Okay, I've down-toned the language in this a little. A few times I would have said Words, but can't be bothered putting the rating up so I didn't say those Words. Okidoki?
*~*~*~*
Aila woke up the next morning in a bad mood. She cursed the alarm, then grumbled her way out of bed and into the main room to start breakfast. A broken glass, spilt milk and quite a few Cocoa Pops underfoot later, the woman was sitting at the table and muttering her way blearily through a strong cup of coffee. She barely noticed Sarah stumble out of her own room and collect the second bowl, instead opting to ignore all human contact. But she managed a weak smile for her niece. A few moments later, all the electricity went out, and Jareth appeared near the door.
"Ay, I need your help," He panted. She stood up in amazement, noting dimly that Sarah had done the same. The Goblin King was in a shambles, with dirt streaked everywhere.
"We managed to close the door and bar it, but they're sure to get through soon. And she has Chasselle, she's holding her hostage" he wheezed, striding over. Aila held up a hand.
"Shut up for a moment, will you? Spill, but slowly. Who are they? And who is she? And who's Chasselle?" She frowned. He sighed, running a hand through dirt-ridden hair.
"Her name is Rhonwyn la Perinae, and she's mustered an army of beasts and fae. Chasselle is my sister, and Rhonwyn is holding her hostage. That so-called fae 'lady' is an old flame of mine, and apparently she wants in again. She wants the castle and the title of Queen, too. And she's using Chasselle to get it," Jareth looked murderous. Aila thought this over for a minute.
"So what you're saying is that a hodge-podge army led by a vixen who wants you and your money is attacking the castle. And you want me to help?" She fixed him with a no-nonsense look. If he was trying to trick her into going back there with him...
"Yes. Please, Ay. We can't hold out much longer. And if she gets what she wants, Rhonwyn will be over here in no time. She wants you dead, Ay. I don't want that to happen, but if I deny her, she'll kill Chase. And I don't want that to happen either," Jareth looked at her pleadingly. Aila sighed and nodded.
"Okay, I'll come, but what've I got to do?" She believed him. He wouldn't lie to her just to get her to come to the castle.
"Rescue Chase," he said simply. She raised her eyebrows.
"From what I've heard, this Rhonwyn vixen isn't about to let just anybody waltz in and rescue a damsel in distress," she crossed her arms.
"You'll come up with something, I'm sure," he had those puppy-dog eyes on again. Damn those eyes! Aila sighed again and started for the phone.
"Sarah, go into my room. Under my bed, fastened to the springs, is a box. Bring it here, would you? I gotta call work," She told the teenager, who nodded and hurried away. The woman picked up the receiver and dialed her work number. It was answered by the secretary.
"Jane, hi! It's Aila here. Just calling to take a personal day off, got family problems. My brother's wife's uncle's daughter's spouse's father has just died, and they invited me to the funeral. I'll see you maybe tomorrow, thanks heaps," she hung up before Jane had time to reply, and accepted the box Sarah handed to her. The Goblin King was staring at her in amazement.
"Don't stare, its rude," she commented, opening the box on the table. Inside were two guns in black holsters, and enough ammo to last ages. Aila smiled, taking the handguns out, one in each hand.
"These darlings might come in handy," she commented, and put them back, jogging into her room to change.
*~*~*~*
A few minutes later, she was ready to go. Dressed in skin-tight jeans, black shirt and black jacket, lightweight boots, and with the gun holsters clipped to a special belt that also sported all the extra ammo it could hold, she turned to Sarah and gave her a set of keys.
"These are mine, but if-" her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard and started again.
"If anything happens, and I'm not home by tonight or word doesn't get to you by tonight, they will be yours. Go to Rhys, he knows about everything. He'll know what to do," Aila hugged her niece, then turned to Jareth.
"Lets go," she said, and held out a hand. He took it, and suddenly they were in the throne room of the Goblin Castle. Goblins were dashing all ways, fully armored and creating a racket. Jareth touched her forehead, and suddenly she knew her way around the castle.
"When you find her, take her to the staircase room. That is the one room where no one can find her. And stay there until I come!" He shouted over the noise. Aila nodded once, then darted off, dodging goblins. She used her newfound knowledge to find a window high up, and looked out over the scene. It was worse than she had imagined. The gates were breaking, and as she watched, they burst open, scattering goblins here and there, to reveal an army of all sorts of wild beasts and humans that stretched far away. They streamed inside, to met an onslaught of goblins. Aila spotted a black-cloaked figure riding a chestnut horse break away from the pack. It was clutching in its arms a girl in a yellow dress, and she knew instantly that the girl was Chasselle. Who else could it be? The woman sprang away from the window and started down the stairs. She had a princess to rescue.
