yay more pictures! mmkay? you know the drill. to see Evelyn's ball gown go to EITHER ichobanarose. deviantart. com OR go to my profile for the direct address. hmm i will have to draw some more pictures for the sequel. oops! sequel? did i say that?

25

"Aaaaah! I'm going to die!" Trinity wailed, as she paced around the cave, trying to get used to the boots that went with her dress.

Evelyn had given up trying to comfort her. She'd seen this reaction before. Trinity always did this when she had too much time on her hands before something she considered very important. She'd been the same way before the opening night of a show she'd been in, before trying out for said show, before prom, before applying for a job…

Jareth, who didn't know quite how often she did this, was still trying to comfort her. He was trying to just talk to her, but she was too stressed to listen. He had tried to hold her, but she had just started wiggling. She wouldn't hold still, so he just let her pace. Finally, he turned to Evelyn, who was sitting on the couch, playing with her bracelet.

His expression was so helpless; Evelyn had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. She motioned him over to her. He came, and she made him lean in to listen to her.

"She does this all the time," she whispered. "Before anything major. It's just her way of working off the stress. Trust me, when she has to put a good face on, she'll do splendidly."

Jareth looked relieved. He turned to face Trinity, and swiftly stepped into her path. He caught her as he paced, and swept her into a waltz.

"It's going to be fine," he crooned to her.

She shook her head. "No," she moaned, "It's not. I'm going to trip over something and die. I'm going to trip over my own shoelaces and die."

Jareth chose not to mention that the boots she wore with her dress really didn't have shoelaces. Instead, he held her as they danced, trying to give her something to do until they left for the masquerade that afternoon. She had almost been too nervous to eat, but Evelyn had managed to convince her to force something down, after informing Jareth of Trinity's hypoglycemia, and explaining to him what that was. After that explanation, the goblin king had watched the younger girl carefully, making sure she ate everything Evelyn put in front of her.

Now, Evelyn simply sat and played with Vorian's bracelet. She had looked at Trinity's drawings, of the young girl's masquerade dress and the drawing of the one Trinity had designed for Evelyn. Trinity had even shown her one that she had drawn of Jareth when he was sitting against the wall, sleeping. That was one she'd never show Jareth.

She watched Jareth twirl Trinity around the cave for a few minutes, but then the younger girl stared wiggling again, even in the midst of dancing. So, Jareth had to let her go pace around, occasionally moaning, again.

"It's just how she is," Evelyn reminded Jareth when he came to watch Trinity pace with her.

He nodded, sighing.

The older girl's thoughts turned to the strange dream she'd had last night. She'd thought she'd seen Vorian, standing in the sea… and he needed something… and she'd heard that poem again. That same poem. What significance did it have?

She was deep in thought when the wind started picking up outside. No one noticed at first, but then the screen at the mouth of the cave blew inside, and would have hit Trinity (who was closest to the cave mouth at this point in her pacing) if Jareth had not acted quickly. He ran to her took her hand, and disappeared with her, reappearing near the couch right when the screen crashed on where she had been.

Evelyn jumped up. "What's happening?" she called. They could hear the wind roaring outside now.

"Freak storm," Jareth said bitterly. "We may have to leave for the palace a little early."

"But what about your banners and stuff?" Trinity called, her own worries forgotten for the moment. She was still in Jareth's arms, Evelyn noticed.

Another gust of wind blew in, moving the couch and making paper, banners, and supplies fly everywhere. The three of them ducked as debris flew past their heads.

"We'll worry about that later!" Jareth said. Keeping one arm around Trinity, he reached over towards Evelyn.

The older girl understood, and reached out to grasp his arm.

"Hold on!" the goblin king cried, and they all disappeared, just as another gust of wind shook the cave.

They reappeared in the village outside of Jareth's palace. This wasn't the goblin city, for the Labyrinth was only one of Jareth's kingdoms. This one was where Jareth had been born and raised. It was from here Raiv now reigned. Here, the climate was more or less normal, Jareth noted.

"Well," he said, "We're a bit early. We still have a few hours until we need to be at the palace for the ball."

