I hope you enjoy this chapter I really enjoyed writing it especially the scenes between Jareth and Christine. Please read and review and thank you for all the feedback.

Chapter 12

The Temptress reappeared in her lair with anger brewing inside her chest she just couldn't believe that her plans were thwarted because of love. She had to find out more about this woman that was going to face her in fourteen days.

"Shadow demons come to me!" She demanded loudly.

Within a few minuets a ghostly figure materialized in the inner chamber of the Temptress and bow, "Yes, Mistress what can I do for you?"

Looking at the creature before her the Temptress replied, "Go get me Gaylord I have a few questions to ask the miserable doctor."

"As you wish, Mistress." The dark creature stated before disappearing in a poof of smoke.

The Temptress sat on her throne still trying to understand what was happening and tried to think of someway she could defeat the Goblin King. At least she knew that the Champion was not that strong yet if her fainting at Drayton's Kingdom was any indication. But she knew that in fourteen days her foe could learn a lot and could cause her a lot of trouble during the final confrontation. Smiling evilly to herself she also knew the Champions biggest weakness, The Goblin King her new love. Her thoughts were interrupted when her minion returned with her bound and bloodied prisoner.

"Ah, Gaylord how have your accommodations been?"

Gaylord looked at the vile women with hatred and didn't reply to her question. He had been tortured and beaten by her dungeon guards for information on the Goblin King but all through the pain he kept quiet and he wasn't going to start talking now. He watched as she walked seductively to him as she asked,

"Gaylord I know that my guards haven't cut out your tongue yet so why do you speak?"

With a dry mouth Gaylord spoke, "I have nothing to say to you."

"So I have been told. Your stubbornness is amiable but I need information and if you don't tell me what I want to know you will experience pain that cannot measure to the pain my guards have caused. Tell me about Christine where is she from and where did Matilda find her?"

Gaylord spat at the feet of the Temptress and didn't say a word.

Stepping back from the doctor she spoke with hatred, "So be it Gaylord."

The Temptress produced an energy orb and threw it at her prisoner and as it came in contact with him he screamed in agony and when the pain subsided Gaylord fell to the ground panting heavily.

"Now Gaylord tell me about the Champion or feel my wrath again."

Standing up he looked at the Temptress, "I will tell you nothing Sarah."

Yelling at him in anger, "That name has no meaning for me now and you are foolish to use it!" Then she produced another orb more powerful then the first and as her second attack commenced she said loudly, "And it was unwise for you to use my former name."

As darkness enveloped him his last thought was of the young maid that loved him and it gave him strength throughout his life, his voice was quiet when he called out, "Adrianna…."

Back in Jareth's castle Adrianna awoke from a deep sleep swearing that she heard Gaylord's voice. Laying back in her bed her heart contract with fear because his voice seemed very far away and very faint to her almost as if her was no longer in the Underground. Knowing that she would be unable to go back to sleep she threw off her covers and walked to the window of the castle to look at the moon in the night sky in a quiet voice she called out,

"Hang on Gaylord we will save you soon." Turning away from the window she dressed and started to practice accessing her magic because deep inside she knew that she might need her magic very soon.

In another part of the castle Jareth awoke to find his beloved standing by the window with the moonlight on her beautiful face and as he got out of bed he walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her body and kissing her neck gently he asked,

"Why are you up at this time at night my love?"

Turning around in his embrace she laid her head onto his chest and spoke quietly, "I almost lost you Jareth and the thought of you disappearing from my life makes my heart ache."

Tilting her head up with his fingers he kissed her softly, "I understand how you feel but you didn't lose me I am right here."

Bringing her hand up to caress his face she replied, "Yes, but in thirteen days I will be facing a dangerous women without you."

Kissing the palm of her hand he led her to his bed and as they sat down he said, "Remember the letter I sent you," Nodding her head he continued, "It said that there might be a way we can face the Temptress together and still break the curse. Mattie told me about an ancient ceremony that can help us it is called the Bonding."

He leaned against the headboard and gathered Christine in his arms and once they were both comfortable he told her everything that Matilda told him while she was facing the challenges inside the Labyrinth when he finished he rubbed her arms with his hands and spoke quietly,

"I know there is a lot to understand about the ceremony but before you decide if you want to be bonded with me there is one thing you must understand, there is no way to break the bond not even death and if one of us does die the other will live a half life."

