Chapter Five
* * * * * * * *
No use sitting and thinkin' on what you did
When you can lay back and enjoy it through your kids
Sometimes it seems like lately-
I just don't know
Better to sit back and go-with the flow!
* * * * * * * *
Jareth leapt over the short-railed fence. He nearly slipped, catching his balance at
the final second. The young noble continued through the simple yard, and vaulted atop
the wall, so as to see where she had gone. However, there was no sign of Shay nor
evidence that she had been there.
"Shayna! Please, Shay!" Jareth called, cupping his hands over his mouth for
increased volume.
There was no answer, but a slight movement from behind him gathered his
attention. Jareth leapt down, not looking to where he was falling before taking the
ill-fated jump. He crashed into crates, which had (the day prior) transported swine to the
marketplace. Mud, and soil, and other blemishing by-products stained his silken shirt, and
form-fitting riding breeches.
His horribly embarrassing position was only further aggravated by laughter. Jareth
moaned, leaning back against the broken planks of wood and tenderly swinging his legs
off of the pile of garbage. All the while the musical chuckling continued, interrupted only
by gasps for air and the occasional exclamations.
"It wasn't that funny," Jareth demanded, struggling against the large pile.
Freddie walked out from the shadows and wiped at his eyes, drawing in deep
breaths of air as he observed Jareth tumble to the ground from the crates. Once more
Frederick erupted in laughter, leaning against the wall of the nearest house to prevent
falling to the ground. Even his knees went weak and he slid to a sitting position as Jareth
stumbled over.
"Darling, really, such a stunt... as that... cannot simply go unnoticed," Freddie
managed between hitches of breath.
"I was trying to find Shayna," Jareth explained, glancing about as the thought of
her rushing away re-entered his mind.
Freddie crossed his arms over his chest and gazed up at his friend. His cobalt eyes
were cloaked in seriousness for the time being. Even Frederick understood the problem
Jareth now faced, what with the forthcoming marriage and his sudden lovestruck state
with a peasant girl.
With a groan Freddie rose to his feet, dusting the leather riding pants he wore. For
once his mane of raven hair was tied back and contrasted greatly with the silken white
ribbon that had been used. It was strange, with the hair away from his face Freddie
appeared almost feral in appearance. His wildly handsome looks were all the more
accentuated.
"Well we shan't have her missing," Freddie demanded and leapt down the alley
calling for Shayna in his wonderfully accented voice, "Ah."
Freddie stopped his antics and carefully slipped out of Jareth's direct view. The
shadows between houses hid the girl quite well, and out of ear-shot, she could remain
away from Jareth for days. Still, Freddie could not see his friend so hurt, so shattered as
when Jareth was not able to see Shayna.
"Shay, darling, speak to him at least," Freddie whispered, and took her hand in his
own.
The young woman swallowed back the tears that had poured so freely from her
eyes upon seeing Jareth with his fiancee. She swiped at the wet streaks on her cheeks and
then nodded in agreement with Freddie. Gathering her dress up slightly, she allowed him
to lead her out and towards where Jareth was still so frantically searching.
He stood with his back to the two of them, scanning the area with those intense
eyes. Freddie placed a tender hand on her shoulder and then smiled. However, he found
no need to remain while they spoke. Instead he turned and walked away, leaving enough
distance so as to make their conversation private.
"Jareth," Shay stated somberly. Her voice was weak from the tears, but did not
hitch.
He turned around, but it was there that he stopped. Shay bit her lip, trying to
force the ill-found emotions to the pit of her stomach, but her heart had nearly broken at
the sight of another woman with her lover. Jareth easily sensed her conflicting feelings
through her body language.
He kicked at a stone on the ground and then slowly walked nearer to her. She
wrapped her arms around herself, turning around, until his warm hands fell upon her
shuddering shoulders. Shay allowed a shaky breath to pass from her lips as she thought
about everything, about what she had gotten into, and about the pain she was yet to suffer
at the hands of one who loved her so very much.
"It meant nothing, Shay... I only wished to be rid of her quickly," Jareth whispered
against her ear, his breath sending tingles along her sensitive spine.
