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Chapter 3
When Christine reappeared she was in a dark room where the only light present was a silver glow emanating from the center of the room. Christine watched in amazement when a woman started to appear within the glow of the light. She was beautiful with pale skin and long flowing blue hair that reached the middle of her back she was dressed in a gown that looked much like the ones the ancient Greeks use to wear. The gown was a beautiful pale blue, almost the same color of the women's hair. When she looked at Christine she smiled then with a melodic voice she addressed the young maiden.
"Welcome my Champion I am the Spirit of the Labyrinth. I have been waiting for you for a very long time." Christine stepped closer to the women that called herself the Spirit of the Labyrinth and bowed her head when she spoke, "It is a pleasure to meet you my Lady but my name is Christine and I seek safe passage through the Labyrinth. I am not this Champion you have been waiting for I am sorry to disappoint you."
The beautiful women stepped toward her and looked at her in a friendly fashion. As Christine watched the beautiful spirit move gracefully closer she noticed that her eyes were the brightest blue she had ever seen. When the Spirit was right in front of the young maiden the scent of jasmine surrounded the two women.
The angelic women spoke in her harmonious voice to her Champion, "When you stepped into my presence your destiny was revealed to me as well as your fate. You are the chosen Champion of the Labyrinth and you will finally release the Goblin King and myself from the Temptress that tricked us so many years ago."
As she turned away from the Champion she continued, with her blue hair blowing in a wind that wasn't felt by the mortal. "I know that this might seem strange to you my Champion but what has been spun by Fates web will be fulfilled."
The young women looked at the Spirit and replied in a small voice, "I can't be the Champion I am just a mortal you must be mistaken." The Spirit looked back at the women with sympathy, "My Champion you must believe in yourself and in your destiny if you don't then we will be defeated before the battle for the Kingdom even begins. I know it is a lot to take in and accept by faith but the truth is inside of you. With time and training you will know without a doubt that what I have said here is true. Then finally you will embrace your destiny and defeat the dark Temptress of the Underground."
Christine stood before the women with her head tilted to the ground in deep concentration, 'What if she is right and I am the Champion and it is my destiny to defeat the Temptress and save the King and his Kingdom. But what if the Spirit is wrong and I am not the Champion what is to become of the people in this world of magic.' As she continued to debate the issue in her head she started to recall every event that had occurred since she walked into Matilda's store. She remembered all the feelings she felt coming from story she read and the connection she felt existed between her and the Goblin King. She thought about the conclusion she came to when she questioned Gaylord about the relationship between the Fae and their land. She remembered the sensations she had when she touched the doorknob, the book and the gates of the Labyrinth. Finally she remembered the certainty in Matilda voice when she stated the she knew that Christine was the Champion. Maybe the Spirit is correct and she is the Champion of the Labyrinth and the Goblin King.
With a sudden revelation she knew what she had to do, she looked up into the vibrant blue eyes of the Spirit her green eyes showing her determination and her resolve to do what she can to save the kingdom. She took a deep breath and spoke with more courage then she felt, "What do I have to do to help release you and your King from the Temptress."
Jareth and Gaylord hurried to the study chambers of Waylinn, the seer of the Labyrinth. Jareth could not believe that Christine with no training in her magical abilities could gain access to the Spirit of his kingdom maybe she is the chosen one. As they burst into the room that was occupied by Waylinn, the seer held up his hand for silence so he could focus more intently on the mist before him. The two new arrivals approached the prophet silently so not to disturb his concentration. As the mist cleared they saw before them two women in deep conversation. One of the women they recognized, as the Spirit of the Labyrinth other was the young woman Gaylord met a little while ago at the beginning of the Labyrinth. When Jareth looked into the mist and saw Christine talking to the Spirit of his kingdom it confirmed what he already knew in his heart. She is the Champion that he has been searching for, for such a long time. He also knew there would be no need for any more challenges, the proof he needed was right there in front of him talking to his Spirit. He was fearful and elated at the same time, he knew deep inside that his life was just about to change drastically and he wasn't sure if he was ready for events that were about to take place. But one thing for sure was that he couldn't wait to teach Christine about her magic and get to know his Champion better.
