Hurts Like Hell
By: NikkiKelly
Disclaimer: I am the owner of one fat cat named Chewie, one and one half packs of cigarettes, three fake pieces of eight, and a brand new tattoo. I do not own the Labyrinth (though it would be sweet if I did!) or any of it's characters. Jim Henson's Company does… Lucky…
Author's Notes: Thanks to all who read and reviewed my first few chapters. I apologize that it's taken me this long to upload more. I've had issues with writers block and no internet at home so… Sorry… Please bear with me. Thanks. You all rock!
Chapter 2: Not Long At All
Sarah waited at her mirror for Hoggle to return, anxious for any news of Alyx. She worried for the girl, as Sarah knew all to well the trials the Labyrinth held. She remembered Jareth's intimidation and cruelty and she worried for the younger girl's safety. Surely, he wouldn't turn the girl into a goblin. She wasn't a baby or some young child that could just forget her life in the Aboveground so easily. Then again, Sarah reminded herself, Jareth can be cruel.
Cruel or stubborn like you? The voice in her head whispered. He did take Alyx away from her life with her father. That's not such a cruel act when you really think about it. One could actually call it a blessing in disguise. A second chance even. Besides, how well do you really know the Goblin King? Perhaps the laws of magic bind him to obey the words. Maybe-
Scoffing at herself for letting her thoughts dwell for so long on him, she propped her chin up with one hand as she stared into her vanity mirror. It did not matter how well she did or didn't know Jareth. She still wanted to help Alyx. No teenage girl should have to go through such an ordeal alone and Sarah was remorseful that she could not help the girl before now. After an hour had slowly crept by, she became nervous that Jareth had caught Hoggle snooping around the castle. She was tempted to call for Jareth herself, and demand to see her friend. She chewed, nervously, on one thumbnail, and was delighted when she finally saw Hoggle's wrinkled face appear in her mirror.
"Hoggle! Are you okay? I was worried-"
"Don't you be worryin' about me." He grunted. "Jareth's too busy trying to figure out what to do with your friend to even notice me wanderin' 'bout an' asking a few questions."
Sarah sighed in relief. "Where is she? Is Alyx okay?"
"She's safe in the castle. Abby, one of the maids up that ways, told me that she just put the lass to bed. An' don't you worry, cuz Jareth ain't gonna turn her into a goblin or nothin' like that. She's fine. I guess she an' Jareth's already had some words since she got here, but everything's okay." Hoggle replied and grunted again, clearly in a bad mood. "I'd have been back sooner, but the damned Prince set a herd of unicorns free in the Labyrinth a-"
"The Prince?" Sarah was confused. "Prince who?"
"Jaron Sindhe. He's the Goblin Prince, Jareth's half brother, an' the youngest of the Seelie royal family all rolled into one little ball of chaos. He's been sent here from Court so Jareth can keep an eye on him. The little troll burned down my shed last Harvest." Hoggle grumbled. "Boy's a damned menace if you ask me."
"I couldn't imagine the Goblin King having a brother." Sarah admitted. "How old is the little Prince?"
"I believe he drank himself stupid at his 125th last spring." Hoggle replied, musing. "Well, give or take a few years, I suppose… I really canna remember, cuz the little snot got me pretty drunk an-"
"125?" Sarah's jaw dropped.
"Yep, I think so. He's, probably, 'round your age in mortal years…" Hoggle nodded and added. "He's the first Halfling born in centuries."
"Halfling?"
"Half Fae an' half mortal, but all trouble." Hoggle frowned. "Abby told me she caught the snake trying to kiss your friend not twenty minutes after she got here."
"What?" Sarah's jaw dropped. "That's exactly why I'm so worried about Alyx. She's so alone in your strange world, Hoggle. I know more about the Underground than she does. Help me get there so I can help her."
"You don't really know all that much yourself." Hoggle pointed out. "The Underground is a big place. There's more than just the Labyrinth in these parts."
"I know, but I have to help her. I wasn't here to help her before and I'll be damned if I won't now! You have to help me get to her."
"I would if I could, lass. Jareth is the only one who can bring people across an' I don't think his royal arseness is too keen on the idea of you coming back to these parts. I wouldn't even want to be the one to ask him."
"Don't worry." Sarah set her jaw. "I'll be the one to ask him."
"Now don't you be goin' and pissin' him off!" Hoggle ordered, getting stern with his friend. "It won't help nothin' if you make him mad."
"If I wish myself away he has to obey, right?"
"Jareth don't do nothin' that he don't want to!" Hoggle replied, testily. "'Sides what good'll it do you if you both are stuck here? It's not so easy to cross worlds, Sarah. Very few Fae are able to do that kinda powerful magic."
Sarah sighed in frustration. "I guess you're right, Hoggle."
"Yer damned right, I'm right!" Hoggle snorted. "Best you keep yer pretty head there an' let me keep an eye out on the little lady. I did a pretty good job taking care of you when you was here, didn't I? Now you get some rest and don't you worry. I'll watch out for her, Sarah."
She gave him a warm and happy smile. "Thank you, Hoggle. I wish I could visit all of you again… I miss you and I still need you."
"Aw, shucks." He scoffed and his ears turned red. "Shush up 'fore Jareth hears you an' I become the Prince of the Land of Stench!"
Mid-argument with his brother, Jaron felt the pull of magic, and, subsequently, found himself in a dark cavern and the only light was coming from the iron grate above him that forever locked him in this nasty oubliette. He frowned up at the grate and swore a low string of imaginative swearwords in Goblinese. He crossed his arms over his chest and mused. Iron was dangerous to any Fae, even Halflings like himself. Jareth reserved this oubliette for just this sort of an occasion when he wanted to lock Jaron away and not let him out. His brother always did this when he was exceptionally angry with him. Jareth liked to throw annoying things away onto oubliettes so he didn't have to think about them.
That's what oubliettes are, really, Jaron thought. Just a convenient place where Jareth could 'forget' things. He kicked a rock with his boot and sighed. Who knew how long his brother would leave him in here this time. The last time Jareth 'forgot' about him, he was there for a month while the garden fairies brought him his meals. Jaron sat down on the dirt floor and rested his chin on his fist. All he could really do was wait his brother out, he supposed.
The Fae Prince's thoughts drifted to that pretty, little mortal girl Jareth had brought back with him from the Aboveground. He could see why his brother was so taken with a mortal. They certainly were an interesting lot. Alyx was both young and shy, no doubt about that, but there was something about her that made his blood run hot. The Fae were always curious about mortals, but she really had caught his attention. Every time her wide blue eyes looked at him, he felt the wild magic inside him stir for her. He grinned to himself as he thought about when he almost kissed her. He wouldn't mind having her around. It could be quite entertaining. Things had been dull in the Underground as of late.
"Jaron?" An inquisitive feminine voice came from the iron grate and he looked upwards into the moonlight, squinting at the small figure above him.
"Trog?"
Trog's familiar grin brightened his day. "Hold on and I'll get you out of there, buddy!"
