Part 1
"Beginnings" Far away, long agoGlowing dim as an ember.
Thing my heart used to know,
Things they yearn to remember...
Once upon a December from "Anastasia"
chapter 1
Celeste walked through the winter snow, her long, pale hair flying and surrounding her head like a misty cloud. She had managed to sneak away from the other girls at the orphanage, wanting some time away from the insults that the other girls threw at her just because she was different. Being the youngest and the smallest of them made her an easy target. She giggled as a snowflake landed on her nose and stuck out her tongue to try to catch more. A fluttering of wings behind her surprised her and she spun around quickly, slipping on the frozen ground and landing in the foot deep snow on her fanny. She looked up and saw a white owl peering at her from atop a rock. She scowled and stuck her tongue out at it.
"That wasn't very nice Jer," She scolded the owl, and looked down at her dress and coat and picked at them, "You made me fall, now I'm all wet."
She looked back up and where the owl once was, there was now a man. He was tall, lithe and very handsome. He looked as though he had stepped out of medieval times with a flowing white shirt, black vest and black leather pants and boots. Around his shoulders was a long flowing cape that looked as if it was made of raven feathers. He brushed a lock of his unruly mane of blonde hair from his mismatched eyes and grinned impishly at Celeste.
"I do apologize, Poppet," he said as he walked over to where she sat. He lifted her up into the air and the scowl on her face instantly disappeared at the joy of seeing her best and only friend in the world. He sat her down on the rock that he had perched upon before, and took off her wet coat. He then wrapped his own cloak around her.
"So Poppet, are you ready for the birthday surprise I promised you?"
Celeste nodded, grinning from ear to ear as she wrapped his cloak tightly around her.
"Close your eyes, then, and say the words."
She giggled and did as he said, "I wish... I wish Jer would come and take me away, right now!"
Celeste felt a tingling sensation all over her body and suddenly felt like she was flying through the air, wind blowing her long hair about her face. Suddenly it stopped and she felt that she was being held in safe and loving arms. She opened her eyes and saw that Jer was now cradling her in his arms. She looked around and saw that they were at the entrance to the Goblin City that led to his castle. He set her down and took her tiny hands into his.
"Well Birthday girl, where shall we go first? The crystal waterfalls? The forests? The peach groves?"
She looked up at him and tilted her head, "Where's my birthday surprise?"
Jer threw his head back and laughed, "Such an impatient little thing.."
He kneeled down so that he was eye level with her. "You'll get your surprised soon enough Poppet, but you have to learn how to be patient..." He suddenly grabbed her and began tickling her furiously, "...or I'll dunk you in the Bog of Eternal Stench!!!"
"Noooo!!!!!" she howled with laughter as she tried to escape him, but she was no match for him and he reduced her into a giggling fit. When he finally stopped she looked up at him. "Can we go to your castle, Jer? I wanna go see everyone."
Jer swept the child off her feet and cradled her in his arms.
"Of course Poppet," he said as he carried her through the gates, " Your wish is my command..."
* * * * *
The castle was a flurry of activity as the goblins bustled around getting ready for their guest. Hoggle was barking out orders, wanting everything to be perfect so as not to bring on the wrath of Jareth. But he was also doing it for the little girl as well. Celeste brought out the best in the Goblin King, which in Hoggle's opinion, was no easy feat.
"They're coming! They're coming!" screamed a small scruffy goblin that ran into the hall from the front gates. The rest of the goblins began to babble with excitement. Jareth strode into the hall with Celeste on his shoulders, her hands holding onto locks of his golden hair. He helped her down and as soon as her feet hit the floor she was surrounded by a goblins chittering and chattering for her attention. Hoggle pushed through the mass of goblins to Celeste and took her hand.
"Happy 6th Birthday, Miss Celeste," he said bowing a bit, trying to be formal, but the girl would have none of that as she hugged him tightly.
"Hilo Hoggle!" she smiled, "I've got something for you!" She reached into her pocket and pulled out a silver charm. It was in the shape of a reclining cat, with brilliant green gems for eyes. She placed it in Hoggle's hand and smiled again. "I traded 2 weeks worth of dessert for it."
"Miss Celeste it's... It's beautiful," he stammered, then gasped for air as Celeste hugged him again.
"Oh Hoggle I'm so glad you like it!" she said, "I hoped that you would."
Hoggle hugged the girl back, not daring to look up at Jareth, who was towering over them. Hoggle could feel his cold stare boring into the back of his head. Hoggle was the first one to admit that he was a coward, especially where Jareth was involved.. As soon as Hoggle stepped away Celeste was swept into Jareth's arms.
"Enough of that rot," he said as he carried her to his throne. He sat her down and stepped into the middle of the great hall. The goblins parted from his path like the Red Sea. He scratched his chin as if in thought as he paced for a bit then came back to the throne where Celeste waited expectantly. He kneeled down and tapped her on the nose.
