A Tale of Two Libraries

Some book there is that she desires to see. Which is it, girl, of these? Open them, boy. But thou art deeper read and better skilled: Come and take choice of all my library, And so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens Reveal the damned contriver of this deed.
William Shakespeare

Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you.

Harry S Truman


When Jareth left the women exhaled a collective sigh of relief and Falette stated the obvious, "He suspects something."

Solin, ever sarcastic. drawled, "You don't say."

Melody broke in…"Now is not the time to start sniping at each other….Arma…what did you think you were doing going after the Goblin King like that?"

Arma, who only did what came naturally, was surprised by the question…even more surprised that she was being admonished…and by a mere queen of the Underground. Lifting her head proudly she snorted and a large puff of smoke came out of her nostrils. "He challenged….I accepted…he lost."

Arma then noticed all the women starting rubbing their heads….it was strange…this place…these beings…they seemed not to understand the simplest things…

Melody walked up to Arma and put an arm around her small shoulder, "We will teach you our ways so that you do not give away your identity…doing what you did tonight can put all of us in danger."

Arma still did not understand why all of them could not just find the enemy and lay waste to him tonight…hers was the soul of immediate action….war did not wait patiently…war did not play politics….but in accordance with The Great Silver One's wishes that she bide her time until the Waxing of the Moon she nodded her agreement….whatever their ways were she would know them immediately so not to betray her fellow warriors.

"I will learn." Arma stated and abruptly broke away from Melody then strode directly to the Library shelves and started scanning and selecting books.

Wearily Melody said, "You can do that tomorrow Arma…it is time for bed."

Arma replied curtly without missing a beat, "I don't sleep."


The Goblin King was busy in his own library….looking for and selecting certain volumes that may shed some light on this girl Arma….and the pendants. They were crystals and that was very interesting in itself for as far as he knew his was the only kingdom involved in crystals.

Ahh….he found one of the books he was looking for….Obscure Kingdoms and Their History….

Just as he put his gloved hand on the volume there was a knock on the library door. Without turning Jareth called out, "Enter."

Sir Didymus held his head high as he pranced into the room and proceeded to remove his feathered cap….for one did not address the King sporting a headdress. His eyes widened when he took in the vastness of the library…he had never seen this room, only heard of it.

Without turning Jareth impatiently called behind his back," Yes…what do you want?", expecting to hear some Goblin voice asking for a privilege or telling him some inane thing as usual.

The little knight cleared his throat, "Ahem…your Majesty…I heard about what happened tonight and wanted your lordship to know that if you ever have need of a humble but brave knight's services I am more than at the ready."

Jareth's head quickly turned towards his surprise visitor who responded with a flourished bow to his King.

Well, this was unexpected….but not unwelcome for Jareth had wanted to speak to the little knight but did not find the opportunity.

Jareth turned to squarely face the knight, "Ah….Sir Didymus….is it not? I have been meaning to have a word with you."

Jareth inwardly smirked….this was going to be interesting….

The little knight was truly surprised that the Goblin King knew who he was never mind wanted to have a word with him.

As was Jareth's habit when he wanted to remain casual while challenging his opponent he idly started to wander the room feigning interest in selected objects while making his point, "Yes, I have heard of your and Thackery's….let me see how to put this...disagreements."

Sir Didymus opened his mouth but Jareth just held his hand up to silence his subject letting him know he was not finished.

"While I normally do not concern myself with such small matters as Master Toby's wardrobe I fear this subject has been thrust upon me to settle since it has brought unresolved strife in my Kingdom."

The knight could no longer contain himself and breached protocol, "But as your Majesty must surely see, it is no small matter how the young Master dresses…Lady Sarah herself put me in charge of his wardrobe for a reason...that...that…. peacock Thackery would have him dress in glitter, sissy fabrics and...it pains me to even speak it...RUFFLES….certainly your Lordship can see that is inappropriate for a future defender of the land,"

The two beings stared at each other in silence for a heartbeat or two…..Jareth's cocked his head as his eyes twinkled in mirth….the Goblin King pointedly and slowly looked down his own chest…the knight was horrified to realize the King's shirt was ruffled….

