Chapter Seven
* * * * * * * *
Those were the days of our lives, yeah
The bad things in life were so few
Those days are all gone now but one thing's still true
When I look and I find, I still love you,
I still love you.
* * * * * * * *
He raced the entire way home, and only when reaching town did Jareth slow his
speed. The horse skidded to a halt, bringing clouds of dust up behind him. Jareth
dismounted with ease and allowed one of the many stablehands to take his winded steed to
be cooled down. There were other, far more important tasks at hand.
He began to race down the main path, his mind in a whirl about what to do, and
the odd decision he had made. However, was there really another option? Jareth stopped
abruptly, noting his love as she walked down the road towards the market, most likely.
He smiled slightly and then jogged up beside her.
He had meant to inform Freddie that the Queen had neither bewitched nor taken
him away for all time. Still, Shayna had to be told about what he planned to do. She
would think him mad, but his future had been firmly set in his mind. Jareth tapped her
shoulder and then smiled in response to the pleased expression upon her perfect visage.
"Shayna, milady. One such as yourself should not dare to cross the streets without
an escort," Jareth stated, his smile broadening.
Shayna blushed slightly. Her full lips slipped easily into a comfortable smile as she
shifted the basket which she carried upon one arm. Her entire being radiated with
happiness, when she was just able to speak to Jareth. She could no longer imagine a time
without him.
"My lord, I shall fear no one if you would accompany me to the market," she
replied.
"I fear that I myself can not be trusted, should I be left alone with one as truly
perfect as yourself, Shayna," Jareth's playfulness broke and he grasped both her hands
tightly in his own.
Shayna pried herself away, and then straightened her dress. She noticed very well
the lingering glances from passing townspeople. They all knew very well of Jareth's
betrothal, and the fact that his fiancee was not this woman to whom he now spoke, and
stood so very near to as well.
She turned her face away from him and began to walk slowly towards the
marketplace. Jareth followed beside her, but tolerated their meandering pace for only a
short time. There was much to speak about, and a shortage of time in which to partake in
the conversation.
Jareth grasped her arm and led her away from the streets, and eyes that watched
every last syllable that was shared between them. The gossip the two caused spread like
wildfire, all throughout the town and to people who should not know of their little secret.
Already Jareth had seen the first instance in Rupert, and many other smaller incidents
followed only shortly later. Those all, however, were now ignored.
"I cannot let you out of my life. Shay, you do not understand, I have found a way
past all of this, set marriages, future bride, heir to my father's grand estate.... everything,"
he whispered under his breath as several older woman eyed the couple curiously.
Shayna followed him to the stables, were they always stole away to talk, or simply
spend time together. It was quiet, and so tranquil, just to listen to the sounds of the
horses as they rested in their freshly bedded stalls. She sat gracefully upon a bale of
sweet-smelling hay and then turned her lovely eyes to his.
"Please Jareth, inform me of this new and foolproof plan that you have devised. I
have heard thousands, and still not one has worked as you have told me it would," Shayna
stated, quite upset with everything.
Her love paced, something that he rarely was seen doing. Jareth was the most
calm man she had ever met, and certainly not one to express his anxiety so outwardly. He
stopped in midstride and then bent down before her to his knees. He grasped Shay's
slender hands between his own and offered her his most amazing smile. She could feel
herself melt under his charms.
"We belong together, Shay, do not tell me that it is not to be. I have known since
I first laid eyes upon you that we are to be one, unified forever in marriage. I will not let a
signed contract, decided by my parents, tear this bond apart and throw me into a life that
was not meant to be. I know what I must do, and you, my dear, promise me that when I
return, you shall marry me, without questions asked," Jareth stated, with a slight smile still
spread across his features.
Shay looked at their interlocked hands for a short time and then turned her
tearstained eyes to him. He had tried so very hard to unite them, and to no avail. It was
pointless to allow her spirits to rise, but they did nonetheless. Jareth sounded too sure,
more so than ever before. Shay had to believe that this time he would succeed and they
would be married, as she had always dreamed would happen.
"I will marry you, Jareth. I fear that this shall end as so many of your plans do, in
despair. Yet, I will wait, and.... if you never return, then I fear that I shall wither up and
die. You must come back to me, in two years time, or else I will know that you are dead.
