Chapter 5

Christine finished her delicious meal and sighed, "Milly I think that was the best meal I have ever eaten."

The gnome smiled at the complement, "Coming from such a prestigious visitor as yourself makes my evening complete."

Jareth chimed in with his complements as well, "I have to concur with Christine the meal was delicious."

Milly turned to clear the table while blushing at the King's thanks.

While his wife brought the dishes to the small kitchen Milton turned to his King and suggested, "Your Majesty shall we adjourn to the sitting area for a special after dinner drink?"

The handsome nobility looked at the male gnome and smiled, "Are you offering your berry blossom wine that you are famous for?"

"Of course my Lord I wouldn't have any other type of spirits in my home."

As the two gentleman walked to the sitting area Christine went to help Milly with the dinner dishes. The older gnome reprimanded the young woman, "No my Lady a guest as yourself should not be required to do the dishes besides you need to rest your ankle, you have a long way to travel tomorrow."

Christine nodded knowing that the gnome was correct, and her ankle was starting to throb again with the exertion of standing. The motherly gnome started to see the strain on the young woman's face and knew that she was going to have a difficult time during her travels the next day.

"Go sit down with the men my dear and I will brew you up some more tea."

Christine hobbled over to the sitting area to wait for her tea when Jareth noticed her limp as she approached. He slowly stood up to help her into one of the seats while he asked how she felt.

"Christine are you okay?"

She was touched by his concerned and replied, "My ankle throbs a little but I think I will live."

"I am sure you will but rest we still have a long way to go before we reach the Goblin City tomorrow." He replied with his musical voice she had started to become accustomed to.

As he sat down to enjoy his berry blossom wine Christine couldn't help but admire the way Jareth talk to Milton as if the gnome was a long time friend and not one of his subjects. She smiled to herself as she watched the King converse with the homely gnome 'There is more to this man besides his good looks' she thought to herself recalling the statement she made to Matilda the first night she met her. Christine's observations of the King was interrupted when Milly entered the sitting area and handed her a cup of her herbal remedy with a smile,

"Your room is ready for you my Lady it is small but comfortable."

"I am sure it will be fine Milly thank you." The Champion replied with a smile.

Then the older woman addressed Jareth, "My Lord it will be our pleasure to offer you our room for you to rest in…"

Before the gnome could continue Jareth interrupted, "I could not accept your room Milly I will sleep here in the sitting area."

"But my Lord a King should not sleep like a commoner on the floor."

Jareth started to laugh at her response, "Milly my dear try sleeping with a bunch of goblins that don't know how to shut up. I will be fine here."

"As you wish." Milly responded with a bow.

Christine looked on as the interchange took place and found a deeper admiration for the man known as the Goblin King. He was truly a gentleman and very noble. There was not many people who would offer to sleep on the floor in her world especially if they were nobility and she found herself having even a deeper respect for the man who winked at her through a painting a little more than forty-eight hours ago.

As the evening wore on Christine found herself nodding off in the sitting room only half listening to the conversation that was taking place between Jareth and Milton. The combination of a full belly and the warmth of the hut helped her to fully relax for the first time since she had entered the Labyrinth. Before long she had fallen into a deep slumber that was sure to reenergize her for the following day's travels. Jareth noticed his Champions sleeping in the chair and addressed the gnome couple,

"It seems my traveling companion has finally decided it was time to sleep. Please excuse me while I help her into bed."

"Of course my Lord can I help assist you in any way." Milly responded while rising from her chair.

"No Milly, I will take care of her."

Jareth went to his Champion's side and lifted her up easily and brought here to the room that was set up for her by the kindly gnome. Even in her sleep Jareth could feel the energy that was always present when they touched emanating from her and as he laid her down in the warm bed he longed to hold her in his arms again so he could continue to feel her warmth. Then without thinking he said out loud,

Why is it that every time I hold you, then let you go I feel as if a part of me is lost."

In a sleepy voice Christine replied, "Maybe it is because fate's design requires that the connection be there."

Jareth looked at her in surprise, "I thought you were asleep?"

"I was but as soon as you picked me up our link awakened me."

Jareth shook his head in amazement at her response, "I think that you and I are going to have figure out how to control this link."

