Disclaimer: The Labyrinth, its characters, songs, and phrases are
unfortunately not mine. They belong to Jim Henson Productions. However,
Ione, Apollo, and Isis are my original characters as well as the story.
Please do not use my characters without my permission.
Chapter 12: Problems
The following morning, Apollo knew it was going to be a long day. He had been restless that night. They left with the cheers of the citizens. As soon as they were far enough away, Apollo removed the medallions from around everything.
"I say! We should go visiting more often!" Didymus exclaimed from his place astride Ambrosious. "A most civilized kingdom."
"Huh! Too fancy for my taste!" Hoggle grumbled. Ludo simply looked between the two with an enormous smile on his lovable face. While Apollo and Aida had met with the King and council, the three companions had been free to explore the kingdom. Apollo wasn't in the least surprised at their responses. It took only a little under two days journey to see them all safely home, but Apollo could still feel the distance between him and his wife. They returned to the castle, and Apollo delivered his good news to their father. The Goblin King was pleased with the news, but Sarah was simply glad to have her daughter back safe and sound. After all duties had been seen to, Ione came to see to her son.
"You are starting to love her."
It was a statement not a question.
"Yes, Mother."
Ione rubbed his arm gently in comfort.
"What's troubling you?"
"She is pulling away from me, Mother, just as I am beginning to draw closer."
"What happened?"
"I'm afraid the Fleet people required a show of force. I believe I thoroughly scared Aida with my temper."
Ione sighed.
A full year passed since Apollo and Aida were married. Yet the Prince and Princess still lived their own separate lives. Apollo's love for his wife had only grown as he watched her in day-to-day life. She had an ethereal grace and beauty in everything she did, but drew him to her was her inner beauty. Aida was sweet, caring, and giving. She cared for the Hedge Maze like the elves, ad she cared about the squabbling goblins like a protective governess. She never received thanks for her care for the goblins were without any semblance of manners. Yet she willingly gave of herself for her father's subjects. Every day Aida only encouraged Apollo's love to grow, but despite all his efforts, Aida did not allow him to bridge the gap between them. He felt his body tense and skin grow hot merely when she walked into the room. When she was around, he ached for her. Ione strained with her son as she watched him struggle with his emotions. She and Sarah both disliked to see their children hurting.
Apollo walked beside Aida as she trimmed the hedges in the hedge maze. Jareth would make some imperfections as she went, but when she tired of gardening, the maze returned to perfection. Tiring quickly, Aida took Apollo's hand and they found the Crystal Lake. It was nearly sunset, and Apollo couldn't help but think her absolutely gorgeous. Before he could stop himself, he turned her face with his free hand toward his and bent down to give her a tender kiss. Aida pulled away quickly surprised by his sudden action. Her lips parted slightly in shock.
"Apollo," she said in a trembling tone.
"I'm sorry I caught you off guard, Little One," he said still gazing into her eyes. "I have wanted to do that for months now. You remind me every day of how beautiful you are in body and spirit. I have been drawn to you, Aida, but I believe now that I love you."
Aida didn't know what to say, but she had enjoyed his kiss what little she had of it. Apollo's head inclined toward her, and her heart fluttered when she realized he meant to kiss her again. His mouth covered hers, and his arm crept around her waist. Her own arms found their way around his neck, and she was glad they were both sitting so their embrace was not awkward. Apollo freed some of his pent up passion into his kisses and drank of her deeply. Aida was shocked by the strength of his desire and had to pull back.
"When you centaurs feel something, it sure is overwhelming!" Aida said breathlessly.
Apollo smiled.
"Should we hate, it's forever, but when we love, it's eternal. And I love you, Aida."
Aida smiled placing one hand over his heart. She could feel the strength of his passion coursing through him. A small grunt escaped him. She could have no idea the will power it was taking to keep the powerful passion she could feel in check.
"It's nice to know how much you care, Apollo, but my heart is not ready."
Apollo sighed heavily.
"I understand, Aida." He placed gentle hands around her cherished face. "Now you know my feelings, Little One. I will do my best to abide by yours."
Aida knew he would keep his word. What she didn't know was how much it was costing him. They spent the rest of their evening in silence, and Apollo tried to stem the tide of his emotions. Apollo held her hand as the sun set on the horizon giving the lake a brilliant myriad of colors to mirror. They walked back home slowly and quietly taking their time.