The next morning, after a long and fitful sleep, Alyx awoke. Snatches of bad dreams about her father and snakes that turned into scarves teased with her mind for a moment, before they faded as most nightmares do upon waking. She stretched out in the enormous bed, curling her toes under the silken sheets. She rested her arms back upon the duvet and sighed, contentedly. She still wasn't sure how she felt about being here, but they sure did put a person up in style. Sunlight streamed in through opened windows across the room and a cool breeze wafted through. She rose from bed and was greeted with breakfast on a table near her balcony. After nibbling on some of the toast, she caught her reflection in the mirror on one wall. She blinked in surprise when she saw her face. Her black eye was almost gone and her busted lip was no more.
"Wow… His medicine really did work." She muttered and tousled her hair with one hand. She studied her reflection. They had given her a spare nightgown of Jareth's sister, Jora, and the silken thing dragged the floor with every step Alyx took. Feeling unhappy about her shortness, Alyx studied how the pale green gown draped over her skinny frame. She needed to gain a little weight. Curious of her new dwellings, she began to pad about the room in her bare feet. She snooped at the nearest door, and found it led into a bathroom. An awesome bathroom. Her jaw dropped. "Whoa."
The tub was sunken into the ground with steps leading down into its bottom. It was large enough to hold at least four people very comfortably and carved entirely of black marble. The faucet was a fountain in the shape of a mermaid and the water came from an urn cradled in her slender arms.
"Would you like a bath then, miss?" Abby asked from the doorway behind her and Alyx spun around.
"Really?" Alyx's eyes lit up. "In this tub?"
"Of course, miss. This is your private bath. After we get you dressed, King Jareth said that he'd like for you to familiarize yourself with the castle."
After soaking in her bath for as long as she dared, Alyx found that a simple yellow dress, with short puffed sleeves, had been laid out for her to wear. It, like the nightgown, was also a tad long on her. Tugging it on, she made a mental note to ask Jareth if he could produce some jeans for her to wear in comfort. She tied her long hair back with a ribbon and headed for her door. Peeking outside, she spied no one, so she headed down the halls of the castle. Jareth had never said she needed to wait on Abby to return before she could start exploring. She turned down a corridor and came upon another long hallway lined with paintings. They were all of Fae rulers and, presumably, Jareth's ancestors. There were a lot of blondes. Many had looks similar to his, but a few some looked far different than the Goblin King. Moving slowly and studying the many Kings and Queens lining the wall, she eventually came across a few of Jareth as the Goblin King.
Her eyes stopped at an older portrait of three children taking up most of one section of the wall. She acknowledged the oldest as Jareth at about her age, looking stern and proper, while the middle girl, a young teenager, stood beautiful and proud, and the third was a boy who seemed a little older than a toddler. He sat at their feet, mischievous and laughing. The girl had long white-blonde hair and one brown eye and one green eye. She was one of the most beautiful women Alyx had ever seen. The youngest boy had a green and a blue eye, with dark brown curls and the happiest smile she had ever seen.
She traced her fingers along the engraving under the picture and read aloud. "Thirty-first generation of the Sindhe Family of the Labyrinth. Goblin King Jareth Antares, Goblin Princess Jora Ariadne, and Goblin Prince Jaron Armande."
"That's King Jareth and his siblings when he took the throne." Abby said, appearing at her elbow. "King Jorall and Queen Jiera stepped down to finish raising Jora and Jaron 'bout that time. You should have waited on me, miss. Jareth wouldn't want you wanderin' around by yourself. He might have been angry."
"I'm sorry… They have a sister?" Alyx asked, slowly feeling a little more at ease about the way people just seemed to appear and disappear in this place.
"Yes. Princess Jora. She's usually at Court with her mother and stepfather, but has just returned to the castle when she heard news of your arrival. I'm sure you will meet her soon."
"Is she like them?"
"Nay, I am vastly different from the pair of them." An elegant voice spoke and Alyx turned to see the beautiful Fae woman from the portrait coming their way. She, of course, was a little older than the portrait now. Her dazzling green gown was open at her throat where she wore a miniature royal medallion on a choker. The princess was tall and lithe like a dancer and moved as gracefully as one. Long white-blonde hair fell around her shoulders like a pale curtain and framed her beautiful face. Her features were sharp and beautiful like the frost, but her smile was warmer and much more inviting. She winkled her thin nose in amusement and her mismatched eyes lit up. "I'm the bit of sanity left in this family. My name is Jora."
"Your Majesty." Abby curtsied and moved to leave. "I'll go to see about lunch then and let you two ladies get to know one another!"
Jora watched Abby leave and turned to focus back on Alyx. "Are you Sarah Williams?"
"No." Alyx shook her head. "My name is Alyx."
"What are you doing here in my brother's castle, Miss Alyx?"
"I wished myself away and he brought me here."
Jora seemed slightly shocked. "You wished yourself away?"
"Yep."
"I don't believe this has ever happened before." Jora smiled. "I'll bet that Jareth is beside himself over this little number."
Alyx frowned. "I think I made him mad yesterday. He threatened to throw me into something called the Bog of Eternal Stench."
"The Bog?" Jora laughed, merrily. "Oh, don't mind him! He uses that threat at least a dozen times a day. He wouldn't send you there."
"He threatened Jaron with it too."
"Oh, you met him too? Good." Jora grinned. "He's fun isn't he?"
Alyx chuckled. "He is certainly interesting. It seems he and Jareth don't get along very well though."
"They've always been at one another's throats. Male ego thing you know." Jora scoffed and then brightened. "Now tell me what you know of Sarah Williams. I have been trying to find out about her for years!"
"How do you know Sarah?" Alyx asked.
"She defeated my brother and his Labyrinth for her little brother ten years ago. She is the only mortal to ever do so. Everyone knows her name here. She's somewhat of a legend."
"She knew… She tried to stop me from wishing myself away." Alyx replied.
"Did she?"
"Does he really love her?" Alyx asked. "Like in the story?"
"Yes. He has always loved her, but waited for her to grown up and grow to love him." Jora sighed and decided to change the subject. "So tell me how you met Jaron."
"He was fighting a goblin in a mud hole when I arrived."
"Was he now?" Jora laughed again and it sounded like tinkling bells. "I wonder where he's gotten to?"
"I put our dear brother in an oubliette until he learns some manners." Jareth's voice replied rather dryly, as he strode down the hall towards them. Today the great Goblin King had dressed a little more casually. He wore a dark vest over a white poet's shirt. He tapped his riding crop against his thigh, which was encased in grey breeches.
"How long have you left him there this time?" Jora asked.
"Since last night. He'll be fine." Jareth dismissed it with a wave of one hand.
She frowned. "Don't leave him in there for a month like you did last time, Jareth. That's cruel."
"I won't." He turned to Alyx. "I trust you are being taken care of, Lady Alyxandrea?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Good. In time, I hope to present her to the Court, Jora. Will you teach her all she needs to know? It seems that she'll be with us permanently, so she might as well get a grand induction into her new life." Jareth paused and looked the girl up and down. "See that Merry fixes her something fattening. The girl needs meet on her bones."
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here." Alyx demanded.
He frowned and glared at her. "Did I not tell you once to watch the venomous tongue?"
"You are being rude, Jareth." Jora agreed and shooed him away. "Go on to your throne room and kick some goblins or something."
Jareth seemed astounded that his sister was rushing him away as she pushed him down the hall from them. Complying, he left, muttering under his breath.