"You remind me of the babe..," he said with an impish grin, his mismatched eyes sparkling.
"What babe?" Celeste asked with a puzzled look.
"The babe with the power.." he replied nonchalantly.
"What power?" she asked sensing that this was part of a game
"The power of Voodoo""Who do?"
"You do.." he replied, placing his finger on the tip of her nose.
"Do what?!?!!?" she asked in mock exasperation.
"Remind me of the babe.." he replied grinning from ear to ear as he lifted her off the throne and swung her around in circles. She threw her head and laughed and the goblins joined in on the festivities and began to sing and dance.
* * * *
After the party had died down a bit, Jer took Celeste aside, and whispered in
her ear.
"Poppet, it's time for the birthday surprise that I promised you."
He took her hand and led her up some stairs, past the Escher room, up a winding staircase. The came to a large doorway with a huge carved stone door. With a wave of his hand the doors opened. Jer lead Celeste into a large room with mirrors on all the walls. Bits of colored glass and mirror hung from ribbons off the ceiling.
"Oh.." she gasped in wonder, "Jer It's so pretty!"
"That's not the best part," he said as he got on one knee beside her, "This is a wishing room. Just for you. Imagine a place, anyplace, and it will appear before you"
"Really?" she whispered.
"Yes. Now close you eyes, and tell about the place you want to make.."
Celeste closed her eyes and thought for a moment. "How about... a ball! Like the
ones in the stories you tell me? A mask.. mascer..."
"Masquerade ball?" he asked.
"Yes! That's it! A Masquerade ball, " she said, as a glowing, crystal ball appeared before her face. Inside of it was a tiny ballroom.
"With lots of dancers, with pretty dresses and suits and masks," and as she said this, the tiny ballroom was filled with elegant dancers. Jer smiled.
"Now Poppet, Open your eyes."
She did and she saw the tiny ballroom that her mind had created. She gasped and reached out to touch it but pulled her hand away fearing it would break.
"It's alright," he assured her, "Would you like to go in?"
Celeste looked down at her drab dress uniform, then up at the beautiful dancers.
"I'm not pretty enough to go," she said sadly.
"Don't you dare say that," said Jer crossly. Celeste looked up at him, started by his tone of voice.
Jer shook his head then took her hand in his. "I'm sorry Poppet, but I hate it when you say such things about your self. You are the dearest thing to me. You know I would never lie to you, right?"
"Right, " she replied softly.
"Well then when I saw that you are the most beautiful girl, more beautiful than any of those dancers, I mean it with all my heart. Do you believe me?"
She smiled softly. "Yes I do."
"Well then, Shall we dance?" he offered his hand to her and she took it. The crystal bubble grew until it was larger than the both of them were. And they stepped through the crystal.
When they had made it to the other side she saw that her dress had been changed into a silver gown and her hair had been drawn up and pinned with flowers and that Jer was wearing a regal suit of black. He took her hand and they began to dance. She felt as if she was floating on air, she was so happy. Finally the music died down and Jer placed something in her hand. It was another crystal bubble, but with a dancer in a beautiful black and red ball gown. There was a little gold button at the bottom and when she pressed it began to play a tune and the figure in the bubble turned as if she was dancing.
"Jer! It's our Lullaby!" she cried.
"Yes, I told you I have a very special present for you" he smiled.
All of a sudden she heard a far off voice, calling her name.. "Celeste? Celeste!
Where in God sakes have you run off to now?!"
Jer look at her sadly. "Sorry Poppet but its time to go.."
"But I just got here! I don't want to leave!"
"I know dear one. But you know I can't keep you. He kissed her softly on the cheek, and then she was suddenly back in the snowy field, alone again.
"Celeste!"
She turned around and saw one of the nuns that ran the orphanage.
"Child where have you been!" she scolded, "You'll catch your death of cold!"
She herded Celeste back towards the orphanage, "You've been off daydreaming again, I'll wager."
Celeste wasn't listening as she hummed to herself with her hand in her pocket playing with the crystal bubble that Jer had given her....
chapter 2
Jareth returned to the great hall in a foul mood. The few unfortunate goblins that were slow to move from his path were kicked or trodden upon. The rest of the goblins made themselves scarce. He stalked to his throne and flung himself upon it, his legs swinging over the armrest.
"Damn. Damn! DAMN!" he snarled, half to himself, "There should have been more time! I promised her!"
"Having problems, cousin?" came a dark silky voice.
Jareth turned his head towards the voice. Leaning against one of the columns in the hall was a tall, lanky young man. He was dressed in black leather and had long dark brown hair held in a braid that trailed down his back. His eyes were an orangey amber color and his face resembled Jareth's right down to the arrogant smirk. Jareth raised his eyebrow at the youth; "Oh it's you."
