Of Diviners and Goblins
Chapter VII
By Sailor Northstar
The warming rays of the sun slanted in through the crystal window, and lightly pressed on the sleeper's eyelids. This soft intrusion of light stirred the conciousness, and the man slowly opened his beautiful, mismatched eyes. At first, he could remember nothing, and wondered why he wasn't in his chambers in the Goblin Castle. A surge of adrenalin pumped through his sluggish bloodstream, and with that surge came the memories, and the pain.
Groaning, Jareth sat up, pleasantly surprised that the pain of his headache was gone. Looking around the room, he began to wonder where exactly he was. Rising, he found a clean set of clothes, almost identical to the clothes he had worn on the road, laying draped over an elegant armchair. Dressing quickly, he looked around for his sword. A soft knock at his door caught his attention. Cautiously, he walked over and cracked open the door.
"Jareth! You're all right!" came a happy voice, and the door was pushed even further open. There, garbed in a robe of purest white, was Galadrea.
"Galadrea, where the hell are we?" Jareth demanded, quicky pulling her inside and shutting the door. Smiling cheerfully, she proceeded to investigate his room, much to his annoyance.
"Why, we're in Silverymoon, handsome!" she said, laughing lightly. Galadrea walked over to his window and unfastened the almost hidden catch. Striding across the room, he gazed out over a most wonderous sight.
"THIS is Silverymoon?" he asked, softly. Before his eyes a vision of loveliness stretched outwards from the gleaming, ivory balcony. Magnificent spires stretched towards the heavens, gleaming in the late morning's glow. The streets were paved with some white substance, looking for all the world like marble. Various temples and other large, well appointed buildings also lifted themselves to the sky, sometimes taking bizzare shapes in their rising. Beside him, Galadrea stirred and lifted an arm, pointing to a building in the distance.
"Yes, Jareth. This is Silverymoon, a city famous for its beauty and freedom. Anyone, of any race, with peaceful intentions is welcomed here, regardless of history. That huge building over there is the great Vault of the Sages. If there is anything to be known, it will be found there," she commented, looking the goblin king over. To her delight, he seemed healed of the terrible migraines that had nearly killed him.
"How did we get here?" he asked, tearing his gaze away from the impressive sight. "The last thing I remember was my head almost splitting, and then someone soothing the pain. What happened?"
Galadrea's face fell, and became serious. She walked back into the room and sat down in the armchair. "The Knights of Silver saved us. They had been out looking for the ogres that had been ambushing travellers, and they found us. According to them, neither of us was in good shape. You almost died before we could get here," she said, watching the king's already pale complexion turn gray. His lips tightened, and he sank into an armchair identical to the one Gala was in.
"I remember. I thought I was going to die- I wished for it!- the pain was so great. Were they able to figure out what caused it?" he asked, seriously, all trace of emotion gone from his eyes.
Nodding, Galadrea told him what happened. "The Lady Alustriel came to meet us. It was thanks to her, and the clerics of Azuth with her, that you managed to live. And speaking of Alustriel, we're to meet with her this evening."
"What? Why not now?" Jareth asked, a frown coming to his features. "We have come all this way, and now I'm told to wait?" Indignation colored his voice and his eyes narrowed. Color returned to his face as he became more furious. Galadrea, noticing the signs of an immanent explosions, hurriedly continued.
"She wanted to give you enough time to make sure you felt better, and to let us relax and rest after our time on the road," she elaborated. "Also, there are several ambassadors in the city itself who Alustriel is meeting. Affairs of state, after all, must come first, but surely you know this Jareth?"
The Goblin King relaxed a bit, but his irritation did not lessen. "I have never had to fool with ambassadors in my time as ruler of the Underground," he said smugly. Galadrea rolled her eyes in exasperation. Well, at least he's still the same old arrogant bastard that I first met Galadrea thought, pleased that no lasting harm had been done.
"In the meantime, what do you say we do some sightseeing Jareth?" she asked, anxious to get his mind off of his bruised ego. Appearing to think it over, Jareth finally nodded.
"Agreed. I've been cooped up too long as it is--what's so funny?" he suddenly asked, his hand resting on the doorknob. Galadrea, who had risen immediately after him, was leaning against the wall, giggling madly.
"Don't you--ha ha!--get it? Coop? A place to keep birds?" Galadrea's chiming laughter rang out, and then Jareth realized exactly what he had just said.
