As was expected back in the Underground the White Huntress made her way to the castle first. Swift and efficient as she ever was. Being at least partially elven she had little need for extravagant transportation and by now word had gotten around that she would be making an appearance in the Goblin Kingdom. The knowledge was a source of awe and wonderment and the goblin did not meddle with her for she commanded a great deal of power.
Jareth felt her as far off as the Goblin City and waited for her with baited anticipation. There was a fury about Meriel's will that Jareth found best not to antagonize and her time in the enchanted forest had made her feral by elven standards. She was a misfit, and an exception to the common accepted rules: just like he was.
Meriel's entrance into the throne room was without fan fair. She simply kicked open the door end walked in. A golden and silver long bow in one hand and a quiver upon her back of the same kind. The woman was impossible pale. Her skin like beige porcelain, her eyes black reflective pools that shon but gave away no inflection but alien awareness. Muriel was dressed in pale lavender and her short dress hung from her like enlarged soft flower petals woven into a single cloth. the softness greatly contracted her otherworldly appearance and animal like reflexes. Her hair was almost white and stood up from her head like a more demure bride of Frankenstein. Her feet long bone and bare. Her small narrow fingers given the illusion of length due to her long claw like nails that seemed as if they could rip through stone. Her face was obscured by a silver and gold mask and her equipment told the Goblin King that he had caught her while she was on the hunt.
Meriel approached Jareth's throne and at first stared at him without a word almost but not quite defiantly. Then like water being poured from a basin she dropped into a curtsy so deep that it brought her practically to the floor before returning to a standing position.
A corner of Jareth's mouth twitched ever so slightly as he brought his fist to his lips pressing his lips to the side of his pointer finger. If it wouldn't have been inappropriate at that moment he might have smiled at her. Instead Jareth stood. These days his hair style was different then when Sarah had met him. While he was no less beautiful his hair was darker and more human looking, falling almost at a curl at his shoulders and his hands were not gloved revealing long artistic narrow hands and finger that were well worn. He was dressed in a blue coat. Similar to the one in the ballroom of Sarah's fantasy only less glittery. Tan breaches and high black boots accented him as well as a white poet shirt with an ornate ruffled front. Jareth stepped forward. His face just inches from the white huntress who was only somewhat shorter then he was. It was like watching two separate forces of nature stare each other down. Air element against earth.
Then Jareth did something entirely unexpected by the standards of anyone who only thought the knew him. Jareth stepped forward and with great strength and compassion embraced the White huntress. Pulling her stiff form against him firmly as he pressed his cheek to hers and shut his eyes.
Meriel seemed to tolerate this display without reaction as she remained stiff as a board. Though after thirty seconds or so of staring straight ahead she eventually allowed her eyes to slip shut. The only indication of her acceptance of him.
Jareth released her promptly and stepped away moving to her side so that he could step down from the dais and walk around her to the center of the room.
"We have a very real problem." Jareth remarked as if nothing had happened but with an air of intimacy he reserved for almost no one else. The Damned High Council is coming here. The enchanted forest will undoubtedly become a receiving and departure point as will the black river under the castle. I can secure the one if you will agree to secure the other. We should think about emptying the forest to avoid any temptations."
"And will you do the same for the great maze? Your proposal is impractical." The White huntress replied.
"Then tell me what is practical in this sense?" Jareth's sharp and cutting tone he was so famous for had returned.
"Simple. Invite them to the ball as well. The people of the forest are humble. It will flatter them and and provide you with some extra insurance." Meriel pointed out.
"You mean extra spies. Yes, I'm sure you're right. There's another matter to think about of course. The High Council will expect your presence at the ball in spite of your poor standing with them." Jareth challenged.
"They may expect what they like. The High Council is not my keeper. I will do as I please." Meriel remained where she was looking ahead of her while Jareth paced behind.
"Please, Meriel. I'm asking as a favor to me that you be there." Jareth admitted flatly.
At this surprising request the White Huntress did turn on her heals to look at him.
"Are you really so concerned?" She inquired with genuine curiosity.
"Yes." Jareth replied. "You are the closest thing I have to an ally in the business. I am asking you to unite with me on this one thing. Will you?"
The Magician and the Huntress stared each other down for what may have felt like a long time. Finally Meriel stepped down from the dais and passed by him closely. "I will do as you ask. But as with all choices in our lives, I'm afraid it may come at a price."
"I'm willing to pay if you are." Jareth promised.
"Then we are in agreement on the Bond Word of the Enchanted forest." The White Huntress agreed.
"And the Bond Word of the great maze." Jareth also conceded.
"Well. Now that we are in agreement. How long do you think it will take for the others to arrive?" The question was meant as a joke and this time Jareth did smile a sharp toothed grin at her.
