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Chapter 2

Christine awoke at the crack of dawn to the sun shining through her window, once her eyes adjusted to the sunlight she smiled to herself, 'I can't remember the last time I saw such a beautiful sunrise in the morning.'

As she lay in her bed watching the sun present it's warmth over the city she felt as if time stood still while she drank in the magnificence of the dawn. As the sun passed over the window Christine's eyes fell upon the book that she read last night and once again the feelings she felt from the Goblin King came back to her with a vengeance. With a deep breath she quickly pushed the feelings away wondering why she felt so attuned to this man she had never met before. She took one last look at the sunrise through her window then got out of bed to take a shower and start the day.

'Maybe I will meet Jareth today then I can wink at him instead of him winking at me,' with that thought Christine walked to the shower feeling more alive then she had felt in years.

As the young women stepped out of her pajamas and into the shower she felt a strange sensation come over her kinda of like the ones she felt the night before but just a little bit more subtle.

"It must be the excitement of maybe meeting a King." She said to herself before stepping under the shower to begin washing her hair.

'I think I will mention these sensations to Matilda when I see her she might have an answer to why I feel like I am being watched.' She said to herself as the scented lather was rinsed off her body by the warm water. A few moments later the sensation was gone and Christine breathed a sigh of relief as the hot water continued down her back and into the drain.

The Goblin King's morning was pretty much routine he got out of bed washed up then try to decide what to wear. Except this morning he awoke with an overwhelming urge to see how Christine was doing. Her reaction to his story still confused him but if she was his Champion the answers to his questions will be revealed to him in due time. As he lay in bed he conjured a crystal to take a look at the young maiden. When she came into focus his eyes widen in surprise, she was getting ready to take a shower, and as he watched her undress, he held his breath in anticipation to what he was about to see.

While he stared at her through his crystal an inner voice told him to avert his eyes but he ignored it and continued to watch, curious to see what this women look like beneath the clothes she wore. What he saw took his breath away she was beautiful, her body proportions were just right. It had been a long time since he had seen a female naked form but if there was a perfect specimen his possible Champion was damn close.

Her body was well toned and fit, her red hair shined in the glory of the sunlight, her skin was slightly tanned and smooth… his thoughts were interrupted when he noticed her suddenly stiffen up and look around quickly with her head. At that moment he knew she could sense the presence of his magic and he immediately got rid of the crystal he was holding so not to offend her.

Then he wondered, 'How did she sense my magic, usually mortals are oblivious to my magical energy, maybe there is something special about this women. I am going to have to be very careful around her I don't want to give her the impression that I am not a perfect gentleman.'

As the Goblin King got up out of his bed to start the day his thoughts wondered back to the women he was looking at earlier and smiled to himself; "She is quite beautiful I can't wait to get to know her a little better."

The King continued toward the bathroom with a lively step and a smile on his face because for the first time in quite awhile he was looking forward to the daylight.

Christine took one final look at herself in front of a full length mirror, she thought she looked quite good her red hair was pulled back into a silver clasp it was one of the few precious pieces of jewelry she owned. Her dress was peasant style in a beautiful aquamarine color, which made her strong green eyes soften to a paler green the shoes were simple sandals in the same color of the dress.

"I hope I look presentable enough to meet Royalty." The young women said to her reflection in the mirror. As an after thought Christine grabbed one of the flowers from the vase on the table and placed it in her hair.

"There now I think I am ready to go."

She picked up the book feeling the same sensations as before, placing it into her bag she walked out the door to meet with her destiny.

From behind the mirror a masculine voice answered her question "You look perfect to be presented to me my dear but only after you solve my Labyrinth."

Christine had no problem finding the small store she visited the night before and when she walked into the front door the earthly smell engulfed her once again.

"Hello Matilda are you here?" The young women called to the seemly empty store.

"I am in the drawing room my dear come on back." She heard the reply come from the room where she had tea with the elderly women last night.

As she walked to the small room at the back of the store the old women greeted her with a smile. She was dressed similarly to how she looked last night with a long dress and her hair done up in a very flattering style.

"Hello dear how did you sleep last night?" She asked kindly while brewing up more tea for them to share.