Do you promise me this?" Shay questioned, tightening her grip on Jareth's gentle hands.
He nodded, and then kissed her lips with a passionate hunger. Shay unlocked her
hands from his and wrapped them about his head, threading her fine fingers through his
golden locks. He then rose to his feet, and with a final smile, rushed out to find the horse
that he had left with one of the stablehands.
Jareth gasped for air, his emotions running wildly throughout his body as he
rounded the corner. He was very near tears, and had to allow several deep and calming
breaths before he was certain that he was, once more, in control of himself. Then, forcing
himself to take each step towards his future with an unknown and mysterious Queen,
Jareth walked into the street and the bright light of the sun.
"My dear fellow, were you to leave without saying farewell to me?" Freddie's
voice drifted from behind Jareth, forcing the young noble to spin about instantly and rush
to his friend.
Without hesitation Jareth flung his arms about Freddie, taking his friend by
complete surprise. Freddie, however, regained composure quickly and gently patted his
companion's back. The moment hung with fears, as Jareth slowly stepped back and
looked deeply into Frederick's ebony eyes.
"I must go shortly," Jareth said, as he glanced towards the doorway to his house.
No one was around there, and as fate would have it, there had been no other
acquaintance to hinder Jareth in his departure. Freddie crossed his arms over his chest and
remained silent, for once there were not words that would fit this situation, one that he
could not have ever imagined.
"Yes, I suppose you must," he replied simply and then cocked a typical grin after
his short sentence.
Jareth began to turn, but could not allow himself to leave his closest, most dear
friend on such difficult circumstances. They had been together since childhood, had
entranced many women together, had gone through life together and now, by the hand of
cruel and thoughtless fate, they were to be torn apart without more than a few blunt words
shared??? It was not the way it was to be.
"I will return in two years time. I will remember always the times we had, Freddie,
and there will be a day when we are reunited," Jareth extended his hand in a solemn oath
to his friend on his truthfulness.
Freddie casually walked forward and then glanced down at Jareth's hand. He
swept back his raven hair and, shaking his head only slightly at Jareth's valor and gallant
chivalry, shook his friend's hand.
"Very well, darling, I will be forced to hold you to your word," Freddie stated and
then allowed his laughter to break free, "So that old Queen didn't take you away quite
yet? Well, how silly of her!"
Once more Freddie tittered with laughter as Jareth withdrew his hand and clapped
his friend on the shoulder. The mirth broke away as they looked at each other, friends
observing the other for, perhaps, the final time in many months. Then Jareth smiled again
and began further down the street.
However, he was stopped once more by a final thought. He turned, and grinned
back at Freddie, who had yet to leave. Then, thinking a moment on his next statement,
sighed and glanced towards the barn where Shay was still, perhaps, thinking on all that
had happened.
"You will take care of her, won't you?" Jareth asked gently.
Freddie casually strolled a bit nearer to his friend. The large wooden heels of his
black boots scuffed a bit in the dirt of the road. He then placed a hand upon his hip, which
was clothed in some tight, silken, and ebony material which shone along the curves and
contours of his legs.
"Why of course Jareth," Freddie stated in the positively most 'naughty' voice he
could manage without bursting into laughter, "She won't spend a moment alone, dwelling
upon your dangerous situation. I will be *personally* sure of that!"
Jareth shook his head slightly, chuckling at his friend's response and then waved
briefly as he turned for the final time, to catch the stablehand who was now only starting
to take the horse away.
Freddie remained in the road, watching his friend quickly re-claim the reigns from
the young man and leap atop the horse. The steed whipped about, rearing slightly in the
middle of the street, casting a glorious image before Freddie as he observed the goings-on,
and then Jareth was gone, through the arced entryway and into the forest... towards the
Goblin Queen's castle.
"Farewell dear Jareth, may you return safely to us all," Freddie whispered and then
slowly turned about and began his way back towards the barn, where Shay would be,
silently weeping over her love who had gone away.
* * * * * * * *
And then he had gone to the castle... the rest was history. Cyria had taken too
fond a liking to him, and when he had told her of his plans to leave, and marry Shay back
home, she had promptly cast them to the stones. Shay had been forced into suicide, as
Jareth was helpless to watch from a shackled position in the dungeon. With her death, so
had died a portion of his heart.