The young man's smirk increased, "Really cousin, is that a way to greet family?"
He circled the throne like some sort of predatory creature. "Still mopping around because of that child?"
"Ian, I am not in the mood, " Jareth seethed.
"No, you never are," Ian replied thoughtfully. "Jareth, Jareth, Jareth... You know you really should give it up. Why bring you hopes up? He'll never let you have her."
Jareth stood up and brought his face just inches away from his cousin's "So I'm supposed to leave her?" he snarled, "Abandon her like he did?" he turned away and began to pace furiously.
"Come now, Jareth," Ian replied, "It can't be helped that he's gone under and can't be reached. Anyways you were only to keep an eye on her, not to become attached to her. He won't be happy to find that you've integrated yourself into her life as much as you have." Ian tilted his head thoughtfully. "Of course, the poor thing must feel so alone with no friends and all the other girls teasing her. She's probably crying herself to sleep, right now. Such a pity."
A strange look briefly passed over Jareth's face. "I have to go to her," he muttered to himself. He began to stalk out of the hall when he remembered his "guest".
"Ian, you know your way out. I have business to attend to." Jareth turned a corner and Ian could hear the fluttering of owl's wings.
Ian smiled to himself. Everything was falling into place. Soon Jareth would dig himself into a deep enough hole that he wouldn't be able to get himself out. And then Jareth's kingdom would be his.
"Yes," he said to himself, as he walked over to an open window, "This is turning out quite nicely.." He stepped out of the window and turned into a brown hawk and flew off.
* * * *
Celeste closed her eyes and pretended she was sleeping when she heard the nun stop by her door, during her nightly rounds. She heard the door creak open a bit and a shaft of light fell across her face. She stayed still, breathing deeply to keep up the illusion that she was asleep.
The door closed and Celeste could hear the nun walk away. As soon as she thought it was safe she sat up in bed and pulled her coat out from under her bed. She reached into one of the pockets and pulled out the crystal bubble that Jer and given her. She gazed at it in wonder, not able to get over how beautiful it was. She looked closely at the figure inside. The dancer had white hair just like she did. Jer had always told her that she had pretty hair, but the other girl's teased her and called her "Spooky" or "ghost girl" because of it. She looked even closer at the dancer's face. It looked very familiar. May be the dancer was her mommy? Jer had told her that he had met her mommy before she died. He told her that she was a beautiful dancer. Celeste sighed, wishing she was back in Jer's kingdom. She hated it here.
Everyone teased her or looked at her strange. She was sorely aware by the others that she wasn't wanted. At least in Jer's castle, in the Labyrinth, she was loved. No one made fun of her or called her names. Why couldn't she live with Jer forever? Did he not want her too? She closed her eyes trying very hard not to cry, but tears escaped as she hugged the crystal close to her.
"What's wrong Poppet?"
Celeste jumped as her eyes flew open. She was staring straight into Jer's mismatched eyes, which were full of concern. He brushed tears off her check.
"Oh Jer, I hate it here!" she cried, "Why can't you take me with you?"
Jer sighed and stood up, "It's not that simple Celeste. I made a promise to watch over you, but part of that promise was that I couldn't take you away from the human world. And although I would love to take you with me, I can't break the promise. Do you understand?"
Celeste nodded, but Jer could tell by the look on her face that this was not the end of it. She was a sweet angelic child but she could as stubborn as a mule if she chose to be.
He sat down next to her on the bed and tucked her in. "Now, young lady, it's about time you got some sleep. You've had a very long day."
"But I'm not sleepy," she pouted as she yawned, "Tell me a story."
"Fine then..." He scratched his chin in thought, " Once upon a time.. There was a beautiful young woman. And she lived in a land far, far away. She was a very kind girl, but all the people in her town envied her for her pure heart and beauty, so the treated her very badly. But what they didn't know was that she was a very special girl."
"A princess?" asked Celeste as she snuggled against him.
"Yes a princess, with very special powers. But she didn't know that. Well one day someone fell in love with her, a King.."
"Like you" giggled Celeste.
"Yes Poppet, like me," he smiled, "Well a King fell in love with her and he took her to his castle where she was loved and cared for and no one treated her badly ever before.."
"..And they lived happily ever after?" she murmured sleepily.
"Yes Poppet," he whispered, "of course they did"
"Jer, sing to me," Celeste asked softly as she was beginning to slip into slumber.
Jer smiled and reached for the bubble clutched in her hand. He pressed the button on it and soft music filled the room. Jer began to sing as Celeste tried unsuccessfully to keep her eyes open.
"On the wind, 'Cross the sea,
Hear this song and remember,
Soon you'll be home with me,
Once Upon a December..."
Celeste was fast asleep even before he has finished. He kissed her forehead, and tucked her in again.
