CHAPTER 14

Morning was well enough near- grey light peeked through the curtains. I arose and dressed. Sleep was far from me. Admittedly I was afraid to slip back into another provocative dream. And what nonsense had we been talking about there- Heart light? Now my mind saw fit to be quoting old Neil Diamond songs? I looked out the curtains- clouds loomed over head. Thunder rolled again. I took a thick cloak with me. Right as I opened the door my eye caught the diary lying atop my collection of books. I left it. I made my way out to exit through the familiar veranda.

Though the sky threatened rain I went out into the gardens. The path to Hoggle's current work, my garden, had become familiar enough. The fall air was crisp and chilly- it soothed my state of mind. My breath made clouds as I walked. Frost had touched the plants- everything seemed encrusted with diamonds. I marveled at them for they seemed precious. A spider's web had been adorned as well- now it seemed like an intricate necklace.

I wandered out further. Things were beginning to feel out of my control and I was becoming less and less diligent in my duty to the kingdom. In a month I had gone from ordinary, protective writer to a hormone ragging subject of the Goblin King. Why did we both insist upon tempting each other? A cool breeze brushed my face. I was going to have to resort to one of the most poignant memories if I was ever going to heal the Underground. The masquerade; the ball; the dance; the Crystal Ballroom- it was known by all of those names. I was going to have to try and tap into his memory of that one vulnerable moment, with him dancing with Sarah in his arms, singing to her, and hope that it would trigger his remembering. Provided I could concentrate on my words. At the moment I was still feeling over whelmed. The pagoda came in sight as the first few drops of water came down. I made for shelter.

The rain was warmer then the frost and soon the thin ice melted away. It seemed that same of the plants were literally stretching and shaking the ice away. Just under the eaves of the roof this curious thing seemed the most evident. I watched as the plants unfolded and unraveled revealing flower buds. Several of these actually unfolded their petals. I blinked in wonder- was I more sleep deprived then I originally thought? Amidst the folds of petals there were eyes, mouths, and noses. Leaves were being used as hands. I felt quite suddenly felt like Alice, gone down the rabbit hole. One flower, a burgundy red rose, glanced my way. "Good morning miss," she said.

The rain splashed down and I breathed the cool air. Yes- I was awake. "Good morning," I replied out of politeness.

Another rose, a white one spoke, "Doesn't the rain feel divine?"

"Yes" replied Red. "Nice to have it before we disappear for the winter."

White seemed to just notice me. "My, but you must have sprung up over night! How fast you grew!"

"Oh you silly thing!" Red swatted at her with her leaf hand. "She is obviously a transplant. Tell me miss just what sort of plant are you?"

Alice, I mused in my amazement, I'm so empathizing with you right now!

I half-laughed. "Begging your pardon, but I am not a plant. No," I insisted when they gawked in wonder.

As they stammered on, trying to determine then just what I could be- for I obviously wasn't a dwarf or goblin- a fairy flew into view. I recognized her- it was Queen Delilah! She wore the same rich petal gown. She stopped on the flower and drew out something from the mouth and secured it in a pouch. She's gathering nectar, I realized.

"Queen Delilah, please help us over here!" Red called to her.

She landed lightly on the flower's head. "Dear me- Lady Rebekah!" exclaimed the good queen.

"Your majesty," I gave her a curtsey.

"It has been several weeks since I last saw you- you are well now I hope?"

"Yes, I am perfectly well now. What brings you out in this weather? I should think it hard to fly in the rain."

"It is neigh impossible to my dear. I was out early gathering some last reserves before the storm let loose. I'll fly back when it clears. What are these troublesome flowers pestering you about?"

I smiled. "They are quite puzzled that I am neither plant, nor goblin, nor dwarf."

"Troublesome things! She's a human!" She lightly patted the petals she rested on.

"Oh!" said Red and White in unison.

"Tell me Lady Rebekah, how are you enjoying yourself here in the Labyrinth? I trust Jareth is treating you well."

"I'm comfortable here now. It's been about a month and… well, I like it here."

She smiled up at me. She then asked if she could alight on my shoulder. "I should like to talk with you." She flew up and settled on my shoulder, holding onto a few strands of hair for security. "Walk around the pagoda." I began to. She fell silent for the first few steps. "I am glad that you like it here, my dear," she finally said. I could hear her wings twitch. "I was apprehensive about you coming, you know."

I feigned understanding. If she's willing to talk... "Oh so was I. Actually the whole proposal was rather intimidating."

