Marcus opened his eyes, the bright morning light streaming down into his face, bidding him good morning. He stretched languidly, reluctant to leave his bed, content for the moment to lay in spoiled comfort. Hyrle informed his yesterday, that they would be leaving later this morning, their job complete, to return to his home deep in the elven woods. Anytime someone mention "woods", Marcus got this terrible mental picture of sleeping on the ground, showerless for eternity and surrounded by crazy mountain men from Deliverance. Regardless of how much Hyrle tried to assure him, Marcus was reluctant about their trip. This of course can be expected from a diehard New Yorker, such as himself, where just going to the park can be an adventure in and of itself. The closest Marcus had ever come to the woods was sitting in front of the T.V. in his underwear eating Cheetos while watching Yogi the Bear reruns.

Sighing, Marcus rolled out of bed. After making a few naked muscle man poses in front of his dressing mirror, he finally decided to face the day and all it's possibilities. Pulling on a pair of tight breeches, he slipped on a soft cotton shirt, complete with complementary lace and ruffles. Marcus took a moment to admire himself in the mirror, thrilled to death that he finally lived in a land where satins and lace where chic for men too. "Marcus, you sexy beast you," he growled seductively. Turning around, he smacked his own ass. "I'm sexy and I like it."

With this morning ritual out of the way, Marcus bounded down the hallways, hell bent for the kitchen. As he stepped through the doorway, two small goblins immediately jumped to attention and saluted. "Sir!," they said in not so perfect unison.

Marcus fought back the urge to chuckle, but quickly wiped the smile off of his face. Frowning severely, he saluted back with complete seriousness. "Did you complete your mission?"

"Sir, yes Sir!"

"And was is successful?"

"Sir, yes Sir!"

"At ease men." Marcus relaxed, a goofy grin spread across his face. "Well, what are you monkeys waiting for? Give me all the juicy details!"

Jareth wasn't the only one who knew how to exploit the goblin spy network. From the moment Marcus arrived in the Labyrinth, the goblins had befriended him. And since they were not always the most loyal of creatures, he had no trouble convincing them to do a little spying on their liege lord.

The first goblin began speaking excitedly. "The pretty lady left real mad, and Himself - ya see. Himself had ta go and chase 'er down."

"Yeah," the other chimed in. "She musta been real big mad, cuz she upped and slapped His Majesty right on the kisser!"

Marcus grinned. "Why does that not surprise me," he said wryly. "So then what happened?"

"Well," the first goblin took back over. "Himself had ta pin 'er down. She was fightin like a wild ogre..."

"Yeah, an ogre," the other agreed making a horrendous face to illustrate. He clawed at the air with pretend claws. "His Majesty had to keep the little beastie pinned, lest she claw his eyes out."

The first goblin gave his counterpart an evil look and a kick in the shin for butting in. "But the pretty lady, she musta had some kind of evil mind ray, ya see." The other goblin shook his head up and down rapidly, showing his agreement. "She had some kinda evil powers, cuz Himself - well, Himself lowered his guard then tried to kiss her." He said the last two words in reverent awe.

The second goblin could stay quiet no more. "Then that beastie, turned right up and stomped His Majesty's foot just as hard as ye please! Then she tore down the hallways screamin like a banshee." He was jumping up and down, barely able to control his excitement.

The first goblin crossed his arms in irritation. "Now there weren't no screamin, you twit. Now shut yer trap an let me finish, or I'll give ye the boot."

Marcus shook his head impatiently. Goblin spies weren't the most accurate, but they were definitely entertaining. "Okay then what? Did you follow?"

The goblin nodded. "Aye, but buy the time we caught back up with the lassie, Himself had already found her."

The second goblin butted back in, his nose twitching. "She grabbed His Majesty's hand and put it right on her boobie!!"

The first goblin smacked the back of his head, sending the poor goblin sprawling. "Shut yer trap, ye ingrate!" He shook his head apologetically at Marcus. "Sorry 'bout that m'lord."

"Not a problem." Marcus tried to hide his own growing excitement. "So you were saying she uh...."

The goblin continued. "Yes well, Himself scooped her up then poofed away with 'er. An, that's all we 'ave to report."

"That's it?!?" Marcus cried. "Oh come on, there has to be more. Where did he take her?"

The goblin coughed into his fist, as a dark ugly color rose in what passed for his cheeks. His companion cried cheerily from the floor, "He took 'er to the Master's bedroom o'course." This little tid bit of information earned him a swift kick in the side from his standing counterpart.