"Oh, very funny," the king said, sarcastically, though there was a slight smile curving his lips. "Now, pull yourself together and lets get something to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starved. And this time Galadrea?"
"Yes, Jareth?" she replied, getting herself under control- barely.
"No bar brawls!"
"Awww..."
Strolling down the elegant, tree-lined boulevard, Jareth and Galadrea felt all the stress that had been pressing in on them vanish under the calming, idyllic atmosphere of Silverymoon. Lunch had gone well, with Galadrea and a few other mages getting into a discussion on whether ESP spells were truly ethical or not. Of course, Jareth had had to add in his two coppers, and thus began a very lively debate amongst them over the nature of ethics in divination.
All around them were representatives of the various races of Toril, some of whom even made Jareth stop and stare. Gnomes from the Underdark, Sfvirnebli, I believe Galadrea called them? Jareth tried to remember. Dwarved representatives from Mithril Hall present to discuss trade negotiations, humans of all nationalities, and of course the various elvish nations were well representated. Looking to his side to voice an opinion to Gala, Jareth was surprised to realize that she was not there. Looking around casually, he saw her standing in front of a small outdoor dining hall, talking eagerly to a group of elves. Grinning, Gala turned and motioned the king over.
"Hey Jareth! You'll never believe who I've met!"
she gushed cheerfully, gesturing to a handsome male elf, who reminded Jareth vaguely of another elf he had once met, but couldn't quite remember.
"Really Gala? Introduce us," Jareth commented, amusement evident in his tone. Galadrea didn't even notice.
"This is Kallendros, and his travelling companions!" Galadrea announced, as if the name should mean something to him. His confusion must have shown, despite his control, for the young elf grinned and stuck out his hand.
"Galadrea said that you met my grandfather, Valindaro. How is the old man?" Kall asked eagerly. "It's been a while, about a good century, since I've been in the Valley, after all."
Jareth smiled, not able to keep the good mood from catching him. "I thought you looked familiar, but I'm not all that adept at faces," he said, while his arrogant self was horrified at such an admission of fault. Even Galadrea looked surprised at that admissision from the proud King of the Goblins. I guess the old Starfollower charm can even work on off worlders too, she mused, glad that Jareth wasn't acting as arrogant as usual.
Just then, a soldier decked in the livery of the Knights approached the group. "Madame Galadrea Solardin?" he asked, in an official tone of voice. Galadrea and Jareth turned to the guard, while Kallendros and his friends took in the local scenery.
"Yes, I am Galadrea," she replied, a look of utter confusion on her face. "Is there something you want of me?" she inquired, a strange unease in the pit of her stomach. Beside her, Jareth too seemed to sense that something wasn't right.
"You have been summoned to the presence of Lady Alustriel, ruler of Silverymoon. You are to come immediately, madame," the guard said, a stern expression on his face. Behind him, Jareth could feel the presence of Kall as he turned his full attention to the scene playing out before him.
With a quick flick of her hand, Galadrea motioned Kall to stand back, and not interfere. "Very well," she said out loud, as she realized what the summons more than likely meant. At the strange look the goblin king threw her, she shrugged.
"It's the Tower."
Haven't I been through this before? Galadrea thought wearily, as another scene swam before her eyes. Once again, she was standing in front of the triumvirate. This time, however, Jareth was standing beside her, and for some reason, his presence reassured her.
"This act of rebellion is simply intolerable Solardin!" Archmage Kelesanthina accused, her face stern and the angriest that Galadrea had ever seen it.
Master Talikor's face was also grim, which frightened her even more, for he was known for his joviality. "Gala, why did you free that creature? Did he put you under some sort of enchantment?" her old master asked, and Galadrea knew that she was being offered a way out. At his words, she felt Jareth stiffen, and knew that he expected her to take the easy way out. After all, wasn't she merely tolerating him in order to get rid of him?
Taking a deep breath, Galadrea astonished them all with her next words. "No, I freed him of my OWN free will, and I knew the consequences of my actions," she replied, guiltily relishing the shock on the faces of the triumvirate. Briefly, she wondered what Jareth was thinking, but couldn't look away from the triumvirate to see his face.