We reached the far side of the pagoda. She told me to keep walking around. When she spoke again there was a hint of amusement in her voice, "Jareth can definitely come across rather brash. He means well, but he can be thoroughly graceless and demanding when he wants to be."

It was my turn to be amused. I smirked. "You've known his highness long?"

"Since he was a child. Between us, woman to woman, I think he was apprehensive about bringing you here too. Don't get me wrong- he was determined to get the courts' permission. I think it was the whole idea though." I nodded, though thoroughly confused on the inside. "It just worked out in everyone's favor that you turned out to be silver-tongued. The courts like to have a more substantial reason for bringing a mortal to any Fae realm, than just feelings."

To me it suddenly had grown a good deal colder. I sought the pockets of the cloak.

"Is something wrong my dear?" she asked.

"I'm just a little chilly. Do the courts approve of my being here then?"

Her wings twitched again. "They haven't said much since you've been here, and Jareth hasn't attended any meetings since your arrival either. I think," she stood pulling on the strands of hair ever so lightly. "that they really don't have anything to say against you. Though I daresay they wish he'd hurry up."

I was getting goose-bumps. "Queen Delilah... may I ask a question?" There was no hiding the tone in my voice.

She flew to look me in the face. "Whatever is it Rebekah?"

What was the question I wanted to desperately ask? My mind was a frenzy of puzzles, emotions, misgivings, and confusion. There was one question that would put it all to rest and before I could stop myself the words came out. Had I hesitated a moment longer the words would have choked, "Do you think that the king loves me?"

She made to reply, but then quite suddenly started and turned around. Looking past her I saw that it had stopped raining and Jareth was approaching. She looked back at me. Coming quite near to my ear she said, "Turn on your heart light." She flew out to the king.

I stood there for a moment unable to breathe. The intimate details of last night's erotic dream came back to me. The cold was powerless to control the heat wave that rushed my cheeks. Jareth was approaching the pagoda. I turned away, hoping to regain some composure. Something flapped against my chest- the moon pendant defiantly swung in clear view. He had reached the pagoda. "Good morning Rebekah," he said.

I bit my lip and took a deep breath. "Good morning Jareth."

"And how are you this morning?"

Freaked out, I thought, puzzled and thoroughly creeped out!

Another deep breath. "Fine," I managed to say.

"I trust you slept well?"

Why is he trying to make pleasantries right now? Another deep breath. I turned to look at him. He stood well across the other side of the pagoda his body hidden in his own heavy cloak. "Yes. You? Any strange dreams or anything?" I tried to ask it casually.

A slight flinch just around the eyes- it was there for a split second. It had been reactionary. The moment it was gone he looked away from me and surveyed the grounds. "Oh, just the usual mental banter. You?"

I looked out as well. "Oh the usual." We stood several yards apart. It was so unlike our usual stance. "It was nice to see Queen Delilah again."

He nodded in agreement. Then silence. I heard several drips from water falling off the roof. "How about breakfast?" He was walking away before I could answer. I followed at a safe distance.

Inside his private room it was warm and welcoming with a fire. Tea awaited us; he poured it as we waited for the breakfast cart. I took my cup and stood on one side of the fire place while he occupied the other. Distance, I thought, maybe Queen Delilah isn't the only one who knows about heart lights… No matter, I then concluded to myself, him and I aren't meant to be. Breakfast arrived and was served. I sat opposite of him at the table.

He gave me a quizzical look. "You're not going to sit next to me this morning?"

"No. I-I like this seat, it is closer to the fire you know." That seemed to suffice him. I tried not to stare at him as he buttered toast. "I think we should try another memory today," I finally said. I heard the clink of knife to plate. "I have one picked out that should work."

"Very well," was his answer. His voice seemed reserved; not confident nor cocky as it usually was. He took a drink from his cup. "Anything special that you will be in need of for this memory?"

I wanted him to say something sarcastic and harsh; stop this reserved niceness. Or at the very least climb across the table and demand I make sweet love to him there and then. I picked at the eggs on my plate. "Umm, do you have a ballroom?"

"I have more than one."

"Something like a crystal ballroom?" He half smiled. "What?" It was a full smile now. "Tell me!" I pressed him, finding myself responding to his obvious amusement.

"It's just if it's the same one I'm thinking of- dear me! I used that ballroom on her!" He leaned back in his chair. "It is actually known as the Crystal Ballroom, and it is of no small importance. The High Courts enjoy using it for their fancy affairs," he paused, his eyes suddenly becoming very merry. "…even weddings. It hasn't been used in years though; it's probably dusty and filled with cobwebs."