Marcus raised his eyebrows. "Oh really," he said, his grin widening. "What else did you two see?"

"Nothing o'course, milord," the first goblin said quickly, eyeing his friend on the floor. "We left just as soon as we knew where they were of course."

"Yeah," the other one added. "'An they were goin at it like..." Another friendly kick ended the goblin's next little pearl of insight.

Marcus was silent for several nerve-wracking moments, both goblins terrified that they had gone too far. When Marcus planted a resounding kiss on the first goblin's head, he scared the living crap out of him. Normally, right about now is when Jareth would do something painful. Instead, Marcus began to dance around in a wild jig, tossing his arms into the air.

"Well it's about bloody time someone finally bedded that hussie! I was getting afraid that I was going to have to do it myself." Marcus continued his happy-dance through the kitchen, patting goblin heads as he passed. "Anybody feel like waffles?"

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Jareth lay sprawled on his bed, surrounded by mounds of furs like a hibernating bear. His face was peaceful - the ever-present sneer of contempt eradicated in his slumber. Unconsciously his hands were stretched out, reaching to embrace and hold a woman who was no longer there beside him...

Suddenly, Jareth sat straight up in his bed, all pleasant dreams forgotten, blown completely away by the sound of Marcus screeching in his best Spanish-French Maid voice. "Hola Monsieurs y Senoritas. Como se va y los pupu plattieros." He babbled on, understanding his own gibberish about as much as Jareth did.

Marcus brandished a gigantic silver platter ladden with steaming bowls of fruits, breads, and waffles. He set it down by the small table close to the cold fireplace, then began to lift lids while popping bits of food into his mouth. "I couldn't find any Aunt Jemimah, so this'll have to do. Yoush guysh hungry?"

Sighing, Jareth glanced around his empty bed, seeing that Elyssa was already up and gone. A wave of disappointment washed over him. He had wanted to wake with her in his arms, to see what she would look like with the warm morning light setting fire to her hair... to tell her that he loved her - that he needed her. That he was only waiting for her to tell him...

Marcus walked towards the bed with a look of disappointment of his own. "Is 'Lyssa not here? I thought you and she... ugh... you know." He gave Jareth a huge, ostentatious wink.

Irritably, Jareth wondered would Marcus would look like as a goblin then thought better of it. He was finally on good terms with Elyssa - no need to spoil everything by a slight misunderstanding. "She's probably dancing again, now that she has her precious ballroom back." Unless of course the cleaning crew had already arrived... Jareth smiled at the thought of Elyssa chasing away an army of scampering goblins with brooms in order to have a few minutes exercise. He suddenly wondered what she would look like dancing naked. That would definitely have to take high priority on today's To-Do list.

Jareth realized that Marcus was still in the room and that he was in fact staring at him with a goofy grin on his face. He glared at Marcus, hoping he would take the hint and leave. Underneath the thin sheet still pooled around his waist, Jareth was completely naked.

Instead, Marcus tried to start a conversation. "You know that girl, she's always dancing - always exercising. You think I should too?" He turned sideways, showing his muscular, yet almost red thin frame. "Is my ass too big?" He craned his head trying to see for himself.

Jareth gave up. "Would you mind?" He gestured towards the sheet. "I need to get dressed."

Marcus smiled, then covered his eyes with his hands. "No problemo. Promise I won't peek." And he didn't... for the most part. But the next thing Marcus knew, he was standing in the hallway again, right outside Jareth's door.

Moments later, Jareth jerked it open to walk outside, almost slamming into Marcus in the process. "So where you going to look for 'Lyssa?" Marcus asked cheerfully.

Swallowing back his bad temper, Jareth summoned a crystal. "Show me Elyssa," he mumbled, keeping his eye on Marcus who was peering intently over Jareth's shoulder.

"Ooohhh... neat! Is that supposed to do something?"

Jareth's attention snapped back to the crystal in his hand. It's surface remained blank. "Elyssa," he commanded slowly, articulating each word. "Show me Elyssa."

The crystal remained perfectly clear.

"No..." he whispered. "How can it be?" The crystal feel from his nerveless fingers, shattering on the floor.

"This is bad, right?" Marcus ventured. "Something's wrong? Hey, you're really starting to freak me out, man."

Jareth's eyes were wide with shock. His mind raced - there was only one possible way for his powers to not reach Elyssa. Someone had to be blocking her.

