Alex sat quietly at her vanity, thinking. Eponine was standing beside her
and brushing her hair. Alex was growing rather fond of her little maid, for
she was very loyal to her. And it didn't bother her so much now that she
had someone serving her. But right now Alex had other things on her mind.
"You're very quiet, Miss." Eponine said, interrupting her Lady's thoughts.
"I was just thinking....."
"Of what, Miss Alex?" Eponine asked.
"My friend.....Toby....."
"The one in the Labyrinth, Miss?"
Alex turned around so quickly, Eponine dropped the brush. "Toby's in the Labyrinth?!" Alex asked surprised.
"Didn't you know?" Eponine knelt down and retrieved the brush.
"N-no.....I guess not....."
"When one is wished into the King's power, the wisher has the chance to find them, for the King has no power over them. But if the time runs out....."
"Then I'm stuck here....." Alex sighed ".....how far is he?"
Eponine looked out the open door to the balcony "I couldn't say.....he could be anywhere....."
Alex stood and walked out onto the balcony, looking at the twisting, turning Labyrinth "Toby....." she looked fearful.
Eponine reached over on the vanity and opened a music box. It played a very pretty song. Eponine remembered it as the song that the King sang for Sarah 18 years ago. For some reason the song seemed familiar to Alex. She knew she must have heard it before.....but she didn't know where. She swayed a bit as she listened.
"Here, Miss, let me finish brushing your hair."
"Hmm? Oh, alright.....sorry....." Alex sat back in her chair. "Um.....say, Eponine....." Alex paused, not sure if she really wanted to continue.
"Yes...?" asked Eponine as she started to braid her lady's hair.
"Oh, it's nothing." Alex said and she started to play with the folds of her dress.
"Is it about his Majesty?" Eponine asked knowingly.
"Well.....yes....." Alex admitted.
The little maid smiled, and folded her mistress's hair into a crown on her head. "What about him, my lady?"
"I.....well, it's nothing really, but.....you mentioned something about.....a special occasion earlier? What is that all about?"
"A ball, Miss."
"A ball?" Alex was very interested now. She had never been to a ball.
"Yes, the Master has arranged a ball. Many royals will be there." Eponine said, rather excited herself.
"When is it, Eponine?"
"It will be held tomorrow night, Miss."
Alex's face fell "I see....." she had remember Jareth's words from earlier that day "7 hours" she had yet to be claimed.
Eponine wove a green ribbon into Alex's dark hair as a finishing touch, it matched the dark green frock she now wore "There, you are, my lady."
Alex looked at her self in the mirror. She felt her maid worked wonders. It was truly a masterpiece. "Beautiful work, Eponine....." but Alex didn't smile.
"Oh, you're not happy."
"I....." she didn't know what to say to her. She couldn't explain it.....not even to her self. Eponine knelt down at her side. "The King wishes your company at supper....." she said.
Alex drew in a shaky breath at this news. Jareth still scared her very much, and she was worried after how she yelled at him in the gardens. "I don't know, Eponine....."
"Miss, I think you should."
".....should I?"
Eponine stood and hung up the dress Alex wore earlier "I think it would do you both some good."
"I suppose you're right....." Alex said rubbing her neck. She stood and brushed off the front of her dress. "Well.....how do I look?" she asked with uncertain smile.
"You look beautiful, Miss Alex."
Alex smiled brightened and she prepared herself to face the king once again.
"I'll bring you to the dining hall now, Miss." Eponine opened the door.
"Thank you, Eponine."
The little elf lead her mistress down the stairs and the windeing corridors. When she lead her through a long hall of paintings Alex stopped to look. "These are incredible!" she said.
"Aren't they? They are all the rulers of this land and many others. Some however.....aren't people of this land at all....." Eponine paused in front of a painting.
"Really? Who?" Alex walke over to the painting that the little miss stopped in front of. It was a portrait of a raven haired girl, around 14 years old. She was wearing a stunning silver ball gown. Even though Alex knew this girl must have been very young when this was painted, this girl had strange look about her, a mischievous look that only a woman could have.
"Who is that, Eponine? She's beautiful....." Alex asked as she gazed at the painting.
