Updated for grammar & spelling and checked for continuity: March 10, 2011.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Diplomatic Solutions
Whatever Jareth had been expecting, this was not it. "A guide."
"Yes, Your Majesty," responded Crinklow.
"That is it? All you are requesting is a guide?"
"A guide who will also, in the worst case scenario, be able to act as a protector." At Jareth's raised eyebrow, Crinklow hurried on. "Allow me to explain. The Board of Directors at Gringotts Bank formed a committee. They selected one of our staff to follow in the footsteps of this Wizard Quirrell. He will be given the same information as had been given to Quirrell, what we know of in any case. We will assume that he had not been told how to open a portal, but we shall tell our employee that he must return on his own. If he manages to complete the task completely on his own, then we definitely have a problem. If not, the situation shall be re-assessed and we will take further steps at that time."
"But why do you need a guide, much less a protector? And how can an equal comparison be made of the abilities of a Wizard to that of a Goblin?"
"Oh, this employee is not a Goblin but a human, a Wizard in his own right," put in Queezink. "He is one of our Curse Breakers. Though he does not specialize in the Dark Arts exactly, because he is a Curse Breaker he knows a great deal about them. He must, in order to counter them properly. He is one of the most powerful Wizards in our employment. He came to us highly recommended and extremely qualified by those who trained him as a youth. His loyalty and dedication are commendable, we trust that he will not betray The Secret."
"You mean to inform him about the Fae World?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, we already have. It is true that we do not know if Quirrell, and through him the Dark Wizard, were aware of where they were exactly. However, we felt it was imperative that our employee be informed of this so his decision to accept the quest would not be made in blind faith. Our hope is that he will be able to take stock of his surroundings and tell us whether the differences between Worlds are blatantly apparent. We have, Majesty, placed a spell on him that prevents him from speaking of the existence of the Fae World to those who do not know about it. Only you can remove it, Majesty, and, should you find him trustworthy at the end of this ordeal, we ask that you do so."
"As to why he needs a guide and protector..." Crinklow said. "This employee is highly valuable to us and we would like him to be given all chances of survival. Though he will be acting on his own instincts and with his own magic and skills, should something happen that he cannot escape, should he find himself in a deadly situation, we would like the assurance that there will be someone with him native to this World who can ensure his safety when all other means have been exhausted."
Jareth pressed the fingers of one hand to his temple. "Out of curiosity, should We refuse to grant your request, what will you do?"
Crinklow shrugged somewhat helplessly. "Then he will venture in unaided, and we shall hope he returns in a state from which he can recover."
"I see." Jareth slowly exhaled. "This is a grave matter and requires some deliberation. We shall retire and consider your request. However, as it requires expediency, We shall not keep you waiting long. Refreshments will be provided in the meantime, and should you require anything simply ask the herald. We shall return within an hour."
The Goblin delegates bowed in unison once more as Jareth rose. Holding out a hand to Sarah, she took it and rose as well, their children rising with her. Goblin King and Queen in the lead, the Royal Family left the Hall.
As soon as the door to the side room closed behind them, Katrin threw herself down in one of the fluffy armchairs and groaned. "This is all my fault, isn't it?"
"Don't slump so, Kati. You'll wrinkle your dress." Sarah sat on the arm of the chair and stroked her daughter's hair. She watched Jareth walk to the window and stare out, hands clasped behind his back.
"What do you mean, all your fault?" Christopher had removed his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. He gently sat down then stretched his legs out in front of him. Leaning one elbow on the table next to him, he rubbed his face with his hand. "How can you be the cause of any of this? Not getting an over-inflated sense of self importance, are we?"
Katrin didn't even bother glaring at him. "Didn't you hear what that Goblin said? This Dark Wizard who is apparently the bane of all Mortals came Underground four years ago."
"So?"
"So how could anyone, or anything for that matter, enter without attracting notice from those who control the magic of the Underground?"
"They can't."
"Exactly. So why would nothing be done if the entry was unwelcome?"
"Because of something else going on that was so involved, so potentially disastrous, that a simple occurrence of someone stumbling on the Underground could be ignored momentarily and then forgotten accidentally," Jareth answered.
"Four years ago, Christopher," Katrin went on miserably. "Don't you remember what went on four years ago? When I first moved Aboveground? Why I moved Aboveground?"