Waylinn looked at the Goblin King and chastised him "You should have told me that you had found the Champion Jareth so I could help prepare her before she met with the Spirit of your land." The seer said in a scratchy voice with his unkempt hair falling over his gray eyes.
Jareth looked at the Waylinn and stated plainly, "I don't have to tell you everything that transpires within my kingdom soothsayer now do I." Jareth looked at the seer intently, mismatching eyes daring him to challenge his authority on the matter of his Champion. "No my Lord you do not, please forgive my hasty disregard to your position."
The Goblin King looked down at his spiritualist; "You are forgiven this time Waylinn but remember your place in this kingdom." "Yes my Lord," the soothsayer replied before turning back to the mist before him. Gaylord watched the interchange between his friend and the seer and sighed in exasperation the two were always at each other's throats for some reason or another almost as if neither of them trusts the other.
'I will have to mention this to Jareth the next time we are in private.' Gaylord thought before drawing his attention back to the mist before him. Jareth walked closer to the mist and asked the seer, "Why can't we hear anything being said in there Waylinn?"
"I believe my Lord that the Spirit is blocking out that part of my magic. I don't know why she would choose to let us see but not let us hear what is going on but I am sure she has her reasons."
Jareth looked at the mist again and stared at his Champion she looked even more beautiful in her pants and top then she looked in her dress earlier. But there was something different about her that Jareth just could not put his finger on; she had changed somehow in the short time she was in the Underground.
Just at that moment Christine looked up from her study of the ground beneath her and when her eyes became clear to Jareth through the mist he noticed what made her seem so different to him. Her enchanting eyes showed a determination and clarity that he had not seen before it was as if she had accepted her destiny and was ready to face the challenges ahead of her. The change in her made her look even more beautiful to the Goblin King the she did before she entered his land. He looked at Waylinn and exclaimed, "I have to go and see what is going on in the Spirits domain." "My Lord," the old seer replied, "I cannot let you go there without the permission of your Spirit."
Jareth turned to the seer with anger in his eyes, "You will help me get in there seer, I think MY Spirit will understand these are circumstances that require my immediate attention." Taken back by the anger in the Goblin Kings eyes the seer replied, "I cannot do it alone my Lord, to break through her magical barriers will take more magic then I even have."
Gaylord, who was silent throughout the whole conversation spoke up, "If we combine our magical powers I think we could transport Jareth into the Spirit's domain." Jareth looked at his friend with thanks and a sigh of relief. "Okay let's do it" the Goblin King stated as he positioned himself between the two older Fae men. Each of the men closed their eyes and started focusing their energies to transporting Jareth to the Spirit of the Labyrinth.
As Waylinn and Gaylord concentrated, two streams of pure magical energy converged on Jareth and as he focused his energy to the task at hand his own royal blue aurora surround him and transported the King to his destination. As Jareth disappeared from the seer's room Gaylord and Waylinn opened their eyes and breathed a sigh of relief when they noticed their King's departure.
Gaylord looked at the soothsayer and stated, "That was easier then I thought it would be." He stated plainly. The soothsayer replied quickly so not to arise any suspicions within the doctor's mind, "The Spirits energies must be weaker because of Christine's presences." Waylinn turned away from the Fae doctor and feigned a tiredness that he did not feel. "Please forgive me my Lord but the strain of magical energy took a lot out of me."
Gaylord looked at the seer with a doctor's eye and didn't notice any of the signs of weakness with Waylinn's posture but replied, "Would you like me to brew a remedy for your fatigue?" "No, my Lord that will not be necessary all I need is some rest before the King's return, please excuse me." "Of course Waylinn I will send one of the goblins to fetch you if your magical energy is needed for Jareth's return." As the gray haired seer exited the room Gaylord returned his attention to the mist before him. "Be careful Jareth and please get back safely."
Jareth arrived in the same room that Christine appeared in earlier and looked for the two women he had seen in the mist, when his Spirit noticed his arrival she walked to meet her King. As she approached he knelt down to show her his respect and apologized for his intrusion, "I am sorry to disturb you in your private sanctuary like this my Spirit but I felt it was necessary in these important times."
