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Chapter 9a
Jareth and Christine practiced for about two hours in the garden on defensive magic, which to Jareth's elation; his Champion did remarkably well on considering she just started to learn how to use her magic, but unfortunately the offensive spells they had been practicing on for about three hours weren't so successful. Christine lifted her hand to create another orb of fire and listened carefully to Jareth's voice explaining to her how to call upon her magic to deliver the spell properly,
"Now you must focus on the orb you created in your hand and in your minds eyes visualize how much damage you want the fire to do."
Christine threw the crystal orb at the goblin they used as a target practice, but unfortunately the spell only created a small ball of fire that hardly did any damage to the creature running off into the Labyrinth's maze. Exasperated she fell to the ground and complained,
"How come I can create a shield that can withstand large amounts of magical power but I can't produce a fire ball to stop a departing goblin?"
Jareth sat down beside her and patiently explained, "Offensive magic is the most difficult to master it can take some Fae months to be able conjure it." He grabbed her shoulders and gently turned her to face him and continued, "But you my love have just become aware of your magical powers last night. You have learned more in a few hours the most Fae learn in a lifetime try not to be so hard on yourself just give yourself time."
She understood what he was saying but it was still frustrating, "I just thought that when I was transformed into a Fae it would be easier."
Jareth laughed, "The Fae are not born with the ability to use magic it has to been learned and the learning never stops. I am still trying to understand the intricacies of the magic that surrounds us. I am also still trying to comprehend the delicate balance between the Fae race and the magic we use in our everyday lives." Jareth hesitated to gather his thoughts before proceeding, "You see everything in our world has to have a balance including within ourselves where there is good there is always evil the question we must ask ourselves is what path we will follow."
Looking at his Champion he saw the exhaustion on her sweet face and he knew that she needed to rest. He touched her cheek and continued, "But I think we have learned enough for the day why don't we stop practicing and start again tomorrow when you are refreshed."
She did feel tired and she was getting hungry but there was one thing she wanted to do before they stopped for the day. "Jareth you told me in the forest that the Elementals should be acknowledged and thanked for allowing us to use their magic."
Nodded his head confirming her statement she continued, "Last night they gave me a wonderful gift and unfortunately I was unable to give them my gratitude is there someway I can now?"
Jareth gathered her hands in his and kissed them gently glad that she wanted to acknowledge the Elementals, he was going to do it on his own but to do it with his beloved Champion would make it extra special. He stood up and helped her to her feet, "Yes, there is a way to thank them and I think now would be a great time for both of us to tell them together."
He positioned himself in a small clearing in the garden and explained what they were going to do, "The meditation of thanks is not much different then what you saw me do in the forest but I also think we should thank the Spirit of the Labyrinth as well."
Christine watched closely as the Goblin King started the meditation she was already familiar with, the only difference she noticed was after he went through each of the Elemental corners he stood in the middle and raised his hands high into the air to thank the Spirit of his land.
After he finished his first rotation he held his hand out to his Champion and beckoned for her to join in, as she stepped within his open arms she could already sense the magic coming from him and from the many different powers of the Underground.
They slowly started the intricate dance together and within moments the couple was perfectly synchronized. As they continued Christine felt the powers of the Elementals, then she felt the presence of the Spirit of the Labyrinth, and finally she felt Jareth's magic. Christine concentrated intently on her own magic so she could fuse her powers with the others. As all of their magic merged together as one Christine felt a surge of energy from below her feet, at first she was fearful and was about to leave the circle created by their moves but then she heard Jareth's melodic voice,
"Relax let the power envelope you and flow through you. Let go of your control and sense the beauty around us and within your soul." She heeded his advice and the fear dissipated allowing the claming effects of the energies surrounding her to permeate her living essences she finally felt as if she was at one with everything in her new world.
Matilda walked into the room where Adrianna was resting in when she noticed the Goblin named Snout bathing the young maids head with some water. She was so surprised at the sight before her that she regretted interrupting the pleasant scene, but with a clearing of her voice she addressed the goblin,
"Snout, how is she doing?"
Startled Snout jumped away from Adrianna and stuttered his response, "I didn't mean…I mean she was alone…I just thought she might…."
Smiling at the goblin Matilda said quietly, "It is okay Snout you do not need to explain. You are very kind to watch over her and since you are doing such a good job I think I will just sit down and read and let you continue. If you need anything just ask."
Beaming from the complement he was given Snout hurriedly got some more water and started to wipe Adrianna's forehead once again glad that he did something right. Looking at the goblins antics Matilda chuckled and walked toward the chairs in front of the fire to read her book.
