Chapter 3: A Deal Done
Jareth reappeared in his throne room and couldn't resist a satisfied chuckle. He was going to
have a new subject and with any luck he might have a new companion. He walked over to his
throne and throwing his leg across one arm sat down and conjuring and crystal began to twirl it
with his fingers.
"You seem very pleased with yourself," came a voice from the shadows. Jareth looked up to see
two people emerge from the shadows. The man
was tall, looking regal with his solid jaw and white hair pulled back in a low ponytail. His long
dark robe, blue and red with silver trimming glistened like a stained window in the candlelight
and drug ever so lightly upon the stone floor. The woman was breathtaking in her beauty with
her emerald green eyes and cruel, stony face. Her black gown glistened like the feathers of a
black swan, the bodice clinging to her thin frame, peacock feathers hang around her collar like a
hundred eyes staring out of the darkness. They radiated power and demanded all encompassing
obedience from all. Jareth stood and walked over to them, not so much out of respect and
courtesy but out of fear and awe of their power. True they were in his kingdom, but he knew the
facts of their agreement.
"Of course I am, I am acting upon our agreement and in the process I will gain a subject and a
companion," he boasted triumphantly.
"You delude yourself, Jareth," replied Hera. "You honestly think that Xena will without
compliant give you her child and also without any
objection become your queen and stay here with you."
"Perhaps in time my dear," purred Jareth in return.
"Enough of this, Zeus bellowed. "You know your obligation Jareth, you may do whatever you
wish with the child so long as she stays in this realm where she can do us no harm. As for Xena
and those other two, you are welcome to them. It would be nice to have them out of the way,
and it looks like you could use some company other than these absurd goblins," declared Zeus.
"Yes, but remember that I still stand in my rights as being able to call on all the gods for favors
as they do me. You must agree that I
need to keep my obligations," countered Jareth, rising from his chair, slightly annoyed.
Hera turned to her husband and signed quietly but still with a stony look upon her face. "Come
husband our business here is done, farewell Jareth have your fun and enjoy our present to you.
Perhaps we may call upon you again for services if you succeed in this."
Jareth bowed and took the Goddess' hand in his own kissing it and gently retracting his fingers
to let her hand fall. She gave a small smile and disappeared into a burst of blue light. Zeus
looked at the spot formerly occupied by his wife then turned to face Jareth. "Farewell Jareth, you
will tell me if they actually beat your damned labyrinth."
"Of course, but in due time, realize they are only at the beginning, it will take them sometime to
get to the center." With this thought Zeus turned to walk away and said "You don't know Xena
and her friends, Jareth. Don't underestimate them." With that Zeus disappeared into a burst of
white light.
Jareth smiled, "Hah! They've only just begun and unfortunately for them they are not fated to
win this game." Jareth laughed and drew a crystal to see how far his new prey had gotten and
quietly settled on his throne to relax.
Jareth reappeared in his throne room and couldn't resist a satisfied chuckle. He was going to
have a new subject and with any luck he might have a new companion. He walked over to his
throne and throwing his leg across one arm sat down and conjuring and crystal began to twirl it
with his fingers.
"You seem very pleased with yourself," came a voice from the shadows. Jareth looked up to see
two people emerge from the shadows. The man
was tall, looking regal with his solid jaw and white hair pulled back in a low ponytail. His long
dark robe, blue and red with silver trimming glistened like a stained window in the candlelight
and drug ever so lightly upon the stone floor. The woman was breathtaking in her beauty with
her emerald green eyes and cruel, stony face. Her black gown glistened like the feathers of a
black swan, the bodice clinging to her thin frame, peacock feathers hang around her collar like a
hundred eyes staring out of the darkness. They radiated power and demanded all encompassing
obedience from all. Jareth stood and walked over to them, not so much out of respect and
courtesy but out of fear and awe of their power. True they were in his kingdom, but he knew the
facts of their agreement.
"Of course I am, I am acting upon our agreement and in the process I will gain a subject and a
companion," he boasted triumphantly.
"You delude yourself, Jareth," replied Hera. "You honestly think that Xena will without
compliant give you her child and also without any
objection become your queen and stay here with you."
"Perhaps in time my dear," purred Jareth in return.
"Enough of this, Zeus bellowed. "You know your obligation Jareth, you may do whatever you
wish with the child so long as she stays in this realm where she can do us no harm. As for Xena
and those other two, you are welcome to them. It would be nice to have them out of the way,
and it looks like you could use some company other than these absurd goblins," declared Zeus.
"Yes, but remember that I still stand in my rights as being able to call on all the gods for favors
as they do me. You must agree that I
need to keep my obligations," countered Jareth, rising from his chair, slightly annoyed.
Hera turned to her husband and signed quietly but still with a stony look upon her face. "Come
husband our business here is done, farewell Jareth have your fun and enjoy our present to you.
Perhaps we may call upon you again for services if you succeed in this."
Jareth bowed and took the Goddess' hand in his own kissing it and gently retracting his fingers
to let her hand fall. She gave a small smile and disappeared into a burst of blue light. Zeus
looked at the spot formerly occupied by his wife then turned to face Jareth. "Farewell Jareth, you
will tell me if they actually beat your damned labyrinth."
"Of course, but in due time, realize they are only at the beginning, it will take them sometime to
get to the center." With this thought Zeus turned to walk away and said "You don't know Xena
and her friends, Jareth. Don't underestimate them." With that Zeus disappeared into a burst of
white light.
Jareth smiled, "Hah! They've only just begun and unfortunately for them they are not fated to
win this game." Jareth laughed and drew a crystal to see how far his new prey had gotten and
quietly settled on his throne to relax.