I am so sorry. School has been insane! So much to do and so little time to do it in! Okay, so I hope you guys like this.


"Belle why are you packing those atrocious pants," The silken voice that was attached to the man who was helping her pack, spat the word "pants" like it was a particularly disgusting disease. Belle gritted her teeth and mentally reprimanded herself for visualizing her petite hands wrapped around her fiancé's throat, and squeezing.

"If you don't like what I pack," Bella's tone was light and cheerful, but the tension in her back belied her irritation, "Then maybe you shouldn't look."

Erik sighed in annoyance and took a step away from her. She could almost feel the cogs swirling in that manipulative brain of his. If she was not careful she would lose her clothes in favor of the uncomfortable dresses he bought and made her wear to social functions. His sheer arrogance was an aspect of his character that left Belle wondering why she put up with his antics.

"Beloved," Erik began, and Belle could actually hear him try to put affection into his voice. It had been that way ever since he asked her to marry him and told her of the Fay people. She could not understand this drastic (okay, small) change in his behavior.

Belle glanced at him from the corner of her eyes and fought the urge to scream at his stoic face. She slammed the lid of her suite case shut and turned around slowly. She crossed her arms and gave him her most blank expression. To some it would have been a disturbing image given that Belle's face was usually so expressive.

"You should know that my family is…traditional," Erik continued, and ignored his future Queen with detachment. It was as if he were giving a lecture on astrophysics. Bella gritted her teeth and tried to quell the pain in her heart. He had been so sweet, almost shy when they had first met. Or had she imagined it all? Had he hidden his true self, knowing that she would never go back on a promise unless she felt that the promise was harmful? Had he known that she would stay with him because he was the only man that had showed any kind of attention to her in all of her twenty-one years?

Belle did not know if he even loved her anymore, of if he even did. Yet, despite this she was egger to work it out. Erik was not a nice man, but neither was he cruel and she just knew that she could get him to open up to her. Belle knew that she could make him fall in love with her despite his assurances that he already was.

"I know," Belle replied with a long suffering sigh, she would work on their relationship just as soon as he stopped being a prat. She could guess that he was nervous about their initial meeting, but there was no reason to act like an ass.

"And my clothes are all nice, clean, and particularly new. The few pants that I put in there are for lounging around, in my own room." Belle made sure that "her own room" was stressed, although it would not have mattered. Erik was not the overly grabby type. In fact, she suspected that he was not a very sexual man. He probably only engaged in that activity periodically. He had a schedule for everything, and she was sure that it extended into his love life.

Erik frowned, but said no more on the subject, and Belle made a mental note of checking her own behavior, just in case he tried something. They stood in an uncomfortable silence for a moment, before Erik sighed in annoyance once again and grabbed her suite case and then her arm. In a shock of bright colors the like of which nobody has ever seen, they appeared in the middle of a hedge maze garden.

There were sunny yellow tulips, flashy purple foxgloves, and blazing red and yellow pansies. There were jasmine, primroses, daisies, and lilies of all kinds, colors, and shapes. Some of the flowers looked tropical while others looked only indigenous to the magical world Belle now found herself in. Granite sculptures were sat in strategic places giving the garden a magical feel. There were unicorn sculptures, and dragon sculptures. There were sculptures of people dancing and some of people frolicking. The sculptures were so intricate that it made you feel as if they were once alive. It was both spooky and enchanting, and it sent shivers down her spine.

Belle's eyes were wide as she drank in the magical wonder of the garden, and she felt Erik's hand tighten around her, "Lovely is it not?"

"Lovely is not the right adjective," Belle breathed as their hand's began to swing. Erik frowned down at his own hand and stopped the movement. For one brief moment Belle thought he was responding to her affection, but once again she was mistaken. Belle found herself disappointed.

"Yes it is quite over powering to someone who has not grown up in it," Erik replied stiffly. He hated to be contradicted. Really, why was he with her?

Belle nodded her head and kept looking forward. A beautiful sparkling castle was cutting through the sky in front of them. It was high-reaching, with lofty spires, and glittering windows. It was built out of white granite and made Belle think of Cinderella and her Prince Charming. As they grew closer she could make out large, burnt red, wooden trim out lining the walls and she thought it a stark contrast to the white. It was an interesting mix.