"I am truly sorry Poppet," he whispered. He took one last look his eyes full of pain. Then he turned to the window and flew off into the night.
chapter 3
Several years had passed, as Celeste was moved from one foster home to another. The foster parents kept bringing her back, saying that they had problems with her. There were several incidents where they heard voices coming from her room, but when checked on, she was alone. The foster parents claimed that they couldn't deal with a "special" child like her. Finally the orphanage had finally found someone who was willing to take Celeste off their hands. She was nearly 13 now, and the older she got the harder she was to place, so when a couple showed interest in adopting her, the nuns leapt for it. Celeste wasn't too thrilled about it, but she learned long ago not to argue with the nuns. They could be scary when you argued with them. Her life with her new "family", the Coleman's, was pretty uneventful. Mrs. Coleman was a very quite, passive woman who wringed her hands a lot and Mr. Coleman was large and imposing, with dark deeply set eyes. He would look at Celeste strangely when he thought she wasn't looking. He was away a lot and usually came back home very late at night, making a lot of noise that woke Celeste up. She usually kept her door locked at night, and this made her feel somewhat safe, although she didn't know why. A week after Celeste moved in Mrs. Coleman insisted that she call her "mom".
"My mom is dead" Celeste replied in a flat tone. She felt instantly sorry for saying it, as soon as she saw the stricken look on Mrs. Coleman's face.
"I'm sorry," Celeste told her taking her hand, "I just don't feel real comfortable calling you mom right now.. But I'm sure after time, I will be able to," she tried to smile at the woman not quite making it. Mrs. Coleman smiled back at her sadly, patted the girl's hand and went back to the kitchen.
::Real nice Celeste,:: she thought to herself, ::You didn't have to trample on the woman's feelings! She was trying to be nice to you,:: she sighed and headed to her room. After that little incident, Celeste was left mostly to herself.
She was desperately lonely, and Jer didn't come as often as he did before.
Mostly he seemed to show up, right at the moment when she was just about to enter the oblivion of sleep. She could feel his fingers stroking her hair and humming their lullaby. She wanted to jump up and hug him and tell him how much she missed him. But sleep would claim her and when she would wake up there would be no trace of his visit except the sensation of him kissing her brow.
One night as Celeste lay wide-awake in bed; she heard crashing from the living room. She knew immediately that it was Mr. Coleman. He usually came in making enough racket to wake the dead. All of a sudden a thought crossed Celeste's mind. Had she locked the door tonight? It was too late to get up to check, as she heard his stumbling footsteps come down the hallway. She pulled her blanket over her head thinking, ::Maybe if I pretend that I'm asleep he'll go away..:: She heard him stop at her doorway. ::Please God let the door be locked.. Please God please..::
He fumbled with the knob, and Celeste felt her blood run cold as she heard the door creak open. She could smell the reek of alcohol and sweat as he stumbled towards her, breathing heavily. He plopped onto the edge of her bed and began muttering something that she couldn't understand, then pulled the covers off of the bed away from her. Celeste tried to squirm away but he grabbed her wrists with one large hand and her throat with the other.
"Little tease," he slurred, "You know what your daddy wants.."
Fear nearly paralyzed Celeste, but some instinct deep inside her knew that she had to get away from him, before he did something horrible to her. She reared back her leg and kicked him as hard as she could in the crotch. He cursed in pain and let her go. He then swung his fist into her face knocking her onto the floor with the force of the blow. She could taste blood in her mouth, pouring down her face.
"Bitch!" he hissed as he lunged for her. She scrambled out of the room, evading his grasp. She stumbled down the stairs desperately looking for a place to hide. Her eyes caught some heavy drapes that were behind the couch. She hid behind the drapes curling up, holding her knees tightly up to her chest.
::please don't let him find me.. oh god please!!::
She could hear him stumbling down the stairs cursing violently. "Come out you little bitch!!"
::oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god::
He threw a lamp against the wall. "I said come out you little tease!" His voice dropped down to a low and sinister tone, "Your daddy wants to play.."
::oh God oh God PLEASE don't let him find me::
He stumbled over to the couch and knocked it over.
::GOD PLEASE!!::
He stood breathing raggedly in front of the heavy drapes, and then he began to softly chuckle.
::HELP ME!!::
He yanked open the drapes and saw her cowering there. He began to undo his pants.
Celeste began to scream.
* * * *
Jareth smiled as he studied his new addition to his Goblin horde. He had been wished here by his older brother Scott, who only went through the Labyrinth, not because he cared about his younger sibling, but because he knew his parents would kill him if he didn't come back with his little brother. Of course Jareth had no intention of letting him get his brother back. He played with the boy for a bit, in the way that cats play with mice, but he soon lost interest. The boy was still wandering aimlessly in the outskirts of the maze when the 13th hour struck. Jareth transported the boy to his throne room, where Scott begged and pleaded to be sent back home. Jareth could have his little brother for all he cared.
