Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Labyrinth! It was created by far more talented people than me! In light of this fact…do not sue me.

Authors note: I apologize to any who were waiting for the next chapter, a great deal of things happened, not the least of which was exams and work. But now here is the next chapter and all is well in the universe!

Beyond the Labyrinth

Chapter 3: Jarreth

          Jarreth pored over the musty tomes of history that his tutor presented, entranced.  There was so much that changed from reign to reign! It seemed that the very land of Fey itself echoed the true self of the king! If the king was wise and noble, the land was breathtaking and the people wise and forgiving…if the king was a tyrant…then the land was hostile and the people were battle ready and fierce. And no to mention the Queen's powers! Why, she can change the very nature of appearances and bodies!!! I suspect that is the reason today's court is pretty but brainless, they echo my mother! That was a great deal of power to give to anyone much less a brainless twit. His father was asking too much!

          Hoggle glanced up from across the room where he was studying and pondered…What has put such a fierce look on my prince's face? What could possible be in those moth eaten tomes that stirs his blood so? Shrugging mentally Hoggle returned to his study of the house accounts, eager to take up the duty when the prince came into his reign.

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          Jarreth read and re-read the books in front of him, eagerly searching for one reference…one admittance…but he couldn't find it. Looking up he spotted his tutor, a doddering old man with a moth eaten pointed cap who none-the-less knew his history. "Melgrin, please tell me why I can't find any reference of the Goblin Kings in here!"

          Melgrin sucked in his breath and turned to face the young prince "You won't find any in there, as far as I know there is only one book that mentions them, and that was stolen many centuries ago."

          "Why?"

          "The Goblin Kings were a disgrace, a terror, a menace to the continued existence of the Fey. The acts of deprivation the committed are to heinous to record! That is why you will find no reference of them."

          Prince Jarreth frowned and chewed his lower lip for a moment "Explain please" he said as he settled into his chair more comfortably.

          "I will try my prince. The Goblin Kings were men taken with Madness…under their reigns, the people twisted into horrendous creatures…twisted stumps of their former selves…but it wasn't just their appearance that changed, it was the personalities as well. Something about the magic involved seemed to draw out the smallest, worst characteristics in a person…hence brave knights became cowards; Gentle mothers became abusive and spiteful and so on. The land itself twisted to mirror the state of the people…great hedges grew and sealed the kingdom off from all other lands. It was during the last Goblin King reign that the book I mentioned was written, it detailed the reign of Exxus, but to most eyes with no royal magic, it was a simple fairy tale. After the Exxus died and his son came into power, the people were restored…but faith in the king was not. Many families of fey blood fled to the upper world were the whims of the king could not find them. I suspect that one of these families took the book with them so as not to forget the reason they fled. Are you satisfied my prince?"

          "Yes Melgrin, you are dismissed for today."

*   *   *   *   *

          As Melgrin left, Hoggle stood up from his corner and approached the prince. The conversation had deeply disturbed him so he came up behind the prince as he was looking out the window. "Jarreth? Are you satisfied about the terrors of our past now? Will you let it rest?"

          Jarreth turned around to face Hoggle…he was smiling.