Absolute Lies

Chapter 7: A Boy

Sitting up straight in her bed, Mina looked around to find what had awoken her. Scamper, recovering from being suddenly tossed down to the foot of the bed, looked up at his Princess with curious eyes, "Your Highness is somethin' wrong?"

"Possibly." She said as she pulled her feet out from under the blankets and grabbed her robe. She tugged it over her arms and wrapped it around her waist before exiting her bedroom and cautiously making her way to the throne room.

"Father?"

"Mina, what are you doing up so late?"

She curtsied when he turned his gaze to her before she walked over to him, "The Labyrinth told me you were bothered by something. What is it?"

"A boy has wished away his brother."

"Well, that isn't odd. Siblings wish each other away all the time, that's why we're here. I mean-"

"Aliana."

She stopped mid sentence and looked to him, "Yes, your Majesty?"

"Look." He said tossing her a crystal.

She looked oddly at her father and then into the depths of the crystal. A handsome face sparkled before her, his eyes narrowed slightly in confusion as he tried to find a way into the Labyrinth. His black hair danced in the cool breeze, and his brown eyes scanned the walls carefully. Something tugged at her heart, and her crystal began to glow a bit brighter.

"What about him?"

Jareth pulled his eyes away from the crystal around his daughter's neck, his worst fear being realized, "He is determined to beat me, is all."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am, now go back to bed."

"The ball is tonight, you'll still be able to make it right?"

He smiled at her, "I promised, didn't I?"

She nodded, "Goodnight, Father."

"Goodnight, Princess." He waited until she closed the door before he looked back down at the crystal. The feelings that flowed through the Goblin King were indescribable; the hatred for the young boy was remarkable. His fist closed around the crystal and it vanished, leaving the King to glare at nothing.

----

"I don't think this is a good idea, Highness."

"Stop worrying so much, J. We're just going for an afternoon ride." Mina said as she mounted her horse, holding onto the reigns tightly, leading him out of the stables, "Besides, I'm going to be cooped up in my room for hours tonight getting ready. I deserve a little fun."

Joker sighed, shaking his head slightly before taking off at a gallop.

He took the curves of the Labyrinth easily, following the way Mina told him to go as she laughed on his back. Finally she signaled for him to slow to a stop and she got off, she placed a finger over her mouth and gently shushed him.

She walked over to the edge of the wall and peaked around, her eyes falling on the boy for the second time. Her crystal glowed a bit brighter. He was staring at two doors, trying to figure out which one to go through. She bit her lip and debated helping him.

"Princess, don't even think about it." Joker warned, "If your father catches you, he'll have me skinned."

"Oh, stop worrying. He won't catch me."

"Princess!" But it was too late, she had already disappeared.

----

"I wouldn't pick that one if I were you."

The boy spun around, brown eyes searching for the source of the voice. His black hoodie covered the top of his jeans, and the red shirt he had underneath. His boots kicked up the dust as he took a few steps forward, "Hello?"

A finger tapped him on the shoulder, making him jump and spin around, she giggled, "Hello."

"Who are you?"

"Aliana Armina Hrothgar, Princess of the Goblin Kingdom. You can call me Mina. Who are you?"

"Lost."

She laughed, "I can see that."

"Wait, you're the Princess of this place?"

She nodded, "Sure."

"That means your Dad's the king?"

"That's how it usually works."

He looked her up and down, slowly walking around her. She was tall and thin, probably two or three inches shorter than him. She was wearing black tights that didn't leave much to the imagination. Her white poets shirt hung down past her butt, though the bottom fabric was thinner than the top and was pretty much see through. The black bodice she wore gave way to her curves and helped hold her shirt together. Her crystal hung in between her collar bones, somehow making her long neck looked even more elegant. Her blond hair danced in the wind, a blue highlight dancing in front of her eyes. Her black boots stood up to her knees, covered in a thin layer of dust.

"You look like your dad."

"I get that a lot." She said with a smile as he returned to her front.

"Can you help me?" he asked motioning to the doors.

She smiled, "I'm not supposed to."

"Come on, give me a but." He said giving her a charming smile.

She laughed a little, "But, I can give you a hint."

"That'd be great."

She rolled her eyes, "He lies." She said pointing to the one on the left, "I think…" she said with a shrug before she turned and walked away.

"You think?"

She nodded, "That's all the help I can give you."

"Hey, Princess."

She turned.

"Thanks."

She nodded a bit before she walked around the corner, quickly mounting Joker and rushing away.