Jareth leaned his long body against the wall of the labyrinth. He tapped his pen against his lip in thought, as he stared at the paper. "It's here. I know it is. I can feel it."

"Ya mustn't worry ya'self too much mate. 'Ter all, ya got an eternity," the little blue worm assured him. The worm had to admire the young prince's determination. Ever since he had heard about the labyrinth, he had wanted to solve it. It was a lost cause because it was unsolvable. This thing has been here for ages, and no one has come close. Alas, he did not have it in his old heart to tell the boy this. After his father died tragically in war, the boy did not have much to believe in. Heaven knows, his family never understood poor Jareth.

"It's only forever; not long at all," he smirked, "I suppose you're right though. It is almost nightfall, and I mustn't worry Mother. I will figure out this old labyrinth one day, I swear it."

The worm smiled at him, "Well, that mappa' yours will sure help ya. You've already drawn three-quarters of the map, and that's more than mos' 've gotten." He nodded at the worm, and said his goodbyes. Jareth looked down at his map to find his way out and folded it put it in his pocket with his pen. It was not long until he heard his older brothers, James and Jonathan, roughhousing outside the walls of the labyrinth. He tapped the wall with the base of his black leather boot to get their attention.

James shoved him on the shoulder, "You were supposed to be home an hour ago. Mother thinks you were eaten by fierys or something." James had short auburn hair and icy blue eyes. He was taller than Jareth, but not by much. He wore a white undershirt, suspenders, and black trousers because he could care less about the formality that his station required of him.

"Some how, I hardly think that you would be upset if that was the case, dear brother," Jareth dusted off the bit of dirt James left on his shoulder.

"Of course, I'd be upset. If you were gone, I would have no where to rest my feet when I become king," James stated matter of factly.

Jonathan doubled over in laughter, "He . . . called . . . you . . . a footstool! Ha!" Jonathan was the middle child. His hair was short and blonde, but not quite as fair as Jareth's. His choice of clothing was similar to James except for a royal blue overcoat that he had put on to keep out the chill. He had always followed James around like a puppy.

Suddenly Jareth put his ear to the wall of the labyrinth, "Quiet! I hear something."

"What is the labyrinth talking to you like some living thing?" James laughed.

"Yea, a living thing," Jonathan echoed, as he tended to do when he could not come up with a response on his own.

James glared at him, "I just said that you ignoramus!"

Jareth put a finger to his lips, "It sounds like Sir Didymus and a woman. She's crying."

"She's probably getting fucked by ol' Didy. You are so inexperienced with women, you would not know the sound of one moaning," the oldest brother responded.

"From what I hear, neither would you."

He raised an eyebrow at his younger brother, "Oh is that right? What, pray tell, have you heard?"

Jareth leaned in close and whispered, "I heard that a seamstress mistook your manhood for a thimble." Jonathan was close to tears from laughing so hard, momentrily forgetting his loyalty to James. Jareth smirked before running off in the direction of Sir Didymus. His brothers did not follow him. They probably went to tell his mother. He hardly cared though. Sir Didymus was his best friend, and right now he needed him.

The young prince stopped when he saw Sir Didymus and a woman covered in blood. Her dress was torn to bits. Upon seeing him, both Didymus and the woman attempted to bow. Jareth removed his coat and placed around the woman. "Your highness, it is my honor and my-"

"There is no need for formalities, Sir Didymus. Please tell me what happened, Milady," Jareth coaxed her gently. He went to put his arm around her to comfort her, but thought against it when she flinched. He made a crystal that turned into a bench. "It will be okay. Have a seat, and tell me what happened. I won't hurt you. You are safe here."

"It was King Oedisis and his guards. They were drunk and they burned down my village, your highness. They killed my mother. Right in front of me, they did. When I screamed, the elf king turned his attention to me and . . . I mustn't say. You are far too innocent to hear the rest," the woman cried.

Jareth stared deeply into her green eyes, "What is your name, Milady?"