Trinity and Evelyn were both trying to figure out how he could be so cool and confident after a windstorm had just made short work of his childhood hideout, and home for the past few days.

"What do we do until then?" Evelyn asked.

"We lay low," he answered coolly.

Trinity groaned. "How exactly are we going to do that?" she asked.

"There are many beautiful places to see in Evengede," Jareth spoke. "Perhaps we should visit some of them."

"I think you should change Trinity into some more casual clothes first," Evelyn said practically, and Jareth nodded.

The Goblin King tossed a crystal to Trinity, and instantly she was clothed in a simple peasant dress. He then changed his own clothing. His waistcoat disappeared, leaving him in his breeches, poet shirt and boots.

"Where shall we go first?" he asked, turning to Trinity. "There is a great garden with an exquisite water fountain. It is said to be magic. There is also a beautiful orchard filled with the most delightful fruits imaginable."

"Won't all of those places be guarded?" Trinity asked, taking his offered arm.

"Those places are always open to the public," Jareth said. "They always will be."

"I'd like to see the water fountain," Evelyn said quietly.

"To the garden we go," Jareth said, gallantly stepping forward.

Evelyn watched the two walking so closely together before her, but she didn't really see them. There was a feeling inside of her that she had never felt before…a feeling so powerful that it surprised her. She heard his name on the wind, and shivers trembled through her body. She heard his laugh washing over her, thrilling her to her very core. Vorian. He was everywhere in her mind, catching her when she fell, carrying her through the water, running his fingers oh-so-gently across her cheek. What was it about the man that enchanted her so? Why did she have such a yearning to see him again?

"Here we are."

Evelyn shook her head and became aware of her surroundings.

Jareth, Trinity and Evelyn all stood in a lush garden, shaded by great leaves from tall tropical trees. Trinity clung tightly to Jareth as she gazed at the beauty that surrounded them. Roses were everywhere, crawling across great stone structures and weaving in and out of bushes that were just bursting with gorgeous flowers.

"This," Jareth said, waving his hand, "Is where my father proposed to my mother. They were very young. He was a mere two thousand years old, and she was even younger. It was at the water fountain," he said, guiding Trinity through the luxurious plants. "He told her of his great love for her and begged her on hands and knees, to stay with him. She cried." He smiled slightly as the sound of pounding water became audible. "She was so happy, she couldn't speak at first. My father was desperate."

A magnificent water fountain came into view, taking Trinity's breath away. There was a great pond, with lush water lilies, and in the center of it, was the fountain. The water rose high into the air of its own accord, twisting and turning over ten feet into the air. The fountain of water sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight, and Jareth gestured for Trinity to sit down at the foot of the lake.

Trinity did as she was asked, looking over to make sure Evelyn was safe as she did so. Her friend seemed to be entranced by the fountain, and Trinity smiled gently and turned her attention back to Jareth.

"And your mother said yes," Trinity smiled at Jareth.

"Yes," Jareth nodded, his eyes boring deeply into Trinity's. He locked gazed with her, and then turned his head to look at the fountain.

"This is one of the best places in the whole of the Underground to soak your feet," he said presently, and then pulled off his boots and socks. He put his feet in the water, and Trinity followed suit.

Evelyn, in the meantime, was entranced by the falls. As soon as she had seen the great structure of water, voices, unheard by any other ears, began to whisper to her, calling her towards the water. The voices had at first frightened her, for Evelyn had heard about magical waters or mermaids that called people to their deaths, but the voices said one word, that word, that caught her attention.

"Vorian."

Evelyn walked over to the lake and then looked in. At first she saw her reflection, but then the water rippled slightly, and a story began to unfold before her.

She watched, spellbound, as the story of Vorian's death was revealed. She watched as Raiv killed off his parents and then snuck in the dark towards Vorian's room.

Evelyn could feel her heart pounding wildly within her as Raiv moved, with snakelike motions, towards Vorian's room and then opened the door.

"Vorian!" Evelyn panicked, her voice coming out as a whisper.