"I slept very well, better then I thought I would." As the old women gestured for Christine to sit down she handed her a cup of tea then sat down next to her with her own cup. They drank in companionable silence while gathering their thoughts and feelings about what has transpired and what is to come.

"Well my dear, tell me what do you think about the story I gave you?" Matilda questioned the young maid.

With an exasperated sigh Christine told her what she thought about the story, "I think that the girl was foolish Matilda he loved her so much that when she said the final words it literally destroyed him and caused him a lot of pain."

Then with a slight pause women continued quietly, "I could sense his pain with every fiber of my being Matilda it was almost as if I was there and when I think about what the Goblin King went through I feel as if I am losing touch with myself and who I am."

Christine took a deep breath because even then thought of his feelings overwhelmed her. "It is so weird I feel as if I am connected to a man I have never met before." The young women finished, looking at the older women awaiting her reply.

Matilda sat back in her chair sipped her tea to contemplate what was she was just told. 'Only the chosen Champion would feel so much from the story of the Goblin King.' With a deep breath Matilda continued to contemplate, 'Considering the narration she just heard she knew that the women before her was going to save the Kingdom and its King because she felt so attuned with the Goblin King.'

Matilda looked up to the younger women and spoke with a seriousness she reserved for important situations. "My dear from what you have told me I think that you should meet with Jareth and speak to him personally these occurrences are not by accident, I think Fate had a hand in bringing you to my store."

Matilda stood up and walked over to a drawer and pulled out a crystal and handed it to Christine. "Now listen carefully my dear this crystal will bring you to the Underground so you can meet with the King and ask for an audience with him. He is expecting you this afternoon."

"What do you mean he is expecting me?" asked the young women suspiciously.

The older women looked down at Christine and spoke without hesitation, "His Majesty paid me a visit soon after you left last night he felt your magical powers just as I did when I first touched your hand. You my dear have amazing abilities that you are not even aware of, but the path to reach your full magical potential is going to be difficult one to follow."

The older women knelt before Christine and looked at her with such intensity that the young women felt a little uncomfortable and anxious about what she was about to be told.

Matilda took a deep breath and declared, "I know that you are the Champion I have sought so long for, but others may not believe as I do. I genuinely think that any challenge placed before you, you will accept and succeed in reaching your objective. The strength is inside you just waiting to get out, listen to your instincts and trust in yourself as well as in your destiny."

The older women stood up looked at the crystal that Christine was holding and stated simply, "It is time for you to go, heed my words my dear and succeed in any task placed before you."

With that last statement the crystal began to glow and Christine disappeared into the Underground.

Matilda was gazing at where the young woman was just a moment ago when she felt the presences of her King. "I promised not to say a word about the test you are going to place before her but you never said I couldn't give her some good advice." She spoke in the air knowing that Jareth was watching.

An accented voice replied back "Next time I will be more specific Mattie, but your advice was good if she decides to use it."

The older Fae chuckled, "I think that she is going to give you a run for your money Jareth I do hope you are ready."

"I always do like a challenge Mattie, and yes I am ready for my guest."

With the last statement echoing in the air Matilda went to tend to her store. "Be careful my dear do not underestimate the Goblin King."

Once the light faded Christine found herself standing in front of the gate to the Labyrinth.

"Now why did I appear here?" Christine wondered out loud.

Then suddenly a flash of light appeared to her right, and there standing before her was an old man dressed elegantly in a long robe with his long dark hair blowing in the wind.

"Hello Christine." The man addressed her with a deep voice, "Welcome to the Underground."

Christine looked at the stranger before her and asked, "How do you know who I am and who are you?"

The man bowed at his waist and answered her second question first, "My name my dear is Gaylord I am a friend of the King's." Then he continued on to answer her first question. "I know who you are because His Majesty told me that you were coming for a visit so you could seek an audience with him about some important issues."

Christine looked at the man before her and wondered just how much he knew about her and how she came to become a visitor to his magical world. "Well I am glad to know that I am to be expected but I still don't know why I am outside the gates of the Labyrinth when I thought I would be inside the castle."

