I don't own King Jareth, although if I did, the things I'd do...

Chapter 10: Royal Intervention

In his study, feet resting on the polished mahogany desk as he leaned back in his chair, the King casually rolled a crystal across his hands. He couldn't suppress a smile as he considered his son's predicament.

This had not been entirely unexpected, but it was still a most delightful turn of events. Jareth's smile widened further, his heir's confused face sliding across the surface. There was something immediately recognizable swirling in the midst of his son's frustrated, mis-matched eyes.

Oh yes, he knew. He recognized unfamiliar feelings swirling across his son's face, confounding the boy. The King remembered vividly how it felt the first time he'd met his Queen. The sensation had thrummed from deep within him, something primitive and ancient humming to life. His mind wander to the sole object of his adoration as he thought back to how his mate came to be his. His Sarah had been so infuriatingly defiant! The King had suspected when he'd first seen her, but it wasn't until She had defied him for the second time, ripping herself from his arms, that he'd fully realized who she was to him. His wife, always so strong, always so opinionated. The only one to ever truly defy him. He had known, in that second, that she was the one. Even now, just picturing her perfect face with its piercing, emerald eyes made those ancient instincts stir.

As he watched his son staring after a lovely little brunette flouncing out the door, he knew. It was rare for the King to know something about his children that his wife didn't. He savored this for a moment, but he would have to tell her sooner or later.

He wasn't sure how his wife would react to this particular development. As far as Underground laws were concerned, Tana's parentage was of unknown origin. His wife, being human, was the only one squeamish about the legal human adoption that had taken place in the Above-ground. If the girl became part of the underground, she would be regarded as an orphan unless her real parents could be found. And he wasn't so sure it was a good idea for them to be located.

King Jareth had a gnawing suspicion about exactly who her sire was. The girl bore some resemblance to a neighboring king; and if he was correct, her life could be in danger.

King Hreidmar was a vicious ruler, with a fiercely jealous Queen. Jareth managed to keep peace with them, but only just. Things had been particularly strained since he had sided with the Nymphs when Hreidmar had attempted to overtake their lands. He also found Hreidmar's personal conduct decidedly distasteful. Whispers told tales of bastard children he'd fathered in brothels being mercilessly slaughtered by his wife to hide his indiscretions, to ensure there were no other potential heirs to threaten her own children's claim to the throne.

While Jareth kept what other Kings did in their personal conduct out of their business dealings, it had served him well over the years to not be blind to such things. If, for example, a human servant had found herself bearing the cruel king's child, it would have made sense that she would have taken the risk to send the child to the Human world for their protection, despite the potential harm they could face. Fae children, separated from the magic that was an essential part of their life blood, often died earlier than the humans that cared for them. Or, worse, the humans, sensing their uniqueness, shunned the child.

If Hreidmar was truly the girls' father, undoubtedly there would be an attempt on her life. As she was under the Goblin Monarchy's protection, an attempt on her life meant nothing less than war between their kingdoms. It was fortunate that she had found her way to the William's family. Sarah had placed protection magic around her family decades ago, and that had likely kept the girl safe from detection.

However, now that she had read the book, her safety would likely be compromised.

Before taking any action however, he needed to know for sure that she was Hreidmar's daughter. Forming a crystal, he whispered a summons. He didn't need to wait long before his request was answered. Gradually, soft white mist began to create a pillar in the throne room, becoming darker and firmer as it solidified into the form of a woman. Wearing a long, pale blue gown that contrasted sharply with her dark olive skin and shiny, blue-black hair, she needed no other adornment to command attention. Holding herself with all the regal grace of her position, she seemed much taller than her mere four and a half feet. Golden eyes met the mismatched blue of the king as an equal. Taking a light step towards him, she greeted him warmly. "Jareth, what a surprise." There were no need for formalities here; they were old allies. Raising one slender hand, he gently kissed the back of it in greeting quickly before stepping away.

"So good of you to answer me one such short notice, Fenlie."

"I assumed it must be important."

Guiding her to a sitting area, he summoned tea. "Perhaps. How are things in the Nymph Kingdom?"

