"Better come wash your face Miss." Eponine said.
Alex put her tray back on her nightstand and got out of bed, and stretched her arms over her head. "mmm...that's really comfy bed..." she said.
"It's made with owl and hippogriffs feathers, Miss."
Alex turned her, puzzled. What the heck was a "Hi...hippo-...hippo-what's??"
"Hipp-o-griff, Miss." Eponine said slower.
"What's a Hippugripit?"
Eponine looked surprised. Didn't they have Hippogriffs in her world? "Well...I suppose you could say it's half horse and half eagle. They're very beautiful and proud creatures."
"Oh...you mean like a griffon..." Alex asked, she knew that griffons were half lion and half eagle. "...or a sphinx?"
"Very much like them, my lady."
"Oh wow!"
"Perhaps my lady would like to see these creatures up close?" Eponine said as Alex bent over the basin to wash her face and hands. Alex almost spilled the water when she heard.
"What?! Yes! I mean...can I??" Alex turned to Eponine. She became very excited. A real mystical creature? Up close?!?
"Many of them roam in the fields near the gardens. I will take you there if you like, Miss." Eponine smiled.
"Oh yes! Very much! Thank you Eponine!" Alex smiled widely and stood so Eponine could help her dress. It was a little difficult for Eponine because Alex seemed unable to hold still. She didn't mind however, she was happy to see her lady excited about something. She dressed Alex in a dark green dress today. When Alex looked in the mirror she smiled, lightly smoothing out a few ruffles in the dress, liking how it fit.
Then she sat down at her vanity and Eponine brushed her hair. She was thought about braiding it, but she ran her little fingers lightly through her lady's long tresses and decided she would leave it down this morning.
"Come along, Miss. I will take you outside."
Alex was surprised that Eponine left her hair down today, but she turned back into her mirror for a moment and smiled. She hadn't worn it down for so long. It felt nice. And it seemed different then how it used to look when she wore it down. It fell down her shoulders in soft curls.
She quickly stood up, picked up her skirts and followed her little maid out the door, eager to be outside. The castle halls and stair cases were becoming more and more familiar to her. She figured that next time she wanted to go out she might not need Eponine to show her the way.
It was indeed a beautiful day to be outside, and gardens were breathtaking. Alex looked around and suddenly thought about the last time she was here...with Jareth. She blushed inwardly. Why on earth does she keep thinking about HIM!?! "There is no telling what you may see, miss. There are many different creatures here." said Eponine once they reached the far side of the gardens. Then Alex followed her down a tiny dirt path and into some trees. And beyond the trees Alex saw the great open grass fields.
Alex couldn't believe her eyes. There were some unicorns grassing and over head she saw what looked like two griffons flying. And when she saw a Hippogriff "Oh...my..." was all she could say. It was one of the more gorgeous creatures she ever saw.
"Stunning aren't they?" said a familiar male voice behind her.
Alex felt her heart nearly jump in her throat as she turned around to see her King. Jareth walked up to them. Eponine had been startled herself. "Oh, your Highness!" she said dropping into a curtsy.
Alex bowed her head a little "Good morning, you Highness..."
"Good morning to you, Alex." Jareth said bowing his head also. "I see Eponine has shown you the fields."
"We just got here..." said Alex.
"I'm afraid however, that I must leave you, Miss. I have things to attend to in the castle. I'll come back for you when it's time."
"Alright, thank you, Eponine." Alex waved good bye and the little one ran back up the path.
Jareth turned back to the Hippogriff in the field that was now coming towards them. Alex gasped a little. The beast was indeed beautiful, but it looked dangerous as well. She took a few small steps back, eyeing the creatures long talons and sharp looking beak. Jareth held out his arm to her "Come here, Alex...don't be frightened..." in a soft voice. Alex looked at him then cautiously walked over to him, taking his hand. She hoped he hadn't noticed but she felt her cheeks turning pink.
