A/N PLEASE READ: Hey guys! Since I was SOSOSOSOSOSOSO (x1000000) happy with the turn out of the last two chapters, I really wanted to give back to my readers and add ANOTHER chapter! I really enjoy your reviews and feedback!
First and foremost! Thank you to everyone who reviewed! LiviMarie; to respond to your review, I too wanted to see what would have happened if another character had gotten to Morigan first at the dance. However, after thinking long and hard about it (and several cups of coffee later) I came to the decision that only Jareth could have been the one because not only will it bring them closer, but it was also tare them apart. I originally wanted Calum to be the one to get to Morigan first, but I realized I had MUCH bigger plans for him that could only be done if he did not get to her first. So don't worry kids, Calum is not even closed to finish with his devious plans! Thanks again LiviMarie! And of course everyone else who reviewed!
I wanted to post this chapter because it will also give insight to Jareth's feelings on the whole ordeal, as well as Morigan's, and there is also very bad decisions made on Morigan's part later on in the chapter.
FINALLY! The most important part of why I updated! I want to hear from YOU! If you review this chapter, not only do I want a review but I would also really like to hear What Character You Like Most and Why! Or What Character Do You Hate Most and Why! Or Both! I just think it would be nice to hear what you like about the characters, especially since a lot of reviews I have received were about just that!
So of course my lovely readers. Read, Review, and above all, ENJOY!
Disclaimer: Still, I own nothing. I do not own Jareth, the Labyrinth, or any other characters I may use. All the rights go to Jim Henson.
Chapter 14
For reasons unbeknownst to him, Jareth had completely trashed the library that night. He stormed into the room, conjured crystals, and began throwing them into bookshelves, causing books and pages to go flying everywhere. He picked up a chair and threw it against the wall. He wanted to scream, he wanted to bring the castle down. He wanted to rip his heart out and give it to the Gods, just to keep the pain away…
Jareth finally stopped; he looked at the flames from the fireplace and walked closer. The reflection of the flames in his mismatched eyes burned intensely. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the fire. "I curse you." He growled. "I curse you for ever bringing her back into my life." Jareth conjured another crystal, throwing it with such force that the impact caused the fire to roar. When the fire eventually calmed, so did Jareth. "I should have never welcomed her to stay."
"Jareth?" Jareth's expression was still harsh as he turned to see Nathara standing in the doorway.
"You should be sleeping." Jareth hissed.
"It's kind-of hard to sleep when your room is right next to the library…" She admitted sheepishly.
Jareth's expression softened slightly. "I apologize Nathara…" He rubbed his temples, sighing. "It's been a rough night."
"I know." She started. "In fact, that's another reason why I can't sleep. I blame myself for leaving Morigan's side… I should have brought her with me. I was so foolish…" Jareth said nothing, as he turned away from Nathara, and looking back at the fire. "But I know… that even though you took it upon yourself to dance with Morigan, you were doing the right thing. I'm not just talking about her reputation either. You know that's a big thing for me…" She chuckled slightly. "Reputations… how stupid of an idea." She watched Jareth carefully, knowing full well how tense he was. "But I know what you feel for her…"
Jareth was glad to have not been facing Nathara. Within those words, his expression softened once more. He quickly narrowed his eyes before growling. "You do not know what you speak of."
"But I do…" Nathara said almost mouse like. "I see the way you look at her, I see the way you smile when she's around. Jareth… you did what you thought was right. She may not be ready for this idea… but someday she will be."
"Well that's not soon enough, we only have a week…"
"I know." Nathara interrupted. "But at least make this a week to remember… yes?"
Jareth chuckled darkly. "You are a noble Fae, Nathara. Even when you step out of place, I can see you care for Morigan's well being." Jareth turned, a slight smirk on his lips as he looked at Nathara.
"She's…" Nathara smiled. "She's the only friend I've had… she's the first person to not consider me a… a…freak!" Nathara laughed. "Maybe it's because she's not from here, but to her, reputation's are not the end of the world. I wish it were true here."
"Unfortunately." Jareth started. "That is something we can never change…"
"Maybe the future Queen can." Just hearing those words from Nathara caused an uneasy feeling within Jareth. "Try to open up to her more… see where it takes you."
"I bid you goodnight Nathara." Jareth walked over to Nathara, walking passed her and grabbing the door handle.
"She feels for you too Jareth." Nathara said one last thing. Jareth's grip tightened on the door handle before he simply nodded, opening the door and storming out to his chambers. Nathara sighed, looking at the mess Jareth had made. "I hope… he doesn't think I'm cleaning this mess…" Nathara joked, walking out of the library and heading back to her own chambers.
