A/N rating going up as the content towards the end is becoming a little
risqué. Hope you are enjoying the story.
"Before I do this, are you absolutely sure it's what you want to do?"
"Yes I need my friends to be safe!"
"Brand, do you consent to this journey?"
"Whatever my wife wishes, I attempt to fulfil."
"Urgh, that is so lovey-dovey. Did aliens kidnap you while you were on honeymoon?" Jo asked not expecting an answer. "Join hands and be prepared for a bumpy landing."
The three family members stood in the forest glade around one of Jo's crystals. Each of them had a backpack containing a change of clothes, supplies and anything they could think of that might be needed. Jo's also contained a large quantity of the crystals she had located.
"To right the wrong of long ago, return us to the world we know."
A light mist surrounding the three cleared and as it did, Sarah stared at a sight she remembered from long ago. The outer wall of the Labyrinth.
"We did it!"
"Wow! How do we get in?" Brand asked walking up to the large structure.
"Through the door." Jo and Sarah replied in unison.
"But there is no door!"
"There will be. Patience is a virtue Brand!"
"Well how come no-one in our family possesses it?" He queried
"Oh probably some ancient pact written in blood by the male side." Jo shot back immediately, before speaking to Sarah. "Do you want to take your original route and look for your friends or shall we do it the confrontational way?"
"The original way sucked. Let's try something new!"
"Ok, but we may get separated. May the Goddess bless and protect you." Jo stated to the both of them inscribing a pentacle in the centre of their foreheads. Taking another crystal out of her back pack, Jo tossed it in the air, "Guide us through the Labyrinth." She commanded.
The crystal ball gave of a soft red glow and travelled in the air towards a huge double door, which swung open at Jo's touch. As she entered Sarah made to turn right but Jo pulled her forward following the crystal, through the seemingly intact wall.
"So that's what Hoggle meant when he said he wouldn't go either way," Sarah mused and grabbed her husband's hand so they wouldn't get separated by his wanderlust.
In the Castle at the Centre of the Labyrinth, the Goblin King lounged in his throne, a glass of wine in one hand, his riding crop in the other. As he had been for a while now he was uncaring of the noise and mess the Goblins made in his Throne Room. Occasionally he hit out at the chickens that came within riding crop distance, but as long as his glass was refilled when it was empty he wasn't bothered about anything.
He looked up briefly as he heard pounding footsteps heading towards the Throne Room, and he hoped that foolish fox wasn't trying to attack the City again. He wasn't in the mood for such nonsense, it was too early, and he would require at least another bottle of wine. The gate guard came rushing in, tripping over a sleeping Goblin as he did so, and landing approximately a foot away from Jareth's boot.
"Your Majesty, we have humans in the Labyrinth." The guard announced from his prone position, deciding that it was a good position to stay in considering the rest of the news.
"Really, then why don't you take a squadron and go and stop them."
"We've lost two companies already; they keep disappearing to other parts of the Labyrinth, Sire."
"Why am I surrounded by idiots?" He asked aloud, and threw his wine glass away, after draining its contents, and conjured a scrying crystal. Within it he saw a woman with long dark hair and hazel eyes, looking around at the scenery.
"What is She doing here?" Jareth demanded standing up and leaving the Throne Room angrily.
"Who's here?" asked the now awake Goblin who the guard had fallen over.
"Yes tell us, who is it?" Hakba asked Faldur the guard.
"It's her; she's come back with some friends."
"Not the One?" Another Goblin stated gathering around the small group.
"Yes, only she's not the one who's making us disappear."
"Who's the other one then?" Goblins despite being stupid were very inquisitive and were weaned on gossip.
Faldur looked around the room until he spotted a familiar face. "Marit, you'll remember her. The little one, who use to visit, His Majesty taught her how to use crystals."
"Little Jordan."
"Yes that's her, I swear it. She's using crystals to send the armies away."
"I suggest we go and hide for a little while until his Majesty calms down." Marit advised.
"But if we hide, it'll only make him madder; yous knows what he's like after eight bottles of that dragon wine."
"Well, his Majesty does have a nasty temper on him, but if it is Jordan that is back, he'll be taking it out on her and she'll be giving it right back."
"Ise remember her now." Jagur spoke up from the Pit in the room's centre, "shouted at him like a wife does after a hundred years of living together."
