Here we are! Another chapter! Enjoy!
None of the actors portraying Jareth had ever given the Goblin King any justice. Every actor had been too skinny, too muscular, unattractive to look at, and, quite simply, a weakling.
Vesper's breath came to her in a rush when Jareth appeared before her, seeming to tower over her with the power in his face and body stance. His hair was both gold and white at the strange time, nearly glowing in the dim lighting. His eyes were burning like fire, one brown and the other blue, scrutinizing her, looking her over from head to foot. His lips were cruel, set in a straight line, and his body was covered in intimidating armor and a great, scarlet cape.
Vesper shrunk back without realizing it, her eyes widening as the great king stepped forward, so powerful and intimidating.
Jareth's eyes flitted over the girl, studying her slender form, lithe, like a dancer. He took in her soft, long hair with the unnatural gold strands, her pale face, and the deep violet eyes that were gazing at him with such curiosity and awe. She looked so innocent and so awkward, standing there, Peekalo loyally at her side. She didn't belong here. No, she didn't belong here at all, especially not with a war coming on.
"Take her home, Hunter, and send her armor bearer back with her," Jareth said firmly.
"Sire?" Hunter asked uncertainly.
"She isn't meant to do battle. Take her back."
"Wait!" Vesper exclaimed, watching the king turn. "Wait! I can fight!"
"You sound almost as if you wish to," Jareth said, turning to look over his shoulder at her.
"I do," Vesper answered quietly. "I…I've never been here before, never thought this place existed, and I want to see all that I can of it. I want to learn about this place, and I want to grow stronger in my skills so I can…tend to some business when I get home. I've been in the play about this place for so many years now, and I'm finally here. Please, let me stay."
"This isn't a play, Lady Vesper, and quite frankly, you're nothing but a child in our world."
"I'm not a child," Vesper frowned. "I'm most certainly an adult, and I came here to help you find your queen so that I can get help in finding someone that I lost."
"In this play of yours, I'm assuming you were exposed to deadly fights and extreme perils?" Jareth asked, flicking a crystal about on his hand.
"Well, no. It was just a play. I was Sir Didymus," Vesper flushed.
"Sir Didymus couldn't save himself, never mind anyone else," Jareth chuckled. "He's gone, with my queen, and her other friends."
"You married Sarah, didn't you?"
"Whom else would I have married?" Jareth snorted. "Are you a warrior, or an inquisitive three-year-old?"
The girl didn't answer, and he glanced back at her to see her standing there, just as firmly as before, seemingly planted in that spot. She raised her chin ever so slightly, yet so defiantly, and gazed into his eyes bravely.
"I'm not leaving," she said quietly, but firmly. "Not until I've helped you. Don't you know what it means for me to see you? You, the magnificent Goblin King? I've watched so many people mess up your character in the play. I want to know what you're really like and what your kingdom really is. I want to help keep the Labyrinth safe from whatever is threatening it."
"You're much braver than you look."
"Thank you, Sire," she said with a curtsy.
"So you wish to stay in my Labyrinth, desire to do battle with the fairies? I'm not convinced you have the skills or the training," Jareth said with a wave of his hand, sitting back on his throne. "I will need the night to consider. Sir Toby, you are to stay with me. Hunter, take her ladyship to a reasonable room, and see to it that you behave the perfect gentlemen. I'm afraid you may have chosen her simply for your own extravagant taste in females."
Hunter smiled, bowed, and then gestured towards the doorway, arm extended.
"My lady."
Vesper stepped past him, looking over her shoulder at Toby as she left the room. The young man seemed somewhat confused, but certainly intrigued and unafraid, comforting his niece.
"See you later," Toby mouthed silently, and she nodded as Hunter closed the throne room doors behind them.
Vesper sighed and followed Hunter down a corridor towards a large flight of stairs. She didn't say anything, and he looked over at her inquisitively.
"You're rather silent," he commented.
