Chapter Two :: Down The Road

As you grow older, you loose your innocence. And Helena was no differnet. She became more tempremental, much more easily aggravated, and somewhat anti-social. It wasn't as if she dressed in completely gothic lolita clothing and hated her life, she just tended to stick to herself. She would write letters to Jareth and wrap them into her hand, and somehow they were transported to him. She was only ten now, so she didn't quite understand how it worked. Though as before she was just as observant and mature. She realized Jareth had true magical powers with those crystals, and that he was able to use them in order to help him in daily life. And in the not so daily life... Such as sending letters from Aboveground to the Labyrinth in a split second. At the moment she sat on the pebble stone covered playground, away from everyone else and under a large tree beside the metal fence. Her legs were brought up to her chin and her eyes were narrowed in the sunlight to view the children around her.

Time went by slower than normal, and it seemed like every minute ticked away only to taunt her. But after a few moments she was brought back to the real world when she felt something rough hit her arm. Her face turned, only to be hit by a pebble on her cheek. She didn't speak, didn't move. Just looked to her side where the objects were coming from. Taking a quick glance to the playground she viewed only half her fifth grade class on the playground. Three teachers sat under another shaded tree, laughing about sticky tack or something. Another stone hit her and her hair wiped her face as she turned to view the people. "Loser! Stop crying and get a life!" A loud rumble of laughter echoed to her core, and she held back any true emotion but anger. Clenching her fists she crossed her arms and legs, glaring at the heads of children behind a picnic table. "I have one thank you, and I suggest you leave before I take yours." A few blonde girls ran away, yet most stayed, some laughing.

"Oooo! I'm so scared of the mental chick!" A white piece of paper was held high in the hair, and Helena could barely make out the black scratches on its surface. And suddenly, her stomach dropped. "Oh Goblin King! Gobling King!" One of the boys pretend to swoon into anothers arms, and the entire crowd giggled. Tears brimmed her eyes but she was determined not to cry. And to better her situation, she did what every kid would do in her position. Lie their asses off. "Excuse me?" Her voice didn't end the laughter, but somehow they heard it. Three boys and two girls made their way over to her, holding the paper in front of them. One boy cleared his throat and took the paper, and once he was within three feet of her, and motioned for every other kid to come around, he began to read what was on the parchment.

"Dear Jareth, I really wish that I could stay with you forever. My brothers don't even seem to notice me anymore, none the less my parents. But oh well. Thanks for the flowers. They helped with the stench that pesky goblin left behind. How did he follow you here anyway? Oh well. It dosen't much matter now. You know, mortal kids really are stupid and coin...coinc..." The boy pointed to a word and nobody could distinguish it, and the laughing stopped. Helena rolled her eyes and knew the word, and she was quite sure they knew it was written by her, might as well make him look like an idiot as well. "It says coincided retard." The boy nodded and read on. How... Repulsively stupid! "Concedered. Anyway, do you think that maybe I can stay at the castle for more than three hours today after school? I made you something! Well I have to go out to recess. Ick. Write back!" Once he threw the girl the paper everyone roared in laughter, making sure to add their commentary. "The Labyrinth! What is that? Crazy town?" "Is this Goblin King your boyfriend?" "Imagine that! Heloony having a boyfriend!" "I'm surprised she even has a friend!" "She dosen't! Its pretend!" Laughter continued from the crowd, and Helena's blood began to boil. She shoved the letter into her pocket for later and stood up, not caring to dust off her jeans. She was a few inches taller than the boy who had read the letter, which was saying something as she was second shortest in class, and raised her hand, punching him square in the face.

Now instead of laughter, gasps filled the air. Helena's heart continued to pound out of her chest, and the young boy fell to the ground, shriveling up and balling against the dry ground. Pushing her pale hands through the crowd her frail figure began to run. Run from them, from the playingground, beyond the fence, and away from the school. In reality it was only about three hundred feet, but to her small legs it felt like miles. She could see teachers eyeing her, one trying to chase her down - but tripped over a rock and plumented to earth. Taking one quick glance behind her she saw that she wasn't being followed, and smiled softly too herself. Had she actually won? She had escaped school? For now atleast. Once she would arrive home she was dead meat. But as of now it didn't matter. Besides, maybe she didn't have to return home. Maybe she could run off to the woods and live there forever. That wouldn't be so bad...

As she continued on her trek through the now fairly tall grass she moved her eyes to the ground, though was still going at the same pace she had started on. It was strange how much energy such a small thing could bear with her. After a few more moments of running she slowed down into more of a jog. Another glance back and found herself completely alone. It was somewhat frightening, to be alone in a place that was... Well not a very safe place for any child to be in. Oakwoods Elementary was located off in the woods, hence the name, far away from any real form of the small town. It wasn't like a city where there were dangers of people - it was the dangers of nature. Wild animals, snakes, and the fact you could get lost in a manner of seconds. After she was content with the fact she was truly on her own she began to walk, and turned to re-face what was in front of her. But once she had turned around her body ran into... something. At first she thought it was a tree, or maybe a citizens fence, but no that wasn't it at all. It was a man. A pit of fear formed in the bottom of her stomach, a sickly feeling overwhelming her. Gulping she had barely enough guts to lift her head, and open her eyes. And once she did, every emotion melted. A low cough flew from the man, who soon was bent down at her eye level. "Jareth!"

