The afternoon sunlight filtered through the hallways creating a mixture of sun speckled rays and dark shadowed corners. Elyssa stepped quietly through the corridor on her way to Hyrle's quarters, caught deep in her thoughts. It disturbed her to think of Jareth watching her sleep at night, aware of her night terrors. The tormenting dreams she suffered were always Elyssa's private burden, her own secret pain. She had struggled to keep them secret from even her closest friends - even Michael. The idea of Jareth knowing something so intimate and personal about her was terrifying. What confused her even more was Jareth's motives behind the whole conversation. Thinking back, Elyssa remembered the concern in his eyes - his offer to help. Could it be that Jareth actually cared? Yeah right...
Elyssa stepped into Hyrle's room, her thoughts in a muddle and immediately got an eyeful of Marcus wearing nothing but skin tight leggings passionately lip locked with Hyrle. Covering her eyes with her hand, Elyssa said, "Oh shit, I'm sorry." She started backing immediately towards the door.
Blushing from the tips of his pointy ears down to his neck, Hylre stepped away from his lover and straightened his half-open robes. "Do the mothers in your world not teach their children not to knock," he spat angrily. Turning away, he attempted to straighten his disheveled hair.
"Hey, I said I was sorry," Elyssa muttered testily. "I've just got a lot on my mind right now."
Hyrle's more flamboyant partner was as always never at a loss for words. "Too bad none of it's worth me not getting laid, eh sweeting?" Leaning back, Marcus took a moment to primp in front of a mirror mounted on the wall. Elyssa did have to admit that Marcus was looking rather splendid this afternoon, in spite of herself. The skin tight leggings accentuated the long, lean muscles in his dancer's legs, not to mention his broad shoulders and tight abs. Too bad he's sooo gay, she sighed.
Shooting Marcus an evil look for good measure, Elyssa tried to soothe the distraught elf. "Jareth said you needed to see me, and I thought it might be important. I'll just come back at a better time." She backed towards the door.
Marcus crossed his arms over his chest, "Might as well stay now, 'Lyssa, the mood's shot all to hell."
Luckily, Hyrle had by now regained his composure. "Excuse me for my discourtesy, my dear. Please, do come inside. His Majesty was most correct in his assessment, I need your immediate assistance with something of the utmost importance."
"Yeah, while you were out gallivanting around, poor Hyrlie and I were forced to make all the decisions on our own," Marcus butted in. "Naturally, I voted for afternoon sex."
Hyle rushed forward and grabbed Elyssa's arm, leading her back into the hallway. "Well that's enough of that, wouldn't you say?"
She smiled good naturedly. "Marcus can be quite a handful."
"I heard that," he called from behind.
Rolling her eyes, she said. "You still haven't told me what you needed me to do. Where are we going?"
"To the Master's bedroom, of course," Hyrle replied.
Elyssa stopped dead in her tracks.
"We have to pick out and prepare his Majesty's costume for the masquerade in order for the seamstress to make any necessary changes. Naturally, we need to access His Majesty's closet," he explained carefully.
"Oh," she said, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Just curious." Elyssa carefully ignored the amused look in Marcus' eyes, narrowly avoiding the sudden urge to throttle him.
*******************
When Elyssa first stood in the Goblin King's bedroom, she was awed and almost overwhelmed by the intensity of Jareth's presence. Now, standing in the pale sunlight, the room held but a shadow of it's former power. Without the Goblin King himself, the room was just a room. Her eyes floated past the familiar furniture and bookcases. Inhaling Jareth's masculine scent, she moved slowly into the room flanked by Hyrle and Marcus.
For a moment, Elyssa's gaze lingered on the enormous four poster bed situated in the corner of the room, piled high with furs and pillows. The bed was still unmade, with the heavy comforter left thrown back allowing a glimpse of black satin sheets underneath. So very fitting for a man like Jareth, she thought, wondering what if would feel like to lay on a bed of satin.
"Elyssa!" Hyrle's voice shattered her thoughts. She was suddenly aware that the elf had been trying to get her attention for some time now. Hyrle was unable to keep the irritation out of his voice. "My dear, if you please, His Majesty's closet is this way." He moved towards a chamber against the far wall.
As Elyssa moved towards the seething elf, Marcus walked up behind. "Whatcha lookin at over there that was so interesting, Hmm?"
"Just shut up," she muttered.
"Hmmm..." Marcus inquired again, his face the picture of pure innocence. "I didn't quite catch that sweeting. What on earth could have been so fascinating for you about Jareth's bed?"
"If you don't shut up, I will hurt you," she grated through clenched teeth.
He sighed melodramatically. "Damn woman! Why do you have to be such a foul tempered wretch all the bloody time?" He shrugged his shoulders. "I was only asking a simple question. No need to be so testy." Marcus' face was a picture of wounded innocence.