He smiled at her and simply stated, "The reason you are outside the gates instead of inside is because anyone wanting to speak to the King must go through his Labyrinth to prove him/herself worthy of an audience with him."

Christine stared at the man before her with her hair and dress blowing in the wind she looked again at the gates before her and thought with disbelief. 'I have to go through that to see the King if I had known I would have dressed more appropriately and asked Matilda for directions.'

As the young women looked back at the man standing before her she was shocked at first to see a glimpse of worry in his eyes but then it was suddenly replaced by friendliness. "Could you help me to get through the Labyrinth Mr. Gaylord?"

Then man chuckled at her question, "No my dear the King would disown me as a friend if I helped you out. I am just a messenger not a guide."

Christine sighed in exasperation at the situation placed before her then she remembered what Matilda had said before she disappeared from the shop, "Use your instincts and trust in yourself." Christine stepped forward and touched the Labyrinth's doors a tingling sensation traveled into her fingers and continued up into her arms it was not unlike the feeling she had when she touched the book and the doorknob in Matilda's store. The only difference was that this time it felt as if the massive wall in front of her was welcoming her to come into the maze. The young women let the sensations continue till they enveloped her whole body once it consumed her Christine felt as if she was a part of the Labyrinth and its intricate design. When she stepped away from the walls she suddenly felt cold, detached and alone. She turned from the structure and sat beside a reflection pool contemplating what she had just experienced.

Gaylord looked on in fascination while he watched the women touch the gates and then step away in deep thought as he walked toward her he noticed an aurora of light surrounding her body that could only be described as some sort of magical energy.

As he stood looking down at her he noticed that she had a look of confusion on her face, "My Lady you look as you might need some help."

Startled Christine looked up at the man standing before her and smiled at him, he might not be able to help her get through the Labyrinth but maybe he will answer her questions. "No I don't need help but what I do need is information may I ask you a few questions before going into the Labyrinth."

"If it is not against any of our laws I will answer as many of your questions as I can." Christine gestured for the handsome Fae to sit beside her with her hand. He accepted her offer with a nod and as he moved to sit down she wondered if everyone in this world moved so gracefully.

Once the man was settled he turned to her and gave his full attention to the young women next to him. "Thank you Gaylord for taking time out to answer my questions. My first question has to do with the King he is Fae correct."

The man nodded his head yes then sat quietly waiting for her to continue. "Is it true that the Fae race is intricately connected to his/her surroundings and the likewise is true the surroundings are connected to the Fae?"

Gaylord looked at her surprised at the question and replied, "Yes my dear the Fae and nature are connected to each other deeply. We understand that the land needs our help so it can survive but we also know that we can't survive without the land. It has taken many generations to create the relationship we have with our world."

The women looked thoughtful for a moment before asking her next question, "Do the Fae take care of the land with their magic."

He turned to answer her, "Of course my lady if there is damage on the land we heal it with our magic, sometimes it takes a long period of time others times it takes only a couple of minuets it depends on how deeply the land is scarred."

She shook her head understanding what he was saying then continued her inquisition "Was the land that is under the Labyrinth ever scarred and who helped heal it?"

The man looked at her not sure why she was asking about the land under the Labyrinth but he answered her question. "Yes the land under the Labyrinth was scarred by a bad fire many years ago. Many of us helped heal the land but the Goblin King was the primary healer."

Christine raised her eyes to look at him and nodded to herself she finally understood why she felt sensations coming from the door. She somehow was more attuned to the magic of the Goblin King and everything that had been touched by his magic responded to her as if the magic knew something she didn't. "So Gaylord is it safe to say that the primary healer and the land are more connected and that they have a deeper understanding of each other?" She asked Gaylord to confirm her conclusion.

He looked at the remarkable women and shook his head in disbelief. She had comprehended and understood more about the relationship between the Fae race and the land better then most of his brethren. "Yes my dear that is correct, the primary healer and the land are more connected to each other."

The young women stood up and smiled in triumph then started walking back to the gates of the Labyrinth once there she turned around and looked at the older man sitting beside the reflection pool. He was sitting there smiling at her beamingly as if he was very proud of her understanding of his lesson. "Thank you Gaylord for all your assistance you are a wonderful teacher. I was wondering if you would help me one more time?"