"Oh I'll send you home alright," Jareth smirked, "But not without a parting gift.." Scott's little brother sat at the foot of Jareth's throne, looking at his older brother with pure hatred and contempt. Jareth took the child's hand and pricked his finger with a needle. He did it so quickly that the child didn't have time to register the pain. As a drop of blood fell to the floor, Jareth laughed.
Scott found himself back home in his little brother's room. "I'm free," he chuckled to himself, "I'm fre....." he looked down and saw his hands were covered with blood. He looked around the room and saw that blood was splattered all over the room. Even his brother's bed was soaked. He began to go into hysterics just as his parents walked in.
According to the police report, the blood that was on the boy and generally splattered all over the room belonged to his little brother. They suspected that Scott had just snapped and murdered his brother and disposed of the body. Then he came up with the cockamamie story about a "Goblin King" taking him away.
Jareth watched his new goblin with growing amusement. He would be much happier here than in the mundane world. Jareth had made sure to take away all his memories of his human life, so as far as he was concerned he had always been a goblin for as long as he could remember. As for his older sibling, well, Jareth had looked into the boy's soul and saw what he really wished and what Scott wanted was his little brother dead. So, Jareth had made it so. Of course he had made it seem like that it was caused by his own hands, but then, the boy should have been more specific...
"Another addition to your collection, Jareth?" Jareth turned to see Ian looking critically at the new Goblin. "Kind of scrawny isn't he?"
Jareth shrugged, "Maybe, but I did rather have fun with his brother, though," he replied with a sly grin.
Ian returned the grin, "Yes, I saw. Now that's the Jareth we all know and loathe. It's nice to see you're over and stopped seeing that girl"
Jareth made no comment, and continued to watch his new acquisition intently.
"You have stopped seeing her, right?" Ian queried.
"Well..... Not exactly.."
Ian shook his head.
"Really Jareth," he sighed, "It's not such a good idea to get him upset..."
Jareth turned a cold stare towards Ian
"Cousin," he said in a soft dangerous tone, "Are you implying that I'm afraid of
him?"
"N...no!" Ian stammered, withering under Jareth's stare, "I was just saying that getting him upset just wouldn't help matters. Anyways forget about the girl.
She's making you soft.."
Jareth raised his eyebrow, "Not soft enough to stop me from dumping you head first into the Bog of Eternal Stench."
Ian gulped, "Ha-ha, Very funny."
Jareth grinned, "Yes, I thought so.."
::JER! HELPME PLEASE!!!!::
Jareth was knocked to his knees by the force of the telepathic scream for help.
"Gods," he whispered in a horrified tone, when he realized it was Celeste.
Jareth stood up and instantly transported himself to where Celeste was. Ian was yet again left alone in the throne room. He grinned to himself remembering the look of distress on Jareth's face. "Looks like she's got my little surprise," he chuckled.
* * * *
The man loomed over her, his hands tearing at her nightshirt, pulling her shorts down. Celeste struggled and whimpered as she tried futily to escape. She sent a silent plea to someone, anyone to take her away, to make him go away and leave her alone.
All of a sudden her prayers were answered. The man was gone and she was alone, in a black void. She pulled her shorts back up and hugged what was left of her tattered nightshirt close to her, shivering. Where was she?
chapter 4
"Where is she?!"
Mr. Coleman turned, his pants around his ankles. Before him, radiating with fury was Jareth. His eyes seethed and were afire with pure and total hate, his black cape writhed and coiled as if it were a living thing.
Mr. Coleman dropped to his knees, sobering up immediately by the sight,
"God.."
"Your God can't help you now," Jareth snarled. He pulled forth one of his crystals and with a flick of his hand it became a ball of flame. He hurled it at Mr. Coleman's groin. The man screeched in pain as he fell over to the floor holding his scorched crotch.
"That's only a fraction of the pain I'll put you through if you don't tell me where she is," Jareth hissed.
"S.. She's gone," the man whimpered, "she .. just disappeared.."
That stopped Jareth in his tracked. He knew the scum wasn't lying, but she couldn't of just disappeared into thin are unless...
He turned back to the sniveling wreck on the floor.
"Wh.. Who are you?" Mr. Coleman asked.
Jareth grinned cruelly, "Your worst nightmare"
* * * *
Mrs. Coleman sat on her bed, listening to the sound of her husband screaming. It had seemed like hours, but a look at the clock on her nightstand confirmed that it had only 10 minutes. Suddenly the screams cut short. She waited 2, 3, 4 minutes; there was only silence. A hand rested on her shoulder.
"I thought you were going to kill him quickly," she said.
"You did not specify how long or how short his life would expire, my dear," Ian replied in a silky tone, "Oh, and thank you again for making sure your now dearly departed husband got a key to the girl's room."
The woman looked up at him, "Is she.. is she alright?"