"He's just the way I always imagined he would be."
"Far too old for you," Hunter chuckled.
"No, powerful, radiant, and prideful," Vesper said. "I guess that's what makes a king."
"Some find him unbearable, I have found," Hunter ventured.
"Not unbearable. There's just something…interesting about him, that's all. Tell me honestly, Hunter. Do you think he'll let me stay?"
"No," he said, coming to a stop outside of a large wooden door.
"Why? You brought me here, and I'm sure he trusts you, although, some of those comments he made somewhat concern me," Vesper said with a spark in her eyes.
"About the ladies? They just seem to find me attractive, and I enjoy their attention," Hunter shrugged. "As for why he wouldn't take you, there are a number of reasons."
"List them for me," Vesper frowned.
"Oh dear," he sighed. "First, you are a female, and while we are in no way partial to males in the Labyrinth, there is something somewhat hazardous about a female warrior. You are also small, and the fairies, when they become full-size, are tall and lithe, swift and deadly. I'm not saying that you aren't lithe and swift, but they'd have a distinct advantage in a fight against you, and the fairy males are in no way respectful towards women. Rather the contrary. They'd quite enjoy having you in their hands. Furthermore, if that isn't enough explanation, you're young and beautiful, and King Jareth happens to appreciate those characteristics. He'd hate to see you fall by some order he gave you."
"I appreciate the king's consideration," Vesper sighed, "but there's more here than just me. The Labyrinth needs help, and regardless of my reasons for somewhat disliking the king, and despite my excuses that I have to rescue my mother, somehow this is all connected. Sarah learned valuable lessons while she was here. Now it's my turn. I hope he lets me stay."
"Words boldly spoken, my lady," Hunter smiled, opening the door. "Your room."
Vesper stepped past him into the largest, most open room she had ever seen. It was in a tower, with open windows surrounding the immense room, each window looking out into the Goblin City. Dark blue and purple curtains billowed softly in the breeze that drifted through the room, making some of the same colored blankets on a large bed rustle as well. The bed was situated against one of the walls, a large bed with plush pillows and thick blankets. In one wall was imbedded a huge fireplace, and against another wall were a full-sized mirror and a wardrobe.
Vesper gasped in awe and moved over to one of the windows. She sat down on the sill and gazed out at this new world stretching before her.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, the wind rushing gently against her hair.
"Few would consider it to be so," Hunter said, watching her and swallowing back the saliva that had suddenly built itself up in his mouth. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder, he mused, gazing shamelessly at the gorgeous woman before him.
"But there is such a beauty to it. Perhaps all this seeming ugliness is part of the fairy curse. What was the curse, Hunter? What happened?"
"I believe I should leave that to his majesty to tell you, in his good timing," Hunter said, turning away from her. "I shall leave you now."
She watched him go, quietly studying his form, once again blending in with his surroundings. His long hair was dark against his back, wild like Jareth's, and he was dressed in dark blue and black, making him seemly so dark and so enchanting.
He closed the door behind him, and Vesper turned to gaze back out the window, finding that now, rather suddenly, it was dark. She could see stars shining in the pure black sky, and she let out a sigh and turned to her bed. She let herself fall onto the immensely comfortable blankets, and then closed her eyes as she slipped beneath the covers and lay with her face towards the ceiling.
"This is all so strange, Lord," she whispered, feeling so comfortable in such a foreign place. "Please don't let it all be a dream."
"Lord Toby, I have been informed that you are the lady's armor bearer. How did you come to be that?"
Toby squirmed uncomfortably under the Goblin King's gaze, and he shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm her uncle. We're pretty close in age, but when my parents died, my sister, Sarah, kind of claimed me as one of her children, along with Vesper. Vesper was born after the death of my parents. I never knew who Sarah's husband was, but I'd sure like to sock him when I get the chance."
"Sock him?" Jareth asked, uncertain about that term.