When he had sought out revenge, and cast Cyria into prison within the garden, his
entire town had fallen victim. Freddie had died as well, for Jareth had not heard from him
since. Surely his old friend, had he survived, would have searched Jareth out, if only to
speak to him for a short time.
"And all their suffering is upon my head, my wrongs that I committed..." he broke
off as a sudden crash resounded through the castle.
The Goblins were awake and stirring, wreaking havoc already.
Jareth leaned forward and placed his head into his hands. Such despair flowed
through his body at those horrid thoughts. Yet, as he had debated originally before
allowing the reminiscing to ensue, he could not end his existence.
Ever so slowly the grand King rose from his throne and strode silently over to the
window, which overlooked the lovely garden. His magic watched o'er the flora which
blossomed and grew within, keeping everything perfect, for his Shay whom laid buried
beneath everything.
She had had a heart of gold, a soul as pure and white as the clouds in the heavens,
and had been as beautiful as morning rays of dawn. His being ached with renewed pain,
inflicted from her loss. But, there was no turning back time; all he could do was watch
and wish that things had been different.
"I still love you, Shay," Jareth whispered and then forced himself away from the
garden.
Deeper in himself was another aching wound, this one more raw and unhealed than
that which had been inflicted by Shay's death. He had buried Shayna, had laid her to rest,
and hence had received some closure with all the agony. However, there was another
whom he had tried to forget, whom he had never searched for...
Freddie's body had probably been reclaimed by the forest, as the village was
allowed to lay in ruins, unkempt by his magic. He could have easily found his dear friend,
could have buried Freddie along-side Shay beneath that awe-striking garden, as a
memorial to their memories. But he had not done anything of the sort.
"I am sorry dear friend," Jareth whispered, shaking his head and collapsing into the
throne once more.
At least he still held the memory of his friend in his mind, something that he would
never forget. That way a portion of Freddie would live on forever, since Jareth himself
was eternal as the Goblin King. Even if Frederick's joking voice would never once be
heard within the Underground again, Jareth would remember, and try to recall just how
happy they had all been three long years ago.
He produced a single crystal, and looked at it for some time, just spinning it
slightly upon his fingertips. Then, the clear magical body began to fill with gray mist that
swirled about as if alive. Jareth's eyes remained fixed upon the scene within the perfect
orb.
The mist cleared as quickly as it had formed, and left scenery of some village
behind. A single dirt path ran down the center of the town, and on one side sat the
massive estate that the King remembered from his childhood. A young man, sure of
himself and care-free leaped from atop the wall which encased his home, and stopped
before the sauntering figure of another, seductively-clothed man.
The handsome face of Freddie appeared within the crystal and Jareth continued to
watch, as the two friends started down towards the marketplace. Another figure, pure and
youthful, and strikingly beautiful joined them, embracing the king's younger form for a
moment. Then the three strolled down the center of the path, loving life, and living for
that day alone, not thinking of the future.
And so he would love not another, have no other friend until hundreds of years
into the future; when he found a young girl, many centuries his minor, and a mortal upon
all other things. Yet, she was strikingly beautiful with dark hair that swept to the middle
of her back, and amazing chestnut eyes.
Her soul, above all other things, was so perfect... a dreamer's soul. She loved
fantasy and magic... although no such things existed in her world. Inside she was like
Shay, so very pure and white, and he watched her for many years, just observing her as
she grew into a lovely adolescent.
Then she too found his story, and she too felt the subtle draw to read it time and
again, until it felt as if she was the heroine in the tale; that the Labyrinth, as well as the
entire Underground... and Jareth himself, were all real.
It was only then that she uttered the words, and he found his life changed
drastically as he took her brother and sent her through Hell to get him back. Jareth's heart
had been drained of all emotion while he ruled the kingdom and found it nearly impossible
to confess his true feelings.
Even when they faced each other, the final minutes of her allotted thirteen hours
slowly ticking away, he could not say what he felt. He instead begged her to love him,
and he would do anything that she so wished. However, laying himself at her mercy was
the mistake he made, and made himself weak in that moment.
So she said the words and he granted her return to her home with her brother.
After all, she had bested him, had won, and was the first to ever do so. Still, even with her
gone he watched her, observed her age and grow into a stunningly beautiful woman...
Waiting for the time when he could take her back....
And one day he received his chance, but that is another story.
