"Well, Stephan, I'm leaving and shall return with Aislinn shortly.
For the love of the Underground, please make sure the goblins have
everything in order by the time I return."

The King's younger sibling leaned against the stone wall and folded
his arms. "You know I'm not happy about this, Jareth. I want to
come, but I'll do this for Aislinn."

"Thank you, Stephan. See you shortly." And before Stephan had a
chance to open his mouth for another complaint, the Goblin King
snapped his fingers and was gone.

* * * * *

The family had gathered in the main family room for the final
good-byes. Tears had been shed to the extent where more would do no
good. All of Aislinn's things had been packed in several large
trunks, and now they all simply sat, awaiting Jareth's arrival.
Everyone in the family knew now that Aislinn must leave... she had
attempted so very hard to explain her heart to them, and were not
trying to stop her.

Suddenly, their heads jerking up, the window hurled itself open and
there he stood in his majestic glimmering silver and royal purple.
Aislinn stood up, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty." Her voice was
calm yet Jareth could tell she was hiding her nervousness... and...
unsureness? But they both knew this was meant to be.

"Hello, Aislinn," the King replied, his face calm as well.
"Are you ready?"

She gulped slightly. "Ye- yes, I'm ready, Your Highness."

Jareth stepped down from the windowsill and walked over to the trunks.
Waving his cape over them, they vanished in a puff of glitter that
settled over the spot where they had just been. Lara now sat staring,
her eyes transfixed on this spot. Her eyebrows raised, but she
said nothing. "They're back at the castle now," Jareth explained.

Then a new voice, slightly shaking, could be heard. "Jareth?"

"Yes?" replied Jareth, turning towards Aislinn's uncle.

"Well..." He was looking anywhere but the King. "We just wanted you
to know that we understand why Aislinn must leave, and that we only
wish her the best in her new life in your kingdom."

The King stood speechless for a moment as Leroy slowly extended his
hand. Jareth reached forward, slowly as well, with his gloved hand,
and shook Leroy's bare one. "Thank you. I assure you, she will be
treated well."

With hidden tears, each member of the family came forward to say their
own private good-byes. When it was Lara's turn, Aislinn found herself
staring into her sister's face, which was streaming with her now
exposed tears. "I'm sorry we couldn't have gotten to know each other
better, and I'm sorry I called you stupid and didn't believe you,"
Lara managed through her sobs.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Lara, despite our fights." Aislinn
was on the verge of tears herself. The two sisters flung their arms
around each other and held on for a full two minutes as Jareth stood
waiting patiently by the large window.

When they finally let go, Aislinn walked over to the Goblin King,
and stood by his side. Jareth nodded at the seven onlookers as
they gazed upon their Aislinn one last time. Then, they watched as
Jareth waved his hand and he and Aislinn disappeared in
a flash of azure light. It was time for her to begin her new life.

* * * * *

Talius sat patiently waiting in the castle for Jareth and Aislinn's
return as goblins scurried about. Stephan, barking out orders,
looked over at the doctor with a curious glance and finally
turned and began to walk towards him. He was sick of wondering what
Talius wanted to talk to Aislinn about. Why he had such an interest
in this girl, Stephan had no idea. But just as he was about to open
his mouth to speak, Jareth and Aislinn reappeared in the center of
the now meticulously clean throne room. All the goblins turned and
bowed to the King as he took the young girl's hand and led her over
to Talius, as Stephan stood staring at her, reluctantly
withdrawing his previous intentions.

Aislinn gazed at the man as he rose to greet her. About Jareth's
height and build, wearing tights, boots, and a long tunic with a sash
around his thin waist, Talius had a gentle face that showed both
youth and the wisdom of many years. His full silver hair fell softly
to his shoulders, and his emerald eyes sparkled kindly as he smiled
at Aislinn. "Aislinn, this is Talius," Jareth said. He's the one who
told me of your destiny in the Labyrinth."

"Hello, my dear," Talius said in a kind voice.

"Hello," Aislinn replied with a nervous smile as she curtsied to him.

"Aislinn, Talius would like to speak to you," Jareth explained.

Aislinn looked up at him and nodded in what Jareth thought was an
almost obedient manner. "Alright, Your Majesty," she replied.

"My dear-" Talius began, then stopped and looked up at Jareth.

The King stiffened. "Stephan and I will be in my study," he said
somewhat reluctantly as he turned to leave the room. "All of you,"
he glared at the at the gathered goblins. "To your rooms- now!" His
minions, tripping over themselves and others and they turned to
scamper from the room, heard Jareth as he began to speak to the
Eastern Fey King. "Stephan, please come with me."

"Jareth, can't I just-"

"No, Stephan," his older brother replied firmly. "Talius wishes to
speak to Aislinn alone."