She shook her head and forced herself away from him. Shay spun around, her
free-flowing golden locks caught the rays of sun and cast sprays of reflections upon the
ground around her. She met his gaze with her own, searching for something, anything,
beyond the countless promises that Jareth offered to her, those which were never granted.
"I know, the gods help me, I know. But Jareth, how can we ever be together with
your charade continuing like this?" Shayna demanded.
Jareth was silent for a short time, trying to speak after the shocking question. She
had, since then, just believed that he would get himself out of the marriage. Now,
however, Shay seemed to be the one doubting, for she had seen too many promises
already broken in their short, but heated, relationship.
"I will find a way," Jareth swore and then reached out for her hand, "Shayna, my
lady, you will be my wife, and we will live forever together. Until then, I beg you to
understand that I suffer with you.... it will only take time."
Shayna nodded her head, seeming almost depleted in her original conviction. Still,
there was something hidden in her eyes that seemed to be filled with doubt about ever
marrying Jareth, or even having a chance at normalcy. She said nothing about her instincts
and instead allowed the young noble to draw her near, and kiss her so tenderly that she
believed she would float on air.
Instantly all her doubts were buried, for the time being.
* * * * * * * *
The smell was the first sensation that touched the two young men as they entered
into the dark store. It was musty, and strangely magical in odor, the faint underlying scent
of dust, and some sweet, almost rotten addition to the stale air. Chimes sounded from
nowhere, and everywhere as the heavy door slid shut into its frame.
On either side of the musty shop were shelves lined with scores of books. All were
coated in gray filth, that seemed nearly an inch thick upon some rather frightening, leather
bound, novels of tremendous size. Directly ahead of the door was a elegantly carved
cabinet, which overtook the entire remaining wall. It was locked at each dark, wooden
door, with a golden latch that appeared impermeable without the use of a key.
Over the cabinet hung a sign, the only thing in the shop which appeared clean. It
read: "Mysticals and Fantasies." A door was in the far corner, near the only window in
the shop. However, the window was covered in grime, which blocked the soothing rays
of sun. In fact, the only illumination was offered by the candles which sat upon the cabinet
and at the small desks in front of the shelves of books.
Freddie paused in the center of the store, placed his hands upon his hips as he
scrutinized the upkeep of the place. His dark eyes covered the rather unimposing expanse
of collections, and then he glanced back towards Jareth.
"Trivial really, and such a positively riskay selection of novels... magic, fantasies,
herbs. I can scarcely hold myself at bay here, I feel I might simply explode without
satisfaction," Freddie's voice lowered seductively at the final word.
Jareth found little amusement with his friend's antics. He instead skirted past
Freddie and tapped gently on the other door, hoping that someone was near at hand...
someone who could help. Freddie, reluctantly, followed and, after noting the spiderwebs
and dust that coated the wall, chose to stand rather then soil his perfect garments by
leaning.
"Tell me, darling, why are we here again?" Freddie asked, preening his shining
raven hair with one hand.
Something, out of nowhere, grabbed Freddie's arm. The young man nearly
squealed in shock as he jumped away from the presence. He twisted about and glared at
the squat elderly thing that had dared invade his space. His dark ebony eyes narrowed,
and he nearly allowed his usual joking tongue to bite out some viscous comment.
"Freddie, it seems you found someone to help me," Jareth quickly contained the
situation as he rushed over to the owner of the small, dirty store.
The man turned to acknowledge Jareth, and a strangely broad grin covered his
doughy face. His long white hair was fashioned back into a ponytail, where it was secured
by thick, brown vine. His ears protruded into points, and along with his diminutive size,
gave all evidence needed to confirm the fact that he was an elf.
"I was about to tell your friend that you come, you all come for something needed
that no one else can offer," he stated mysteriously, skirting past Jareth and Freddie
without a question as to what they had, personally, come for on that warm summer
afternoon.