*~*~*~*
Aila, running through the castle, found that enemies had come from behind as well, and the castle itself was being attacked while the main force was slowed in the city. She helped out a few times by shooting enemies on her way to the ground floor. There was a tradesman's entrance somewhere near here, and she thought that might be where the black figure would be. She was right. Just as the panting woman rounded the last corner, she saw the door slide shut and a black cloak flick around the corner. Aila sped forward, and followed the figure to a room on the second floor. There, it went inside, still towing the girl, who looked confused. She slipped forward, to listen at the door, and managed to hear snippets of the conversation.
"But... why... I ... stay here...why...attacking...castle?" That must be the girl.
"My pet, I promise you will get answers later. Now, I shall go fetch your brother, and we can talk. Stay here, in your room, we will come here," that must be the black-cloaked figure, who she heard clearly. And it must be Rhonwyn, too, because the voice was definitely female and lady-like. Aila heard footsteps, and she darted into another room until she was sure that the lady had passed and was gone. Then, silently, she slipped out and into the girl's room. Chasselle was sitting on an elegant back-less chair in front of a mirror, where she was brushing her hair. She frowned when she saw the woman.
"Who are you? I demand that you get out of my room now," she said, standing up.
"Make me," Aila grinned devilishly, and ducked a hairbrush.
"Stop it with the throwing, princess. I come from Jareth, to rescue you," she walked forward. Chasselle shook her head.
"But I don't need rescuing. The Lady has gone now, to fetch my brother. Please, leave at once-"
"You don't get it, do you? The 'Lady' is lying. She's a no-good, lying, cheating vixen, and you'd better not believe her. She's attacking your brother to get her greedy little hands on his fortune, not matter what she's sugar-coated for you," Aila quickly explained.
"Now come on, I've gotta get you out of here," she tried to grab Chasselle's arm, but the girl moved away.
"How can I trust you? You might be kidnapping me!" She accused. Aila sighed and rolled her eyes, then had an idea.
"Listen, you have magic, right?" she asked, and got a nod for an answer.
"Then read my mind, and you'll see," the woman stepped forward, holding out her hand. Chasselle hesitated.
"But... I'm not trained enough. If I connect with you, I will know everything, not just what you want me to know. Are you sure?" The girl asked softly.
"Whatever you have to do, do it quickly," Aila nodded, impatient. Her charge came forward and put cool, dainty hands on the taller female's forehead, and suddenly the woman felt as though something was being pulled from her. It only lasted an instant though, and when it was over, Chasselle pulled away, her blue-green eyes wide.
"I believe you, Aila Keil. My brother obviously loves you very much. I will come with you," she held out one of those dainty hands of hers, and Aila grabbed it, dragging her towards the door.
"Please, be careful! My dress-"
"I dig your dress, princess, but really I don't give a rat's rear end what happens to it as long as you're all right. Now listen. You keep close to me, and yell if you see the vixen or if anyone tries to grab you, and I'll shoot them," she closed the door behind them, and hurried her down the hallway.
"You must be violent? Couldn't you sneak me away?" Came her tearful reply.
"I have to be violent, princess. That's the plan. Anyone touches you and I'll blow their brains out," Aila grinned, showing her a gun. Chasselle's eyes widened further at the sight of the deadly-looking strange weapon.
"Pretty wack, huh?" She demonstrated on an enemy fae who was about to send fire their way. He fell from his post, dead seconds from the bullet's impact. Chasselle gasped, and was yanked forward again.
"Come on, princess. This way," Aila dragged her round another corner, onto a hallway that overlooked the throne room. The woman peered at the battle, and saw Jareth fighting with a blazing sword against a man. Another enemy fae came up behind him and Aila, almost crying out in horror, swung her gun up and shot wildly.
*~*~*~*
Jareth, busy fighting, heard gunshots ring through the throne room. He ran his sword through his opponent's chest and looked around. Aila was standing, poised with gun in hand, Chasselle cowering behind her. There was a fae behind him, holding a dagger, with a dozen gunshot wounds clean in his head. The Goblin King looked back up at Aila, and saw her grabbing his sister's arm and running as fast as she could dragging the girl down another corridor. He owed her his life, now. But it was a debt he was happy to have, considering that he could be dead by now if she hadn't shot the fae. He turned around and swung his sword at another enemy.
*~*~*~*
Well? Long one, this time. More chapters and wisecracks from Aila to come! But only if you review!!!