She looked down to him and spoke to him in her harmonious voice, "Jareth my King please do not apologize for coming to see me. I wish you would do it more often, you have always been welcome here all you had to do was wish yourself here and you could join me any time you like. Now arise my King and come meet your champion." Jareth arose surprised at the knowledge that all he had to do was wish himself to her domain and he would have been welcomed. 'Another thing to discuss with Waylinn upon my return to the castle as well as why it was so easy to transport himself in the Spirits domain,' He thought to himself as the Spirit tugged at his arm so that he would follow her to meet the beautiful women that would become his Champion and save his kingdom.
Back at the castle Waylinn went to his own private chambers his thoughts on what he was going to tell the Temptress about the arrival of the Champion. 'She is not going to be happy with the information I am going to give her' He thought gloomily.
As he opened the doors to his room and entered he headed to the far wall where he touched a small square brick and stepped back while the secret room was revealed to him. The wall opened slowly without a sound and exposed a set of stairs leading to the depths of the castle. As his foot stepped on to the stairs he could feel the power that emanated from his mistress it was very intoxicating and stimulating at the same time. At the foot of the stairs the room was a dark like a dungeon with a single crystal ball glowing in the center. The sphere sat upon a pedestal that was shaped like a dragon claw Waylinn loved this secret room he felt all powerful whenever he was in it. As he approached the orb he saw that it was illuminate with a sickly greenish color that got brighter as he got closer. When he touched its smooth shape the power within it enveloped the old seer and permeated his body like a drug.
Waylinn started the spell he used to call upon the Temptress and focused his power into the words spoken, "Oh lady of darkness and of night I call upon you to show yourself to your humble servant." A black color swilled in the crystal to reveal a beautiful woman dressed in black high collared robe over a red colored dress that plunged dangerously into her cleavage. Her raven hair was piled on top of her head and she had the coldest dark purple eyes that Waylinn could ever recall seeing. The figure in the glass ball spoke with an accented sensual voice that could not be placed. "What is it Waylinn that you disturb me at this hour." With a shaky voice the seer answered her question, "I am truly sorry mistress but I thought you should know that the Champion has arrived in the Labyrinth."
"What do you mean the champion has arrived," the Temptress replied with a roar, "I have not sensed any powerful magic in the Underground!" Waylinn stepped back from the globe of light and continued, "She arrived just recently and she is a mortal woman from the aboveground. I don't think she knows how to use her magic yet maybe that is why you have not sensed her, my Mistress." "Well seer that may be the reason why I haven't sensed her yet." She replied coldly, "But I think that that meddling Fate, Matilda may also have something to do with it as well." With a slight pause the Temptress continued, "Where is she now seer, we need to dispose of her before she meets with the Goblin King and learns how to tap into her magical abilities?"
Waylinn cleared his throat knowing that the women in front of him would not like his next statement, "I am sorry to report that she is meeting with the King as we speak Mistress and that she has already meet the Spirit of the Labyrinth." The Temptress looked at the prophet her eyes burning with such fury that it made the soothsayer cower even further from the women in the shining crystal ball. She spoke so quietly that it made Waylinn's skin crawl with fear, "How did this happen soothsayer I placed you inside Jareth's court so that we could avoid any complications that might occur before I take over his kingdom. Why didn't you call me the moment this woman first arrived in the Underground?" Waylinn could not speak because of the fear he felt deep within his soul. "I am waiting for your answer fortune-teller." The Temptress continued her anger building with the silence coming from the man before her. Waylinn fell to the floor sobbing, "I am sorry Mistress I didn't know she was coming because Jareth invited her with the deepest of secrecy nobody knew of her arrival except Gaylord. Please forgive me Mistress the circumstances were beyond my control." He finished while still sobbing on the floor. "Stand up you pitiful excuse for a wizard what's done is done." The Temptress stated with distaste in her voice.