"So, you take full responsibility for your actions, Galadrea?" came the stern voice of the man who Galadrea had once desperately wished to call Father. "Why, child? Why did you do it? This is the creature-" he spoke with utter distaste, "-who kidnapped your brother Indros, and ran your through his labyrinth like a rat in a maze!"
Beside her, Galadrea felt Jareth's anger like a palpable wave. Of course, she could hardly chide him on it. She was feeling pretty murderous herself. "Why?" she asked softly, her voice trembling in fury. "Because Jareth, in his own way, showed me that I didn't NEED your good opinion, and, truthfully, that I didn't need your approval. You have never given a damn about me, mother, or Indros, though NOW, that you know we won't embarrass you, you have suddenly started trying to play 'Daddy'." Utter silence reigned throughout the room, as Master Soldis's jaw dropped in shock. A cruel smile flickered across her face as she continued.
"What? You expected to suddenly make of for eighteen years of neglect? Well, life doesn't work that way. And you call me a child...how dare you? Well, I don't give a damn what you, any of you--sorry, Master Talikor--think. I did what I felt was right, and I accept the consequences." As she finished, she felt a hand rest itself on her shoulder in support. Looking over, she saw astonishment and pride reflected on Jareth's face. His usual mocking grin was plastered on his face, and suddenly, Galadrea knew what the next few minutes would bring.
Smirking, Jareth, King of the Goblins, arrogantly began to address the triumvirate. "You are all fools," he said, taking pleasure in watching the shock on the faces of the oh-so-powerful archmages. "Did you honestly think you could keep me a prisoner, and then just kill me like a common thief? I am the King of the Goblins, and Ruler of the Underground. I go where I please, and take what I want," he continued, sliding an arm possessively around Galadrea's waist. Flushing in pleasure, Galadrea didn't shake him off. "Do we have an understanding?"
The triumvirate, overcoming its shock, faded from view for several minutes before reappearing. "Galadrea Solardin, it is the decision of this council that in punishment for your rebellious act, you be banished from the Tower of Illumination, and from the valley itself, permanently," Kelesanthina pronounced, since her two compatriots were still numb with shock at her blatant disrespect. "From this day forward, your name has been stricken from the ranks of the towers, and you shall never be granted access to the information contained in the tower for the rest of your life. Should you enter the valley again, your life is forfeit, as is the life of the Goblin King, should he dare this ban. The council has spoken!" With that, the triumvirate disappeared, leaving the chamber empty except of the king and the mage.
Suddenly, her knees gave out, and Galadrea slumped against Jareth's supporting arm. "I-I knew what was going to happen, but still, it hurts..." she whispered. Once again, as so many years before, she felt herself embraced by a pair of strong arms.
"Shhh. You did the only thing you could have done, little one," the king whispered into her ear. "When you think about it, you never did fit in there. Didn't you once tell me that you felt more alive wandering the paths of the forest than the paths of knowledge?" he asked gently, one gloved hand tilting her chin so that she looked into his eyes. Yet, there were no tears in her eyes, only a kind of confusion.
"But, what do I do now? Where do I go from here?" she asked. Before Jareth could answer her, the door behind them slid open.
"The Lady Alustriel will see you now," the small figure announced, his voice booming through the chamber. Galadrea stepped away from Jareth, yet didn't let go of his hand. Together they walked out of the dark room and into the light of the Lady's private audience chamber.
The gaze of the beautiful Alustriel rested on the two travellers. She felt sympathy for the two, both of whom had been cut off from everything they had ever known. Yet, she hid it from sight, for she had to deal with the King with great care. After all, it's not often that one is responsible for apoligizing for the actions of one's own goddess.
"Greetings, Galadrea Solardin, and to you too Lord Jareth," she began. "I know the reason of your visit, and will help in anyway that I can," she said, walking up to the pair.
For Jareth, it was the first time that he had ever seen the Lady of Silverymoon, and her beauty took his breath away. Silver hair flowed like a molten river down her back, kept in place by a crown of silver, diamons, and platinum. Her eyes reflected great wisdom and age. She was as tall as he and Gala, the king noticed absently. Strangely, there were light scars on her face and neck. Galadrea saw a slightly different vision.
Lady Alustriel seemed the epitome of a mage, to her. Kindly, gentle, and wise, yet with an iron will that could stand up to that of the most difficult and stubborn dwarf. The pale white scars on her neck testified to the many dangers and trial the Lady had overcome in her many years. Curtseying, Galadrea began to speak. "Thank you, milady. We were hoping that you could help restore his powers, that for some reason the Lady of Magic took away."