Sweet Sunshine,
Seul Loup
*~*~*~*
Aila woke up the next morning in a bad mood. She cursed the alarm, then grumbled her way out of bed and into the main room to start breakfast. A broken glass, spilt milk and quite a few Cocoa Pops underfoot later, the woman was sitting at the table and muttering her way blearily through a strong cup of coffee. She barely noticed Sarah stumble out of her own room and collect the second bowl, instead opting to ignore all human contact. But she managed a weak smile for her niece. A few moments later, all the electricity went out, and Jareth appeared near the door.
"Ay, I need your help," He panted. She stood up in amazement, noting dimly that Sarah had done the same. The Goblin King was in a shambles, with dirt streaked everywhere.
"We managed to close the door and bar it, but they're sure to get through soon. And she has Chasselle, she's holding her hostage" he wheezed, striding over. Aila held up a hand.
"Shut up for a moment, will you? Spill, but slowly. Who are they? And who is she? And who's Chasselle?" She frowned. He sighed, running a hand through dirt-ridden hair.
"Her name is Rhonwyn la Perinae, and she's mustered an army of beasts and fae. Chasselle is my sister, and Rhonwyn is holding her hostage. That so-called fae 'lady' is an old flame of mine, and apparently she wants in again. She wants the castle and the title of Queen, too. And she's using Chasselle to get it," Jareth looked murderous. Aila thought this over for a minute.
"So what you're saying is that a hodge-podge army led by a vixen who wants you and your money is attacking the castle. And you want me to help?" She fixed him with a no-nonsense look. If he was trying to trick her into going back there with him...
"Yes. Please, Ay. We can't hold out much longer. And if she gets what she wants, Rhonwyn will be over here in no time. She wants you dead, Ay. I don't want that to happen, but if I deny her, she'll kill Chase. And I don't want that to happen either," Jareth looked at her pleadingly. Aila sighed and nodded.
"Okay, I'll come, but what've I got to do?" She believed him. He wouldn't lie to her just to get her to come to the castle.
"Rescue Chase," he said simply. She raised her eyebrows.
"From what I've heard, this Rhonwyn vixen isn't about to let just anybody waltz in and rescue a damsel in distress," she crossed her arms.
"You'll come up with something, I'm sure," he had those puppy-dog eyes on again. Damn those eyes! Aila sighed again and started for the phone.
"Sarah, go into my room. Under my bed, fastened to the springs, is a box. Bring it here, would you? I gotta call work," She told the teenager, who nodded and hurried away. The woman picked up the receiver and dialed her work number. It was answered by the secretary.
"Jane, hi! It's Aila here. Just calling to take a personal day off, got family problems. My brother's wife's uncle's daughter's spouse's father has just died, and they invited me to the funeral. I'll see you maybe tomorrow, thanks heaps," she hung up before Jane had time to reply, and accepted the box Sarah handed to her. The Goblin King was staring at her in amazement.
"Don't stare, its rude," she commented, opening the box on the table. Inside were two guns in black holsters, and enough ammo to last ages. Aila smiled, taking the handguns out, one in each hand.
"These darlings might come in handy," she commented, and put them back, jogging into her room to change.
*~*~*~*
A few minutes later, she was ready to go. Dressed in skin-tight jeans, black shirt and black jacket, lightweight boots, and with the gun holsters clipped to a special belt that also sported all the extra ammo it could hold, she turned to Sarah and gave her a set of keys.
"These are mine, but if-" her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard and started again.
"If anything happens, and I'm not home by tonight or word doesn't get to you by tonight, they will be yours. Go to Rhys, he knows about everything. He'll know what to do," Aila hugged her niece, then turned to Jareth.
"Lets go," she said, and held out a hand. He took it, and suddenly they were in the throne room of the Goblin Castle. Goblins were dashing all ways, fully armored and creating a racket. Jareth touched her forehead, and suddenly she knew her way around the castle.
"When you find her, take her to the staircase room. That is the one room where no one can find her. And stay there until I come!" He shouted over the noise. Aila nodded once, then darted off, dodging goblins. She used her newfound knowledge to find a window high up, and looked out over the scene. It was worse than she had imagined. The gates were breaking, and as she watched, they burst open, scattering goblins here and there, to reveal an army of all sorts of wild beasts and humans that stretched far away. They streamed inside, to met an onslaught of goblins. Aila spotted a black-cloaked figure riding a chestnut horse break away from the pack. It was clutching in its arms a girl in a yellow dress, and she knew instantly that the girl was Chasselle. Who else could it be? The woman sprang away from the window and started down the stairs. She had a princess to rescue.