"Oh do hush yourself now, you beginning to upset even me with your antics," Hyrle chided. After tsking Marcus a few more times, he ushered Elyssa into the largest closet she had ever seen in her entire life - and trust me, she had seen more than a few. Everything was meticulously organized by color, style, season, and cut. There was an entire half wall dedicated to shoes and boots. Shelves were built into the walls housing shirts and pants. Jackets, coats, and cloaks hung from racks stretched across the walls. Marcus, practically drooling, looked around enviously. "Some men just have all the luck," he pouted in front of the massive dressing mirror.
"Ah, here we are" Hyrle said knowledgably. He moved confidently towards the back of the room towards a group of extravagant coats and jackets. "These will do just fine, I'm sure," he breathed happily. "Pleae my dear, come help me decide on the proper coloration."
After several minutes of debate, the trio finally agreed up on a dark metallic blue coat, dove gray silk shirt, and black tights. Even Elyssa had to admit that Jareth would look rather... stunning to say the least. On a top shelf stored in several boxes where dozens and dozens of masks. After a quick tossup, Elyssa selected a red devil's mask. "Complete with horns," she smirked.
Packaging up the clothes, Hyrle handed the bundle over to Elyssa. "Go ahead and take these things with you," he advised. "Have the laundress press and clean these, then bring them with you to His Majesty's solar tomorrow morning at the thirteenth hour."
Elyssa sighed a sigh of relief when the finally left Jareth's room and went their separate ways. Finding the royal laundry room, however, proved to be a chore in and of itself. Since she had forgotten to get directions from Hyrle, she was forced to get directions from several goblins. After getting lost a few times, she finally stumbled upon the steamy inferno otherwise known as the laundry.
"Whatch ye want, Missy," a keen eyed gobliness demanded immediately upon her entry.
Elyssa handed over the bundle of clothes. "Just these few things cleaned, pressed, and returned to my quarters, if you please." As she handed over the bundle of clothes, something dropped from the jacket's pocket. Elyssa quickly stooped down and picked the item up before the goblin could notice. Giving her thanks to the laundress, she headed quickly back down the corridors to her own rooms. Once she reached her relative safe haven, Elyssa examined her find.
It appeared to be a small picture frame of a young girl with dark hair and soft green eyes standing somewhere inside the Labyrinth. She seemed so young - perhaps only sixteen or seventeen, but she was already a beauty. As Elyssa watched, the image changed. Before, the girl was clothed in jeans and a large cotton blouse. Now she stood dressed in an extravagant gown, held in the arms of none other than the King of Goblins - Jareth himself. Mesmerized, Elyssa watched as the images switched again. This time, the pair were dancing, but the image itself had zoomed in and was much closer. It appeared as though Jareth was moments away from giving the child a passionate kiss.
Elyssa wanted to throw the damned picture out of the window, but couldn't. Helplessly, she watched as the picture changed for the last time. The girl was now no longer a girl, but a grown woman standing on a stage in a crowded theater. She was shocked to realize that she could actually recognize the stage setting. It appeared that this ...this woman was playing the lead role in a production of Haslow's Saints, a play she had seen once before years ago while visiting Chicago.
That means.... the girl is from my world, she thought in horror. Elyssa's blood ran cold - the room seemed to spin around her. It was now painfully obvious to her that she was not the first girl Jareth had fancied. Although this didn't come as much of a shock, the fact that the girl was apparently so much like herself was horrifying. Apparently she wasn't going to be the first person Jareth seduced while dancing in the ballroom.
A triumphant voice crowed in her mind. You knew that this was going to happen, you fool, yet you allowed yourself to hope - to dream. You knew that he would never love you, you stupid girl... that he would take your heart then use you as he pleased... that he would leave you in the end...
"Shut up," she begged. "Please, shut up..." Setting the picture into one of the drawers in her vanity, Elyssa was suddenly unable to fight back the tears of anger and jealously that welled up from the corner of her eyes. Her mouth filled with the bitterness of disappointment as the tears slowly fell down her cheeks. Laying down on her bed, Elyssa drew her knees up and hugged them tightly to her chest. "Why," she whispered softly. "Why did you have to lie to me? Why did you have to betray me when I was so close to loving you..."
*****************************
Jareth stood on a small platform barely six inches from the ground, his arms extended. A capable, yet somewhat harried old woman circled around him, making small marks and taking measurements while talking to herself.
Elyssa stood in the corner watching the proceedings through shadowed eyes. Although she had hoped that the night would bring some ease to her sense of betrayal, it had only worked to intensify her distress. The entire night, Elyssa had line awake wondering about the girl. Who was she? What did she have to do with Jareth? .....Did he love her? And the more she thought about the girl, the less likely it became that she could ever bring herself to question Jareth about her. Although she could never admit it, deep inside Elyssa was terrified of what Jareth's answers might be end up being.