Suddenly, as if they just appeared out of thin air (which was very likely), a couple stood before them. The man was an impressive figure. He was a sizable man, easily six feet tall with sharp aristocratic features. He held himself regally with his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed. Not in malice, but more as if he were sizing her up. His eyes were a piercing blue that was a stark contrast to his short ebony hair and his pale face. He wore a black tunic trimmed in red with a gold cord tying it in place, and a black pair of lose fitting tights with black ankle boots. His shimmering golden cape had a high back and ended right above the floor. He wore a golden circlet on his forehead and a long golden cross on his neck. On his fingers was a golden wedding ring.

The woman was petite but with ample curves. Her face was pleasant and her eyes wide and kind, yet there was a spark of mischievousness. She too had aristocratic features, but they were softened around the edges and it made people fell more at ease. Her white blonde hair was tied in a lose bun, with trendless flowing down the back of her neck. She wore a silk dress of the brightest blue Belle had ever seen, and it seemed at odds with her dark green eyes. The dress was composed of a tight corset with silver strings winding up and tied in a bow at the front. Her sleeves were long and flared. She had a silver chain belt around her waist, a silver circlet on her forehead, and a choker with a little locket on the end. On her hand she wore a silver wedding ring with a diamond cluster in the middle.

Belle sucked in a deep breath. This was Oberon and Tatiana, High King and Queen of the Magical Realm. More importantly, these were to be her in-laws. She hoped they liked her, if for no other reason than to shut Erik's bellyaching up.

"So I see you have finally decided to propose to the girl," Oberon's voice was deep and it reminded Belle of the rumble of a distant storm. His face was unreadable as was his countenance and Belle found herself floundering. Was he angry that she was not Fay?

"She's lovely," Tatiana announced as she wrapped her thin arms around Erik's middle. Erik just patted her back awkwardly. She then turned to Belle and gave her the widest smile she had ever seen. Then she wrapped Belle in a huge and announced, "We are going to get along very well." Her voice was high and squeaky but there was a power about her that made Belle nervous. Was she serious?

"You say that to everyone mother," Erik scolded. Belle felt a little insulted, but could not understand why, so she shrugged it off.

"Well come into the parlor," Tatiana ignored Erik and grabbed Belle's hand, leading her into the castle, "Everyone is anxious to meet you."

They entered a tastefully decorated room. It had rich Persian style rugs on the floors and what looked like Victorian era furniture all around. A golden serving tray was positioned beside a high backed chair, while a coffee table held wine glasses. There was a sophisticated feeing in the air and Belle hoped she did not make a fool of herself. There were four other people in the room, three were women and one was a man. They all looked around the same age, but each was unique.

"This is Diana," Tatiana announced and Diana smirked. She had long wavy brown hair with white tulips entwined in them. Her skin looked brown from repeated exposure from the sun. She wore a plain, green silky dress that cut off at the knee and was held on by thin straps (and Erik gripped about Belle's sun dresses) she wore brown roman sandals and had deep hazel eyes that were smiling at her. While Diana's face did share the regal aspect of her parents it was made softer by her apparent love of the sun.

"She is Queen of the Wood Nymphs," Tatiana smiled at Belle before continuing, "Beside her is Aqua Queen of the Water Nymphs."

Aqua was a strange sight to behold. She was entirely white. Her hair was a white blonde and cropped short and spiky, her eyes so blue that they had a white sheen to them. Her skin looked like marble. Her dress looked stiff and uncomfortable. It was white with a scale like appearance to it. It had a high neck and tight sleeves. The dress ended at her ankle where it met scaly white boots, and her cape matched them. It swept the ground only briefly coming up in the back like a tail. In her right hand she held a trident, and on her head she wore an odd looking green blue crown that looked like as if it were made from coral. Aqua's face was entirely blank, even her eyes were devoid of emotion as she inclined her head towards Belle. Belle smiled hesitantly back.

"And here," Tatiana was saying, "Is my son Gerald King of the Elves and his lovely wife of five years Sarah. She too comes from the human world."