"Not soon enough." She replied.
Will you come with me?" He asked.
The White huntress bowed her head in agreement and took Jareth's offered arm. Both would know when the others arrive and for the moment there was time. Precious precious time.
Jareth escorted Meriel deep into the castle's core. Deeper then even the Goblin's preferred to go unless caught in their hibernating cycle. Few magical or mortal people had ever seen the deeper parts of the castle that connected out into the maze hiding cashes of treasure, and other forgotten secrets.
As much as there were many wonders and interesting places on the surface level of the maze, below the surface was an assortment of endless passages, oubliettes, treasuries, and gnome hovels. Most of these underground areas were not very deep nor did most of them connect to the castle. But the castle itself was a different story.
Besides the fact that Jareth had more or less turned the castle into a fun house of illusion, the truth was that much of his efforts were to mask the castle's true features which included the extensive catacombs and store rooms that existed deep bellow its surface as will as various enchanted rooms that had been present long before Jareth's time. But perhaps most importantly the castle's roots served as a dock point for the aqueducts and the dark waters that flowed deep beneath the surrounding yellow and red baked ground of the dessert lands that seemed to endlessly surround the Labyrinth and enchanted forest.
There had been a time long ago when the labyrinth was surrounded by a sea of salt water but at some point in the course of the natural shifts of the greater ecology of the Underground, the sea had eventually dried up leaving a distant wasteland of cracked and baked earth that had once been the water's floor. With the exception of the enchanted Forrest, which operated according to it's own unique magical rules, a big reason that the Labyrinth itself was so sparsely populated was because very few people (magical or otherwise) had the inclination or the wherewithal to bother crossing the wastelands and those that did end up settling in or near the labyrinth or the Goblin City had usually stumbled onto it because of the Enchanted Forrest or by other magical means.
Besides crossing the dessert or getting oneself entangled with magic there was one more less well known way for people to travel between several significant points across the baked dessert. It was a little known fact that the aqueducts that existed deep bellow the great castle were connected to a greater water system; one that spanned in various capacities across the Underground and well beyond the boundaries of the Labyrinth.
Beyond the aqueducts was a sacred place, placed at the heart of the castle. It was a place few remembered or realized was there and it was the primary reason Jareth ruled over the goblins and was the guardian of the city and the castle in the center of it. Meriel knew of it because the place held as much personal significance for her as it did Jareth if for different reasons.
The catacombs were as one might have expected them to be. Dark dungeon like and dry despite being close to the black river. Neither Jareth or Meriel spoke to each other as they walked together swiftly and with purpose. Jareth conjuring up a dim torch as they went. The catacombs were a maze in their own right and Meriel relied on Jareth's knowledge of their course as he guided them to the deep tomb at the catacomb's center. The air changed. Became more thick with buried power and reverence.
Meriel inhaled sharply, her head momentarily swimming with the intoxication of it. Thankfully though Jareth held her firm and seemed to have a less aggressive reaction. The room open into a circle where all other paths seemed to converge. In the center of the large space where two rectangular tombs with ornate and forgotten alters at each of their heads.
"No matter how many times you bring me here, I can feel nothing short of exultation." Meriel finally said quietly though her voice carried and echoed.
"Anyone in their right mind, magical or not should feel that way in this place. This is the resting place of part of our oldest history. One of the oldest bridge points of history and shared magic between the worlds. It is what I am duty bound to protect with my life if necessary even if the task should have fallen to others. The world of Faerie has forgotten their place in the larger order of existence. This place these women are a reminder of the symbiotic necessity of our two worlds." Jareth remarked elequently and with weighted strength and purpose.
Meriel and Jareth parted from each other stepping individually before their respective tombs. The Tomb of the Three Sisters. The final resting place of two of the three most important female figures of known lore.
Jareth lit one of the candelabra and passed the torch to Meriel to light her own before the placed the torch upon the wall and returned to her place.
Both then bowed in respect to their individual ancestors. Jareth leaned into the tomb and lowered his head to press his brow to the stone surface of Morgana Le Fey's tomb. The dark haired sister of the doomed king of lore and the most powerful human ever to master the power of the first old magic that bound the world together. Morgana had been mortal and yet also immortal, wicked yet also benevolent.
Her sister in magical spirit was one of the last to take a peaceful stance. It had been her sacrifice that had made it possible for the world of Faerie to coexist together but separately with the world of man. Not even her dark Sister Queen Mad could argue this truth. The Lady of the Lake had lived and died so that all other would remain. Her bloodline flowed in the veins of most of the magical species unique now only to the underground.
"My dark lady. I ask for your guidance and protection for I know not if I have the strength do what you would have me do. I am forever your servant, your champion, and knight. Do not abandon me in this hour I implore you." The prayer was uttered quietly against the stone and Jareth sealed it with a kiss.