* * * * * * * *
Those were the days of our lives, yeah
The bad things in life were so few
Those days are all gone now but one thing's still true
When I look and I find, I still love you,
I still love you.
* * * * * * * *
He raced the entire way home, and only when reaching town did Jareth slow his
speed. The horse skidded to a halt, bringing clouds of dust up behind him. Jareth
dismounted with ease and allowed one of the many stablehands to take his winded steed to
be cooled down. There were other, far more important tasks at hand.
He began to race down the main path, his mind in a whirl about what to do, and
the odd decision he had made. However, was there really another option? Jareth stopped
abruptly, noting his love as she walked down the road towards the market, most likely.
He smiled slightly and then jogged up beside her.
He had meant to inform Freddie that the Queen had neither bewitched nor taken
him away for all time. Still, Shayna had to be told about what he planned to do. She
would think him mad, but his future had been firmly set in his mind. Jareth tapped her
shoulder and then smiled in response to the pleased expression upon her perfect visage.
"Shayna, milady. One such as yourself should not dare to cross the streets without
an escort," Jareth stated, his smile broadening.
Shayna blushed slightly. Her full lips slipped easily into a comfortable smile as she
shifted the basket which she carried upon one arm. Her entire being radiated with
happiness, when she was just able to speak to Jareth. She could no longer imagine a time
without him.
"My lord, I shall fear no one if you would accompany me to the market," she
replied.
"I fear that I myself can not be trusted, should I be left alone with one as truly
perfect as yourself, Shayna," Jareth's playfulness broke and he grasped both her hands
tightly in his own.
Shayna pried herself away, and then straightened her dress. She noticed very well
the lingering glances from passing townspeople. They all knew very well of Jareth's
betrothal, and the fact that his fiancee was not this woman to whom he now spoke, and
stood so very near to as well.
She turned her face away from him and began to walk slowly towards the
marketplace. Jareth followed beside her, but tolerated their meandering pace for only a
short time. There was much to speak about, and a shortage of time in which to partake in
the conversation.
Jareth grasped her arm and led her away from the streets, and eyes that watched
every last syllable that was shared between them. The gossip the two caused spread like
wildfire, all throughout the town and to people who should not know of their little secret.
Already Jareth had seen the first instance in Rupert, and many other smaller incidents
followed only shortly later. Those all, however, were now ignored.
"I cannot let you out of my life. Shay, you do not understand, I have found a way
past all of this, set marriages, future bride, heir to my father's grand estate.... everything,"
he whispered under his breath as several older woman eyed the couple curiously.
Shayna followed him to the stables, were they always stole away to talk, or simply
spend time together. It was quiet, and so tranquil, just to listen to the sounds of the
horses as they rested in their freshly bedded stalls. She sat gracefully upon a bale of
sweet-smelling hay and then turned her lovely eyes to his.
"Please Jareth, inform me of this new and foolproof plan that you have devised. I
have heard thousands, and still not one has worked as you have told me it would," Shayna
stated, quite upset with everything.
Her love paced, something that he rarely was seen doing. Jareth was the most
calm man she had ever met, and certainly not one to express his anxiety so outwardly. He
stopped in midstride and then bent down before her to his knees. He grasped Shay's
slender hands between his own and offered her his most amazing smile. She could feel
herself melt under his charms.
"We belong together, Shay, do not tell me that it is not to be. I have known since
I first laid eyes upon you that we are to be one, unified forever in marriage. I will not let a
signed contract, decided by my parents, tear this bond apart and throw me into a life that
was not meant to be. I know what I must do, and you, my dear, promise me that when I
return, you shall marry me, without questions asked," Jareth stated, with a slight smile still
spread across his features.
Shay looked at their interlocked hands for a short time and then turned her
tearstained eyes to him. He had tried so very hard to unite them, and to no avail. It was
pointless to allow her spirits to rise, but they did nonetheless. Jareth sounded too sure,
more so than ever before. Shay had to believe that this time he would succeed and they
would be married, as she had always dreamed would happen.
"I will marry you, Jareth. I fear that this shall end as so many of your plans do, in
despair. Yet, I will wait, and.... if you never return, then I fear that I shall wither up and
die. You must come back to me, in two years time, or else I will know that you are dead.