The ancient elf produced a large ring of golden keys, nearly the same, but were
each used to open one of the many sections of the large cabinet. He hobbled over to the
middle, and glanced at the doors for a brief moment. Then, his wrinkled face lighting up
slightly at finding what had been searching for, he unlocked one golden latch and swung it
open on the creaking hinges.
"I shall have to remind myself next time not to become twisted among your hastily
made decisions," Freddie stated with a sigh as he watched the goings on from a position
near the entrance to the store.
Jareth did not respond, but walked up beside the old elf just as a vile of
shimmering purple luminess was brought forth from the dark confines of the cabinet. It
danced around, as if alive, and formed strange waving motions of scintillation across its
generally illuminated mass.
The old elf placed the bottle upon a desk and then quickly re-locked the strange
cabinets. He turned to Jareth, his eyes narrowed behind the spectacles he had worn
resting on the bridge of his nose. On the other side of the room Freddie moved in slightly,
so as to see the odd goings on.
"I can sense more in you than meets the eye, young man," the shop-keeper stated
somberly as he forced the golden cap from the flask which bore the strange liquid within.
Jareth raised his eyes towards the elf, and cocked his head in question. What more
was there to see, other than his damn noble birth and current plight with love. However,
obviously the old man knew more and was not about to inform Jareth how the secret
insight into his being had been attained.
The shop-keeper offered the flask to Jareth and then turned to hobble through the
back door. Jareth held the warm glass firmly, still transfixed upon the glowing substance
inside. He had no idea as to what its use would be, but rather found himself overcome by
the amazing qualities it bore.
"We take the prize as champions and leave the dirty filth, correct?" Freddie asked
as he carefully wound his way through the dirt and grime with a disgusted look upon his
lovely face.
Jareth shook his head in answer to Freddie's annoyed inquiry. There was quite the
mystery surrounding the shop, one that Jareth was not about to leave without further
investigating. Besides, he had yet to pay for the concoction that had been given to him.
He wasn't even certain how the liquid would help.
"Ah, and he be the one I hear about," declared a wretched, aged voice from
directly behind Freddie.
The young man jumped once more, and ran his chest against one of the
free-standing book shelves. He leapt around, gasping against the shock he had sustained
once more, and glared at the short woman standing in the same spot, her gaze fixed upon
Jareth and the flask of glowing liquid.
"You trollop! I would have your ears for such a.... such a....," Freddie stopped
himself and instead went through the task of removing all dirt and grime from his
previously immaculate clothing.
The woman was as old as the man before her. Wrinkles ran deeply through her
doughy flesh upon her face. Her silver hair was fastened back with a handkerchief, and
hung nearly down to her waist. She paid little attention to Freddie's hysterics and instead
crossed over to Jareth.
She wrenched the concoction from his hand and quickly snapped the top back on.
She then set it aside carefully and gazed into the young noble's eyes. She looked from one
to the other, carefully examining the distinct difference in colors.
"I've heard tales of you, my lord. Tales of misery and pains that no thoughtless
action could justify," she whispered in a strange, all-knowing tone.
Jareth glanced towards Freddie, but realized very shortly that his friend was paying
no attention to the conversation. Frederick had had more than enough filth and magical
incantations for the day... enough for his life, more than likely. He then looked back at
the elven woman before him.
"I'm afraid that what you hear could not be about me, miss, for my name is not
well known except in our small commune," Jareth explained slowly, edging to the side so
as to make a quick escape from the obviously insane owners of the novelty shop.
She reached out and grasped Jareth's hand. Suddenly the brief sensation he had
once experienced when first kissing Shay (the feeling of electricity in his soul) was
magnified tenfold. He nearly screamed as the energy which surged within him roared
throughout his entire body. All the while, as Jareth struggled against her vice-like grip,
the old woman smiled, her eyes dancing with brilliance.
"I have heard not from travelers, but from my crystals..... you have it within you,
young man," she whispered and then snapped her hand away from Jareth with the same
suddenness as she had originally grasped him.
Jareth recoiled a little too quickly and slammed against the cabinet. He reached
out to steady the large, bulky object, and succeeded in toppling over the flask, which
shattered upon the ground. It erupted into a magnificent purple cloud of smoke, and
sprayed showers of strange shattered gems all over the ground, before completely
dissipating.