She smiled at him warmly at his smooth change in subject. She'd always held a soft spot for the mischievous boy. As a prince, he'd spent quite a bit of time with her people. Once he rose to the throne, he had treated the Nymph folk fairly and was well-liked among her people. In fact, her alliance with the Goblin King had saved her own Kingdom from the wrath of their mutual neighbor, Hreidmar, many years ago. Had the Goblin King not threatened war on her behalf after a surprise attack on her border, she had no doubt that she would have been overwhelmed easily. Thanks to Jareth's intervention, Hreidmar had backed down. Unfortunately, in the attack she had suffered heavy losses.

Shaking off the unpleasant memories, she leaned back into her seat. "It has been far too long, my King." Then she glanced around the room curiously. "Will Sarah be joining us?"

Jareth smiled. Fenlie was quite fond of Sarah, finding his wife's sharp wit refreshing. "I'm sorry to say that she is visiting with our daughter today. She will be disappointed to discover she missed your visit."

Fenlie was disappointed as well. "Perhaps another time then. I'd enjoy having her visit my castle, to see how the markets are thriving after we opened trade negotiations with the merfolk."

"Of course. I will inform her of your invitation." Pouring the tea, there was a companionable silence for a moment.

Fenlie took a polite sip. "How are things in the capital?" she asked.

He inclined his head to her. "As well as can be expected when one is ruling the Goblins."

She chuckled. "Not an enviable task, to be certain. But surely, you did not call me here for such pleasantries."

He smiled at her. Decades of friendly relations meant she knew him well. Conjuring a crystal, he got to the point of this visit. "Quite right. I'm seeking to discover the parentage of a young woman that was sent to the human realm. I believe she is half-fae, and I was hoping to appeal to your friendship to help uncover this puzzle".

Now this she hadn't expected. Fenlie raised one perfectly arched eyebrow at him. It was unusual for Jareth to take interest in matters such as this. "This girl must be very special for my King to inquire about her."

Jareth simply smiled, rolling the crystal across his hands before handing it to her. Glancing at him before looking into it, her eyes widened a fraction. He thought he saw a brief flash of recognition in her eyes, but it was gone quickly.

"Something wrong, Fenlie?"

Snapping her gaze back to him, she adopted an air of nonchalance. "Not at all. May I ask why this girl is of interest?"

"She was adopted by Sarah's family in the above-ground. It is for her safety that we discover her true lineage."

The nymph gave a quick, short nod. "I understand."

"I trust you to have discretion in this matter?" He said, drawing her eyes back to his.

Fenlie nodded, a strand of hair falling into her face with the motion. "Of course. You have my word no one will hear of this." She lifted the crystal to eye-level, studying the girl. "Consider it done"

It was widely known that the Nymph-folk had a well-connected information network. Charming people, they easily found their ways into the highest courts. In time, they had become one of the most powerful kingdoms to deal with. Jareth was certain that if anyone could discover the girl's lineage, it was the Nymphs. He was glad he could count her as a loyal ally.

After exchanging a few other pleasantries and discussing recent trade relations, Fenlie vanished the same way she had appeared.

Jareth was grateful to Fenlie for taking up this task. While the Nymph Queen may not yet be aware of it, this girl's lineage could very well thrust them into an unwanted war.

If the girl proved to be Hreidmar's daughter, there would be no avoiding it. Hreidmar's wife would demand the girl's head, even if Hreidmar himself didn't. She was jealous, and demanded all of his illegitimate children to be wiped from existence. He smiled wryly. War was not something he relished or particularly enjoyed.

The Goblin King would keep Tana's lineage a secret for as long as possible, but if Hreidmar's magic ran through her veins he would eventually recognize her as his own. Secrets such as that could not be easily concealed in the underground. He glanced at the time. Jareth had several hours to wait until his wife returned.

A/N: It's taken a while for me to get around to this bit of development, so I hope you've enjoyed the journey! In the next chapter, the King, Queen, Callie, Jareth, and Tana all make an appearance. Thanks for reading!