"Linda, your highness."

"Linda," he took her hands in his, "Did he . . . that is . . . did he rape you?" She nodded her head out of fear what her voice might sound like if she answered. Linda buried her head in the crook of his neck and sobbed. She felt bad for crying like this in front of the prince. He was not much more than a child, even if he did not carry himself like one at the moment. "I'll get you to a healer then. You can take refuge in my kingdom."

"Oh, your highness, I mustn't. You should not worry yourself over a peasant like me," Linda cried. Despite all that happened, she did not want to burden such a sweet prince.

They both stilled at the sound of a baritone voice, "She is right, you know. We would not want to house a potential spy from the elf kingdom." It was King Dominic, otherwise known as the goblin king. The man was as fearsome as they came. He had scars all over his body from years of war. Every part of him was heavily muscled. His hair was short and black and his eyes were like coal.

"Uncle, please, we must help her. She was horribly wounded by the elf king," Jareth begged.

"She is a trespasser, is she not?"

"Yes, but-"

"You're a smart lad, Jareth. What is the punishment for trespassing onto to the goblin kingdom?" Dominic pressed.

Jareth looked at the ground rather than at his uncle, "She must run the labyrinth or get sentenced to death." He had a solemn look of apology on his face. Linda knew that he had meant no harm, just as she knew that she would be dead soon. There was no point in trying to solve the labyrinth. She knew she would be given thirteen hours, and if she could not complete it, surely she would die. Linda was in no shape to run.

Dominic gave sharp jerk on Linda's chin to force her to make eye contact, "So what will you choose, my lovely?"

Both Jareth and Sir Didymus looked shocked when she said, "Death."

The king laughed, "Excellent. We'll have a public hanging to make an example of you. Jareth, I expect you to wear your best suit for the occasion. Not that frilly nonsense, you insist on wearing."

"Of course, Uncle," Jareth sighed in defeat.

"Good boy. Now wait for me in my office while I handle this," Dominic gestured to the girl. Jareth turned to leave and motioned for Sir Didymus to follow. He did with sadness plastered on his face. Normally, Didymus was not to stay quiet in a matter like this, but even he knew not to confront the goblin king. The last time he did, he lost an eye. They walked over to the castle beyond the goblin city and into King Dominic's office.

Jareth grabbed blank paper from his uncle's desk and his pen that he kept in his coat pocket, "I've got a plan, Didymus, but we must be quick and quiet about it. Understand?" He wrote on the paper as he spoke.

"Yes, your high-"Jareth put a finger to the knight's lips.

"Quick and quiet," he repeated, "This letter must go to my brother, Jonathan. This one must go to Linda. Make sure he comes with you, and tell him that I owe him one. Go. Now." Sir Didymus grabbed the papers, and ran out the room as fast as his little legs could take him. Jareth let out a breath he had no known that he was holding in. He sat in the chair opposite to his Uncle's and crossed his legs in the most formal way possible. He sat there for a good while and tapped his pen the desk to release some of his nervous energy.

The door slammed open. It had frightened Jareth, but he stayed still. He knew it was his uncle without turning around. When it came to meetings with King Dominic, it was best to show as little emotion as possible. If there was one thing the king hated it was weakness. The goblin king walked around the table with a stern look on his face. Jareth met his stare with a neutral expression.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Boy," Dominic stated as he sat down, "You are young still, but it is best to learn these things before you get into a position of power."

"Thank you, but the only way I am getting into a position of power is if I marry a princess or my two older brothers die first. I've got no more authority than a royal house pet,"Jareth joked.

King Dominic shook his head, "Not exactly. Due to the war, you know, I was rendered unable to have children. After your father's death, James became the first in line for the throne. However, I am growing sick, Jareth. The healer thinks I have only have a couple years left in me. I am getting the best help money could buy, but it can only help so much. That being said, I do not feel comfortable leaving the kingdom in James' hands. I hate to say this about my nephew, but frankly he's an idiot. I think him and Jonathan share half a brain. As much as I loved your father, Dorian, it was his lack of intelligence that got him killed."