"Yes. Punch him, teach him a thing or two about how to treat women."
"Why ever so?"
"Because her husband just walked out on her," Toby snorted. "She had a one-night fling, and then poof, he was gone. And he didn't even know or care that she was pregnant. So the dude basically came, married her long enough to have one night with her, and then left. What kind of a man is that?"
"I see," Jareth said, stroking his chin. "You know, Sir Toby, you have rather an intriguing character. If I do decide to send Lady Vesper out on this little mission, I think I'll have you stay here."
"What?" Toby asked, eyes widening. "You can't keep me here! I'm her armor-bearer!"
"No," Jareth chuckled, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. "I think she just calls you that because she wanted you to come with her."
"But…but…"
"Lady Vesper is in her chambers, King Jareth," Hunter said, entering the throne room with a bow.
"Good. Please show Sir Toby to the room next to Vesper's," Jareth said with a wave of his hand. "Good night, Sir Toby. It was a pleasure speaking to you."
"He really is arrogant!" Toby exclaimed as Hunter pulled him out of the room. "That's just not fair!"
Jareth chuckled as the doors slammed shut behind the irate man, and then he glanced down to Peekalo, who stood at the side of the throne, hazel eyes wide and his fingers in his mouth.
"I don't know, Peekalo. Do you think I'm arrogant?"
The goblin didn't answer, but smiled shyly.
"I don't believe a woman should go into battle like this, especially not one against the fairies," Jareth said, standing up and beginning to pace. "How I wish you had your sanity, Peekalo!"
"Vesper," the goblin said quietly, and Jareth glanced down at him, frowning slightly at the way the goblin had said the girl's name.
"What? Peekalo, what nonsense is going through your head now?"
"Vesper," Peekalo said again, his voice deeper than usual, and an eerie blue hue swirling in his hazel eyes.
Jareth knelt down and gazed into the little creature's eyes, noting the different shades of blue moving about mysteriously. A trace of sadness flickered in the Goblin King's eyes, but he nodded slowly. Rarely did he see any signs of intelligence in Peekalo, but when the blue mist was there, the goblin knew what he was talking about.
"You want me to keep her. Why? Why should I keep her here?"
Peekalo didn't answer, but shuffled across the room and sat down on a little stool. He was gone again. The intelligence had just disappeared.
Jareth sighed and sat on his throne. Toby was here, and he was almost 100 percent positive this was the baby Toby he had captured so long ago from Sarah. And Vesper…Vesper looked too much like Sarah for him to overlook that. The girl's fair skin and gorgeous features belonged to Sarah, but the hair, with the gold, and her violet eyes, were strictly something she would have achieved from a different source, a magical one, and that left Jareth to wonder. Had Sarah really conceived after only that one night together? Was the woman here, that exquisite beauty with such determination, really his daughter? Could it be?
Peekalo watched from his corner as the Goblin King got up and paced again, turning on his heels every so often, deep in thought. If Vesper truly was his daughter, then which would be best, to keep her here, close where he could protect her, or to send her home? If he sent her home now, those who had already seen her might wonder why she was leaving, endangering her. If anyone found out that she was a princess, her life would be at stake. Here, if he sent her to the fairies, they'd have no clue that she was at all related to him, which might spare her some grief, and then he'd be able to watch her, this girl turned woman whose life he had almost completely missed.
Peekalo coughed from his corner and then stood up and wobbled to the throne room doors. He jumped up and, with great difficulty, pressed down on the door handles to open the door. Jareth watched him leave, walking clumsily along down the adjoining corridor. There was no doubt in the king's mind that Peekalo somehow knew who Vesper was. Now if only the king himself could believe it. He, Jareth, King of the Underground, was a father. And for years he never knew it. He wondered what Vesper thought about her dad. Toby had obviously been rather bitter towards whoever had left his sister, but what about Vesper? Did she harbor bitterness, or was she, unlike Jareth, forgiving and compassionate? Was she really his daughter? Was it possible?