"Somebody who defeated the Labyrinth.....long ago."
Funny Alex could have sworn she recognized the girl's features, but only faintly...But she was unable to fully recall.
"Come, Miss. His Majesty awaits."
".....Oh yes, of course....." Alex's eyes lingered on the painting for a moment longer, then she resumed to following Eponine.
The little maid opened the doors at the end of the hall. She walked in, leaving Alex to gaze in the dining hall. There was a long table that looked like it could seat a hundred people! She saw Jareth standing by a huge fire place. He looked wonderful. Alex could have kicked herself for that last thought.
"Lady Alex, your Majesty." Eponine announced.
Upon hearing her name, Alex entered the room, with her head held high, trying to look as brave as she can.
Jareth walked up to her. Alex looked boldly into his eyes for a moment before dropping into a curtsy "Good evening, your Highness....." she mentally slapped herself. She felt she must have looked stupid. And she really didn't want to be miss manners just because she's in HIS presents. But to her surprise, Jareth bowed back, and took her hand and helped her rise again "Good evening to you, Alex."
She blushed inwardly.
"Would you care to sit down?" he asked, pulling out a chair next to the end of the table.
"Yes. Thank you, your Highness." She said trying to choose her words wisely. He was obviously in a good mood and she wanted to keep it that way. Jareth helped her into her chair (something he would do everyday).
"Would his Majesty and my lady care for something to drink?" Eponine asked.
"um.....water, please....." Alex said.
Jareth just nodded to Eponine, she knew what he wanted. She curtsied and hurried away. Alex looked into her lap, unsure of what to say or do.
"Good girl, Eponine." Jareth said breaking the silence "She is one of the more helpful servants here."
"yes.....she's very kind." Alex agreed.
"And obedient.....very much like her mother, Careen. But she holds some of her father's habits as well." Jareth shook his head as he finished.
".....her father?"
Jareth nodded "He had a habit of speaking out of turn. And I found it to be genetic. For I caught the little one doing the same at times."
".....oh.....I see." Alex was nervous but tried to hide it. She was actually though, very curious to know this. Eponine never mentioned her parents to her, never. She assumed her maid might have been an orphan. A smaller door from the other side of the room opened. A beautiful woman stepped out, carrying a silver bowl and ladle. This must be Careen, Eponine's mother. Alex could tell for both woman and child shared the same long brown curls. Eponine came out following her mother with a tray. Careen served soup to Jareth and Alex.
Eponine poured water into Alex's goblet from a jug. And then she carried the same jug over to Jareth. But when she poured into his goblet, it wasn't water, it was red wine. 'water into wine' Alex thought 'Eponine is indeed a miracle worker.'
"Thank you, Careen. Eponine." Jareth said and Alex then remembered her manners.
"Yes....thank you."
Both Careen and Eponine smiled and bowed their heads before returning to the kitchen.
"So Alex, I trust you're stay has been comfortable?" Jareth said lifting his goblet and letting the wine swirl inside it.
".....it has, M'lord." She said, sipping her water, starting to get a bit nervous again.
"You have no need to be frightened, Alex." The King said calmly "You won't be harmed."
Alex smiled slightly, still nervous. Jareth encouraged her to try the soup. He told her Careen was an extraordinary cook. He was right. Alex thought the soup was delightful. She found herself growing calmer, and felt less fear. By the time she finished she really couldn't say why she would be nervous at all.
Careen brought out the second course, some kind of pasta by the looks of it. Alex found it quite delicious.
"Eponine may have told you, Alex that there is to be a ball." Jareth said suddenly.
"Yes she told me.'
"I would like to escort you." He said. Alex put down her fork for a moment and looked at the king. She blinked and blushed slightly.
"There will be many people there.....many that you may meet personally, Dukes, Duchesses, Barons.....you think you could handle it?"
"Why wouldn't I?" was there something he wasn't telling her.
"I see I shouldn't have asked and indeed I was wrong. I'm sure you could jump any hurdle you come across. But for the most part I think you'll enjoy yourself."
"Yes.....it sounds like fun. I look forward to it, your Highness."