Jora took Alyx's arm, warmly. "Since Mr. Moody is gone, let's go find some nice things for you to wear to Court."
"Court?"
"Of course. The Seelie Court. You'll love it. There is dancing, romance, magic…"
Alyx let the princess lead her to her own personal quarters. Jora sat Alyx upon her great lavender bed and threw open closet doors and wardrobes to reveal dresses of every shade and texture imaginable. Jora paused, looking at the collection, and pursing her lips.
"I think this blue would look ravishing on you… or a royal purple…"
"Are we playing dress up?" Jaron asked from the doorway where he was leaning against the frame, smiling devilishly. He was dressed as casual as he acted in a tan shirt and black pants. Both of his arms crossed over his chest as he studied them with bright eyes. A small bit of leather kept his hair tied back and out of his face. "If so, I get to be the princess this time."
Jora turned with a smile. "Well, hello there. I thought Jareth put you in an oubliette?"
"Trog bailed me out, didn't ya, buddy?"
Alyx stared in amazement at the small fairy seated on his shoulder that could not have stood any taller than 7 inches. She was dressed in a green and brown dress that looked like sewn together leaves and she sported a pair of shimmering green wings. Her tanned skin was even tinted a pale shade of green. The fairy's short blonde hair was covered with a cap made of an acorn top. She was sitting cross-legged and chewing on a piece of taffy.
Trog grinned around the wad of taffy. "I couldn't leave my best friend down there all alone. Who else would I watch burn down sheds?"
"That was your fault, as I recall. You dropped the matches." Jaron stated.
"Don't lie, hag-face! That box of matches was bigger than I am! How could I have been holding them?"
"I distinctly remember you holding them an-"
"Enough you two!" Jora laughed. "How did Trog get you out? There is no way she could have lifted the iron grate."
Jaron blinked and grinned. "Oh, she got Ludo the Rockcaller. He lifted it for us. Then we sent him off to bother that dwarf groundskeeper, Hoggle."
"Poor Hoggle…" Jora commented. "I'm sure he's cursing you right now. What kinds of trouble are you out to cause now?"
"We want to take Alyx on a tour of the castle." Trog answered.
"And?"
Jaron held up one hand as if taking an oath and Trog followed suit. Jaron said. "I promise that is all we want to do. We're actually being good this time around."
"Honest." Trog held up two fingers in a salute.
"Oh, well in that case then, absolutely not. I know how you two are. You'll have her dangling over the Bog in no time at all."
"You have so little faith in us." Jaron frowned.
"Yeah, little faith…" Trog agreed, nodding her head, vigorously.
"You honestly wonder why? I heard about the unicorns, Jaron. Hoggle said it took him hours to get them out of the hedge maze." Jora replied.
"They got all the way to the hedge maze?" Jaron seemed a little shocked as he and Trog gave one another bemused looks. "They made great time! You owe me a pint."
Trog frowned. "Hell, I never figured that they'd make it past the Firey Forest."
"Can we take Alyx to the Roasted Chicken so she can watch Trog buy me my pint?" Jaron asked. "I'd like a witness to my victory."
Jora gave the pair a frown. "You are not taking her with you to the Roasted Chicken. Besides, Jareth wants me to prepare her for Court. I want to see if she will fit into some of these dresses. There will be a ball soon and-"
"A ball? Will I really be welcome?" Alyx asked.
"You'll be with the Goblin King and a High Princess of the Seelie Court. There are few places you cannot go." Jora gazed at a blue dress before her, and mussed with the sleeves.
"But a ball?" Jaron grimaced. "Those are so boring, Jo! Why can't Trog and I-"
"No." Jora dismissed her brother with a wave of her hand and resumed talking with Alyx. "Now you'll be one of the most eligible women there... Do you know how to dance?"
Alyx bit her lip. "I don't know much about dancing."
"I'll have Jareth teach you. He is one of the best dance partners in the Underground."
Jaron rolled his eyes. "Well, you ladies have fun with this feminine… stuff. Trog and I are off to cause some trouble before dinner. You know… Set free some unicorns, burn some sheds, and the like."
Jora turned to her youngest brother. "Do try to be good, will you?"
"I promise nothing." Jaron smirked and the pair disappeared.
"I hope they don't do anything too foolish." Jora turned back to the girl who had went very pale. "Are you okay?"
Alyx smiled, weakly, at the Fae. "I don't know if I can get through this, Jora. Everything is coming at me so fast."
"Many a mortal has ended up here in the Underground, stayed, and lived very happy lives. You and my stepfather, Jorall, will have much to discuss when we reach Merial. He was from Ireland. Put these worries from your head, and embrace this wondrous second chance that is before you." Jora took the girl's hands in her own. "There is hope here for you, Alyx. A life that could be anything you've ever wanted. Marriage, children, adventure… Whatever your heart dreams of can come true here. The Underground is a very wide and magical world."
Alyx gave her a small smile. "I like the idea of a second chance."
"I wish I could figure this out!"
Her head was beginning to throb. Sarah rubbed her temples and adjusted her reading glasses as she skimmed through a book of Celtic folklore on her lap. Looking up to one of the many open books on her desk to crosscheck a fact, she gave a great sigh, and leaned back in her chair to stretch. All around her were as many mythology, folklore, and books about magic that she could find. She was intent on either finding a way to go to the Labyrinth or loophole to help Alyx. Taking off her glasses and rubbing the bridge of her nose, she sighed again. She had been reading for hours, but to no avail. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she nearly screamed when she heard a bemused voice behind her.
"You look frazzled."
Gasping, she spun on her chair to see someone lurking in the shadows near her window, studying her, curiously. She mustered up as much of her bravado that she could and said. "Sir, I don't know how you got into my room, but my parents are just down the hall. If I scream they will call the cops and-"
"What are these 'cops' you speak of?" He smirked in the darkness and cocked his head, quizzically.
Sarah grew angry. "Listen, buddy, I-"
He stepped forward into the soft glow that radiated from her desk lamp and she gasped. He was Fae. She did not know how she knew he was, but she knew it. It was not the glamour, but just their way of being, that made them known to her. He had the same ethereal quality that Jareth possessed, making him so dark, but so beautiful. A long and patched duster encased his shirtless torso, while a very familiar looking golden medallion rested against the skin of his sun kissed chest. The duster was also sleeveless and revealed his toned arms as he uncrossed his arms from his chest. Tall, beautiful, and lithe; his movements were far too fluid to be anything mortal as he crossed the room and plucked up one of the books on her desktop. He read the title before skimming through a few pages, absently tucking a lock of his hair behind one ear after it fell free from the tether at his nape. He gave her a smile. "Studying are we, Miss Williams?"
She tensed. "How do you know my name?"
He leaned against the desk, casually, and shrugged as he tugged on the silver hoop in his ear. "I know many things, madam."
"What are you doing here?" Sarah asked and rose from her chair, wary of him.
His mismatched eyes became worried and he held out his hands in peaceful gesture. "Please do not be afraid of me. I am not here to cause you any harm."
"How do I know that?" Sarah countered.
"Because I am here to grant your wish." He looked very pleased with himself as he held out his arms. "Behold me in all my wonder."
"What wish?" Sarah asked. "I didn't make a wish."