He sighed. "Alright," Stephan agreed as he followed Jareth in the
direction of the King's sitting room.

Once the two brothers had left, Talius turned to Aislinn and began,
"My dear, I'm going to try to put this gently, but I must ask you...
why did you wish to come here?"

Aislinn swallowed hard, stammering, "I... because it's my destiny...
you said that yourself."

Talius nodded a bit. "Yes, it is your destiny to learn goblin magic,
but not necessarily to stay in Jareth's castle. You see, Jareth's
family has only ever given this oppurtunity to one other young girl.
She left the castle when her training was finished, and shared the
secrets of the goblin magic with others. Jareth has confided in me
that he is petrified you would do the same... but I know that what
happened was the fault of the other girl, not of you. If one day you
decide that you wish to leave, you must swear never to share the
secrets of the goblin magic with others, not even the Fey, in the
kingdom Stephan rules. Because if a commoner were to acquire the
magic, they could possibly take over control of the Labyrinth."

Aislinn stared back at Talius, shaking her head. "But...then why
would Jareth teach me it?"

"Because," Talius answered gently, "You are from Earth, and those not
of this world could never gain control of an Underground kingdom."

"Ohh...okay." Aislinn looked at her hands, a bit overwhelmed by this.

"Aislinn." Talius gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "This may never
come up, but I just wanted you to know, because someday, you may wish
for a life outside this castle. Trust me."

The young girl looked up into Talius' emerald eyes, and for some
reason, immediately, she did trust him.

* * * *

Jareth and Stephan sat impatiently waiting, stiff in the plush velvet
armchairs of the royal sitting room, until they were called back out
by Talius. They knew he wouldn't tell them what he had talked to
Aislinn about.

"Aislinn," Jareth said, turning to her, "Why don't we get you
settled?"

"Alright, Your Highness," Aislinn replied quietly.

Jareth led Aislinn down the long East wing corridor and finally
stopped in front of a huge mahogany wood door, in front of which
stood two armored goblins. "Aislinn, these are your body guards,
Sunder and Plinket." The two guards bowed their heads respectfully
to Aislinn and stepped aside as Jareth turned the crystal doorknob
with his gloved hand and opened the door. He leaned slightly and made
a sweeping gesture with his arms. "Ladies first."

Aislinn smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Aislinn stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the huge room as
she looked up upon entering. It was like something out of a fairy
story. A huge canopy bed with mint-green and pale rose bedclothes,
complete with crystal flecks on the headboard, sat in the right-hand
corner of the room and an absolutely gorgeous dresser sat in the
left-hand. It was decorated with elaborate shapes and swirled designs
carved into the cherry wood. Several mint green and rose-colored
plush velvet armchairs had been placed in a group to one side of the
bed. The huge cherry wood wardrobe's handles were also flecked with
crystal, as well as emerald and pink diamonds. The room had high
ceilings, stone walls, and a huge window which opened onto a marble
balcony. This window allowed an amazing view of the Labyrinth, as
well as the room to be bathed in sunlight, showing off every detail
of the breathtaking interior.

"Jareth- this is- it's beautiful," Aislinn whispered.

The Goblin King nodded. "I'm glad you like it. I want you to be
happy. All you must do is remain loyal to me and your future Queen,
and you will be treated well."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I promise I will always remain loyal to
you, I just- I-" Aislinn paused. "No, it's nothing, forget it."

"What Aislinn? You can tell me."

"I- don't feel ready to, Your Majesty."

"Alright, Aislinn," Jareth replied, somewhat abruptly. "You
may tell me when you feel ready."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Aislinn was looking at his booted feet.

At that moment, a girl dressed in servant clothes dashed into the
room. She was carrying a large pile of brightly-colored cloths and
towels, but upon seeing Jareth, despite her load, she immediately
curtsied. "Your Majesty."

'A human girl?' Aislinn wondered. 'I thought there were no other
human girls in the kingdom.'

Upon saying this to Jareth, he explained, "Actually, Aislinn,
Myra is Fey. My brother sent her here to become my servant."
The King turned to the servant girl beside him. "Myra, this is
Aislinn. Run her a bath and have Sunder and Plinket bring her
clothes as well as all her trunks."

"Yes, Your Highness." Myra dashed into the connecting bathroom,
and Aislinn could hear water running. Jareth turned back to her.

"Myra will be your maid. She'll assist you in your-" He paused.
"-Feminine matters... Now, I must leave to prepare myself for dinner.
See you in an hour?"

"Yes, of course, Your Majesty."

As Jareth turned to leave, Myra called from the bathroom, "Lady
Aislinn, your bath is ready!"

'My,' Aislinn thought to herself, heading towards her maid's voice.
'I could really get used to this.'