As Christine turned over to go back to sleep she replied tiredly, "I don't want to control the bond between us Jareth because it gives me an inner strength that I usually don't have."

Then with a final yawn she continued, "And besides I enjoy… the…feeling." She finished as she fell back into a deep sleep.

As the rise and fall of her chest fell into the steady rhythm of sleep Jareth rose from the bed and pushed back some of her red hair from her face and replied in a quiet tone, "I enjoy the feeling as well and it frighteneds me."

Jareth turned to walk out of the room and with a final look at his Champion he closed the door and returned to the sitting area to find out more about the dangers they may have to face before they exit out of the Forest of Darkness and into the relative safety of the Goblin City. But he knew that whatever safety they felt would be short lived because once the person that betrayed him found out that he had returned it would only be matter of time before he tried to attack again. With his fists clenched in a tight fist Jareth vowed to himself, 'I will not be caught off guard again and the person who put me and my Champion in danger will die a most painful death.'

Matilda was quietly closing down her shop and looking forward to her evening tea when her cat Smokey revealed himself to her.

"Well hello there my beautiful cat would you care to join me in the back room for tea?" Smokey looked at her with a tilt of his head and replied with a meow that seemed to show his distaste for tea.

Matilda laughed at the small feline and replied, "Okay how about a tasty saucer of milk?"

Smokey's ears perked up at the thought of the milk and meowed eagerly Matilda laughed out loud at the cats antics, "I guess a little bit of milk is exactly what you want. Come on then Smokey lets get you your treat."

As she called back to the cat to hurry up a bright pale pink light flashed before her and with a gasp the older women saw her former servant collapse on the floor with a layer of perspiration on her lovely skin. Matilda ran to Adrianna's side to help the young women up to her feet and once the two women got to the back sitting area Matilda hurried to brew an herbal remedy for her friend and retrieve a cool washcloth from the powder room. Once she returned to the sitting area she quickly placed the cool compress onto Adrianna's forehead and wiped the layer of sweat from her brow. Within a few minutes the young elf started to regain conscious and sat up from her prone position quickly,

"By the Gods I got to get to Matilda she is our only hope…"

"Calm down child I am here, lay your head back down and rest while I get you a remedy for your weakened body." As Matilda rose to get the herbal remedy Adrianna grabbed a hold of her arm with all her strength so to stop the older woman from moving away.

The older Fae looked down at her servant and smiled gently, "Now I know you have some important news for me but you won't do any of us any good if your body gives out on you now rest and I will be right back." Adrianna nodded here head and lay back down on the sofa chair to await Matilda's return.

Within moments Matilda had arrived with the herbal tea and had Adrianna drink one cup down quickly it tasted kind of like chamomile with a dash of rosehips and peppermint it was very pleasing to the Elfin's mouth and the aftereffects were even better Adrianna was already starting to feel like her old self again. While she sipped on her second cup of tea Matilda started to question her,

"Why child did you risk your health and your life to visit me?"

With a deep breath Adrianna started to tell everything that she saw and heard that transpired between Waylinn and Gaylord. As she started to tell the older Fae about what happened to her beloved doctor after he drank the potion her heart contracted with agony at the memory.

"So I did the only thing I could I transported myself to you in hopes that you might be able to do something." Adrianna finished her narration with tears in her beautiful eyes.

Matilda sat back in her chair and nodded her head, "You were wise to come to me my dear friend and I commend you on your bravery and quick thinking in light of a very volatile situation."

Thank you my Lady but I do wish I could have saved Gaylord from the painful death caused by Waylinn…"

Matilda quickly interrupted, "I don't think your beloved Gaylord is dead I think that he was just given a sedative with a little bit redroot added to cause some pain."

The young elf bowed her head and quickly defended herself, "I don't love Gaylord I just respect him deeply."

Matilda slowly lifted up Adrianna's hand and said gently, "No you did not tell me that you loved him in words but the love you have for him was apparent when you told me about what had happened. My question to you, have you told the good doctor about your love?"

The elfin bowed her head and shook it no.

"Well I suggest that once he is out of danger you tell him, Okay."

Adrianna nodded and answered, "I will tell him immediately, I promise."

