Chapter One: Mistle...what?!?
"First mistletoe, now holly! Geez Caillean, do you have some sort of berry fetish?" The exasperated muse made a face at her reflection in the mirror. "Oh well, to each her own, I suppose," she said, idly twisting a sprig of mistletoe between her fingers. "I guess it is kind of pretty. For a fungus." With a shrug of her shoulders, she tucked the sprig behind her ear and disappeared in a cloud of purple glitter.
* * * * *
Stephan stood in the center of the great room, surveying the decorations. A smile of satisfaction spread across his face. Christmas always put him in a wonderful mood. Now if he could only convince Jareth to feel the same...
"Hiya Stephan!"
The Fey King gave a very un-kingly yelp and spun around. "Calliope!!!"
"Um, sorry?"
Stephan rolled his eyes. "Calliope, you know I love your visits, but must you always sneak up on me?"
The muse cocked her head to one side and pretended to think. "Hmm. Yeah, I think so. It's so much fun."
"You're impossible." Stephan gave the muse a sideways look. "And why do I get the feeling you'll take that as a compliment?" Calliope only grinned.
"So," Stephan continued, "what brings you to the Fey Kingdom? Last I heard, you and Caillean had ganged up on my brother and were trying to get him to decorate the castle. Any luck?"
"Nope. He's worse than Scrooge. And Caillean's no help, either. She spent the whole time sniping at him. Honestly, those two fight like an old married couple sometimes!" She shook her head. "They're two of a kind, but you'll never get *them* to admit it." The muse looked up at the Fey King. "It's so obvious that they care about each other. I just wish there was some way to get them to see it themselves."
"Maybe," Stephan said, dark eyes twinkling, "there *is* a way..."
She raised one eyebrow. "I'm listening."
* * * * *
Calliope collapsed on the floor, clutching her aching sides. "Oh, it's too perfect! I think I'm going to die laughing!! Stephan, where do you come up with these ideas?"
Stephan shrugged and held out a hand to help the muse up. "It's a gift. Now then, up and at 'em, my dear. We have a plan to hatch." He paused. "Calliope, what is that behind your ear?"
She reached a hand up. "Oh, this. I almost forgot about it. Just some fungus Caillean had to have for Greywolf Manor. I think it's called ... uh ... mistlefeet? Mistletoe? Something like that."
Stephan stifled a grin. "She didn't tell you what it was for?"
The muse shook her head. "Nope. I just assumed she needed it for a wreath or something. Oh, speaking of, I almost forgot. I was supposed to get some holly." She laughed. "Caillean sure does like weird plants..." Calliope trailed off as she realized that Stephan had been slowly pulling her closer while she spoke. "Stephan? What are you doing?"
"It's an old earth tradition," he said, deftly plucking the mistletoe from behind her ear and holding it high above her head, where it remained, floating. "People would hang sprigs from the ceiling or doorways."
Calliope looked puzzled. "But why? I mean, it's kind of a funny looking plant. I can think of better things to decorate with."
The Fey King gave a soft chuckle. "Oh, I don't know. I think it has its merits," he said, releasing her hand and sliding his arm around her waist. With his other hand, he gently cupped the back of her neck. "You see, when a couple meets under the mistletoe, it's customary for them to share a kiss."
"...kiss?" Calliope managed to squeak before his warm lips descended upon hers.
Sensations raced through Calliope's mind, all of them centering on a single thought:
Wow.
When Stephan finally drew back, Calliope was limp. "Now then, about that holly?" he asked with a satisfied grin. But she could only stare, eyes glazed.
For the first time in her immortal life, Calliope, Labyrinth Muse; Firstborn of Zeus and Mnemosyne, was speechless.
* * * * *
Caillean looked up as four goblins wove ropes of pine garland (and themselves) through the banister of the grand staircase in Greywolf Manor. With a small smile, she hummed a few bars of her favorite holiday carol.
"You all are doing great!" She called out in encouragement. Walking across the room, Caillean picked up a small leather bound journal. Flipping through the pages she glanced around the room.