Morigan pulled the covers over her head; the sun was burning her eyes. She felt as though she had a hangover, without even drinking anything. "Ugh!" She groaned. "Make it stop!"
"I cannot put out the sun for you." A voice chuckled. "But I can soothe your headache."
Morigan removed the covers, squinting as she saw Jareth leaning against the window, his arms crossed, and a smirk evident on his lips. "Please." Morigan begged.
"You're probably just over tired." Jareth continued to smirk as he walked over to the bed, sitting down next to Morigan. "May I?" Morigan nodded, sitting up as Jareth conjured a crystal, placing it to Morigan's head. The crystal seemed to evaporate on her forehead, causing Morigan to jump slightly.
"Hey… my headache's gone!" She exclaimed. "Thank you!"
"My pleasure."
Morigan then looked down, realizing she had fallen asleep in her dress. "Was I that tired?"
"There was no waking you." Jareth teased.
"It figures." Morigan sighed with laughter. "So, may I ask what do I owe the honor of your visit this morning?"
"I came to see how you were feeling." Jareth said. "You seemed overwhelmed last night."
"It was a lot to take in." Morigan started. "But I think I'll be ready to talk about it now."
"Well that's good because Nathara failed to mention something to you."
Morigan groaned. "It seems when Nathara 'fails' to mention something, it's bad news."
"Would you want to be the bearer of bad news?"
"Hm. She seems to have a knack for it." Morigan joked dryly. "So lay it on me Goblin King."
"Well as you know, we have to wed now to avoid your reputation falling apart, correct?"
"Once again, you don't have to do that. But as our only option, yes, I understand that." Morigan sighed.
"Traditionally, weddings in the Underground take place one week after the announcement." Jareth stated as a matter of fact.
Morigan's eyes shot open. "I think my headache's back…" Jareth chuckled lightly. "Wait, Derryk and Nathara are betrothed, and they've been betrothed for a while now."
"That is true. I'm glad you've been paying attention Morigan. However, they are betrothed, they've been expected to marry from the day their arrangement was made. We were not previously arranged, we are an engagement, not a betrothal."
"Semantics." Morigan huffed, getting of the bed. "That's all it is." She turned to look at Jareth, who smiled sympathetically. "We truly have no choice in this matter?"
"We? Morigan, I made a choice. You are the one who cannot accept this concept. Yes, I admit, we are in a slight predicament, but as King, I must protect my reputation as well as yours."
"A slight predicament?" Morigan scoffed. "Please, this isn't slight. I'm only twenty-one years old, and everyone expects me to just be okay with marrying the man…erm… Fae; that I met when I was a young girl."
"Precisely." Jareth replied nonchalantly. "It's either that, or I send you back to the Aboveground, permanently."
Morigan looked at Jareth, her heart breaking slightly as a pit formed in her stomach. "What?"
"You heard me."
"You'd rather send me away forever than ruin your reputation?" Morigan was now insulted.
"I really don't think you understand the proliferation of a reputation. It is something very important to the Underground, as a returning guest I would assume you'd accept our ways graciously." Jareth's arrogance was dripping from every word. "And as future Queen…"
"Just save it." Morigan hissed. "I'll find us a way around this, Jareth."
Jareth chuckled darkly. "Why are you so against marrying me?"
"Why are you so for marrying me?" Morigan retorted.
"What a childish answer." Jareth stood from Morigan's bed and walked over to the girl, looming over her as if to show some form of dominance. "I stand by my decision, it shall not waver one bit."
"We'll see."
Jareth smirked, learning closer to the girl, as if to kiss her. Morigan, for reasons unbeknownst to her, was waiting for the impact, only to cause Jareth more pleasure. "I think you'll give in first." Jareth moved away, leaving the girl breathless. "Besides, think of this as a way to make us even. You left me for six years your time, and ruined our trust, now you can make it up to me by saving our reputations."
"That's not fair!" Morigan argued. "You can't use that against me! I thought we were passed that?"
Jareth smirked, laughing slightly. "Looks like I lied." Before Morigan could snap back with a witty remark, Jareth left the room, and the now fuming Morigan.
"She still not for the whole marriage thing?" Derryk asked; taking a bite of a peach he took from the kitchen.
"Can you blame her?" Sayne said. "She's still very young, and practically being forced to marry someone she barely knows."
"But what choice does she have really?" Derryk sighed. "She may have to grow up pretty quickly."
"So will he." Sayne half teased. "They both need to meet half way, and neither of them are willing to give up their pride."
"Well, they have a week to try."
"No Derryk." Sayne smirked. "They will have the rest of their married lives to try."