"Of course I remember. It isn't something I would easily forget. But that had nothing to do with this."
"Not directly, perhaps. But if it hadn't happened-"
"Kati," Jareth interrupted gently, turning to face the room, "if this is anyone's fault, it is my own for not following through with something I should have. It wasn't just a matter of someone coming Underground unwelcome. There were other signs warning this was a more dangerous visitor. I deliberately ignored them because what was going on elsewhere involved my family. I could have easily sent someone to observe this Quirrell person."
"None of which matters now," Sarah interjected. "You two can argue this one out to your hearts content later." When both Jareth and Katrin moved to disagree, she held up one hand. "No, I mean it. Later. Right now we have five nervous Goblins waiting in the Hall for an answer, and we must decide what that answer will be. You said an hour, Jareth. Let us not waste time quibbling over who is to blame, something I have my own theories about that implicate no one in this room."
Jareth looked at his wife sharply. "Oh really?"
"Later."
He sighed. "Very well. But only because you are right about keeping the Goblins waiting." He grinned when she snorted inelegantly. "Any input on what to do?"
"I think we should let them have their guide," said Andreas, perched on the table swinging his feet. "They've never asked for anything before, right? So wouldn't it be discouraging relations or something for us to deny their first request?"
"Yeah," agreed Lewis from where he sat on Justin's lap. "And they seem to be really worried about the safety of their Wizard. I wouldn't want my Wizard to get hurt if I knew he was looking for important information."
The others smiled at the innocent justification given by the young boy. "Not only that," Christopher added, "but a guide sent by you could report information to us as well. It would give a... different viewpoint to the one provided by a mortal Wizard from Aboveground." There was an underlying implication that, while the Goblins might do so, there was no reason as yet for them to trust the Gringotts employee.
"Why didn't they ever mention his name?" Katrin wondered aloud.
"Who knows? But I don't know that it matters," Jareth said. Before he could continue, he was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Enter."
It was Squeeker, carrying the flat box brought by the Goblins. "Master Queezink asked that I bring this to you, Majesties. It contains a tome that was found in the vault, left behind by the Wizard Quirrell, given to him by the traitor Goblins. A copy will be provided to their own Wizard for his quest, to be retained by Gringotts on his return. The Delegates wish the original to remain here for safe keeping, as well to provide you with more details of what information the Wizard Quirrell possessed." He laid the box on the table by Andreas, then bowed his way out of the room.
Jareth strode over to the table and gingerly opened the box. He lifted out a heavy, leather-bound book. Leafing through it, the pages were filled with diagrams, sketches, and writings. Andreas and Christopher peeked at it over the top.
"Cool," said Andreas. "What is it?"
Jareth ruffled Andreas' hair. "I am not entirely sure, yet. But before the 'guide and protector' leaves for this quest, he will know what this contains."
"So you are granting their request, then?" Sarah asked.
"Not precisely, but someone will go."
"Alright then. Who?"
"One of the Castle Goblins?" guessed Katrin.
"Hoggle," ventured Justin.
"You're not thinking of going yourself, are you Dad?" asked Christopher.
"No. You are, Chris." Jareth looked up from the book and into a mixture of expressions ranging from incredulity, to excitement, to curiosity. "Here, let me explain my idea..."
As Jareth rounded out the last detail, he sat in the armchair next to Katrin's. Reaching for Sarah's hand, he looked around the room. "So, what do you think?"
"It is very well thought out for spur of the moment," commented Sarah.
Jareth grinned up at her. "Yes. Sometimes, even I am surprised at the way my genius inspires me."
Katrin looked at her older brother. He shrugged in response to her raised eyebrow. As she held his gaze, he shifted in his chair. "Well," she said, not looking away, "Chris seems a bit unsure of it all." She got out of the chair and walked to the table. Flipping through the first few pages of the tome, she sighed. Glancing at Christopher once more, she then turned to face her parents. "And frankly, so am I. There is something about all this that gives me a strange feeling. It is not that I have a bad feeling about this, just strange. Like something about it is going to hit me in the back of the head. But I say go for it anyway."
"Yeah, same here," agreed Christopher. "Well, not about the strange feeling part. I'm unsure more because I think this is a huge responsibility. But if you're willing to trust me with it, I'll do it."