Do you promise me this?" Shay questioned, tightening her grip on Jareth's gentle hands.
He nodded, and then kissed her lips with a passionate hunger. Shay unlocked her
hands from his and wrapped them about his head, threading her fine fingers through his
golden locks. He then rose to his feet, and with a final smile, rushed out to find the horse
that he had left with one of the stablehands.
Jareth gasped for air, his emotions running wildly throughout his body as he
rounded the corner. He was very near tears, and had to allow several deep and calming
breaths before he was certain that he was, once more, in control of himself. Then, forcing
himself to take each step towards his future with an unknown and mysterious Queen,
Jareth walked into the street and the bright light of the sun.
"My dear fellow, were you to leave without saying farewell to me?" Freddie's
voice drifted from behind Jareth, forcing the young noble to spin about instantly and rush
to his friend.
Without hesitation Jareth flung his arms about Freddie, taking his friend by
complete surprise. Freddie, however, regained composure quickly and gently patted his
companion's back. The moment hung with fears, as Jareth slowly stepped back and
looked deeply into Frederick's ebony eyes.
"I must go shortly," Jareth said, as he glanced towards the doorway to his house.
No one was around there, and as fate would have it, there had been no other
acquaintance to hinder Jareth in his departure. Freddie crossed his arms over his chest and
remained silent, for once there were not words that would fit this situation, one that he
could not have ever imagined.
"Yes, I suppose you must," he replied simply and then cocked a typical grin after
his short sentence.
Jareth began to turn, but could not allow himself to leave his closest, most dear
friend on such difficult circumstances. They had been together since childhood, had
entranced many women together, had gone through life together and now, by the hand of
cruel and thoughtless fate, they were to be torn apart without more than a few blunt words
shared??? It was not the way it was to be.
"I will return in two years time. I will remember always the times we had, Freddie,
and there will be a day when we are reunited," Jareth extended his hand in a solemn oath
to his friend on his truthfulness.
Freddie casually walked forward and then glanced down at Jareth's hand. He
swept back his raven hair and, shaking his head only slightly at Jareth's valor and gallant
chivalry, shook his friend's hand.
"Very well, darling, I will be forced to hold you to your word," Freddie stated and
then allowed his laughter to break free, "So that old Queen didn't take you away quite
yet? Well, how silly of her!"
Once more Freddie tittered with laughter as Jareth withdrew his hand and clapped
his friend on the shoulder. The mirth broke away as they looked at each other, friends
observing the other for, perhaps, the final time in many months. Then Jareth smiled again
and began further down the street.
However, he was stopped once more by a final thought. He turned, and grinned
back at Freddie, who had yet to leave. Then, thinking a moment on his next statement,
sighed and glanced towards the barn where Shay was still, perhaps, thinking on all that
had happened.
"You will take care of her, won't you?" Jareth asked gently.
Freddie casually strolled a bit nearer to his friend. The large wooden heels of his
black boots scuffed a bit in the dirt of the road. He then placed a hand upon his hip, which
was clothed in some tight, silken, and ebony material which shone along the curves and
contours of his legs.
"Why of course Jareth," Freddie stated in the positively most 'naughty' voice he
could manage without bursting into laughter, "She won't spend a moment alone, dwelling
upon your dangerous situation. I will be *personally* sure of that!"
Jareth shook his head slightly, chuckling at his friend's response and then waved
briefly as he turned for the final time, to catch the stablehand who was now only starting
to take the horse away.
Freddie remained in the road, watching his friend quickly re-claim the reigns from
the young man and leap atop the horse. The steed whipped about, rearing slightly in the
middle of the street, casting a glorious image before Freddie as he observed the goings-on,
and then Jareth was gone, through the arced entryway and into the forest... towards the
Goblin Queen's castle.
"Farewell dear Jareth, may you return safely to us all," Freddie whispered and then
slowly turned about and began his way back towards the barn, where Shay would be,
silently weeping over her love who had gone away.
* * * * * * * *
And then he had gone to the castle... the rest was history. Cyria had taken too
fond a liking to him, and when he had told her of his plans to leave, and marry Shay back
home, she had promptly cast them to the stones. Shay had been forced into suicide, as
Jareth was helpless to watch from a shackled position in the dungeon. With her death, so
had died a portion of his heart.
