The soft clicking of her heels echoed in the darkness as the sound of the other masked Fae in front of her and behind her spoke in hushed tones and sometimes out loud for attention. All of them remarked their excitement for the Masquerade, along with their compliments for each other's attire and accessories as they laughed and gossiped.

Mel could barely see them in the dimly lit streets, as she could make out the shapes of a few voluptuous women and men that wore large hats on their heads. None of them seemed to take noticed to her yet, and she felt a small sense of relief that she didn't draw any attention at the moment. She kept her mouth shut as she just wanted to do what she planned.

Looking up at the large, towering castle she saw the large steel gates were wide open; large chains dangled from the sides of them and were attached to the wall. The castle itself was taller than the clock tower back home, even though it still loomed over the bushy trees in the park it was nothing in comparison to this castle. Opened windows with small ledges were carved into the curved sides, as light shined past the openings.

Two heavily guards stood on each side of the door, weapons held high above their heads. Groups of Fae waltz passed the gates as the soft melodious tunes of the ballroom music poured out from the open doors. Stepping into the bright warm torch light she saw the guards pay no attention to her as she tried to casually walk past them, keeping her head up high.

As Melody walked inside she immediately entered the ballroom, but to her it felt like she had entered a whole new world.

The ballroom was massive in size as silver chandeliers were hung from the tall ceiling; wax was dripping down the curved structure as the immense amount of candle light brightly lit the room. Curved walls were covered in glimmering white silk and adorned with a few hanging crystal ornaments that capture and reflected the candle light. Two grand stairways ascended to the upper floor as a large balcony could overlook the dance floor; metal railings were wrapped with gold scarves as the men and women filled the large space.

Dancing in circles with each other, their moves were exaggerated and looked a bit dizzying. They were all of different shapes and heights; some were skinny while others were the opposite. Most of the woman had their hair pulled up into large and extravagant hairdo's that were adorned with accessories as some left their hair to cascade down their backs. Almost all the men seemed to be wearing a large hat, the styles of them reminded Mel of pirate's hats but some lacked the feathers. All of them wore masks, looking around she saw that some covered their entire face while others covered half like hers. A few masks had elongated noses and almost all had a large emphasis on their cheek bones.

Fans were held in one hand of the ladies, or a small mirror with a colored ribbon back. In most of the Fae's hands were large wine glasses, halfway filled with what appeared to be a thick deep red liquid. "That must be crimson passion," Melody thought to herself as she walked towards the sea of people as she looked towards the stairs.

She could feel the Fae stare at her as she caught a glance at those around her; their heads were turned as a few seemed to be mumbling to their partners about her presence, but she just brushed that aside. Mel knew that she would most likely stand out, but she just hoped that her height would give her an advantage tonight so she'd avoid being caught by the Goblin King.

Her eyes looked towards the dance floor as numerous couples were chest to chest with each other as the lovely tunes of the slow music continued to play one and on. Women had thrown their heads back and laughed as they avoided others around them. Avoiding a couple that was dancing around; she tried to act calm as a group of Fae women that seemed to block the stairs that most likely lead to the rest of the castle. Pretending to look around, she waited patiently for them to leave before she would go past them.

"I saw it's quite odd isn't it?" a woman said, as her high pitched voice tried to grab the attention of those around her.

"What is?" Another asked.

"A Masquerade this extravagant, usually the balls King Jareth throws are never this gorgeous." The first woman remarked.

"So his name is Jareth?" She thought to herself, finally learning the name of the Goblin King. "Never heard that for a name before."

The sound of a woman snapping her fan open almost caused Mel to jump as she still looked around, as if she were looking for her imaginary partner. "Do you think it's because of… the rumors?" another woman gossiped, as they all let out a barrage of squeals.

"Oh! Do you think? Imagine King Jareth falling in love with one of us!" they cheered.

"Don't get your hopes up, for all we know none of us might not be the one." The first one remarked in an annoyed tone.

"Now don't be like that, what if he has. After all, he locks himself in his throne room most of his days, maybe he caught a glimpse at one of us and is now smitten." She cheered again.

Mel felt like knives were being shoved into her ears as this very loud conversation she caught wind of was starting to annoy her to new levels. "She may have a point, I mean; King Jareth is still without a queen for all we know one of us might be running this city by his side.

"I doubt any of that, for all we know the rumors could be nothing but fabricated like last time." Sounded like this wasn't the first time they had heard that rumor before, as a woman scoffed at it all. "But I will admit he is the most handsome man in the land, but it's still not enough for me to get my hopes up about those rumors."

"Well at least you're smart," Mel laughed in her mind as she saw the woman starting to walk away. As they left, she was about ready to make her way up the stairs before feeling a cold latex covered hand on her shoulder. She turned as a man wearing a pale grey crescent moon mask was standing behind her.

His head was covered with a large black captain's hat as it was almost twice the size of her head. A brown cape was draped over the shoulder of his cream frilled shirt and brown leather vest, his black trousers hugged his legs as he offered her a glass filled more than halfway with the drink she was warned not to consume. "Milady," he tried handing her the glass.