"That's where we need to go."

"Alright, so long as you eat something." He indicated my untouched food. "I won't have you getting sick on me again." I ate.

Within the hour we were walking down a large gallery heading towards two doors that loomed some fifteen feet in the air. I had always been aware of how tall the ceilings were in the castle, but most of the doors stopped at around seven feet. These doors looked heavy. With a slight touch of his hand Jareth sent them opening. The light from the gallery poured into the room. Shadows trailed on. Around me in the dim light I could make out some sunken seating arrangements. From the ceiling several objects reflected the light. Very faintly I could see sheer fabric. "This is it alright," I finally said. I reached the edge of the light.

"It goes on much further," he said. I edged the shadows. "I could see you dancing in here." It was said kindly, and with what- a hint of hopefulness?

"Pshaw! I don't even know how to properly dance."

"That didn't stop you the night at the club." I looked at him, even with the light behind him I could tell he was smiling. He gave an order into the air, "Illuminate!"

Candles leapt alive, showering light through out the room. Most of the furniture was covered in drop clothes and a thin layer of dust covered those. Candelabrums flickered as they burned away the dust that had settled over their wicks. Further along there was a short stair case that led down to a large dance floor. I had imagined myself in this ballroom since I was a young girl, captivated by Henson's movie. I noticed the king was at my elbow- the closest he had dared be near me all morning.

"Dance with me." He held his hand out to me. I took it. He stood in the position for a waltz, properly placing my hands on him. It was still a polite distance.

"I don't how to do this," I was saying. In my head the masquerade was playing over and over again- swirling costumes, illusive masks, and the Goblin King in his stately, romantic attire.

"Follow my lead. I step forward with my left foot, you step back with your right," a little gentle pressure on my waist. "My left to the side, you follow with your right… Very good." He smiled at me.

I smiled back. Bells rang out- a high pitched ring. "Yikes!" I started away from him. "What does that mean? Those aren't summoning bells!"

He seemed to listen to the sound. "Those are help needed bells. A subject in the Aboveground needs me. Come along with me- I know who's calling; you'll like her." I came near him again, assenting to going.

In one quick leap the ballroom was gone. The ground touched my feet outside a little house. Crystals and wind chimes hung about the roof ledge and even on the one tree that occupied the front yard. Behind us the neighborhood street was quiet. From inside came the shrill of a woman's voice, "Blast it- you get down from there! I'll send you to the Bog I will…once I get my hands on you!"

Jareth smirked and chuckled. "Seems she's having some goblin issues today."

"Who is she? What's going on?" Something clattered and glass crashed.

"Inside this little house is a very dear subject of mine."

"Is she Fae?"

He started up the walk. "Well, no."

"So she's human?" I heard an odd scuttling noise.

"Umm, no she's not quite that either. She's some where in between you could say." We were at the door. He knocked. Another crash sounded. I winced wondering what in the world was going on. The door opened and an exasperated, flushed face of a woman appeared at the door. Her chin length brown hair was disheveled. She looked at me and then the king. "Hello darling," said Jareth.

She looked as if she were ready to spit nails. "About time you got here! I don't know what's gotten into'em!" She opened the door enough for us to pass in.

Inside there was a small living room. Asian and fantasy items were decorated throughout. Several more crystals were tucked about. She led us into the kitchen. I saw that her table was scattered with note books and a few drawing pads. Then I heard the strangest thing- it sounded almost like a cat meowing, but it gurgled as well. Above her refrigerator was a cut out with a ledge. The sound came again from the very spot. "She won't come down," she said crossing her arms.

"What won't come down?" I timidly asked.

The woman, clad in a t-shirt and holey blue jeans regarded me. An odd pendant that looked like a maze hung around her neck. "Who is that?" she asked Jareth.

The king was studying the ledge. "Oh…Rebekah this is Heather. Heather, Rebekah."

She turned towards me and extended a hand. "Official Namer of Goblins and Voluntary Protector of the Labyrinth."

I shook her hand. "Er… Silver-Tongue Mortal."

Her eyes lit up. "Ah! Lovely then!"

Jareth nodded upwards. "Is it named?"

"Yes. I just named her this morning. Tawny!" she called out. Nothing replied. "Tawny the king is here- you had better reply! At least she's being still now," Heather then went on. "She was all over the place, knocking over things a few moments ago. I don't understand it- they always go their merry way after I name them."