"Nadia..."

In a flash, Jareth and Marcus disappeared.

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When Marcus opened his eyes again, they were standing in a dark dungeon. The only light filling the cell-lined walls came from guttering torches spaced at uneven intervals creating small islands of light surrounded by an ocean of black. In the distance, the sound of water dripping into some forgotten pool added to the general ambiance of creepiness. "You know Jareth," he offered. "I know several really good interior decorators who could really fix this place up. A couple of lava lamps, a few throw pillows..."

Ignoring him, Jareth moved down the dim corridor. Reluctantly Marcus followed, seeing as he had no where else to go. Staying alone in this crazy pit of despair wasn't exactly how he planned on spending his summer vacation.

Jareth now stood before a cell shrouded by darkness. Marcus peered inside. At first glance, he thought the cell was empty, but when he looked harder a shape deep in the shadows began to form. Pale skin and creepy violet eyes where all that Marcus could really see, but it was enough. "Jareth, what in the hell are we doing down here?"

One elegant gloved hand shushed him, while the intensity of Jareth's eyes advised him to keep quiet. "Nadia..." Jareth called softly. "You've been a naughty, naughty girl..."

"And you," a voice whispered from the darkness, sending shivers up and down Marcus' spine, "have imprisoned royalty. A crime punishable by death in my kingdom."

A sardonic grin spread across Jareth's features. "And kidnapping isn't?"

Nadia moved closer to the iron bars which prevented her escape. "You've sealed this place with magic, Jareth. Not very fair at all."

"Not fair because I keep my prisoners where they belong, or not fair that your precious brother isn't there to rot with you?" His voice was harsh and full of anger. "What has he done with my lady? Tell me and I might consider your freedom."

Nadia reached one slender hand through the bars, beckoning to Marcus. "Your friend is a handsome one, Jareth. Give him to me and I might."

Marcus smacked her hand away, a look of disgust marring his fine features. "Back of you psychotic bitch. I don't know who the hell you are, but don't you go touching my goods without asking."

Nadia hissed, baring her razor sharp teeth. "I could kill you for that..."

Jareth stepped between Marcus and Nadia, his voice deadly calm. "Silence." His eerily calm voice leaving now room for argument. "Nadia, I don't wish to harm you, but you leave me no choice. I know Arik must be involved. Tell me where he is taking her."

"Why do you care so much for a commoner," she cried, her eyes flashing in anger. "Why, when you never did so for me?"

"Nadia," he whispered, his voice softening imperceptibly. "That was a long time ago. We were young..."

"Damn you Jareth. And damn you're woman too." Nadia turned away.

Marcus jumped forward. "Oh, hell no. If you know something, you crazy bitch, you better start telling, or I'm gonna jump in there and kick your lily white ass."

Jareth held Marcus back, doing his best to keep him out of Nadia's reach. The struggled for several minutes before Nadia's hissing voice commanded silence.

"Arik must have taken her to the castle. I don't know any more about it, I swear." Jareth turned his head to face her, searching her eyes for any signs of falsehood. "We didn't plan on abducting anyone - or at least I didn't. We came because... I mean, I came because... Because I knew
Arik was going to try and hurt you. I wanted to protect you."

Jareth bared his teeth in a feral snarl. "That would be so much more convincing if only I didn't know you Nadia."

"If he took her anywhere, it was to the castle - to Lockshire," she said sulkily.

Jareth glanced once at Marcus then nodded his head. Instantly, they disappeared in a flash of glitter.

"Damn You!" Nadia screamed. "You forgot to let me out..."

***********************************************************************************************************

Elyssa's entire body screamed in agony as she slowly made the steep climb back to consciousness. Her first thoughts were of pain - a deep, throbbing ache with no source and no end. She was dimly aware that her body lay up on a freezingly cold stone floor, stiffening her joints, bones and muscles. Her second thought was of Jareth. She should be lying in his bed, surrounded by his arms. Confusion clouded her pain-hazed mind. Immediately, the third thought came crashing in - the violet.

The sound of swiftly approaching voices shocked her into reality. Keeping her eyes closed shut, Elyssa tried to keep up the appearance of sleep, even though her body screamed for her to move. A chamber door creaked open, and the voices - although kept low - were arguing. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know who it was they were talking about.

