Toby sat in his room, his back straight and his head held high. It was not as if he needed to keep up the pretence in his own bedchamber, but it was force of habit. Never show your emotions, he had learned. Never let people know what you think until you have weighed the consequences. And the consequences for showing fear were very many in this situation.

The coming-of-age was not, as Elban had pointed out, all about sex. It was just being taught how to be an adult. One discussed life and one discussed the future. In the less exalted circles, the coming-of-age included induction into a trade or career.

But, as Toby had told Elban, there was little for someone like him to do. He had managed the Lady Pandora's business affairs for four years by this time, had a strong sense of decision and responsibility and used them in all the ways they were needed. What more could anyone teach him?

And someone he didn't know, into the bargain.

If there was just one thing Toby could not reconcile himself to, it was that he would not know this person. He hated that. He could talk to someone. He could work with them. He could be pleasant and polite and the very soul of companionship, but he could not- and would not- let anyone he didn't know into his personal life.

Yet here he was, sitting on a bed with his knuckles white with tension and his eyes fixed desperately on the worn carpet as if it were a lifeline. Jareth had only spoken to him once more, that early afternoon:

"As you have nothing more to say, I will choose. You will not like it, but my hands are tied. Please dress the part tonight."

That was what he had gotten out of his oh-so caring guardian.

Luka had left. They had talked; the fae had explained himself. Toby regretted having been so cold. After all, Luka was so scatterbrained. He needed looking after in spite of his relative age. And he might be dishonest, but Luka had never lied about his immorality. It had been their joke: Toby's morality and Luka's lack thereof.

All in all, though, the mortal considered it aptly rational that he should be attracted to someone so volatile. Luka had been… a breath of fresh air? Perhaps. A hint of safe danger would be a better way to describe him. A pretty, appealing, sensuous, fangless snake was Luka.

Which made Toby think about the story his mother used to tell him when he was very small, about a snake tempting Adam and Someone to eat an apple. Which made him think of his family and his mortality and the fact that maybe Jareth was right- he should go Aboveground and make a new life for himself.

"Mr. Williams?"

He got up and opened the door. "Yes, Eloise?"

"Her Ladyship is ready, Mr. Williams. She wants you to walk down with her."

The goblin was just a touch perturbed by the smile that greeted those words. But the mortal only nodded, cast a dubious look around and left with her.

"You look in health, Mr. Williams," Eloise attempted.

"I do? Thank you, Eloise." Toby was distracted, but the little thing that barely reached his knee was obviously uncomfortable about something. "What's wrong? You seem upset. Have I offended you in some way?"

"Offended? Oh, no, no! I just wondered, I did, Mr. Williams. About tonight, Mr. Williams."

"Tonight?" She probably did know, he reminded himself, Jareth had made a clear announcement and the servants were bound to share their employers' opinions on such a matter. "I know you despise familiarity, Eloise, but feel free to speak your mind."

She cast a sideways glance at his boots and then lifted her chin. "A coming-of-age ritual, Mr. Williams? It doesn't seem right. You are not a child, I don't think, and the Duke has no such right to do this. I told Her Ladyship myself, I did, Mr. Williams."

"You did? Brilliant, Eloise! Between the two of us we can form a petition." He could have bitten out his tongue the next instance. She looked affronted at his bitterness and tossed him a hurt, reproachful look. "Forgive me. It annoys me."

"It annoys His Majesty, as well, Mr. Williams. He don't want to have to do this, so Ezreeka says."

"Ezreeka?"

"Yes, Mr. Williams. Theelf girl that tends his bedchamber, Mr. Williams. She… happened to hear him say so, Mr. Williams."

Ah yes. Toby nodded and kept his mouth discreetly shut. What the His Majesty said or did to his servants was none of his business. He knew enough not to think more or less of the fae for that. Not, of course, that he had not already known. Jareth was discreet only so far as he never bragged of his sex life. But he cared less if anyone knew who or what he bedded. And the list of his conquests was still growing; some said by the hour.

Lady Pandora was a little more forthcoming- "That wretched elf! Still, I suppose I should not complain. At least she has never threatened to use Jareth's fancies to her advantage."

"My Lady, we will be late," Toby said plainly, attempting to change the topic, "And quite frankly, I could care less about the elf that makes his bed when she has done sleeping in it. It is none of my business."

Pandora's slim fingers twitched against his arm, but she said nothing, soft shoes noiseless as she glided beside him in green and gold.

