Chapter 5

Frowning, Jareth looked down at the folded clothing being held out to him.

"Why are you giving me these?" He was trying to be nice to the slightly shaking girl.

"Gran asked my father if you could borrow some of his clothes. I don't know much more than that, Sir."

Sighing, he surveyed the shirt and pants. They were simpler in style to the clothing the Court preferred, which suited him just fine.

Jareth smiled sweetly. "Sorry, I don't know your name." No need to be angry with the child.

"It's Leah, Sir." Holding the clothes, the girl gave a quick curtsy.

"Thank you, Leah, but you can return your father's clothes. I think I can manage."

The girl frowned. "But Gran..." She quickly looked up and down the hallway.

"I'll deal with her. I'm sure you have other responsibilities that need to be dealt with." After a moment, he continued. "I'll take full responsibility for this."

The girl slowly nodded. "All right." She turned to walk away.

"Thank you for your help regardless."

She turned towards him. "Your welcome." She then skipped actually skipped away.

Shaking his head, Jareth shut his door. With some minor alterations and getting rid of the coat, he should have something not too outlandish for the town, but he refused to give up all style to please them. After all, not all of the court fashion had been designed by his brother.

Sometime later a knock came once again at his door. With one final tug, Jareth admired his reflection in the mirror.

Another knock came at the door. Sighing, Jareth walked to the door.

He retched opened the door. "Yes?"

Gran frowned at him. "Those aren't Marcus's clothes."

"No, I just altered my own."

Tilting her head slightly, she nodded. "It'll do." The little woman barged her way into his room.

Jareth frowned as she took a seat in one of the chairs at the end of the bed.

"Shut the door. We don't need all the ears in the Crystal Owl Tavern to hear this."

Jareth shut the door and turned to face her. "What is it?"

Gran shifted in her seat. "I've spoken with the Mayor. He wishes to see you, which is why I asked for the clothes."

"Which I don't need. So why does he wish to see me?"

Gran sighed. "Don't know. Don't care. Either way, you'll be seeing him."

Jareth shrugged. "I figured as much. When is the meeting?"

"As soon as we get there." Slowly she stood. "Which means we better get a move on. He's not the only one we need to meet today."

Jareth nodded as he reached towards the door. "Well, let us depart then, Gran. It seems we have a long day ahead of us."

Gran sighed as she walked towards him. "Hopefully we won't have too many problems."

Jareth frowned as he opened the door. "Expecting many?"

"Oh, yes, but hopefully they won't be nothing you can't handle." She walked past him smiling.

Shaking his head, Jareth followed after her. Hopefully, the day wouldn't be that bad.

The Mayor of this backwater town sat sneering at him. Actually sneering at him. Regardless of anything, he was still of the High Family. People had been sent to an oubliette for less.

"You're telling me this is Lady Reina's son?"

Gran nodded. "Yes, he is her son, which means regardless of your feelings towards his brother, you are his subject."

The Mayor shook his head. "Gran, you know no one here wants a ruler much less an actual leader. Even my title doesn't give me any real power."

Smiling, Gran tilted her head. "Well, you'd best be getting to work on that. King Jareth is going to need everyone's help to do everything that is needed."

The Mayor sighed. "Gran, you have more pull than I do."

"That may be true, but you are the Mayor, Cornell."

The Mayor gave a slight nod. "I'll see what I can do, but I make no promises."

Gran nodded. "That's all I ask. Now, who is the current leader of the Goblins?"

The Mayor stood up from his chair. "Gran, you can't be serious?! Those creatures are dangerous. They don't like any of us."

"Well, you did come to their land. Now, who is it?" Gran shrugged.

"Stilx."

Gran nodded. "Then we'll be on our way." She slowly sat up.

"Please reconsider going to see them. There's no telling what they would do to you."

"We'll be fine. You better get to work. We need somewhere to stay for a while. I don't wish to overstay our welcome at the Crystal Owl"

The Mayor shook his head. "Gran, no one minds you, and from what I heard the young lady with you is still relatively ill. It's him, I fear they'll want to run out of town."

Gran smiled slightly. "Then it's good we are a package deal then."

Jareth followed after Gran as they left the speechless mayor in his "office" in the one-room town hall.

As they walked out into the busy town center, Jareth looked around them.

"Are the goblins dangerous?"

Sighing, Gran shook her head. "No more than most creatures. Come. It's better we don't arrive empty-handed."

After a moment, Gran began walking towards the town market. Jareth reluctantly followed her.

"These are bribes?" He held a small wooden keg of ale under his arm and a bag of apples in his hand.

Gran nodded as she looked over some more fruit. "Yes. It's best to show up with fruit and ale at least."

Sighing, Jareth glanced around him. "Shouldn't you go back to the inn to check on the girl?"

"Amelia's watching over her for me. I've left her in good hands, I promise."

Jareth nodded as Gran bought more things to bribe the goblins. He was fairly sure he had never seen the creatures in his life. All he knew of them was the stories and gossip of the Court. If they could be bribed with such simple things were they truly as much of a threat as the Court thought.

I know I have few who were patiently waiting for this update. Have no fear. As long as I can net, I will post. Now it might be at an odd hour or something, but it'll get out. If I do change the date for updates, I'll let you all know (somehow).

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Review if you please.

CL