"So we just sit here and watch then, agreed?"
"Aye." The Goblins chorused.
"Good luck." Faldur shouted as he departed back to his post.
"So how are we doing then? I thought you said this place was dangerous. All I've seen is you dispatching ugly little creatures at every turn." Brand said as they sat in one of the few serene spots in the Labyrinth.
"It was the way I went." Sarah told him and explained about the oubliette and cleaners, the bog of stench and how Sir Didymus blocked their way out.
"Yeah, sorry about that. My idea."
"What?"
"Well when I was little I use to come here, a lot. Jareth was my friend. Anyway he showed me round the Labyrinth and the Bog was one of them. I found out that he use to send Goblins here, and I kind of pointed out in my twelve year old logic what was the point of sending them there if they could get out so easily." Jo explained as she fiddled with her hair, placing it on top of her head.
"That's just great Jo, anything else you want to tell us?"
"No, that's the only suggestion he actually took note of. Most of the time he just use to say that he was King and what he said went. Not that I took much notice." She finished the hair do by securing a silver and amethyst circlet in place and then sighed as a strand of hair at each side of her head fell down as always. "No matter how many damn clips I put in it always happens!"
"You were friends with Jareth!" Sarah stated in disbelief.
"Jo use to play with the fairies a lot of the time. It's a female family thing apparently." Brand told his wife.
"And I thought my life was weird, when I was younger."
"Wait until you hear the really big secret."
"Brand!" Jo warned trying to clip the strands in place to no avail.
"Come on Jo she is family now, and it might affect us when we have children."
"How long have you known, I only found out recently?"
"I overheard a conversation between your Mother and my Father some years ago."
"Great so I guess the whole Order knows."
"Will you two stop bickering and tell me." Sarah demanded.
"I'm half Fae. My Father is Prince Cormak of Arcadia. Now if you two will excuse me I'm going to prepare for a visitor, who I'm sure will be arriving soon.
"I hate it when she does the superior thing." Brand said and nestled Sarah into his arms, taking advantage of their time alone.
"It must be the Fae in her. Jareth's exactly the same. Or at least he was with me."
"Tell me again, Mrs O'Neill, why am I sitting waiting for something to happen in this godforsaken world?"
"Because you love me?" Sarah teased.
"Oh yeah, that'd be it. Forever and ever."
"Forever and ever." Repeated Sarah sealing the vow with a kiss.
"Now that must be the most sickening thing I've ever heard." Jareth commented appearing before the couple. "Hello Sarah, long time no see. Who is your friend?"
"This is my husband, Brand O'Neill."
"Pleased to meet you." The King greeted cordially, "why are you here again? I don't remember receiving any babies?"
"That wouldn't surprise me!" Sarah muttered under her breath, "I'm here because I'm concerned for my friends. Nothing is right here, not even you! Where's the cruel and terrifying Goblin King got to? What happened to you Jareth?"
"What happened? You happened! You a fifteen year old child defeated my Labyrinth and then almost destroyed me with those six little words. Ever wonder why you couldn't remember them Sarah, because you weren't supposed to. No-one is! It's the whole point of the game. But no you had to be a wannabe actress didn't you. Couldn't let it go. Didn't you realise that if you agreed to my offer you could have gone home with Toby." He raged, pacing up and down, failing to notice the re-appearance of Jo.
"Temper, temper!"
"And just who in Oberon's name are you?"
"Forgotten me already my magickal forever friend?" Jo asked tossing him the crystal she'd been manipulating.
"Some friend you were." He said catching the crystal and turning it into an owl. "You stopped visiting me." He scowled at Jo and then passed the owl to Sarah, "a wedding gift!"
"I couldn't get through the veil."
"I gave you the crystals so you could return at 'any time'!" His mis- matched eyes flashing with annoyance.
"Grams took every single one away from me. I've only just found them." Jo retorted hotly.
"Would you like us to leave?" Sarah interrupted.
"No." Jo responded.
"Yes." Jareth stated and began to make a gesture.
"Look out fireworks!" Brand said softly to Sarah as he noticed Jo drawing the energy around her, becoming the imposing figure of the High Priestess.
"Don't even think about it!" Jo warned standing in front of her family.
"Just who do you think you are challenging me? I am King of this realm."