Jareth spent several more minutes musing, and then, with a flick of a crystal, he disappeared from the throne room. He found himself standing in Vesper's room, near the door, gazing at the sleeping form on the bed. There was a stray moonbeam stretching across from one of the windows and illuminating Vesper's face. He studied her facial features, the full red lips, her pale face, her dark hair draped lazily over one eye, and the very obvious shimmer on her skin. Humans didn't have such a shimmer.
She was his. This was his daughter.
The king almost sat down, right then and there on the floor, as that fact washed over him like a tidal wave. His daughter was here; she had come to him, not knowing who he was, and she was here. And she was so beautiful, so much like her mother.
Someone suddenly mumbled something about dragons in their sleep, and Jareth glanced down to see Peekalo lying at the foot of the bed, on the cold floor, curled up in a little ball.
"You knew who she was the minute she walked through the door, didn't you?" he whispered, kneeling down and taking the little goblin in his arms.
He picked the goblin off the floor and laid him at the foot of the bed, at the bottom of Vesper's covered feet.
"You watch her," he whispered to the goblin. "Make sure no harm comes to her."
Jareth walked over to the head of the bed and gently placed a trembling hand on Vesper's forehead, pushing the brunette strands away from her eye.
"Your father didn't just abandon you or your mother," he said quietly. "He had to leave. There was no choice. Had he not left, you would have been discovered and killed."
He pulled back, turned, and then disappeared, leaving Vesper to sleep in peace.
Vesper woke up to find an orange ray of sunlight resting across her face, and she sat up slowly, trying to remember where she was. Her mom had disappeared, Toby had come to visit, there had been that stranger…Oh yes. She was in the Labyrinth. It hadn't all been a dream!
She jumped up from the bed, excited to see what the Goblin King had determined about her staying. She saw a dress waiting for her, draped over the edge of the bed, and fast asleep, right next to the bed, was Peekalo, curled up in a ball.
Vesper smiled gently and moved to the dress, picking it up, her eyes widening as she did so. It was gorgeous, absolutely exquisite. The fabric was soft and light, and it was made of light brown and green colors.
"Morning, Lady Vesper," Peekalo yawned, stretching his little arms as he opened his eyes.
"Hello, Peekalo," Vesper nodded, still studying the dress. "You…you slept in here last night?"
He nodded and then jumped off the bed, a rather long jump for such a little character.
"I, uh, need to get changed," Vesper said uncertainly.
Peekalo nodded exuberantly and then pulled one of the blankets off the bed, making it fall over his body, covering his face in a mass of fabric.
Vesper chuckled and shook her head. She closed the curtains quickly, pinning them into place against the walls to hold them shut from the open breeze, and then changed into her new dress. It was as soft and airy as it looked, and she twirled once in it, watching it billow out around her. There was one problem with it, and that was that it laced up the back and she wasn't able to tie it. She was uncomfortable about that as she opened the curtains again and then pulled the blanket off Peekalo.
"I guess we're just supposed to go find Jareth," she said, walking towards her door. She opened it to find Hunter standing there, his hair pulled back in a low ponytail, a gorgeous smile on his face.
"Are you ready for breakfast, my lady?"
"Um, yes," Vesper said uncomfortably, her hands held to her back to try and keep the strings tight enough so that the back didn't open.
"Are you having trouble?" Hunter asked, seeing the perplexed look on her face.
"My…my dress ties up the back…and…"
"You can't tie it," Hunter chuckled. "I could tie it for you, if you wished."
"No! No, oh no! Thank you!" Vesper said, turning several shades of red. "Peekalo? Peekalo, can you help me?"
Peekalo looked up at her, and she could almost see an amused glint in his eyes.
"Yes, my lady," he squeaked, and she sat on her knees in front of him.
He was very clumsy, but he tied the laces closed for her, and she stood up again, far more comfortable.
