goblin couldn't help but smack his helmet with his hand, as if he were trying to knock himself out to put himself out of his own misery.
"The Empress of Aldakria wishes to make her acquaintance with his majesty Jareth of the Underground Kingdom," the Coachman formally announced, looking straight ahead as if the gates would open simply from him speaking.
"The Empress of wha-," the stick-like goblin spoke in his native tongue, confused while he looked up at the coachman. His head tipped slightly to one side. The coachman looked down at the little goblin, even more confused from him speaking in the strange goblin tongue. He looked at the larger goblin, expecting a translation from him.
"Ignore that simple-minded idiot," the large goblin spoke in a simplistic form of English, yet he was still easy to understand. He waved a hand at the other goblin in disgust. He lifted his ventail so it rested on the top of his head. He locked it into place. "His-majesty is expecting you. I shall let the other guards know so they will let you pass through." He looked at the other goblin, giving him a look as if he were saying, "try not to make an idiot of yourself," as he walked through the door that was a few feet away from him at the edge of another gate.
The coachman looked down at the stick-like goblin, confused at him. The goblin, matching his gaze, jumped a bit, seeming intimidated by the coachman. His gaze softened. He stood straight and tall while looking ahead, as if he were trying to act like he was doing his duty. A few moments later, a loud bang was heard, following the gate opening from the middle in the opposite direction of the carriage. Its old, metal hinges creaked loudly, as it swung open slowly, but steadily. The remaining goblin by the gate moved out of the way after saying in broken-English, "Pass you may through!"
The other goblin threw a stone at his head just out of the coachman's view, hoping it would knock him unconscious.
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Jareth was now holding the small goblin, which he had now managed to calm down by giving him one of his famous peaches he grew out in his orchard in the gardens. The goblin had only taken one bite out of it and was more sucking on it, rather then actually eating on it, with a bunch of smacks slipping out of his mouth as he happily licked the peach as well. A slight purr, somewhat resembling a cat except it was much softer and quieter, escaped the little goblin, now forgetting all about the fight he had earlier.
One of the guards came rushing up to Jareth, bowing before he approached the goblin king, and kneeling in front of him. "Your highness," He shouted, in a low, musky voice, and speaking in the native goblin tongue. His long, white beard fell just before his steps which he made sure to carefully not step on.
"Yes," Jareth asked in goblin in a bored tone, now looking down at large goblin, which was on the bottom of the steps that led up to where he was sitting. "What do you want?"
"There's someone here to see you," he began, in an excited voice. Since visitors were quite rare in the Labyrinth anymore, anyone who showed up was exciting news. The other goblins started whispering excitedly amongst each other. "I think it's some sort of royal person from Aldak-dondia or something like that!"
"The Empress of Aldakria is here," Jareth shouted with excitement, jumping up and forgetting about the little goblin that was sitting in his lap. The goblin slipped and bounced down the stairs to the bottom, spinning around as he landed, making a little squeaking noise as he landed on each step, and dropping the peach next to him at the bottom. Everyone quit what they were doing and looked over at the Goblin king, while all went silent in the room "Quick, clean this place up!"
The little goblin frantically grabbed his peach as he quickly ran off, placing it in his pocket, and helping the rest of the goblins prepare for the Empress' arrival. They all rushed as quickly as they could, while chickens flew everywhere, some jumping out the window and others jumping into each other. Some goblins were sliding across the floor as they worked, some running into each other in their somewhat frantic business.
"Get these stupid chickens out of here," yelled a now very stressed out Jareth. He was helping them fix the place up as best as he could as well, grabbing chickens and throwing them out or picking up feathers that was scattered over the floor..
"Y-yes, your Highness…"answered a very startled and scared little goblin. It grabbed a whistle and blew it, making any animal in the room run out and leave the area. "All's done!"
"Good, now send her in, and no monkey business," he yelled, looking at each of the goblins who were known for their occasional trouble making. He stuffed the feathers he had down a nearby goblin's armor. "It's vital we get her to sign a treaty with us. Her kingdom is one of the most powerful around us, and it would be very useful if we were to join sides with them."
