The Worms Instructions
"You are forbidden to ever direct a mortal in the direction of my Castle. Is that understood?" The king crouched above the worm.
"But sire what if I forget the right way? I am awfully forgetful you know, in fact the Missus was saying just the other day how I should stop inviting Ludo in for tea – I do forget he's not a little one anymore," The worm shook his head, trying to make his memory more sticky. He was letting ordinary things, such as the fact that it was no longer winter and he had no more need for a scarf, slip through his mind: When you're as old a worm as he, it's expected that you go a bit sluggish in the head!
"So… I am to send any mortal in-"the worm jerked his head proudly to the right in which the distant sounds of the Goblin city could be faintly heard, " that direction!" he smiled at his new found intelligence while Jareth's mouth fell into a wide 'O' at how any animal could be so stupid.
"No you hopeless fool!" The king yelled, exasperated.
"The castle IS that way!-""-send them in the opposite direction!" he prodded the air to his left.
"Got it." The worm positively beamed, snuggling his scarf closer to his neck – despite the day being the warmest the Kingdom had had in years.
"So when Ludo comes for tea I'll tell him he must not go that way," the creature turned importantly to his right.
"When did I say anything about L-" The worm began his own musings.
"Lovely old fellow Ludo. Lovely fellow," the worm acted as though the king of the Goblins was not stood inches from him - banging his royal fists together with frustration.
While the worm began to whistle his way back inside his house, Jareth shook his head in disbelief.
"Who was it dear?" the 'Missus' asked cheerfully as her husband returned.
"Oh the King – charming chap he is! Said he'd love to come for tea one day and that when Ludo next passes by I must instruct him to send any mortal in the direction of the Castle. The worm nodded delightedly, proud with himself for remembering his new orders.