Chapter 35:Back to the Past

Jareth's and Adina's faces couldn't have been more different: his was stunned realization, hers absolute horror.

"No, no! My father is the Faerie King! He loved me and raised me! You're just lying!" Adina finally responded, feeling dizzy. I……..I………no…………..

"I'm afraid not, dearest Adina," Gurnemanz grinned triumphantly. "Currently, I want you dead, especially now that your accusations will put me on trial, but I couldn't lie about something of such a serious magnitude."

Jareth had recovered from silent shock, and stared at his father. "My sister," he muttered. "You once told me, when I was younger, that I had another sister. And here she is……."

"No!" Adina shrieked. "My mother wouldn't have, never-"

"Well, she must have, daughter dear," Gurnemanz said crudely, "or you wouldn't be here." Try that on, my girl.

"Father!" Jareth glared sharply at him. This was not the time for filthy humor. He glanced at his sister-half sister. She was a pale white, stood stock still, and was mumbling to herself. It wouldn't be surprising if she has a nervous breakdown. I can't blame her. "Adina, listen to me-"

Adina jerked up, eyes filled with tears. "No! You knew this whole time, and couldn't tell me?" Finally the tears spilled over and down her cheeks. "I thought you were my friend."

Oh, that hurt. Probably her intention, Jareth thought, stung nevertheless. "I am, I just wasn't sure-"

"Sure? We look alike! I don't know why I didn't see it sooner!" Adina sighed, on the verge of collapse. No, not here. I don't trust either one of them. "I just- just need to think all of this through. Don't you even think of following me." She ran over to the opposite door, opened it, and left.

The silence was broken as Gurnemanz said, "It's the truth. I don't know why she can't accept it."

Insensitive old idiot, hasn't he got any compassion for anyone besides himself? Jareth gave his father a cold look. "Well, let's see," he began sarcastically, "you've only killed or caused the deaths of almost everyone she's ever cared about. And then she's supposed to forget all that and hug you? You're lucky she didn't kill you when she had the chance." Any common sense I have, I definitely got from Mother.

"Thank you for your support, Jareth. Did it ever occur to you that this hasn't been any easier for me?" Gurnemanz retorted as he sat down. "To have realized, all those years ago, that Imogene and I had a daughter together?"

"How did that happen anyway?" Jareth asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Besides the obvious………………………………

"At least you want to listen," Gurnemanz acknowledged soberly. "Listen well."

"A long time ago, I was a baby, somewhat spoiled. I gave my nurse such fits that one day, she proclaimed, 'I wish the goblins would take you away, right now!' And they did."

"So you're part human," Jareth took all this in. Maybe that's why he doesn't think.

"As are you, and Adina. Anyhow, no one came for me, even though there was no labyrinth at the time. Back then, to save a child, three difficult riddles had to be answered. But I digress. Instead of turning me into a goblin, the Goblin Queen took a liking to me as I was, and decided to raise me as her son and heir. And she was of the Unseelie, and made me partially Unseelie. When she grew old, I became the Goblin King, and ruled hard."

"Father, this is all quite interesting," Jareth interrupted politely. "But what has it got to do with Adina?"

Instead of looking annoyed, Gurnemanz was pleased his son had noticed. "This. Shortly after my coronation, a meeting of the Grand Council was held. I attended, as I was now king, and met the rulers of the Underground. There, with the Seelie Faeries, was the lovliest being I had ever laid my eyes upon. I know I must have looked a fool, staring at her so, but it couldn't be helped. One day, Jareth, you will understand."

I hope not, Jareth silently gagged. If that's how you act.

"After the meeting was over, I enquired about my Seelie beauty. She was the Princess Imogene, the Heir to the Throne, and……….engaged to marry Sylvan, a lord from the lower region. Oh, for days after I was in agony! I couldn't sleep, or eat; I felt like weeping all the time. As a king, there was nothing I could do- carrying her off, with me having Unseelie blood , would be considered an act of war. So, out of respect for my Imogene, I let them be. No hatred toward her- she only married him for alliances, had no say in it- so it was his fault, and still is!"

"Whatever you say, Father," Jareth simply replied. He's got less sense than I thought.

"Eventually I realized my anger must subside, for the good of my kingdom. That's when I met your mother, an Unseelie princess, and married her. Then we had you, then your brother, and sister. We were happy, but I never forgot how I hated Sylvan. At meetings and various functions, I'd see them, and burn with rage."

"This continued for some time, until finally I could bear it no longer. One night, when the king was away, I disguised myself, and went to the castle. I was led before the Queen, and she was attracted to me. Things happened, and we spent the night together." Gurnemanz let out a long sigh. "It's moments like that that make life worth living. Don't look at me so, Jareth; when you find someone to love, and you hold her for the first time, you'll know. But, I'd had my one night, and it would do.

Months later, the news came of the King and Queen having a little Princess. I was more furious than ever- yet one more thing that winged fool had with her that I never would. And then I saw the child- there couldn't possibly be a way it was his! She barely looked like him, or her mother. So I showed up in my eagle form one time, and gave-"

"The amulet to Adina," Jareth finished grimly. "Grandmother's amulet. You knew you could never truly be a part of her life, hence she gets a family treasure to compensate."

"Does that satisfy your curiosity?" Gurnemanz quipped, looking out the window.

"Oh yes, and then some!" Jareth snapped. "It's shown me what a truly heartless, self-centered, egotistical person you are! I don't see how you can live with yourself every day, knowing what damage you've caused." This is more disgusting than the Bog, vomiting goblins, and MacGoogle combined! He headed for the window and pushed past Gurnemanz. "If you ever go near Adina again, or make contact with her, I will put you straight into the Bog of Eternal Stench before you can blink!"

Gurnemanz watched his son fly away, utterly speechless by Jareth's outburst. He meant it! Every single word! He truly loves her…………..so what am I going to do now? I've lost him, and any chance at knowing my daughter. What a fool I am! He began to weep, which escalated into a long wail.

Author's Note: Yay, I finally got to see Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith today! And I liked every bit of it(except for some weak points) too.

To the two new readers: Welcome! Wicked is one of my favorite musicals; which is why there are some quotes here and there(I couldn't resist.). "Defying Gravity" is my favorite song from the show, so that's my own little tribute.

Nugrey: I'm sorry I scared you! It was not my intention. Putting Lord of the Rings to shame- wow you're nice! Why do you say I'm not angry with you? I never was, in any shape or form. I was just trying to live up to your expectations.

Thanks for the wonderful reviews, everybody! I hope you liked this chapter!