"Okay, we have pine, mistletoe, pepperberry wreaths, and poinsettias. I still need holly, stockings, and a tree for the main foyer. Maybe Stephan can help with that." She looked up.
"Beezle!"
"Yes, m'lady?"
"Run over to Fey Kitchens and pick up these ingredients, please." She handed the diminutive goblin a list. "We're going to do a bit of cooking ourselves this year."
The goblin looked down at the list, then turned it over and read the back as well. "But... this is a lot of ingredients...."
Caillean smiled. "We'll be having a Christmas feast!"
All the goblins within earshot heard the word "feast" and broke into cheering. Caillean broke into laughter, and did a little dance around one goblin carrying a bunch of holly.
Wait a minute.
She stopped dancing.
"Holly?"
Laughter sounded from the doorway. "Yes, we brought holly. And a Yule log, and some other things that Stephan insists are good for Christmas but I've never heard of."
Caillean merely watched with wide eyes as Calliope walked into the room on the arm of Stephan, followed by a horde of fairy-folk carrying all sorts of decorations.
"Oh my."
Stephan laughed. "I had a bit extra left over, so I figured you might be interested in making use of it all." He held out his arms as Caillean ran to him, bestowing a hug to him, and then Calliope.
Caillean briefly wondered why her friend's hug was stiff. It couldn't be because she had just hugged Stephan.... No, that wasn't possible.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a more familiar - and unwelcome - voice. "How droll."
Caillean spun around. "Jareth? What are *you* doing here? And, for that matter, who do you think you are, trespassing on my property?"
The Goblin King shook his head slowly and leaned against a doorframe. "When my brother and that Muse show up without warning, you never complain." When she opened her mouth to protest he held up one elegant hand. "No, let's not argue today, I didn't come to fight."
Caillean's mouth gaped with surprise. "That's a first."
"You're not exactly an angel towards me either, you know."
"Yes, but you always start it."
"I do not, you little... ahem." Jareth shook his head. "Like I said. I did not come here to fight."
"Oh? Then what, pray tell, *did* you come here for?"
Jareth opened his lips to speak, when a flash of light filled the room, and about fifty pounds of holly came crashing down on him.
Stephan burst out laughing. "Jareth, I didn't know how in the spirit you were!"
The Goblin King glared at this brother. "Stephan, if I didn't know any better, I'd say..."
"Ho ho ho!"
Caillean stopped laughing when the jolly laugh rang out. Swinging around, she came face to face with an older gentleman who was dressed head to toe in red and green velvet. She looked at him for a moment, clearly perplexed, then queried:
"Santa?"
He smiled. "Yes, it is I! My dear Lady Caillean, what a wonderful job you have done, decorating your home this year. Truly, these halls haven't been festive for many years now. I shall certainly leave wonderful gifts for you and your goblin friends."
Caillean smiled in surprise as her goblins jumped up and down in joy.
The little old man walked over to the pile of holly; from which a Goblin King emerged, and shook his head.
"You, however, won't get a single gift."
"What?" Jareth asked, incredulous. "I am the King!"
"I'm sorry son, but only good boys and girls get Christmas presents. And you haven't done a good deed in... let me see." Out of thin air, a parchment appeared. "Yes, yes. You haven't done a good deed since 1659, when you allowed Janie to keep her little brother."
Jareth looked perplexed. "Janie?"
His brother stifled a groan. "You remember. She had a gun..."
"Oh, yes." The Goblin King winced. "Her whole world had come undone. I suppose she was never gonna be the same."
Caillean and Calliope, meanwhile, had been listening to the exchange with identical looks of surprise. "Wait a minute, Santa." Calliope interrupted. "You mean Jareth's not going to get *anything* this year?"
Santa regarded her sadly. "I'm afraid not."
"But that's not fair!" Calliope groaned. "Why do I keep saying that?! Oh, come on, Santa, Jareth's a good person." She turned to her friend for support. "Right, Caillean?"