Ian shrugged, "What does it matter? It's a little too late to worry about her now. If you were so concerned you wouldn't have given him the key now would you?"
"But I didn't know it would go this far.." she whispered, half to herself.
"Didn't you? You knew what he was capable of, especially when the temptation was presented to him. Why else would I have you adopt her?"
"God, what have I done?" she cried.
"You have earned your freedom from you horrid husband. Exactly as you wished. No great loss." Ian replied with a grin.
He went to the window and opened it, then turned to the woman and bowed deeply,
"Well, Madame, I must bid you adieu" He took his hawk form and flew off into the night.
The woman began to sob bitterly, until something on her husband's nightstand caught her eye. There was a brand new packet of packet of razor blades sitting on the stand. She opened the package and took one between her forefinger and thumb, and looked at it for a long time. With a quick movement of her hand she swiped the blade across her throat, then across each wrist. It took an hour before she sunk into the deep oblivion of death. As Ian would say, "No great loss...".
chapter 5
Celeste wandered aimlessly in the darkness. She didn't know if she was making any progress in getting out of this place. She should have been afraid, but for some reason she felt strangely at peace. There was something both comforting and familiar about this darkness. "Hello?" she called out, "Is anyone there?" She was only answered by silence.
Finally, tired of walking and getting nowhere, she sat down.
^celeste ^ a medley of voices whispered in her ear.
"Who's there?" she cried, standing up looking around, "Where are you?"
The darkness around her pulsed and swirled as if it were alive.
^we are here we are everywhere.^
"Who.. What are you?," she asked timidly. The darkness around her began to take form and mass, swirling around her, brushing up against her. The sensation felt as if animals like cats or dogs nudging against her, begging for attention.
^we are yours we belong to you we are your legacy lead us^
Celeste looked at the writhing darkness with confusion. "What are you talking about? I don't understand?"
^you will^ the voices replied. Then the mass began to dissipate as the whispering voices faded away.
"Wait!" Celeste pleaded, "Don't go! Don't leave me here alone!"
But it was to late; the voices had gone leaving her alone again in the black void.
Suddenly she felt a hand upon her shoulder. She began to scream hysterically, pulling away from the offending hand.
"Poppet it's alright. Calm yourself, you're safe now:" Jareth said in a soothing voice.
"Jer?" Celeste looked up to her old friend standing there regarding her with eyes full of concern. All of sudden flashes of what had happened to her before, what the man had almost done to her... She collapsed shaking, and sobbing uncontrollably. Jer scooped her up into his arms, holding her tightly.
"Hush, hush," he whispered softly, "I'm here now.."
"Oh Jer.." she sobbed, "He.. He tried to..." she broke off and began sobbing harder.
"It's all right Poppet, it's all right..." he tried soothing her. Her tears began to taper off to sniffles.
"No," she whispered, "It's never going to be alright again.."
"Of course it will be," Jareth replied, "He will never bother you again. I'll make sure of that. As soon as I tend your wound and you get some rest, I'll take you back-"
"Take me back?!?!" Celeste asked in a hysterical tone. She pulled away from him and looked at him with eyes full of horror. "How can you even think of sending me back?! I can't, not after what happened.."
"Celeste," Jareth pleaded, "You know I can't let you stay here.."
"Why Jareth?" Celeste said in a piercing tone. "Because of some promise made to someone I don't even know? Why can't I have a say in this? It's my life!" Her eyes were full of anger and pain.
"Please Celeste, don't look at me that way. It's cruel.."
"Cruel? I'm being cruel?" She laughed bitterly. "Well I had a good teacher." She turned away, not wanting him to she the tears that were beginning to spill from her eyes.
Her statement stung like needles against his heart. It also made him come to a decision. He placed his hand upon her shoulders and turned her around so that she faced him. Tears poured down her face but she stared at him defiantly. He passed his hand over her eyes and she fell into unconsciousness. He caught her before she hit the floor.
Ian stepped out of the blackness and stood next to Jareth, He looked down at the unconscious girl.
"What are you going to do with her?" he asked.
"I'm taking her to see her father," Jareth replied.
chapter 6
On the borders of the Underground, at the edge of the forests, there is a wall of blackness that marks the borders of the Shadowlands. Denizens of the Underground did not dare to venture into the darkness because anyone that entered the darkness never returned. This was the land that was ruled by Celeste's father, the Shadow King. Jareth stood, waiting in the Shadow king's throne room, cradling the sleeping child in his arms. Shadow beasts lurked and coiled around them, constantly shifting into different shapes.
"Proteus!" Jareth shouted, "Show yourself! We have business to speak of."
Shadows began to gather in front of the massive throne. They began to take shape until they formed the figure of a dark lithe man, who sat pensively upon the throne.
