Everone did as they were instructed and, on his command, took a single step through the silver. The group found themselves instantly transported to a long, narrow corridor. Perhaps though, narrow isn't the right word. One could move forward quite easily if they chose. It was narrow only because, should any member of the group take another step forward, they would find themselves being sucked into another silver. They stopped to take in their surroundings and wait for instruction. After several moments of silence, Kyrian spoke up.
"So." he commented,
"Now what?" His question was directed towards Ceramus, whose gaze lay on Jareth.
"Magician." Ceramus addressed him. Jareth looked over.
"Me?" he wanted to know.
"For future reference, my name is Jareth, Goblin King." Ceramus nodded his acknowledgement.
"Then Jareth, master of the labyrinth so I hear, you should be quite at home here." he gestured for Jareth to lead the way, he only scoffed.
"Of the one I created of my own blood and magic, yes, but all labyrinths are different. They all have different masters, some don't have any at all." he protested. Ceramus blinked as, so early in the journey, his plans began to crumble. What could this mean? He'd heard more about each person present's skills from his father. He'd been counting on Jareth's knowledge of mazes to help them here. He was thinking rapidly, trying to find another way to navigate the silvers, when the stranger spoke up.
"King of the Underground, you lack confidence in your abilities. Can you not hear this labyrinth calling to you, asking you to listen to her?" Jareth turned towards the man as well as he could in the limited space provided to him.
"Hear her? Like my own labyrinth?" he questioned the man, who nodded in response. Al chose that time to speak up.
"If you can hear her, why don't you lead us through?" The stranger looked at Al with those misleading eyes and laughed.
"Did you not hear me? The labyrinth calls for him. Perhaps she senses his power or connection to his own labyrinth. Whatever it is, she will listen only to him." he informed them all.
"How do I make myself able to hear her then? I can not even hear my own." Jareth asked of the stranger.
"How do you hear anything? By listening. If it was only this requirement though, anyone could hear them. It is how you listen- or really with what you listen that matters. You must listen with your soul. It is the labyrinth's soul that speaks to you, so you in turn must listen and speak with yours. Hear her Jareth. Open yourself to her and listen for the tiny voice that gives speech to this limitless labyrinth." Even as the stranger spoke, his words resonated through Jareth. He closed his eyes, blocking out all other sound, breathing, rustling cloth, even the steady beat of his own heart. Then, when no noise could be heard, he opened himself. He let memories flow like a river, thoughts a burbling stream, emotions a vast ocean. In the middle of it all he sat on a lone island, big enough for only himself and another. Then, like she'd been there all along, a girl appeared. Her features shifted constantly, like any great maze does but her dress stayed the same. It was a purple silk nightgown with fluff on the cuffs, collar and hem. She had slippers and, at one point, hair to match.
"You heard me!" she yelled ecstatically, absolutely bouncing in joy.
"It's been so long since one like you has passed my borders. Tell me, king of Mariah, what brings you here?" Her words confused him,
"Mariah?" he asked, masking his confusion. She giggled lightly.
"The labyrinth you rule over, she does have a name, and so do I." the girl informed. Jareth nodded thoughtfully and knelt, taking her hand in his.
"Then what, may I ask, is yours dear one?" he asked, using all his courtly charm and most heartwarming smile. She blushed scarlet, ducking her head briefly before telling him.
"I am Faethe, and you sir still have not answered my questions." she accused. Jareth rose, raising his hands in surrender.
"Well then Faethe, as you have answered my question, I would be more than happy to answer yours. I am on a quest to save the immortal queen Ariadne. We travel to Argo to get her husband's blessing, then on to Karpathos to retrieve the cure." he informed her gently.
"We would all be grateful if you would show us the way to our destinations. You truly are magnificent and I've no doubt we could be here years searching for them without your guidance." The girl flushed with pride but the intelligent gleam in her eye told him she knew exactly what he was up to.
"I know what you're doing Jareth, I have millennia on you. Charm me all you want, but I have already decided to help you." she gave him an innocent smile that belied her age greatly.
"Now, you should probably be getting back to your friends, they're getting worried." with that she disappeared from the island, leaving him to stem the currents flowing around him and return to the corridor. Jareth opened his eyes and gasped as he nearly pitched forward into the sifting silver in front of him. Boromir, directly beside him, caught his arm just in time.
"Thank you, my friend." Jareth clasped Boromir's hand with his free one. The man nodded back with a slight smile.
"Have you been successful?" Ceramus questioned intently. Jareth nodded and, after a brief period of looking off into nothing he jerked his head to the right.
"That way." Thus the group made their way through the maze, skirting silvers that seemed to want to draw them in, leaping over one that rested on the floor, and going through a few specified silvers.