"I am Jordan Elizabeth Titania Amethyst Donnelly O'Neill; High Priestess of The Order of Aleitheia, Goddess of All, and you cannot even imagine how powerful I have become."
"Oh please, I made you what you are."
"No, I don't think that the drunk, pathetic weakling before me could have ever had anything to do with making me what I am." Jo taunted.
"I see the years haven't blunted your tongue, you sharp little minx."
"No but they've obviously dulled your wits! You didn't even sense us entering your precious maze. A five year old could beat this now."
"Dulled my wits. How dare you, Witch." Jareth shouted at her.
"Told you, fireworks!" Brand whispered.
"Do you think they'll notice if we were to, you know, just slip away." Sarah suggested.
"Unfortunately yes. In her Goddess of All role, Jo is acutely aware of everything around her."
"I've never seen her like this before, she's magnificent."
"Isn't she just." Brand said full of pride.
"Calling me names isn't helping, especially when they are correct, Jare."
"It's Jareth, or His Majesty." He demanded hating her for calling him by the sweet short name she used when he called her Jordan.
"I'll call you what I will, remember, names have power and until you prove to me you can rule the Labyrinth again I'm going to call you Jare."
"If it's proof you want, Witch, proof you shall have."
In an instant they were all teleported to the outer wall of the Labyrinth. Only Jareth was scowling at Brand who still held Sarah's hand. He was supposed to be at the Castle. Jo raised an eyebrow as he turned to her accusingly.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing, except marry them a few weeks back. Or should I say handfasted, it's a baser commitment but one that bounds a couple until death and beyond, if that is what the couple wishes. What's the problem Jare? Were Sarah and I to run the Labyrinth? Have you forgotten that you yourself took me through it, now I'm back memories are flowing through my mind like a movie."
"You're right of course and you'd cheat. In that case, you'll have to be the prize." Jareth responded and with a casual wave of his hand sent her to the Castle.
"Where's Jo?" Brand asked a moment later. He'd been walking up and down the wall looking for the way in again.
"She's in my Castle, waiting to be rescued. You have six hours in which to solve the Labyrinth or your precious Jo stays with me forever."
"Six, but I had thirteen last time."
"Last time you were innocent of the Labyrinths ways."
"Why you ..."
Sarah never got the chance to finish her insult as Jareth disappeared. "Don't worry Sarah, Jo can handle him. He'll probably send her to us after a couple of hours in her company anyway, considering the mood she seems to be in."
"Hmm. I thought she'd catch his interest, but I didn't realise they had a past."
"Sarah we can't get in. The door hasn't appeared and time is ticking."
"I have an idea." Sarah said sitting down against the wall. "Hoggle, Hoggle its Sarah. I need you." The young woman shouted into the air.
Jareth returned to his castle, looking forward to this new challenge. What he didn't expect was for Jo to have made herself completely at home in his throne, playing with several crystals. She'd change clothes too he noted, gone were the blue jeans and sweater she was wearing earlier and in their place were black thigh high boots, black leggings, and a red silk shirt, although her dark red hair was still piled on top of her head and the silver circlet was still in place. While he checked her over, drinking in every detail of the grown up little girl before him, Jo floated a crystal over to the pit, where several Goblins were playing a game of dice, and as it hung precariously in the air, she made a small gesture and the ball shattered covering the Goblins with confetti.
"Do you mind?" Jareth asked sarcastically stepping into the Throne Room and lounging against the entrance.
"About what?"
"You are in my throne, and terrorising my Goblins!"
"So I always use to sit here and I always terrorised the Goblins."
"Not quite accurate, my witch!" He stated remembering her visits, a small almost feral smile playing across his lips, "but if that is the way you want it..." Jareth strode over to his throne, somehow managing to avoid tripping over any sleeping Goblins, and lifted Jo out of the seat. Ignoring her shrieks of protest, Jareth amazingly managed to position himself so he lounged with both feet over one side, before placing Jo on his lap, as she use to sit when she was younger. Unfortunately his masculine body reminded him that Jo was no longer a child.