"You don't have to yell Jareth," the Shadow King replied in a voice that was reminiscent of autumn leaves blowing in the wind. "In my realm I hear and see everything.."
"Well for all your powers, you don't seem to be very aware of the pain you've been putting your daughter through," Jareth said vehemently.
The Shadow King narrowed his black eyes but did not say anything.
"I can't send her back to the human world," Jareth said, "It would destroy her.
Let me take her with me. I would protect her and make sure she would never be hurt again."
"Just like you did tonight?" asked the Shadow King.
Jareth seethed, "I didn't see you do anything about it.."
"No, because that was your job, " replied the dark man. He stood up and looked down at the Goblin King, "Jareth, do you realize the amount of danger you have put her in by just bringing her here?"
"Yes, but..." Jareth began.
"But nothing," the Shadow King interrupted. "You know my enemies would like nothing more than to get their hands on her. She is in more danger now, than she could be, in the human world, if you had only watched her and not participated in her life."
"But I couldn't leave her alone," Jareth protested.
"Jareth," the dark man said in firm tone, "You will take her back, immediately."
Jareth said nothing as he looked down at the girl, wondering how he was going to explain this to her.
"And," the Shadow King continued, "you will remove any memories that she has of you and of being in you realm."
"What?!?" Jareth cried in outrage. "I can't do that!"
"You can and you will. Do you actually think she would go back willingly if she remembered all of this?"
Jareth cast his eyes downwards, recalling her words from earlier, "No.. She wouldn't.."
"Then you know what to do." The Shadow King stepped back to his throne, his shape becoming more transparent, as he took him natural form. Jareth sat amid the shadows as he held the girl tightly to him. Finally he stood up and transported himself back to his realm.
* * * *
In the mirrored room, Celeste's wish room; the colored glass sparkled gaily reflecting the light around them. Jareth brushed her long hair from her forehead, and kissed her. A single tear drop on to her face and trailed own her cheek.
"I am so sorry Poppet," he whispered, "It's for the best, really"
Maybe if he said that often enough he would begin to believe it.
He heard the door creak open behind him. He turned around expecting to see Ian gloating behind him, but instead he saw Hoggle peeking in.
"What have you done with the little miss?" cried the dwarf as he rushed in, "If ye hurt her, I'll..."
"You'll what, Hogwart?" Jareth Snarled at him. He gently placed the girl on the floor and turned to the Dwarf. He was surprised that the dwarf wasn't trembling and whimpering in fear before him. He was actually trying to be brave, no doubt for the girl's sake. Any other time, Jareth would have found this amusing, but now it only enraged him. He struck out as quickly as a viper and Hoggle found himself several feet off the floor with Jareth's hands wrapped around his neck.
For once Hoggle felt absolute and total fear for his life. He knew that Jareth would kill him and it would not be either a quick or pleasant death.
"Listen, Hoggle," Jareth hissed. Hoggle became even more afraid because for once
Jareth had gotten his name right. "Any other time I would find you little display of bravado amusing but I currently am NOT in the mood." Suddenly a look flashed across Jareth's eyes, as if he had just thought of something truly unpleasant to do to Hoggle. He yanked the Cat Charm off from Hoggle's jewel collection.
"Hey!" Hoggle squeaked around Jareth's clench, "That's my rightful property! She gave it to me!"
"Don't worry Hoggbrain," Jareth sneered, "You won't miss it. You won't even remember it."
Jareth placed his hand over the struggling dwarf's forehead. He seemed to pull a bubble from Hoggle's forehead, as he drew forth his all memories of Celeste.
Suddenly Hoggle found himself at the entrance to the labyrinth, with holding his spray can. He was confused for a second; not knowing what he was doing before.
He shrugged his shoulders and went back to spraying fairies.
"45.... 46.... 47..... 48"
* * * *
Jareth turned back to the sleeping girl. He gathered her back into his arms, then placed his hand upon her brow. He began to pull each of her memories of him and sent them floating to the high ceiling of the room. The crystal bubbles that held the memories merged into the pieces of colored glass, so that images of times long past were reflected in them. He finally reached her last memory of him. Her most painful one, where he, in her eyes, had betrayed her. This one he held for a moment, before he crushed it in his hand reducing it to glittery dust. He took the charm he had taken from Hoggle and placed an enchantment upon it. It disappeared. He then kissed Celeste one last time.
"Goodbye Poppet.."
* * * *
Celeste found herself standing on an old dirt road dressed in a coat that was way to big for her holding a suitcase. She looked around with a puzzled look upon her face. Where was she? How did she get here? The last thing she could remember was that she was in her foster family's home and her foster father had tried to .... Her mind shut down at this, not wanting to let this memory resurface. She began shaking, her knees turning to water.
"Oh god..." she whispered. She knew she couldn't go back. She had to get far away. Suddenly there was a crashing noise behind her. She turned as a scream nearly rose from her throat.