A few months after their trip to the Fleet Kingdom, Aida had bgun to spend her nights in Apollo's room. Apollo knew he was going to go through the fire. He desired her, and his desire was growing. He loved her so much his whole body ached, and only her nearness eased the pain. When they returned to the castle Apollo went into his room to remove his shirt. Aida changed in her own room then came through the door that separated their rooms. She was dressed in a pale rose colored nightgown, and Apollo felt his pulse race. He willed himself to be calm and smiled.
"You're too lovely for words! But I suspect you already know that."
Aida laughed.
"That's alright. A woman likes to be reminded."
Apollo smiled and tucked a wayward strand of hair tenderly behind her ear. Aida smiled and picked up a brush. She had found over the past year that Apollo and his mother were both particular in their cleanliness. Apollo liked to be groomed of the day's dirt and grim before he slept, and she'd often seen the two centaurs talk while grooming each other. It was a personal task, and she knew Apollo still gave his mother a morning and evening grooming. At first she'd felt she was intruding by giving them to Apollo. However, when she'd suggested to Ione that she leave well enough alone, the centauress had looked so shocked that she'd never suggested it again. Apollo loved the soothing brushing. Tonight was no different. As Aida finished, Apollo felt he could sit in her presence forever. Aida climber into bed and curled up under the blanket as Apollo put away the brushes and combs. Having given himself a thorough talk, he climbed in beside her carefully. She was blissfully unaware of the turmoil she put him through and had fallen almost instantly asleep. In her sleep she snuggled against his warm side, and Apollo sighed heavily. He fought his emotions, and he could feel his flanks quivering with his distress. He was losing sleep tonight he knew, but he also knew there was nothing he could do about it. He would not let his emotion burn out of control for he feared for Aida. She sent fire through his veins, and he did his best to put it out. When Aida awoke, Apollo was awake and watching her.
"You're always awake before me," she commented with a sleepy smile.
"A habit I learned early."
Aida nodded then yawned and stretched. She got up slowly and went to change. Apollo was up and about quickly then he dressed and combed his hair. People against his father had said that Jareth had never heard of a comb. If only those people knew how much work went into their wild style. Aida came back in and brushed out his coat then combed his silky tail. She rose when she finished, and they both walked out to welcome the day.
Chapter 12: Problems
The following morning, Apollo knew it was going to be a long day. He had been restless that night. They left with the cheers of the citizens. As soon as they were far enough away, Apollo removed the medallions from around everything.
"I say! We should go visiting more often!" Didymus exclaimed from his place astride Ambrosious. "A most civilized kingdom."
"Huh! Too fancy for my taste!" Hoggle grumbled. Ludo simply looked between the two with an enormous smile on his lovable face. While Apollo and Aida had met with the King and council, the three companions had been free to explore the kingdom. Apollo wasn't in the least surprised at their responses. It took only a little under two days journey to see them all safely home, but Apollo could still feel the distance between him and his wife. They returned to the castle, and Apollo delivered his good news to their father. The Goblin King was pleased with the news, but Sarah was simply glad to have her daughter back safe and sound. After all duties had been seen to, Ione came to see to her son.
"You are starting to love her."
It was a statement not a question.
"Yes, Mother."
Ione rubbed his arm gently in comfort.
"What's troubling you?"
"She is pulling away from me, Mother, just as I am beginning to draw closer."
"What happened?"
"I'm afraid the Fleet people required a show of force. I believe I thoroughly scared Aida with my temper."
Ione sighed.
A full year passed since Apollo and Aida were married. Yet the Prince and Princess still lived their own separate lives. Apollo's love for his wife had only grown as he watched her in day-to-day life. She had an ethereal grace and beauty in everything she did, but drew him to her was her inner beauty. Aida was sweet, caring, and giving. She cared for the Hedge Maze like the elves, ad she cared about the squabbling goblins like a protective governess. She never received thanks for her care for the goblins were without any semblance of manners. Yet she willingly gave of herself for her father's subjects. Every day Aida only encouraged Apollo's love to grow, but despite all his efforts, Aida did not allow him to bridge the gap between them. He felt his body tense and skin grow hot merely when she walked into the room. When she was around, he ached for her. Ione strained with her son as she watched him struggle with his emotions. She and Sarah both disliked to see their children hurting.
