The fanfare served only to intensify Jareth's headache. His glare was
almost tangible even to the most self interested noble in the Court. They
had summoned. He had come, unwilling, but yet serving the Lae, the code,
unwritten, spoken and remembered by the Lae Keepers. essentially the Laws
binding the fae, not only by word and deed, but through magic, it was
difficult to survive after renouncing the Lae, it was created by no fae,
its origin greatly shrouded in mysticism, not even most Lae Keepers would
hold that knowledge. only the most senior and almost never seen. Thus he
was surprised to see Ilys sitting in place within the Court. Almost
imperceptibly she nodded to him, though he kept his expression from showing
it, his surprise deepened. First Kairyn and Lilythe. and now one of the
Elder Lae Keepers, Jareth's nervousness increased, and his fear over the
war and its seriousness deepened.
"We the High greet King Jareth of the Goblin Kingdom, Keeper of the Labyrinth." Jareth's attention turned to the High King and Queen, one of which was a parent he had loved and treasured, been close to, up until Gilel, now not even a flicker of warmth echoed in the deep violet eyes. He mentally shook himself; today would be difficult enough to get through without bringing old memories into it. "I greet your High Majesties this morning." His response though still formal, was blunt and lacked most of the customary finery between lower nobles. Then again, they'd long since trying to treat him as they did the others. To their credit, they didn't even look surprised, still impassive, like stone.
"Will you present your bride Sir?" the High Queen asked, not wasting any time, taking her cue from him. "Nay. I have not yet found one who would spend their days with goblins as subjects, they can hardly be blamed for this." Some of the Nobles twittered, not unlike birds at this comment, mocking him in his simple truth of statement. Never mind that he'd not made any of the many wifely prospects the Queen deemed within his grasp feel particularly welcome. As he'd mentioned, they'd not wanted to be there any more than he'd wanted them either. They'd left willingly, grateful for his rejection. "This is no longer acceptable. You are required to marry and produce children, the fae are in need of growing in numbers, you are the only male of age left without a consort and as such, heirs. You will be required to accept our choice of bride." The Queen nodded, as if to affirm her statement, and put more strength of will into it, than had originally sounded. Jareth sighed, loudly and audibly before replying, one simple word, and yet it sent the entire court into and uproar. "No." He chanced a look at the elder Ilys the only silent fae in the Court now, he alone took notice of the barely concealed rage and defiance in Jareth's words, the danger in his tone. "You no longer have any choice in this matter. It is decreed, you are henceforth affianced with.." but the Queen did not quite get to finish, before Ilys interrupted her with a slight cough. "Elder Keeper of the Lae, you wish to address this matter?" she asked, clearly surprised. Ilys stood. He was silver, almost in flesh as well as eye and hair, which flowed down to his ankles in cascading waves. "I must speak, as the Lae cries out in pain. You may not force this subject to marry against his will. It is against the Lae. You are also foolish if you believe that there is still time to birth and grow warriors to fight this coming war. A war, that is almost upon us, there have already been maelstroms. Not magestorms created by users of magic, pure chaos allowed free reign upon the Underground. The key to our survival now lies with this one. The Lae will not indicate more to us, but urged the giving of this warning, despite almost surety that you will ignore our advice. Wash away the pain of Anathema and welcome him home, or fear annihilation." Ilys sat, slowly and gracefully, showing none of his age and all of his wisdom and mystery in even so simple a movement.
The Queen and King sat open mouthed, a comical sight in most creatures, hilariously so of the fae. "But. no. he is shamed, punished, a criminal - never will we welcome him as kin, never will we embrace that which is anathema to us - you dare to ask this of us! As for the war, it is many years away yet, my visions confirm it so." With that said the Queen turned away from Ilys, her eyes burning at Jareth "You have escaped your duty once again, and stand shamed once again before our Court since you wish to do nothing to prevent this war destroying us." Her own rage was now very obvious, her tall raven haired form visibly shaking from the strain of the powerful emotion.
Jareth met her gaze, "I will support the defence of our world, my goblins have been making preparations, I have been changing and restructuring the magic of the labyrinth as a place of solace from the war, at least the storms at this stage. Any whom do not fear to go against this council, whom do not fear to support me, in my TRUE effort to get through this war is free to approach my castle and speak with me directly." He paused for a moment, as if considering what next to say. "The Seers support the words of Ilys, Elder Lae Keeper, that it is not the time for babes and families, but to defend and protect, unite against this unknown enemy that threatens our very existence. Are we the only ones true to stand against its judgement?" That said, he left, before he could even begin to hear the chaos that followed. Ilys stood, and slowly, gracefully made his way from the chamber, chuckling as he did so, not having expected a show quite so flamboyant and overt, but pleased nonetheless. The time was approaching.
Jareth paced his throne room, hardly able to believe the words he'd spoken, the challenge he'd issued, he was usually far more reserved, and he was unsure why he'd come to such bold statements at such a dangerous and inappropriate time. Still, it was done, and now there was more preparation to make, more counsel to seek and decisions to be put into movement. He strode to the window, thinking to seek out Ilys the Elder's counsel first, only to find the graceful beautiful man standing before him, with all of the Elder and most of the younger Lae Keepers with him also.