"I would love to be further assistance to you my Lady." He replied to her question.

Then with a look at her clothes she walked back to the man sitting beside the pool. "Could you use your magic and replace my clothes with ones that are better suited for traveling please?"

Gaylord smiled and stood up next to the young women and answered, "That is something I would love to help you with."

With a flick of his wrist, a crystal appeared and surrounded her and in an instant her clothes were replaced by a new set. Christine looked down at her new outfit it was perfect for traveling, she had on a pair of black leggings with a black shirt that had the sleeves that split starting at the shoulder the reconnected at the wrists the collar was in a v-shape and was very flattering to her neckline. On her feet was a pair of sturdy black boots with a low heel perfect for walking.

Christine looked up from her inspection of her clothes and smiled at Gaylord. "You have excellent taste in clothes Gaylord, Thank you for everything my friend."

"Your welcome my dear and I will see you at the castle when you arrive."

With a flash of light the older Fae was gone. With his departure Christine walked up to the Labyrinth gates once again and touched them. The same sensations occurred but this time Christine embraced them with all her will and might and invited the power to consume her. As the two energies met around Christine one coming from the gates, the other coming from somewhere deep within her, she glowed with a purple magical aurora that got brighter and brighter. With a pop and a sense of euphoria Christine finally felt herself being transported into the walls of the Labyrinth and into the presences of one of the Spirits of the underground.

Gaylord reappeared within the Goblin's Kings throne room and saw his friend by the window looking out at his Labyrinth. As he approached Jareth spoke to the older Fae, "How did things go my friend."

Gaylord stood beside his king and replied, "Things went well my Lord she was about to walk into the gates of the Labyrinth when I left her."

Gaylord went on to tell his King everything that had transpired between him and the young maiden, "I must say your Highness she is a remarkable women, I have never met anyone that understood the complex relationship we have with our land so completely and so quickly." Gaylord finished his narration.

The King looked at his dear friend and smiled, "The women peeked my interest as well my friend when she read my story, and cried, it is nice to know I am not the only one that is perplexed by her."

Both men chuckled at the comment, then Jareth turned toward the door of the throne room, "Come on Gaylord join me for lunch while we wait for our intriguing lady."

The men walked to the dining hall in companionable silence both absorbed with their own thoughts about the women visiting their home that they forgot that they could transport themselves and avoid the long walk. As they walked into the dining room the food was already placed on the table and the wine poured. Two goblin servers bowed to the King and the Doctor arriving for lunch and uncovered the delicious dishes created by the kitchen.

When they were finished the men sat back in their chairs to enjoy the fine wine from their own goblets when the Goblin King conjured a crystal. "Shall we see how are guest is fairing in my Labyrinth, Gaylord."

With an affirmative nod of his head Gaylord and Jareth looked into the crystal held by the King's hand to check on the young women. When nothing appeared in the crystal the Goblin King changed the image to another part of the Labyrinth when still nothing appeared the king cursed softly, "Where the devil is she."

As he sat back in his chair to contemplate where she might be Gaylord started to produce a crystal of his own to try and find the young women when Jareth stood up quickly knocking his chair over in the process.

"By the Gods could she be there... no she couldn't be."

"What is it Jareth." Gaylord asked in confusion?

"Gaylord you said that Christine was really interested in who healed the Labyrinth after the fire destroyed it right?"

"Yes My Lord." Gaylord replied confused.

"And you said that after she touched the Labyrinth she had a white glow around her?"

"Yes, Jareth she did have a certain aurora around her."

Jareth moved quickly to the doors of the dining room calling back to his friend who was following him just as quickly, "She is with the Spirit of my Labyrinth Gaylord that is why I cannot see her in my crystals."

As they entered the hallway Gaylord stated, "But Jareth that is impossible no mortal has ever entered the presence of a Spirit with out some sort of help.

"I know my friend but you and I both know that this woman is more then any normal mortal. We need to go see Waylinn and find out if my assumption is correct."

"What will you do if you are correct Jareth?"

"I don't know my friend, I don't know."

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