The images continued to play, and Evelyn's blood ran cold as Raiv moved across the floor of Vorian's room and then raised his dagger, moonlight reflecting eerily off the dark blade. Tears formed in Evelyn's eyes as she saw Vorian's eyes open wide. He struggled to get out of his bed, but he wasn't fast enough, and the blade cut across his bare chest and stomach. Raiv turned away from his brother with a smirk, and Evelyn could see Vorian in the background, fighting to get up, to get control over his body.

Evelyn collapsed to her knees, her hands moving to her heart as she saw the young Fae thrashing about, trying to survive, fighting death itself. He disappeared, and the water turned slightly.

She saw Vorian again, this time walking slowly, someone draped in his arms.

"Me," she whispered, recognizing the woman that he held. "Why are you showing me this?" she asked the water, almost expecting the water to answer.

Of course the water said nothing, and Evelyn continued to watch as several sequences unfolded. She saw Vorian place her gently on her pallet, watched him leave the cave and step into the water. She could feel his pain as he grimaced, the water flowing over his chest. She realized then that Vorian wasn't healed entirely either, and cold panic seized the woman as she realized that it would only be a matter of time before he, too, was destroyed.

"Give me some hope!" she hissed to the water. "I don't want him to die! Show me something hopeful!"

The water seemed almost to think, and then it swirled again.

Evelyn watched as a picture came into focus. She could see herself again, this time asleep on her pallet. Her face was turned to the side, her long hair draped about her on her pillow. Evelyn could see the waterfall open up, and Vorian stepped into the cave. He walked quietly over to the sleeping Evelyn, and then bent down near her.

Evelyn's heart leaped into her throat, and goosebumps covered her arms as she watched Vorian kneel down and lean forward. He gently kissed the sleeping girl on the forehead and then let his face linger close to hers, tempted, oh so terribly tempted, to touch her lips with his own. She could almost feel his breath on her face, could almost feel him touching her.

"He kissed me…" Evelyn breathed, and the picture faded away. "Wait! What happened?" she asked the water, but it had gone back to it former state.

There was more to Vorian than she had thought. He needed her. She had felt his desire, his pleading, while she had watched the scenes before her.

"What am I supposed to do?" Evelyn asked, sitting back and pulling her knees up to her chest. "I don't understand."

While Evelyn sat quietly, trying to sort through what she considered to be a confusing mess, Jareth showed Trinity around the garden, pointing out unique and exquisite plants. There were flowers shaped exactly like butterflies, with all the magnificent colors in their petals. There were buttercups made of more colors than just yellow. The Jack-in-the-pulpits had little people living in the center of the flower, which, Jareth explained, were called Buttons. They were the most adorable creatures Trinity had ever seen, and for a good half hour she forgot about the upcoming masquerade and enjoyed the little people. The Buttons were no taller than an inch high, and they all wore little leaves for their clothes and acorn caps for their hats. They smiled pleasantly at Trinity, and even allowed her to pick them up. One of the Buttons, a child not much older than two years old, stood up on his tiptoes and kissed the girl on her nose.

Presently, Jareth led Trinity over to a great bed of roses, and he pointed out each individual flower, none of them the colors from our world. There were blue roses with silver tinted petals, and green roses with pink centers. There were white roses with purple tips, and yellow roses with red streaks on them. Then, much to Trinity's delight, there were the magical red roses.

"These are very special," Jareth said, taking her hand and leading her over to one of the rose buds. "For each red rose has a different colored center and different color tips. Blow on it."

"Blow on it?" Trinity asked, looking up at him.

"Yes," Jareth nodded, and Trinity leaned down and gently blew on one of the buds.

Instantly, the bud began to move. Its petals began to uncurl, revealing black tips. Before Trinity's eyes, the entire bud unraveled, and there before her was the most gorgeous, fully blossomed rose she had ever seen. It was a dark red, with black tips and a black center.

"It will match your dress," Jareth said simply and then leaned forward and gently plucked the rose from the bush, his gloves protecting his fingers from the thorns.

"Did you know it would be that color?" Trinity asked as he gently ran a strand of her dark hair through his fingers.