Jo first thought as she sat on his lap was how strong Jareth must be to pick her up and rearrange himself as he did whilst still holding her, the next was that she wasn't very comfortable sitting like a ventriloquists dummy. However if Jareth was expecting to have his seat all too himself, he was sadly mistaken, she decided, as she rearranged herself to match his lounging position. Her head slotted nicely on his left shoulder while her body and legs matched his almost like a missing part of a puzzle. Wriggling a little to get herself in a more comfortable position, Jo heard the sharp intake of breath and felt his reaction. She fought to hide a smile, not wanting to give the game away that being this close to Jareth was having a strange effect on her too. Jo felt protected and safe and had the overwhelming feeling that she has at last found her place in the world.
"Have you quite finished?" Her cushion demanded once Jo had settled, and was once again manipulating crystals.
"Why would you like me to wriggle some more?" She asked him innocently as she could.
"Just stay still." He growled softly in her ear, "or I'll finish what you have started."
"Surely you wouldn't expect a guest to be uncomfortable would you?"
"Well if you are uncomfortable in my Throne Room, I could transport us somewhere extremely comfortable." He suggested the later silkily, a gloved finger playing with the nearest loose strand of her hair, wondering what her response would be. Their bantering made him feel alive again.
"Just what kind of woman do you think I am?" Jo stated images flashing through her mind of her body entwined with Jareth's on a large bed.
Jareth chuckled softly as he noticed a faint reddening on her cheeks. "I was thinking of the garden." He answered and holding her securely in place transported them away.
The Goblins heaved a huge sigh of relief as the couple disappeared.
"I thought for one minute we was going to have another wall rebuilding session."
"Ain't she pretty!"
"She's gotten big. Ise liked her when she was little. Why'd she have to get to his size?" Bartel said, tears forming in his large goblin eyes.
"Bartel if he finds out you had a crush on her!" Zurina his mate warned.
"Ise knows. But she was so cute back then, all that hair."
Zurina, although a tolerant Goblin, didn't like her mate talking about the human girl in that way, and hit Bartel across the head.
"Yous talk to her and it'll be me yous have to deal with not His Majesty. Now get out of here tha lot of yers. We have a guest in the Castle; it's my job to make it look presentable."
"Do you think he's going to settle down at last? She'll make a good queen that one. Full of mischief yous can sense it." Hakba announced as the Goblins dribbled out of the Throne Room.
At the back of the Throne Room, a small creature listened to the Goblins various comments, but her ears pricked up at the word mischief. 'I'm gonna have to check this person out' the pixie thought.
"Before I do this, are you absolutely sure it's what you want to do?"
"Yes I need my friends to be safe!"
"Brand, do you consent to this journey?"
"Whatever my wife wishes, I attempt to fulfil."
"Urgh, that is so lovey-dovey. Did aliens kidnap you while you were on honeymoon?" Jo asked not expecting an answer. "Join hands and be prepared for a bumpy landing."
The three family members stood in the forest glade around one of Jo's crystals. Each of them had a backpack containing a change of clothes, supplies and anything they could think of that might be needed. Jo's also contained a large quantity of the crystals she had located.
"To right the wrong of long ago, return us to the world we know."
A light mist surrounding the three cleared and as it did, Sarah stared at a sight she remembered from long ago. The outer wall of the Labyrinth.
"We did it!"
"Wow! How do we get in?" Brand asked walking up to the large structure.
"Through the door." Jo and Sarah replied in unison.
"But there is no door!"
"There will be. Patience is a virtue Brand!"
"Well how come no-one in our family possesses it?" He queried
"Oh probably some ancient pact written in blood by the male side." Jo shot back immediately, before speaking to Sarah. "Do you want to take your original route and look for your friends or shall we do it the confrontational way?"
"The original way sucked. Let's try something new!"
"Ok, but we may get separated. May the Goddess bless and protect you." Jo stated to the both of them inscribing a pentacle in the centre of their foreheads. Taking another crystal out of her back pack, Jo tossed it in the air, "Guide us through the Labyrinth." She commanded.
The crystal ball gave of a soft red glow and travelled in the air towards a huge double door, which swung open at Jo's touch. As she entered Sarah made to turn right but Jo pulled her forward following the crystal, through the seemingly intact wall.
"So that's what Hoggle meant when he said he wouldn't go either way," Sarah mused and grabbed her husband's hand so they wouldn't get separated by his wanderlust.
In the Castle at the Centre of the Labyrinth, the Goblin King lounged in his throne, a glass of wine in one hand, his riding crop in the other. As he had been for a while now he was uncaring of the noise and mess the Goblins made in his Throne Room. Occasionally he hit out at the chickens that came within riding crop distance, but as long as his glass was refilled when it was empty he wasn't bothered about anything.