"He's so infuriating!" Morigan said aloud as she headed down the hallway. She had finally changed out of her ball gown and was wearing a simple red corset dress. She trudged down the hallway and headed to the library, wanting so much to just relax and read something. She opened the door to see Gunna, and a few Goblins cleaning what looked like the after math of a tornado. Morigan stared wide-eyed as she walked into the room. "What happened in here?"
"His Majesty had a rough night." Gunna admitted.
"So he destroyed the library?" Morigan asked in disbelief.
"So it would seem." Gunna said.
"He can't let me have anything today, can he?" Morigan groaned, leaving the library. Normally, she would have offered to help out Gunna, yet today she probably would have destroyed a shelf of two just thinking about Jareth.
Morigan continued down the hallway, desperately trying to find some peace and quiet in one of the rooms. Every room in the castle seemed to be occupied with Goblins, drinking or cleaning. Finally, she headed outside and began walking down the path, away from the Castle.
Morigan walked and walked until she found herself in the middle of the Goblin City; some Goblins stared at her curiously, others ignored her completely. "You look like you needs a break, M'Lady." A pudgy male Goblin said, tugging on the bottom Morigan's dress.
"You have no idea…" Morigan sighed.
"I got just the thing!" The Goblin was beaming now. "Come, let me buy you a drink!"
"Oh no, I couldn't." Morigan said, waving her hands.
"Nonsense! I'd be honored to buy our future Queen a drink!" Morigan groaned slightly at the Goblins words. "A lot of the Goblins in the pub want to meet you, it would really honor us if you joined us."
"One drink?" She asked.
"Aye!"
"Alright, one drink." Morigan gave in.
The small Goblin laughed with joy. "Huzzah! Follow me M'Lady. The name is Drate, by the way."
"It's a pleasure Drate, you can call me just Morigan." With that, Morigan followed Drate into a nearby Goblin pub, where there was much singing and joyous celebration. "Wow, they seem happy." Morigan commented.
"All the Goblins are rejoicing today!"
"Oh? Is it a holiday?" She asked.
"No. They are celebrating because His Majesty has finally found his love." Drate smiled a toothy grin.
"Oh… well…" Morigan started.
"We are so very happy, this truly means the world to us!" Drate then turned his attention to the celebrating Goblins. "Hey boys! We have the future Queen here!"
The Goblins turned their attention to Morigan, cheering and singing her praises. "Queeny, Queeny! We have a Queeny!" They cheered.
Morigan couldn't help but smile as she realized… these Goblins truly loved their King, and were ecstatic about him finding a bride. She then felt Drate tugging on her dress again, and handing her a mug that was over filling with ale. "For Her Majesty." He bowed.
Morigan nodded. "Thank you Drate."
"Drink up 'Queeny', there is much to celebrate!"
Nathara walked into the castle, she had picked a few flowers and decided it was time to find Derryk and give them to him. She walked towards her bedroom, only to be stopped by Sayne. "Nathara!"
She turned and smiled at the Fae. "Sayne. Aren't they lovely?" She asked, commenting about the flowers.
"Yes, they are." Sayne said, half interested. "Have you seen Morigan?"
Nathara frowned. "I saw her before, she didn't seem like she wanted to be bothered."
"Oh, well, I wanted to talk to her about the marriage ordeal. Where did she go?"
"She headed towards the Goblin City last I saw her." Nathara replied, looking at her flowers.
"She…what?" Sayne asked.
"Did I stutter?" Nathara retorted.
"You let Morigan go into the Goblin City, unprotected, and didn't think to tell anyone?" Sayne asked.
"Oh I'm sorry, am I her babysitter now?"
Sayne groaned. "You should keep an eye on her."
"Excuse me?" Nathara glared at Sayne. "I am not in charge of Morigan, she is a grown woman. No wonder she's frustrated! "
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sayne argued.
"Everyone is overcrowding her, telling her what to do and what not to do. I'm overwhelmed by everyone, and I'm not even Morigan."
"What's going on?" Derryk asked, walking over to the two fighting Fae's.
"Nothing, your fiancé lost Morigan." Sayne said.
"You what?" Derryk asked, looking at Nathara.
"I did not lose her first off, and secondly, I should not be held responsible if she wanders off." Nathara defended herself.
"However, you did let her wander off when you could have stopped her." Sayne replied.
"Could I have? I told you, she seemed very upset, why trouble her more?" Nathara said.
"Okay, okay, hold on!" Derryk interrupted the fight. "Where is she now?"
"Morigan went into the Goblin City, alone." Sayne said.
"Okay, I think you should have stopped her." Derryk agreed with Sayne.
