Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, I technically have no right to use their characters…but I do. I do nothing harmful or otherwise that may cause concern among those who do own Labyrinth. Please, and I stress, please, do not attempt to sue me.
Beyond the Labyrinth
Jareth
Jareth fitfully pulled at his lower lip as he looked out the window of the pleasure boat. Gentle froth played about the frame of the ship as it plowed through the low waves of the cove. From his room's window, located right at the prow, he could even see, in between waves, the decorative seabirds wheeling in the breeze.
The birds were something else. Impossibly blue plumage sparkled in the sun, the deep, rich color of flawless sapphire. Gold and magenta feathers stood up from their heads and floated gaily in the wind, almost as if on their own. And to touch off the supposedly breathtaking sight…fairy fire sparked and trailed at the edge of each feather. It should have been beautiful, but it wasn't. It was crass, overblown…and yet another demonstration of Lady Lillian's magical talent.
Jareth turned from the window and slumped on the bed. Lady Lillian was the problem. She was a prospective bride…and completely atrocious. She was gifted with magic…truly wonderful…in the words of his father's advisors. What she wasn't gifted with beauty, charm, wit, or even a decent amount of modesty. And she was at least eight years his senior. Yet, here he was, attending a party intended to impress him with glitter and glamour. "Hoggle? I'm curious…how does the Lady appear to you?"
Hoggle perked his head up from where he was studying an economics book "Come again Lord?"
"How does the Lady Lillian appear to you?"
Hoggle wrinkled his forehead, thinking Now what is he getting at? Does he want me to say she's an ogre to make him feel better? Or do I tell him she's kind and sweet? Oh boy… "The Lady Lillian…is quite beautiful my lord."
The prince sat up and focused on Hoggle as if he had finally said something interesting "How so?"
Hoggle gulped "She is just beautiful Lord! She has shiny black hair like the night sky…her blue eyes like cornflowers…slim figure…cinnamon skin…and…and…my Lord? Jareth had collapsed on the bed and was breathing very heavily, deep, wracking breaths of air. "My Lord Jareth?!"
Jareth held up his hand waved Hoggle's worried countenance away. "I'm alright Hoggle. I can't help laughing it's just very…amusing. Is that what you truly see when you look at her?"
Hoggle huffed in righteous indignation "Of course! I wouldn't lie to you Lord!"
"Ah, and that's the rub isn't it? No one else sees her as I do. I believe she has a very strong personal glamour about her…I will have to counter that…" Jareth wandered back to the window to think.
* * * * *
Lillian looked out over the grove, no, tonight it is a banquet hall, with me at the top of a stair. Must remember that. She glanced around once more with a possessive air, then narrowed her vision to the Prince standing at the foot of the stair. Tonight is the night! Tonight I conquer the wayward prince… She self consciously smoothed the sheer fabric of her dress. It composed of equal parts glamour and material, so a simple cotton shift looked like a full silk gown. Lillian was quite proud of her ability to fool even the most powerful of the fey with simple glamour. Signaling the band to play, she descended the stairs and began the game.
* * * * *
Among the gathered throng, full of bright, over-blown color, Jareth, arrayed in his simple black tunic and leggings, stuck out like emerald in sand. His blonde hair was pulled back in a simple braid and his only jewelry was the signet ring of the royal house. He watched Lady Lillian descend the stairs and almost burst out laughing. She was wearing nothing more than a cotton shift! Hardly adequate for a ball…this was going to make the evening so much more amusing. She reached the foot of the stairs and graciously curtsied to Jareth. He bowed back. The band struck up a dance tune, and they danced.
From the moment Jareth touched her hand, he felt…different. The very air seemed to turn to gauze…it clouded his thinking and his vision. The only solid being in the room was Lillian, clothed in dazzling russet silk, and dancing gracefully in his arms. He couldn't believe what he had thought earlier…surely it had been the work of foul imps that had made him think ill of her…
* * * * *
Hoggle stood on the edge of the glittering throng, watching the lone pair dance to the music. Humph! He seems happy enough with her now doesn't he? I wonder how long they're going to dance alone out there? Why doesn't anyone join in? Maybe I'll just ask one of these court flowers to dance with me…Hoggle turned to the lady next to him, but she was turned away, whispering to a guard. Nonplussed, he turned to his left, and again, the lady was turned away. Apprehensive, Hoggle glanced around the room…he couldn't see a single face. Everyone was turned away. Listening hard, he couldn't even distinguish words among the whispering. Why is everyone whispering???!!!
* * * * *
Jareth didn't know how long he danced. It didn't matter. Lillian was not tired, so neither was he. The room swam in a multi-hued swirl, the music filled his mind…
* * * * *
Lillian's mind overflowed with triumph Mine! I've done it, he's mine! A little more and he'll be proposing…Gently she caressed the back of his neck. Such a sweet body…
* * * * *
Hoggle's head was spinning…more and more the whispering of the crowd was sounding familiar…tantalizingly familiar. It was frustrating! He had the keenest feeling that his prince was in danger, and the whispering was part of it…Hot…it was so hot…if only he could open a window, get a breeze…
Hoggle froze; an icy chill went down his back. Breeze…that was what was so familiar…the whispering sounded like wind in trees. He fell to his knees…and fell into a springy mass of grass. Almost afraid to look Hoggle glanced around. The people were still there, the prince was still dancing. He turned his head, and in the corner of his vision saw a sylvan glade, trees standing around…and the prince dancing with some strange woman.
* * * * *
Jareth's blood was pounding, he couldn't focus. He stopped the dancing and looked deep into Lillian's Blue…but aren't they brown?...eyes. He ran his hands up her arms lightly and fell to his knee. He laid a gentle, chaste kiss on her hand and there were suddenly words. Ritualistic words of bonding…
* * * * *
"Lady Lillian…"
Yes, yes!!!
"I ask you…"
Her hand trembled in anticipation.
"…to humbly accompany me back to my home. And there, to wed me."
"My Lord…ofcour"
"STOP MY LORD STOP! SHE HAS DECIEVED YOU!" Hoggle called as he ran towards the couple. "Stop! Look around you Lord!"
Lillian's face turned crimson "My lord, he lies! He is envious! I must tell you that before the ball he accosted me! He is quite mad!"
Jareth shook his head and stood "I…I trust Hoggle with my life. He would not lie to me…" Stepping back, he drew his hand from her embrace. As the last, lingering contact of her flesh vanished, so did the fuzziness that had plagued him all night. He glanced around him with dawning comprehension and anger. He had underestimated her, never thinking her glamour could great more than her looks. "You dare use glamour against the royal house?"
The woman standing in front of him hung her head; the banquet hall disappeared "Only for you Lord"
Hoggle watched as anger fought with pity on the Prince's face, anger won.
"This is the price you shall pay then. There is no magic that will obey you now…there is no court that shall accept you. So is my will."
Lillian felt her magic snap off inside her, broken, useless. Silent tears streamed down her face and wet the thin cloth of her shift.
Jareth turned his back to her and left the glade. Hoggle followed.
* * * * *
That's it for chapter 5!!!!!