Jareth tapped his chin. "Tawny," he said sternly. "Do I really have to come up there?"

Gurgle, gurgle, meow.

"Ladies, you're going to have to excuse us for a bit. I'm going to have to have a private conversation with this goblin." Effortlessly he levitated up to the ledge. Heather scooted back into the front room.

Heather sat on her couch, seemingly unaffected and calm now with the situation. Had a goblin randomly shown up in my house, I would have freaked out. She fiddled with her pendant. "So," I started wanting to break the ice. "you're an Official Goblin Namer and…"

"…Voluntary Protector of the Labyrinth- yep that's me."

"How does one get such a mouth full of a title?"

"Well the goblins just started showing up one day, and half of the dears didn't have names. That just wouldn't do, so I began naming them. Then his majesty in there began wondering where all of his subjects kept taking off to at intervals." She spoke so calmly and matter-of-factly. I shook my head in bewilderment. "He invited me out to the castle, and after a lovely dinner and charming conversation, I offered my services to the kingdom. I stay in the Aboveground though," she finished.

"Why?"

"I'm comfortable here. Plus I can do more good up here. See I'm also a writer and my pieces keep the knowledge of the Fae strong here in the mortal realm."

"But you're not silver-tongued?"

"Goodness no! I sort of act as a scribe or scholar, I suppose. Now you, you say that you're silver-tongued, and I must say that that is cool." She stood up and went to a shelf where she lit some incense.

"So how long have you been in the king's service?"

"About ten years now, but this," she nodded towards the kitchen. "is a first. Normally I just like to have tea with the king, not call him for emergencies." She looked at me running her eyes over my clothes. Cocking her head to one side, she said, "He's got you wearing his moon pendant." In a few strides she was at my side.

"Yes… well, we made this agreement…you see…"

Her fingers gently touched it. "He doesn't let just any one where his symbol."

Words echoed in my mind. I looked at her stunned.

"You do know that this is significant?" she asked, actually holding the moon. I shook my head. What is her problem? I asked myself. "He didn't tell you?" I shook my head again. Nervously she glanced into the kitchen. "Come into the bathroom with me."

"Eh?"

"Come on!" She pulled me after her.

In the bathroom she shut the door. Opening a drawer she took out a velvet pouch and slid out what looked like a metal snow flake. She then turned and hung it on the back of the door. "That's made out of iron- he won't be able to hear a word we say. How long have you been in the Underground?" Something about her had turned very anxious. "A month… How long did he watch you for?" I told her that I wasn't sure; I knew though that he had come at least twice to my window. "Alright then, you better tell me why he brought you to the Underground." I retold my story as best as possible. With every breath I drew she grew more agitated. "I should slap him silly, I really should. Well he's made a fine mess of everything now. What exactly are you trying to remind him of?"

"I'm trying to remind him of Sarah."

Her eyes widened. "You mean Sarah Williams? The girl from the book?"

"Yes! The very same! He's quite forgotten all about her, and I'm beginning to doubt that I'll ever remind him."

From the other room we heard Jareth calling for us.

Heather rubbed her forehead. "Look the real Sarah and the story book Sarah are two different people."

"What are you saying? You mean she never came to the Labyrinth?"

Jareth called out again, "Heather come out of that bathroom! I know you've got iron some where with you- I can feel it!"

"I didn't think you'd want to hear us talking about menstruation issues!" she yelled back. To me she went on, "Yes she came to the Underground, she even ran the Labyrinth, but not the way you think she did." She knelt and opened one of the cabinets under the sink.

"I don't understand." She had a box in her hands.

"Here!" She shoved something into my hands.

"Tampons?"

"Play along."

"Heather!" he sounded angry.

"You need to talk to Jareth's father- King Oberon,"

"The King of Shadows is his father?! How does this all add up- Sarah, myself, the moon pendant…"

"I can't explain it to you- I'm not allowed! Trust me though. Find a way to get King Oberon to the castle… throw a ball or something, and talk to him." She held up a tampon in her hand. Taking hold of the door handle she smiled. "I wish you the best of luck… and they're very reliable!" she then exclaimed loudly throwing open the door.

Jareth stood there looking very irritated.

She eyed the box in my hands. "Oh, yes, I cannot thank you enough for helping me out."

"Womanly issues," she said wagging the tampon she held in the air. "She's going to need them."

He looked at the box and then turned away muttering, "Oh bother."