Meriel to uttered her own prayer. "Dear divine mother, protect and keep us always within your grace. You are the beginning and the end of us. May your sword of truth reflect out into the world and hearts of all who come to this place and let not the folly of magic nor man bring us back into a place of ruin and eternal darkness. Your daughter pours the water of her life at your feet. May I be blessed in your goodness always."
At that both stood and turned taking up a small silver cup from their individual alters, dipping the cups into the gurgling small fountains on either side of the wall as the walked to the head of the tombs and faced each other in the space between.
"May my water mingle with your water." Jareth said solemnly.
"And may the fibers of our destinies be ever entwined." Meriel finished.
After the both poured their cups out onto the ground forming a single stream.
After the ritual was done Jareth took the torch back up and offered his arm once more.
"Do you think they heard us?" Meriel asked with the air of a child.
"If they didn't there will be hell to pay." Jareth remarked grimly.
While Meriel and Jareth where visiting the tombs two of Jareth's goblin servants were unintentionally causing mischief in another part of the castle. Nagol stood perfectly still as Trizz fluttered before him as he adjusted his companion's raggedy tie. With the Centennial Ball rapidly approaching, the duo wanted to look sharp as they flagrantly abused their power over the upcoming visitors. Despite the fact that they weren't supposed to know about the upcoming ball yet, the two goblins had overheard Jareth speaking with Meriel and conveniently ignored the more important parts of the conversation, noting only that a ball was to occur and that they were to host.
"I dunno, Trizz. Still looks a lil crooked to me."
The little blue winged creature gave a sharp bite to Nagol's, long, pointed nose.
"It's yer face that's crooked, Nag! Now hold still."
He slid a boutineer of withered carnations through one of Nagol's button holes.
"There, now fix mine."
Nagol tied a pair of silver ribbons to Trizz's horns. The two gave each other a nod and Trizz took his perch on top of Nagol's head. They were two of the Goblin King's finest servants, but like most of their kind, they were prone to some unsavory behavior. They were notorious for pulling pranks on the elite guard and they could be found harassing the creatures of the Enchanted Forest.
However, today was different. They temporarily halted any trouble-stirring plans to make sure that the city was in good order. They walked the streets, passing by bustling activity. Goblins of all kinds could be seen hanging banners and streamers from windows and rooftops. The littered streets were swept clean, and even flowers adorned houses and businesses. The goblins knew how important this celebration was going to be, and they wanted to prove they too were capable of creating beauty outside of their king's illusions.
Pleased with the progress of downtown, the pair carried on to the castle to oversee the decorations in the great hall. They passed through a great stone wall, and walked uphill to a set a tremendous oak doors. Sentries on either side granted them entrance. As they stepped inside, Nagol gasped at the destruction. Dustly fabrics lay strewn all around the room. Goblets laid turned over, staining the stones with last night's wine.
"HAVE THOSE BUFFOONS DONE NOTHING?!" shrieked Trizz before taking off and soaring down the halls. He shouted a maddening alarm that finally stirred the still sleeping. A slew of goblins, still bleary eyed and fumbling, got to their feet and poured into the room. Nagol whipped off his cap and proceeded to smack around the other servants.
"The king will have our heads if this place isn't PRISTINE when he gets here!" said Nagol "Dit, take care of those streamers, Gollager, you and Plum take care of the banner. Where is Drull? DRULL! Yes, you get a crew and start cleaning this mess up."
As higher servants, Nagol and Trizz had been granted with a little mild magical ability. Trizz waved a slender hand across the room and the surrounding candles flickered into life and cast a warm, golden glow. Nagol helped levitate a wide ring tied with rows of long streamers. He then frantically bustled around barking orders every time he saw something that needed attention. He prayed that the king was too busy with his own affairs to take a peek at his minions as they scurried to avoid a cataclysmic disaster. The king had been a great leader, but he never tolerated mistakes, especially ones that would negatively affect his image.
Jareth loved his goblin, he really did. Having been among the species so directly for so long it was hard not to like them. and in truth many of the goblins were of quite high intelligence and even the stupid ones had the ability to learn and grow with enough patience and direction. If there was one thing goblins loved above all else it was a party and although Jareth had only gotten word of the ball that morning of course some of his more observant subjects had likely overheard his conversation with Mim and probably ignoring the more threatening nuances of their conversation.
when Jareth and Meriel emerged from the castles bowels and walked back into the throne room which also served as the great hallboth he and Meriel paused in surprised to find the room swarming with panicked goblins all frantically trying to decorate and doing a far good if chaotic job of it.