"Yes, you did." He frowned.
"I did?" She asked and he looked put out. "I don't remember wishing for anything."
"It's because I didn't come bursting through the window with the glitter and the gloating and the throwing of snakes, isn't it?" He scoffed and muttered. "Damned Jareth and his fancy-smacy magic and grand entrances."
"You know Jareth?" Sarah eyed the Fae before her and her eyes widened when she saw his resemblance to the Goblin King. "You're him, aren't you? You're the Goblin Prince!"
"I am!" His face brightened and he gave her a low bow. "Prince Jaron, at your service, milady."
Sarah's jaw dropped. "You're Jareth's brother!"
"I know. I can't believe it either." Jaron shrugged as he lounged, casually, in her vacated chair. "Can't pick your family, I suppose."
"Why are you here to grant me a wish?"
"I'm here to grant your wish that you just made." Jaron produced a crystal on one fingertip.
Sarah's disembodied voice rang out from the crystal. "I wish I could figure this out!"
"You said that, correct?" Jaron asked, tossing the crystal over his shoulder carelessly, letting it dissolve. "To me that sounded like 'I wish there was a Goblin Prince and he'd take me away, right now'."
Sarah frowned. "Why are you helping me to the Underground? What do you get out of this?"
A small smile quirked at the corner of his lips. "I like your friend, Alyx. She is… Enchanting. It would make her happy to have a friend to be with her while she adjusts. We've never had someone wish themselves away before. This shall be a learning experience for all." Jaron then smirked. "Besides… It'll really piss Jareth off if you show up."
Sarah studied him, unsure if she could trust him or not. "What's the catch? There's always a catch."
"You have to figure how to keep my brother from sending you right back here when he finds out you're in his Labyrinth." Jaron replied with a sly smile. "Knowing my brother, that won't be hard for you to handle."
Confused, Sarah gave him a wary look. "What if you're lying to me?"
Jaron cocked his head to one side. "Pardon?"
"What if you've been lying to me and you're really the villain. What if you're trying to trick me?" Sarah countered.
"What if, indeed?" Jaron replied, coyly, and a second crystal appeared in his hand. "Seems you have a decision to make."
Sarah stared at the crystal in his hand, unsure of what her next step should be. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she decided.
As most people know, fairies and goblins are the worst gossips of all the Underground. When news reaches their tiny ears, they make certain they share it. Rumors drift far, wide, and very quickly on fair folk's tongues. The juicier the gossip, the faster it flies. The news of Alyx's arrival flittered through the woods from tree to tree and across the lands, as if on the back of the wind itself. The news of this Girl Who Wished Herself Away was an exceptionally juicy tidbit, especially since she had stirred the Goblin Prince's interest. So, when this news came to the attention of the rather large and listening ears of Jabberjowls the Hobgoblin of Magesblood, he knew the first person that he had to tell.
His tiny feet made haste from the pub and down the cobbled streets, towards the dark castle looming in the night. The guards paid him no mind as he crept through the gates, used his presence as a spy and gossip. Snuffling to himself as he crossed the Courtyard, he tried not to shiver at the sight of all the stone statues decorating the dark garden. They were in many poses, ranging from fearful to oblivious. He knew that all the statues of Fae, dwarves, elves, and other fairy folk in the garden had been real and alive at one time, but had crossed the Darkling Court. Creeping up to the doorway to the throne room, he opened the massive door, slowly. As he stepped into the dark and vast throne room, he shook, nervously. The only light came from the few candles lighting the path to where he was to stand before the throne.
"Come!" The order sounded from the figure on the darkened throne before him.
He stumbled up to kneel before the throne. "Yer majesty…"
"What was so pressing that you needed my sudden attention, Jabberjowls?" The voice was low and cold.
"I have heard news, majesty! There is a mortal in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. She has wished herself into Jareth's care and-"
"Silence!" The voice ordered. "So, the Goblin King has returned his Legend to his side. I do not see how I would care about some little mortal snit."
"Beggin' pardon, majesty but it is not the Legend!" Jabberjowls shook. "It is another girl. A different one."
"Then that makes this information less than useless to me."
"Majesty… They say she has caught the eye of the Goblin Prince… He tried to kiss her. They say he intends to woo her!"
The voice from the throne was deadly silent, but Jabberjowls could feel the anger radiating down upon him. The voice then said, calmly. "Oh? Who is she?"
"They call her… The Girl Who Wished Herself Away, your grace."
From the darkness of the throne came the rustle of clothing as his monarch rose. "Find out what you can about this mortal… Now."
"Yes, my Queen." Jabberjowls bowed low and retreated quickly, lest he be the one that the furious Queen of Air and Darkness wished to take out her anger upon.
Making her decision, Sarah reached out, and took the crystal from Jaron's hand.
He gave her another dashing smile as the world began to melt around them. "Wise choice."
The magic coursed over her and there was a sudden windy sensation before she found herself in an unfamiliar study. She facing the open windows along one wall and a warm breeze drifted over her. She blinked against the bright sunlight as she stared out over the vast Labyrinth, amazed that she was actually there.
"How in the bloody hell did you get here?" A low and cold voice came from behind her. She spun and gasped in shock when she saw Jareth glaring at her from behind a massive desk. He rose from his chair where he had been going over various scrolls and parchments and, calmly, took off his glasses. She stared at him, gape-jawed and he frowned. "Well?"
"I-I wished it?" Sarah replied and then snarled. "That little rat! He purposely sent me here! He knew that-"
"Who are you talking about?" Jareth seemed confused. "Hagfoot doesn't possess the power-"
"It's Hoggle!" Sarah corrected him and spat out. "I wasn't talking about him, anyways. I was talking about your brother!"
Jareth's frown grew. "My brother? What does he have-"
Realization came to Jareth and he groaned. This must be his brother's idea of revenge for locking him that Oubliette again. Jareth let out a low string of curses and glared at the mortal, who glared back, defiantly.
"Jaron brought you here?" He asked, his voice barely above a growl. "I didn't know the little snake could cross worlds."
She nodded. "I wished to come here to see Alyx. He told me the only catch was to keep you from sending me back, but he landed me right here, anyways."
"Indeed. You did not specify where you wanted him to take you, so he took the liberty of depositing you here. Jaron is tricky that way with magic. He finds loopholes."
"I want to see Alyx." She demanded, changing the subject.
Jareth sneered. "I don't believe that you are in any position to make demands! You are going back Aboveground."'
"Not until I see Alyx!" Sarah replied.
"I believe she is doing fine without you here." Jareth drawled.
Sarah frowned. "Do you even know what are you going to do with her?"
He frowned back. "I don't see as how that is any of your business."
"You haven't a clue what to do with a teenage girl, do you?"
"I don't know about that." His voice became droll. "I managed well enough with you didn't I?"
"You gave me a poisoned peach."
"Enchanted peach." He replied, looking smug.
"It had a worm in it." She felt like knocking the look off his face, but instead put her hands upon her hips.
"Tell me why do you want to help this girl so much? Or are you that eager to run my Labyrinth again?" He gave her a smirk as he circled her. "I assure you that since your last visit I have made improvements."
"She's my friend." Sarah replied, coldly.
"Oh, is she?" Jareth cocked one eyebrow. "You did not seem so close to her when I first began to watch the girl."
