"Majesty, your guests have arrived." Lorso entered Jareth's chambers, noting Jareth had just finished getting ready by putting on his signature gloves.
Evening crept up on the Underground quicker than usual, or at least in Jareth's mind. There was a grand ball tonight for the Fae upper class in honor of the stars. This was also one of Jareth's last chance to find a counterpart before his birthday. Of course, he wasn't as eager to find a counterpart as Lorso had hoped he would be. But to appease his adviser, and to keep up appearances; Jareth agreed to show his face. "Lorso?" He sighed almost too quietly for Lorso to even hear.
"Majesty?" Lorso replied, unsure if Jareth truly had anything to say, or was just taking comfort in having someone in the room with him.
"I thank you for your services all these years." Jareth admitted, trying his hardest not to make his next few words sound like a goodbye, and more like true appreciation. "You have always served me well."
"Majesty..." Lorso began, feeling grief wash over his whole body. He felt as though he had failed his King. Time was running out, and all he could do was watch. "I have been by your side from the beginning. I have watched you grow from the day you were born, until now. Please... I beg of you..."
Jareth raised his hand, interrupting the goblin. "Lorso. What will happen, will happen. I cannot move the stars where they stand. I cannot stop death."
"But you can stall it." Lorso protested. "Jareth, please. Listen to me just this once. Your Kingdom needs you. You have no heir, at least marry someone to conceive an heir!"
Jareth sighed, his eyes narrowing as he looked to his adviser. His patience was running thing, and he knew his mind made up. However, maybe to appease Lorso he could at least pretend to be interested in securing his future. "Come. It's improper to keep the guests waiting." Jareth forced a crooked smile.
"Will you try?" Lorso asked.
"My very best, old friend." Lorso exhaled with some ease as he followed his King to the ballroom. The two walked in silence until reaching the double doors. Knowing it would probably be his last event before his birthday, and impending demise, Jareth was determined to enjoy himself... unaware of what was happening elsewhere in his Labyrinth.
Evelyn's eyes fluttered open, her vision slightly blurred as she tried to make out where she was. She heard muffled voices, but soon they became clear to her. "She landed with quite a thud." A voice said. "I'm surprised she's not more hurt than a few scrapes and bruises."
"You know them Fae are magic types." A male voice grunted. "How are we gonna fix the roof?"
'Roof?' Evelyn thought to herself as her vision cleared more. "Look, she's coming to!" The first voice exclaimed. Evelyn heard shuffling coming from her right, and then was soon faced with two shadowy figures. She sat up, startled and afraid it was the creature from before. "Calm down M'Lady! You're safe!"
Evelyn's vision fully cleared and saw herself sitting before two Goblins. One female stoutly Goblin, and an even bulkier male Goblin with an eye patch. The two Goblins stared at Evelyn curiously, waiting for her to speak. "W..." Evelyn cleared her throat. "Where am I?"
"You're in our house." The male Goblin grunted.
"You fell dear." The female Goblin corrected.
"That's an understatement." The male replied leering at his female companion.
"I feel like I fell down a hole..." Evelyn confessed, feeling her body for any bruises or cuts. She found a few, but was satisfied knowing it would heal soon enough.
"More like through our roof!" The man hissed.
"Partis!" The female hissed with the same intensity. She then looked apologetically at the Fae girl. "We aren't sure how but... you did fall through our ceiling..." The female said, hoping for some form of explanation as she pointed upward. The hole was an eye sore, and not an easily missed one.
Evelyn followed the Goblins pudgy finger to see a hole in the straw roof. She then noticed a broken and splintered kitchen table, covered with more straw. She quickly covered her mouth as she gasped. "I did that?" The female Goblin nodded. "I am so sorry! Please, let me fix it!"
"You've done 'nuff." Partis grumbled.
The female Goblin elbowed Partis before turning her attention to Evelyn. "Please ignore him, and do not worry about it. At least you're okay."
Evelyn nodded, still feeling horrible. "I am really sorry."
"Can I get you anything?" The female laughed nervously. "Excuse my horrible manners, I am Lorina."
"Evelyn, and no, thank you. I'm fine." Evelyn said, eying the place a little more.
"You seem... lost." Lorina commented.
"I just..." Evelyn sighed. "I'm unsure how I got back here..."
"Back here?" Lorina asked confused.
"It's a long story... in fact... I should be getting to the bottom of it as soon as possible so I can return home." The two Goblins stared at Evelyn curiously, and above all, confused.
"See, we got ourselves a crazy Fae!" Partis rolled his eyes. "Great job taking care of a crazy, Lorina!"
"Excuse him deary... we just aren't sure what you mean." Lorina said, her eyes narrowing at her husband.
"No... I wouldn't expect anyone to, it's a long story." Evelyn admitted. She forced herself onto her feet and looked at the two Goblins. "I thank you for nursing me back to health, and I promise I will send someone to fix the mess I've made... but I really need to get going."