Jareth raised his glass as in to toast to her "I look forward to it as well." He smiled.
Alex smiled back and looked down into her lap.
"You're very quiet, Miss." Eponine said, interrupting her Lady's thoughts.
"I was just thinking....."
"Of what, Miss Alex?" Eponine asked.
"My friend.....Toby....."
"The one in the Labyrinth, Miss?"
Alex turned around so quickly, Eponine dropped the brush. "Toby's in the Labyrinth?!" Alex asked surprised.
"Didn't you know?" Eponine knelt down and retrieved the brush.
"N-no.....I guess not....."
"When one is wished into the King's power, the wisher has the chance to find them, for the King has no power over them. But if the time runs out....."
"Then I'm stuck here....." Alex sighed ".....how far is he?"
Eponine looked out the open door to the balcony "I couldn't say.....he could be anywhere....."
Alex stood and walked out onto the balcony, looking at the twisting, turning Labyrinth "Toby....." she looked fearful.
Eponine reached over on the vanity and opened a music box. It played a very pretty song. Eponine remembered it as the song that the King sang for Sarah 18 years ago. For some reason the song seemed familiar to Alex. She knew she must have heard it before.....but she didn't know where. She swayed a bit as she listened.
"Here, Miss, let me finish brushing your hair."
"Hmm? Oh, alright.....sorry....." Alex sat back in her chair. "Um.....say, Eponine....." Alex paused, not sure if she really wanted to continue.
"Yes...?" asked Eponine as she started to braid her lady's hair.
"Oh, it's nothing." Alex said and she started to play with the folds of her dress.
"Is it about his Majesty?" Eponine asked knowingly.
"Well.....yes....." Alex admitted.
The little maid smiled, and folded her mistress's hair into a crown on her head. "What about him, my lady?"
"I.....well, it's nothing really, but.....you mentioned something about.....a special occasion earlier? What is that all about?"
"A ball, Miss."
"A ball?" Alex was very interested now. She had never been to a ball.
"Yes, the Master has arranged a ball. Many royals will be there." Eponine said, rather excited herself.
"When is it, Eponine?"
"It will be held tomorrow night, Miss."
Alex's face fell "I see....." she had remember Jareth's words from earlier that day "7 hours" she had yet to be claimed.
Eponine wove a green ribbon into Alex's dark hair as a finishing touch, it matched the dark green frock she now wore "There, you are, my lady."
Alex looked at her self in the mirror. She felt her maid worked wonders. It was truly a masterpiece. "Beautiful work, Eponine....." but Alex didn't smile.
"Oh, you're not happy."
"I....." she didn't know what to say to her. She couldn't explain it.....not even to her self. Eponine knelt down at her side. "The King wishes your company at supper....." she said.
Alex drew in a shaky breath at this news. Jareth still scared her very much, and she was worried after how she yelled at him in the gardens. "I don't know, Eponine....."
"Miss, I think you should."
".....should I?"
Eponine stood and hung up the dress Alex wore earlier "I think it would do you both some good."
"I suppose you're right....." Alex said rubbing her neck. She stood and brushed off the front of her dress. "Well.....how do I look?" she asked with uncertain smile.
"You look beautiful, Miss Alex."
Alex smiled brightened and she prepared herself to face the king once again.
"I'll bring you to the dining hall now, Miss." Eponine opened the door.
"Thank you, Eponine."
The little elf lead her mistress down the stairs and the windeing corridors. When she lead her through a long hall of paintings Alex stopped to look. "These are incredible!" she said.
"Aren't they? They are all the rulers of this land and many others. Some however.....aren't people of this land at all....." Eponine paused in front of a painting.
"Really? Who?" Alex walke over to the painting that the little miss stopped in front of. It was a portrait of a raven haired girl, around 14 years old. She was wearing a stunning silver ball gown. Even though Alex knew this girl must have been very young when this was painted, this girl had strange look about her, a mischievous look that only a woman could have.
"Who is that, Eponine? She's beautiful....." Alex asked as she gazed at the painting.
"Somebody who defeated the Labyrinth.....long ago."