Mel brought her hand up and gently shook her head, "I'm sorry, but I usually like to drink that later on." She declined as the man handed the drink to another woman who passed by.

"Then may I suggest we dance until that time comes?" he asked. Mel could see a chilling look in his vibrant red eyes as she tried to remain calm.

"I'm actually waiting for someone at the moment," she said. The man grabbed her wrist tightly as he started to drag her towards the dancefloor. "Didn't you hear a word I said?" she asked, trying not to yell at the guy.

"Then I shall be your partner until they come for you," he answered her. Mel tried to break free from his grasp, but with each attempt she felt his grip getting tighter and tighter around her. She had no idea that Fae had this much strength as the pain was starting to get rather unbearable. "A woman like you shouldn't be a wallflower."

"And she's not." Another man spoke, as Mel found it rather familiar sounding. Feeling someone behind her, she saw the man let go of her wrist as he quickly back away from them. Turning around stood another man, the frills of his black shirt covered the collar of his midnight blue velvet coat. A silver sickle pendant dangled from his neck as his long spiky blonde reached past his shoulder with a few silver accents.

Even though his voice was familiar she couldn't the man's face as it was covered with an almost demonic goblin face mask. Crimson covered the mask; it had large cheeks like the others as the forehead of it was much bigger as it accommodated the pair of long black horns that stuck out. "Um… why did you say that?" she was embarrassed to ask.

"I see you still lack any sense to thank me once again," he joked as he rose up his mask slightly. Looking under the mask she saw the familiar face as she smiled. Putting his mask back down, "it's good to see you to Melody."

A wave of joy hit Melody as her heart started to beat. Standing before her was Jarad, as her thoughts of discomfort and self-consciousness slipped away. "Jarad… I've been so worried about you." Mel admitted. "What are you doing?" she asked, as she one of his hands at her hip while the other grabbed her hand.

"You're at a Masquerade my dear, if you don't dance you'll stick out." He said to her as she placed a hand on his shoulder as Jarad let her to the dance floor. The Fae let them in as they surprisingly made their way toward the center of the dancefloor as Jarad led Melody, they danced as if they were one which brought a great amount of surprise to her as she knew that she never learned to dance like this before.

"Why are you here? I thought you didn't like to be around other," she asked as this scene wasn't at all something that Jarad would partake in.

"I was going to ask you the same question," he said as his eyes glared down at her. "Didn't your friends warn you about these events?" he asked in a concerned tone. Mel could see that he was worried about her; he must have known what usually takes place here.

"It's my only way to beat this place," she answered. "I heard that the Goblin King participates in these events and with him busy I can finally beat him."

Jarad shook his head. "I swear you can be so reckless at times, you don't know how much you worry me." He said to her. "That's the only reason why I'm here, I had a feeling you'd come to this place. I was just hoping that you wouldn't."

Melody grinned at Jarad's concerns, "well thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine. I've made it this far, I mean… I'm so close to reaching my goal. And I'm not that reckless!"

"Says the same woman who climbed a tree but had no idea how to get out," he said sarcastically. "Or better yet when you tripped the other day and tumbled down the hill outside of the Goblin City."

"Ok I get it," Melody shushed him as Jarad only chuckled at her response. "I get it I can be a bit… careless at times." She said, but it didn't stop her partner from laughing at her.

He pulled Melody closer to him as a couple almost ran into her, Mel could feel her face starting to grow hot as Jarad wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her close. She looked down at the ground, "Melody… you look very beautiful this evening." He complimented her as she looked back up at him. "I mean… I thought you looked beautiful before, but right now you're stunning."

She didn't know how to respond. No one had complimented her like that before and if they did, she had never really paid much attention but this was different. A man whom she was dancing with and even had feelings for thought that she was beautiful, hearing Jarad speak those words to her meant everything. "… Thank you." She whispered.

The other Fae couples around them stared as they could see how the two looked at each other with their loved filled eyes. The women hid their mouths with their fans or mirrors as the mumbles of gossip started to flood the ballroom. Most of them weren't happy as they saw the two had been dancing together for a very long time, and didn't seem like they would stop any time soon. "Could she be the one he's fallen for?"

Mel could barely hear the whispers as she paid attention to Jarad; they spoke softly to each other as he mocked a few of the guests odd looking masks and dresses. She was more than happy that she had him with her for this night, for a minute she thought that maybe he could help her get to the very center of the castle.

Moving across the dance floor, a strange sound she glanced back as her eyes widened in shock. Upon a large bed were many Fae as odd sounds emerged from them, all of which made her feel very uncomfortable. They were on top of each other as they were acting too vulgar for any allowed public display, as they were almost like they were under a spell. Masks were removed along with dresses either having been pulled up or down.

"So that's what crimson passion does." Mel thought as a few empty wine glasses littered the floor. All of it made her feel uneasy as she didn't want to be near that area, especially for what she knew would be coming soon.

Jarad pulled Mel's head gently to his chest as he hid her face amongst the frills of his black shirt, he lead her away from the area as he gently stroked her dark hair. "I'm sorry about that, perhaps we should stay away from there." he suggested as Mel looked up at him and nodded her head. "Did all of that make you uncomfortable?"