When he had sought out revenge, and cast Cyria into prison within the garden, his
entire town had fallen victim. Freddie had died as well, for Jareth had not heard from him
since. Surely his old friend, had he survived, would have searched Jareth out, if only to
speak to him for a short time.
"And all their suffering is upon my head, my wrongs that I committed..." he broke
off as a sudden crash resounded through the castle.
The Goblins were awake and stirring, wreaking havoc already.
Jareth leaned forward and placed his head into his hands. Such despair flowed
through his body at those horrid thoughts. Yet, as he had debated originally before
allowing the reminiscing to ensue, he could not end his existence.
Ever so slowly the grand King rose from his throne and strode silently over to the
window, which overlooked the lovely garden. His magic watched o'er the flora which
blossomed and grew within, keeping everything perfect, for his Shay whom laid buried
beneath everything.
She had had a heart of gold, a soul as pure and white as the clouds in the heavens,
and had been as beautiful as morning rays of dawn. His being ached with renewed pain,
inflicted from her loss. But, there was no turning back time; all he could do was watch
and wish that things had been different.
"I still love you, Shay," Jareth whispered and then forced himself away from the
garden.
Deeper in himself was another aching wound, this one more raw and unhealed than
that which had been inflicted by Shay's death. He had buried Shayna, had laid her to rest,
and hence had received some closure with all the agony. However, there was another
whom he had tried to forget, whom he had never searched for...
Freddie's body had probably been reclaimed by the forest, as the village was
allowed to lay in ruins, unkempt by his magic. He could have easily found his dear friend,
could have buried Freddie along-side Shay beneath that awe-striking garden, as a
memorial to their memories. But he had not done anything of the sort.
"I am sorry dear friend," Jareth whispered, shaking his head and collapsing into the
throne once more.
At least he still held the memory of his friend in his mind, something that he would
never forget. That way a portion of Freddie would live on forever, since Jareth himself
was eternal as the Goblin King. Even if Frederick's joking voice would never once be
heard within the Underground again, Jareth would remember, and try to recall just how
happy they had all been three long years ago.
He produced a single crystal, and looked at it for some time, just spinning it
slightly upon his fingertips. Then, the clear magical body began to fill with gray mist that
swirled about as if alive. Jareth's eyes remained fixed upon the scene within the perfect
orb.
The mist cleared as quickly as it had formed, and left scenery of some village
behind. A single dirt path ran down the center of the town, and on one side sat the
massive estate that the King remembered from his childhood. A young man, sure of
himself and care-free leaped from atop the wall which encased his home, and stopped
before the sauntering figure of another, seductively-clothed man.
The handsome face of Freddie appeared within the crystal and Jareth continued to
watch, as the two friends started down towards the marketplace. Another figure, pure and
youthful, and strikingly beautiful joined them, embracing the king's younger form for a
moment. Then the three strolled down the center of the path, loving life, and living for
that day alone, not thinking of the future.
And so he would love not another, have no other friend until hundreds of years
into the future; when he found a young girl, many centuries his minor, and a mortal upon
all other things. Yet, she was strikingly beautiful with dark hair that swept to the middle
of her back, and amazing chestnut eyes.
Her soul, above all other things, was so perfect... a dreamer's soul. She loved
fantasy and magic... although no such things existed in her world. Inside she was like
Shay, so very pure and white, and he watched her for many years, just observing her as
she grew into a lovely adolescent.
Then she too found his story, and she too felt the subtle draw to read it time and
again, until it felt as if she was the heroine in the tale; that the Labyrinth, as well as the
entire Underground... and Jareth himself, were all real.
It was only then that she uttered the words, and he found his life changed
drastically as he took her brother and sent her through Hell to get him back. Jareth's heart
had been drained of all emotion while he ruled the kingdom and found it nearly impossible
to confess his true feelings.
Even when they faced each other, the final minutes of her allotted thirteen hours
slowly ticking away, he could not say what he felt. He instead begged her to love him,
and he would do anything that she so wished. However, laying himself at her mercy was
the mistake he made, and made himself weak in that moment.
So she said the words and he granted her return to her home with her brother.
After all, she had bested him, had won, and was the first to ever do so. Still, even with her
gone he watched her, observed her age and grow into a stunningly beautiful woman...
Waiting for the time when he could take her back....
And one day he received his chance, but that is another story.