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Ch. 4: Meetings & Friends

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When Erik awakened the next morning, he was not surprised to find a pleasant breakfast awaiting him. Despite the goblins' thick heads, Jareth always made sure his guests were made comfortable. Erik's clothing had been unpacked and he chose a simple shirt and breeches. While the shirt was white and his breeches grey, his gloves, boots, and silk hair tie were black. His attire for the ball was prepared, but he decided to reacquaint himself with the castle and grounds. He put his white leather mask on and made his way to the castle entrance.

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Erik found himself walking through the gardens keeping to the shadows as much as possible. They were more extensive than Erik remembered no doubt one of Jareth's attempts to please his beloved queen. There were several levels now that were terraced with stairs on both sides and a splendid array of flowers cascading down the levels. Looking upon them, there was no doubt as to Queen Sarah's favorite flower. Roses! Blood red ones were the most prevalent though they spanned the spectrum including some roses that the Queen had declared were no color and yet every color. Erik plucked one of the blood red roses just starting to open. He was very close now…

A door in the wall was nearly invisible due to the ivy covering it, but Erik knew it was there. He opened it and found the sanctuary Jareth had provided for him all those years ago. The small alcove was a lake surrounded by a wall of flowering shrubs. In the very center was a small island on which rested a white marble statue. There was a stone path leading to it, but the stones had been shaped to give the appearance of lily pads. Erik took in the beauty of the figure the statue represented as he approached. It was a human woman dressed in a beautiful gown. The crown of flowers and veil on her head showed that it was a wedding dress. It was simple but elegant because of its simplicity. The princess-waisted bodice had off-the-shoulder sleeves, and the full skirt was gathered at each side so that the front of the dress swooped to accent the point of the bodice. The woman's curls framed her angelic face. The artistry of the sculptor was undeniable for the statue seemed almost as if it would come to life.

To Erik this statue was especially beautiful. Jareth had captured the exact look in Christine's gaze as she had last looked upon him in kindness and understanding just before she kissed him. The dress she was pictured in was the one he had made for her. The phantom sighed heavily then noticed as he looked down that there was a preserved red rose at the statue's feet. He knew that rose was the work of Jareth since he had not visited for two years.

"It has been too long, Christine. I apologize for my absence."

The wind picked up brushing against the Faye lightly but not disturbing anything else.

"I suppose you heard the conversation with Jareth the other day?"

His answer was a furious gust of wind, which he interpreted as a yes.

"I don't yet know what to make of it…"

The wind spiraled over to the statue and a shimmery form matching the statue appeared. "You are finally discovering for yourself what Jareth and I already knew." The shimmery Christine had tears in her eyes. "My poor Erik, I would see you find a love such as I have with Raoul! You were happy enough with my pity, Erik, but you deserve so much better than pity." She shook her head and held up her hand to stop him from arguing. "Accept the help of your friends, Erik, even if you don't yet feel ready to move on. It's time for you to fully let go…" Christine raised her hand in a gesture of farewell as she began to melt away.

Christine did not venture away from her place in the Labyrinth for she could only appear to those who had seen her before or beside her statue since crossing to the realm of the living was very difficult for those who had passed on. Erik's two years away from the Labyrinth had separated him from Christine as well. Slowly Erik bent down and picked up the dried rose. It crumpled to dust leaving only the silk ribbon in his hand. He tied the ribbon gently around the stem of the new red rose, and raised the soft petals of the rose to his lips in a delicate kiss before placing it before the statue. With another heavy sigh, Erik turned to head back to the castle.

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As he walked back to the castle, he saw a carriage had just pulled up to the castle's main door. The gobliness who was sent to greet the carriage bowed repeatedly even before the door opened. The gender of the attendant told Erik that the person was a lady, and the repeated bows told him it was an important lady. He was proven right as he watched a young Faye with long brown hair step out of the carriage followed by a petite lady-in-waiting. The Princess Aeriessa of Caldonia was indeed an honor! She was very powerful for one so young. It was rumored that she had developed so powerfully that in her minor years the Supreme One had taken her eyesight to compensate for the balance of power could not withstand a terrible shift without catastrophic consequences. If the forces of evil captured Aeriessa, it could mean the destruction of the Underground. In this way she was very similar to Jareth, and it was the main reason for their friendship. Even from this distance, Erik could tell the rumors were true and the Princess' violet eyes did not move rather remained in a fixed sightless stare.

"Milady," the gobliness croaked nervously. She did have a bit of a frogish appearance. "I am t'lead ya to yar chambers."

"And your name, dear?" Aeriessa questioned with a smile. She was used to the awe the rumors inspired in servants.

"Yaris, milady."

"Thank you, Yaris." Already the goblin's unique scent was fixed in the Faye's mind and attached to a name. When Aeriessa smelled a combination of peaches, vanilla, and strawberries, she smiled knowing who approached before the gobliness said a word. "Jareth, Sarah, how nice to be in your presence again, my friends!"