Gerald smiled genuinely at Belle and held out his hand. Of all the people in the room he had the most experience with human customs. Belle shook his and then Sarah's hand with a smile. Gerald had short, trimmed black hair with expressive brown eyes and a round face. He had slightly brown skin. He did not match the rest of his family in odd clothing. He wore a black Armani suite with black loafers. The only jewelry he wore was his golden wedding ring.

Sara was dressed in similar fashion. She wore a long yellow dress with short sleeves. On her waist was a diamond star that held up a fold of her dress and she wore clear sandals. Her long black hair was allowed to hang wild and free, and it seemed to stay perfect without any aid. On her hand she wore a silver wedding ring with rubies on either side of a large diamond. She wore a long silver locket with a dancer on it and a small circlet on her forehead. Her features were soft and childlike and her skin pale with blush. Sarah was not as lean like her sister-in-laws, but it suited her well. Belle liked her on first glance.

"It is nice to meet everyone," Belle said once she was seated across from Gerald and Sarah. Belle glanced at Erik and found him to be a carbon copy of his father, with his mother's deep green eyes. The only difference was that while Oberon was calculating Erik was just cold. His face was much more like Aqua's and that worried Belle. Yet she did well in not showing it, suddenly a thought struck her.

"Isn't there someone missing?" Belle asked looking around and counting.

"Jareth is always late," Sara replied with distaste, yet her eyes seemed to soften sadly. Gerald too seemed to dim, "Jareth….is a free spirit."

"Oh," Belle replied and everyone seemed to shift uneasily. It was almost like they were hoping that Jareth would not appear, well…all except Tatiana. She kept looking over to the door every few minutes, "What does he do?"

"He too is a King," Erik informed her, but he sniffed as if the very notion was absurd. Belle was as confused as ever. Sarah seemed to take pity on her and explained,

"Jareth is the Goblin King. His kingdom is one gigantic labyrinth and in the center is the goblin city. Gerald assures me that there is country too, but I have yet to see it."

"He doesn't have many responsibilities," Erik continued for her, "In fact that was one of the reasons father gave Jareth the wasteland for his Kingdom." There was a twisted smile on his face and Belle found herself rather put off by Erik's obvious enjoyment of his younger brother's misfortune.

"His major task is to take children from those that have wished for it," Diana informed Belle, "He is rather good with children I must say. If the wishers want the children back they have to complete his labyrinth in thirteen hours."

"What does he do with the children?" Belle asked, appalled, who would wish their child away to goblins?

"He gives them to those that wish for them," Diana explained with a faint smile, "He really is kind, although he is more than a little odd. Really, his Kingdom is home to many creatures other then goblins. It is considered the place for anyone who is extremely different. "

"So people who are different have their own Kingdom?" Belle asked trying to understand, "Or is it anyone who is lost?"

"A little bit of both actually," Oberon replied giving her an evaluating look. She hoped she passed, "Jareth was never serious, and obviously different than the rest of us. Although, I must say he is the most interesting."

"Yes," Sarah muttered, "Running a labyrinth in order to save your brother is such great fun."

Suddenly the doors bagged open causing all the occupants to jump except Oberon. He just lounged in his high-backed chair with a raised eyebrow. Belle glanced over and sucked in a breath, her eyes had just landed on the most oddly dressed man she had ever seen.

He had long light blonde hair that was fluffy on top with long trendless falling around his neck and shoulders. It was almost like a mullet. His features were sharp, but with a rugged aspect to them. It wouldn't be wrong to say he looked a little rough around the edges. He wore eyeliner and eye shadow as well, but it didn't look horrible. In fact they only enhanced his handsome face. His attire was odd, yet Belle liked the style. He wore a red leather jacket with a huge collar that spike out. It fit snugly around his shoulders and it snaked down wards and turned into shreds of leather, almost as if were cut for that particular look. The jacket was buttoned around his waist but stopped just under his breast. He wore a white shirt underneath that was left open showing off a lean white chest. As her eyes travelled downwards she became aware that Jareth's tights were tight, extremely tight. In fact they were so tight that they left nothing to the imagination. Belle's face grew hot. To finish off this look he wore a battered pair of black riding boots and an odd triangle necklace with a crest that Belle couldn't make out in the center.

