Chapter 3
The village, its name unknown to him, outside the carriage was tiny. There were only a few thatched cottages. Being so late in the night, all of its inhabitants were no doubt fast asleep.
The Coachman quickly dismounted and ran to the hut farthest from the village center. Jareth sat with the young woman's head still in his lap. She had only moaned a few times during their journey.
Her fever hadn't lessened at all nor had it risen.
The Coachman returned with a hunched woman with a hooded cape. As he reached the carriage he opened the door opposite Jareth. "She is in here, Gran."
The cloaked woman climbed in. In the weak lamplight, her wizarded face frowned.
She took hold of the woman's wrist. "Where are you traveling?"
"Elvedon."
The woman nodded slowly. "I will need things from my home. This poor child has been through a great deal."
Jareth frowned. "All we know is she ran out of the forest into the road."
"She claimed something was chasing her, Gran." The Coachman moved to block the door.
The woman barely noticed their statements. "This woman is very special." The Healer then looked up at the new Goblin King with years in her eyes. "You would do well keep her on your side."
The woman might be ancient but she had no right to tell her new monarch to do anything, but before he could reprimand her, the old woman turned slightly to face the Coachman, who had moved out of the doorway of the carriage.
"I need the container for tea and the White Willow Bark from my hut. I will also need some Mayweed. It can be found on the east side of the village."
Jareth could only hear him running away. The old woman turned back to face him.
"You would do well to listen to me, Goblin King. This woman is more than she seems."
Jareth pulled back slightly. "How do you know my title?"
The woman smiled. "I know more than that, Goblin King."
Jareth frowned as the old woman sat opposite him in the carriage.
"I'm only surprised it took this long." She settled back against the cushioned seat.
The Coachman ran up and held out a woven bag along with a metal cylinder. "Here you go, Gran."
The woman took the items and quickly checked inside the bag. "Everything's here. You remembered well."
"I did pay attention to your lessons, Gran." Jareth could barely see his smile in the shadows.
"The tea will take some time to steep. The town is still a ways off. You can return me home once they've arrived. I will help settle things with the Mayor as well."
"I do have an edict from the High King."
The woman looked at him. "Oh, how nice. Here though that paper is worthless, I am afraid. Not only goblins live here, Your Majesty. Other creatures call this land home. You will do well to remember that." She turned back to the Coachman. "Go along. She is going to be fine."
The Coachman nodded before shutting the carriage's door. The carriage shook as he climbed back into the driver's seat. Crack! Jingle. The carriage was on its way.
The woman settled back into her seat, once more. "You can pass her to me, if you wish. I suggest you get some rest before you meet your new subjects."
Jareth frowned at the woman as he pulled the young woman slightly closer to him, which didn't go unnoticed by the Healer.
"I will awaken you when it is time to give her the tea. I will need your help. She more than likely will not be cooperative." She began to tilt the container of tea back and forth. "It still has a while to steep. You should be able to get a good nap." The Healer sat the tea container beside her closing her eyes.
Soon the sound of her snoring filled the small cave of the carriage causing Jareth to groan. Go to sleep she said. Take a nap. Not with that racket.
The mystery young woman shifted. Sweat was almost pooling off her. This tea better be of some help. Sighing, Jareth turned to watch the changing countryside once more.'
"Wake up, Your Majesty. The tea is ready."
Jareth opened his eyes. Surprised he had been able to go to sleep with the roar the Healer had caused. Sluggish he sat up away from the side of the carriage, noticing the inside of the carriage was filled with the smell of Chamomile.
"Help her sit up. We will need to wake her."
Gently, he sat the young woman up beside him. Her head rolled forward as he turned slightly in his seat to face her.
"Miss, you need to wake up." He gently raised her head. Her fever no longer seemed as high as it once was. That was good news at least.
Her eyes fluttered open. The young woman's eyes seemed vacate. Jareth looked over at the Healer as she stirred the contents of a small cup.
"What's wrong with her?"
The Healer looked up at her. "It's her fever." She held out the obviously strong tea. "You make have to force her to drink it."
"How do I force her?" He took the cup from her.
"I am sure you will think of something." The old woman gave him a cheeky grin.
"Madam, you're the healer. I'm asking for your advice."
The Healer sighed. "It depends on her. See if she will drink it on her own first. We will worry about forcing her if the need arises."
Jareth raised the cup close to the young lady's face. "Miss, you need to drink this."
She turned towards him slightly and spoke with a dreamy far-off voice. "You're pretty."
He chuckled. "Yes, I know. Thank you never the less, but Miss, you need to drink this." He moved the tea, he hoped, in her line of vision.
The young woman seemed to look at the cup. "What?"
Gently, he pressed the cup to her lips. "Please drink this."
"Oh, how did you know I was thirsty?" She reached up and took the cup from his grasp. Then she downed the tea in one quick gulp.
"That was good. Sorry, I'm going back to sleep. Toby kept up again." She tilted her head to the side. Soon she was fast asleep again.
The Healer sat her woven bag beside her. "I added some Chamomile to that dose. The poor thing clearly needs to rest."
Jareth frowned as he handed back the cup back to her. "I don't remember you telling him to get Chamomile."
"Most from around here know it as Mayweed. Either way, she will have a peaceful sleep now."
He rested the young woman gently against the other side of the seat, nodding. "Seems she does. How long will it take for her fever to come down?"
"Depends on her, I am afraid. I may have to stay with her for a while." The Healer sat the container beside her again.
"I would be grateful. I don't know much about herbs and healing I'm afraid."
The Healer nodded. "We still have a ways to go. You should get some more sleep. I can watch over the girl."
"You need the rest more than I do." She was obviously of an advanced age, and he was used to odd sleeping schedule cause of his brother.
"Have no worries, I will no doubt take a nap again later. If she has a reaction, I will know what to do, whereas you would not."
Jareth frowned. "If you're sure, Madam?"
"Get some more rest. I will be fine. Thank you for your offer, Your Majesty."
Jareth gave a slight nod. "Your welcome, Madam." He rested back into the thick velvet behind him. This was becoming a long long night.