That evening and the following day an unprecedented number of summons occurred. Most of the castle's staff was engaged in the process. I had told the king that really all I needed was my copy of the book The Labyrinth from my home to begin reminding him. The moment the third summons occurred though I knew it would not be for a few days before the book was retrieved. As I watched the staff running to and fro, I felt very out of place. I knew so little about a summons. The extent of my knowledge was that a child was calling out, or wishing to be taken. A parent could wish their children away as well. It was the Goblin King's duty to go to them the moment the words were uttered. Feeling want for use I sought out Bartholomew to offer any aid with the children. He seemed touched by my offer and led me away.
On the opposite side of the main court yard a long building had been constructed. Even as Bartholomew threw open the doors I felt a strong resemblance to a hospital. White walls with light colored wood floors. The very air smelt sterile. Elves, male and female, were hurrying along the hall. From the rooms elves in grey or blue robes were entering or leaving. One woman in a grey robe approached Bartholomew as we entered. "Doctor the new little one in room six insists on being returned home- he's worked himself into quite the state I'm afraid." Her face showed concern.
"Who said the words?"
"His mother." We stopped our hurried walk. My mouth gaped in surprise at the statement.
Scratching the back of his head Bartholomew asked, "Has the king returned yet?"
"No, not yet. The last summons was urgent; he left before he could properly accommodate the boy. He won't be calmed though, at least not by any elf."
He looked at me and smiled. "Fergi take Lady Rebekah here in to speak with him. I know not your exact purpose my dear," he added as I opened my mouth to protest. "but I do know your voice is special. You will help him."
I found myself being pulled towards room number six from which cries of "mommy" were issuing forth. Inside a sandy haired boy was crouching with his knees drawn to his chest. Caught between it all a teddy bear was being squeezed. Tears were streaming down the boy's face. As we entered he wailed, "I want my mommy!"
I edged Fergi back into the door way. "Can't we just send him back?" I asked uneasy with the situation.
"Only the wisher holds such power," she replied. "Saying the words was the only decent thing his mother ever did for him."
I eyed the boy. "Is it usually so traumatic?"
She sighed. "No, but the king usually is here to help them adjust."
Darling little brats, I thought to myself amused, indeed.
Fergi urged me to go speak with the boy.
I went back in. The boy, who could not have been any older than six, sniffed loudly and regarded me. Reading words written by another was one thing; talking of my own accord to help was another. The teddy bear shifted in his arms. "Are you here to take me back to my mommy?" the boy asked raising his head.
Ghads, if I lie I'll hate myself, I thought miserably, if I tell the truth he may hate me.
"Why do you want to go back to your mommy?" I asked.
"I take care of her. She needs me!" I got a vivid mental image of an inebriated woman passed out in bed, and the boy coming in to cover her. Another flashed of the boy taking care of a sink full of dirty dishes.
"Tell me little man what is your name?"
"Peter." His voice sounded so small.
I moved to sit on the far end of the bed. "Peter I have to tell you something: I know that you take great care of your mommy. You love her don't you?"
"Yes."
"Good, and you know what else? I think that," I ventured to touch his hair, brushing it away from his eyes. "you do such a great job of taking care of her, that you deserve a reward."
"A reward?" there was a slight change in his tone. "You mean like a prize for doing so well?"
I nodded smiling. I did not know where my words were coming from or how it was that he was calming down, but it was all working together. "If you stay here with me and all these other nice people, we will take care of you for a change." I reached to wipe his tears. "Wouldn't you like that?"
"No dirty dishes? No more making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?" with each question he detangled himself a little more. "No more locking my bedroom door?"
I shook my head to each one. "Come here Peter." I offered him my arms. Embraced against me, I felt his little body relax. Remembering a time when being held, rocked, and even sung to could make the world go away I began to think of a song to sing. "Will you stay in our lover's story? If you stay you won't be sorry because we believe in you." He brought his teddy bear back to his chest. "Soon you'll grow so take a chance with a couple of kooks hung up on romancing." I felt him relax further into sleep. The fatigue of leaving home and crying had worn him down. Gently I laid him on the pillow and pulled the sheet around him. Granted it was early in the day, but he deserved the rest.
Fergi and Bartholomew had left me I discovered as I exited the room. The hall had also thinned of its nurses. Across the hall a man in blue robes came out of a room. "Excuse me," I inquired. "But would you know if King Jareth has returned?"
"Yes my lady he has. He is in the nursery. Let me escort you."
He led me down the hall. I noticed that the building broke into two sections forming an "L" shape. At the far end of this hall way a nursery had been arranged for the youngest children, below the age of one. My heart went out to the dears as I saw the numbers the building housed. At least ten female elves in grey robes attended to a baby each. Some where being rocked while others where fed from glass bottles. My escort led me to a secluded room where I found Fergi and Jareth attending to an infant. Fergi held a bottle of milk which she shook to produce drops on her wrist. Finding the temperature to her liking she passed the bottle to Jareth who encouraged the baby to suckle. I was struck by the scene. Perhaps his highness wasn't as harsh as he liked to believe. "Rebekah!" he exclaimed realizing my presence. "Come and meet the newest member of the kingdom."
I came to his side. He pulled the bottle back so I could see the baby's face. I noticed a pink cap on the head. "She's lovely. Does she have a name?"
He replaced the bottle. "This is Jane. When her eyes are open they're a beautiful blue. Here Fergi." He transferred baby Jane to the elf.
He then led me from the room indicating that we had much to discuss. Realizing the time we decided to return to one of his private chambers for lunch. Casually I mentioned how seeing him with a child in his arms was one of the last things I expected from him. "Last I recall you referred to the wished away children as 'darling little brats.'"
"And that they are!" he insisted smiling. "But I love each one of them and I care for them. I'm full of surprises Rebekah."
Once inside his private dinning room and the food having been ordered he changed the subject to that of his current predicament and the need for the book. We both decided that it was time to return to the Aboveground.
"It shouldn't take more than a few minutes really," I told him as we ate.
"This evening then shouldn't be an issue to go. What is today- Monday, right."
"What if there is another summons?"
"Pray that there isn't. The last two days have had one too many. You noticed how small baby Jane is? She had only been home from the hospital for a week. She wished herself away; parents hardly paid her any mind."
"I was with a similar child earlier." He looked inquisitively at me. "I offered my help and Bartholomew brought me to the children. I spent time with a boy named Peter."
"Ah, Peter… I had to leave again before he was properly settled."
I thought for a moment. "You like your job, don't you?"
"Well I don't like how thoughtless humans can be with their own off spring, but the children…They need someone to care for them. A child is defenseless, innocent, and pure; to not care for them is turn one's back on life its self. Eat your food," he then urged. "Tonight we leave."