"Lady Aeriessa," Jareth greeted. Sarah stepped forward to give her friend a hug. Aeriessa had become a more regular visitor to the Labyrinth since Sarah's return to the Underground for they had discovered a strong friendship between them. As Sarah drew away, Aeriessa placed her hand over Sarah's abdomen.

"Your child grows strong, Sarah," the Faye told the Queen. Sarah turned a triumphant smile to Jareth, but Aeriessa sensed the shift of emotions. "That is not to say that Jareth is wrong to be protective, Sarah. It has been ages since any experienced a change from human to Faye, and we are all a bit cautious. You are also a Queen, and there are many who might deem it better that the Goblin King did not have an heir."

Sarah gave in, but she noticed Erik standing in the shadows of the garden's entrance. She caught Jareth's attention then directed his gaze towards Erik's hiding place. Jareth motioned his friend over. "Lady Aeriessa, I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of introducing you to my friend Lord Erik Daris of Swancrest before."

Aeriessa shook her head as she faced the new scent she had sensed. She held one hand out to him as proper, but she also held her hand out to Jareth. It had become a standard for them that whenever Jareth introduced her to someone new he would hand her a crystal containing their image. Aeriessa had the gift of sight, and Jareth could project images into the dream mind. Between their two gifts, they had devised a way of allowing Aeriessa a glimpse of the person she was being introduced to. But this time Jareth did not give her an exact representation. He showed Erik as he was meant to be with perfect features as was befitting a Faye. Aeriessa sensed Jareth was keeping something from her, but she trusted him. Whatever was being hidden was sensitive and probably better off hidden. She smelled waterfalls and forests as the man came, hesitantly it seemed, closer.

"Erik, may I present Princess Aeriessa of Caldonia," Jareth introduced gladly. Aeriessa had to admit that Jareth had pictured for her a very handsome Faye. When he spoke she knew in an instant where his talent lay.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness."

"Please, Lord Daris, any friend of Jareth and Sarah is a friend of mine. Call me Aeriessa."

"Only if you will return the favor, milady."

Aeriessa laughed. "Well, I can see why you and Jareth are friends. You both prefer informalities." The other three joined in, but Aeriessa noticed the gobliness' agitation. "Well, I shall have to meet up with all of you after I've settled into my room. I do believe Yaris is anxious to show it to me."

Sarah smiled seeing the gobliness shifting nervously. Aeriessa was perceptive as always. Aeriessa nodded to those around her and followed Yaris into the castle with her attendant keeping a close watch on her mistress. Sarah's eyes sparkled with delight as she looked towards Erik. "Well?"

Erik decided to play innocent. "Well what, Lady Sarah?"

"Oh, men!" Sarah protested. "Well, what do you think?"

"Think about what?"

"Now I know you're just yanking my chain!"

Erik's brow rose in question giving the same effect as Jareth's questioning stare since half his face was covered. Jareth simply laughed at his friend's expression. Sarah had more than once caught him off guard with her Aboveworld mannerisms and sayings. It was nice for it to happen to someone else for a change. "That's Aboveworld for 'she knows you're giving her a hard time,' Erik." Sarah nodded to her husband's explanation while giving the Faye lord a good-natured glare.

"So start talking. What do you think of Aeriessa?"

Erik's expression veiled instantly like a door slamming in the face of his friends. "The Princess is a lovely woman," he replied automatically.

"I think it is about time you had some lunch, Sarah. Aeriessa will doubtlessly wish for you to join her at hers," Jareth broke in to ease the tension. Sarah nodded to both men before heading into the castle.

"I hadn't expected you to turn this into an opportunity to pry into my private life, Jareth." Erik's voice was quiet, but Jareth knew that was a sign of anger. The more quiet Erik's voice became demonstrated how much control he was exerting.

"That's not what is happening, Erik. You must understand, my friend, that matchmaking is a full-time job for Aboveworld girls. They take it very seriously, and there is no stopping them. Just smile and nod your head. Remaining polite is the key."

"You mean she's always like this?"

"Only with those she believes deserve an undying love. I think she feels a bit guilty having love when many of her friends here in the Underground have yet to discover their soul mates. Either way, both you and Aeriessa are staying after the ball. Aeriessa is remaining to help keep an eye on Sarah."

Erik half smiled faintly but nodded. "Christine will not be so easily forgotten."

"Erik, no one is asking you to forget her. As Faye that is impossible anyway... What you need to do is realize that you do not dishonor her memory by finding your soul mate. Christine would wish you all happiness in finding the love she could not give you." Erik turned his face away from Jareth, but the Goblin King saw his expression anyway. "She has already told you this?"

"Aye… but I have held on so long that I don't even know how to begin to let go."

Jareth placed a supporting hand on his friend's shoulder. Erik had been through so much pain in life that it made his own seem easy to bear. "Start by allowing Sarah's actions and being pleasant to those she sets you up with. If Sarah doesn't stumble across your match, at least you will begin to come out of your shell a bit."

Erik gave his friend wry look but at least the darkness had left his eyes…

(Come now! Tell me how I'm doing!)