"Thank you," she told the goblin, and then blushed up at Hunter. "Sorry. It wasn't that it was immodest or anything, I just…"
"I understand," he cut her off, holding his hand up. "You are ready?"
"Yes," she said quietly, bowing her head.
He turned and led her down the corridor and then down a steep flight of stairs. They stepped into an open area, just below the staircase, and Hunter turned to her, a pleasant smile on his face.
"I have been instructed to test you, this morning," he said. "So you'll forgive me for the abruptness, but I'm going to have to attack you."
He didn't give her time to answer, but drew his sword and charged, blade held high. She stumbled back, surprised, drawing her own sword from her side as he attacked. She lifted her sword just in time to block his thrust, and then spun gracefully away, turning to face him again.
He attacked her ruthlessly this time, not as he had before. His thrusts were hard and powerful, too strong for her, for she had weaker muscles and was not built as powerfully as he was. She quickly found her sword flying out of her hand, her whole hand aching from the impact of his blade on her own, and he spun behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her chest and waist, holding her back against him forcefully. She sucked in a great gulp of air, catching her breath, and then cried out when one of his arms moved to hold her around the neck, pressing on her windpipe.
She scowled, moved her arms forward, and then slammed her elbows back into his stomach. She heard a rush of air come out of his mouth, and she spun in his arms and brought the side of her hand crashing against his throat. He couldn't breathe for a few seconds and drew back, choking and gagging for air. Vesper took that time to grab her sword and hold the tip of it at his throat.
"Finished?" she asked, eyes shining with pleasure as he regained his breath and cracked a grin.
"You're brilliant."
"Well done," an English voice spoke, and Vesper turned to see Jareth descending the staircase, clapping his gloved hands together. "You aren't as weak as I thought."
"Of course not," Vesper said, standing up taller.
"Follow me to the dining hall," Jareth said, stepping down the stairs and beginning to walk down another hallway. "We have much to discuss."
Vesper, Hunter, and Peekalo followed the king into the dining hall, a great room with banners, open windows, and a long wooden table stretching from one end of the room to the other. Jareth sat at the head of the table, beckoning for Vesper to sit at his right while Toby, there ahead of time, sat at his left. Hunter took the seat next to Vesper, and Peekalo sat, arms folded across his chest, in the chair across from him.
"After much consideration," Jareth spoke, fingers drumming on the table as everyone began to eat, "I have decided to send you, Lady Vesper, out to find and rescue my queen, along with Hunter. Toby shall stay here. There are many questions I have for him, and I don't need him going along with you and distracting you."
"Thank you, Sire," Vesper said, uncomfortable to hear that Toby wasn't going with her. "There are some things I'd like to know, though, before we leave on our journey."
"Yes?" Jareth asked, buttering a hot roll.
"What happened to this place? What was the curse the fairies placed on the Labyrinth?"
Jareth sighed and put the roll down. He rested one elbow on the table, his chin cupped in his gloved hand.
"Once upon a time, Lady Vesper, the fairies understood that they were under my authority. They were my subjects, just as the goblins were. They were also always small. They had no power whatsoever to become my size, or the size of the goblins. A rebellious leader rose up amongst them, considered, by birth, to be their 'king.' He learned magic, a darker magic than what I or anyone else in my kingdom have ever used. He used that power to allow the fairies to become life-sized, if you will, and also turned them against me so that he could be their leader and hopefully overcome the entire Underground. This happened before Sarah ever even knew there was an Underground. Shortly after Ryenth, the fairy king, gained his power, he and his people attacked the Goblin City. My goblins were turned into the short little creatures they are. The whole Goblin City was polluted. Horses were turned into awkward creatures that romped about on two legs. The kingdom became dark and full of mysterious, frightening creatures. I created the mazes and hedges to protect my kingdom from the fairies ever finding the way back into the city."
"How will the curse end?" Vesper asked, leaning forward, completely absorbed in the story.