As Waylinn stood up he could still feel his legs still shaking with fear but he was happy that he was still alive most who failed the Mistress usually were killed in very unpleasant ways. The Temptress continued, "Where are Jareth and his Champion now?" "They are with the Spirit of the Labyrinth, Mistress," the seer replied. The sorceress in the crystal orb put her hands together in quite contemplation and with an evil smile she started to laugh. Waylinn looked at her wondering what she was thinking, "What is it Mistress?" He asked with a slight hesitation. "Nothing you need to concern yourself about soothsayer. I just have a wonderful plan on how to get rid of the pesky King and his Champion. What I want you to do Waylinn is to capture Gaylord and hide him someplace where he can't be found. I want a bargaining card in case my plan fails." The seer looked at his mistress and nodded his head in confirmation, "Yes Temptress I will do as you ask." Relieved he was getting another chance to please his Mistress.
"You do that Waylinn and do not fail me again otherwise I will destroy you in the most unpleasant way I can think of." As the Ball of light dimmed back to its original greenish color Waylinn shivered at the thought of what the Temptress might do to him if he fails. He quickly left his secret room to complete the tasked placed before him, the capture and hiding of Gaylord, without anyone knowing.
The Goblin King walked beside the Spirit of his land mentally examining his outfit and appearance, he wanted to look his best before meeting his Champion.
'Why am I acting this way she is just a mortal that has already seen more in me then most people who have known me' Jareth wondered to himself.
Christine watched the duo approach her and looked at the Goblin King with deep interest. 'He looks even more handsome in person' she said to herself while taking note of the Kings apparel. He had on a pair of tight fitting midnight blue pants with a white shirt and blue vest that matched his trousers. His boots reached to the knees and were as black as night. As he got closer Christine noticed he had some sort of glitter that adored his hair that matched is outfit perfectly. Once he was standing in front of her, the slight fragrance of sandalwood that surrounded the extremely handsome man enticed her to breathe deeper so to capture the essence of the Goblin King.
The Spirit of the Labyrinth smiled at the young women and started the introductions, "May I present Jareth, The Goblin King and ruler of the Labyrinth." Christine took a deep breath and bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you your Highness." The Spirit continued with the introductions, "And may I present to you your Highness Christine, Champion of the Labyrinth." The King looked down at the beautiful women and bowed in return, "The pleasure is all mine Christine, My Champion." He said in his cultured voice and continued, "I am happy to finally meet the woman that has intrigued myself and so many of my subjects in the short time she has been in my Kingdom."
Christine blushed at the complement given to her and replied, "I must say you and your kingdom has intrigued me as well especially when you winked at me through a painting in a small antique store." Jareth chuckled, "Mattie gave me a good scolding for startling you during my escapade to get noticed." Christine started to laugh with the King between giggles she replied, "I am glad she gave you a good scolding. I must admit My Lord it was a very creative way to get yourself noticed but next time just say hello."
"I promise My Lady that next time I want to be noticed by you I will just say hello, but don't you think it might get dull after a while?" Once the two caught their breath Christine looked up at the handsome king and asked hesitantly, "Your Highness please forgive me for being so straight forward but since I have found out about your world I have been called the Champion, but I don't know what exactly I am suppose to do as the Champion or how to even tap into the power that Matilda and the Spirit has felt inside of me." Christine looked down at her feet and continued, "I am not even sure if I can accomplish the tasks that will be placed before me."
Jareth looked down at the women and smiled slowly as he took one of his fingers and lifted her chin so that he could see into her eyes and reassure her. But when his finger came in contact with her beautiful face he felt a jolt of power that took his breath away and it took a moment to gain control of the energy so he could reply to her, with a sensitivity that he did not know he possessed he continued, "Christine those are good concerns to have and that is why I am here. I will help you tap into your magical abilities and teach you how to use them and fulfill your destiny. Things may seem to be out of control right now but with time clarity will present itself to you. Until then I promise you my Champion you will not travel the path of knowledge alone I will be with you every step of the way." Jareth leaned closer to her and looked at her with such sincerity that it took Christine a moment to compose herself. 'I am going to have to be careful around him or I might lose myself within his gaze.' She thought while examining his mismatched eyes.
