Chapter Twenty One. Oberon has ears, and eyes everywhere.

Avalon was supposed to be a haven of contentment. A safe harbor for the High King to retreat to. Oberon did not feel contentment, nor did he feel peace. What he felt was aggregation and anxiety. He had a feeling that someone not entirely loyal had over heard Poladorus' unguarded words.

The High Queen saw him walking and quietly stepped beside him to join him. Long ago she had learned he often wanted a sounding board. Whatever differences they'd had, were long ago worked out. She was his wife, loyal if not always faithful. What was betwixt them, was betwixt them alone. She kept his confidence, and he kept hers.

Side by side the monarchs walked, his hand seeking hers. Coming to the path that would lead to the waterfall, Oberon paused. He looked at her, awaited her consent and then on they walked. Once at the peaceful sanctuary, he took a seat beside his wife.

"I am going to take my leave of court, good wife." He stated.

"You go Underground? To the Castle beyond the Goblin City?" She asked.

Nodding Oberon took her hand in his. "I need to be close at hand, in case the boy has need. I can not stand by."

"He will not appreciate a hovering father any more now than he has in the past, husband."

"He will not be aware of my presence." Oberon promised. "Unless things get out of hand." The High King stood. "He is my son, whether he wishes to acknowledge it or not."

"He is one of your more stubborn children, my lord." She warned. "He is very much like you in many ways." She graced him with her smile. "Not that he'd admit to it."

Oberon snickered. "He is, isn't he."

Titania placed her hands into her lap; knowing there was little or nothing she could say to sway him. "What will you do? Watch in bird form? Or perhaps settle in the rock garden?"

The High King began his pacing, scratching his chin. "I need to be stealthy, and he's too observant for bird or rock forms my dear."

"Like his father, your son has his pride, Oberon." She cautioned with love. "This is after all his battle."

"But wife…"He began.

"Oberon," she halted his speech. "If you do indeed intend for Jareth to ascend to the high throne of the Underground, then he must be able to stand on his own two feet. He must be able to fight his own battles. He would not take lightly to you…what, interceding for him?"

The High King listened, unwillingly. "Your words have merit."

"Of course they do, I'm not involved." She said flatly. "I have the luxury of standing back and looking at the big picture."

"And you suggest?"

"We've eyes and ears all over the known world. Surely you have eyes in the Goblin Kingdom as well." She said. "Let them report to you. If you still feel as strongly, then you go to the boy. Stealthy or otherwise, it matters not."

He nodded, "I invite you to hear the report with me."

"I will not keep my voice still, if I think words need to be spoken, my lord." Titania stated as she stood.

"I value the words of my wife." He caressed her cheek. "You often have a clearer mind than I."

"I too care for the lad, be he mine or not. However, he is at that age where his sense of his own power is important. You, my husband must keep that in mind."

Oberon called forth the 'eyes' in the Goblin Kingdom. When the report was given he turned to the Queen. "I go."

"No. We go." She placed her hand on his arm.