"When someone can find and destroy Ryenth. Ryenth, it is believed, captured my queen," Jareth sighed. "He has a great deal of power. His hope, no doubt, is to hold her in the hopes that I personally will come and try to save her. He could then kill me, as well as her, and fully have power over the entire Underground. There is so much more to the story, but I wish to make it brief. You and Hunter shall leave after breakfast."
"Shall we need to pack any supplies?" Hunter asked.
"I will tend to that. Oh, and Peekalo will go with you," Jareth added.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Toby said, holding his hands up. "If this King Ryenth and his fairies are so powerful, why are you sending just Vesper, a warrior, and a goblin?"
"They aren't going to fight or cause trouble. The fewer people that go into the fairy world and rescue my queen, the better," Jareth said. "They can't destroy Ryenth. There's only one warrior I know of who ever could, and he's gone, destroyed."
"Can't you do it?" Toby frowned. "You're the Goblin King. I thought you could do just about anything."
"I'm not all-powerful," Jareth said, face turning slightly red. "First thing's first. I want my wife out of the fairyland before the war begins. I'm not entirely sure how the curse can be broken, and what I do know, I refuse to share with you. Now, seeing as we are all finished eating, let us step away from the table and I will give you travelers your provisions for the trip."
Hunter pulled Vesper's chair out for her, and the two stepped back from the table, watching Jareth stride before them. He held a crystal in his hand, and he twirled it gracefully on his fingertips before gazing over the edge of it, at Vesper. The crystal disappeared as he gazed, and Vesper felt something solid and heavy cover her body. She glanced down to see a thick brown coat clinging neatly to her form, hiding a good bit of the dress. Brown gloves covered her hands, and her hair was pulled back into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Her sword was ready at her side, in an intricate sheath, and her feet were covered in comfortable, but sturdy, brown leather boots. There was a sack near her feet, small, but full of important provisions including a small crystal that Jareth informed her would provide food for every meal.
The king himself picked up the bag and placed it on Vesper's back, making sure the straps were solidly in place and that the bag fit her comfortably. He then turned to Hunter and used another crystal to prepare him for the adventure.
Hunter found himself covered in a black jacket, thick leather pants, black gloves, and the same type of boots as what Vesper had, only thicker and larger to fit him. His sword was also ready at his side, and on his back was a quiver full of arrows and his bow.
"You also have a crystal for food and a map," Jareth said, gesturing to the sack on the floor. "Peekalo, come here."
Peekalo shyly hopped off his chair and waddled over to the king expectantly.
"For you," Jareth said simply, handing the goblin a sack. "An extra pair of clothes."
"Thank you," Peekalo squeaked and then shuffled to a stand next to Vesper.
"Take care," Jareth said, walking to the young woman and reaching a hand out towards her face.
She gazed into his eyes, trying to read what he was thinking, as he pushed a stray strand of brunette out of her face and let his fingertips grace across her left ear. She felt something cool on her ear as his fingers pulled away, and she touched her ear, stroking her fingers across some golden beads that lined her ear tip. It was a piece she could easily pull off, but it made her feel special, and she smiled at the Goblin King.
"Thank you."
"Be careful. This journey is no safe venture for a lady," Jareth said easily, straightening her collar and catching sight of the gold chain around her neck. "The fairy warriors are unmerciful towards women, especially one," he said, pulling at the chain and catching sight of Sarah's charm, "with such grace and poise. Hunter, you will guard her carefully. Peekalo, you are going as an escort, nothing more. Now, be gone."
He waved his hand, and the trio vanished from the room, leaving Jareth and Toby standing alone.
"She's too young for you, dude," Toby spoke, his voice interrupting Jareth's thoughts.
Jareth chuckled and shook his head.
"I don't have quite that sort of interest in her, Sir Toby. Now then, what do you think of my Labyrinth? Surely you recognize it by now, or at least parts of it."