Freddie strode over beside his friend upon seeing what had happened. He placed
his hand on Jareth's shoulder and then gazed down at the remnants of the glass container.
The old elf lady seemed not to mind, for she had not yet taken her eyes off of Jareth's.
"Yes, very well. On that note we take our leave. We both greatly appreciate the
filth, and the oddity of our... erm, visit. Ta-ta, darling," Freddie called, escorting Jareth in
front of him as they burst through the door and back into the shimmering sun rays
overhead.
The door slammed shut behind them, rattling the glass in the single grimy window
of the store. Freddie turned for a moment to look at the wretched place and then swept
his hands over his satin shirt once more, just to be sure that he had not suddenly become
infected while staying in the sty.
Jareth did not speak, but rather tried desperately to concentrate on what had
occurred there. His entire being had felt as if it had become alive. Without that power, the
energy that had been finally allowed to run free and wild through his system, part of his
body now seemed dead. He was no longer whole, and somehow there was a hollowness
to his soul without the electrical sensation.
"It was amazing," Jareth whispered, finally turning to look at Freddie with wide,
overwhelmed eyes.
Freddie strolled nearer, scoffing at such a description of their experience within the
horrid little store. He shivered once more at the thought and then proceeded to push
Jareth, just to force his friend away from the decrepit store. It had been quite the waste of
time.
"What, pray tell, was amazing, dear?" Freddie relented to ask the question, if it
would mean their moving on to more interesting forms of spending the day.
Jareth turned to face his friend, and stared deeply into Freddie's cobalt black eyes.
Jareth's own eyes flashed with something that his friend had never noticed before. The
deep blue churned, as if it had become unruly water, and lightening played across the
chestnut other. Such power was evident behind those eyes, such overwhelming and
stunning intensity that Freddie soon had to look away, or else be lost forever in his friend's
wildly powerful gaze.
"What I found, Freddie... the answers I found," Jareth stated mysteriously and then
started down the forest path, back towards town.
* * * * * * * *
No use sitting and thinkin' on what you did
When you can lay back and enjoy it through your kids
Sometimes it seems like lately-
I just don't know
Better to sit back and go-with the flow!
* * * * * * * *
Jareth leapt over the short-railed fence. He nearly slipped, catching his balance at
the final second. The young noble continued through the simple yard, and vaulted atop
the wall, so as to see where she had gone. However, there was no sign of Shay nor
evidence that she had been there.
"Shayna! Please, Shay!" Jareth called, cupping his hands over his mouth for
increased volume.
There was no answer, but a slight movement from behind him gathered his
attention. Jareth leapt down, not looking to where he was falling before taking the
ill-fated jump. He crashed into crates, which had (the day prior) transported swine to the
marketplace. Mud, and soil, and other blemishing by-products stained his silken shirt, and
form-fitting riding breeches.
His horribly embarrassing position was only further aggravated by laughter. Jareth
moaned, leaning back against the broken planks of wood and tenderly swinging his legs
off of the pile of garbage. All the while the musical chuckling continued, interrupted only
by gasps for air and the occasional exclamations.
"It wasn't that funny," Jareth demanded, struggling against the large pile.
Freddie walked out from the shadows and wiped at his eyes, drawing in deep
breaths of air as he observed Jareth tumble to the ground from the crates. Once more
Frederick erupted in laughter, leaning against the wall of the nearest house to prevent
falling to the ground. Even his knees went weak and he slid to a sitting position as Jareth
stumbled over.
"Darling, really, such a stunt... as that... cannot simply go unnoticed," Freddie
managed between hitches of breath.
"I was trying to find Shayna," Jareth explained, glancing about as the thought of
her rushing away re-entered his mind.
Freddie crossed his arms over his chest and gazed up at his friend. His cobalt eyes
were cloaked in seriousness for the time being. Even Frederick understood the problem
Jareth now faced, what with the forthcoming marriage and his sudden lovestruck state
with a peasant girl.