The sound had come from the bushes behind her, but the bushes seemed to be much too small to hide anything. She peered down and found that something was looking back at her. She was staring into a pair of large bluish green crossed eyes. She laughed as she saw that the eyes belonged to the most beautiful and silliest looking creature that she had ever seen. It was a small black and white tuxedo kitten. It had long silky fur and ears that seemed too large for it's little head. Its white muzzle reminded her of a bunny rabbit's right down to the pink little nose. It's paws were to big for it and it's fluffy tail was much to long for it's body.
"Meep!"
Celeste began to giggle again. She didn't know cats squeaked. The little creature crawled up to her and sat on its haunches, looking up at her with its large eyes.
"Meep!" it squeaked again. Celeste smiled, glad for the distraction, and picked it up. It licked her on the nose, then squeaked again.
"C'mon kitten," she smiled, "Let's hit the road."
chapter 6
Jareth stood at the edge of the Bog of Eternal Stench. He had cast a protective spell around himself, so the stench would not affect him. In his had he held a crystal orb, with what looked like a tiny, writhing figure inside. He let the crystal float out of his hand and it began to grow until the creature inside was almost human size.
Jareth smiled at his handiwork. The being inside the crystal prison was hardly recognizable as human anymore. Its withered limbs were twisted and atrophied, its hands had fused into malformed flippers, it's legs ended into gnarled tentacles. It's large black eyes rolled around in their sockets as its maw of a mouth opened up in a silent scream. Ichor dripped from it's translucent skin forming a puddle before Jareth's feet. The Goblin King smiled at the creature's obvious pain. "At least I can keep one promise that I made to her," Jareth mumbled to himself.
He leaned forward until his face was inches away from the monstrosity.
"You never should of touched her," he hissed to the creature, "I 'm sure you wished that I had killed you. But death is too good for the likes of you."
With a wave of his hand he dismissed the crystal and it hovered over the center of the bog and disappeared, leaving the creature suspended in midair for about a second before it plummeted into the murky depths of the putrid liquid. Jareth began to cast an intricate spell of binding and created a hazardous looking bridge right over where the creature had fallen in. When the spell was finished, Jareth had successfully binded the bridge to the beast. As long as no one crossed the bridge it would stand holding the creature there. And considering where the bridge was and the state it was in, it would be standing for a long time. But still, it was better to be safe than sorry. He needed someone to guard the bridge. Someone who would be persistent enough to dissuade anyone from even considering about crossing it, but stupid enough to guard a decrepit bridge in the middle of the Bog of eternal Stench. Suddenly the perfect individual came to mind. Jareth smiled to himself and began casting a summoning spell.
* * * *
Jareth waited, leaning against a large tree, which stood next to the rickety bridge, when he heard something crashing through the brush. Sir Didymus arrived sitting atop his skittish steed, Ambrosias. He stopped and took a deep breath, which could be fatal in the bog of eternal stench.
"Ahhh," Didymus said, "A breath of fresh air, can do wonder for the constitution, right Ambrosias?"
The dog just shuddered afraid that something would jump out and attack them. Jareth smiled. It looked as if the spell he had tagged along with the summoning had worked. Didymus and his steed could now safely breath the air around them, with no ill effect.
"Sir Knight," he called. Startled by the voice. Didymus jumped off his steed, who ran off to hide under a bush, and drew his rapier, ready to attack. When he saw who it was, he bows deeply, "Your majesty, I am at your service."
"Sir Didymus," Jareth said, "I have need of your quick sword and bravery."
The small knight puffed up with pride at the compliment. "What would you have me do, sire?"
"I need a brave knight to guard this bridge. Someone who would swear his life
to make sure no one will cross."
Didymus looked around Jareth inspecting the bridge, and gave Jareth a puzzled look. "Sire, you want me to guard this? I should think that you would want to use knight of my talents for something more... dangerous."
"Well if you think your not up to the task, I can always find another," Jareth paused, "It is a job fraught with danger, for a brave and courageous knight.. But it your really not up to it.." at this Jareth began to turn away.
"Wait!" cried Didymus, "I am all those things! I would be honored to guard this bridge."
Jareth smiled, "Then you swear upon you life not to let anyone pass."
" I swear upon my life and honor that none shall pass without my permission," replied the diminutive knight.
"Fine the Job is yours..." Jareth disappeared to do one last thing to lay this business to rest, as Didymus scoured the underbrush for his steed.
* * * *
Jareth stood before the room where he had last been with Celeste. He placed his hand on the door, but couldn't bring himself to enter. No one is ever going to enter this room, he promised himself. He plucked his amulet from his chest and held it against the stone door. It seemed to sink into the door, binding it closed. When he pulled it away it left an impression in the door. The only way anyone would be able to get it open was to use the amulet. He hung it back around his neck., and left the room, not intending to come back..