"Good, now I think that you and I need to get back to the Underground and find out what has happened to the King, Gaylord, and the Champion."

And within moments Matilda had created a crystal to transport the two women to the castle within the Labyrinth. When Smokey walked into the back room for his saucer of milk he meowed pathetically to find his mistress gone, as he started to walk out a saucer appeared before him and magically filled with milk and as the cat started to drink the precious liquid his mistress voiced filled the air.

"I can never forget about you my friend," and with a soft breeze that ruffled the cats fur the voice was gone.

As Matilda and Adrianna appeared in the castle chaos welcomed them. Within the throne room there were goblins running all over the place some of them were running in circles and others were bumping into each other. None of the goblins seemed to know which way they were going. In a loud voice that reverberated though the throne room Matilda yelled at all the goblins,

"Now hear this I want every goblin in this room to freeze."

At that moment every goblin stopped in their tracks and directed their attention to the elder Fae. Matilda took a deep breath and exhaled sharply once her composure was back in place she addressed the Goblin named Snout,

"You there tell me what is going on here."

Snout looked at the older women in astonishment for this was the second time this evening he was acknowledged.

His thoughts were interrupted when Matilda addressed him again, "I am awaiting your reply goblin or do I have to ask someone else."

"No my Lady I can answer your question. The evening patrol returned from outer rim of the Underground to report that Lord Drayton and Lady Katrinna of the high council were approaching the kingdom, and then we noticed that the King Jareth was nowhere to be found and we were trying to find him."

Matilda looked at the small goblin amazed that such a long sentence came out of minion's mouth and addressed him again, "How far away are Lord Drayton and his party from the Labyrinth's gates?"

Snout turned to one of the evening guards and asked, in his native tongue, the Fae's question. After a few minuets of conversation he turned back to Matilda,

"They are about one hour away My Lady."

"Thank you…..What is your name goblin?"

"My name is Snout My Lady," surprised that the older Fae asked his name.

"Thank you Snout, now I want you to take a group of goblins and search the Labyrinth grounds for the King."

Then she turned and addressed another goblin, "You there, I want you to take another group and search the grounds for the King outside the Labyrinth." And when no one was moving Matilda shouted in exasperation, "I mean now, move it or I will have to send the whole lot of to the Bog of Eternal Stench."

With that statement hanging in the air the goblins scrambled to start their assigned tasks. When the last Goblin left the throne room Adrianna turned to Matilda and asked,

"What are we going to do about Lord Drayton and Lady Katrinna and where do you think Jareth could be?"

Matilda looked at her old servant with worry in her eyes, "I think that the King and his Champion may have come across some sort of danger and I do hope they are both okay."

Adrianna looked at the older women in disbelief, has the Champion finally arrived to save the Kingdom, "I am sorry My Lady did you say the King and his Champion?"

"Yes my dear the Champion has arrived."

Adrianna smiled and said a prayer of thanks to the Gods, "Then it is not too late for the Kingdom and its King there is still hope."

Matilda patted the young elf's back and confirmed her statement with an affirmative nod of her head, "No my dear it is not to late but I have a feeling that our time is limited especially since we are about to be visited by two members of the high council.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to return to the kitchen and create a massive feast for our guests while I try to figure out some way to stall them until Jareth's return."

As Adrianna left to take care of the feast's preparations Matilda called to her,

"If you see Waylinn act like you know nothing and ask him to come and see me, and Adrianna be careful we know of one traitor in our mist there might be others."

The elfin nodded her head and left the throne room knowing that things were going to become even more volatile then before and with a deep breath she braced herself for the upcoming battles.

In Waylinn's secret chambers he called to his mistress once again to tell here where Gaylord was being held, as her image materialized in the crystal ball she spoke maliciously,

"I hope seer, that you have good news for me otherwise you are going to die painfully."

Waylinn took a deep breath and answered his mistress, "I captured Gaylord and he is being held in one of the oubliettes in the darkest portions of the Labyrinth." The soothsayer stood before the Temptress proudly knowing he did a good job.

"Did anyone see you capture Gaylord?"

"No my mistress no one saw me."

She smiled an evil smile and continued, "Good the next time you come to Titima bring the good doctor with you I will feel better once he is in my domain until then Waylinn don't have to much fun with him I want him alive when he arrives. Until then my faithful servant enjoy your reward."