Lorina nodded. "If you need anything, our door is open."
Evelyn cracked a faint smile. "Thank you... but all I need right now is for you to point me in the direction of the Castle."
The party was dragging, or at least according to Jareth. Many different Fae women, gorgeous women even, came up to him begging for his attention. He couldn't put enough effort to pay any attention to them. He would excuse himself after a few moments of conversation, and then would find a corner to hide in. Eventually, he sat in his throne at the back of the party, his eyes fixated on the door. He looked bored, that was evident. His leg slumped over one of the arms of his throne, his head resting on his hand. Fae's danced before him, laughing and conversing. They loved their luscious lives, and Jareth couldn't stand it anymore. He used to thrive in such a luxury, but now it all seemed useless as time continued to run out.
"Majesty?" Lorso walked over to the bored King. "Would you like to host the next dance?" Lorso was determined to get Jareth on the dance floor, and he was determined to find a counterpart as well. Jareth sighed, looking at the crowd of Fae's before he looked back to his adviser. "Must I?"
"It would get me off your back for a little while."
Jareth chuckled slightly before straightening himself out. He rose from his throne, causing much commotion from the other Fae. They all eyed him, whispering amongst themselves as they wondered what his next move would be. Jareth walked forward, forcing a smile to his face as he announced the next dace. "Waltz!" He commended as he continued forward to the dance floor. The other Fae seemed to sigh in relief, their King had a new bounce to his step... at least for the time being.
Jareth found a Fae woman, she had gorgeous chestnut colored hair, with matching honey milk eyes. Even though her looks would put any mortal girl to shame, she looked like any other Fae woman to him. She was ordinary in her own way, they all were. However, she could not be more thrilled to dance with him. The first Fae chosen to dance with the King in such a long time, this had to mean something. So what if Jareth could not remember her name, nor care to even try. She was the talk of the ball, and knew this would boost her rank, no matter the outcome.
Lorso watched Jareth dance across the floor, although the fake smile fooled any of the women he danced with, Lorso knew the true pain behind it. Time was running out, and poor Lorso felt as though he was the only one to worry about it.
Evelyn wasn't too far from the Castle, so walking wasn't a problem. The pain in her sides were the worst part... oh and the pit growing in her stomach. She was angry, and nervous all at the same time. She was so unsure and confused. How did she get here? What happened back in the Aboveground that caused her to be thrown back to the Underground? The creature attacked her, and she fell through some poor Goblins roof! What was going on? The questions in her head were flooding her mind, and all had one answer; It's Jareth's fault. It had to be. There were no other explanations to be had. Boy, was he going to get a piece of her mind when she found him.
Here she was, at the gates of the Castle. She looked like a mess, in jeans and a t-shirt. Not appropriate attire for a Fae in the Underground. Nor did she really have a chance to change or prepare for such an event. Evelyn walked with a very harsh and quickened pace. She could hear her steps echoing in her ear drums as everything else became muffled and garbled.
She was angry, that was for sure. She walked passed the Goblin guards, using her magic for the first time in such a long time to push them aside. They flew with ease, although a bit rusty, Evelyn could not control their safe landings and some landed with very harsh thuds.
"Music?" She almost whispered as she headed down the main hallway and towards the ballroom. "What celebration is tonight?" As she made her way to the ballroom, her anger began to subside. The memories began to overpower her questions and anger... this was once her home too. The Labyrinth, the castle beyond the goblin city, Jareth... This was once hers to claim. She changed her mind, it was time to not be so harsh, but diplomatic. That was her best chance to get back to the Aboveground, and not anger Jareth.
Evelyn stopped at the large double doors of the ballroom. Her nerves besting her as she stared at them. "He can't still be mad...right?" She asked aloud to no one in particular. "It's been over two-hundred years..." She began pacing for a moment. "He could still be so mad at me that he sends me back to the Aboveground..." She said positively. "Or throw me in the bog..." Her heart sank to her stomach. "I'll never get the smell out..." Evelyn ran her fingers through her ginger colored hair, sighing deeply. "Okay Evelyn... just walk right in there and... and tell him like it is!" She placed her hand on the door. "Just...push..." She inhaled deeply and forcefully opened the double doors.
The music came to a screeching halt, as did the dancing Fae. All eyes turned to the door to see this familiar face in strange clothing. The Fae backed away from the middle of the floor, clearing a path that lead straight to Jareth's throne. Jareth had stopped dancing with another random Fae he would soon forget, and stared at her... yes... it was her. It was Evelyn... the girl that ruined his dreams. She left him without turning back. He watched her for a moment, and she watched him. Finally, Jareth's eyes narrowed as he stared straight through her. "Guards! Arrest her!" His voice echoed throughout the hall as Goblins scrambled from all corners.
Evelyn, being too in shock to stop them, was forcefully taken in custody by the Goblin guard, her eyes never leaving Jareth's as they took her to the dungeon...