"Here I am family," Jareth's voice was even different. It was at once silky, warm, and powerful. She could easily think of him speaking softly one second and then shouting the next. It was a voice that was particularly good a teasing. Yet, it had a hard edge to it as well. It even had a British sort of feel. She knew that it would be good for reading books out loud.

His eyes rested on Belle and she found that they were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were mismatched; one was a deep blue like Oberon's while the other was a light brown. They were memorizing.

"I suppose you are Erik's unfortunate victim," Jareth continued with a teasing lilt and yet there was particular venom in his voice that seemed directed toward Erik but not herself, "What might your name be?"

"Belle Collins," Jareth tilted his head and smirked. His eyes traveled up and down Belle's form and a smile formed at his lips. Belle hoped it wasn't mocking. She knew she was pudgy compared to the goddess like women that sat in the room with her, but she did not want anyone pointing it out.

"I am Jareth, King of the Goblins," Jareth bowed graceful and Belle fought the urge to giggle. Erik glowered at his brother while the others gave him exasperated glances. Jareth glanced toward Gerald and Sarah and his face darkened for an instant, but the unknown emotion was gone as quickly as it came and he plastered a mocking smile to his lips.

"So….did you miss me?" The family groaned but Tatiana wrapped her arms around her youngest and hugged him tightly. Pulling back she faced Belle and said, "Don't you think Belle is just lovely. She is almost like a little doll!"

Belle felt aghast but put an indulging smile on her face. Jareth seemed to catch her embarrassment because he winked at her. Belle looked demurely to the ground. Nobody seemed to catch this strange interaction between strangers. Erik glared at his mother.

"Now Mother what have I told you," Jareth said playfully, "Humans are not to be played with."

"I believe son," Oberon replied lazily, "That was me telling you after your little mistake with a certain Queen of England."

Jareth said nothing to his father. Oberon was always bringing up past mistakes and he was always ignoring him. It was the only way to disguise the hurt. He eyed Belle as he gracefully took the seat next to her. There was something about the girl, an oddity that he couldn't quite see. He wondered if she was anything like his brother.

Which would be a shame because she was such a cute little thing.

Jareth ignored his traitorous thoughts and leaned back against the cushions. He could tell that his siblings were growing bored, and once boredom reached a particular height Diana and Aqua would once again be at each other's throats.

"So Diana," Aqua's voice rang out and Jareth bit back a groan, "How do you feel about widening some of your irrigation cannels?"

"Why ever for Aqua?" Diana asked in surprise. Jareth waited holding his breath.

"So my Nymphs can visit of course," Aqua replied in a flat monotone, "They grow board when they have to travel by land."

"And what is wrong with traveling by land?" Diana asked clearly ruffled.

"Because it is so…stable," Aqua spat the word out like it was a curse.

Here they go again, Jareth thought as his sister's voices began to rise. Jareth sighed and glanced at the rest of the family. Oberon was lounging in his chair watching his daughters with amusement. Tatiana was shaking her head and speaking quietly with Sarah. It looked rather important. Gerald was looking both pleased and strangely embarrassed.

Whatever is the matter? Yet strangely enough Jareth found himself wanting to wait like everyone else. He was not sure he would actually like the news. He glanced at Belle and Erik and made an interesting observation.

While their hands were intertwined neither seemed inclined to violate the laws of personal space, nor did they seem happy. It had been his observation that young lovers enjoyed being close to the object of their affection and were generally happy in each other's company. It was odd, but maybe they had just quarreled. Glancing at her his eyes locked with Belle's, and he found himself jolted into a realization.

He knew Belle.

She looked so different, had changed so much, but yet those eyes were still the same. They still had the same sheen, the same shade, the same sparkle. They even had the same playfulness in them. The only difference was that Belle was clearly upset about something.

He used to watch her when she was little. Belle had been one of the only people that still had imagination great enough to actually be susceptible to magic. That put the darling girl into his care. Every now and then he would monitor her, and gradually he began to enjoy watching her play dress-up and adventure games. She was happy and full of life. Something that Jareth had desperately needed.

Yet when she had reached the age of thirteen she stopped playing and began to read quietly to herself. Then she would spend copious amounts of time on her plastic box like thing….he believed humans called them computers. Her imagination had not died, but the flair was gone. So he stopped watching her as much. It had hurt, strangely he felt betrayed. He had been so lonely when Sarah had refused him, and Belle had filled that loneliness, if only for a little while.

