Going over the endless guest list turned out to be a painstaking ordeal of unimaginable proportions. The three unfortunates labored for hours sorting names, planning invitations, hammering out plans. Hyrle informed them that His Majesty would expect a Masquerade Ball - they were his personal favorite. Elyssa immediately acquiesced, not really caring what the heck they planned - just as long as it got done before night fell. She barely noticed when a small goblin maiden brought them a platter of food a few hours later. She was simply too caught up in the black hole of party planning.

When the already dim lights in the Grand Ballroom began to fade as the skies darkened, candles were brought in. The three merely scribbled on. After the last invitation was penned, Hyrle gathered them up and wrapped each one in a small leather thong. "I will personally take these to the aviary, my dear," he addressed Elyssa before wiping his eyes away wearily. "Pigeons always make the fastest messengers these days." Hyrle offered her a kindly smile. "Get some rest this evening, and we will meet together bright and early." He bowed at his waist while his eyes strayed towards Marcus. "Perhaps you wish to stay for supper and keep the lady company?"

Marcus batted his eyes, "Don't worry Hyrlie, I know how to find your room later." The elf snorted in disgust, his cheeks burning with embarrassment, before scurrying out of the room. "He's so cute when he's angry," Marcus sighed happily.

Elyssa's belly growled. "You and your choice in men," she shook her head, laughing softly. "Let's head towards the kitchens and see if they have anything edible. I'm starving."

"Great idea - besides, I want to see how my little Goblins are doing."

As they walked down the stairs towards the kitchen, Marcus chattered on and on about Hyrle, the benefits of the Atkins diet, and how he wasn't sure how he would be able to live without the new Justin Timberlake CD. Elyssa just nodded her head at the appropriate times and tried to sound interested, but her mind was somewhere completely else. She wondered if there would be a note on her dresser summoning her to dinner, or perhaps for an interview with His Lordship. Would he be angry if she didn't receive it and went off somewhere with Marcus? Worse yet, what if there was no note at all, and Jareth simply didn't wish to see her today. Wait a minute, what do I care if Jareth wants to see me or not? I'm being ridiculous...

Gods, she had to speak to someone. The last thing she wanted to do was open her soul and ask for advice from Marcus, but unfortunately it didn't look like she was going to have much of a choice.

Soon enough, the delicious smells from the kitchen snapped her back to attention. Elyssa's mouth began to water when the goblin cooks gave them dishes full of aromatic breads and meats along with fruits and cheeses. Marcus snagged a bottle of wine before they moved towards a secluded table in a shadowed corner of the cavernous kitchen. Without saying a word, the two friends set to, each eating their fill in silence. After awhile, Elyssa noticed that Marcus was favoring her with an odd, contemplating look. "I know you haven't heard a single word I said tonight, which is fine with me, I love to hear myself speak. But you look like you've got something on your mind, so I'll just say this - spit it out, honey. What's on your melon?"

"I have to sleep with him in seven days," she blurted out, her cheeks immediately turning a bright shade of pink.

"Well hallelujah, the Ice Queen is finally going to get some." Marcus threw his hands up in the air and began to clap.

"Marcus.." her voiced hissed dangerously. Elyssa eyed the goblins in the kitchen, concerned that someone would overhear. "Marcus, this isn't funny." She suddenly felt very close to tears - she should have known that he wouldn't understand.

"Oh honey," Marcus reached out and touched Elyssa hand. "You take yourself too seriously, sometimes. I'd give my left nut to be able to land a sexy beast like your Goblin Guy."

Elyssa recoiled from Marcus' touch and prepared to get up. "I'm being serious Marcus. I just wanted someone to talk to, and I guess I was wrong to try and get anything from you other than ridicule. Goodnight."

When Marcus spoke again, his voice had completely changed. "Lyssa sit down. Please." He looked at her earnestly. "I'm sorry that I was kidding around - it's just my way, you know that. I can see that this is really bothering you, so if you want to talk about it, let's talk."