Sir Didymus looked completely abashed and started sputtering, "I did not mean…well…I certainly did not mean…"

Jareth's mischievously smiled and quickly held up his hand to stop Sir Didymus from continuing to trip over himself, "I know what you meant and it may surprise you to learn I agree with you."

The knight's eyes widened in surprise, "You do?"

Jareth raised his nose slightly in the air, "While Toby will be my heir he should not be some cheap imitation….he will be his own man….his own king…" Then bringing his tone and head slightly lower he looked the knight in the eye and drawled, "Besides, not everyone can carry off ruffles…eh?"

Everything was happening so fast Sir Didymus did not know exactly how to respond. "Yes…errr…no your Majesty."

Abruptly clapping his hands together Jareth smiled, "Good, it is settled then…you will choose Master Toby's wardrobe and Thackery will design his hat."

Sir Didymus growled. "You are going to allow that cur to design his hat? But your Majesty…"

Jareth locked his arms behind his back and rocked on his feet slightly, "Come, come Sir Didymus….you won the war…must you win every battle? Gracefully allow Thackery this small boon to soothe his dignity."

Sir Didymus reluctantly snarled his agreement.

Jareth again became animated and casually strolled about the room…"And as for the matter that brought you here…."

The knight stopped snarling and looked hopeful….

Silently Jareth recalled watching Sir Didymus taking on several of his guards single handed when Sarah's troupe laid siege to Goblin City….he remembered what the knight could not….that he had already been tested and in the face of overwhelming odds he fought bravely and valiantly…ready to give his life…..

"I have decided to put you in charge of the Goblin army."


Morvan's beautiful face held a dark look as she contemplated her next move to destroy Sarah before she could marry Jareth. As bats screeched overhead and rats scurried around the walls and corners of her bedroom she sneered at herself in her vanity mirror….she was surrounded by dolts and idiots…Elaina's visit to the Goblin Kingdom with that simpleton Lucilla in tow had failed her…damn.

She needed an intelligent design…a plan that would work….advice she could sink her sharp teeth into….but to just who could she turn? Who possessed the insight and icy calculation she needed? Then it came upon her, "Ah…. yes, Solin."

Solin was the perfect candidate…it was well known the Queen had frost where a heart should have been and keen intelligence to boot. Certainly if Morvan appealed to her sensibility…her station…she would see that the Goblin King marrying that girl was beneath him and help Morvan regain her rightful place by his side.

Satisfied that she had a workable plan in place Morvan began to brush her lustrous dark hair with a look of renewed determination on her face and thought….yes, little Sarah, you have not won yet.


A multitude of Dragons in all colors were gathered on the shores of La Petite Morte to do their own battle with the powers of darkness….now that the mage had joined with the Black Dragon it took all their combined forces to keep the women's identity and knowledge of the baby dragon from the mind of the evil beast.

A series of crystals formed and floated into the air from each Dragon's breast to shape an impenetrable shield of Knowing from the enemy. Although this took great fortitude every member was prepared to continue this for three weeks…until the time of Waxing….until the time of prophecy.

The Silver Dragon looked on at his brethren while his thoughts began to wander….he idly wondered if the girl Sarah and Goblin King had any notion of how they were entwined…how what they would consider fate had really been destiny in disguise. Of course, as all the Dragons did, he knew they dreamed of each other…even if they hardened their minds not to remember it upon the waking morn.

He knew they had dreamed of each other before they had even met….not exactly of each other but of their hidden desires in a mate. Sarah with her headstrong ways needed someone stronger…someone who could put her in her place…but be her steadfast ally in times of trouble….and Jareth needed challenge…a fighter…someone who could bring him back to reality when he thought too much of himself.

Yes…the Dragon thought to himself….if they all survived the future would be interesting for those two….very interesting indeed.