With a groan Freddie rose to his feet, dusting the leather riding pants he wore. For
once his mane of raven hair was tied back and contrasted greatly with the silken white
ribbon that had been used. It was strange, with the hair away from his face Freddie
appeared almost feral in appearance. His wildly handsome looks were all the more
accentuated.
"Well we shan't have her missing," Freddie demanded and leapt down the alley
calling for Shayna in his wonderfully accented voice, "Ah."
Freddie stopped his antics and carefully slipped out of Jareth's direct view. The
shadows between houses hid the girl quite well, and out of ear-shot, she could remain
away from Jareth for days. Still, Freddie could not see his friend so hurt, so shattered as
when Jareth was not able to see Shayna.
"Shay, darling, speak to him at least," Freddie whispered, and took her hand in his
own.
The young woman swallowed back the tears that had poured so freely from her
eyes upon seeing Jareth with his fiancee. She swiped at the wet streaks on her cheeks and
then nodded in agreement with Freddie. Gathering her dress up slightly, she allowed him
to lead her out and towards where Jareth was still so frantically searching.
He stood with his back to the two of them, scanning the area with those intense
eyes. Freddie placed a tender hand on her shoulder and then smiled. However, he found
no need to remain while they spoke. Instead he turned and walked away, leaving enough
distance so as to make their conversation private.
"Jareth," Shay stated somberly. Her voice was weak from the tears, but did not
hitch.
He turned around, but it was there that he stopped. Shay bit her lip, trying to
force the ill-found emotions to the pit of her stomach, but her heart had nearly broken at
the sight of another woman with her lover. Jareth easily sensed her conflicting feelings
through her body language.
He kicked at a stone on the ground and then slowly walked nearer to her. She
wrapped her arms around herself, turning around, until his warm hands fell upon her
shuddering shoulders. Shay allowed a shaky breath to pass from her lips as she thought
about everything, about what she had gotten into, and about the pain she was yet to suffer
at the hands of one who loved her so very much.
"It meant nothing, Shay... I only wished to be rid of her quickly," Jareth whispered
against her ear, his breath sending tingles along her sensitive spine.
She shook her head and forced herself away from him. Shay spun around, her
free-flowing golden locks caught the rays of sun and cast sprays of reflections upon the
ground around her. She met his gaze with her own, searching for something, anything,
beyond the countless promises that Jareth offered to her, those which were never granted.
"I know, the gods help me, I know. But Jareth, how can we ever be together with
your charade continuing like this?" Shayna demanded.
Jareth was silent for a short time, trying to speak after the shocking question. She
had, since then, just believed that he would get himself out of the marriage. Now,
however, Shay seemed to be the one doubting, for she had seen too many promises
already broken in their short, but heated, relationship.
"I will find a way," Jareth swore and then reached out for her hand, "Shayna, my
lady, you will be my wife, and we will live forever together. Until then, I beg you to
understand that I suffer with you.... it will only take time."
Shayna nodded her head, seeming almost depleted in her original conviction. Still,
there was something hidden in her eyes that seemed to be filled with doubt about ever
marrying Jareth, or even having a chance at normalcy. She said nothing about her instincts
and instead allowed the young noble to draw her near, and kiss her so tenderly that she
believed she would float on air.
Instantly all her doubts were buried, for the time being.
* * * * * * * *
The smell was the first sensation that touched the two young men as they entered
into the dark store. It was musty, and strangely magical in odor, the faint underlying scent
of dust, and some sweet, almost rotten addition to the stale air. Chimes sounded from
nowhere, and everywhere as the heavy door slid shut into its frame.
On either side of the musty shop were shelves lined with scores of books. All were
coated in gray filth, that seemed nearly an inch thick upon some rather frightening, leather
bound, novels of tremendous size. Directly ahead of the door was a elegantly carved
cabinet, which overtook the entire remaining wall. It was locked at each dark, wooden
door, with a golden latch that appeared impermeable without the use of a key.