Christine thought about what Jareth had told her and raised her head from his chest and looked at him intently, "Jareth I would love to be bonded with you because if something ever happened to either of us we would already be living a half life." Looking up at Jareth's questionable face she continued, "Don't you see, our hearts, bodies and souls are already intertwined with each other because of the love we share and the ceremony would just complete the bond that we already have."

Jareth looked at Christine in astonishment she was right the sensations they feel when they touched, the ability to almost read each others thoughts when they weren't even in the same room, and the intense feelings of longing for the other when they were separated were all manifestation that were suppose to take place only after the bonding was preformed. No wonder Matilda told him about the ritual she saw the signs of a bonding already taking place.

Christine watched silently as Jareth thought about her words and as his eyes came to focus on hers she knew that he came to the same conclusion she had when he was telling her about the ceremony he spoke quietly,

"We are already bonded."

Nodding her head affirming his statement she answered, "And the ceremony will complete the bond."

Leaning his head down to kiss her he whispered before their lips met, "You are a very wise woman Christine."

As he kissed her he felt her hands entangle themselves with in his hair and as the kiss deepened the passion he felt for her that lay dormant for so long erupted with in his body. He broke off the kiss and looked down at his beloved's confused expression and said quietly,

"If we continue I will not be able to hold back my passion for you."

Smiling touched by his concern that she was not ready she touched his chest and replied, "Make love to me Jareth I have been ready for a long time."

He brought his mouth to hers and kissed her passionately while at the same time she moved her hands up his chest and over his shoulders enjoying the feel of his muscles against her fingertips. Her hands continued down his back successfully removing his shirt and exposing his upper torso to her exploration. With a groan Jareth released her mouth and started trailing kisses down her neck and felt her take a deep breath as his lips came in contact with the sensitive hollow he had longed to kiss so many times. They explored each others bodies with their lips and touches memorizing the others body all the while removing their clothes and discarding them one by one on the floor.

Christine relished the contact with Jareth's body it felt as if her skin set on fire by his touch and movements and she couldn't wait to feel him as they completed the dance that signaled the transition from friends to lovers. As his lip engulfed her again she spoke breathlessly

"I need you Jareth."

Jareth stood to remove his trousers while looking down at his beloved's body lying on his bed. Her auburn hair flared out over the pillow and he gasped at the beauty before him he spoke quietly,

"You are beautiful my love."

Christine lifted her hands to him and smiled, "And you are just as beautiful to me."

He joined her back on the bed and started to explore the deep recesses of her body with his fingers while Christine kissed every area of his exposed chest and neck and as the heat started to rise in the core of her body she needed release and passionately she whispered in her lovers ear,

"Jareth please, I need you now."

Looking down at the woman in his arms Jareth could see that she was very close to erupting with passion and he couldn't think of any place he rather be then joined with her but he had to make sure,

"Are you sure my love."

Smiling Christine grabbed his hips and moved him closer to her inner sanctuary; receiving his answer he quickly covered her body with his and as they became one she could not imagine feeling so complete in her whole life. Jareth moved slowly at first enjoying the sensations she caused within his body it was as if he was on fire, her body fit his so perfectly and he believed if there was such a thing as heaven he was already there. As the movements became a steady rhythm the couple was in perfect sync and as his breathing became more shallow and rapid and her moans filled his ears he knew he had never felt such ecstasy in his life. Christine loved feeling Jareth inside her and she felt her heart could burst with the love for the man that filled her so completely and she knew that their lives would be filled with many passionate nights. Soon their lovers dance increased in energy and movement and as their dance crescendo Jareth and Christine called out the other's name in ecstasy.

Soon after their breathing began to slow down, Jareth felt Christine's hands move up and down his back and he felt her heart beating strongly against his chest. He lifted his head to see her face and all he saw was the love she had for him reflected in her eyes. He rolled to the side and gathered her into his arms to enjoy the feelings of peace that envelope him as he lay with her in the aftermath of their love making. Jareth could not recall ever feeling as complete as he was with his beloved and he was glad he was so fortunate to find his soul mate.

His thoughts were interrupted when Christine asked, "A penny for your thoughts."

Smiling he remembered the first time she asked him that so long ago and answered, "I was just wondering if anyone else was so lucky to find their soul mate."

Lifting her head up to face him she kissed him gently, "I think that many people are not that lucky but I am glad I have found mine."

Leaning her head back on his chest she listened to the steady beat of his heart and her last thought before she fell asleep was that she was glad his heart belonged to her. Jareth continued to rub her back and shoulder and as his lovers breath fell into the steady rhythm of sleep he looked out at the moon high in the sky and said a silent prayer to the Fates thanking them for bringing her into his life and after he was done he fell asleep still holding on to his beloved Christine.

