Part 3
The next day the princess hid from her tutor. She needed time alone to think about things. There was little more they could do to punish her anyway. She needed to think about what she should do about her fate. The man she was to marry was indeed the most wretched of people, and she wondered if death would be a better option. She was very deep in thought when she heard a voice startle her.
"Princess you look upset." Jareth said approaching the princess who was sitting under a window in the hallway.
"Magician you are forbidden to speak to me without chaperone. We shall get into trouble." she said looking around but feeling happier then she had in a while.
"I can keep a secret if you can precious." he pressed his finger to her lips and she did not recoil like a proper girl should as it sent a shiver down her body she did not understand.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came for the entertainment of the royal court. And you?" he said.
"I'm getting married." she said forlornly hanging her head.
"And I take it you're not happy about the arrangement?" he squinted his eyes.
"I haven't any choice." she stomped like a three year old that didn't get it's way.
"You always have a choice." he said, his eyes like a fox.
"You don't understand because you're a peasant. It's all her fault, ever since my brother was born. I wish….I wish…." she seemed determined.
"Yes." his body tensed at hearing the words but she never finished.
"Oh never mind what I wish. I promised to marry someone else and when he returns there's no telling what he will do."
"Who is this other lover?"
"He came to me one day and I know you wont believe me but no one else can see him. He's sort of magic. He came during the spring but has to leave at the end of summer. To where I don't know, but he says he will make me his wife and take me there when the Summer next ends."
"But you do not know this being well, it may be advisable to stay away from such a creature. I sense danger for you if you do not." he said.
"It'll be better then marrying the one they have chosen for me. My life is such a mess. I sometimes think he is a demon and will come back to kill me if he finds I have married someone else. But it will still be better then their choice. I can't think about it now. You have been employed to entertain. So entertain. I need to get my mind off of things. Tell me more about the goblins especially the goblin king. I thought he just abducted people. Can't he just take a bride like in the stories?" she looked up at him, unsure why she was so interested or what she was really feeling with his body sitting so closely to hers.
"No he can not. She can not be married or touched by another man. A bride must also be willing. It is a very important part of the magic. She must accept his offer and wish herself away. That is how it has always been. The women in my family have never been abducted." he held out an orb to her and as she reached for the orb it had become a sparkling necklace with a small crystal sphere. "Protection from the specter that wants you as his wife. Your choice of course."
She turned her back to him so he could place it on her. From his touch every hair on her neck stood on end. His hands were gloved but there was still an energy from the contact that ran through her, as he let his hands linger over her shoulders.
"It's beautiful. Your amazing…..I hope you have something to ward off human men. What do you think he….the goblin can offer the princess he courts?" she said in a soft voice as she let him stay close.
"It is not half as lovely as you, precious… Why he can give her love, of course." he whispered in her ear making her close her eyes and shiver with delight.
"Love?" she questioned like it was a foreign word and pulled away.
"Yes love for a good part of eternity." he waved his empty hand and a glass ball appeared. Before long he was doing all sorts of tricks. Her eyes fixated on the dancing lights being reflected.
"They get to marry for love? But she'll grow old and he wont." her eyes captured by the glow.
"Now precious people who live so long do not grow very old and neither do their chosen mates. It is part of the offer."
"Eternity? But that's such a long time."
"Not long at all. It goes by in a heartbeat when one is happy." he said with a crooked smile, as a voice called for her down the hall.
"Ugh that's my tutor. Do me a favor and don't tell him you saw me." she ran off down the hallway her grey dress flowing like her hair behind her.
"As you wish my queen." he said turning into an owl and flying out into the afternoon sky.
That night…..
"My lady where have you been hiding all day?" her maid asked.
"Helga, what do you find attractive in a man. I mean if you could chose and not marry because it was expected?"
"Well I don't right know my lady. My parents sent me to marry as soon as I turned thirteen. They needed the money and it secured me a job in the kitchen. I never had much of a chance to think about it. But I can see you've been."
"I think I'd like a man whose mysterious and…" the princess said dazing off into the moonlight.
"Are you talking about that ghost you see that claims he will return to take you away from here?"
"No not him. It's no one. Really it's no one." the princess said.
"Oh you're thinking about that magician you keep mentioning. Now you get that nave out of your mind. Up to no good that one is…has that look like the cat that just ate the canary. I know I saw him lurking around the castle earlier. He'll put all of our souls in jeopardy. All of those travelers are like that, that's why they aren't allowed to worship with us." the maid said.
"Now Helga you can't deny that crooked smile of his makes your body feel warm."
"My lady, a lady does not say such things." she smiled agreeing.
"And that look in his eyes, it's like he knows something we don't, like he has no fear, like he's so sure."
"He's arrogant. And for a peasant the only thing that gets you is executed." Now I mean it, you have to get him out of your mind. You are to marry a prince. You have a responsibility. If I may… a little secret from me to you…it helps to close your eyes and picture someone else."
"Helga!"
"You still have so much to learn." Helga said shaking her head.
She escaped the castle the next day to a small clearing in the woods next to a waterfall surrounded by many large boulders. It was a serene and green place. The sounds of birds and running water drowned out all of the noise of the neighboring village. She was only alone for a shot while when she was startled by a mans voice coming from no where.
"Princess, fancy seeing you here. Although the surroundings do suit you. You could easily be a water nymph." Jareth calmed her with his flattery.
"I am glad to see you." she said putting on a big smile.
"Are you?" he asked.
"Yes, I really wanted to see you again." She sat on a log and motioned for him to join her.
"You wish to hear more stories…about the goblins?"
"What does he look like? I've heard all sorts of different descriptions."
"Who?" he teased.
"The goblin king. You know, don't tease me." she said playfully.
"As you like…. He's a handsome chap. The most handsome chap in all of the lands, if I do say so."
"Is he a fair haired? Like you?" she asked.
"Why yes he is, it's a family trait."
"How old do you think he is?"
"Well now age isn't the same for him as it is for you. He may have lived many lifetimes but I do not believe he looks a day over twenty five." he said rubbing his chin.
"Is he hairy…does he look like a goblin?"
"No no certainly not. Where would you get such an idea? The goblin king is not the same species as those little rodents." he looked offended.
"Sorry. Then what is he?" she asked not knowing why she was apologizing or why he seemed offended.
"He may have some goblin blood but he is of a race of beings that create their own worlds. He wouldn't look much different then you or I, although I would say he was more attractive then the average human. You would be awed by his powers…if you are lucky he might let you see them."
"How do I get to see them?" she asked overly interested.
"Make a wish." he said.
"A wish? I wish…I wish I could see the goblin kings magic…. Do you think it will happen?"
"I am positive it will happen. Here for you. You must be hungry from your ride." he held out a peach.
"What is it?" her hand went for it automatically.
"A gift. It's the goblin kings favorite. A Persian apple. Go on." he urged her as she bit into the peach and after a few moments fell onto his lap.
"I feel so…everything is dancing….I…"
"You look tired precious, you should sleep."