He looked up briefly as he heard pounding footsteps heading towards the Throne Room, and he hoped that foolish fox wasn't trying to attack the City again. He wasn't in the mood for such nonsense, it was too early, and he would require at least another bottle of wine. The gate guard came rushing in, tripping over a sleeping Goblin as he did so, and landing approximately a foot away from Jareth's boot.
"Your Majesty, we have humans in the Labyrinth." The guard announced from his prone position, deciding that it was a good position to stay in considering the rest of the news.
"Really, then why don't you take a squadron and go and stop them."
"We've lost two companies already; they keep disappearing to other parts of the Labyrinth, Sire."
"Why am I surrounded by idiots?" He asked aloud, and threw his wine glass away, after draining its contents, and conjured a scrying crystal. Within it he saw a woman with long dark hair and hazel eyes, looking around at the scenery.
"What is She doing here?" Jareth demanded standing up and leaving the Throne Room angrily.
"Who's here?" asked the now awake Goblin who the guard had fallen over.
"Yes tell us, who is it?" Hakba asked Faldur the guard.
"It's her; she's come back with some friends."
"Not the One?" Another Goblin stated gathering around the small group.
"Yes, only she's not the one who's making us disappear."
"Who's the other one then?" Goblins despite being stupid were very inquisitive and were weaned on gossip.
Faldur looked around the room until he spotted a familiar face. "Marit, you'll remember her. The little one, who use to visit, His Majesty taught her how to use crystals."
"Little Jordan."
"Yes that's her, I swear it. She's using crystals to send the armies away."
"I suggest we go and hide for a little while until his Majesty calms down." Marit advised.
"But if we hide, it'll only make him madder; yous knows what he's like after eight bottles of that dragon wine."
"Well, his Majesty does have a nasty temper on him, but if it is Jordan that is back, he'll be taking it out on her and she'll be giving it right back."
"Ise remember her now." Jagur spoke up from the Pit in the room's centre, "shouted at him like a wife does after a hundred years of living together."
"So we just sit here and watch then, agreed?"
"Aye." The Goblins chorused.
"Good luck." Faldur shouted as he departed back to his post.
"So how are we doing then? I thought you said this place was dangerous. All I've seen is you dispatching ugly little creatures at every turn." Brand said as they sat in one of the few serene spots in the Labyrinth.
"It was the way I went." Sarah told him and explained about the oubliette and cleaners, the bog of stench and how Sir Didymus blocked their way out.
"Yeah, sorry about that. My idea."
"What?"
"Well when I was little I use to come here, a lot. Jareth was my friend. Anyway he showed me round the Labyrinth and the Bog was one of them. I found out that he use to send Goblins here, and I kind of pointed out in my twelve year old logic what was the point of sending them there if they could get out so easily." Jo explained as she fiddled with her hair, placing it on top of her head.
"That's just great Jo, anything else you want to tell us?"
"No, that's the only suggestion he actually took note of. Most of the time he just use to say that he was King and what he said went. Not that I took much notice." She finished the hair do by securing a silver and amethyst circlet in place and then sighed as a strand of hair at each side of her head fell down as always. "No matter how many damn clips I put in it always happens!"
"You were friends with Jareth!" Sarah stated in disbelief.
"Jo use to play with the fairies a lot of the time. It's a female family thing apparently." Brand told his wife.
"And I thought my life was weird, when I was younger."
"Wait until you hear the really big secret."
"Brand!" Jo warned trying to clip the strands in place to no avail.
"Come on Jo she is family now, and it might affect us when we have children."
"How long have you known, I only found out recently?"
"I overheard a conversation between your Mother and my Father some years ago."
"Great so I guess the whole Order knows."
"Will you two stop bickering and tell me." Sarah demanded.
"I'm half Fae. My Father is Prince Cormak of Arcadia. Now if you two will excuse me I'm going to prepare for a visitor, who I'm sure will be arriving soon.
"I hate it when she does the superior thing." Brand said and nestled Sarah into his arms, taking advantage of their time alone.
"It must be the Fae in her. Jareth's exactly the same. Or at least he was with me."
"Tell me again, Mrs O'Neill, why am I sitting waiting for something to happen in this godforsaken world?"