Jareth could not keep the shock off his face, "Thank you, Uncle, but I couldn't. I'm much too young, and I don't know the first thing about ruling a kingdom."

"Jareth, I know this is a bit much to take in, but you will get lessons and advisors. I know you and I have never seen eye to eye on anything. You are the only one I trust with this responsibility. You are different than the rest of the family, but that difference is what will win the war."

There was a long silence between them. "Goodnight, Uncle," Jareth said because he was unsure of what else there was to say. This was all too much for him. He was not ready to be king. He was not sure he even wanted to be king. Jareth always envisioned himself as an explorer or something along those lines.

Dominic placed a hand on his shoulder, "Your mother knows of my decision, and she agrees with it. I expect to see you tomorrow at the hanging. This will be the first of many lessons you need to learn. Goodnight, Jareth." Jareth stared at the floor, rather an at his uncle. He stormed out the room. He went to the dining hall, where he knew his brothers and mother would be. His eyes were crimson with tears that were too proud to be shed. What his uncle said was set in stone. Jareth could not rule a kingdom. He could barely take care of himself.

The table was long and mahogany. There were blood red trimmings and candles all throughout. James and Jonathan sat on opposite sides of the table. His mother sat at the head of the table watching the wax from the candle drip on to the plate. Her fair hairs were done up and she wore a brownish red dress that hugged her completely. She got up from the table as soon as she saw him. Alexandria gave wrapped her thin arms around him.

"It took you long enough," James smirked raising a glass of wine to Jareth.

"Hush James," Alexandria shushed, "Is everything alright?"

Jareth kept a business tone, "Fine, Mother. I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Jonathan, I trust that you handled the paperwork I had sent to you earlier." Jonathan nodded. "Excellent."

His mother brushed a blonde strand of hair out of his face, "Honestly, Child, if you insist on keeping your hair this long at least keep it out of your handsome face."

The boy kissed his mother on both cheeks, "Noted, my dear mother. What's for dinner?"

Dinner passed, and Jareth went to bed. He had a hard time sleeping. Everything that happened that day was etched in his mind. When he did finally get to sleep, he dreamt of his father and startled himself awake. It had taken another hour for him to fall back asleep. He felt something pulling on his shoulder, and when he woke he realized it was his uncle.

"Up, Boy!" Dominic yelled. He started hitting the back of Jareth's head.

Jareth put his hands up to shield himself, "I'm up! I'm up!" Dominic dragged him by his ear and out of his room. He made an effort to cover himself because he slept in his underwear. The king was fuming, and Jareth already knew why. His two brothers were up against the wall in an equally disheveled state. James was rubbing his head in pain and annoyance.

"Well, I went to check the prisoners to get prepared for this today's hanging. To my surprise, one of them was missing. Jareth, I think you had the pleasure of meeting her last night," Dominic hissed.

"My, my, Uncle, that is rather unfortunate. Alas, I was with you and then I returned home. I wouldn't know what what happened to this prisoner you speak of," Jareth stated, finding his nails to be rather interesting at the moment.

Dominic smacked Jareth hard across the face, "I know that. Don't be smart with me, boy. Which of your dingbat brothers did you get to carry this out for you?"

Jareth licked the blood from his lip and spit on his Uncle's shoe, "Gee, I haven't the slightest clue in what you are talking about, dear Uncle. Perhaps you need some rest. I am sure you could see yourself out."

Jonathan glared at Dominic, "If you can't, we could call our dear old mother. I am sure she'll love to hear about your treatment of my little brother." King Dominic stormed off.

James laughed and messed up Jareth's hair, "You alright, kid?"

"Yes, it's only a scratch."

"No, I was talking about how your balls got so big they must have hit the ground hard," James smirked. "Well, I got another hour of sleep to go. I don't know about you, but I am going to bed."