Apollo walked beside Aida as she trimmed the hedges in the hedge maze. Jareth would make some imperfections as she went, but when she tired of gardening, the maze returned to perfection. Tiring quickly, Aida took Apollo's hand and they found the Crystal Lake. It was nearly sunset, and Apollo couldn't help but think her absolutely gorgeous. Before he could stop himself, he turned her face with his free hand toward his and bent down to give her a tender kiss. Aida pulled away quickly surprised by his sudden action. Her lips parted slightly in shock.
"Apollo," she said in a trembling tone.
"I'm sorry I caught you off guard, Little One," he said still gazing into her eyes. "I have wanted to do that for months now. You remind me every day of how beautiful you are in body and spirit. I have been drawn to you, Aida, but I believe now that I love you."
Aida didn't know what to say, but she had enjoyed his kiss what little she had of it. Apollo's head inclined toward her, and her heart fluttered when she realized he meant to kiss her again. His mouth covered hers, and his arm crept around her waist. Her own arms found their way around his neck, and she was glad they were both sitting so their embrace was not awkward. Apollo freed some of his pent up passion into his kisses and drank of her deeply. Aida was shocked by the strength of his desire and had to pull back.
"When you centaurs feel something, it sure is overwhelming!" Aida said breathlessly.
Apollo smiled.
"Should we hate, it's forever, but when we love, it's eternal. And I love you, Aida."
Aida smiled placing one hand over his heart. She could feel the strength of his passion coursing through him. A small grunt escaped him. She could have no idea the will power it was taking to keep the powerful passion she could feel in check.
"It's nice to know how much you care, Apollo, but my heart is not ready."
Apollo sighed heavily.
"I understand, Aida." He placed gentle hands around her cherished face. "Now you know my feelings, Little One. I will do my best to abide by yours."
Aida knew he would keep his word. What she didn't know was how much it was costing him. They spent the rest of their evening in silence, and Apollo tried to stem the tide of his emotions. Apollo held her hand as the sun set on the horizon giving the lake a brilliant myriad of colors to mirror. They walked back home slowly and quietly taking their time.
A few months after their trip to the Fleet Kingdom, Aida had bgun to spend her nights in Apollo's room. Apollo knew he was going to go through the fire. He desired her, and his desire was growing. He loved her so much his whole body ached, and only her nearness eased the pain. When they returned to the castle Apollo went into his room to remove his shirt. Aida changed in her own room then came through the door that separated their rooms. She was dressed in a pale rose colored nightgown, and Apollo felt his pulse race. He willed himself to be calm and smiled.
"You're too lovely for words! But I suspect you already know that."
Aida laughed.
"That's alright. A woman likes to be reminded."
Apollo smiled and tucked a wayward strand of hair tenderly behind her ear. Aida smiled and picked up a brush. She had found over the past year that Apollo and his mother were both particular in their cleanliness. Apollo liked to be groomed of the day's dirt and grim before he slept, and she'd often seen the two centaurs talk while grooming each other. It was a personal task, and she knew Apollo still gave his mother a morning and evening grooming. At first she'd felt she was intruding by giving them to Apollo. However, when she'd suggested to Ione that she leave well enough alone, the centauress had looked so shocked that she'd never suggested it again. Apollo loved the soothing brushing. Tonight was no different. As Aida finished, Apollo felt he could sit in her presence forever. Aida climber into bed and curled up under the blanket as Apollo put away the brushes and combs. Having given himself a thorough talk, he climbed in beside her carefully. She was blissfully unaware of the turmoil she put him through and had fallen almost instantly asleep. In her sleep she snuggled against his warm side, and Apollo sighed heavily. He fought his emotions, and he could feel his flanks quivering with his distress. He was losing sleep tonight he knew, but he also knew there was nothing he could do about it. He would not let his emotion burn out of control for he feared for Aida. She sent fire through his veins, and he did his best to put it out. When Aida awoke, Apollo was awake and watching her.
"You're always awake before me," she commented with a sleepy smile.
"A habit I learned early."
Aida nodded then yawned and stretched. She got up slowly and went to change. Apollo was up and about quickly then he dressed and combed his hair. People against his father had said that Jareth had never heard of a comb. If only those people knew how much work went into their wild style. Aida came back in and brushed out his coat then combed his silky tail. She rose when she finished, and they both walked out to welcome the day.