Sarah scowled. "I've been gone."
"Yes… You were." Jareth sneered. "Convenient."
"I thought she had left when he mother did and-" Sarah realized she did not have to explain herself to Jareth so she took a deep, ragged breath, trying to control her temper. "Just let me run your Labyrinth again and throw those improvements my way. I'll best you… Just like before."
"And you would fail!" Jareth snapped and smirked. "Besides, if you found your way to the center, you would never make it out again."
"Hoggle used to think the same, but I proved him wrong, didn't I?"
"Hogsnot?" Jareth barked out a laugh. "If I want opinion on my rose beds or a particular arrangement of hedges, I'll go to the dwarf, but-"
"Hoggle!" Sarah corrected him again. "Just take me to the Labyrinth."
Jareth snorted. "You can't run the Labyrinth for the girl. The rules are different when someone wishes themselves away."
"I'll bet she's the first you've ever had isn't she?" Sarah asked with a knowing smile upon her face.
Jareth frowned and tried to change the subject. "Besides, whatever is it that you think you could do for her here in my kingdom?"
Sarah set her jaw, angrily. "Be her friend. From what I hear, you aren't."
Jareth tried to conceal his shock at her words. He scoffed. "I am hardly expected to be friends with the girl."
"Then it's a good thing that I'm here." Sarah calmed herself and decided to try to reason with him. "She was a wreck, emotionally, before she got here, Jareth, and I'm sure that this little upheaval of her world has not helped matters. She needs a friend… A mortal friend. Someone that can be there to help her through this."
"She can make friends here. She is going to be here forever, you know."
"Jareth… Please." Sarah took a step forward and touched his arm, gently. "I know even you can be generous."
He looked down at her hand on his arm and for an instant, Sarah thought she saw his harsh features soften. In an instant, the stony frown came back to his face. "No."
She gave a frustrated groan and jerked her hand away from him. "You are a jerk, Jareth!"
He frowned. "A jerk?"
She nodded. "Yes, a jerk!"
Jareth glowered at her for a moment, his blood racing through his veins. It had been a long time since he had someone around to put the fire back into his veins. His lips stretched into a smile. "Then I shall have to prove what a gentleman I really am."
She gave him a quizzical look as he continued to look smug. "Oh?"
"You are welcome to stay and be a guest in my castle." He pointed his finger at her. "But only temporarily to help your friend… Adjust. I suppose it would be beneficial for you to see Hepple and those other traitorous companions of yours. You could introduce them to the girl. What better friends for her to have here than yours?
Her jaw dropped at his sudden change of heart. "Really?"
"Of course." He cocked one eyebrow. "Is that not generous?"
Her eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?"
"No catch."
"There is always a catch." Sarah frowned.
"You need only remember that this is my Labyrinth, Sarah. Ergo, my rules." Jareth grew stern and gave her a cold smile. "When I say your time is up, it is up, and you go home. No arguments. You just remember to keep that venomous tongue to yourself as well."
"I'll try if you do." Sarah replied.
Jareth took a step closer to her and Sarah's head nearly swam as he leaned in to speak, lowly, near her ear. "I'll try my best to keep my… tongue to myself."
Sarah blushed and took a step back from him as he chuckled. He reached out to sweep his knuckles across her cheek, gently. "This shall be quite fun, Sarah."
Before she could respond, he stepped around her. When she turned to follow him, she found that they, magically, were in his beautiful castle gardens. She watched him walk, strange thoughts floating about in her head. She had never seen this side of the Goblin King. He had not quite been the ice cold Fae she remembered from her last adventures here. She dared to say he had been flirting with her. She followed him and smiled when she saw what he headed for. Alyx was seated on a bench next to a beautiful Fae woman who shared more than enough resemblance to Jareth for Sarah to assume it was his other sibling. They were in a very animated discussion about fairies when Alyx looked up and noticed Sarah. Her face brightened and she raced towards her friend.
"Sarah!" Alyx cried, happily. "How did you get here?"
"A silly wish." Sarah replied and hugged the girl to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm great. It's all real, Sarah!" Alyx gripped her hands, tightly, and gushed. "The Labyrinth and fairies and Goblin Kings. It's amazing! You should have seen what was in my room when I got here!"
"What was in your room?" Sarah asked, worried.
"Never mind." Alyx blushed and changed the subject. "Aren't these gardens beautiful?"
"I've never seen this side of the Labyrinth before now." Sarah confessed and gave Jareth a pointed look. "Jareth managed to only put me through some of the worst places here."
"You were here for another reason entirely." Jareth remarked, dryly.
Jora rose to make her own introductions, when she realized Jareth was not. "Ah, the famous Sarah Williams. It is truly a pleasure to meet you, after having heard so much about you. I'm Jora, Jareth's sister. Welcome to the Labyrinth. I trust you'll be staying for a while?"
"As long as I'm able to." Sarah answered.
"Which shall be as long as you wish, I'm sure." Jora replied, grinning at her brother. "Jareth, I find it hard to believe that you would bring back the champion of your Labyrinth so willingly."
Jareth frowned. "I didn't… Jaron did."
"Oh?" Jora's eyes twinkled. "Revenge for the oubliette?"
"It would seem so."
Jora laughed, merrily. "Oh, he's good! I didn't know the little sneak could cross worlds."
Jareth grumbled something unintelligible under his breath and a loud crash came from inside the castle. He groaned aloud. "Damn him!"
He strode into his castle, casting open the doors with a wave of one hand. The girls followed him, curious to what the noise was. The group made their way inside and to the main hall. Upon arriving, they found it strewn with busted melons and a mangled tea service. Amidst the mess sat a very befuddled goblin with a saucepan on his head in place of a helmet. He covered in melon gunk and rubbing his skull.
"What happened, Squab?" Jareth asked the swaying goblin.
"Squab was bringing tea to the Ladies when melon fell from the sky, King." The goblin replied and blinked off center. "Like heavy rain."
Another melon fell from up above with a distinctive splat and the goblin shrieked in alarm, diving to hide behind Jareth's legs.
"Oh, that was a good one!" A feminine voice giggled from up above them.
"I wish another goblin would come through. We could call for one to bring us some more of that honey ale and drop one on him…"
"Nah, he might spill the ale."
"Good point."
They all looked up to see Jaron leaned over the stair railing, another melon in his hands. He gave a sheepish grin. "Hello."
"Oh, hiya, Jareth!" Trog waved from her perch on Jaron's shoulder.
Jareth glared at them. "What in the name of Rhiannon are you two fools doing?"
"Smashing melons." Jaron answered as if it were an everyday occurrence.
"Stop."
"Okay."
"Why are you not in the oubliette, Jaron?" Jareth asked, beginning to grow angry.
The co-conspirators looked at one another.
Jaron shrugged. "We felt I had served my time?"
Jareth sighed. "And how long were you in there before they released you?"
"Well… It felt like a really long time."
Trog nudged him. "You were in there for less than five minutes."
"Bullshit!" Jaron scowled at her. "It took you forever to go and find Ludo!"
"At least I came to help, unicorn-poo!"
"It took you forever! It was a good thing I'm immortal, 'cause I could have wasted away waiting on you, basilisk-face!"
