Author's Note: I apologize if Jareth is not quite up to standard, but then I've never been good at writing other people's characters. 'Finally, (I can hear most of you saying), 'the story will begin, now that we've got His Royal Hotness in here'. Those who say that immediately go to the Bog of Eternal Stench. And until the 24th of October(unless I can sneak some more story in), "adieu/adieu/ to yeu/ and yeu/and yeu" (from The Sound of Music). I shall return with more!

Chapter 8: Oh, My Aching Seat/Adina Alone

Several hours later, Adina had decided that riding in a carriage for travel was an extremely bad, if not boring, idea. Her maids(though she'd insisted she didn't need any) had not been adept at any kind of decent conversation, instead trying to steer her into such topics as "Which of your dresses is your favorite?" or "Have you ever seen the Goblin King, Your Highness?"(Adina had shot those two topics down with 'I don't really care about clothes' and 'No, I haven't' ). Plus after a while, the plush seats and armrests stopped being comfortable. I hope this is all worth it, Adina sighed, closing her eyes.

Just as she began to relax(as best as one could with uncomfortable seating), a great cry arose outside. "Whoa, boy! Whoa!" the carriage driver exclaimed, trying to calm the horses down. "What's wrong?" Adina asked, climbing out, her maids timidly following behind her. "Your Highness, the horses will go no further. I beg apologies."

"Of course," Adina said with a wave of her hand. "Why no more?" She began chanting a spell under her breath to calm the animals, and then it came to her. "Maybe the area bothers them." "That could be it. Let me look at the map," the carriage driver briskly climbed up, unfolding a large parchment. Eyeing the contents, abruptly the driver turned pale. He jumped from his perch, and knelt before Adina. "Your pardon, please Highness," he gasped. "but I can take you no farther."

"Why?" Adina asked, completely frustrated. "We are about to pass into the Land of the Souls. No Faerie has ever traveled through the Land and made it back. But this is the only way to go by carriage. We could fly, but......" he gestured to Adina's lack of wings.

Adina thought hard. This visit meant a great deal to her parents, and to turn back now would be humiliating, not just for them, but the Faerie kingdom. Finally Adina stopped, looked the driver in the eye, and said firmly, "Go back. I'll continue on alone."

It had taken quite a bit of reasoning to convince the driver and maids she would be safe, but Adina had finally managed, sending them back with the carriage and all her travel belongings. She gazed ahead at the road before her, looming widely with a sinister air. Adina wrapped her cape around herself, let out another sigh(she did that so often!), and began walking.

High above Adina, a great owl flew through the sky. Spotting her walking alone, the owl dropped a few feet to get a closer look. Satisfied with what it saw, it soared upward, and toward the Goblin City.

So far the Land of Souls was not frightening, Adina decided. Oh sure, she'd seen the namesakes of the place, but they weren't at all heartstopping- merely pitiful little beings. "Stay with us," they moaned, reaching for her and grabbing nothing. "We're so lonely!" a ghostly child wailed. Adina kept walking on, unaffected. Her mother had told her of the Wilis, a group of young women who had broken hearts or died before their wedding day. They appeared only at night, spiritlike, and were not much different from these Souls. Adina had tried to learn everything she could about them- she may not have had a broken heart or died before her wedding day, but she was curious about everything.

At last, Adina left the territory of the Souls. She stared at the ground for a long time lost in thought, and finally almost walked into a wall of brick. Startled at first, Adina slowly realized what it was. I always wanted to come see this, although the maps don't show the road leading to it. Adina walked alongside the wall, knowing exactly what it was. "This," she confirmed her thoughts, "must be the labyrinth."

Life could be so dull, thought Jareth, better known as the Goblin King. He was in his throne room, currently reviewing recent matters. The labyrinth had had its usual plethora of goblins wandering through(with most of them getting caught in the traps), all the neighboring kingdoms were cordial, and things were peaceful, for once. Soon the Faerie kingdom's officials, or royals, would be here for the previously scheduled two week visit. Well, maybe that would be exciting.

Then again-Jareth immediately sat up, and produced a crystal. Hmmm, there was a girl, about to enter his labyrinth. Interesting. She paused, considering whether she should go in, Jareth guessed silently. A few minutes more, and- there she went! "It begins again," Jareth announced to no one in particular. Grinning broadly in anticipation of beating another fool who dared to challenge the labyrinth, he assumed his owl form, to go and meet the young wanderer.