The other goblins nodded, all knowing the importance of this meeting. They all gathered in two formal lines along the path that led to Jareth's throne, some on one side, and some on the other, each side even making it look impressive to an outsider. Jareth looked at the large goblin that came in announcing the princess.
"Let her in," he said, looking at the large goblin. "And try not to scare her off!"
"Yes, you're Majesty," he stated, bowing as he turned around and ran out.
A few moments later, a small, plump dwarf came running in, puffing as he was deeply out of breath. "I'm here, your majesty," started a very tired and worn out dwarf. "Sorry about being so late, the chickens landed in the gardens again and I had to move around them so that they wouldn't peck me."
"Glad you finally decided to join us, Hogwart," Jareth spoke, teasing him.
The dwarf grumbled a little bit at Jareth's teasing, which didn't bother him much unless it was regarding his name. "It's Hoggle," the dwarf shouted, annoyed at the goblin king. "Won't you ever get it right?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Jareth said, ignoring the dwarf's comments. Jareth teasing Hoggle about his name was more of a small ritual between the two of them. "Just take a seat. The empress is here."
"Oh," said Hoggle, now seeming to brighten up. A smile escaped his face. "That's great to hear! I hope she signs with us!" He sat down in a small chair specially built for him next to Jareth. He grabbed all the papers sitting in a clipboard that was in a pocket on the side of it.
"Where's the contract," Jareth asked Hoggle, seeming to get a bit impatient with him now.
"The what," Hoggle questioned, thinking while being lost in his train of concentration. "Oh yeah!" he got up and went to one of the side rooms, while Jareth put his face in his hands in embarrassment of the small dwarf's behavior.
"Can't you do anything right, Hedgewart," Jareth asked, annoyed at him.
Hoggle grumbled again and came out of the room a few moments later, contract in hand. "It's Hoggle," he shouted, angry with the king. "And I've got it right here!"
"Good," Jareth went on, not phased about the dwarf. He looked up and saw the large goblin from before standing before him. "Um…what are you doing here!?"
"The empress is here," he spoke, triumphantly and happily.
"Yes, I know that, Bafoon," Jareth shouted, annoyed. "Where is she!?"
"She's um," he began looking behind him, confused. He turned around full-circle before facing Jareth again. "She's uh…well, she was right here…"
"You lost the empress," Jareth yelled in disbelief. "How could you lose her!? I can't believe what imbeciles I'm working with!" He threw his hands in the air and got up, walking forward to the bottom of the stairs. "Find her, and escort her to THIS thrown room! And don't lose her this time! Everyone look for her. This does not look good on us at all!"
It was at that moment that the goblins were either gasping or trying hard not to laugh at the king. He looked around at them confused, completely lost at the situation. He saw one of the goblins point behind him, and he turned and looked. Right beside his thrown was the empress, who was looking at his thrown and admiring the carvings all over it. She was wearing what looked to be a long, lavender dress, the sleeves dripping down her arms in a bell shape. Her long, white hair was tied back in a half-up bun, with light-purple flowers decorating it. She wore matching earrings. Her light, sky-blue eyes were looking at the thrown, tracing the designs on it.
"What a beautiful throne you have, Mr. King," she complimented, tracing her fingers over the bumps and carving marks over it. "The artwork is simply gorgeous!"
Jareth's jaw dropped in shock at what he saw. It was the woman from his dream, only she wasn't wearing the necklace he saw her wearing. He looked down at his own, which was the same design, except his was gold and had many more jewels to it, making it more beautiful to the eye. He looked back up at her, as she was now walking towards him.
"Th-thank you," he said, confused and shocked at what he was seeing.
"I apologize for disappearing on your guard," she started, now standing next to him, "and for making you so upset. I just saw your throne and couldn't help but want to check it out."
Jareth still looked at her, bewildered at what he was seeing. Does she have the answers to the dream? Could she help him figure out what was going on with him for so many years?
"Are you alright," she asked, looking at him confused.
Jareth quickly shook his head, now coming back to his senses.
