By the by… Laby does not belong to me, so don't get mad, get glad.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to review… I look forward to hearing from you guys!

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Jareth stood before an enormous gilded mirror, straightening the lace around his cuffs while vainly admiring his reflection. On the floor in front of him, two goblins strained to pull the boots on his feet. Giving them a negligent kick out of the way, Jareth stooped down, finishing the job himself. These menial tasks such as dressing himself were a pleasant distraction for his fevered mind. This morning's disaster had thrown him into a frenzy, eased only somewhat by sleep. Once he awoke a few hours later, realization finally began to set in. The girl is driving me mad, he thought to himself ruefully. I've got to take the situation back under control…

So he laid his plans, set the trap, cleaned his room…

After giving himself one last satisfactory glance in the mirror, Jareth pulled a crystal out of the air. Smiling while he gazed, he strode confidently to the door of his bedchamber, slamming the door behind him.

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Elyssa ascended the castle steps, a small smile still playing on her lips. The lights were slowly draining from the sky as night made its claim over the land of the Underground. She noticed that the walk back to the castle took considerably longer than her frantic sprint away, but the circumstances were much more pleasant. Master Gaiven made a good walking companion, even if managed to get them lost a few times. Climbing the last few castle steps, Elyssa pushed away the trepidation building up in her mind, forcing herself to remain calm, cool and collected. She didn't want to have to face Jareth again, but knew it would be inevitable eventually. Her own self assurance was her only true weapon.

Stepping into the now familiar hallways, Elyssa smiled at the sight of goblins, one sitting on the other's shoulders, attempting to light the candles set back in the wall sconces. There were doing a pretty good job of it – that is until the goblin sitting on top caught the head of his partner on fire. Elyssa was forced to duck quickly into her bedchamber to avoid getting turned into a fireball.

When she moved into her room, Elyssa's eyes immediately fell onto a small note laid on an end table next to the door. Judging by the swooping flamboyant handwriting, she knew immediately who the author was. The feeling of dread that overcame her was like a lead ball sitting in her stomach. Her eyes quickly scanned the note:

You are to appear in my Solar at the seventh hour for dinner and conversation. There are some rather important matters upon which I wish to discuss.

