Disclaimer: Don't own Labyrinth, never will. And that hurts more than you will ever know…but on with the story.

Beyond the Labyrinth

Brief Respite

          Jareth reined his horse in as the sloping drive of his friend's manse came into view. The high slate walls grew, grey and foreboding, from the gentle slopes of the hills in this part of the country. Stark when set in the back drop of green and blue. No vines dared grow up the walls, no flowers kissed the base…it was slightly sinister. A slight smile played on his lips all the better to scare you away with my dear…Who would ever guess that inside these walls was the most luxurious home of Lord Devin Shelltross, a man famous for his drink, debauchery, and parties; and one of Jareth's closest friends from the court.

          He rode decorously to the gate and the wide iron and oak panels opened without a sound…moving by some silent force that obligingly closed the gates behind him. Spread before him was the wild, almost jungle-like trees of the estate. Moss hung in great curtains from the age-darkened limbs, catching the mist that drifted between the trunks. Odd cries rang out in the gloom and then lights, thousands of small lights, began to twinkle and blink and swarm towards him. The will o' wisps swarmed and circled about him and his horse, dancing to some strange tune of their own. Then, as mysteriously as they had appeared, they winked out. This was going to be an amusing week.

          Finally Jareth reached the doors of the mansion. A silent gnome clothed in awful plaid livery came out and took his horse. The great doors swung open and he was assaulted with music. A band was playing full out and people were laughing. Scarlet gauze and glitter spun through the air. In the center of the center of the milling throng glittering, fluttering wings surrounded a man sitting on the floor. The wings were beautiful, like those of butterflies, extended and enlarged to human size and attached to female bodies. They could only be a congregation of Drelk, the winged folk of the fenns.  Suddenly the throng parted and there, sitting on a low pile of cushions and looking entirely pleased with himself, was Shelltross.

              The lord's dramatic gypsy mustache twitched and a smile crossed his features. "Ah! Well met Jareth! Well met! Did you enjoy the ride?"

          "It was quite pleasant Devin"

          "Phaugh, I never cared for riding myself. Too much jouncing and carrying on! And the stench...no, I much prefer to stay here with my lovely darlings and listening to wonderful music!"

          Jareth walked and forward and bonelessly collapsed on the cushions next to Lord Devin "And that is quite alright for you. I find that riding is the only way I can get any time away from the clinging arms of court life. And lately it has been much worse than when you left…"

          "Ah yes, I heard, the "get the prince married" campaign. How is that going? The last I heard there was that terrible business with the enchantress…"

          "More a glamouress…but in any case….it has been terrible. For a time folk were afraid to approach me for fear that I would strip them of their magic as I did her…but they have all recovered from that temporary terror. They are even more desperate rather than less. Any time my father so much as sniffles the women flock in droves…"

          "Ah, lovely women in droves… are not such a terrible fate I should think" Devin caressed the wings of the woman standing nearest him.

          Jareth watched the woman's face twitched as her wings were stroked, a small sigh escaped her ruby lips. Deep wine dark purple hair spilled around her feathery antennae frothed around her slim, lithesome figure and complemented her forest green skin…she was indeed a beautiful creature…good for the bed and not much else though…there isn't a Drelk born that has enough brains to rule a country. He sighed resignedly.

          "You like? You could have one…or two…or heck, the flock…"

          "No, thank you…can't have one of them making a bid for the throne."

          "Ah, none of my lovelies would do that. They are too well trained for that aren't you love?"

          The glittering beauty opened her eyes and smiled "Yes milord"

          "There? See? There is nothing wrong with a little recreation now is there?"

          "I said no thank you Devin"

          "Ah, show him the error of his ways loves" Then the fluttering women descended.

*   *   *   *   *

          Jareth's mind awoke. There was a slight breeze fanning his face and giggling nearby. It was odd. Have I slept through one of the daughter presentations? He carefully cracked one eye open and looked…right into a pair of sapphire eyes. He closed his eyes again Please no… he opened his eyes again. The face that matched the eyes grinned and kissed him "About time you woke up milord. Are we truly that boring?"

          His mind wasn't working properly, he groaned and rolled over…and met another pretty face. He sat up and there was a third, and a fourth…the butterfly wings fanned the air and a whole group of women cavorted about him. Sun sparkled on their wings and glinted from their eyes. Then his mind woke up and made a very important realization…My clothes are gone…then his mind was snared by the women who now floated above him…oh my…theirs are too. He was lost again in soft hair, gentle skin, and sweet, sweet kisses.

*   *   *   *   *

          He awoke again, and he wasn't alone. At the foot of his bed sat Devin, grinning like an idiot. "DEVIN!!!! I recall telling you NO!"

          "Ah come off it Jareth. Life is about having fun…and you needed it very much. When you came here you looked like you hadn't had a decent nights sleep in years. And here, look, you've had five good, wholesome nights sleep here."

          "FIVE????!!!!!"

          "Now you can't tell me you didn't enjoy yourself"

          "…no, I can't" A grin wrapped itself around Jareth's head and he leaned indolently on his elbow "Did I mention your one of the best friends I've ever had?"

          "Oh now you thank me. Sometimes I don't know why I bother…"

          "Cause you'd be bored if you didn't"

          "Bored? Ha. I have lots of things to occupy my…attention."

          "I see. Then why bother?"

          "It amuses me to see the indignation on your face"

          "Ah"

          An aggrieved expression crossed Devin's face and he leaned forward as if to whisper "Next time could you be slightly more considerate?"

          "Huh?"

          "My girls are worn out…they are sleeping now, will be for awhile…" Devin pouted

          A strange feeling welled up in Jareth's throat. It bubbled up into his mouth and poured out in glorious, heart felt laughter. "I am SO sorry Devin, I really am, but remember you volunteered me for this."

          "Yes, I know. The stupid things I do for friends…"

*   *   *   *   *

          Nerillwyma smiled and fluttered her wings in joy. New blood! She was carrying new blood home to the fenns. Strong blood…royal blood...her people would be so pleased.

*   *   *   *   *

And that's it for this chapter. Sorry this ones not al that great.