So sorry I haven't updated in a while; college has taken up most of my time! But I hope to update more often.
And please please please review! Reviews let me know if im doing good or bad and if my story stinks and keeps me motivated :-)
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Two months later
Mercy had settled into underground life quite well. There had been some arguments as to where she should live and they had agreed that, unless the prince was urgently needed, they would both stay at Jareth's castle. She had been given her own permanent room filled with clothes and books and, to her delight, music. The king often spent his free time with Mercy and Nathan; the three of them enjoying each other's company. But nothing lasts forever.
It was the beginning of winter when Mercy realised she could do magic. She had been watching Nathan and Jareth re-build part of the castle the goblins had 'accidently' blown up and she had felt bad about not being able to do anything. She had been sitting on the floor against the wall when a stone had rolled out towards her. She had picked it up with the intention of throwing it at Jareth when she suddenly stopped. She lowered her raised fist and cupped the stone in her hand. Jareth had told her once that mortals couldn't do magic but she had to wonder…if she was around Jareth and Nathan's magic so much would some of rubbed off on her? She focused hard on the smooth stone and placed her other hand over the top of it to try and 'hold in' the magic. Jareth had noticed the lack of complaining and had looked over his shoulder, frowning at what Mercy was doing. He jumped down from the rock ledge and landed gracefully on the stone floor, not far from Mercy. He strolled over and leaved over her.
"What are you doing?" Mercy jumped and blushed with embarrassment, how long had he been there? She pulled her hands to her chest and looked down to hide her face behind her hair. Nathan had noticed the lack of help and had also come to investigate. He knelt before her and opened her hands revealing the stone. He took it and turned it over in his hands before shrugging at Jareth.
"Why were you holding a rock?" Mercy shook her head and blushed harder; they were going to laugh at her.
"Tell us" Jareth's voice held the tone of an order but she had grown to know his moods and tones and knew he was just curious. She took a deep breath and looked up at them.
"I was trying to do magic…I know you said humans can't do it but I just thought since I had spent some time down here it might of rubbed off on me" Nathan looked to Jareth and shared a worried glance, both of them knowing it was time. Jareth rubbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head slightly. This was not a conversation he was prepared to have. Nathan was looking away and avoiding eye contact with Mercy. Jareth flicked his wrist and three chairs appeared, Nathan and himself taking a seat each. When offered one Mercy shook her head; the men were starting to freak her out and she was comfortable where she was. Jareth just sighed and looked down at her.
"I told you once that humans cannot do magic and it was no lie. Only fae can. However, if a human plans to live underground then he or she must pledge themselves" Jareth gave another look towards Nathan and continued.
"The underground is divided by race; dwarves, fairies, goblins…each race is fae. Fae cannot reproduce as easily as humans can and this makes their numbers decrease with every war that takes place. You have to understand that humans rarely come to our lands as anything more than children. When fresh meat comes each kingdom fights over the rights to that human. Once the human decides which kingdom they wish to live in the fae…change them. They become that fae's species and get certain magic" When Jareth finished he waited for a response from Mercy. Nathan had watched them both during the talk and had noticed Mercy's eyes grow slightly wider when he mentioned change. There was awkward silence for a few minutes before Mercy burst into a fit of laughter. The two men looked at each other in confusion before watching the curvy brunette roll onto her side, crying with the force of the laugh.
"What is amusing you?" Jareth had found nothing funny while explaining how pledging works and he was certain that, if asked, Nathan would also be clueless. When Mercy had calmed down she straightened herself up, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Oh I'm sorry Jareth it just sounded like you were saying if I were to stay in the underground I'd have to change species" When Jareth didn't respond she turned to Nathan with a questioning look that said tell-me-he-is-kidding. Nathan shook his head slightly and Mercy's face paled slightly.
"This is no joke. If you are going to live in our world then you will change to suit it" Jareth's voice had gone hard and he was in full king mode. Mercy bristled and Nathan sensed an argument coming; since they had become friends they had not argued once and he was glad about it.
"And if I don't want to live in your world?" She challenged. Jareth's eyes grew dark and he stood towering over her, a terrifying sight to anyone who hadn't spent the last few months with him. But Mercy was not afraid, she had been through a lot worse than anything he could do to her, and she stood up to him with her head only just reaching his shoulders.
"Then you can leave my kingdom and not come back" Jareth's heart was beating furiously as he gambled away his chance of happiness. He wanted more than anything for her to stay with him but he knew he could not force her; she hadn't been wished away and she wasn't running his labyrinth.
"Merc I can't protect you if you go back…I have to stay down here" Nathan had put a hand on her shoulder and she now looked up at him. The pair exchanged worried looks and she hung her head.
"What do I have to do?" Jareth's heart broke at the defeated tone of her voice and looked anywhere but at her.
"There must be a ball held to show you off to the other kingdoms. Once you have decided on the fae that best suits you then you will pledge yourself to them and they will turn you. It might not be right away, however, they can wait up to a year if they wish before you are changed and gain your magic" Mercy thought over what he said and gave a small nod in agreement. She couldn't go aboveground without Nathan, who was now whispering how sorry he was into her hair. She hadn't noticed but she had started crying and the young price was doing his best to make her stop. Jareth was confused and it wasn't a feeling he wanted to get used to.
"We can hold off the ball for another month or so but it will have to happen" Jareth kneeled in front of where Nathan was holding Mercy to his shoulder. She sniffled and shook her head.
"No. I just want it over with…" An idea struck her and she sprang from Nathan's grip and held onto Jareth's shirt tightly, pulling him very closely towards her.
"I can be like you though right? I can just pledge myself to you and everything will be okay?" The hope in her eyes was so obvious it made the answer that much harder to give.
"Mercy…I may not be the best choice for you. I would very much like it but there may be others you wold set your eyes upon" He spoke soft, as if to a child, and it soothed her. What he wanted her to say was that there was no one else she would rather be with but she just nodded and rolled her shoulders. When she said nothing more Jareth stood and straightened out his shirt. He would have to teach Mercy how to behave in front of royalty before the ball and it would not be easy. He motioned for Nathan to follow him and he walked out of the room. Nathan reluctantly followed after making sure Mercy would be ok. When he met the king in the hallway he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
"She has a lot to learn before we can even think about presenting her to the courts. I will not have time to teach her…you will have to" Nathan nodded and started to walk away; he needed to make arrangements with his father so he could stay in the city longer.
"And Nathan" He looked over his shoulder and inwardly shuddered at the toothy grin Jareth was giving him.
"May the best fae win"