The old seer braced himself while powerful energy was released from her fingers and permeated his body and as he collapsed to the floor in ecstasy the Temptress laughed,

"Men are so easy to control it is a shame they are so weak minded just wait Goblin King you will soon be under my control. What a pity."

Christine awoke suddenly and slightly disoriented due to her unfamiliar surroundings, while she sat up to get her bearings. The events from the past few days came back to her and she breathed a sigh of relief thankful it wasn't all a dream. Suddenly Christine heard a muffled moan coming from the other room concern that Jareth may still be suffering from his injuries received from the Tigerdragon she arose to check on the handsome King. As she opened the door and walked into the common area of the gnomes hut she saw the Goblin King lying on the floor thrashing about as if he was having a bad dream.

As she slowly approached him the dim light from the fire accented his features and she took a moment to really look at the man she had learned to admire and care for in the short time she has known him. He had a very masculine body strong but soft at the same time. He had a small patch of hair on his chest that was the same color of the hair on his head. As her eyes continued downward she noticed the cuts and slashes he received from his battle earlier were almost gone from his beautiful body. Her explorations were interrupted when Jareth started to thrash in his sleep again. Afraid that he might hurt himself on the furniture that surrounded him Christine laid down next to him and started to slowly caress his face and speak softly into his ear,

"Calm down Jareth there is nothing to fear because I am here for you. I promise I will never let anything happen to you" as he seemed to settle down she continued, "And I know that I can keep that promise because in short time I have known you…I have come to care for you deeply now rest my King."

Christine continued to touch his face to reassure him when fatigue started to consume her once again and as her eyes began to close she noticed that Jareth seemed to finally be resting without the interruptions of bad dreams. As she got comfortable in the Goblin's King's embrace her last thought was how nice it felt to be in his arms.

Meanwhile, Matilda walked toward the main entrance of the castle, the goblin patrols she sent out earlier came back about thirty minuets ago and reported to her that King Jareth was nowhere to be found and that Lord Drayton and his party was about fifteen minutes away from the castle. The older Fae sent half of the goblins to help Adrianna in the kitchen and the other half to search all the oubliettes for any sign of the King or of Gaylord. Matilda reached the entrance just in time to greet the high council members, which were just walking up the stairs to enter the castle.

"Lord Drayton and Lady Katrina how nice to see both of you again it has been a long time since we last met." Matilda said with a slight bow trying to hide any type of worry she had for Jareth and Christine from council members.

Lord Drayton bowed deeply at the waist with his silver hair falling over his broad shoulders, "It is nice to see you Matilda and it has been a long time how have you been?"

"I am doing very well." The older Fae answered his question while moving her hand aside to offer entrance to the castle and continued, "I am sorry that King Jareth was unable to greet you but he had some very pressing matters to attend to I hope that you will join me in a feast in your honor."

Lady Katrina stepped up to talk to Matilda, "When can Jareth see us we have just received a petition from the Temptress stating that his time is up and that she wants his side of the bargain to be fulfilled by the summer solstice."

Matilda stopped in her tracks and did a quick calculation in her head, 'that only gives Christine two months to master her magic or all will be lost. I hope we find them soon Jareth needs to know about this.' As she turned to face Lady Katrina she replied to her comment,

"I am sure that the King will return by tomorrow evening this is an important issue that must be addressed. But until that time enjoy the feast we have prepared for you and stay here in the castle till his return."

With that statement Matilda opened the doors to the dining hall where Adrianna and a few selected goblins were awaiting their arrival. The young elfin stepped forward to welcome the Lord and Lady,

"Hello and welcome please have a seat and enjoy the food and our hospitality."

As the council members stepped up to the dinner table an immaculate collection of food was uncovered and the wine was poured. Matilda took the seat that Jareth usually occupied and gestured for to others to follow suit.

"Dig in my friends and tell me everything that has taken place since my own departure from the High Council."