"Is there something on my face?" Belle whispered, leaning in so no one would hear her.

Jareth pulled himself from his thoughts and shook his head. He gave her a thin smile and whispered back, "No, you just remind me of someone I used to know."

"Oh…I hope that it's a good someone," Belle replied with a soft smile. Jareth smiled softly back and nodded once. Someone cleared their throat causing the two to look up. Erik was glancing between them, suspiciously. Jareth rolled his eyes.

"Come Belle," Erik began standing and dragging Belle to her feet as if she were a rag doll. Jareth was slightly affronted for her, "We should take your things to your room."

"Yes I suppose so," Belle replied with a grimace, and Jareth wondered at their cold manners. It seemed that Belle did not want to be alone with Erik. That idea made Jareth pause and wonder why.

"We shall see you at dinner," Erik announced before Belle could say anything. Then he all but dragged the girl out the door. Jareth sighed. Now he was alone without someone to keep him amused. He was quite edger to rediscover Belle's imagination; if he could only get her to tell a story…

"How have you been Jareth?" Gerald asked, and Jareth's happy contemplations faded.

Jareth looked at his brother, but could not muster up an appropriate glare. He was tired of fighting with Gerald and Sarah. Truth be told, the pain had lessened. Not much….but it was no longer pain so strong that he actually had to hurl. No, it was more of a queasy feeling that stayed with him whenever he thought about them.

"How do you think?" Jareth replied lazily reclining. He wanted to go back to his earlier, easy mannered ways. He wanted to infuriate Aqua and annoy Diana. He wanted to even make Erik yell. What he did not want to do was alienate his brother any longer, yet he did not have the courage to try and mend the rift. He just could not put up with Sarah as Gerald's queen. He just couldn't.

Gerald said nothing. An emotion passed across his face, but it was gone before Jareth could decipher it. He stood and announced, "If you need me I will be in my chambers."

No matter how long it had been since they were all children. Their rooms were still in the same places. Quickly, he left the room and barreled down the hall-way. He hoped to catch a glimpse of Belle. For some reason Erik's attitude toward her disturb him. Although it did not appear to bother Belle, appearances could be deceiving.


The room was…odd. It was entirely decorated in white. The future was white, the walls were white, the carpet was white, even the curtains around the bed and windows were white. It was like all the color was sucked out of the room and it left Belle feeling attacked by the odd appearance. She didn't know if she was going to be able to rest in it.

"I thought you would like this," Erik said with a smile in his voice. Belle just wanted to scream. How could he not know what she liked? She liked cool colors, browns, red, and greens. It made her feel warm and secure. White was pretty…for snow. Still, he was trying to help and she could see an emotion in his eyes. Almost as if he was excited. He had not been that way since the proposal.

"It's lovely," Belle replied, echoing his words earlier. Erik actually smirked a little and then put her suite case on the bed. He smiled at her and said, "I am going to go and take a shower and finish some last minute work. I will come for you in a few hours. Amuse yourself until then."

Before Belle could abject or agree Erik was gone, and Belle was furious.

"How dare he?" Belle raged as she violently hung her clothes up in the god awful white wardrobe, "Amuse myself indeed. Who does he think he is? Great big jerk…why am I even marrying him? If he can't treat me any better than this I'm going to kill him!"

Belle raged in that similar vein for a few minutes until a knock came from the door. Glaring she flung the door open and growled, "Who do you think you are?" Her hands were clinched at her waist and she was certain she was going to hit Erik.

"I think I am Jareth but I could be wrong," Jareth replied with an unsure grin. Belle's face turned a nasty shade of red (although Jareth would have said cute) and she explained, "I thought you were Erik."

"Obviously," Jareth replied with a smirk and Belle laughed a little self-consciously.

"Do you need something Jareth?" Belle finally asked when Jareth didn't seem forthcoming.

"I actually wanted to know where Erik put you," Jareth replied inviting himself in. Belle scowled at his back. That was a little rude in her book.

"I had no idea that the dumb sob, put you in this god awful room," Jareth continued, "In fact this was the last room I checked."