*~*~*~*
Aila, running through the castle, found that enemies had come from behind as well, and the castle itself was being attacked while the main force was slowed in the city. She helped out a few times by shooting enemies on her way to the ground floor. There was a tradesman's entrance somewhere near here, and she thought that might be where the black figure would be. She was right. Just as the panting woman rounded the last corner, she saw the door slide shut and a black cloak flick around the corner. Aila sped forward, and followed the figure to a room on the second floor. There, it went inside, still towing the girl, who looked confused. She slipped forward, to listen at the door, and managed to hear snippets of the conversation.
"But... why... I ... stay here...why...attacking...castle?" That must be the girl.
"My pet, I promise you will get answers later. Now, I shall go fetch your brother, and we can talk. Stay here, in your room, we will come here," that must be the black-cloaked figure, who she heard clearly. And it must be Rhonwyn, too, because the voice was definitely female and lady-like. Aila heard footsteps, and she darted into another room until she was sure that the lady had passed and was gone. Then, silently, she slipped out and into the girl's room. Chasselle was sitting on an elegant back-less chair in front of a mirror, where she was brushing her hair. She frowned when she saw the woman.
"Who are you? I demand that you get out of my room now," she said, standing up.
"Make me," Aila grinned devilishly, and ducked a hairbrush.
"Stop it with the throwing, princess. I come from Jareth, to rescue you," she walked forward. Chasselle shook her head.
"But I don't need rescuing. The Lady has gone now, to fetch my brother. Please, leave at once-"
"You don't get it, do you? The 'Lady' is lying. She's a no-good, lying, cheating vixen, and you'd better not believe her. She's attacking your brother to get her greedy little hands on his fortune, not matter what she's sugar-coated for you," Aila quickly explained.
"Now come on, I've gotta get you out of here," she tried to grab Chasselle's arm, but the girl moved away.
"How can I trust you? You might be kidnapping me!" She accused. Aila sighed and rolled her eyes, then had an idea.
"Listen, you have magic, right?" she asked, and got a nod for an answer.
"Then read my mind, and you'll see," the woman stepped forward, holding out her hand. Chasselle hesitated.
"But... I'm not trained enough. If I connect with you, I will know everything, not just what you want me to know. Are you sure?" The girl asked softly.
"Whatever you have to do, do it quickly," Aila nodded, impatient. Her charge came forward and put cool, dainty hands on the taller female's forehead, and suddenly the woman felt as though something was being pulled from her. It only lasted an instant though, and when it was over, Chasselle pulled away, her blue-green eyes wide.
"I believe you, Aila Keil. My brother obviously loves you very much. I will come with you," she held out one of those dainty hands of hers, and Aila grabbed it, dragging her towards the door.
"Please, be careful! My dress-"
"I dig your dress, princess, but really I don't give a rat's rear end what happens to it as long as you're all right. Now listen. You keep close to me, and yell if you see the vixen or if anyone tries to grab you, and I'll shoot them," she closed the door behind them, and hurried her down the hallway.
"You must be violent? Couldn't you sneak me away?" Came her tearful reply.
"I have to be violent, princess. That's the plan. Anyone touches you and I'll blow their brains out," Aila grinned, showing her a gun. Chasselle's eyes widened further at the sight of the deadly-looking strange weapon.
"Pretty wack, huh?" She demonstrated on an enemy fae who was about to send fire their way. He fell from his post, dead seconds from the bullet's impact. Chasselle gasped, and was yanked forward again.
"Come on, princess. This way," Aila dragged her round another corner, onto a hallway that overlooked the throne room. The woman peered at the battle, and saw Jareth fighting with a blazing sword against a man. Another enemy fae came up behind him and Aila, almost crying out in horror, swung her gun up and shot wildly.
*~*~*~*
Jareth, busy fighting, heard gunshots ring through the throne room. He ran his sword through his opponent's chest and looked around. Aila was standing, poised with gun in hand, Chasselle cowering behind her. There was a fae behind him, holding a dagger, with a dozen gunshot wounds clean in his head. The Goblin King looked back up at Aila, and saw her grabbing his sister's arm and running as fast as she could dragging the girl down another corridor. He owed her his life, now. But it was a debt he was happy to have, considering that he could be dead by now if she hadn't shot the fae. He turned around and swung his sword at another enemy.
*~*~*~*
Well? Long one, this time. More chapters and wisecracks from Aila to come! But only if you review!!!
Sweet Sunshine,
Seul Loup