Her voice squeeled throughout the land, causing a few birds to fly off close tree branches. He covered her mouth with a single finger and then brushed a piece of hair out of the girls eyes. Helena wrapped her arms tightly around him, as if trying suffocate him. But as her arms weren't big enough to go all around him he continued his breathing at a normal pace. "Helena, what are you doing here?" The girl opened her mouth to explain the incident but once again her mouth was covered. "Now I know that part. But why did you run away?" Her head bowed and she shrugged softly. The man lifted an eyebrow and sat down on what used to be the ground, but was now a wine red blanket. He pulled her down to sit beside her, keeping her close, but so that his head was still high above hers. "Is it because they were teasing you?" She shrugged once more and he kept his brow high, holding his breath for her answer. He was treating her as his own child, as he always had - but now he was actually giving her a life lesson. At least she might actually listen to him. It was rare for a child her age to actually listen to her parents. She was no different, and so Jareth had made it a point to teach her what she had ignored from her mother and father.

A moment of silence went by before he began to push his weight on his elbow, propped up by his knee. While his other leg laid straight in front of him, his right arm wrapped itself around her shoulder. "It... It really hurt. No one believed me. And... And I couldn't tell them." He nodded in understandment, trying to avoid seeing her eyes now. There were more tears. If they were to fall, it would be only the third time he had seen it happen - and all he could do was hope she wouldn't. It killed him to see a child in pain, especially one he cared about as dearly as Helena. "You know, it you wanted I could always just send them to the Bog of Eteneral Stench!" The girl giggled underneath his arm, and one of his hands went to her stomach to begin tickling her contineously. "Jareth! Stop it!" He chuckled softly, though didn't move his hand, just watch her back fall to the ground with laughter, her cheeks turning a bright red. "Jareth!" Her voice went up and down, from a low call to a high shriek and eventually he let her go, a smile still plastered to his face.

The little girl's expression went back to mellow as she laid down, her head resting on his calve. "Now what on earth are you doing?" He sat back up so his face was directly above her's, his necklace falling dangerously close to her face. She smiled and rolled over so she wasn't facing him, though still on his leg. "I am tired. I want to take a nap." He sighed and held up a crystal that soon turned into a goblet of water, which he first drank out of then handed it to her. The king had expected a response such as 'Ew cooties!' or 'I want my own!' but she just drank eagerly. Running really had taken a toll on her. "Don't you have school to get back to?" She shook her head against his tight blue pants, and he rolled his eyes playfull at her. "I'm not going back there." She seemed very sure of herself... And he decided that perhaps he could let her have a day of vacation or so - and then he would turn back the clock to before recess. That way she might be able to avoid the incident with the boy. He stroked her hair gingerly, warm rays of sunshine resting on both of them. Ah.. It was a lovely moment, a lovely day. And as much as he wanted to enjoy it, he couldn't. Not only did he have this situation with Helena, he had some guests over - by their own invintation. Guests that weren't to fond of the fact he had made a friend out of a mortal. As silence began to build around them he sighed and tucked her hair behind her ears, making a soft cluck with his tounge.

"Well if you promise to be good and behave yourself, I'll let you stay at the Labyrinth." Immediatly she bolted up, and he made sure that he quickly pulled his head back, as not to be banged by hers. "Really?!" Her voice was extactict, to say at least. "Wait... For how long?" Some of the excitment had left her voice, and yet the same sparkle escaped her light blue orbs that continued to twinkle at his. He sighed and rubbed his glove covered hands together, contemplating the situation once more. "How about for one to two days. Depending on what happens." A smile finally appeared on her face and she embraced him once more. "I get to spend the night?! Thank you Jareth thank you thank you tha-" She was cut off as he raised his hand for silence, which she was quick to obey.

"You may, if, and only if, you get in bed when I tell you to. And you promise to be in your own bed." Jareth had made sure she had her own room to place her collectables from the Labyrinth, and a set of clothes just in case anything really did ever happen. Though last time she had stayed in the Labyrinth for more than six hours she had fell asleep on his bed while he was changing in his closet. Coming in to a nine year old girl collasped on his bed, while being almost naked mind you, was quite a shock. She giggled softly and nodded in approval. "Alright then, come on." She stood up and handed him the goblet and blanket, which soon disapated into thin air. He grasped her hand before sending them through a short transport to the Labyrinth. "Now, remember to stay here, alright. Its dinner time here as well. So if you go out you might accidently become someone's meal." She quirked a brow, but then just shrugged as she walked over to his throne and sat on top of it.

He took large, graceful strides toward her, clasping his hands behind him. The throne room was empty now as the goblins were off munching on the evening meal, and so he was able to not worry of stepping on his subjects. "What are you doing in my throne?" He smirked as he got closer to her. She curled up to fill the seat, laughing quietly to herself. Running the next few feet toward her he scooped her out of the chair, and sat himself onto his seat. He threw one leg over the arm rest, and let the other lay lifelessly on the ground. "Where am I suppose to sit?!" Jareth rolled his eyes as he picked her up once more and sat her one his lap. "Happy?" She nodded and rested her head against his chest. With one hand clasped to her arm, his other tapped his knee, suddenly deep in thought. He could feel her breathing deepen, sure she would go to sleep on him soon. But she would awaken with the next half hour. She always did.

His thoughts trailed off, from business to pleasure, from relaxing to argueing. He thought of the court he was supposed to give a directive speech to in the next few days, and then that one fairy maid working outside the castle. A warm flow filled his body as she turned around in his mind - but then he abrutly stopped. There was a child in his lap. Imagine what could have happened had his mind not changed. He laughed to himself as he thought of her innocent words speaking quietly, the words she would have most likely said, 'Are you wearing a belt buckle?'.