But no help was forthcoming from that quarter. In fact, Caillean seemed to be struggling to keep from laughing.
"Oh, this is rich!" She muttered.
The muse looked at her in disbelief. "You're not upset? At all?!? But don't you think this is *incredibly* unfair?"
She never paused to think. "No. He deserves it."
Calliope took one look at her friend's impassive expression and exploded. "Well! That's just perfect, isn't it? Y'know, for someone who's been trying to teach me about Christmas and the spirit of giving, you're doing a remarkable job of not showing any!" And with that, the fuming muse disappeared in a swirl of purple glitter.
"Wow," Jareth remarked, watching the last bits of glitter settle on the ground, "she was really upset."
"I know." Caillean looked shocked. After a long moment spent looking at Jareth, she sighed. "Well, I guess we don't have any choice, do we?" She turned to face the jolly old elf. "Ok, Santa, what do we have to do to get Jareth a present this year?"
Now it was Jareth's turn to look shocked. " 'We?' You mean you're going to help?"
"I've seen Calliope mad. I don't want to be on the receiving end of an irate muse. She is an immortal. I am not."
Jareth snorted softly. "I might have known you would be doing this for your own end."
"And what is *that* supposed to mean?"
Stephan stepped between the pair. "Oh, come on, can't you two stop bickering for five seconds?" He shook his head. " Nevermind. I'm going to find Calliope."
As it turned out, he didn't have far to go. Within seconds, the Fey King appeared beside the muse, who had been hiding on the second floor landing. He gave her the high sign and the two resumed listening to the conversation below.
Santa smiled. "It's quite simple, my dear. You must find something good about Jareth."
"Oh, is that all?" Caillean gave a short laugh.
"I know it sounds difficult, but you will have help. Tonight, you will be visited by three goblins: the Goblin of Christmas Past, the Goblin of Christmas Present and the Goblin of Christmas Future..."
And up on the second floor, one Fey King and one Labyrinth Muse dissolved into fits of silent laughter and slowly disappeared.
* * * * *
"First mistletoe, now holly! Geez Caillean, do you have some sort of berry fetish?" The exasperated muse made a face at her reflection in the mirror. "Oh well, to each her own, I suppose," she said, idly twisting a sprig of mistletoe between her fingers. "I guess it is kind of pretty. For a fungus." With a shrug of her shoulders, she tucked the sprig behind her ear and disappeared in a cloud of purple glitter.
* * * * *
Stephan stood in the center of the great room, surveying the decorations. A smile of satisfaction spread across his face. Christmas always put him in a wonderful mood. Now if he could only convince Jareth to feel the same...
"Hiya Stephan!"
The Fey King gave a very un-kingly yelp and spun around. "Calliope!!!"
"Um, sorry?"
Stephan rolled his eyes. "Calliope, you know I love your visits, but must you always sneak up on me?"
The muse cocked her head to one side and pretended to think. "Hmm. Yeah, I think so. It's so much fun."
"You're impossible." Stephan gave the muse a sideways look. "And why do I get the feeling you'll take that as a compliment?" Calliope only grinned.
"So," Stephan continued, "what brings you to the Fey Kingdom? Last I heard, you and Caillean had ganged up on my brother and were trying to get him to decorate the castle. Any luck?"
"Nope. He's worse than Scrooge. And Caillean's no help, either. She spent the whole time sniping at him. Honestly, those two fight like an old married couple sometimes!" She shook her head. "They're two of a kind, but you'll never get *them* to admit it." The muse looked up at the Fey King. "It's so obvious that they care about each other. I just wish there was some way to get them to see it themselves."
"Maybe," Stephan said, dark eyes twinkling, "there *is* a way..."
She raised one eyebrow. "I'm listening."
* * * * *
Calliope collapsed on the floor, clutching her aching sides. "Oh, it's too perfect! I think I'm going to die laughing!! Stephan, where do you come up with these ideas?"