The pair squabbled above them as Jora shrugged at Jareth's frowning face. "That's a really long time to him, Jareth. You know that he has a very short attention span."
"I can see that."
Jora stared up at her youngest sibling and interrupted the quarrel above them. "Jaron Armande, I expect this messed to be cleaned-"
"Done." Jaron snapped his fingers and the mess was gone. He began to saunter down the steps, a smirk upon his handsome face.
"Thank you." Jora replied.
"Hello, Sarah. I see you managed to get him to let you stay." Jaron smiled, broadly at Sarah and turned to Jareth. "Are we going to be collecting mortals now?"
"You little snot!" Jareth snarled. "How dare you cross worlds like that and drag a mortal back with you!"
"I probably did you a favor." Jaron replied, bluntly. "Who knows how long it would have taken you to do it yourself. She could have been ancient before we got her back here."
"Don't you have better things to do that wreak havoc in my Labyrinth?" Jareth growled. "Don't you have a fairy ring or mud pit you should be wallowing in?"
Jaron looked to Trog on his shoulder as they stopped in the foyer before the group. "Shall we go by the Bog?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Trog mused. "I think we may need some company."
"Indeed."
"Don't you even thin-" Jareth warned as Jaron's hand shot out to take Alyx's and pull her to his hard body.
"Join us?" Jaron smiled, holding the mortal to him and their eyes locked. In an explosion of glitter, the three were gone.
"Damn him!" Jareth roared, beyond furious. Glaring at his laughing sister, he snapped. "This is not funny, Jora."
"Oh, I disagree, brother. This is hilarious!" She snickered and hooked her arm in Sarah's, leading the confused girl away. "Come with me, darling, and let us get acquainted. I wish to know all about you. We'll go to the throne room and have a bit of talks while we wait on Alyx to return."
Jareth watched gape-jawed as his sister led the mortal away from him and towards his throne room. He looked down at Squab, who was picking off the busted bits of melon from his armor and eating them. "Squab."
The goblin suddenly straightened and gave a very sticky salute. "Yes King?"
"Round up some troops and comb the Labyrinth for them! Now!"
Alyx blinked as the glitter settled, but kept her eyes locked with Jaron's. With his height, he nearly towered over her, and she had to tilt her head back a little to look up at him. She was still shaky from the magic, but his strong hands were on her waist, holding her steady. Licking her lips, nervously, she almost wished he would kiss her. He looked as if he really wanted to. Reluctantly, the pair eased their hold on one another. Once she got past her mild disorientation, she looked around to find that they were deep in an old forest. The trees grew massive all around them, and birds sang from their branches. Sunlight streamed down on them through the thick canopy above. Thick moss covered most everything around and the forest floor was a virtual carpet of flowers and vegetation.
"Where are we?" She asked, a little breathlessly.
"We're in the southern part of the Enchanted Wood beyond the walls of the Labyrinth. A tiny little place called Goodfellow Glen. Trog lives here and I was born here." Jaron answered, releasing her as the small fairy flew from his shoulder to circle the mortal girl and study her.
"She's quite pretty in a mortal way." Trog landed on her shoulder, took a hold of a lock of Alyx's long dark hair, and declared. "I like her."
"Thanks, I think." Alyx chuckled. "What are we doing here?"
"We're going to have lots of fun!" Trog giggled and flittered about.
"Well, Jora and Jareth may think that a ball is fun, but the fairies are the ones who throw the real festivities around here." Jaron grinned. "We're going to a fairy ring for a monthly new moon festival."
"They celebrate the lunar cycles?" Alyx asked.
He grinned, sheepishly. "We like any excuse to drink in Goodfellow Glen."
"Oh." Her eyes lit up and then she frowned. "Won't we be a bit oversized for such festivities?"
"Don't worry, I've got us covered." Jaron produced a crystal ball and held it out to her. "Trust me and take it."
Alyx looked at the crystal in his palm and then back to him, unsure. "I don't kno-"
Jareth smiled, softly. "Do you trust me, Alyx?"
She looked up into his mismatched eyes and decided that she did. She nodded and took the crystal. Immediately, she felt a rush of magic over her body and she closed her eyes. When she opened them, she saw Trog standing next to her and they were the same size. The crystal disintegrated into the breeze. "What happened?"
"He you guys small like us." Trog grinned and tugged on her arm. "C'mon Alyx! You're going to have loads of fun!"
Alyx looked up and saw that even a blade of grass stood almost as tall as her. Looking down, she saw she was dressed in a short jagged blue skirt and a matching bikini style top. She crossed her arms over her chest and blushed.
"You could have at least given me a little bit more clothing!" She glared up at Jaron.
"Why? This is fairy garb." Jaron gestured to his own jagged brown pants. The thing that really got to Alyx was the only thing between her and his chest was his royal medallion. He held out his hand to her as Trog took of the air. "C'mon."
She took his hand and let him lead her through the grass and into Goodfellow Glen. She could see all types of fairies flying all around, their glow lighting the darkening glen. Every tree housed the many homes of the fairies, and great rope bridges connecting tree to tree. As she gazed around in wide wonder, she saw that beautiful and lively music came from a patch of toadstools where a fairy band played. The glen was awash with fairies, laughing and dancing. Trog immediately grabbed a brown tinted male fairy and twirled about with him in the air, giggling.
"This is amazing." Alyx gripped Jaron's hand tighter.
"Yes, well…" Jaron started and then groaned. "Oh dear Gods-"
"Jaron!" A gaggle of scantily clad fairies rushed them. Soon they were all over the Goblin Prince, touching any available part, and pushing Alyx to one side. She frowned at this assault as they began to question Jaron.
"Where have you been hiding?" The first little yellow one asked.
"We haven't seen you in a faun's age!" Another who was red pouted.
"Who is this?" The last and pinkest fairy motioned towards Alyx.
Jaron took her hand again and drew her back to stand next to him, holding one hand on the small of her back. "Ah, ladies, may I present Lady Alyxandrea of the Aboveground?"
"Aboveground?" The first inquired.
"She's human?" The second stared,
"A mortal?" The last fairy made a circle around Alyx examining her. "She's a mite small, isn't she? I didn't think they were quite this small…"
"Now, Vidia, no need to be jealous," Jaron's mouth twisted into a smirk.
"Jealous? Of a mortal? Hardly." The fairy scoffed and tossed her light pink hair.
The yellow fairy laughed. "Though you must admit, Jaron, a mortal is hardly a basis of comparison for a fairy."
"Prilla, hush! It's not her fault that she's mortal." Vidia scolded.
"I like her hair!" The red one giggled.
"Silence Rani!" the others scolded.
Jaron rolled his eyes and grabbed Alyx's hand. "Come, my most beautiful mortal. Let us get drunk and be merry!"
Alyx let him lead her away from the fairies. "They don't like me, do they?"
He stopped and ran his knuckles down her cheek with a sexy smile. "Only because their looks are nothing in comparison to yours. No fairy or Fae like that sort of thing. They are a very vain lot."
"Could it also be that you're favoring me with all your attention?" She teased.
He shrugged. "Probably. Now come and drink with me, my mortal."