As Jareth looked into her emerald eyes emotions swirled inside him that he had not felt in a long time, he immediately pushed them deep within his soul to analyze at a later date when he was alone in his chambers. In almost a whisper he continued, "I also promise that I will be with you when you face the Temptress as well." As he pulled back and removed his hand from her face he was shocked to feel almost cold from the separation from her, "And I always keep my promises." He finished softly.
Christine could not believe how in the short time she has been in the presences of the Goblin King she felt compassion, a possessiveness of him and even passion for this majestic man before her. 'I am definitely going to have to watch my feelings while I am with him otherwise I might drown in the sensations.'
Christine was sure of one thing though she was looking forward to spending more time with Jareth. The Spirit of the Labyrinth looked on while her King and her Champion meet for the first time and smiled and thought hopefully, 'Christine may even be the woman to unlock the King's frozen heart and show him how to love again.' She stepped forward and spoke in her melodious voice and took the young woman's hand, "My Champion the time has come for you to start your journey may the powers of the elements be with you always. And I do hope that when things settle down you will come back and visit me soon." Christine smiled at the beautiful women and knew that she would return as soon as she could. "I will come back soon My Lady and thank you for your help."
Jareth stood next to Christine took her hand from his Spirit and once again felt the strong sensations coming from their connected hands. "We need to go Christine there is much to do." He turned to His Spirit and with a bow spoke to her respectfully, "I am sorry that I have not come and visited previously but I shall look forward to seeing you soon." "You both are always welcome here, farewell my King and my Champion." Her voice echoed in the darkness while she disappeared from their view.
"I will never get use to that." Christine stated with a sigh. Jareth looked at her and chuckled, "I guess it does take time to get use to, but you will be able to do the same thing soon. Shall we go my Lady I am sure you are tired and famished?" Christine's stomach growled in response to his statement and Jareth chuckled again. "I am pretty hungry Your Majesty I skipped breakfast because I was so excited to meet you…. and see your kingdom as well."
She looked down in embarrassment 'I can't believe I just said that.' Jareth continued with a smile "Shall we go my dear?" "Yes Your Highness." "Please call me Jareth we will be spending a lot of time together and it will get tiresome to address me by my title all the time for you and for me." Christine nodded and silently agreed with the King it would get tiresome indeed. "Thank you Jareth and please call me Christine, My Lady seems pretty formal."
They walked to where Jareth appeared earlier and the King grabbed a hold of his Champions waist and conjured a crystal from the air. "Stay close Christine traveling by magic may leave you a bit disoriented." She grabbed Jareth's waist and closed her eyes while hanging on for dear life as the magic surrounded and transported them in a flurry of royal blue color. In the darkness of the room that they just departed the sinister voice of the Temptress echoed on the walls, "Yes, stay close to the King, dear Champion because that is the only way I can kill you both at the same time in the forest of darkness." The Temptress's voice echoed with her evil laughter as the glitter settled to the ground from the Goblin King's crystal.
Christine felt the magic engulf her body the sensations she felt were indescribable it was as if it the magic set every nerve on her body on fire. It was not a painful to her it was just a pleasant feeling that made her feel more in tune with her own magical abilities. All too soon the sensations disappeared and she opened her eyes slowly to see her surroundings and was startled at what she saw.
The castle was nowhere to be found, all that was around her was the largest trees she ever remember seeing in her lifetime. The forest seemed to reach up to the sky and block out any light that may have illuminated the earthly floor and due to the lack of light menacing shadows emerged from the foliage beneath the forest. She looked at the Goblin King and was shocked to see worry emanate from his eyes. "I guess this is not where you expected to turn up at." She stated plainly to the man before her. "No, Christine this is not where I wanted to be and this is not a safe place for us to be either." He replied worriedly. "Where are we Jareth?" she asked in confusion, "But more importantly how did we get here and why is it not safe for us?" Jareth turned to his Champion and answered her questions, "We are in the Forest of Darkness. How we got here I really don't know but it could have been…."
Before Jareth could finish his explanation a low growl came from within the underbrush. Christine moved closer to Jareth and whispered quietly, "I have a feeling I am about to find out why it is not safe." The King nodded to her statement and quietly told her, "When I tell you, run as fast as you can!"
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