And when the time came, Toby had had enough. People stopped to ask him about the decision, wanting to know who had been selected. Those who regarded him kindly spoke from kindness, the unkind looked around maliciously for the person they were convinced would be most fitting.

Jareth seemed the only one unconcerned. He had a challenge in his Labyrinth and only appeared in the ballroom in due time to give the announcement. Jervohl had only just roused herself from her own private misery to tell Toby comfortingly that she was leaving with Pandora on the morrow in a silent protest of what her brother was doing, when her brother himself appeared at her elbow and calmly took the mortal away.

"A decision has been made," Jareth began. He didn't look at his ward but could see out of the corner of his eye that Toby was standing still, pale and resolute. "My ward has chosen his educator and I believe the person will be very aware of the honour done him."

A soft murmur of sound rippled through the assembly at the word 'him'.

"A man, then," someone whispered, "I wonder who."

"Where is Luka? He's never usually far from the Williams boy," someone muttered.

Jareth narrowed his eyes at the latter speaker. He could only hope that Luka was somewhere very far from he was standing. If so, the fae male might hope to escape his wrath. Luka would be well advised to stay out of Jareth's sight for a few years.

"As you are aware, Mr. Williams and I have been in discussion over this issue for two weeks, now," Jareth resumed, "There were many factors to consider, one of which was whether he was subject to our social laws, considering his birth race. Therefore, when this year of his education is at an end, he will- if he so wishes- undergo training to join our world as one of us."

"His citizenship?" Beran whispered, looking enquiringly at Elban. He nodded and squeezed his hand to warn him to silence.

"But that isone yearfrom now," Jareth said, unable to help a small smirk as he held out a hand to the mortal, "For now, we have only one task at hand. And from tomorrow begins a new twelve months for Mr. Williams. One, which I dare to believe, will be very… pleasant, for him."

A general amount of sniggering and Lady Pandora had one heartfelt moment of sorrow on behalf of the child she had reared. Toby was stiff and uncomfortable, looking back at those who stared unabashedly at him simply through sheer pride and self-control. She imagined how embarrassing the scene was for him and hoped that Jareth would hurry it up.

"In short, my ward will be educated on the complexities of life by myself."

The entire hall froze.

Jareth raised an eyebrow and looked around in amusement. "Do I hear objections?"

"You… but you…" someone stuttered.

"Are his guardian, yes," Jareth agreed, "Who better to trust with this task than someone with the man's well-being at heart? Besides, I am no blood relative of Mr. Williams. Neither am I the one who raised him. I believe he barely sees me in the light of the person who took him from the Aboveground and gave him to the care of the Lady Pandora."

"But… but…"

"Yes? Another objection?"

Thesprite cowered and averted her gaze. "None, Your Majesty. I- I… no objections."

"Good." A black-gloved hand waved vaguely over the audience. "Continue with your celebrations, my friends. Pray excuse me for this night. My work calls." He vanished, leaving with a stern glance at his mother and a look of cool contemplation at Toby.

Toby was still trying to get his legs not to give out from under him and didn't even notice it. He was too stunned! Jareth, of all people, had selected himself. He was supposed to stay in the Goblin Castle for the next twelve months and… do what? Be what? What could Jareth possibly teach him about being an adult? The momentary relief flickered that at least he knew his educator.

The music started up and the guests reluctantly began to disperse, throwing glances at the young man who jerked to the nearest tray and selected a crystal glass of strong wine with trembling hands. Most looked grave, a few looked excited and almost all of them were scandalized.

Not that it was unseemly. Jareth's arguments had merit; no one could deny that. It stood to reason that anyone who would go to the trouble of saving a mortal boy and providing him with all the necessities of life and protection throughout his childhood could be trusted to instruct him suitably in the ways of adults. And Jareth's reputation was not of any kind of monstrosity or brutality, if a little cold with his emotional relationships. And he was no blood relative.

Lady Pandora shut her ears to the chattering around her as she shoved imperiously through the throng towards her charge. She knew that look on his face. He hadn't looked that shocked and desperate since she had first known him. The thought evidently rattled him.

"Toby," she said softly, "Come with me, dear. You look like you need to sit."

"I am fine, My Lady."

"Toby, for once in your life stop protesting." She took his arm and drew him as discreetly as she could to the throne room. The reception hall was empty and their footsteps echoed dully over the stone, muffling as they moved over the crimson carpet and then sharpening once more as they stopped inside the door.

Toby tried to shake off whatever paralysing sense of doom haunted him and attempted a smile. It might have been more of a grimace but he couldn't have been sure.