Meriel glanced swiftly from the display to Jareth and on instinct took a healthy side step away from him. Quite expecting the Goblin King to explode with rage which would not have been such a far fetched possibility.
To be sure Jareth was silent for several seconds, a vein near one eye twitching ever so slightly.
Then the Goblin King did something entirely unexpected by everyone involved including the Goblins who were so busy they hadn't noticed him.
Jareth began to laugh. Loud and booming and albeit a bit menacingly for those familiar with his potential. in fact Jareth was laughing so hard that he hobbled over to his throne and fell into it until he could get his composure.
when he did speak it was to be sure in a tone and volume that the entire room could hear and while it was firm and commanding it was not particularly malicious. "What in all the worlds do you all think your doing?"
Every word was enunciated but there was amusement in his tone. No doubt the goblin wouldn't catch the mood entirely and worry he was angry with them despite the slight smile on his face which in fairness was not always a good thing where the goblin king was concerned.
The room went silent as the doors opened. Disgruntled faces became ones of fear as everyone saw the master approach. They knew every muscle on his face, and when to run when a certain one twitched. This looked like one of those times, until something unusual happened.
The King's laugh sent a chill down Nagol's spine. Trizz perched on the back of a chair and stood at attention. The discomfort washed over the whole room as goblins dropped their brooms and tools and clumsily bowed.
Nagol nervously twisted his cap in his hands as he shuffled towards Jareth. The creature resembled a dog preparing to get scolded as he looked up at his imposing figure. Although not the brightest of the bunch, Nagol possessed an integrity and sense of honor many other goblins hailed. When his staff fell short of the king's expectations, he was always the first to come forward and provide an ear to cuff or a nose to twist.
"P-pardon, Yer Majesty. You see, well Trizz and I were monitorin' the outside, and well...oh, it's my fault. I didn't get the staff together this morning to prepare the great hall.
With that, Trizz took off from the chair.
"Untrue, sire!" He cawed in a shrill voice "We told this squadron of warts every day for the past week that we expected the great hall to be spotless and decorated by this afternoon."
Though Nagol performed like a proper leader, Trizz was always there to prevent any unnecessary beatings from raining upon his partner's head.
"Decorated for what?" Jareth demanded. His good humor quickly dissipating.
Fear was an important element in how Jareth handled the goblins because he knew that like with children the fear of potential consequence carried more weight then the consequence itself.
"I haven't given any orders like that. Just what's going on around here all of sudden? Everyone ELSE seems to know what's going on around here except me. Who or what are you decorating for?" Jareth pressed them.
The sharp edge in his town showed his patience was limited.
Nagol's ears drooped and his lower lip began to tremble. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his cap tighter.
"Th-The Ball, sir" he stammered "I uh, thought I heard that you were to host the Centennial Ball this year. You seemed a bit unhappy with the state of the place. You beat Pring about it I think. I know you hate those hoity faerie stiff-necked snobs. We just wanted it to look nice so...you know..." His voice grew quiter and he spoke hurriedly "youwouldn'tbeteasedaboutitthistime."
He winced, prepared to get an ear boxed.
"Maybe he doesn't like the decorations" he heard another goblin mutter.
"OH! Well, if you don't like the look of things, we'll take it all down this very second! CREW! Start tearing those streamers, get that ghastly banner down from there. This is a disaster"
"A DISTASTER" Trizz echoed as he soared around the hall.
"No no no. Leave everything ad it is. As I look at it now I suppose the hall needed a facelift. But there are to be no further alterations regarding the ball without my or the Goblin Knight's specific word. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Jareth waited for the goblin's confirmation. "Now everyone get out, and you Nogal and Trizz, I want you to track down our wretched dwarf groundskeeper and bring him here as soon as possible. I don't have all day to waste!"
Jareth barked at the whole lot of them.
Nagol slipped his cap back on and bowed low enough for his nose to graze the floor. He grasped the hem of the king's coat and pressed it to his forehead.
"Yes, of course, Yer Majesty. Right away. Thank you. No more decoratin' less you tell us. Get the dwarf. Trizz! Time to move out!"
Trizz too took a moment to pay his respects to his king, flattening his tiny body into a pose of groveling.
"We're your humblest of servants, sire."
With that, he took to the air, grabbing Nagol by the shoulders with his claw-like hands. He hardly looked capable of carrying his much larger companion, but the two of them managed to get airborne though not without a struggle. They bumbled through the air with Trizz frantically flapping his wings causing a somewhat nervous Nagol to bounce and sway, narrowly missing the door frame as they flew out into the courtyard, over the castle, and into the city.
The rest of the crowd scrambled to take their own bows before dispersing, some creeping back into their beds to finish sleeping off the effects of the previous night's escapades and others moving off to places unknown.