Authors Note: Hey guys sorry for the slow updates, I started a new job, got a new apartment, things and starting to look up and I have more time on my hands. Thank you so very much to those who are reading and reviewing, you really make it so easy to update! I wanted to get something out as soon as possible so it's a tad short but I hope you enjoy it.
As a reminder, anything in italics will be a flash back.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or Jareth (Though I wish I did).
Thank you guys again and please,
Read, Review, and above all Enjoy!
Chapter 4
"And what is wrong with her?" Jareth chuckled lightly as he sat on his throne. The two Fae sat side by side as they watched the noble Fae dancing before them. Most of the women making eyes at Jareth, this causing more laughter among the red haired Fae next to him.
"Jareth, please, there is nothing wrong with a Fae who can drink their weight in Meade." Evelyn smirked causing Jareth to laugh a little louder than normal.
"Alright, well then what about her?" He gestured with his head, nodding in the direction of a tall, beautiful woman with her corset just a tad too tight.
"Well, if you enjoy a woman who does not breathe just to show off her… assets… then yes, by all means marry her."
Jareth rolled his eyes playfully. "You do not approve of any woman for my throne."
"Well it's not that, you're not picking real winners Majesty…" Evelyn paused before cracking another joke. "Besides, I like sitting in that chair, it's comfy."
"Is that your way of saying you'd be a better Queen?" Jareth cocked his eyebrow, his eyes accusing but the smile evident in his voice.
Evelyn shifted in the Queen's chair, avoiding eye contact with Jareth. "No, I'm just saying they're not right for you. You should marry someone you don't mind sitting next to for all eternity."
"A King's marriage is for diplomatic reasons, not for enjoyment." Jareth mused.
"It should be both." Evelyn shifted once more.
The corner of Jareth's lips raised slightly, his attention returning to the dance floor. "What about the one in the red dress?"
Evelyn laughed, easing up a bit as the night continued…
For the first time in Evelyn's life, time felt real. It felt like eternity had gone by as she sat in the dungeon cell waiting for anything to happen at this point. Time had meaning, even if it was just her mind playing tricks on her. She sighed deeply, standing up from the bench and began pacing. Her mind was beginning to clear as she began to retrace the events of yesterday. "I woke up…" She muttered to no one in particular. "And… "Her mind was foggy still. She couldn't place the events in the correct order. "And… Daniel…" Her mind focused more as she began to worry. "Daniel!" What did happen to Daniel?
"Who's Daniel?" A voice spat with such malice, it sent chills down Evelyn's spine as she stopped pacing.
She looked to the cell bars to see a narrowed pair of mismatched eyes. "Jareth…" She breathed.
He didn't blink, he just stared at her. "Why are you here?"
Evelyn was unable to look away from the Fae as she searched for words. "You put me in here."
"Not the dungeon." Jareth hissed. "Here, in the Labyrinth."
"I… I'm not sure."
"How can you not be sure?" Jareth tested.
"It wasn't intentional. I didn't plan on coming back." Jareth only seemed to become more angered by this response. Evelyn quickly rephrased her sentence. "I didn't plan on coming back without notice."
Jareth let out a deep growl. "You weren't coming back at all; do not lie to me Evelyn." Evelyn watched Jareth carefully, his expression still fierce, his body stiff. She didn't know how to respond to him, or even talk to him. She really didn't want to come back, but she didn't really have a choice either.
It was a standoff now. The two stood in silence, not breaking their eye contact; neither having anything to say. What could be said? There was nothing of comfort to be had; this was a dead end with no way out. Another familiar voice came from behind Jareth, clearing his throat, Lorso spoke up. "Perhaps we should let the girl out of the cell, and talk more privately and away from eavesdroppers?" Lorso watched the standoff between the two Fae's before Jareth finally caved. He waved his hand and in a brisk manner, turned away from the girl.
"Deal with this." He hissed as he brushed passed Lorso and headed out of the dungeon.
Lorso looked to Evelyn apologetically. He walked over to the cell and unlocked it without hesitation. "He'll come around."
Evelyn exited the cell and stood next to Lorso. "That may take forever."
Lorso smiled grimly, knowing it was not his place to mention the actual short time frame before them. "Come, best not to keep him waiting."
Evelyn nodded, walking side by side with Lorso as they headed from the dungeon and to the war room.
"You look tense." She was right, Jareth was tense. He had just returned from intimidating a runner within the Labyrinth, and this runner in particular bothered him. He was used to bratty children wishing away their siblings because of selfish reasons. Yet, this one was different. The runner wished his little brother away not because he took something that wasn't his, not because he was jealous, no, nothing like that. He wished his brother away because he was sick and was hoping for a miracle.
Now while Jareth's intent upon meeting the runner was to scare him off and in turn keep the child for the Underground. However, meeting the runner and hearing the story of why the child was wished away in the first place… it really touched him. Jareth knew the child being in the Underground would not save him or even delay his time. He sent the child and the runner home, knowing he cannot change a person's fate, and could not interfere with death.
"What happened?" Evelyn asked as Jareth sat on his throne, one leg over the arm of the chair.
He rested his head on his hand, and placed his mismatched eyes on the Fae before him. "Mortals are so fragile. They think they can stop death by bringing a fleeting soul here." He sighed.
"The runner brought a dying child here?" Evelyn asked.
"Thinking we could save him." Jareth confirmed.
"You didn't try to help?" Evelyn asked, almost insulted.
"I will not meddle in death's timeline." Jareth glared.
"But he was a child."
"Humans die Evelyn." Jareth began. "It's part of their world. You cannot ask me to break the laws of time for every dying human."
Evelyn thought for a moment. She knew he was right, but the idea of such a bond was beautiful to her. The commitment and desire to keep someone alive for selfless reasons was so unlikely here. Humans had emotions that were unlike the Underground's, and Evelyn craved it. Jareth looked at the girl, raising an eyebrow as if to ask what was on her mind. "It's just… beautiful."
"How do you figure?"
"We have all the time in the world Jareth. It's like we have no real motivation for anything and yet these humans have something to fight for." Evelyn crossed her arms nervously as she turned away from Jareth. "I'd give anything for that…"
Jareth shook his head and closed his eyes. "Evelyn, don't start this again." He sighed. "As your friend, and King, I'm asking you to not."
Evelyn shook her head. "Well…" She forced a weak smile. "A direct order from my King can't be ignored."
Jareth chuckled. "You could lose your head for such defiance." Evelyn laughed with him.
Silence filled the room before Evelyn asked the only question that seemed to follow. "If I were dying…"
"I'd break every law in the book."
Evelyn smiled slightly. "Well that's quite contradictory of you."
"I never claimed to be consistent." Jareth smirked.
Final Thought: Thank you again! Sorry it was short, but I wanted to give you guys something! Hope you enjoyed!