"Now you must stand firmly in place. Never back unless it's absolutely necessary." said Jareth.
"Alright..." Alex answered nervously.
The Hippogriff stood about 10 feet away from the two.
"Take a low bow...and wait for her to bow back...these creatures are very vain and you must earn their trust."
Alex inhaled and bowed in the style of a man that lived in the time of Shakespeare. She kept her eyes on the beast, though. Her karate teacher had told her to NEVER look down. The Hippogriff studied the young woman before her for a few minutes, then bowed back. Alex sighed in relief. 'Good, it won't eat me...I think...' she thought.
Jareth walked up to the Hippogriff and stroked her feathers. "It's alright Alex, come closer."
Alex stood up and slowly walked over, not reaching out quite yet. The Hippogriff made a clicking sound with her beak and Alex hesitated. Then she slowly reached out her hand toward the lovely feathers. That was when the beast stretched out her neck towards her, and Alex knew that she wanted to be touched. She rested her hands on her soft feathers. Alex was amazed of how soft they felt.
"That's right...she trusts you now..." said Jareth. "Wonder creatures, Hippogriffs..."
"She is...I've never in my life seen anything like her..." Alex said softly while calmly petting the creature. It was when she heard a soft patting on the ground that she turned to see a little unicorn trotting towards them. Jareth smiled, Alex too. "Well hello there..." she said. The little one nuzzled at her hand. She laughed a bit and stroked his muzzle a but then pat his head softly, noting the small yet sharp horn growing from his forehead.
"I wonder where his mother is...a unicorn this young, she wouldn't leave him very long." Jareth said.
"Aw, he's so sweet! And so tiny!" Alex cooed, looking into the baby's silver eyes. Jareth chuckled, still petting the Hippogriff. Then they both heard hoof beats. They looked up to see a great white unicorn on the hill. She called out for her little one. Alex's breath came short. She had never seen such a wonderfully white and strong looking horse, let along a unicorn!
The little one went skipping off to join it's mother.
"Alex...come walk with me." said Jareth.
"Alright..." Alex stood up and together they walked along the shade of the trees.
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Sarah held Toby's hand as they along with Hoggle, Ludo and Didymus made their way through the forest.
"Sarah, I don't understand...How could, we possibly save her now?!" Toby asked.
"I'm certain that I don't understand either my Lady!" said Didymus.
"Too late!" said Ludo sadly.
"It isn't!" said Sarah. She refused to give up on Alex.
"But Jareth has won!" said Hoggle.
"Oh don't you understand? Toby, he said you had 13 hours to solve the labyrinth. Right?"
"Yes..."
"That was before, Alex would become one of them forever..."
"Yes, Sarah...I lost..."
"Not necessarily...you see Toby, Jareth has no power over you! He never had!"
"What?"
"That's right! And he doesn't now! Meaning he still couldn't stop you if you wanted to continue to the castle..."
"So there is still hope for her?!" Toby asked.
"There is always hope..."
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They two had been walking around the fields and watching the many creatures there. Jareth was quiet for a moment before speaking. "This is a wonderful place for these creatures to raise their young. They will never be harmed here." he said.
"Harmed? Why would they be harmed anywhere?" Alex asked looking at Jareth curiously.
"Well Alex, I will tell you now, not everyone in the underground are good creatures."
"I see." she looked at her feet as she walked. Jareth stopped and stepped in front on her. He tilted her chin up to look into her eyes.
"But as long as you live here...you are safe, Alex..." he ran his fingers through her long dark hair.
"...safe..." Alex echoed, feeling lost in his eyes. They were so close that she could feel his breath on her cheek. Finally after was seemed like eternity Jareth's lips brushed against hers. Alex's held onto his shoulder for she was sure she would swoon. But Jareth held her tightly and slid his hand to the back of her neck, bringing her lips to his. Alex soon forgot about everything around them, all she saw, knew and felt was her king.
(A/N: That's not all! New chapter coming soon! Review!)