After a few final tugs and tucks, the seamstress stood back and admired her work. "Okie yuor Mawjesty," the woman spoke with the strangest accent. "Wemove ze yacket, und I'll take it vif me ven I go." She moved to help Jareth remove the coat. "I'll ave it veady by dis afernoon, okie?" she nodded at Elyssa.
"Sounds fine to me, thank you," Elyssa nodded in return. She turned and escorted the seamstress out, then stood and waited by the door. "If you no longer need me Jareth, I've got a lot I still need to do this afternoon." ...Plus, I don't think I can handle you today....she silently prayed that he would let her off the hook...
Wordlessly, Jareth stepped down from the platform and removed the dress shirt he was wearing for the fitting. Elyssa averted her eyes, unwilling to even sneak a peak today. That hussie from the picture has even stolen my will to be naughty...damn her...and damn Jareth too...
After draping the dress shirt over a chair, he pulled an everyday cotton poet's shirt on in its stead. Jareth glanced at Elyssa who had apparently developed a strange fascination with the pattern on the woven carpet. "You look tired," he observed, ignoring her earlier question. Jaerth's silky voice was like smooth creamy mocha on a cold day, but today it seemed more like salt on an open wound. "Did you not sleep well last night?" He moved to where Elyssa stood, shutting the door behind her.
She felt like her nerves where just about ready to break. Well I guess that answered that, she glanced at the door. Jareth was pacing behind her like a stalking animal sizing up it's prey. Suddenly, Elyssa wanted to go home, to just be done with the whole mess. If only she could awake in her own bed, with her old problems... She knew she simply couldn't take his gaze for much longer.
Jareth stopped his pacing, still waiting for an answer. Finally, she said, "No actually, Your Majesty, I slept fine, thank you. I figured you would have already known that though...or were you just too busy last night to watch for yourself?"
He gazed at her, his eyes narrowing in surprise at the vehemence of her response. Jareth wasn't expecting this kind of anger... not after it seemed like things were getting so much better between them. "Elyssa, we simply can not go on this way," he spoke softly. "I did not mean to upset you so badly yesterday. It concerns me to see you so tired. I was merely concerned about your health." Elyssa could see in his eyes that she had wounded him with her harsh words. Even though she was still so angry and hurt herself, her heart suddenly melted.
Elyssa met Jareth's questioning eyes, wanting so badly to ask him about the girl in the picture - needing so desperately the answers to her questions - but fear held her back. Jareth could see the hidden pain and deep wound in her eyes, but had no idea that he was the ultimate cause. After several moments, Elyssa murmured, "No, your right. I guess I'm just a little too stressed out right now, Jareth. I'm sorry..." Please, can I just go now... she begged silently.
Jareth's jaw almost dropped in shock. Her sudden complete attitude reversal just about floored him. Jareth placed his hands on she shoulders, gazing into her eyes in utter amazement. "I don't' believe I've ever heard you apologize before."
That's because I only apologize when I'm wrong - and with you, that's not too often, she thought, but remained silent.
"Elyssa," Jareth continued. "I wanted to tell you that I'm afraid I will not have time to speak to you again before tomorrow evening. Royalty does sometimes have it's drawbacks, and it's demands keep me away from your presence for now." Elyssa stiffled a small sigh of relief. "I did want to give you a few final words of instruction regarding tomorrow. The ball, as I'm sure you know, begins at the eight hour, I expect to make my entry sometime around the tenth. Please be in attendance sometime before then, if you please."
For a moment, Elyssa felt a sink of disappointment. "We're not going to just...enter together?" Translation: You mean you're going to make me show up for a party full of wackos that I've never even seen before all by my lonesome?!?!
Jareth shook his head, eyes dancing in amusement. "That, my love, is an honor reserved for my queen along. Unless you plan on joining me at the altar..."
Elyssa cut him off. "No thanks, I get the picture. I'll do what I'm told."
Jareth laughed in amusement. He had a hearty laugh full of rich hilarity, but there was an edge to it - a hint of hidden cruelty that she had never noticed before. Reaching down, Jareth gave her a quick kiss, savoring the sweet aroma her lips left behind. "Is the idea of marriage to me so revolting," he murmured.
His sudden nearness threatened to throw her troubled mind into a total meltdown. Her lips burned where he had kissed her as if branded by some secret fire, marked and reserved for him alone. She wanted him to continue almost as badly as she wanted to escape. Thankfully, Jareth released her and opened the door for her.
As she walked down the hallway, her lips still burning from his touch, she dimly wondered how long it would be before Jareth tired of her, and she was suddenly nothing more than another girl in a picture left alone and forgotten in an old coat pocket. How long....