Jareth

- Please dress accordingly
"A solar," she muttered. "What the hell is a damn solar?" Elyssa smirked, thinking only Jareth would have written something that annoying. I wonder what game he's playing now…
"I'm have enough excitement for one day," she sighed, glancing at the small clock on the table. It was already almost six o'clock – barely enough time for a bath. "Well, one cannot possibly dress accordingly without a bath… so I'll just have to be late." She traipsed happily towards the bathroom, fully prepared to soak her troubles away. Forty five minutes later, Elyssa finally felt like dressing. Standing before the armoire, draped from head to toe in fluffy towels, she proceeded to search for something suitable to wear. "What the…" she whispered, amazement quickly turning to annoyance. Inside the armoire where multiple copies of the same dress – a low cut, sleeveless silken sheath. "Damn you Jareth, you could have at least given me a choice," she muttered.
Although she complained bitterly, the dress itself was absolutely stunning on her. The dark silk clung tightly in the bodice, displaying the creamy white skin of her neck and breasts. The waist synched tightly, accentuating her tiny waist. She decided to leave her hair down for once, letting it cascade down her back in a mass of red curls. Glancing at herself in the mirror, Elyssa groaned. "Every night is prom night here in Goblin King Land. I wonder if I'll have to dress up every night for the rest of my life just to get some damn dinner."
A single sharp rap at the door, startled her. Elyssa glanced at the clock and noticed that it was now seven o'clock on the dot. The door swung open and a goblin maid dressed in a simple checked dress stepped in. "If you are ready, mum, I'll show you to His Majesty's quarters." Shrugging her shoulders, Elyssa moved to follow. "It's not like I have any choice, do I?" Without saying a word, the maid turned and moved quickly down the hallway. Elyssa had to scramble to keep up. Pretty soon, she was moving down into a portion of the castle she had never seen before. Finally, they stood before a large wooden door engraved with a strange crescent symbol. She vaguely remembered seeing something of the sort hanging from Jareth's neck once before. The maid opened the door, and showed her inside. "Milady, His Majesty will be with you directly." She quickly shut the door behind her, leaving Elyssa alone in the strange room.
She gazed warily around the room, noticing that the décor and furniture screamed masculinity. Set deep into the wall, a fireplace roared. A pair of antlers decorated the mantle. Bookcases with shelves filled with dusty books lined several walls. Comfortable looking leather couches and settee's where set around the room and placed close to the fire. Here and there swords and knives were displayed on the walls along with a giant tapestry depicting some ancient battle scene. A full coat of arms fitted for a human stood proudly in one corner. "So this is a solar," she shook her head. "Looks like a pretty cool place to me." Her belly gurgled hungrily as the smell of food wafted towards her. Towards the center of the room stood a small table laden with dishes and bowls filled with steaming food. She inhaled deeply, and became disoriented when Jareth's distinct smell mingled with the spicy aroma of food. Elyssa hadn't noticed at first, but the room was practically permeated with his scent – not that she was complaining. Something about the room made it obvious that Jareth spent a lot of time here.
"Enjoying my solar, Elyssa?" The unexpected nearness of Jareth's voice caught her off guard, making her jump. She turned to see him lounging in a chair, one booted leg swung over the arm. In that moment, she hated him more than anything else in the world.
"You showered," she said sarcastically.
"And you finally found some shoes," Jareth smirked. Elyssa met his gaze defiantly. His lean muscular legs were clad in skin tight leather. He wore a soft white ruffled shirt left carelessly open and untied. Around his waist, he wore a tight dove colored vest. As usual, his hands were gloved in the softest black kid leather. Suddenly, she realized that she was staring. Elyssa blushed and turned her head quickly away. It was one thing to have him stare at her – she was starting to get used to that. She just didn't want Jareth to know that she was watching him sometimes just as closely as he watched her. But from the amusement in his eyes, she could tell that he already knew.
Elyssa blurted, "Can we eat now, I'm starving?" Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him slowly rise, stretching languidly like a cat.
"As you wish my dear," Jareth spoke softly – gently. Elyssa kept her eyes averted, but she could hear him moving towards where she stood by the table. With a rustle of fabric, and the creak of a chair, she knew he was safely seated. When she carefully exhaled, Elyssa was shocked to realize that she had been holding her breath. Am I really that nervous of him… she marveled. Well now wonder, after that psychotic kiss this morning, who wouldn't get nervous.
"I believe you said you were hungry, or does the food not please you." His cultured voice broke her reverie. Saying nothing, Elyssa turned to meet Jareth's mocking eyes. He sat back, toying with the stem of a wine glass. When she made no immediate response, he murmured, "Or perhaps it's the company that displeases you so."
Unexpectedly, Elyssa's temper flared up before her mind could even begin to react. Before she knew what was going on, her mouth was already in action. "You know, I don't get you. You trap me here, taunt me, torment me, boss me around like I'm some kind of slave. You scare the living shit out of me on a regular basis. I finally get some "me time" in this morning, and you just waltz right in, kiss me like there's not tomorrow, and to top it all off, you push me away like a leper at a massage parlor. All of that I can take, but in the future, if you don't mind, please let me choose the dress I wear to dinner instead of playing the amazing 'just one dress in the armoire' game again. It's just really fucking tacky, you know!" Elyssa trembled slightly, her breath coming in short angry bursts.
Jareth looked at her, his mismatched eyes open in mild surprise. Suddenly, he began to laugh. Elyssa stood uncomfortably watching while he bent over, holding his sides as he laughed louder and louder. She spat angrily, "So, is this all you have to say for yourself? Is this what's it's going to be?" she shouted. At that, Jareth began to laugh even harder, pounding his fist into the table, tears streaming down his cheeks. After several minutes, he got control of himself again, but when he saw Elyssa's stony glare, he began to shake with laughter all over again.