"Because you love me?" Sarah teased.
"Oh yeah, that'd be it. Forever and ever."
"Forever and ever." Repeated Sarah sealing the vow with a kiss.
"Now that must be the most sickening thing I've ever heard." Jareth commented appearing before the couple. "Hello Sarah, long time no see. Who is your friend?"
"This is my husband, Brand O'Neill."
"Pleased to meet you." The King greeted cordially, "why are you here again? I don't remember receiving any babies?"
"That wouldn't surprise me!" Sarah muttered under her breath, "I'm here because I'm concerned for my friends. Nothing is right here, not even you! Where's the cruel and terrifying Goblin King got to? What happened to you Jareth?"
"What happened? You happened! You a fifteen year old child defeated my Labyrinth and then almost destroyed me with those six little words. Ever wonder why you couldn't remember them Sarah, because you weren't supposed to. No-one is! It's the whole point of the game. But no you had to be a wannabe actress didn't you. Couldn't let it go. Didn't you realise that if you agreed to my offer you could have gone home with Toby." He raged, pacing up and down, failing to notice the re-appearance of Jo.
"Temper, temper!"
"And just who in Oberon's name are you?"
"Forgotten me already my magickal forever friend?" Jo asked tossing him the crystal she'd been manipulating.
"Some friend you were." He said catching the crystal and turning it into an owl. "You stopped visiting me." He scowled at Jo and then passed the owl to Sarah, "a wedding gift!"
"I couldn't get through the veil."
"I gave you the crystals so you could return at 'any time'!" His mis- matched eyes flashing with annoyance.
"Grams took every single one away from me. I've only just found them." Jo retorted hotly.
"Would you like us to leave?" Sarah interrupted.
"No." Jo responded.
"Yes." Jareth stated and began to make a gesture.
"Look out fireworks!" Brand said softly to Sarah as he noticed Jo drawing the energy around her, becoming the imposing figure of the High Priestess.
"Don't even think about it!" Jo warned standing in front of her family.
"Just who do you think you are challenging me? I am King of this realm."
"I am Jordan Elizabeth Titania Amethyst Donnelly O'Neill; High Priestess of The Order of Aleitheia, Goddess of All, and you cannot even imagine how powerful I have become."
"Oh please, I made you what you are."
"No, I don't think that the drunk, pathetic weakling before me could have ever had anything to do with making me what I am." Jo taunted.
"I see the years haven't blunted your tongue, you sharp little minx."
"No but they've obviously dulled your wits! You didn't even sense us entering your precious maze. A five year old could beat this now."
"Dulled my wits. How dare you, Witch." Jareth shouted at her.
"Told you, fireworks!" Brand whispered.
"Do you think they'll notice if we were to, you know, just slip away." Sarah suggested.
"Unfortunately yes. In her Goddess of All role, Jo is acutely aware of everything around her."
"I've never seen her like this before, she's magnificent."
"Isn't she just." Brand said full of pride.
"Calling me names isn't helping, especially when they are correct, Jare."
"It's Jareth, or His Majesty." He demanded hating her for calling him by the sweet short name she used when he called her Jordan.
"I'll call you what I will, remember, names have power and until you prove to me you can rule the Labyrinth again I'm going to call you Jare."
"If it's proof you want, Witch, proof you shall have."
In an instant they were all teleported to the outer wall of the Labyrinth. Only Jareth was scowling at Brand who still held Sarah's hand. He was supposed to be at the Castle. Jo raised an eyebrow as he turned to her accusingly.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing, except marry them a few weeks back. Or should I say handfasted, it's a baser commitment but one that bounds a couple until death and beyond, if that is what the couple wishes. What's the problem Jare? Were Sarah and I to run the Labyrinth? Have you forgotten that you yourself took me through it, now I'm back memories are flowing through my mind like a movie."
"You're right of course and you'd cheat. In that case, you'll have to be the prize." Jareth responded and with a casual wave of his hand sent her to the Castle.
"Where's Jo?" Brand asked a moment later. He'd been walking up and down the wall looking for the way in again.
"She's in my Castle, waiting to be rescued. You have six hours in which to solve the Labyrinth or your precious Jo stays with me forever."
"Six, but I had thirteen last time."
"Last time you were innocent of the Labyrinths ways."
"Why you ..."