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered, smiling and looking at her slightly curious. "And don't worry about it. It's fine."
"Oh, good," she said, with a sigh of relief. "I would have hated to get off on the wrong foot."
"Really it's no trouble at all," He reinstated, motioning her to take a seat in his throne.
She walked over and plopped in his chair, putting one leg over the side. Her outfit draped down revealing that her dress was in fact a pair of pants made to look like a dress when she was standing up. Her light-silver sandals etched around her delicate foot, and had matching purple and white gems that adorned them. Her nails were painted a light-purple and had a deep-purple rose design drawn in the center of them.
Jareth looked at the girl, slightly confused. He was used to less laid-back people who took things more formally, but she was definitely different. A few of the goblins, as well as Hoggle, looked at her, slightly annoyed at her for not taking things so seriously, but Jareth didn't care. He actually found it helpful in controlling his nerves for the delicate matter they were addressing. He took a seat in the smaller throne next to it.
"Well," Jareth began, "shall we get started?"
"Oh, yeah," she exclaimed, sitting up and clapping her hands, which made two of her servants come walking into the room, each carrying a chest which was a little heavy for them. They set them down on the stairs in front of the steps, and they turned around and walked back out, after bowing respectfully to the two royal members. "These are gifts for you from my father. He insisted I bring a little something to show you our appreciation for taking interest in our kingdom."
Jareth motioned for a few of the goblins to open them, and they obeyed. Two hopped on top, and two hopped in front. They lifted the front and the lids popped open by themselves, sending the two goblins on top flying right into a wall.
"Oh no," she shouted in horror, "Are they alright!?"
The two goblins got up, laughing and running back to their positions, seeming to take a lot of enjoyment out of their ride.
"Don't worry," Jareth laughed, amused at the goblins careless fun. "They enjoy being thrown like that!"
The other two goblins hopped on top of the other lid, and pushed the button, each flying into a wall as well. They let out a scream of enjoyment, and then laughed as they themselves went running back to their spots. More goblins started to jump up and down in excitement, each wanting to take a turn with their new-found toys.
"Relax," Jareth ordered, "You'll all get your turn eventually." He looked over at the chests which were now both open. "Wow! You call this little!?"
"Of course," she began explaining, "Where I come from these are rather common. I thought they were too informal to bring, but Papa insisted that these were what I should bring."
Jareth looked at the goblins in the two rows in front of him. "Bring these to the treasury," he ordered, trying to hide the bewilderment from his voice, "and no playing with them. These are gifts, you know."
Some of the goblins went up, closing the lid, and picked them up. They each carried them off and out the doors ahead of them. Jareth looked over at the empress next to him.
"You know," started Jareth, "You never told me your name."
"Oh," began the Empress, "How silly and rude of me. I'm Karistae, but most people call me Kristae."
Jareth looked over at Kristae, with a look of surprise on his face. It reminded him of his dream again. He shot the memory of it through his mind. Her standing there at the edge of the cliff, it made him worry a bit about what was to come of them meeting. Her eyes were what captured him the most. They had a hint of sadness to them, but they had something in them that made him want to get to know her better. They captured him on the inside, making him curious as to what they hid behind their glossy surface.
"Nice to meet you formally," Jareth began, quickly bringing himself back to reality. "I'm Jareth."
"Well," started Kristae, "It's an honor to meet you." She put out a hand, offering him to shake hands, which was informal for women in Jareth's culture. He nonetheless took it and shook it, wondering where she managed to get her personality. "Shall we get started on that contract Papa told me you had made?"
"Oh yes," confirmed Jareth, "the contract!" He motioned for Hoggle to come over with it, who did as such. Hoggle opened it and placed it on a table that some of the other goblins had just brought over.
I apologize for taking so long to get this next chapter up, aside from forgetting about it for a bit of time, I've had a lot of antics show up that have made it very difficult for me to write (internet going out for awhile, moving to a new state, starting work, etc). I promise it won't take me nearly as much time as this did to get my next chapter up. Thanks for being so patient! I hope you've enjoyed this!
