Chapter 3

Jareth stood up from his sitting position. Erik's story was definitely not for the faint of heart. He couldn't recall the last time he had actually felt something. But being in the presence of this man, this, creature of darkness, he suddenly felt pity shine in the darkest corner of his heart.

"No one can help me, not even you" Erik said. "I am a beast, and she deserves to be happy". He looked around his lair wistfully.

Jareth turned around and met Erik's gaze "How can you say that? I saw how angry you were, how she had wronged you! You must take what is yours!" With that said, Jareth willed himself back to the goblin realm. He paced around his room. How was it that Erik suddenly had a change of heart. He was certain that Erik wanted Christine, so why would he just concede her to someone else? Jareth had to make this right.

"Alisander!" He cried out. "Alisander, come forth!" He waited. An overly tired green goblin appeared before him, his eyes heavy with fatigue.

"Yes, Master," He said wearily

"Oh come now Alisander," Jareth said impatiently. "You haven't worked for months, you can't handle a little work" The goblin nodded. Jareth sighed "Very well, you can go to bed, but not after I give you these last two assignments. I want you to visit the Opera house where I spent my evening. There is a girl living there by the name of Christine Daaé. Read her thoughts and decipher where she will be tomorrow morning. I expect you back within the hour Then we will discuss my transportation. That will be all" The goblin sighed, then disappeared into a weak puff of smoke.

"Lazy bastard," Jareth muttered. He anxiously awaited Alisander's return. Hopefully she would be somewhere where he could intervene on Erik's behalf. About three quarters of an hour later Alisander returned. "What have you found?" Jareth inquired.

"I have read her thoughts and this is what I found. Apparently, she is going to visit the grave of her father. It seems that before he died he promised to send her an apparition of music-"

"An Angel of Music?" Jareth corrected. He recalled part of Erik's story where he mentioned how Christine had referred to him as the Angel of Music. She thought he was a ghost sent by her father to teach her music. Jareth shot Alisander a frustrated look. How could he have missed such a crucial detail? Hopefully he hadn't been so careless with the rest of the report. Jareth waved his hand impatiently, urging him to go on.

"So it appears that he promised to send her this Angel and she thought she had found it but she was deceived. She wanted to visit his grave tomorrow morning to ask him where she might find this Angel." Alisander paused. "That's all I know."

Jareth put his hand to his temple and thought for a moment. Perhaps there was something to be made of this situation. Perhaps if Christine still believed that her father was going to send her this 'Angel' then Erik still had a chance.

Jareth looked up at his slightly disgruntled goblin companion. He wasn't used to caring about how they felt, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of pity for the poor creature. He had worked hard tonight. "Alright Alisander, you have served me well. I will not require transportation tomorrow morning, so you can go and get your rest." The little goblin looked up at his master with a surprised look. He wasn't sure if Jareth was angry or if he was actually showing him some kindness. Jareth met his surprised gaze and continued, "But in the morning there will be a letter on my door with some hand written instructions that I will want you to deliver to a friend of mine at around seven in the morning, Paris time." Alisander looked back down. "You are dismissed, and um…good night".

Alisander couldn't help but smile. He was one of the oldest goblins in the Goblin City, and he had known Jareth for a very long time. He was happy to see his master amused, if only for a little while. Things got pretty tense in the Goblin City when the master was in need of amusement.

Jareth sat down at his study. It had been ages since he had written a proper letter. But he figured it would be the best method of communication at this point, especially since the heart of this plot did not involve him. He finished about a half-hour later and rested it on his desk. He grabbed another sheet of paper and wrote Alisander's instructions on how to deliver it to Erik. He decided it best that Alisander hand-deliver it. Although he was sure Erik had never seen a goblin before, he decided that they very well could be an integral part of their cooperation, and he may have to get used to it. With that he taped both notes to his door and retired for the night