Stephan shrugged and held out a hand to help the muse up. "It's a gift. Now then, up and at 'em, my dear. We have a plan to hatch." He paused. "Calliope, what is that behind your ear?"
She reached a hand up. "Oh, this. I almost forgot about it. Just some fungus Caillean had to have for Greywolf Manor. I think it's called ... uh ... mistlefeet? Mistletoe? Something like that."
Stephan stifled a grin. "She didn't tell you what it was for?"
The muse shook her head. "Nope. I just assumed she needed it for a wreath or something. Oh, speaking of, I almost forgot. I was supposed to get some holly." She laughed. "Caillean sure does like weird plants..." Calliope trailed off as she realized that Stephan had been slowly pulling her closer while she spoke. "Stephan? What are you doing?"
"It's an old earth tradition," he said, deftly plucking the mistletoe from behind her ear and holding it high above her head, where it remained, floating. "People would hang sprigs from the ceiling or doorways."
Calliope looked puzzled. "But why? I mean, it's kind of a funny looking plant. I can think of better things to decorate with."
The Fey King gave a soft chuckle. "Oh, I don't know. I think it has its merits," he said, releasing her hand and sliding his arm around her waist. With his other hand, he gently cupped the back of her neck. "You see, when a couple meets under the mistletoe, it's customary for them to share a kiss."
"...kiss?" Calliope managed to squeak before his warm lips descended upon hers.
Sensations raced through Calliope's mind, all of them centering on a single thought:
Wow.
When Stephan finally drew back, Calliope was limp. "Now then, about that holly?" he asked with a satisfied grin. But she could only stare, eyes glazed.
For the first time in her immortal life, Calliope, Labyrinth Muse; Firstborn of Zeus and Mnemosyne, was speechless.
* * * * *
Caillean looked up as four goblins wove ropes of pine garland (and themselves) through the banister of the grand staircase in Greywolf Manor. With a small smile, she hummed a few bars of her favorite holiday carol.
"You all are doing great!" She called out in encouragement. Walking across the room, Caillean picked up a small leather bound journal. Flipping through the pages she glanced around the room.
"Okay, we have pine, mistletoe, pepperberry wreaths, and poinsettias. I still need holly, stockings, and a tree for the main foyer. Maybe Stephan can help with that." She looked up.
"Beezle!"
"Yes, m'lady?"
"Run over to Fey Kitchens and pick up these ingredients, please." She handed the diminutive goblin a list. "We're going to do a bit of cooking ourselves this year."
The goblin looked down at the list, then turned it over and read the back as well. "But... this is a lot of ingredients...."
Caillean smiled. "We'll be having a Christmas feast!"
All the goblins within earshot heard the word "feast" and broke into cheering. Caillean broke into laughter, and did a little dance around one goblin carrying a bunch of holly.
Wait a minute.
She stopped dancing.
"Holly?"
Laughter sounded from the doorway. "Yes, we brought holly. And a Yule log, and some other things that Stephan insists are good for Christmas but I've never heard of."
Caillean merely watched with wide eyes as Calliope walked into the room on the arm of Stephan, followed by a horde of fairy-folk carrying all sorts of decorations.
"Oh my."
Stephan laughed. "I had a bit extra left over, so I figured you might be interested in making use of it all." He held out his arms as Caillean ran to him, bestowing a hug to him, and then Calliope.
Caillean briefly wondered why her friend's hug was stiff. It couldn't be because she had just hugged Stephan.... No, that wasn't possible.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a more familiar - and unwelcome - voice. "How droll."
Caillean spun around. "Jareth? What are *you* doing here? And, for that matter, who do you think you are, trespassing on my property?"
The Goblin King shook his head slowly and leaned against a doorframe. "When my brother and that Muse show up without warning, you never complain." When she opened her mouth to protest he held up one elegant hand. "No, let's not argue today, I didn't come to fight."
Caillean's mouth gaped with surprise. "That's a first."
"You're not exactly an angel towards me either, you know."
"Yes, but you always start it."
"I do not, you little... ahem." Jareth shook his head. "Like I said. I did not come here to fight."