Sarah never got the chance to finish her insult as Jareth disappeared. "Don't worry Sarah, Jo can handle him. He'll probably send her to us after a couple of hours in her company anyway, considering the mood she seems to be in."
"Hmm. I thought she'd catch his interest, but I didn't realise they had a past."
"Sarah we can't get in. The door hasn't appeared and time is ticking."
"I have an idea." Sarah said sitting down against the wall. "Hoggle, Hoggle its Sarah. I need you." The young woman shouted into the air.
Jareth returned to his castle, looking forward to this new challenge. What he didn't expect was for Jo to have made herself completely at home in his throne, playing with several crystals. She'd change clothes too he noted, gone were the blue jeans and sweater she was wearing earlier and in their place were black thigh high boots, black leggings, and a red silk shirt, although her dark red hair was still piled on top of her head and the silver circlet was still in place. While he checked her over, drinking in every detail of the grown up little girl before him, Jo floated a crystal over to the pit, where several Goblins were playing a game of dice, and as it hung precariously in the air, she made a small gesture and the ball shattered covering the Goblins with confetti.
"Do you mind?" Jareth asked sarcastically stepping into the Throne Room and lounging against the entrance.
"About what?"
"You are in my throne, and terrorising my Goblins!"
"So I always use to sit here and I always terrorised the Goblins."
"Not quite accurate, my witch!" He stated remembering her visits, a small almost feral smile playing across his lips, "but if that is the way you want it..." Jareth strode over to his throne, somehow managing to avoid tripping over any sleeping Goblins, and lifted Jo out of the seat. Ignoring her shrieks of protest, Jareth amazingly managed to position himself so he lounged with both feet over one side, before placing Jo on his lap, as she use to sit when she was younger. Unfortunately his masculine body reminded him that Jo was no longer a child.
Jo first thought as she sat on his lap was how strong Jareth must be to pick her up and rearrange himself as he did whilst still holding her, the next was that she wasn't very comfortable sitting like a ventriloquists dummy. However if Jareth was expecting to have his seat all too himself, he was sadly mistaken, she decided, as she rearranged herself to match his lounging position. Her head slotted nicely on his left shoulder while her body and legs matched his almost like a missing part of a puzzle. Wriggling a little to get herself in a more comfortable position, Jo heard the sharp intake of breath and felt his reaction. She fought to hide a smile, not wanting to give the game away that being this close to Jareth was having a strange effect on her too. Jo felt protected and safe and had the overwhelming feeling that she has at last found her place in the world.
"Have you quite finished?" Her cushion demanded once Jo had settled, and was once again manipulating crystals.
"Why would you like me to wriggle some more?" She asked him innocently as she could.
"Just stay still." He growled softly in her ear, "or I'll finish what you have started."
"Surely you wouldn't expect a guest to be uncomfortable would you?"
"Well if you are uncomfortable in my Throne Room, I could transport us somewhere extremely comfortable." He suggested the later silkily, a gloved finger playing with the nearest loose strand of her hair, wondering what her response would be. Their bantering made him feel alive again.
"Just what kind of woman do you think I am?" Jo stated images flashing through her mind of her body entwined with Jareth's on a large bed.
Jareth chuckled softly as he noticed a faint reddening on her cheeks. "I was thinking of the garden." He answered and holding her securely in place transported them away.
The Goblins heaved a huge sigh of relief as the couple disappeared.
"I thought for one minute we was going to have another wall rebuilding session."
"Ain't she pretty!"
"She's gotten big. Ise liked her when she was little. Why'd she have to get to his size?" Bartel said, tears forming in his large goblin eyes.
"Bartel if he finds out you had a crush on her!" Zurina his mate warned.
"Ise knows. But she was so cute back then, all that hair."
Zurina, although a tolerant Goblin, didn't like her mate talking about the human girl in that way, and hit Bartel across the head.
"Yous talk to her and it'll be me yous have to deal with not His Majesty. Now get out of here tha lot of yers. We have a guest in the Castle; it's my job to make it look presentable."
"Do you think he's going to settle down at last? She'll make a good queen that one. Full of mischief yous can sense it." Hakba announced as the Goblins dribbled out of the Throne Room.
At the back of the Throne Room, a small creature listened to the Goblins various comments, but her ears pricked up at the word mischief. 'I'm gonna have to check this person out' the pixie thought.