Elyssa risked a quick peek with one half opened eye, but right away wished she didn't. Although his back was to her, she instantly recognized the man from the ball - the man with the raven mask. The memory was hazy, and hard to keep her finger on as if something was blocking her remembrance. Yet, Elyssa knew that voice.

In front of him stood a woman, cold and severe in her looks. Her dark hair was braided so tightly, it pulled at the tender skin of her scalp. She wore a voluminous black dress adorned with onyx and jet. It vaguely reminded Elyssa of a picture she had once seen in a history book somewhere - some dark queen in mourning. Even though the woman possessed an ageless beauty, it was easy to see that she was much, much older than Elyssa cared to consider. Her eyes bespoke her years.

"Have you lost your mind, Arik? Is it not enough that our kingdom has been condemned to a slowly decay into nothingness, the bellies of our young kept empty of blood? Not enough that we no longer have the means to sustain the clan, let alone our kingdom? There is no life in our lands - nothing left to feed on. Have you become so mad in your senseless quest for revenge that you would condemn your own kinsmen to death? This is madness, my son, madness. If your father were alive..."

"But he isn't, is he Mother?" Arik's voice was deadly quiet, carrying with it a threat of uncontrollable fury. "And I rule here now, lest you forget. I do not need the constant reminders of your glorious past."

"You have brought death and ruin on us, my son. Death and ruin to our kingdom because your taste for revenge out shadows your taste for blood."

Arik smiled grimly, exposing his razor sharp teeth. "My taste for blood, Mother, will be met. Worry not about that." His gaze turned to Elyssa who lay crumpled on the floor.

Moira, Lady Mother of the Geishal Clan, shook her head. The worry and sorrow in her eyes making her look much older now. "Send her away Arik. Do not harm her. Do not touch her. Just send her away. Return her whole and unspoiled, then perhaps the Goblin Kingdom will resume its trade. Jareth is a reasonable man - always quick to forgive and forget. Give her back and forget this senseless fight. Think of your people...think of your sister..." Nadia hadn't retuned with Arik, and Moira was almost overcome with worry for her wayward daughter. If only things were simpler...

"Think of my sister?" Arik's voice was full of dark irony. He raised his hand as if to strike, his mother flinching from the expected blow. "I've had enough of your proselytizing to last me for a lifetime. If it were up to you, the Geishal's would be licking that bastard's heels for the few measly scraps he deigned to give. The Goblin King is reasonable... the Goblin King is kind. You speak of him as if you trusted that snake.

Moira's breath came out in short rasping gasps. It had been so long since she fed - since any in her kingdom had fed - that she was overcome with weakness. Even this argument seemed more than she could bear. "Then kill her Arik, and have your damned revenge. Kill her, but dispose of her quickly, for you must know that he will be coming to look for her. If you must destroy this girl to salve your soul, then do it." Her voice was becoming thin and ready under the strain of desperation. Could her son not see reason?

Arik turned to look again at Elyssa's crumpled form. Although she lay motionless, her eyes closed as if in sleep, Arik knew that she was awake and listening. A human's mind was so easy to touch - to control. Such a pitifully weak race. Arik simply couldn't understand Jareth's fascination with them.

The cloak Elyssa wore was thrown back. She wore only one of Jareth's flowing shirts underneath, revealing the bare skin of her legs almost halfway up her thighs. The shirt's clingy fabric stretched around the ample curves of her hips and breasts. Yes, he thought, Jareth still has excellent tastes in women. "Perhaps," Arik mused, "I shall just keep her. Ruining such a piece of art such as this would certainly be a terrible sin. One that I couldn't bear to keep on my conscience. I wonder what Jareth would say if I turned his gilly into something much more appealing to my own tastes... If Jareth even bothers to come and claim her at all."

The voice of his mother snaked in his ear, breaking his private musing. "If Jareth finds her, you will be the ruin of us all. Kill her and get rid of her..."

Arik spun around catching Moira's throat in one finely jeweled hand. Effortlessly, he tossed her against the wall where she feel into a crumpled heap. "Get. Out."

Painfully, Moira pulled herself up, fangs bared. "Ungrateful brat. Your father would have killed you for that..."

Arik pinched the skin between his eyebrows, fighting to regain his cool. "Now, Mother. Before I'm forced to do something I might regret." He sighed in relief when she stepped into the shadows, finally leaving him alone with his prey.

A/N

Hope you guys liked this chappie - sorry it took so long to get up. The next one will be up over the weekend, I promise : )