Chapter 21: Who will speak
"What are you doing here?" Shido asked in astonishment.
"What? Can I, not attend balls that are not my own?" The tall man inquired.
"Well sure but you are not welcomed to this one."
"And why not, this is my land is it not?" The man smirked, spreading his arms out looking to the crowd. "Ah…Steph….you are looking well tonight. What a lovely gown."
"You get the hell away from her." Shido stated, grabbing Steph's arm and pulling her behind him, so that the Goblin King could not touch her.
"Oh would you relax. I have not interest in Steph…" He glared at Shido and then to Steph, "…Nothing personal of course." He declared in a serious tone.
"Don't worry your foul words could never poison me." Steph said with attitude, sticking her chin up, to show that she was not afraid of him.
"Now you will do yourself a favor by leaving." Shido affirmed.
"Very well, but I must ask you."
"What?" Shido rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Where is Nicolle?" Shido looked to Steph.
"She is not here, and we have not seen her in a long time. We do not know where she is."
"You are lying to me Shido."
"I am not."
"Come on I am not stupid, it hurts me to know that you think me that way."
"Well I have always thought that way so it is nothing new." Shido blurted out.
"I see. But in any case, where is she."
"Like I said we don't know."
Shido I am in no mood for your games. You are going to tell me whether it is by your own will or mine. The King stated.
And how do you plan to do that prey tell? Shido inquired, tapping his foot on the dance floor, waiting for the King's answer.
"Like this!" The King shouted, waving his hand. He and Shido were no longer at the ball, but rather in a dark and stone cold chamber. It was only lit by a few candles. Shido was not awake.
"Now let's see what can I do to make you talk? Hum such a tough decision." He smirked, picking up a sharp inanimate object. Just then Shido awoke.
"Ah you are just in time."
"For… for what?" Shido asked looking around the room. He was chained to the wall. He struggled to get free and even tried to faze.
"Why can't I faze!" He screamed looking strongly at Jareth, who was rubbing the sharp object, smirking slightly.
"I have paralyzed you from doing so. This way I can do what I want to you. And you will tell me where Nicolle is." Shido just spit at him. The King lifted his left hand and wiped the saliva off his cheek, with is gloved hand. He then pulled his hand away from his face and glanced at the wet glove. He smirked and stated.
"You are going to have to do better than that Shido."
"Shido? Shido? Where did you go." Steph looked around the room, looking at all the dancers staring at her with mouths dropped open. "No…I have to find him." She shook her head and ran through the crowd, towards the doorway. She ran out of the dance hall and into the woods, she was not sure where she was going but needed to go somewhere so that she could get help.
"Nicolle, are you alright? You look a little distraught."
"What?" I looked to him. I had not been paying attention to what he was saying. "Oh no…I am fine, I am just nervous."
"Nervous." He laughed, "What ever for?"
"Well I do not know what they are going to think of me. I am afraid that I am not going to live up to their expectations." Galahad stopped walking and turned to me. He placed is index finger and thumb on my chin.
"Nicolle what ever gave you the idea that they would not like you, or that you would not be good enough?"
"I… I…" I could not think straight. Galahad had done what the king always did to me, and I was afraid, for the first time.
"Nicolle?" He asked with a troubled gaze. I looked up to him. He smiled slightly. I shook my head to clear the thought, and told myself that it was foolish and Galahad was completely different, that I had nothing to worry about.
"Do you no want to go today? We can go some other time."
"Oh no I am fine really. But thank you."
"You are sure now?" He stroked my cheek. I nodded my head.
"Yes I am fine, really."
"Okay." And he took my hand and we continued on.
"Ahhh!"
"Well it does not have to be this way if you just tell me where she is."
I will never tell you where she is. Shido stated telepathically to the King.
Well that is your choice! And he began to torture him.
"Wait! Stop!" Steph cried running into the chamber. The King turned to see Steph in the doorway, out of breath.
"Oh well look who decided to drop by and say hello." He smiled. "Have you, something that you want to tell me?"
"Yes." Steph stated sadly, knowing that she was going to reveal her friend's whereabouts.
"Steph no!" Shido cried, before be lashed again, but the King."
"Shut up! Now Steph what were you going to tell me?" But she just stood looking blankly at him.
"Okay I will make a deal with you Steph. If you tell me where Nicolle is, I will release your pathetic lover." Steph looked to Shido, who was shaking his head no.
"She's…she's…going to meet Galahad's family, on the other side of the labyrinth. Now let him go." Steph cried. The king walked up to the chains and undid them. Shido fell to the stone floor, from being so weak.
"Thank you now was that so much to ask?" The King stated, walking to the doorway and leaving the chamber.
"Steph, do you know what you have just done?"
"Yes Shido. I have just saved you."
"Steph I would rather him kill me then have him get Nicolle."
"Look I know what you are saying, but Nicolle will be fine with Galahad. He has a strong family and nothing will happen. He will not be as strong on that side of the Labyrinth."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I'm not, but we can only hope that the myth is true."
"What myth?"
"Have you learnt nothing from your studies." But Shido just looked at her.
Sighs… "Okay, it is said that the family of Galahad has greater power then the king himself, and that if he should ever try to enter that side of the Labyrinth he will be in great danger."
"So what does that mean?"
"This means, if the King is to go to find Nicolle and he will be killed. And then Galahad will be the redeemer. And if he still chooses to love Nicolle she will be his queen, and we will be saved. Don't you get it Shido, we will no longer suffer and the rightful King will rule."
"But if they are so powerful then why have they not attempted to overthrow the King before?"
"They have been waiting for the one who will bring the two powers together."
"And Nicolle is the one?"
"Yes Shido."
"I get now. Well then this is wonderful."
"Yes Shido, yes it is." Steph smiled, helping Shido to his feet. She then tilted her head to the side so that Shido could feed from her and regain his strength.