Soon after she was settled Matilda looked up from her book, sensing an increase in magical energy near the castle; she stood up and walked to the window trying to find the source of the activity. As she looked down into the beautiful gardens below she saw Jareth and Christine doing the meditation that she taught the Goblin King so many years ago when he was a small boy. She continued to watch in amazement as they completed each of the intricate moves so perfectly in time with each other that they seemed to move as one.
She continued to watch the couple when she noticed Jareth's royal blue aurora glow more brightly then before and at the same time Christine's magenta color intensified as well, the colors continued to glow brighter and brighter as she watched. Then, above the couple's heads, she saw their magical threads of energy intertwined in a complex helix shape that in all her years of life she had never seen. As she continued to watch she felt a strong gust of wind fly past her body and kick up the dust that lay dormant on the windowsill.
As the dust settled Matilda saw each of the Elemental colors converging upon the duo in the garden, as the colors blurred together in a circle around the couple, they increased in intensity as well. Before she realized what was happening a bright circle of white light erupted from the ground beneath Jareth and Christine feet blinding everything for a spilt second. Soon after Matilda's eyes adjusted to the brightness her senses were greeted by a multitude of colors that bathed the Labyrinth, and as the color touched the maze that surrounded the castle it come to life.
Trees that were barren for many years burst into flowers and leaves. The ground which once was covered with dirt started to grow lush green grass and the bushes changed from lifeless sticks into flowering plants which caused the maze around the castle to look less dangerous and more like an extension of the gardens next to the castle walls. The sky changed from a dirty yellow color into beautiful shades of pink and blue. She continued to watch in awe as the magic created from the duo continued to expand past the boarders of the Labyrinth and into the unknown. With tears in her eyes she brought her attention back to the couple in the garden and noticed their meditation dance had ended and as each of the Elementals returned to their perspective corners Jareth and Christine looked lovingly at each other.
Matilda turned from the window and addressed Snout, "Can you continue to take care of Adrianna there is something I have to attend to?"
Nodding his head Snout replied, "Yes, My lady I will take good care of her."
Matilda Immediately transported herself to where Jareth and Christine stood, not noticing her arrival she cleared her throat to get their attention.
Breaking his eyes away from Christine's face Jareth looked at her and asked, "Is there something wrong Mattie?"
Smiling she answered, "No but I want to show you both something right away." The older Fae created a crystal of her own and transported all of them to the highest point in the castle.
The room they appeared in was circular and comfortable with a slight breeze blowing through the windows. Inside there was a throw rug on the floor and one chair that looked comfortable enough, to sleep in. A little irritated that his special moment was interrupted by his old friend Jareth snapped sharply,
"Mattie what are we doing up her?"
Without saying a word Matilda gestured for the King to look out the window. Christine watched as Jareth walked toward the window and was about to follow when Mattie's hand held her back. She looked on as the usually regal King almost fell to the floor. But at the last minuet he grabbed a hold of the windowsill to steady himself.
Wondering why her love almost fell she asked hesitantly, "What is wrong? What has happened?"
When he didn't answer she wiggled from Matilda's grip and went to his side then looked out the window to see what Jareth was looking at, hoping everything was all right. It didn't take long for Christine to understand what had her love so unsettled the Labyrinth had changed from a dull dreary place to a beautiful montage of color.
Breathlessly she looked over at Jareth and asked quietly, "What happened?"
Turning toward her he answered with tears in his eyes, "I don't know but the Labyrinth has not looked this way in many years, even before I was tricked by the Temptress it was never this beautiful. I guess some things are just not meant to be understood… just accepted."
Turning to Matilda he walked up to her and gave her a hug, "Thank you for showing me this, I am sorry I was irritated with you earlier."
Touching his cheek she replied, "It is okay Jareth but I know one thing, what has happened today is something that will be remembered and talked about for many years to come. The day the Labyrinth came alive."
After Matilda had disappeared from the room Jareth looked back at Christine and smiled, "She is right this day will be forever remembered by me but not because the Labyrinth came alive but because I finally found you."
Christine held her hand out to him, "Come here and gaze at the sunset with me as it bathes your beautiful kingdom."
As he grabbed her hand and turned toward the window again he replied, "It will be a pleasure to look at the sunset with you… but it is not my kingdom… it is ours."
Christine and Jareth watched the sun set glad for once that their lives seemed perfect but both knowing that the serenity they felt would be brief, their trials had just begun, but they will face them…together.