Chapter 28:Mother is Gone

Beneath a crystal moon, night had fallen. All denizens of the Underground slept peacefully, but for one.

She walked the halls of the Faerie castle, silently searching. Her quarry had yet to be found, but it would not be long. "Where are you?" she whispered.

"Here, dearest," a voice called out, one quite familiar to her.

Softly she walked in its direction, and came upon a set of doors. They creaked open inch by inch, and revealed a dimly lit chamber. Inside, a thousand candles glowed, and satin curtains hung everywhere. Before her laid a large bed, and on it...

A long, wordless scream broke the stillness around. Jareth immediately sprang from his bed, jolted awake. Adina! Gods protect her! Pulling on a robe, he ran down the hallway to her room, trailed by goblins. Throwing open the doors, he found her kneeling on the floor, breathing heavily. She was wearing a nightgown, but it, along with her arms, hands, and cheeks were covered in blood.

From the look on her face, Jareth knew immediately, that Adina's mother was dead.

"Is she gonna be okay?" a goblin asked another, as a growing crowd of them waited outside the Goblin King's quarters.

"Hard ta tell," another stated. "His Majesty scooped Her Highness up and took 'er in there, didn't say a word." This sent the goblins into a respectful silence, and they all bowed their heads.

At the back of the group, Hoggle quietly listened to the goblins' comments. Poor Adina, he sighed, feeling utterly miserable. I wish I could help 'er. His face changed to one of determination. Maybe I can! Here goes nothin'! And he hurried off, as fast as possible.

Inside his room, Jareth handed Adina a glass of water. She had washed off most of the blood with his help, but remained silent all the while. And understandably, considering this dream is true. The sound of a throat clearing broke into his thoughts, and Jareth looked down.

"I suppose you're wondering," Adina began, her voice cracking, "why I'm not rushing off to see if it's true this time."

"Not really." Seeing your mother dead, then waking up covered in blood? I don't think there's a need to wonder. "When will you go back?" Jareth sat next to her.

"Can I go back?" Adina said bitterly. "As soon as I step inside the borders, I'll be arrested, and you know it." Both rolled their eyes, remembering her 'crime'. Probably they won't even let me attend Mother's funeral. Let's see how the wonderfully wise Advisors are reacting anyway. Adina reached out with her mind, and saw……………

"Couldn't you hear the screams?" an Advisor was bellowing at one of the guards in the castle. "Her Majesty is gone now, and if we can't find her, you will be held responsible!"

"She's not dead yet," Adina softly murmured.

"What?" Jareth snapped up, feeling joy and hope flicker inside her.

"She's not dead yet!" Adina's relief was replaced by grave concern. "The question is, where is Mother?"

"My subjects- my people- will not stand for this," the Queen said into the darkness. Though inside she was frightened, the Queen was determined not to let it show. "If I am not released, there will probably be war!"

"I doubt that seriously, Your Majesty," the Queen's captor chuckled, slowly turning around. "Or should I say, Imogene darling?"

"Gurnemanz," the Queen moaned, sinking to the floor. "Why are you doing this? What do you want with me?"

"You remember me? I'm touched," he replied, favoring the Queen with a sickly smile. "Now, sweet one, to ensure your safety, all you have to do is remain calm and quiet, and I swear to the Mother not a hair on your lovely head shall be harmed."

Feeling annoyed, the Queen boldly asked, "Not yet. Where are my ladies, and why have you brought me here?"

"Ah, Imogene, still curious as ever," Gurnemanz stroked her hair gently, then abruptly yanked her up by it. She shrieked in pain, tears coming to her eyes. "Now listen to me, and listen good. I turned your ladies loose; where they are now, I do not care. And you are here for one thing: your daughter."

"She'll never come here! She doesn't know where I am!" the Queen spat out.

"On the contrary, if she has my little present, she won't have a choice but to come here," Gurnemanz sneered, peering out his castle's window. "And should that not work, my wonderful son will bring her here."

"Jareth would never betray Adina! Not if he knew she'd come to harm!" the Queen stood defiantly and glared at him.

"Dearest Imogene," Gurnemanz gripped her shoulders tightly, "that's what makes it so wonderful. He doesn't know. I'm his father, the one person he trusts the most. Why ever would I want to hurt Adina, his dearest friend?" He suddenly squeezed her shoulders so hard she fell to the ground, whimpering. "Because she must die, for the good of the Underground, that's why!"

Author's Note: Boy, have things picked up! Will Adina find her mother? Will Jareth help? (Of course they will! That just sounded dramatic)

I've finally seen Inside the Labyrinth! Yay! It's quite good-I did love the part where they kept dropping the crystals.

Three things for you to please do: 1) If you like Kingdom of Heaven, go read "On Your Knees:The Sisterhood of MPKB"(whenever will put it up) by Ms. Numbers, who happens to be my wonderful older sister(and I am beta reading it for her). It's quite good so far. 2) Find a copy of the soundtrack for Spamalot. I've been listening to it while I typed up this chapter, and it's a riot! 3) Oh, and please review this chapter. Thank you!