"Maybe that's where the strange feeling is coming from. They're trusting you with responsibility," Katrin quipped. Christopher stuck his tongue out at her. She wrinkled her nose and squinted back.
"Children, children. Enough."
"Yes, Mother," they replied.
"Right then. If everyone is in agreement?" At their nods, Jareth stood and walked to a mirror to straighten his cravat. "Andreas, check on Michael. Justin, keep an eye on Lewis."
"Does this mean I can go play now?" Lewis hopped off Justin's lap and bounced in place a few times. At Jareth's nod, he scampered out the side door followed by the other two boys.
Katrin placed the tome back in its box and picked it up. "I still don't understand why I shouldn't come back into the Hall with you, but if you think it is best..." She trailed off.
"I do, Kati," Jareth went over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Time grows short. You and your mother are the best at research and picking details out of archaic books. Since I need her with me, you had best get a head start."
She threw a pointed look at Christopher then nodded to her father. "Very well. I will be in the library." She tucked the box in the crook of her arm and, picking up her skirt, she glided out the side door.
"Ready?" Jareth asked. Christopher shrugged into his jacket and nodded. Offering his arm to Sarah, Jareth said, "Then let's get this over with."
When the door leading directly to the dais opened, the five Goblins rose from the chairs that had been brought in for them. If they were surprised to see only three enter the Hall, it could not be seen. After the royals were seated, the Goblins came forward once more.
Jareth waited a moment before speaking. "Master Crinklow, Master Queezink, Kanzorr, Griphook, and Whealeng. We have deliberated over your request. It has been decided that, while helpful, a guide would only get in the way of the scenario you hope to reproduce by sending this Wizard Underground." The faces of the Goblins visibly fell. They bowed, and Crinklow made to speak, but Jareth forestalled him with a raised hand. "However," he continued, "your concern for your Wizard's safety has been duly noted. We appreciate your concern, for it is well founded. The Underground, especially within this Kingdom, can be a harsh and unforgiving place.
"That being said, we acknowledge the request for a protector for your Wizard. I propose to send my eldest son and heir to accompany your Wizard on his quest. There is a condition, however. I do not want this Wizard to know in whose company he travels. The whole point of him coming here is to discover if this Quirrell could have made his way on his own, perhaps with help from this Dark Wizard you spoke of. By being accompanied by someone he knows is of the Fae, he might be less cautious and less thorough, depending instead upon his companion. His companion will become the guide whose presence we wish to avoid. In order to prevent this, my son will remain in another form: that of an owl. Your Wizard is to be told that, should trouble arrive, he is to send the owl for help. Should things get too out of hand, my son will return to his normal form and remove your Wizard from the situation entirely. This is the aid We offer to you. Do you find it agreeable?"
Crinklow looked at Queezink for a long moment before Queezink nodded slowly. "Yes, Your Majesty," he answered. "That will be most agreeable. In fact, it is better than we had hoped for in many ways. We too foresaw the problems with a guide, but were unsure how to deal with them. You have provided a perfect solution. Especially since, in the Magical Realm, owls are used to carry letters and, in some cases, become animal companions. Most agreeable indeed. Our many thanks, Your Majesty." The Goblins all bowed again.
I wonder if they rehearsed that? Christopher thought. They certainly do bow in sync quite a bit.
"Very well. Christopher, Our son, will accompany you to a small antechamber where you can acquaint him with the details surrounding the quest you planned. You are welcome to join Us for a small luncheon this afternoon before your departure."
"Again, our thanks, Your Majesty," said Crinklow as they all bowed once more.
Christopher rose and stepped down from the dais. Turning, he bowed his head. "Father, Mother." He turned to the Goblins and gestured to the doors. "If you would follow me?" As they neared the doors, he asked in a low voice, "This probably has no bearing on anything, but would you mind if I asked the name of the Wizard you will be sending?"
"Not at all, Your Highness. It is Weasley. Mr. Fitzwilliam Weasley. Though I believe he goes by Bill."
"Ah, thank you." Christopher barely stopped himself from coming to a dead halt in shock. Bill Weasley? As in Kati's Bill Weasley? It certainly isn't a common sounding name... He shook his head and grinned to himself. You and your strange feelings, sis. I have a feeling the whole thing is definitely going to hit you in the back of the head. Oh, this is going to be good...