Review Recognition:
Lady of the Labyrinth: I hope you'll bear with me then because I am an angst writer. My character tend to suffer before they finally get their happily-ever-after. Anyways many thanks! I love descrips! (in case you couldn't tell) The muses have very clear pictures for me, but I have to make it look right on paper. Difficult sometimes but worth it. If I like an authors descrips I always praise them for it.
Noni-Noelle: Thank you for your review. ;) I have some surprises in store for this ball never fear. But thank you, I thought he seemed Faye thus my desire to work out a story. My Jareth muse needs the competition anyway. Just promise me that when I introduce the angst you won't be throwing stuff at me like my writing mistress (aka my lil sis and fellow phantom phanatic) As for Fieries and Didymus... we shall see where my Erik muse guides me...
Groundedangel: I'm glad you stuck it out. Some of my fav fics began the same way. I shall not dare to presume... Different people and all...
Kilt Girl: We share a common problem my dear. Still I am a firm believer in two things. 1: Raoul is a prissy pretty-boy who is way too sure of himself. 2: If the Phantom had ended up with Christine in the end, it would have totally changed his character on so many levels. But I must apologize for the use of gobliness... I know it is often used as a nickname for Jareth by many fans, but it is a nickname I highly disagree with. It is most certainly one I would never use for him. Why? 1: My Jareth muse is not related to the goblins in any way. He's Faye and keeps them close by more to manage them and the children wished away to them. 2: I personally find calling him 'gobliness' derogatory since the correct usage of the word refers to a female goblin, which to my thinking is equivalent to calling him a female dog. You also pegged my weakness as a writer. Commas and I don't get along. I will do my best, but it's tough to change habits so we'll see how it goes. ;)
Now! On with the show!
88888
Ch. 5: Masquerade
88888
Evening approached swiftly… Jareth met Erik in the hallway as he was returning to his own room to escort his queen. "Erik, would you escort Aeriessa, please?"
Erik scoffed quietly under his breath. "I cannot believe you need to ask one such as I, my friend. She deserves a better escort…"
"Erik, she has spent the day sequestered with Sarah and has not been able to ask anyone. I'd rather you escort her than have her embarrassed to be entering on her own."
"I will do so if she wishes it." Erik rarely escorted anyone to balls even before his journey in Aboveworld. After his return he had not attended any balls let alone escorted a female to one.
Jareth knocked on the door of his room, and Aeriessa answered it immediately. Jareth gave an elaborate bow, which he knew she would hear. "A humble Goblin King seeks the presence of his lovely Queen."
Aeriessa laughed outright. "You will never be humble, Jareth; but I agree that Sarah is lovely."
Erik couldn't help but be amazed at the vision that Aeriessa made in a dress of deep violet that brought out her eyes. The shoulders of the gown did not hold it up because they drooped off her shoulders and were surrounded by waves of sheer silk that moved with her arms. The corset-like bodice bore jeweled designs of flowers done in amethyst. Below the princess waist of the bodice, the skirt was full sweeping floor-length satin. Her long brown hair was piled on top of her head in curls while a few ringlets framed her face. Her curls were situated around a circlet of silver, which dipped on her forehead so that an amethyst teardrop rested between her eyes Her black trimmed violet mask allowed for the low droop of her circlet. Still Erik kept his thoughts to himself carefully veiled behind his immovable mask.
Jareth chuckled a bit at Aeriessa's comeback. "Touché," he accused. "I have returned with an escort for you Aeriessa though I think I might have to tell him you're not interested now."
"Oh, you're positively evil, Jareth!" Aeriessa returned. She inhaled slightly then gasped. "Lord Daris is to be my escort this evening?"
"I will understand if you would rather have a different escort, Princess Aeriessa," Erik began, but Aeriessa cut him off.
"And miss my chance to be escorted by the famous Lord Daris?" she asked in near shock. "I don't think so! It took me long enough to finally meet you!" Aeriessa turned to call back into the room. "Sarah, our fair escorts, or in your case royal pain, are here to take us to the ball!" Jareth harrumphed his disapproval, but Aeriessa merely cocked one brow and smirked back.
"Well, I'm ready," came the answer. "But he's not half the pain he'd like to make you think he is."
Jareth shook his head. "I have the distinct feeling that I'm being mocked in my own castle! Erik, you'd better escort the Princess now before she completely corrupts my Queen!"
Both girls answered in unison. "Too late!" Aeriessa nonetheless walked towards Erik and accepted his hand. She felt a thrilling chill run up her spine knowing that she was now on the arm of the Underground's most elusive Faye. The Underground's handsomest Faye in her estimation, but she reminded herself that there was something about his appearance that Jareth and Erik were not telling her. Erik, was allowing only the basic minimum of contact by holding the tips of her fingers. She could tell his gloves were made of silk not leather this time, and she wondered what he was wearing.
