Jareth paced around the throne room, trying to figure out what to wear
that night at dinner. He wanted the Lady Aislinn to find him a
gentleman, even though she already thought him kind and
sweet, which no other girl really ever had - except of course for
Sarah. He was not sure how Sarah would react to Aislinn, but he hoped
desperately she would understand that he needed to be, in his heart,
welcoming to any wanting to learn the ways of goblin magic and escape
their life on Earth.

He thought it so strange how Aislinn had actually *asked* to come live
in the Labyrinth, despite the fact that she knew she could never see
her family again. Of course, Talius had told Jareth that this was
indeed the girl's destiny, to train in the ways of goblin magic, so
how could Jareth argue?

Now Jareth finally turned and headed in the direction of his bed
chambers, only to practically trip over Plinket, Aislinn's Goblin
bodyguard, who was running down the hall carrying a pile of dresses
which was taller than he was.

Plinket couldn't see where he was going, and as a result, he ran
straight into the King's leg and fell backward, the pile of brightly-
colored dresses flying every which way.

"Why you, clumsy, stupid- who are you? Who tripped me?"

Plinket looked up to see Jareth standing over him with his hands on
his hips, obviously very angry.

"What did you call me?!"

"Your Highness!" Plinket scrambled around trying to pick up the
garments. "I didn't know it was you! Please, forgive me!"

Jareth leaned down and picked up Plinket by the collar. "If that
*ever* happens again, I swear I will sick the Cleaners on you!"

"Please, Your Majesty! Be merciful! I couldn't see-"

Jareth just dropped Plinket onto the floor and watched as he finished
gathering up the rest of the clothes.

"Just don't let it happen again!" the Goblin King boomed.

"No- of course not- I'm deeply sorry, Your Majesty!" And with that,
Plinket bowed and ran down the corridor in the direction of the east
wing and Aislinn's room.

'Uuggghh, what I have to put up with,' Jareth muttered as he continued
towards his bed chambers.

The King finally reached his room and slowly opened the doors.
Heading to his huge walk-in closet, he surveyed his collection of
dinner clothes. 'Hmm, forest green tights, white ruffled shirt,
forest green cape and boots? Nah, too Stephan-like. Let's see- cream
stirrup pants, white high-collared shirt, black leather vest and
black boots? No, too casual.'

Jareth was so preoccupied with figuring out his attire that he didn't
notice the blue smoke that was slowly seeping through the crakcks in his
stone bedroom floor. As he was looking through shirts, there appeared
behind him a tall, thin man with silky jet black hair falling halfway
down his back, his eyes the color of cold steel. His black and gray
leather attire only added to the bleakness of his appearence.

As the pale man raised his hand, Jareth felt a strange tingling
sensation on the back of his neck and dropped to the floor on his
knees, extremely dizzy. He had a massive headache which had not
existed just seconds before. The pain rushing through his head was a
terrible hot, achy dizziness, but he couldn't just not show up for
supper. It was Aislinn's first night in the castle, and Jareth knew
that if he wanted to appear a gentleman to her, being absent on her
very first night there was not the way to do it.

Finally, Jareth managed to get dressed, but with great difficulty, for
every time he turned his head, he experienced another dizzy spell.
With great effort, the King slowly got up and started walking in the
direction of the dinner hall.

* * * * *

Jareth stumbled once upon entering the dining hall, but no one seemed
to notice. All the goblins, Aislinn, and Stephan and Talius, who
were visiting the castle, stood up as Jareth walked to his seat at
the head of the table. After the King had taken his seat, Stephan,
Talius, and Aislin did, and finally, the goblins. Jareth turned to
Aislinn and asked, "Do you like all your new clothes, my dear?"

"Oh yes, Your Majesty," the young girl replied primly.
"They're gorgeous."

"I'm glad you like them," replied Jareth, smiling.

Talius and Stephan could sense something was wrong by the tone of
Jareth's voice. It sounded so... quiet, subdued - too much so for the
Goblin King. Even the King's smiled seemed... weak.

The Eastern Fey King was about to say something when the food was
brought out. He was unable to speak to Jareth under all the
commotion being caused by his brother's minions. As the goblins
screamed and slapped in order to get some food, Jareth just leaned
back in his large silver and velvet chair and placed his hand over his
eyes.

"Brother, why don't you do something?" Stephan whispered loudly.
"Tell your minions to stop this."

"What?" Jareth regarded his brother with a glazed stare.

"Jareth, are you alright?" Stephan was looking at him with
concern.

"What? Oh, yes, Stephan, I'm just tired. I probably just need to-
go lie down."

Talius noticed Jareth wince before turning his head away. His brow
furrowed in worry as he asked, "Are you sure, my boy? You look like
you're in pain."

The Goblin King was indeed in pain, but being too proud to admit it,
replied, "Yes, I'm sure, Talius. Thank you for your concern, though."

And with that, Jareth stood from the table and started in the
direction of his bed chambers, first walking slowly, then stumbling
out of the dining hall. He had forgotten about trying to be a
gentlemen, the pain rushing through his head was so bad. At one
point Jareth actually tripped and nearly fell flat on the stone
floor, but he managed to steady himself.

Aislinn looked on as Jareth rounded a corner, disappering from sight.

"Stephan, what's wrong with him?" she asked, turning to the Goblin
King's brother.

"I don't know," Stephan replied worriedly. "He looks awful."

"He certainly does, Stephan," Talius added, still gazing at where
Jareth had left the throne room. "I'd examine him, it's just that-
well, he's probably too proud to admit anything's wrong and wouldn't
let me."