Author's Note: Well, so much for posting every week. I had a bad cold that really knocked me for a loop last week, hence no posts. I will probably miss some more weeks due to the production of The Nutcracker that I'm in, but will do the best I can. Wow- 32 reviews! My birthday was yesterday, so that's a nice unexpected present. I'll respond after this next chapter. You guys are all so nice! I hope I can write up to your expectations..............the rest of the story til the end I'm sketching out per se, and so far it's decent(by my standards, I'm a picky person). Sorry for fluking out last week(believe me it was no walk in the park) and hopefully this will make up for it!

Chapter 14: Silence/I Christen Thee.......

Master Beggar was beginning to worry about Adina. The deal with the Fireys was several miles ago, and she's still silent and brooding. Come on, so you made one mistake.

'One mistake.' That's all it was. Easy for him to say, Adina groused, glaring at Master Beggar. What had that flash been? Well, no way or time to find that out now.

Back in his throne room, surrounded by goblins, Jareth grinned, watching both Adina and Master Beggar/Hoggle's discomfort. "Just remember, Adina, that there are always far worse things you can do besides turning buffoons into.......well, feathery buffoons." Pausing for a minute, he reflected on how far she'd come, and how all that would be in vain. Even though she was coming for an official visit, Adina would not, could not, defeat the labyrinth. No one ever would, as long as he had a say in things. Especially a girl- this one.

They were now walking through a section of the labyrinth with trees in it. This is good, Adina reflected. Her father had always said trees were lucky because fairies could read their souls. So why have I never been able to read one? Why is it I can only read the thoughts of people, or creatures? She assumed Master Beggar was angry with her, since his face was icy as he walked along. Time to make peace, Adina sighed, sick of pouting. What does he like?

I wonder if she's still pouting, Master Beggar asked himself, trudging alongside Adina. I wish she would smile, a little. Currently she was staring at the road ahead, probably noticing the tree roots coming up. I'll trip over those. Hey! Maybe that would make her smile again! "Your Highness-" "Master Beggar-" Both voices cut off, and noses wrinkled. They spoke one word, in a fine chorus: "Ugh!!!!!!!!!"

"Not again!" Master Beggar almost wailed, covering his long beak. "Another disaster!" Adina muttered, her face buried in her hands. "This, Master Beggar, seems to be where our friendly monster MacGoogle's body went, when I sent it off." They both stared at the swamp, once again silent.

How do I get us into these situations? Adina accused herself, looking for a way to cross the mess. Especially one this smelly. Then an idea came. "Master Beggar, come here," Adina called out to him, adjusting her cape. "I know how to get across." "Anything, Your Highness!" Master Beggar practically sang. "I knew you'd find a way!"

"Look at that!" a goblin exclaimed, crawling up Jareth's arm to stare at the travelers through the crystal. Two others plopped next to him, thoroughly pinning down the arm of their king. Jareth tried not to be too disgusted. They aren't interested in this one bit, but put in something like that area Adina created and they're all over themselves to look, he sighed. "I bet it smells!" a fairly stupid one snickered. They all burst out laughing, and stopped immediately upon seeing Jareth's glare. He continued for a second more, then turned back to Adina. She was standing at the edge of the mess, looking to the other side. Master Beggar was behind her, a puzzled expression on his face. "What's she doing?" "Maybe they're going swimming!" "Yeah! Swimming!" "Hooray! Let's join her!" As the goblins' useless prattle continued, Jareth found himself growing concerned for Adina, which was a feeling he wasn't used to. She's just a Faerie princess. Why should I care about her? Without thinking, he whispered into the crystal, "Hurry, Adina dear. You've only got five hours left."

"Milady, are you sure you want to do this?" Master Beggar questioned, while steadying his grip on Adina's back. "I don't know a spell to fly us both across, Master Beggar. Just close your eyes, and don't let go." "Don't whaaaaaaaaaa................."

It was good for Master Beggar that his eyes were closed, lest he see Adina take a flying leap over the bog and sail through the air.

Can't fly, Mother? Watch me now! Adina enthused, loving the feeling of defying gravity. Flying high, and no one's gonna bring me- Down they went, on solid ground. "Ok, here's where you get off."

Gently Adina peeled Master Beggar's fingers off her back and lowered him. He stood there for a moment, face pale, eyes closed, repeatedly muttering "I'm crazy. I'm crazy. I'm crazy..........."

Adina turned to look at the swampy puddle they had just crossed, which was now bubbling and gurgling. "I think, since this bog will be here forever due to my spell, that I will call it the Bog of Eternal Stench," she proclaimed, taking Master Beggar by the hand and leading him down the road.

The castle is so close! This is a piece of cake! Adina thought confidently. No sooner had that thought occurred when she disappeared, letting out a startled yelp.