Over the cabinet hung a sign, the only thing in the shop which appeared clean. It
read: "Mysticals and Fantasies." A door was in the far corner, near the only window in
the shop. However, the window was covered in grime, which blocked the soothing rays
of sun. In fact, the only illumination was offered by the candles which sat upon the cabinet
and at the small desks in front of the shelves of books.
Freddie paused in the center of the store, placed his hands upon his hips as he
scrutinized the upkeep of the place. His dark eyes covered the rather unimposing expanse
of collections, and then he glanced back towards Jareth.
"Trivial really, and such a positively riskay selection of novels... magic, fantasies,
herbs. I can scarcely hold myself at bay here, I feel I might simply explode without
satisfaction," Freddie's voice lowered seductively at the final word.
Jareth found little amusement with his friend's antics. He instead skirted past
Freddie and tapped gently on the other door, hoping that someone was near at hand...
someone who could help. Freddie, reluctantly, followed and, after noting the spiderwebs
and dust that coated the wall, chose to stand rather then soil his perfect garments by
leaning.
"Tell me, darling, why are we here again?" Freddie asked, preening his shining
raven hair with one hand.
Something, out of nowhere, grabbed Freddie's arm. The young man nearly
squealed in shock as he jumped away from the presence. He twisted about and glared at
the squat elderly thing that had dared invade his space. His dark ebony eyes narrowed,
and he nearly allowed his usual joking tongue to bite out some viscous comment.
"Freddie, it seems you found someone to help me," Jareth quickly contained the
situation as he rushed over to the owner of the small, dirty store.
The man turned to acknowledge Jareth, and a strangely broad grin covered his
doughy face. His long white hair was fashioned back into a ponytail, where it was secured
by thick, brown vine. His ears protruded into points, and along with his diminutive size,
gave all evidence needed to confirm the fact that he was an elf.
"I was about to tell your friend that you come, you all come for something needed
that no one else can offer," he stated mysteriously, skirting past Jareth and Freddie
without a question as to what they had, personally, come for on that warm summer
afternoon.
The ancient elf produced a large ring of golden keys, nearly the same, but were
each used to open one of the many sections of the large cabinet. He hobbled over to the
middle, and glanced at the doors for a brief moment. Then, his wrinkled face lighting up
slightly at finding what had been searching for, he unlocked one golden latch and swung it
open on the creaking hinges.
"I shall have to remind myself next time not to become twisted among your hastily
made decisions," Freddie stated with a sigh as he watched the goings on from a position
near the entrance to the store.
Jareth did not respond, but walked up beside the old elf just as a vile of
shimmering purple luminess was brought forth from the dark confines of the cabinet. It
danced around, as if alive, and formed strange waving motions of scintillation across its
generally illuminated mass.
The old elf placed the bottle upon a desk and then quickly re-locked the strange
cabinets. He turned to Jareth, his eyes narrowed behind the spectacles he had worn
resting on the bridge of his nose. On the other side of the room Freddie moved in slightly,
so as to see the odd goings on.
"I can sense more in you than meets the eye, young man," the shop-keeper stated
somberly as he forced the golden cap from the flask which bore the strange liquid within.
Jareth raised his eyes towards the elf, and cocked his head in question. What more
was there to see, other than his damn noble birth and current plight with love. However,
obviously the old man knew more and was not about to inform Jareth how the secret
insight into his being had been attained.
The shop-keeper offered the flask to Jareth and then turned to hobble through the
back door. Jareth held the warm glass firmly, still transfixed upon the glowing substance
inside. He had no idea as to what its use would be, but rather found himself overcome by
the amazing qualities it bore.
"We take the prize as champions and leave the dirty filth, correct?" Freddie asked
as he carefully wound his way through the dirt and grime with a disgusted look upon his
lovely face.
Jareth shook his head in answer to Freddie's annoyed inquiry. There was quite the
mystery surrounding the shop, one that Jareth was not about to leave without further
investigating. Besides, he had yet to pay for the concoction that had been given to him.
He wasn't even certain how the liquid would help.
"Ah, and he be the one I hear about," declared a wretched, aged voice from
directly behind Freddie.