"Erik, tell me what you look like tonight," she requested.
"What do you mean, Lady Aeriessa?" The confusion was evident in his voice.
"What colors and style are you wearing?" she elaborated.
As they walked toward the ballroom, Erik recounted his appearance for the Faye princess. He was dressed in a blood red velvet frock coat and leggings with a white silk shirt and cravat. His boots were also fine white leather, and his white leather mask continued its smooth curve from his cheek over his nose and left eye to cover his entire forehead, which covered much more of his face than usual.
Aeriessa stopped and raised her free hand to trace the line of his mask, which sounded quite unusual to her. She hesitated when she felt his apprehension. She slowly traced the line of the leather, but she made no move to remove it. Erik seemed to slowly calm. "Do you fear people, Erik? You distance yourself from them and shrink from any contact beyond what is necessary."
"I am sorry if I have offended you, Lady Aeriessa."
"You have no need to apologize to me, Erik. It is I who must apologize if my actions were too forward."
"No, Lady Aeriessa. I am… not used to the company of any other than Jareth. It makes dealing with others a bit difficult and at times a bit clumsy."
"I will look forward to getting to know you better, Erik. You are so much an enigma. I admit I am a bit jealous that the rest of the Underground gets to see you tonight."
He could not reply for they had reached the doors to the Grand Ballroom. Erik was in charge of the music this evening, but Jareth had come up with Erik's entrance fanfare. Despite his station, being best friend of the Goblin King had its perks. "I don't know what Jareth has planned for my entrance. Knowing him as I do, it's liable to be over-dramatic."
Aeriessa nodded and they heard the majordomo announce them. "The Princess Aeriessa of Caldonia and Lord Daris of Swancrest."
Only centuries of training kept Erik from groaning as he heard his fanfare. Jareth had instructed the orchestra to play the theme of the Aboveworld play. Despite how well the theme fit him, he did not like to make a dramatic entrance as a rule. He noticed that Jareth tweaked the music a bit adding a sweet undertone for Aeriessa. The room came to a halt, and those present bowed in respect for Aeriessa. She could not see it, but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless. Aeriessa bid them rise as Erik led her down the grand staircase. Erik was glad the princess could not see the shocked looks on the faces of most of the others. Not only was the Phantom Faye attending a ball, he had the Princess of Caldonia on his arm! "Forgive me if I do not accompany you as you mingle, milady…" Erik begged of the lady on his arm.
"Nonsense, Erik. Stay a bit longer. Surely I am not so hideous that you must run from my side." Erik glanced down at her in surprise, but he saw the sardonic expression on her face. "Stay, Erik, and follow my lead."
Aeriessa gently led him along beside her as she greeted other dignitaries of the Underground. He was amazed how she remembered the names of everyone and never made a mistake. Eventually he had to leave her side to make sure that Jareth's entrance was appropriately grandiose. The Goblin King and Queen were announced, and Erik started the music.
From outside the door Sarah recognized the music. It was the same music she had heard before she entered the park that fateful day before her first journey to the Labyrinth, yet it was also changed. An Irish whistle melody interwove into the original melody making a beautiful combination. It fought Jareth's melody at first then gradually wove its way into the tune strengthening and supporting it. Jareth held back a grin as he and Sarah appeared in a burst of glitter at the top of the stairs. It was so like Erik to tell a tale through music. His standard fanfare was well known, but the new element for Sarah revealed the story of their first meeting. Once again the activity in the room ceased and everyone bowed to their hosts. With a wave of his hand, Jareth signaled the festivities to begin again as they descended the stairs. Erik cued the orchestra, and they began to play once more. After Jareth and Sarah had greeted their guests, the party retired to the dining room. Erik was glad it went well. Few chose to speak with him, and he would only answer as much as he needed to. He was grateful when the party returned to the ballroom where he could return to his preferred anonymity, but because of his talent Jareth had made a request of him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Erik announced after a cue from the orchestra. "His Highness, King Jareth, has requested a special song tonight for Queen Sarah. If you would all kindly clear the dance floor…" The many dignitaries obeyed the request and Erik signaled for the lights to dim except for on the royal couple. Erik could see the Queen was flushed but happy. The orchestra began a simple tune to which he added his enchanting voice for the royals to dance to.
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this: the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Maybe I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
And it's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
(Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright)
The music swelled and filled the room carried by Erik's enchanting voice. No one dared dance along with the Goblin King and his Queen. But the night was far from over…