Smiling at the two visitors she notice that Lord Drayton was more interested in food then the latest news, but Lady Katrina was almost bursting with anticipation for everyone knows how she loves to gossip. Matilda couldn't help to notice that the two hadn't changed much over the years. Drayton still looked handsome, his silver hair was about a foot longer then the last time that she saw him and he was a little bit pudgier in the middle, His face showed a few more wrinkles but all and all he remained the same. Lady Katrina had changed since the last time Matilda saw her. Her hair was much more golden and she had filled out to become a remarkable Fae woman her beauty was regarded as her best asset to the men of their race. But Matilda knew better, yes the woman liked to gossip but her talent to see things from many points of view has given her the ability to become a valuable member of the High Council. Matilda's thoughts were interrupted when Lady Katrina started to fill her in about all the latest information from the council. Matilda listened half hearing what was said due to her concern for her King and the woman he traveled with, but with a small smirk on her face she thought, 'At least he won't have to listen to all of Lady Katrina's babbling.'

As the evening wore on Matilda started to fell restless, sitting still was not one of her best attributes that is one of the reasons she retired her chair on the High Council she had always been a doer, not a sitter. And it concerned her that Lord Drayton had said hardly anything after he was finished with his dinner, they had even tried to bring him into the conversation without much success. So when his deep voice interrupted the two women they were a little shocked,

"Matilda is it true that the Champion has arrived in the Underground, and if so why has he not been brought to us?"

The older Fae sat back in the King's chair wondering how to address his questions with a deep breath she answered the council member. "Yes, Lord Drayton the Champion has arrived in the Underground that is why the King was unable to join us this evening he had to go and meet her. As far as why she has not been brought to you it is because it took some time to transport her to the Underground from the Aboveground."

"Excuse me Matilda did you did I understand you correctly, that the Champion was a female and that she is from the Aboveground?" Lady Katrina interrupted quickly.

"Yes, Lady Katrina to both of your questions." answered Matilda.

"This is preposterous," yelled Lord Drayton, "How could a mortal woman be the champion, it is that species that caused the problem in the first place. You must be wrong."

Before Matilda could defend herself Lady Katrina chimed in, "No, Lord Drayton it is not improbable that the Champion be a mortal from the Aboveground. Especially since her rival the Temptress was a mortal before she became aware of her dark powers. Remember Lord Drayton, that after her baby brother was turned into a goblin by Jareth she vowed revenge and tapped into the dark magic of our world to complete her vendetta and as a result could never return to her former home. I must say that Fate really knew what she was doing when she weaved this part of her tapestry."

Lady Katrina turned toward Matilda, "I would really like to meet this women and accept your offer to stay the night."

"Of course I will have the goblins set up a room for you. Will you be staying as well Lord Drayton?"

He arose from the table as he addressed the two women, "I think that you both want the Goblin King to be safe from the Temptress that your judgments are clouded. I will return to my kingdom this very minute. I will not be a part of this madness. Tell Jareth that if he does find the true Champion he must present HIM to the High Council on the next full Moon." As he finished his last statement he turned and walked out of the dining hall and in a flash of silver light he disappeared from view.

"I am sorry Matilda but he has a hard time accepting things that are different from his way." apologized Lady Katrina.

"That is okay Lady Katrina but I know that Christine is the true Champion and she will prove it to everyone when she faces the High Council. Shall I show you to your room so you can rest till morning?"

"That would be lovely Matilda and please call me Kathryn."

Matilda smiled at the young Fae and replied, "Thank you and please call me Mattie. Now if you would follow me to your room I will get you settled for the night."

"It is really not necessary for you to assist me to my room I am sure I can find the way."

"I sure you can but you see the goblins sometimes can lead visitors astray for fun even when the Goblin King is in the castle."

Lady Katrina laughed at the commit, "Then lead the way and I will be sure not to listen to any of the goblins directions during my stay here."

After Matilda made sure Lady Katrina was comfortable she headed back to her own room for some much needed rest which she feared would not come easy to her. The goblins she sent to the oubliettes had not returned to the castle and there has been no sign of Waylinn either. As she readied herself for bed she sighed and thought, 'I hope that everyone is okay and still alive. Otherwise things are going to get very precarious in the Underground.' Matilda lay down to try to get some rest, for she needed to be at full strength for the following day. As she looked out her window at the moon shining over the Labyrinth her eyes closed and her body finally fell into a fitful sleep.

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