"Yea…" Mel tried to get the mental image out of her head, "I'm just not use to that stuff… never really had time for it."

"What do you mean by that?" she could hear Jarad's curiosity.

"Never really been much of a romance person, I've always been too busy working to even give it any thought." Melody answered.

"I see. That is understandable; many usually have to put things aside in order to make time for others." Jarad said to her, as he seemed to understand what she meant. "But it is a shame, I would think a woman of your grace and beauty would attract many."

"I don't really know, I've never really paid any attention." That was until she met Jarad.

They were silent for a bit as they continued to dance with each other, "Melody… there's something I need to tell you." Melody felt her heart starting to pound as she heard those words escape Jarad's lips, "when I first met you and you told me that you wanted to beat the Labyrinth… I doubted you, I never thought you'd be able to make it to the Goblin City." He admitted.

"It's fine… I doubted that I would make it this far."

"But… there's something else… something I've wanted to tell you for quite a while now… I just didn't know how to put it." Jarad took a deep breath, "whenever I'm with you I can't help but feel as if time stops. Looking into your eyes… all I can see is the pure beauty of your soul and whenever you smile, it's nothing short of perfection. I cannot imagine a Fae possessing the same beauty or sheer uniqueness that is you. You're so much more than just a pretty face, or a determined hard headed woman… you mean so much more to me than anything in this world."

Melody's jaw dropped as Jarad spoke those words, "… Jarad." She whispered.

"The times that you sneaked away from your friends just to talk to me, I treasured those moments. Every opportunity I've had to spend it with you, I found it more and more addictive I always wanted to be at your side and just enjoy having the honor of being in your company." Jarad went on. "Melody… there are so many things that I feel for you that… that… not even words are enough to express how I feel."

"Oh Jarad…"

"Even though we are from two different worlds I just need you to know this…" she could hear the shakiness in his voice as she tried to hold back her joy. "Melody… I love you."

She covered her mouth in shock as Jarad revealed his feelings for her. Mel could never have thought that in her wildest dreams that someone like Jarad would say that he was in love with her. It brought nothing but pure joy hearing him say those sweet words to her. "Jarad… do you really mean that?"

He nodded his head, "of course I do Melody. I wouldn't say them if they were not true, but… I need to know something."

"What is it?"

"Melody, I want you to be honest with me… please tell me how you feel about me. Do you feel the same way?"

Her mind went blank for a second as Jarad asked her how she felt. She already knew how she felt, but after hearing how Jarad proclaimed his love for her she didn't know if it would be enough. "I- I feel so much different when you're around… after I met you and after all our secret meetings together I had this sense of safety knowing I could go to you in case." She started as she put a hand to her chest.

"Are you ok?"

"I haven't felt these feelings in a long time… I didn't really allow myself to get close to other for so long… I was always scared that I would end up losing them. But when I'm with you I feel like I've finally let someone new into my heart, someone I hope that I won't lose because I," she started to choke up as she tried to suppress the feeling. "I love you too." She whispered.

Jarad wrapped both his arms around Melody as he hugged her form tightly against his own, "you do not know how happy I am to hear that." He told her as they slightly separated themselves. He leaned his face down close to Mel's as he noticed a pink tint across her face.

"I think I should let you know… I've never been kissed before," she warned him as Jarad put his hand against her face as she tilted her head slightly to the side.

Their lips were only a hair's length apart, "well then… allow me to change that."

The music stopped temporarily before playing up once again, Mel pulled away as the sound of numerous heeled clicks made their way towards her and Jarad. She turned her head as a few woman stood behind her with quite angry looks on their faces. "Do you mind? It's our turn to dance with him?" a woman in a lime green dress demanded.

"Excuse me?" Mel said.

A woman with fiery red hair stepped forward, "you've had King Jareth for too long, we want a chance to dance with him." She demanded.

The warm feeling Melody felt moments ago started to turn cold as she looked back, "Jareth?" she whispered as a pained looked was in his eyes.

"King Jareth you should dance with me next!" a woman in gold shouted.

"No me!"

Mel took a few steps back as she finally realized who Jarad actually was. She tried to act normal, "I'm terribly sorry ladies, please go ahead. I leave King Jareth to you," she said as she attempted to disappear in the crowds of people nearby. Glancing back she could barely see Jareth as he was trying to reason with the ladies.

A sharp pain ran through Melody's heart as she walked up the ascending staircase, staying close to the wall as the taller Fae blocked her out of Jareth's view. Or at least she hoped they did. Making her way up to the balcony she didn't look back as she saw an empty hallways close by. After seeing that most of the Fae were too busy flirting and getting rather frisky with their partners she slipped away and ran down the curved path.

Slowing down she leaned her back against the cold brick wall and looked out the window she stood before. The pain in her chest didn't fade away as she felt disappointed in herself for what she had done. All those words he had spoken to her could have been nothing but lies, while she said how she felt for him. After all their meetings and everything together it had been enough to ensnare her in his trap.

"How could I have done this?" she asked herself as she fought hard to fight back her tears, "I allowed myself to fall in love with the enemy…"