Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot of this particular story, the original characters I have created, and any original characteristics I have given already existing characters.
Chapter 12
Jareth saw her expression. "He washed the clothing before he handed it to me. If you prefer my more formal attire, I will change as this particular situation seems to require it."
He stood up and was about to snap his fingers when Aileen stopped him.
"It really isn't necessary Jareth, you are clad decently enough, which is all I require of my children and any guests which drop by. We keep a magic-free household, not always an easy task to manage. Now," she gazed at him speculatively, "why are you not still wearing the ensemble Katie picked out for you? She has impeccable taste."
He choked and fought to regain control of his very conflicted emotions. Once he finally calmed down, he began to explain the situation to the startled Aileen.
"Under normal circumstances that may be true," he diplomatically began, "however, how I came to be here was anything but ordinary."
Aileen followed him with her eyes as he paced back and forth in front of her.
"I suppose to put this tale in the proper perspective, I must start at the beginning. You see, I met Sarah and Toby twenty years ago when she got upset over something and wished him away."
He smiled grimly as she gasped, but continued. "It was a silly thing done in complete exasperation, which she regretted immediately. When I offered her the Labyrinth challenge, she accepted it instantly with no thought to her own safety and managed to solve it, thus saving her little brother."
He stood still, lost in thought, then continued. "I see now that even if she had failed the task, I would have been compelled to return him. One of your children, in my grasp. No wonder I found him to be such an attractive, intelligent, engaging little chap. He would have made me an excellent heir. Still would, as a matter of fact. I don't suppose you could spare him, or one of the other three?"
Jareth looked at Aileen to see how she was taking his proposition, and found that she was teetering at the edge of her seat, her face flushed and contorted in an angry, protective mask, ready to spring up and attack any perceived threat to her family.
He shook his head. "Tsk; Tsk; I don't need to experience any more physical violence from any member of your family." Gently he picked her up and settled her against the back cushions of her armchair, then he grabbed both her hands in his and knelt down in front of her. Gazing soulfully into her eyes, at which she giggled nervously and looked down at their hands to avoid looking at him directly, he softly said "Lady Aileen Kellsen, you have no need to fear me, even though you turned me down all those many years ago, breaking my confidence and a little of my heart. I realize I was very pompous back then and I would not have treated you how you deserve to be treated."
"Ahem. Am I interrupting something?" A freshly groomed Geoffrey stepped inside and walked towards them.
Chapter 12
Jareth saw her expression. "He washed the clothing before he handed it to me. If you prefer my more formal attire, I will change as this particular situation seems to require it."
He stood up and was about to snap his fingers when Aileen stopped him.
"It really isn't necessary Jareth, you are clad decently enough, which is all I require of my children and any guests which drop by. We keep a magic-free household, not always an easy task to manage. Now," she gazed at him speculatively, "why are you not still wearing the ensemble Katie picked out for you? She has impeccable taste."
He choked and fought to regain control of his very conflicted emotions. Once he finally calmed down, he began to explain the situation to the startled Aileen.
"Under normal circumstances that may be true," he diplomatically began, "however, how I came to be here was anything but ordinary."
Aileen followed him with her eyes as he paced back and forth in front of her.
"I suppose to put this tale in the proper perspective, I must start at the beginning. You see, I met Sarah and Toby twenty years ago when she got upset over something and wished him away."
He smiled grimly as she gasped, but continued. "It was a silly thing done in complete exasperation, which she regretted immediately. When I offered her the Labyrinth challenge, she accepted it instantly with no thought to her own safety and managed to solve it, thus saving her little brother."
He stood still, lost in thought, then continued. "I see now that even if she had failed the task, I would have been compelled to return him. One of your children, in my grasp. No wonder I found him to be such an attractive, intelligent, engaging little chap. He would have made me an excellent heir. Still would, as a matter of fact. I don't suppose you could spare him, or one of the other three?"
Jareth looked at Aileen to see how she was taking his proposition, and found that she was teetering at the edge of her seat, her face flushed and contorted in an angry, protective mask, ready to spring up and attack any perceived threat to her family.
He shook his head. "Tsk; Tsk; I don't need to experience any more physical violence from any member of your family." Gently he picked her up and settled her against the back cushions of her armchair, then he grabbed both her hands in his and knelt down in front of her. Gazing soulfully into her eyes, at which she giggled nervously and looked down at their hands to avoid looking at him directly, he softly said "Lady Aileen Kellsen, you have no need to fear me, even though you turned me down all those many years ago, breaking my confidence and a little of my heart. I realize I was very pompous back then and I would not have treated you how you deserve to be treated."
"Ahem. Am I interrupting something?" A freshly groomed Geoffrey stepped inside and walked towards them.