"I'm sorry to have been so much trouble to you," Belle replied sarcastically, for some reason she felt the need to defend her idiot fiancé "Now what do you want?"

"I want to get to know my future sister-in-law," Jareth replied lounging in an awful white chair.

Belle cocked her right eye-brow up and said, "Really? Well…I value manners. That is defiantly something you should know."

Jareth chuckled at her obvious dig at his lack of them, "Well know…that is interesting, but not really the answer that I wanted."
"Then maybe you should ask your question instead of talking in riddles," Belle replied starting to feel a little angry. She was still furious at her fiancé for acting in such a rude manner and now she had to deal with his crazy brother. (Although he did look particularly delicious lounging in that chair)

Jareth was sitting cocked to one side. His legs were over the side and he was swinging one foot back and forth. His back was leaned against the other side of the chair and he had a sexy, naughty smirk on his face. It was like he wanted nothing other than to cause some sort of havoc. Belle felt herself grow warm.

"But where is the fun in that?" Jareth asked cocking his head to one side, his sexy smirk growing wider. Belle scowled at him, now who did he think he was?

"The "fun" as you put it," Belle replied aggressively, "Is not getting castrated."

Jareth sat up upon seeing the seriousness in Belle's eyes. There was venom in her words, and anger in her eyes. Had he really stepped over the line that quickly? Had he really misjudged her humor, or did something happen? Concerned despite himself he sneered, "Is there something wrong Belle dear?"

"Yes," Belle snapped hands fisted at her side, "You, in my room, acting like you own the place."

"But in a way…" Jareth began with a sly smirk, but Belle growled out, "Don't even think about finishing that sentence." Jareth laughed at her, and stood. Belle really was in no mood for him and he felt slightly put out.

"Now come on you delightful little creature," Jareth tried again in what he hoped was a soothing manner, "Tell Jareth your troubles."

"Out!" Belle shouted throwing the door open. She was incensed with rage. Already she was angry at Erik for acting like a pompous ass, now she had to deal with another one? Like hell!

Before Jareth could say a word, Belle had grabbed his right arm and pushed him out of the door. She then growled, "Leave me alone," And slammed the door in his face, Jareth stood there for a second blinking in shock, before he actually went to his bedroom pondering what he did wrong. Women were really odd creatures.

Belle paced her room. She was furious with Erik. How he could act like that and think it was okay was beyond her. She knew that she shouldn't have been so short with Jareth, but there was something about him that grated on her nerves, not to mention her hormones. She hadn't felt so…flustered since her first date with Erik.

That and he kept calling her "delightful creature" and "darling Belle." Did he always talk like that? Her more romantic side rather liked Jareth, but her practical side was screaming Erik's name. He was a good sturdy man to build her life around…Jareth was not even someone she would ever contemplate for her happily ever after…so why should she waste her time on attraction….although his pants were….no, bad girl! So really had to stop thinking about Jareth, he was sexy yes, but having a rock star like crush on your fiancée's brother could only lead to trouble.

She shook her head and looked through her cloths. She picked a nice dress, one of the only sun dresses that Erik wouldn't gripe about and put it on. Now that her anger was leaving her…she was a bit embarrassed about how she flew at Jareth like that; although, he was quite infuriating.

Another knock resounded through her room and she sighed. She opened the door and there stood Jareth in all of his glory. He was now wearing a green dinner jacket in replacement of his red jacket.

"What do you want?" Belle asked, even though she felt bad for her earlier outburst he was still making her hormones go crazy, therefore she was surly to him.

"Erik, being the insensitive jerk that he is," Jareth replied promptly although not as pompously as before, "Has informed me that you were to "amuse yourself." What the idiot fails to realize is that you do not know your way around the castle, therefore I thought I would escort you."

Belle bit her lip. She was ready for dinner, she was too agitated to read a book, and she did not have any writing utensils for her stories. She hoped Erik wouldn't be too angry if she went for a tour with Jareth…what. Was she really letting Erik have that much hold over her?

Oh hell no. I am my own person and I will amuse myself any way I damn well please!

"Sure," Belle replied with a faint smile, even though her eyes betrayed some agitation, "As long as you promise not to be an asshole."

Jareth smirked and held up his hand, "Scouts honor."