Alyx blushed and was still woozy over how he had called her his mortal when he led her to where an old fairy sat, his long white beard brushing the forest floor. He was dishing out bowls of an amber colored liquid to the fairies waiting fairies. His grin widened when he saw Jaron approaching.
He called out. "Hide the booze, Jaron's here!"
The fairies surround them all laughed, heartily, and Jaron smirked. "It's not my fault you can't keep up with me, Gammon."
Gammon guffawed. "It's not hard to keep up with someone when they have passed out under the toadstool patch. Welcome and have a drink, you lout!"
Jaron acted appalled. "I did not pass out. I was resting."
"I thought you had poisoned yourself."
Jaron shook his finger at the fairy. "Oh, but you underestimate the Goblin Prince. I was merely pretending so I could get better acquainted with the would-be healers amongst the fairies."
Gammon chuckled. "Even when Trog had to save you from drowning in the creek?"
"Especially then. I was anxious for them to resuscitate me by massaging life back into my cold lips." Jaron took a bowlful of the liquid and gulped it down as if it were water. He gave a bowl to Alyx and started on his second.
Holding the bowl in two hands, she took a sip, and coughed. "It's very strong!"
"Just drink quickly and you don't even feel it." Jaron said and started on his third.
"Ok…" She did as he said and coughed as the drink settled in her stomach. "Whew!"
"Once you get past the second bowl you don't even feel it anymore." Gammon said as he ladled out another bowl for Jaron. "Jaron here has acquired a taste for my brew."
Her mouth gaped open. "You've had so much already!"
"I'm an experienced drinker."
"It's not uncommon for Jaron to drink my well dry," Gammon commented with a chuckle. "He's got a hollow leg, that one."
"Let's dance." Jaron grabbed her hand and tugged her away from the counter. The fairy band was into full swing playing for the growing crowd of fairies. The liquor began to take effect on her and she let Jaron twirl her around on the forest floor. Laughter bubbled through her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, reveling in the most fun she had had in ages. As the song ended, she stopped to catch her breath, heading for a small rock to sit.
"Are you all right?" Jaron asked, squatting down so they were eye to eye. He brushed a lock of her hair back from her face, gently.
She giggled. "I'm better than all right! This is awesome!"
"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself."
She leapt into his arms and hugged him, knocking them both to the forest floor. She giggled. "Thank you so much for bringing me here!"
"You are mo-"
"Jaron!" Trog flew to land beside them as they got to their feet. "They're getting ready to start the lily pad races. Care to stop letting the mortal beat you up and defend your title against me?"
"You're on." Jaron grinned.
Trog looked to Alyx who clung to Jaron in her slightly inebriated state. "Is she drunk?"
"A little." Jaron shrugged.
"What did you give her?"
"A bowl of honeysuckle whiskey."
Trog gasped. "Are you insane? That's hardly a drink for mortals! One sip is enough, but a full bowl?"
"I like it!" Alyx giggled again.
"That I see." Trog glared at Jaron. "Your brother will stick us both in an oubliette for sure for this one… Or worse… A lengthy banishment to the smelliest part of the Bog."
"We'll be fine. He won't find us until morning and she'll be sober by then." Jaron said and turned to Alyx. "Come Lady Alyxandrea, we're going to beat Trog here at the lily pad races."
"She's in no shape for the races." Trog protested, holding one hand up.
"I'll watch over her." Jaron replied.
"Then who will watch over you? Nay, we'll leave her with Gammon. She can watch you race and lose to me." Trog led the mortal girl to sit near Gammon. "Guard her close, Gammon."
"Of course." Gammon agreed and patted Alyx's leg, gently.
"And no more of the whiskey for her." Trog warned. "Mortal's do not need to drink that rotgut."
"Any luck for me, my mortal?" Jaron asked as he leaned down to Alyx with a smile.
Alyx blushed and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "The best to you, Jaron."
"Then I shall win." Jaron boasted. "What's my prize this time?"
Gammon chuckled. "I'll let you into my best batch of fire grass and turn you loose with the Naiads in Rivertown."
"Ah, now there is a reward! Come on, Trog. I'll beat you even worse than the last time."
"I doubt it!"
Alyx watched the Prince leave and looked to Gammon. "What is a lily pad race?"
"Our boats are made of lily pads." Gammon explained. "Those rowdies race the currents in them and try to topple one another in the process."
Alyx stood at the counter, trying to see over the crowd as the races were set to begin. "I can't see."
"I'll take you closer so you may see, Lady Alyxandrea." Vidia swept in as if from nowhere and took her by the arm, leading her away from Gammon's table.
"Jaron told me to stay with Gammon." Alyx said as the fairy dragged her to the water's edge.
"Oh, but surely he'd want you to see his victory?"
"Maybe but-"
"Shush, my dear, they're off!"
Gammon struggled to get through the fairies and to her, but failed as the crowd swarmed the bank to cheer on the racers. Alyx was enraptured in watching Jaron and Trog battle not only each other, but also the rapids the small brook created for them. She stepped closer to the edge of the brook so she could see better and she felt a vicious shove in her back. She felt forward with a scream into the cold water and came up sputtering as the current carried her away.
Jaron's eyes went to the bank when he heard the scream and saw Alyx tumble into the water. Without a thought, he dove from his boat, and swam towards the sputtering girl. She was swept under and he dove under to follow her. He wrapped one arm around her waist and began to swim for the surface. Slowly, he managed to get them close to the bank, where fairies dragged them both ashore. He gathered her shaking form into his arms and held her against him as she coughed. Once she had caught her breath, she looked up into his mismatched eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, shaking with fear and cold. Jaron was shocked at the mortal's actions and hugged her back to him.
He whispered and stroked her hair. "Are you all right?"
"I think so." She nodded as she shook, violently, against him.
"By the Gods, I never should have brought you here." He looked all over, checking for injuries.
Trog flew to them in a panic. "Is she okay?"
"A little damp, but she's breathing." Jaron's hard eyes traveled up to the fairies circled around them. "What happened?"
Gammon came forth and wrapped a warm blanket around Alyx's shaking shoulders. "Vidia led her closer to the water and pushed her in. I saw it all."
"Vidia!" Jaron rose and the crowd of fairies parted to reveal the pink fairy. He stared her down. "Is this true?"
"O-of course not, I-" Vidia was flustered.
"Do not lie to me, Vidia." Jaron frowned and every fairy in the glen saw the remarkable resemblance to his older brother, the Goblin King.
"Why would I push the mortal girl?" Vidia asked.
"Jealousy?" Jaron spat. "Envy. Pride. Take your pick you vain little twit!"
Vidia blushed, furiously. "I did not know she could not swim very well, my lord."
"Yet, you knew she had some of the brew and that she is a mortal." Jaron stepped close to her. "You are lucky that I am not Jareth for if I had the power, I would have caged you in an oubliette for this. Apologize to Lady Alyxandrea."
"I am sorry, Lady Alyxandrea. My envy got the best of me." Vidia muttered and curtsied, lamely.
Jaron grabbed the fairy by the arm and hissed. "If I ever see you near this girl again, I swear that I will not hesitate to banish you to the Bog of Eternal Stench before you could blink. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, my lord." Vidia replied and Jaron let her loose so she could flit away.
The crowd of fairies began to disperse and Jaron squatted back to down before Alyx. "Are you really okay?"