The young man jumped once more, and ran his chest against one of the
free-standing book shelves. He leapt around, gasping against the shock he had sustained
once more, and glared at the short woman standing in the same spot, her gaze fixed upon
Jareth and the flask of glowing liquid.
"You trollop! I would have your ears for such a.... such a....," Freddie stopped
himself and instead went through the task of removing all dirt and grime from his
previously immaculate clothing.
The woman was as old as the man before her. Wrinkles ran deeply through her
doughy flesh upon her face. Her silver hair was fastened back with a handkerchief, and
hung nearly down to her waist. She paid little attention to Freddie's hysterics and instead
crossed over to Jareth.
She wrenched the concoction from his hand and quickly snapped the top back on.
She then set it aside carefully and gazed into the young noble's eyes. She looked from one
to the other, carefully examining the distinct difference in colors.
"I've heard tales of you, my lord. Tales of misery and pains that no thoughtless
action could justify," she whispered in a strange, all-knowing tone.
Jareth glanced towards Freddie, but realized very shortly that his friend was paying
no attention to the conversation. Frederick had had more than enough filth and magical
incantations for the day... enough for his life, more than likely. He then looked back at
the elven woman before him.
"I'm afraid that what you hear could not be about me, miss, for my name is not
well known except in our small commune," Jareth explained slowly, edging to the side so
as to make a quick escape from the obviously insane owners of the novelty shop.
She reached out and grasped Jareth's hand. Suddenly the brief sensation he had
once experienced when first kissing Shay (the feeling of electricity in his soul) was
magnified tenfold. He nearly screamed as the energy which surged within him roared
throughout his entire body. All the while, as Jareth struggled against her vice-like grip,
the old woman smiled, her eyes dancing with brilliance.
"I have heard not from travelers, but from my crystals..... you have it within you,
young man," she whispered and then snapped her hand away from Jareth with the same
suddenness as she had originally grasped him.
Jareth recoiled a little too quickly and slammed against the cabinet. He reached
out to steady the large, bulky object, and succeeded in toppling over the flask, which
shattered upon the ground. It erupted into a magnificent purple cloud of smoke, and
sprayed showers of strange shattered gems all over the ground, before completely
dissipating.
Freddie strode over beside his friend upon seeing what had happened. He placed
his hand on Jareth's shoulder and then gazed down at the remnants of the glass container.
The old elf lady seemed not to mind, for she had not yet taken her eyes off of Jareth's.
"Yes, very well. On that note we take our leave. We both greatly appreciate the
filth, and the oddity of our... erm, visit. Ta-ta, darling," Freddie called, escorting Jareth in
front of him as they burst through the door and back into the shimmering sun rays
overhead.
The door slammed shut behind them, rattling the glass in the single grimy window
of the store. Freddie turned for a moment to look at the wretched place and then swept
his hands over his satin shirt once more, just to be sure that he had not suddenly become
infected while staying in the sty.
Jareth did not speak, but rather tried desperately to concentrate on what had
occurred there. His entire being had felt as if it had become alive. Without that power, the
energy that had been finally allowed to run free and wild through his system, part of his
body now seemed dead. He was no longer whole, and somehow there was a hollowness
to his soul without the electrical sensation.
"It was amazing," Jareth whispered, finally turning to look at Freddie with wide,
overwhelmed eyes.
Freddie strolled nearer, scoffing at such a description of their experience within the
horrid little store. He shivered once more at the thought and then proceeded to push
Jareth, just to force his friend away from the decrepit store. It had been quite the waste of
time.
"What, pray tell, was amazing, dear?" Freddie relented to ask the question, if it
would mean their moving on to more interesting forms of spending the day.
Jareth turned to face his friend, and stared deeply into Freddie's cobalt black eyes.
Jareth's own eyes flashed with something that his friend had never noticed before. The
deep blue churned, as if it had become unruly water, and lightening played across the
chestnut other. Such power was evident behind those eyes, such overwhelming and
stunning intensity that Freddie soon had to look away, or else be lost forever in his friend's
wildly powerful gaze.
"What I found, Freddie... the answers I found," Jareth stated mysteriously and then
started down the forest path, back towards town.