"Maybe," he smiled, and then watched as Trinity's hair immediately did itself up for the masquerade. It was pulled back, with a few loose strands gently framing her face. "Just the right touch," Jareth said, putting the rose in her hair, behind her right ear. "It is time we make our way towards the palace."

He nodded his head, and instantly, Trinity was clothed in her elegant dress. Her heart began to flutter nervously as she again began to anticipate the upcoming evening.

"Relax," Jareth crooned soothingly, bowing and immediately appearing in his black and red outfit. "Worry never helped anything."

He stood up, and Trinity blushed when she saw how marvelous he looked. His hair was still in its short layers, she could tell, but he had pulled the layers back into a ponytail, and only a few strips of blonde were lying against his cheeks.

"What about Evelyn?" Trinity asked, desperately trying to think of anything but the ball.

"She still needs a dress," Jareth said, and offered Trinity his arm. "Come."

Trinity took his arm and looked up at his face as he led her towards the garden towards the water fountain.

"Your friend seemed to take quite a liking for the fountain," Jareth commented, stepping into a clearing with Trinity, the fountain immediately coming into view as they did so. "There she is."

Trinity looked forward and was shocked to see Evelyn lying on the grass next to the lake, her eyes closed and her face to the sun.

"Jareth!" she panicked, grabbing the Goblin King's arm.

"She is all right," Jareth smiled, understanding her concern. "She's only asleep."

Trinity's fears subsided, and she released Jareth's arm and walked over to Evelyn.

"I haven't seen her so peaceful in awhile," she whispered, looking down at her friend's face. "Evelyn," she said quietly, kneeling down next to Evelyn's side. "Evelyn, it is time to wake up."

Evelyn smiled in her sleep and turned over, her eyelids beginning to flutter as Trinity called her name again.

"Hmm?" Evelyn asked, rolling over onto her back and opening her eyes to look at Trinity.

"It's time to get into the castle."

Evelyn nodded and then stood up, stretching her arms as she did so.

"So what am I to wear?" she asked, still smiling as she looked over at Jareth.

"I believe Trinity did a sketch of a beautiful dress for you," Jareth said, a crystal appearing in his hand. "I thought it was quite charming. Perhaps you wouldn't mind it?"

"If Trinity created it, then it is bound to be lovely," Evelyn smiled, watching as Jareth toyed with the crystal.

She caught the crystal as soon as Jareth threw it at her, and instantly, her poet shirt and skirt were replaced with a gorgeous gown, made of the softest materials. She found it somewhat odd that the colors of the dress were light green and different shades of blue, like…water. The top of the dress was off the shoulders, made of a very light blue. It started with light blue, but gradually changed into different shades of blue and green as the colors faded down.

"Gorgeous," Evelyn said, twirling once and then reaching over and hugging Trinity. "You look like a queen."

Trinity smiled and glanced over into the lake to see her reflection. She was pleased to see that there was black and red glitter on her face, enhancing her blue eyes and her skin coloring. Evelyn also had glitter on her face, but hers was green and blue.

"While you both have absolutely stunning faces," Jareth smiled from behind them, "you'll be needing these."

He handed a mask to each of them, then put his own mask on, covering the glitter that surrounded his eyes.

"Never has a Fae king been accompanied to a dance by such lovely women."

Evelyn laughed and Trinity blushed.

"Ladies," Jareth spoke, offering each young woman one of his arms.

They gratefully took his arms and then let him lead them away from the garden.

Trinity shuddered as they approached the entrance to the grand palace. It looked so large and intimidating. The doors were open wide, but she didn't want to walk through them. She glanced up at Jareth, and the absolute lack of concern on his face comforted her. She then turned to Evelyn and smiled slightly when she saw that her friend's eyes were shut tightly, loose hair covering part of her face. The young woman's lips were moving as she prayed silently and then she opened her eyes and looked at Trinity.

"We'll be okay," Evelyn smiled, reaching behind Jareth and squeezing Trinity's shoulder gently. "We'll be all right."

Trinity gulped, nodded, and then gazed forward as she, Jareth and Evelyn stepped up the stairs to the palace and then stepped through the open doorway.