"Are you alright, dear?"

"I am fine."

"Toby…"

"Please!" He held up a hand and looked quickly the other way. "Spare me the outraged indignation. The decision has been made."

She studied him searchingly and cursed her own son in her head for a few seconds before pulling him to the curve-backed seat and forcing him to sit. "Why did you not tell me? I would have talked him out of it before this."

"I didn't know!" Toby protested, lifting a hand to his head, "Since Luka left, there was meant to be someone else…"

"And as to that, where is that worm? Eloise heard all about it, Toby, I'm so sorry. If I had him here, I would box his ears for such an act of selfishness."

At one time, Toby might have protested such violence towards someone he cared so deeply for, but Luka had betrayed him and it was Luka's fault that he was now in the muddle that he was. And for an entire year!

"Do you want me to talk to Jareth about it?" Pandora was determined to do something to take that stricken look out of those blue eyes. It was so rare to see Toby look so uncertain that she was fiercely ready to remedy it in some manner.

"Can you?"

"I can try."

Toby's face fell. "He warned me," he sighed bitterly, "He said if I didn't choose, he would have to. But Luka was meant to do this and after that… how am I to just pick a name out of nowhere? I can not do that."

"I know, dear, I know."

"He warned me! He told me that either I chose a stranger or he would. The bastard!"

Pandora wisely said nothing about the indirect insult to herself. But from what Toby was saying, her mind was rapidly going from angry curses to contemplative reflection. "You told him that you wouldn't learn under a stranger?"

"Yes. I even suggested Elban, but he refused."

Pandora nodded. "Elban is married."

"Stupid bloody Underground lore," Toby grumbled, "And I suppose there is no way I can change this now that he has announced it to the entire world?"

The female fae shook her blonde head regretfully. "I'm afraid not. The decision is final when it has been announced. The Goblin King can change it, but Jareth will have to explain himself. Which, I'm afraid, will involve telling them why he gave himself in the first place. It would be an embarrassment to you to have people know that your educator refused to accept you. It hasn't happened before except in extreme cases in the past."

"I see. So I can either swallow my pride and let the Goblin King have his wicked way with me, or I can stand on my pride and become the laughing stock of the Underground." Toby ground his teeth in a futile rage at the injustice of it all. He hadn't asked Jareth for this! He had assumed the Goblin King would never humiliate him in this way. It was really too much! They barely liked each other. "He isn't even attracted to me, My Lady. Why would he do such a thing?"

"I hate to say it, Toby, but perhaps because he is the best choice," Pandora offered. She leaned against the arm of the seat and put her arm around his shoulders in a motherly fashion. "He has done this a few times before, you know."

"He has?"

"Well, naturally. Many find him most fascinating. I suppose some think that scowl is worth a second glance. By all accounts he is fairly good at what he does. At any rate, there have never been any complaints or regrets. And you do know him. That you have your differences, I am well aware. But he will treat you well, dear, as far as he is able. That, Ican trust him with."

Toby sighed heavily and rubbed his face, taking a few moments before pulling himself together and sitting up straighter. "I suppose I will just have to trust him as well."

"Do you feel better?"

"The shock has worn off," he allowed.

The female nodded and stood up, settling her gown decisively. "I must return to play the hostess in my son's absence. Stay here a while if you need to. I will ensure that no one bothers you tonight. Go to your room early if you need. Tomorrow is going to be hard and you will need to rest yourself."

With that parting shot she left, her skirts swaying as she walked from the room. Toby watched her go from over his hands, his elbows balanced on his knees and his hands cupping his chin. When the loneliness settled around him, he shut his eyes and set about dealing with the fear and worry inside himself.

It took a lot for the Lady Pandora to walk amongst the guests once more with a polite smile for everyone. A few asked her hesitant questions, a few even thought to share an ill-conceived joke on this latest new gossip of the Underground court. She caught Jervohl's eye in the crowd but reserved that conversation for later.

Elban alone managed to corner her in a private corner for just a moment. "How is he?" the forest sprite asked, keeping his voice to an undertone, "It seemed as much a shock to Toby as the rest of us."

"It was," Pandora said simply, "The story is complex. I will tell you later tonight."

"Where is he?"

"In the throne room. But let him be for a while. He must come to terms with it in his own way. Excuse me."

She swept away to chatter with fake brightness with a young mermaid, the latter thankfully one of the few who thoughtfully did not mention either Toby or the Goblin King in her anecdotes of the underwater world.