"That's it, I'm out of here," Elyssa turned to leave. She tried to open the door, but the knob wouldn't turn. Frustrated beyond all sense of reasoning, she rounded on Jareth. "Let me out of here," she demanded. Still chuckling softly, Jareth poured a glass of wine, then offered it to Elyssa. "Come sit down now, my dear and drink this – you'll feel better." When she refused to move, Jareth grinned, and tried again. "Elyssa, I'm sorry I laughed at you, it's just that you look some damned cute when you're angry." She glared at him, her lip curling in anger at the word "cute."
"Elyssa…" he voice carried a subtle hint of warning. "Come. Eat. Drink," his expressive hands gestured at the table. "We'll try to sit together and dine like civilized people."
"Is that an order," she hissed.
"Yes it's an order," he shouted, his voice filling with annoyance. "It's a bloody royal edict, now sit down and eat with me." He watched her move towards the table and sit stiffly. Jareth offered her the wine glass again, relieved when she took it. "Truce?"
She glared at him again, but this time most of the anger had left her eyes. "Yeah, okay… truce. Whatever, I'm just really hungry, okay?"
They ate in an almost companionable silence, each taking a few precious moments to relax and gather their thoughts. Jareth drank heavily, yet ate very little, choosing only the choicest morsels. Elyssa tried to eat, but for all her talk, she could only force down a few bites of bread. She sipped at her wine. The fragrant liquid was sweet in her mouth, yet a warm fire in her belly. After only half a glass, she already was feeling a trifle woozy. "Strong stuff," she murmured.
"The finest sunwine in the Underground, my dear. A bit stronger than what you are used to I presume?" His eyes sparkled with mischief as he gulped down what was left of his second glass. He gestured towards her plate, "Are you finished?" Elyssa nodded.
"Good." Jareth stood, offering his hand. "Come, my dear – walk with me. As I mentioned in my letter was have some things to discuss."
She took his offered hand somewhat reluctantly, but it wasn't like she had much of a choice in the matter. Jareth led her out the door and into the maze of hallways that comprised the castle. They walked for several minutes in silence, her arm linked in his. Although she had only drank half a glass of wine, her head felt like it was swimming. Strong stuff my ass… she thought miserably. What the hell does he want…? Jareth's nearness was making her nervous. Vaguely she wondered if she had the same reaction to him.
Jareth led them onto a large open balcony overlooking Goblin city and the surrounding Labyrinth. The cold night air was doing wonders for her head, but her arms were bare. She shivered slightly, and Jareth turned to look down at her. "Cold?"
"Not really, just getting used to the temperature change, thanks." Of course I'm freezing, you moron…It's like an ice box out here, she thought sarcastically.
"Good," he moved away from her to stand near the railing of the balcony. "I have a small task for you to complete. Nothing too difficult for someone of your talents."
"Sounds ominous," she said. Crossing her arms across her chest for heat, she moved to stand against the railing herself. "What do you want me to do?"
From where she stood, shadow hid Jareth's face from her own. Not being able to see his dark eyes was nerve wracking. She could feel his gaze on her skin, burning like fire. "Every year the kingdoms of the Underground gather together for diplomatic discussion. We hammer out trade agreements, peace treaties, etc."
"Sounds complicated," she nodded her head. "But I don't see what this has to do with me."
"Before we get down to the diplomatic niceties, we always hold a welcoming ball. It's usually a rather nice affair… music, dancing, nice little mini sandwiches…the works."
She leaned forward, "How very exciting for you. I'll bet it's the highlight of the year." Sarcasm practically dripped from her voice, but Jareth ignored it for the time being.
"Yes, well we enjoy it," he grinned.
"Wonderful, but that doesn't explain what you want me to do for you."
"Elyssa…" Jareth clasped his hands behind his back. His eyes were still hidden from her view, making her suddenly extremely nervous. "The ball will be held at the castle this year. Unfortunately it's my turn to host the gathering. I have no time for such tedious details that are all part of planning, so I am leaving it completely in your hands."
"What…" she interrupted, but Jareth kept speaking.
"You are to personally see to every aspect of planning, to ensure that this ball goes off without a hitch. You are to see to the hiring of musicians, caterers, organize the goblins for decorating, clean out the ballroom…and yes, and above all, review the guest lists and make any necessary revisions. Now if you have no questions, that will be all." He moved towards the door and stepped back into the hallway. With his back to her, Elyssa couldn't see the wicked grin spreading across Jareth's face. She quickly sprinted after him, panic fluttering in her breast.
"Wait just one damned minute," she demanded. "I can't plan a ball. I've never even tried to plan a damn party, let alone a whole ball. I can't do it, plain and simple."
Jareth kept walking, his hands clasped behind his back. "Can't or won't, my dear…?"
"Can't…," she sputtered. "Won't…." Elyssa groaned in desperation, chasing behind him. "Jareth, this isn't fair. I don't even know when the balll is supposed to be." Jareth was walking faster than she, and the tight dress kept her from being able to breath. She panted as she scampered after him.
"In seven days," his voice echoed down the hallway. Elyssa stopped dead in her tracks. Seven days…
"Seven days?" her jaw dropped incredulously. She stalked after him in irritation. "You have got to be joking. I can't do this Jareth, it's impossible."
She finally managed to catch up to him just in time to see him open up a door and gesture for her to enter. She stepped into the room, immediately rounding on him. "Jareth, I…"
He gently covered her mouth with his hand, silencing her protests. "Tomorrow morning, I'll send to you my servant Caiphus. He will see to it that everything is set in order and that you will have all the tools that you will need. Now, if you please…" Jareth gestured towards the room at something behind her. Elyssa turned to see that she was standing in a bedchamber.
Not yet comprehending, Elyssa inquired, "Where are we?" She glanced around the room, noticing leather chairs, a writing desk, bookcases, all oddly fashioned in the same style as from Jareth's solar. Dominating the room stood a large featherbed covered in soft pillows and heavy fur blankets.
Jareth moved past her, and nonchalantly began to undo the buttons of his vest. Slowly realization began to sink in as she watched him begin to undress. He turned to meet her startled gaze. Smiling his crooked smile. her replied "Your new sleeping quarters, my dear."