Bowing slightly, the Goblin King also spoke. "My chances looked bleak at the beginning, Lady of Silverymoon. I thank you for aiding me," he replied, not feeling at all uncomfortable at bowing to another powerful ruler. With Alustriel, he had the feeling that she could destroy him with one twitch of her finger, yet wouldn't because of her reverence for life.
Sighing, Lady Alustriel's eyes became weary. "I am offering the apology of Mystra, who was not herself when she removed your inherent powers, Jareth," the Lady said, removing the formality from the proceedings. "However, I'm afraid that it is the conflict between your newly aquired mage skills and the powers you wielded before that are the reason for your headaches. The power of the trapped book faded long ago. It is because of that book that you have been unable to recognize the conflict. You see, your old powers are not gone, merely blocked. The Magic of Toril, and the magic you wielded, are channeled through pathways in the mind. Some of these pathways are used by both types of magic. Your mind has been trained and conditioned to the power of your magic, and now that your are forcing a foreign power through them, it is causing you much pain."
Both Galadrea and Jareth looked startled, and the king began to ponder the Lady's words. "Yet, Lady, my powers are inaccessible to me, so I have no choice but to use magic. How can I retrieve my old powers?"
Alustriel's face became even wearier. "If you continue to use mage spells, you will eventually tune your mind's channels to their powers, and the headaches will fade, but with them your former powers. However, the power of the new mage spells will allow you to increase your power over the centuries, and you will have to study for them. No longer will you be able to cast spells with a single thought and manifestation of the crystal spheres.
"However, should you choose to regain your old powers, you need only submit to a process that will forever block your access to the new spells. You will immediatly regain full use of your old powers, but never be able to increase them," Lady Alustriel concluded. "The choice is difficult, but it is yours to make. That migraine that nearly killed you was the worst that you will ever have. Now, they will fade in intensity should you choose to study magecraft and abandon your old abilities."
Silence filled the room, and Jareth merely stood there. At first, he had been shocked, but now, after spending time with Gala and studying the fundamentals of magic, it was beginning to make sense. Looking at Galadrea, he felt her squeeze his hand in support, and her face registered sympathy. With a ragged sigh, he faced Lady Alustriel. "If I may, I need some time to think this over. As you say, the choice is difficult, more difficult than you can imagine."
Nodding at the two, the Lady gave her blessing. "Take all the time you need. There is no hurry, but remember. Whatever choice you make will be permanent. There will be no going back. I wish you well," and with that, Alustriel simply disappeared. Galadrea and Jareth traded another glance.
"Well," Galadrea finally ventured, "let's go get something to eat. I don't know about you," she said, mimicking his statement to her earlier, "but I'm hungry." Nodding, Jareth agreed. As they left, Galadrea knew that this was one battle that she wouldn't be able to help him with. The battle against himself...
Later that evening, Jareth sat out on the rail of his room's window balcony. Ever since Alustriel had stated his options, his mind had been racing in circles. He had wielded his old powers for centuries, and could call upon them whenever he needed. He didn't have to study for hours on end to summon the magic. He was able to reorder time, take the form of an owl at will, and once invited could travel freely from the Underground to any spot Aboveground. The world of dreams was his to command, and yet...
And yet, a mere apprentice mage was able to almost destroy my labyrinth, and managed to resist my temptations. She now wields incredible power, and willingly accepts the limitations placed on her. And she grows more powerful day by day, he thought, going over the options in his head. Jareth lifted his gaze to the stars. Limited power, but limitless resources, or unlimited power with limited resources. Never before has such a choice been put before me.
Shaking his head with a growl at his innability to come to a decision, he turned from the window and threw himself into the armchair. A simply word of power and a wave of his hand ignited the logs in the fireplace. This time, there was only a slight pressure in his mind as he called forth the magic. Jareth sat there, and pondered for a long time. Eventually, a soft knock came at his door. "Enter," he said absently, still wrapped up in his thoughts.
"Jareth? Still awake?" Galadrea asked softly as she entered his room. Her footsteps fell silent as she crossed the room. Looking up, he noticed that she had changed to a loose gown, with a pale yellow sash around her waist.