Funny Alex could have sworn she recognized the girl's features, but only faintly...But she was unable to fully recall.
"Come, Miss. His Majesty awaits."
".....Oh yes, of course....." Alex's eyes lingered on the painting for a moment longer, then she resumed to following Eponine.
The little maid opened the doors at the end of the hall. She walked in, leaving Alex to gaze in the dining hall. There was a long table that looked like it could seat a hundred people! She saw Jareth standing by a huge fire place. He looked wonderful. Alex could have kicked herself for that last thought.
"Lady Alex, your Majesty." Eponine announced.
Upon hearing her name, Alex entered the room, with her head held high, trying to look as brave as she can.
Jareth walked up to her. Alex looked boldly into his eyes for a moment before dropping into a curtsy "Good evening, your Highness....." she mentally slapped herself. She felt she must have looked stupid. And she really didn't want to be miss manners just because she's in HIS presents. But to her surprise, Jareth bowed back, and took her hand and helped her rise again "Good evening to you, Alex."
She blushed inwardly.
"Would you care to sit down?" he asked, pulling out a chair next to the end of the table.
"Yes. Thank you, your Highness." She said trying to choose her words wisely. He was obviously in a good mood and she wanted to keep it that way. Jareth helped her into her chair (something he would do everyday).
"Would his Majesty and my lady care for something to drink?" Eponine asked.
"um.....water, please....." Alex said.
Jareth just nodded to Eponine, she knew what he wanted. She curtsied and hurried away. Alex looked into her lap, unsure of what to say or do.
"Good girl, Eponine." Jareth said breaking the silence "She is one of the more helpful servants here."
"yes.....she's very kind." Alex agreed.
"And obedient.....very much like her mother, Careen. But she holds some of her father's habits as well." Jareth shook his head as he finished.
".....her father?"
Jareth nodded "He had a habit of speaking out of turn. And I found it to be genetic. For I caught the little one doing the same at times."
".....oh.....I see." Alex was nervous but tried to hide it. She was actually though, very curious to know this. Eponine never mentioned her parents to her, never. She assumed her maid might have been an orphan. A smaller door from the other side of the room opened. A beautiful woman stepped out, carrying a silver bowl and ladle. This must be Careen, Eponine's mother. Alex could tell for both woman and child shared the same long brown curls. Eponine came out following her mother with a tray. Careen served soup to Jareth and Alex.
Eponine poured water into Alex's goblet from a jug. And then she carried the same jug over to Jareth. But when she poured into his goblet, it wasn't water, it was red wine. 'water into wine' Alex thought 'Eponine is indeed a miracle worker.'
"Thank you, Careen. Eponine." Jareth said and Alex then remembered her manners.
"Yes....thank you."
Both Careen and Eponine smiled and bowed their heads before returning to the kitchen.
"So Alex, I trust you're stay has been comfortable?" Jareth said lifting his goblet and letting the wine swirl inside it.
".....it has, M'lord." She said, sipping her water, starting to get a bit nervous again.
"You have no need to be frightened, Alex." The King said calmly "You won't be harmed."
Alex smiled slightly, still nervous. Jareth encouraged her to try the soup. He told her Careen was an extraordinary cook. He was right. Alex thought the soup was delightful. She found herself growing calmer, and felt less fear. By the time she finished she really couldn't say why she would be nervous at all.
Careen brought out the second course, some kind of pasta by the looks of it. Alex found it quite delicious.
"Eponine may have told you, Alex that there is to be a ball." Jareth said suddenly.
"Yes she told me.'
"I would like to escort you." He said. Alex put down her fork for a moment and looked at the king. She blinked and blushed slightly.
"There will be many people there.....many that you may meet personally, Dukes, Duchesses, Barons.....you think you could handle it?"
"Why wouldn't I?" was there something he wasn't telling her.
"I see I shouldn't have asked and indeed I was wrong. I'm sure you could jump any hurdle you come across. But for the most part I think you'll enjoy yourself."
"Yes.....it sounds like fun. I look forward to it, your Highness."
Jareth raised his glass as in to toast to her "I look forward to it as well." He smiled.
Alex smiled back and looked down into her lap.