His only words were, while Jareth was still speechless from shock "We accept your offer of hospitality, and you will have all our aid." Then, one and all they bowed, deeply to one worthy of great and ancient respect, Jareth continued to stand dumbfounded before he finally managed to speak "I don't understand." Ilys chuckled before replying, "You will. You must. Events move in their own strange patterns, and we can but respond in kind. We will talk more anon, but after this morning, with so much emotion running rampant - not a little of it yours, boyo, I must rest." Shaking himself out of reverie, Jareth nodded, still bewildered "Of course Keeper, my servants will help you." As he watched them leave, he stood dumbfounded, still unable to believe most of anything that had happened since he'd turfed the pompous messenger into the bog.
"We the High greet King Jareth of the Goblin Kingdom, Keeper of the Labyrinth." Jareth's attention turned to the High King and Queen, one of which was a parent he had loved and treasured, been close to, up until Gilel, now not even a flicker of warmth echoed in the deep violet eyes. He mentally shook himself; today would be difficult enough to get through without bringing old memories into it. "I greet your High Majesties this morning." His response though still formal, was blunt and lacked most of the customary finery between lower nobles. Then again, they'd long since trying to treat him as they did the others. To their credit, they didn't even look surprised, still impassive, like stone.
"Will you present your bride Sir?" the High Queen asked, not wasting any time, taking her cue from him. "Nay. I have not yet found one who would spend their days with goblins as subjects, they can hardly be blamed for this." Some of the Nobles twittered, not unlike birds at this comment, mocking him in his simple truth of statement. Never mind that he'd not made any of the many wifely prospects the Queen deemed within his grasp feel particularly welcome. As he'd mentioned, they'd not wanted to be there any more than he'd wanted them either. They'd left willingly, grateful for his rejection. "This is no longer acceptable. You are required to marry and produce children, the fae are in need of growing in numbers, you are the only male of age left without a consort and as such, heirs. You will be required to accept our choice of bride." The Queen nodded, as if to affirm her statement, and put more strength of will into it, than had originally sounded. Jareth sighed, loudly and audibly before replying, one simple word, and yet it sent the entire court into and uproar. "No." He chanced a look at the elder Ilys the only silent fae in the Court now, he alone took notice of the barely concealed rage and defiance in Jareth's words, the danger in his tone. "You no longer have any choice in this matter. It is decreed, you are henceforth affianced with.." but the Queen did not quite get to finish, before Ilys interrupted her with a slight cough. "Elder Keeper of the Lae, you wish to address this matter?" she asked, clearly surprised. Ilys stood. He was silver, almost in flesh as well as eye and hair, which flowed down to his ankles in cascading waves. "I must speak, as the Lae cries out in pain. You may not force this subject to marry against his will. It is against the Lae. You are also foolish if you believe that there is still time to birth and grow warriors to fight this coming war. A war, that is almost upon us, there have already been maelstroms. Not magestorms created by users of magic, pure chaos allowed free reign upon the Underground. The key to our survival now lies with this one. The Lae will not indicate more to us, but urged the giving of this warning, despite almost surety that you will ignore our advice. Wash away the pain of Anathema and welcome him home, or fear annihilation." Ilys sat, slowly and gracefully, showing none of his age and all of his wisdom and mystery in even so simple a movement.
The Queen and King sat open mouthed, a comical sight in most creatures, hilariously so of the fae. "But. no. he is shamed, punished, a criminal - never will we welcome him as kin, never will we embrace that which is anathema to us - you dare to ask this of us! As for the war, it is many years away yet, my visions confirm it so." With that said the Queen turned away from Ilys, her eyes burning at Jareth "You have escaped your duty once again, and stand shamed once again before our Court since you wish to do nothing to prevent this war destroying us." Her own rage was now very obvious, her tall raven haired form visibly shaking from the strain of the powerful emotion.
Jareth met her gaze, "I will support the defence of our world, my goblins have been making preparations, I have been changing and restructuring the magic of the labyrinth as a place of solace from the war, at least the storms at this stage. Any whom do not fear to go against this council, whom do not fear to support me, in my TRUE effort to get through this war is free to approach my castle and speak with me directly." He paused for a moment, as if considering what next to say. "The Seers support the words of Ilys, Elder Lae Keeper, that it is not the time for babes and families, but to defend and protect, unite against this unknown enemy that threatens our very existence. Are we the only ones true to stand against its judgement?" That said, he left, before he could even begin to hear the chaos that followed. Ilys stood, and slowly, gracefully made his way from the chamber, chuckling as he did so, not having expected a show quite so flamboyant and overt, but pleased nonetheless. The time was approaching.
Jareth paced his throne room, hardly able to believe the words he'd spoken, the challenge he'd issued, he was usually far more reserved, and he was unsure why he'd come to such bold statements at such a dangerous and inappropriate time. Still, it was done, and now there was more preparation to make, more counsel to seek and decisions to be put into movement. He strode to the window, thinking to seek out Ilys the Elder's counsel first, only to find the graceful beautiful man standing before him, with all of the Elder and most of the younger Lae Keepers with him also.
His only words were, while Jareth was still speechless from shock "We accept your offer of hospitality, and you will have all our aid." Then, one and all they bowed, deeply to one worthy of great and ancient respect, Jareth continued to stand dumbfounded before he finally managed to speak "I don't understand." Ilys chuckled before replying, "You will. You must. Events move in their own strange patterns, and we can but respond in kind. We will talk more anon, but after this morning, with so much emotion running rampant - not a little of it yours, boyo, I must rest." Shaking himself out of reverie, Jareth nodded, still bewildered "Of course Keeper, my servants will help you." As he watched them leave, he stood dumbfounded, still unable to believe most of anything that had happened since he'd turfed the pompous messenger into the bog.