Christine awoke to the sun shining high in the sky above the Labyrinth and noticed she was alone in Jareth's bed quickly she sat up fearing that the love they shared last night was a dream when she noticed a note on the pillow beside her with a bouquet of flowers next to it she lifted the flowers to smell them, as she opened the note and read what was inside

To my love

I am sorry I am not there beside you as you wake up especially after the magical night we shared, but something important came up that I had to attend to immediately. When you are ready please join me in the throne room.

With love Jareth

Christine smiled to herself and laid back against the pillow for a moment enjoying the scent of the flowers he left for her, but soon she got up and quickly got ready to start they day as she showered and dressed she wondered what happened that required Jareth's immediate attention. After one final look in the mirror she disappeared from the room and reappeared outside the throne room so she would not disturb the situation inside. Smiling she entered the door and once inside her smiled faltered at what she saw.

Jareth was leaning over one of his goblins and as he looked up at Christine she saw the pain emitting from his eyes and watched as they watered with unshed tears. She quickly made her way up to him and kneeled down and embraced him. Knowing that he had an image to maintain with his minion she quickly hid his face with her hair so that his tears would be unseen by the goblins in the throne room. Looking down at the goblin before them she understood how he felt because she felt the same way after the battle on the road to Mastoria, after a few moments she felt him withdraw from her and addressed Quastie who was kneeling with the others around their fallen comrade,

"Quastie, you and the other goblins take Noolix's body and prepare it for burial, tonight we will morn him and the other's that were lost on the road to Mastoria and at Titima."

Nodding his head Christine and Jareth watched as the goblins carry the fallen friend out of the throne room to be prepared for burial. As they disappeared from view Jareth sat down on his throne and placed his head in his hands, not knowing what to say Christine just walked up and knelt beside his legs on the floor and placed her head in his lap. After a few moments of silence she felt him gently play with her hair as he spoke quietly,

"Thank you for helping me maintain my image in front of the goblins."

Raising her head she answered, "I am glad I could help they need you to be strong for them especially after the losses they have suffered over the last few days and I am glad that tonight they will finally be able to mourn. Can you tell me what happened to Noolix?"

Nodding his head he answered, "He was one of the goblins I sent to Titima to find Gaylord and report back to me. Before he died he told me that they were all captured by the dark forces and thrown into the dungeons but while they were there they saw Gaylord in the dungeons as well."

Christine saw anger rise within her King's eyes as he continued, "Noolix said that when they were all being moved to be fed to the dark beasts he escaped and immediately headed here to let me know where Gaylord could be found unfortunately he was injured badly along the way I don't even know how he made it to the gates of the maze with his injuries."

Jareth held out a map that the goblin had roughly drawn and as she examined the paper in his hand she asked quietly, "What happened to the other goblins."

Jareth rose from his throne and walked to the window, "He said that he heard their screams as he escaped."

Standing up and walking to him she wrapped her arms around his chest and hugged him tightly as he turned and embraced her in return she replied, "Don't you worry Jareth once we kick the Temptresses ass she will never cause any more pain to our family again."

Smiling he held her even more tightly and kissed her hair and said, "I think our family is really lucky to have Queen that cares for them as much as there King does."

Withdrawing from his embraced she said to him, "That reminds me you really need to talk to Quastie he has been addressing me as his Queen and we are not even married yet."

Shaking his head he smiled to himself there was still a lot to teach his future Queen especially about goblin society, leading her out of the throne room heading toward the dining hall and placing the map Noolix had drawn in his pocket he replied, "No I won't talk to Quastie about how he addresses you. Are you hungry?"

Shocked she answered his question first, "Yes I am famished but why won't you talk to Quastie?"

As they entered the dining hall hand in hand for lunch he answered, "Because the moment you fought beside them against the dark creatures on path to Mastoria you became their Queen and even if I never did ask you to marry me you would still be considered their Queen."

Sitting down at the table Christine started eating and in-between bites she commented, "I really don't understand Jareth."

Laughing he replied, "I wouldn't worry about it my love you will become their Queen very soon besides we have more pressing concerns to deal with right now."

Nodding her head in agreement she answered, "Yes I know like how we are going to save Gaylord when we arrive at Titma and when are we going to perform the Bonding Ceremony and also most importantly…" She paused as she stood up from her chair and sat on Jareth lap before continuing, "And most importantly when are you going to make passionate love to me again."