"I still haven't been able to come to a decision," he said, and as she looked closer, she saw that his eyes were red and looking slightly bloodshot. Nodding, Galadrea pulled up the other chair and sat beside him, quietly staring into the fire.
Galadrea looked up and the king, suddenly, and offered her advice. "Jareth, Divination is only one facet of the powers of mages. My choice to specialize in it limits me from many of the powers that generic mages command with ease. Those spells that I have no access to are spells of summoning. While my choice to specialize allows me to advance faster than most other mages, it also limits me. Many of the powers you wielded before can easily be duplicated by higher level spells, and if there is no spell to take the place of one of your powers, then you have the option of creating one."
The Goblin King looked at her sharply. "Creation of new spells? But I thought--"
"Thought that mages are stuck with spells that exist? Heaven's no!" Gala chuckled weakly. "Think about it: LEOMUND, BIGBY, TENSER, and other names. Those were real mages who actually created their spells, rather than use spells that were already out there. The work to create new spells is time-consuming, though, that's the only problem, and expensive," she said, her voice dropping. Jareth laughed too, a slightly bitter, yet hopeful laugh.
"Even if it takes forever, pretty one, it really isn't long at all," he said, a slight, devious twinkle in his eye for the first time in days. The mere thought of being able to create any spell to do anything that he needed done caught his fancy. And if it's as time consuming as she says, then odds are I'll have enough to do that I'll never be bored again! Suddenly arising, Jareth made his choice. He reached down and pulled Gala up from her chair.
"What are you up to now?" she asked, a bit of exasperation coming into her voice. The Goblin King smiled, a true smile for the first time.
"It's time for me to move on, my dear Gala. The past is over and done with, and the times are changing," he stated, then bent and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, my dear, for coming into my life. I've never believed in fate, but the events of the past few years have started to change my mind. Now, lets go see Alustriel. I've left my kingdom long enough!" With that, Galadrea let herself be pulled by him out the door.
"Jareth!" she exclaimed as they practically ran down corridor. "It's the middle of the night!"
Jareth grinned back at her, a grin that had been missing ever since--Leave the past in the past, Jareth! came that voice in his mind again. "And your point is what? Alustriel's going to be asleep? Probably! But I'm sure she's had to wake up on a minute's notice before. But I need a spell to send me back to the Underground, a spell that can traverse planes of reality."
"But Jareth," Gala panted, trying to catch her breath, "what does this have to do with me?" she asked, hiding the sadness that she had felt ever since she had realized that Jareth would be leaving Toril. Jareth looked at her, the old calculating look in his eyes.
"The offer I made you three years ago still stands, pretty one," he said, smiling at the shocked look on her face. "Unless you wish to stay here, a banished journeyman diviner, cut off from family. What's the difference between staying here and coming with me? At least you'll have one friendly face, hmmm? Besides, I need someone to help me with the basics. Care for the job?" he asked softly as they finally stood before Alustriel's door.
For the first time since she had rescued Jareth from the Tower of Illumination, Galadrea felt as if she had hope again. Smiling, she bowed slightly. "My lord," she said respectfully, "I would be honored." The doors to Alustriel's chambers opened, and together King and Mage stepped into their futures.
"Are you absoutely sure that we should be using manticore hair and not unicorn hair?" came Royal Mage Solardin's voice.
"Of course I'm sure, this is my spell, isn't it?" replied the voice of the Goblin King. "Why do you ask?"
Galadrea frowned a little as she watched the King add the the controversial ingredient. "Oh, no reason, just that the energy released by a manticore's hair is a little more--"
Without warning, a huge explosion rocked the newest wing of the castle beyond the Goblin City. Of course, this didn't cause much of a stir from the inhabitants, as since the return of their king the explosions tended to happen on a frequent basis.
"--volatile," Galadrea managed to choke out, as Jareth called a minor air elemental to disperse the fumes. "Well, chock up another failure on the time travel spell," she sighed, crumpling up the scroll she had been penning. The smoke-tinged, handsome face of the King of the Goblins peered over at his advisor in the magical arts.
"Jareth-"
"Don't even say it, little one."
"Say what, Jareth? I told you--"
"Not a word, Gala. Not one single word."
As the king strode out of the room, Galadrea's face cracked in a smile as she softly whispered, "I told you so!"
"I HEARD THAT!"
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