Belle cocked her right eye-brow and crossed her arms, "Now why don't I believe you?"

"Are you really going to argue with a scout?" Jareth asked, in mock shock, "I am wounded."

"I'm sure you're all broken up," Belle replied rolling her eyes, yet she left the room and shut the door behind her. Looking at Jareth, and trying not to drool (damn hormones!) she asked, "So oh magical tour guide where are we headed?"

"Well…" Jareth began as they walked down the hall, he was secretly surprised (and delighted) at Belle's sarcasm. She really had a wonderful grasp of it, "We are on the fourth floor…which is the guest rooms….the fifth floor has the family quarters, which is not interesting…but the third floor has the armory. Do you want to see that?"

"That sounds like fun," Belle replied with a smile, and Jareth smirked. Along the way Jareth pointed out pictures and sculptures that were made by the artisans. All were beautiful pictures depicting dances, mid-summer eve revels, and other wild and gay parties.

"Mother thought the pictures were appropriate since this floor generally holds our guests," Belle nodded in agreement, and they descended the stairs.

"Mother is always changing the floors," Jareth replied with a sigh, "She loves verity but I do believe everything has been tried at least once. She generally leaves the guest floor alone though.

"I like it," Belle agreed as they entered a room. It was floor to ceiling filled with armor and weapons; although these weapons looked to be old and antique.

"This floor holds the old weapons I should have said," Jareth continued, "Our armory is actually on the first floor. Here is where all the old weapons go when they are no longer used." Belle browsed along the walls looking at weapons that she had only ever seen in her history textbooks.

"Tutor used to bring us to this floor when he was teaching us tactics," Jareth continued with a grin, "He would take an hour just to get Aqua out of the water weapons room."

"How many rooms hold weapons?" Belle asked looking up.

"Twenty-five," Jareth replied with a shrug, "Each room has a specific theme to it. It is easier to find them that way. This room is filled with the old human models that were used….about five hundred years ago."

Belle just nodded her head, five hundred years echoing in her mind. That was a long time to hold on to weapons, yet…how long did the Fay live.

They spent an hour looking through each room. Belle's favorite had been the water weapons. They reminded her of the futuristic plasma guns that were featured in Sci-fi novels.

"Yes," Jareth replied with a nod, "They do. I never realized."

Belle stopped short and cocked an eyebrow, "You read Sci-fi novels?"

"Sometimes," Jareth replied gesturing for her to follow him. He seemed uneasy, and tense. It just did not correlate with the easy going king she had just seen in him. Belle found herself disturb by the abrupt change, but she did not comment and soon Jareth came back to himself.

"We should make our way to the dining room," Jareth commented leading Belle back to the stair case, "Dinner will start soon and I find myself famished. Besides I don't want to hear Erik wine about us being late."

Belle smiled wearily, "Yes…he does that far too much."

Jareth smirked but said nothing else. He just led her down the stairs and through a corridor of different doors. Finally, they came out into a wide spacious room. It was actually very sparsely decorated. There were suites of armor lining the walls, huge picture windows letting light shine through, and a long table that could easy hold twenty people in the middle. Belle could not help but wonder why they did not eat in the parlor; it was far more pleasing to the eye.

Jareth was grumbling because he would have to sit beside Aqua, but at least he was sitting across from Belle. Maybe, if Erik was not too much of an ass he could strike up a conversation with the girl.

"Where have you been?" Erik demanded as soon as Belle took her place beside him. Jareth watched as she bit back a groan. Hiding her reaction she flashed Erik a grin and leaned forward. He did not hear what was said, but he could tell her words affected Erik's mood because he became sullen and morose. He really wished Erik would get over whatever was wrong with him. He was beginning to annoy him more so then usual.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Aqua and Diana refused to speak to each other (sweet relief). Oberon kept evaluating Belle for some insane and possibly demented reason. Tatiana was giving Sarah encouraging glances, and Gerald was still looking impossibly proud and embarrassed.

Jareth had a bed feeling about this.


So what do you think? They're bonding and having fun...like friends! But there are two things I want to ask you guys. 1) Are the transitions between's Jareth's POV and Belle's okay? 2) Is Jareth...Jareth enough? I personally would think he would be quite curious since he is...you know...bored 99% of the time...LOL