"Oh? Then what, pray tell, *did* you come here for?"
Jareth opened his lips to speak, when a flash of light filled the room, and about fifty pounds of holly came crashing down on him.
Stephan burst out laughing. "Jareth, I didn't know how in the spirit you were!"
The Goblin King glared at this brother. "Stephan, if I didn't know any better, I'd say..."
"Ho ho ho!"
Caillean stopped laughing when the jolly laugh rang out. Swinging around, she came face to face with an older gentleman who was dressed head to toe in red and green velvet. She looked at him for a moment, clearly perplexed, then queried:
"Santa?"
He smiled. "Yes, it is I! My dear Lady Caillean, what a wonderful job you have done, decorating your home this year. Truly, these halls haven't been festive for many years now. I shall certainly leave wonderful gifts for you and your goblin friends."
Caillean smiled in surprise as her goblins jumped up and down in joy.
The little old man walked over to the pile of holly; from which a Goblin King emerged, and shook his head.
"You, however, won't get a single gift."
"What?" Jareth asked, incredulous. "I am the King!"
"I'm sorry son, but only good boys and girls get Christmas presents. And you haven't done a good deed in... let me see." Out of thin air, a parchment appeared. "Yes, yes. You haven't done a good deed since 1659, when you allowed Janie to keep her little brother."
Jareth looked perplexed. "Janie?"
His brother stifled a groan. "You remember. She had a gun..."
"Oh, yes." The Goblin King winced. "Her whole world had come undone. I suppose she was never gonna be the same."
Caillean and Calliope, meanwhile, had been listening to the exchange with identical looks of surprise. "Wait a minute, Santa." Calliope interrupted. "You mean Jareth's not going to get *anything* this year?"
Santa regarded her sadly. "I'm afraid not."
"But that's not fair!" Calliope groaned. "Why do I keep saying that?! Oh, come on, Santa, Jareth's a good person." She turned to her friend for support. "Right, Caillean?"
But no help was forthcoming from that quarter. In fact, Caillean seemed to be struggling to keep from laughing.
"Oh, this is rich!" She muttered.
The muse looked at her in disbelief. "You're not upset? At all?!? But don't you think this is *incredibly* unfair?"
She never paused to think. "No. He deserves it."
Calliope took one look at her friend's impassive expression and exploded. "Well! That's just perfect, isn't it? Y'know, for someone who's been trying to teach me about Christmas and the spirit of giving, you're doing a remarkable job of not showing any!" And with that, the fuming muse disappeared in a swirl of purple glitter.
"Wow," Jareth remarked, watching the last bits of glitter settle on the ground, "she was really upset."
"I know." Caillean looked shocked. After a long moment spent looking at Jareth, she sighed. "Well, I guess we don't have any choice, do we?" She turned to face the jolly old elf. "Ok, Santa, what do we have to do to get Jareth a present this year?"
Now it was Jareth's turn to look shocked. " 'We?' You mean you're going to help?"
"I've seen Calliope mad. I don't want to be on the receiving end of an irate muse. She is an immortal. I am not."
Jareth snorted softly. "I might have known you would be doing this for your own end."
"And what is *that* supposed to mean?"
Stephan stepped between the pair. "Oh, come on, can't you two stop bickering for five seconds?" He shook his head. " Nevermind. I'm going to find Calliope."
As it turned out, he didn't have far to go. Within seconds, the Fey King appeared beside the muse, who had been hiding on the second floor landing. He gave her the high sign and the two resumed listening to the conversation below.
Santa smiled. "It's quite simple, my dear. You must find something good about Jareth."
"Oh, is that all?" Caillean gave a short laugh.
"I know it sounds difficult, but you will have help. Tonight, you will be visited by three goblins: the Goblin of Christmas Past, the Goblin of Christmas Present and the Goblin of Christmas Future..."
And up on the second floor, one Fey King and one Labyrinth Muse dissolved into fits of silent laughter and slowly disappeared.
* * * * *