Nathara huffed. "Once again, I am not in control of Morigan. She's a big girl, the two of you need to accept that she's not a little girl anymore!"
"She's our responsibility, and you lost her." Sayne growled.
"I'll show you who lost her." Nathara gritted her teeth, clenching her fists.
"Nathara please stop fighting." Derryk pleaded.
"And who are you to tell me what to do?" Nathara shouted. "You'd be lost without me!"
"Oh boy." Sayne threw his arms up in the air. "This is all because Nathara lost Morigan. Derryk, she's crazy."
"Call me crazy again Sayne, go ahead!" Nathara hissed.
Jareth had headed towards the main hallway, towards where he heard the bickering Fae's. He stopped a few feet away from the three before clearing his throat. The three Fae's stopped arguing and turned to look at Jareth. "Do I dare ask?"
"Skipping the details, Nathara wasn't watching Morigan, Sayne said she should be, Nathara said she isn't in charge of Morigan, oh and Morigan's in the Goblin City alone." Derryk groaned. "Can we move on now?"
"Morigan's where?" Jareth stared at the three in disbelief.
"You heard him." Sayne said.
"And the three of you are just standing here because?" Jareth glared. "Bring her back here!"
Sayne, Derryk, and Nathara stared in disbelief… the three of them were really fighting over something stupid, and not going out to find their dear friend Morigan. The three of them had lost sight of what was truly important, and were bickering over the importance of who was "in charge" of Morigan… "I'll go get her." Sayne said.
"I'm right behind you." Derryk nodded, walking away with Sayne.
Nathara looked at Jareth. "I do not control her, and neither should you."
Jareth sighed sympathetically. "She will be your Queen one day."
"Not if you keep babying her." Nathara said. "So what if she went off alone, she's a big girl. She knows her way around the Labyrinth."
"It's not the Labyrinth I fear…" Jareth said, turning away from Nathara and heading to the throne room.
"Fine…" Nathara said to herself. "But what could she possibly have gotten herself into?"
Calum had been heading to the Goblin City to see if he could find out any information on Morigan or the King that he would find useful. Calum walked into the City with a look of disgust on his face, he hated Goblins. Calum hated Goblins more than anything in the Underground, they were beneath him, and they knew it. He ventured towards the center of the Goblin City, listening around as he heard many shouting something about a 'Queeny'. He walked over to a drunk Goblin who was falling over himself, and singing about the 'Queeny'. "You there!" He grabbed the Goblin by his shoulders. "What is this…Queeny, they sing of?"
"Our future Queen is-" The Goblin hiccupped mid sentence. "Drinking in our bar!"
"What bar?" Calum shook the smelling Goblin. The Goblin pointed towards one of the pubs, causing a devious smirk on Calum's face. "Interesting…"
In the pub, Morigan was sharing a dance with a Goblin named Terio, as the rest of them danced around the two, singing and cheering. Calum walked into the pub, seeing Morigan in the middle of the room, and dancing with the creatures he hated. He smirked and pushed his way to the center of the room where he intercepted Morigan, and began to dance with her. Morigan, being in a slightly inebriated state, looked shocked to see Calum, yet not too alarmed. "Lord Calum!"
"M'Lady, you seem to be enjoying yourself." Calum joked.
"The Goblins are wonderful!" She laughed. "I am so happy I came to visit them!"
"Well, let's have a drink to toast such revelations." Calum said.
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly have more!"
"Nonsense M'Lady." Calum then ushered the girl from the dance floor. "One more won't hurt."
"Oh fine!" Morigan giggled.
Calum ordered two drinks and handed one to Morigan. He watched her begin to chug the ale as though it were water. Calum knew this was the perfect opportunity, as though the Gods handed it to him personally. "So tell me about yourself Morigan."
"What would you like to know?"
"What was the Aboveground like?" Calum asked.
"For me?" Morigan thought for a moment, her mind a little warped as she tried to think. "It was hell when I left here."
"How so?" Calum asked trying to sound interested.
"It was like a punishment being in the Aboveground… my mother was against me, and so was her boyfriend." Morigan sighed. "I was trapped there… I was trapped in a dreamless world."
"Dreamless?" Calum asked.
Morigan giggled slightly. "Don't make fun of me but; I can't dream. I haven't had a dream since I was fifteen." Morigan stuttered. "Except for when Jareth tried to see what was going on in my head. Other than that, I have trouble doing it!"
Calum smirked, taking a sip of his ale to hide it. This was something he had to use to his advantage… and he knew just how to do it.
"It's getting late." Derryk asked as the two Fae's walked to the center of the Goblin City.