Elyssa sank back into her chair, her eyes glued to the table. "I don't know what to do, Marcus. I haven't felt this way about someone in a long, long time. I don't know if I've ever really felt this way about someone in my entire life. I just..."

"Do you love him?"

Elyssa looked alarmed. "Of course not. It's just that - damn it, I don't know how to explain it."

"Well, have you talked to him?"

"You have to be joking. This man lives on ridicule. All he know is cruelty, and you think I'd open up to him?" Elyssa rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the headache that was slowly creeping up on her.

"If you think you might be feeling something for him, and especially if you have to sleep with him, I'd say that now would be a great time to try."

Elyssa turned irritably in her chair, "I never said I felt anything for him."

"So what did you say then?" Marcus leaned across the table, easing his weight on his elbows. "Perhaps you will be so kind as to clarify what you just meant."

Elyssa remained stubbornly silent. "Lyssa, I want you to think about this for a moment. This guy is powerful - unbelievably powerful - and I'm not just talking about New York standards either. From what I can tell, he can have what he wants when he wants it. And my dear, I believe he wants you."

Elyssa plopped her head down on the table, cradling her head in her arms. "I just want to go home," she whispered.

Marcus shook his head, exasperated. "Look, whatever Jareth is - god, king, or wizard - he's bored, can't you tell? From what Hyrle has said, Jareth has lived for hundred, maybe even thousands of years, and the man is bored out of his skull."

Elyssa lifted her head and peeked up at him. "So what has any of this to do with me having to sleep with him?"

"You really haven't figured it out yet? Jareth chose you. He...chose...you. There's something in you that must fascinate him, or else I don't think you'd be here right now. If he just wanted to dally with you, he would have taken you whenever or wherever he chose."

Elyssa nodded her head numbly. "I kind of wondered about that myself..."

"When is it you have to sleep with him?"

"He gave me until the night of the ball..."

Marcus gestured with his hand. "See what I mean? I'm not saying he loves you..."

"...Jareth only loves himself," she interrupted.

"...What I am saying is that this goes beyond an infatuation. Think about it... he carefully made his plans, bringing you here..."

"...trapping me here..."

"...bringing you here. And he's given you time to adjust, given you time to get used to the idea..."

"...of warming his bed..."

"...of becoming his Lover." Marcus sighed. "You know, you've gotten this whole 'Victim' thing going in your head, and it's getting really tiring." Elyssa glared at him angrily. "Get off your pedestal of virginity, honey. Instead of being hateful to him all of the time, try talking to him. Regardless of how much you fight it, you're going to have to come to his bed eventually. Why don't you try getting to know him instead of already deciding how much you hate him."

Elyssa clamped her mouth shut so tightly that her lips began to form an angry red line across her face. Her mossy green eyes were like daggers, trying to impale him upon her gaze. With a good-natured grin, Marcus stood up and grabbed the rest of the bottle of wine. "I believe I'll take my leave now, and see if I can make things up with Hyrlie. Sleep well, and goodnight, my darling dear." When he moved to leave, Elyssa released an angry breath, her tense body relaxing only slightly. She cringed when he spoke one last time. "Oh, and 'Lyssa... next time someone asks if you love him - try not to blush so furiously. It's a dead give away." Giggling, Marcus pranced down the hallway, thoroughly pleased with himself.

Elyssa retreated to her chambers, throwing herself immediately into bed. Sleep eluded her for hours, and when it finally did come it was full of darkness and nightmares. It wasn't until a dark hooded figure placed their tender hand on her flushed brow that her breathing finally slowed as her sleep deepened. Ensured of her peaceful slumber, her silent guardian retreated back into the shadows to find sleep of his own.

A/N: I know this chapter was short, but I still hope you guys liked it. Thank you all again for your lovely reviews - I always get excited whenever I get one, be it good or bad!