"I just feel awfully dizzy." Alyx said, putting one hand to her head.
"That would be the brew. Come and I'll take you home." Jaron held out a hand to help her to her feet.
"No! I want to stay for a little longer. I don't want to go back to the castle! Not yet. Besides I like being here with you. You're fun." Alyx blushed.
A small smile played across his lips. "As you wish, my mortal."
"Good. You want to go watch the band?"
"Nay, I have a better idea. Follow me." He led her away from the ring and through the tall forest of grass. Producing a crystal, he restored them to their natural height, but kept the clothing that they had worn in the ring. He led her to the edge of a small cliff that looked out over the horizon. He pointed towards the north, where lights danced in the distance.
"See the lights there? That's my brother's castle in the center of the Labyrinth."
"It's beautiful." Alyx murmured.
Jaron pointed to the east. "Beyond the Wood that way is Merial on the coast and the Seelie Court."
From seemingly nowhere, he produced a silver flask and took a drink. She laughed. He gave her a grin and offered it to her. Taking a quick drink, she grimaced and wiped her mouth with the back of her arm.
"Honeysuckle whisky is an acquired taste." Jaron chuckled as she returned the flask to him.
"It's good… Just really strong."
"Perhaps I should cut you off." Jaron's eyes twinkled as he teased her. "Jareth will never forgive me if I bring him back an inebriated mortal."
She snorted. "He's a jerk."
"Yes." Jaron nodded. "My brother can be the most pretentious bastard you could ever meet, but there is a good heart in him. A hollow heart maybe, but a good heart."
Alyx chuckled as she sat down to stare at the lights of the Goblin City in the distance. Hugging her knees, she sighed, contently. "I'm glad you stole me away today."
"Good." He sat down next to her. "Me too. I am only sorry that I stole you away when Sarah had just arrived."
Alyx gave him a curious look. "Did you have something to do with that?"
He shrugged. "Jareth's not the only one who can grant wishes."
"Why?" Alyx asked.
"I knew it would piss of my brother." Jaron smiled. "And I wanted to see a smile on your face today."
Alyx blushed again. "Thank you."
The pair sat in silence for a moment, listening as the crickets chirping and the wind whistle through the trees. Then Alyx looked to Jaron, quizzically.
"Have you lived in the Labyrinth all your life?" She asked.
"I was raised there, Goodfellow Glen, and in Merial. My mother is a High Princess of the Seelie Court and the Dowager Goblin Queen."
"Abby said that you are half mortal."
He nodded. "My father is Jorall, a former Irish knight."
"How did he get here?"
"Before cold iron enveloped the Aboveground the Fae spent much time there. My father fought with the former Goblin King, Jareen, in battle. Jareen was Jareth and Jora's father. When Jareen was slain in a skirmish, he asked my father to return to the Underground to care for his wife, Jiera, their children, and christened him Fae." Jaron said with a mischievous smile. "Are we exchanging pasts now, my mortal?"
"I was just curious." Alyx became a little embarrassed.
"It's no problem. I like this game, but it is my turn now." Jaron replied and his face became serious. "Was the person responsible for your blackened eye and bloody lip the same bastard who caused you to wish yourself here?"
She nodded, slowly. "Yes, my father."
"Okay, then the second question is where the hell can I find the son of a bitch so I can cut his throat?" Jaron asked, very seriously. Alyx gave him a long puzzled look and then erupted into laughter. Jaron frowned. "I'm serious. How do I find him?"
Alyx reached over and took his hand to give it a squeeze as she smiled. "Thank you, Jaron, but I think that Jareth must have done something terrible to him after we left."
"Probably not terrible enough." Jaron replied. "Why did he hurt you?"
"Supper was late, the bathroom wasn't clean, I didn't bring his beer to him fast enough…" She shrugged. "Take your pick. I think I reminded him too much of my mom. She left when I was little."
"Where did she go?" Jaron asked.
She shrugged again and frowned. "Don't know. She just left."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." She turned to look at him. "My turn again… What happened after Jareen died and Jorall came to the Underground?"
"They said that when Jorall told my mother that Jareen had fallen in battle, she locked herself in her tower for three days, neither eating nor sleeping. The Labyrinth ran wild with no monarch to control it." A small smile crept across Jaron's face as he laid back to stare up at the stars. "One the eve of the third day, my father threw open the doors to her tower…"
The doors to the west tower flew open with a bang, but the noise disturbed the sobbing Goblin Queen very little. Jorall strode to the side of her bed and knelt at the side before his sovereign.
"My Queen, you must rise and take control of your Labyrinth. It will obey no other and runs rampant!" Jorall begged as the Queen turned her tearstained face towards him.
"There is no point, my King is dead!" Jiera sobbed and buried her face back in her pillows.
"You must take charge of your lands, your grace." Jorall persisted. "You-"
"Leave me!" Jiera screamed casting him across the room with a flick of one hand. "Bother me no more!"
Jorall slammed into the wall and a fire came to his blue eyes. His Irish blood boiled hot in his veins as he returned to the side of the bed. He grabbed the Goblin Queen by the arm and dragged her from her bed. She screamed and screeched at him, ordering him to release her, but he dragged her struggling form to the balcony. By this time the nearby staff had rushed to the room upon hearing their Queen's cries. Some moved to restrain him.
"Stay back!" Jorall ordered as she fought against him and they obeyed the fearsome knight. He forced her to stand before him on the balcony and made her look out over her Labyrinth. "Look at what your own self pity has done! Look well! Take control, Jiera, the Goblin Queen!"
Jiera ceased her struggles as she saw the fires that burned across her Labyrinth and the chaos that ensued. Her country was in turmoil and would not last. She took shaky breaths. "I can't."
"You can and by God you will!" Jorall ordered and spun her to face him. He cupped her chin to force her to look at him, but she averted her tear-filled eyes. "You are a stronger woman than this, Jiera. If you will not take charge for your kingdom, then do so for your children. Jareth will be old enough to take the crown soon, but he must have a Labyrinth left for him to rule."
Her mismatched eyes flew to his face as the weight of his words sunk in. She took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. Breaking free from his grasp, she walked to the railing of the balcony, looking out over her lands. She raised her slim arms and a gentle breeze blew. The fires quelled and the Labyrinth calmed under her ruling touch.
She turned back to Jorall and gave him a small smile. "Thank you."
"She's always told me it was then that she knew that though she had loved Jareen, she loved my father also, and would one day marry him. Sometime later they were married and along came me. Jareth was ready to step up and be the Goblin King by then." Jaron smiled. "Good story?"
Alyx nodded. "Yes. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale."
"Well, you are in the land of fairy tales, Lady Alyxandrea." Jaron chuckled.
"Call me Alyx. I like to go by Alyx."
"As you wish, Alyx." Jaron smiled.
"It's good to have a friend again." Alyx said and gave him a shy smile.
He patted the grass beside him and Alyx moved so that she was lying next to him in the grass so she too could stare up at the stars twinkling above. Both moved their hands to grasp the others, and blushed when they bumped hands, suddenly. Slowly, they moved again, and their fingers intertwined in the dark.
A/N: So you like? I had a lot of trouble with this chapter so let me know what you think. 'Til another day ~ NikkiKelly