"Do you think she went into the Labyrinth?" Sayne asked, looking around.
"This late? I don't think so… she's smarter than that." Derryk defended the girl.
The two stood in silence for a moment, hearing loud music and singing coming from one of the pubs. "I wonder what the celebration is for?" Sayne asked.
"We should ask, maybe one of them has seen Morigan?"
"A bunch of drunken Goblins would have no recollection of the girl." Sayne sighed. "But let's go ask." Derryk nodded, and the two walked into the pub.
The pub was packed with drunken Goblins, singing and dancing and just making a huge mess. The two Fae's walked around the creatures and kept their eyes open for a Goblin who was least drunk out of the bunch. That's when Sayne spotted her… Morigan was sitting around a few Goblins, mug in hand as she drunkenly slurred adventures of the Labyrinth. "Oh boy… found her…" Sayne pointed.
"He's going to kill us…" Derryk's eyes went wide.
"Let's just get her out of here, okay?" Sayne nudged Derryk gently, and the two walked over to the girl.
"M'Lady?" Derryk said to the drunken girl.
"Sayne! Derryk!" Morigan slurred as she attempted to stand. "I'm so glad it's you! These are my friends!" She said to the crowd of Goblins. "These two! Right here!" The Goblins laughed and cheered.
"M'Lady, it's time to get you home now." Sayne said.
"I don't want to go back there!" Morigan pouted. "I'm having fun!"
"Ah, yes, but we can have fun at the Castle too." Derryk tried to reason with the girl.
"You'll have to-" Morigan hiccupped. "Drag me there!"
Derryk looked to Sayne, whom was not amused. "That can be arranged." With that, Sayne walked over to the drunken girl, grabbed her by her waist and threw her over his shoulder. Derryk tried to stifle his laughter as Sayne headed out the door with Morigan on his shoulder.
"Nothing to see here folks!" Derryk announced. "Your Queen will be fine, keep drinking!" The Goblins cheered as though nothing out of the ordinary happened, and continued to drink. Derryk quickly exited, and followed Sayne back to the Castle.
"Do I dare ask what happened?" Jareth asked, his arms folded as he watched Sayne carry in the now singing Morigan.
"Goblin pub." Derryk admitted sheepishly
Jareth simply sighed. "Get her to her chambers." At that moment, Nathara had walked into the main hallway, seeing Sayne carry Morigan away. She looked to Jareth, unsure of what to say, he only narrowed his eyes at her. "And this… this is why we watch the mortal girl."
Nathara looked down in defeat, just as Derryk walked over to her, kissing her cheek. "We have to learn sometimes." Nathara punched Derryk in the arm. "Ow!" He hissed.
Jareth simply shook his head, and followed after Sayne to Morigan's chambers. By the time he got there, Sayne already had Morigan lying on the bed. "Thank you." Jareth said. Sayne just nodded, leaving Jareth and the drunken Morigan alone. Morigan, now lying on her bed, began to giggle. "Oh, so you find this funny, do you?" Jareth scolded her. "What were thinking?"
Morigan just giggled, sitting up. "I'm fine, really!"
Jareth just glared at the girl, sitting next to her. "That can be argued."
"You know, I had a great time with the Goblins. They really like you, not really sure why."
"Oh thanks." Jareth said, partially insulted.
"You're a good King, Jareth." Morigan said.
Jareth looked at the girl. "You're drunk."
"That doesn't change the fact that you're a good King." Morigan smiled. "I'm just scared…"
"Scared?" Jareth asked, curiously.
"Well duh." Morigan said, her head lazily falling on Jareth's shoulder. "I mean, you're such a great ruler… what am I? Who am I to be sitting to your right?"
Something in Jareth's head clicked. It suddenly made sense now… "You're afraid you won't reach the Goblin's expectations?"
"Not just theirs… yours too."
Jareth forced Morigan's head up so he could look into her eyes. "Precious, you are more than worthy. If anything, I am not worthy…"
"I want to do right by you."
"And I you." Jareth practically whispered. Morigan shut her eyes, and moved closer to Jareth, attempting to finally close the gap and give him the kiss that kept filling her thoughts. Yet, before she could, her body fell to the left, and as soon as it hit the mattress… she passed out. Jareth, now sitting wide-eyed, looked at the passed out girl. He sighed before standing up and shifting Morigan's body to a normal position. He then conjured a crystal, using it to form a blanket to cover the girl. He leaned closer, kissing forehead gently before whispering one last thing. "I truly believe you will be great…" With that, Jareth left Morigan's chambers knowing tomorrow she'd regret every decision she made yesterday, down to the very last drop.
Last Thing: Thanks again for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!