Surprised at her advances he teased back, "Oh I don't know my dear there is many things I need to take care of I don't know if I will have time to make love to you again."

Christine smiled seductively at her betrothed and grabbed a grape and placed it into her mouth and as she kissed him she passed the grape to him and teased back while rubbing his chest with her soft hands,

"Well then I will just see if I can convince you to postpone all your Kingly duties."

She placed another kiss on his lips and as her tongue entered his mouth she heard him moan in response she withdrew from her beloved and placed kisses on his neck and as she found his ear she gently bit on his earlobe while at the same time she heard him take a quick breath and felt his heart pounding against her hands through his shirt. So involved they were in their foreplay that they didn't notice Matilda walking into the room until she cleared her throat and spoke loudly,

"I think you two better get to your room before anyone else walks in on you."

Jumping back from each other they looked at their friend embarrassed and as Matilda looked at their surprised faces she started to laugh, after a brief moment the lovers joined in with their own laughter.

Putting her hand against Jareth's chest Christine started to raise from his lap when suddenly he wrapped his arm around her waist and stopped her ascent and whispered in her ear,

"If you get up my love I will be even more embarrassed then I already am."

Giggling she understood his meaning and instead of moving from his lap she grabbed another grape from the table and placed it inside her mouth.

Jareth turned to his dear friend and smiled at her fondly, "I am sorry Mattie we didn't mean to get so carried away at the dining table next time we will be more careful."

Sitting down Mattie started to eat as she turned toward the couple she spoke seriously, "I have been talking to some of your minions and they told me that one of the goblins returned from Titma with news about Gaylord."

Looking at the older Fae he answered feeling the sorrow he felt earlier again, "Yes but unfortunately he died in the throne room a short time after he gave me this."

Handing the map to Matilda the older Fae looked at it and sighed, "It seems that our dear friend is located in the deepest recesses in the mountain saving him will be difficult and precarious."

Christine who remained quiet throughout the conversation asked, "Mattie is it possible for me to save Gaylord and face the Temptress at the same time."

Shaking her head no she replied, "I am afraid not my dear the energy needed to rescue him will drain any Fae dramatically and you will need to be at full strength when you face that vile woman."

Understanding what Mattie was saying Christine desperately try to think of another way to rescue Gaylord when Jareth spoke up, "I could go to Titima ahead of Christine and rescue Gaylord before she faces the Temptress."

Matilda quickly rejected the idea, "No Jareth you will need to remain here and focus on the Bonding between you and Christine."

Surprised the couple stared at Matilda they hadn't even mention to her that they wanted the Bonding ceremony to take place.

Looking at them she continued, "Don't be so surprised you two I knew the day that I mentioned the ceremony to Jareth that you both would want to be bonded together even though at the time you weren't so sure yourselves."

Smiling Jareth commented, "How is it that all the women around me are so wise."

Chuckling Matilda answered his question; "Maybe it is because women have the unique ability to look at a situation from many points of view."

Suddenly they heard a quiet voice from the open door of the dining hall, "What if I went to save Gaylord."

The trio looked toward the unexpected voice and saw Adrianna enter the room.

Shaking his head in disagreement Jareth replied, "I know that your magical abilities have expanded dramatically over the last few months but I don't think you…"

Matilda quickly interceded before the Goblin King could finish his statement, "I think you will be perfect for the job Adrianna. The love you have for Gaylord would help you succeed in rescuing him."

Jareth looked at Mattie with disbelief on his face and before he could reject Christine placed one finger one his lips and shook her head no, standing up she went to the young elfin and asked,

"Do you think that the love you have for Gaylord is more powerful then magic?"

Shaking her head Adrianna answered, "Yes, I love him more then life itself."

Smiling at her friend, the future Queen replied, "Then I agree with Matilda you are perfect for the job but I think you will need some help." Turning toward Jareth she asked, "Do you think Lady Katrina would be able to help our friend."

Standing up Jareth walked to his beloved's side and replied, "Yes I think she would be happy to assist."

Then he turned to his dear friend that helped him let go of his depression so long ago and asked, "Do you really love Gaylord that much?"

Nodding her head once again she answered, "I really do my King."

Jareth looked down at the young elfin and he embraced her in a swift hug and as he released her he said, "Then I will write to Lady Katrina immediately and request her help and I will also assign a platoon of goblins to go with you."

With a curtsy she replied before leaving the room, "Then I better go start preparing for battle and thank you for believing in me and my love for Gaylord."

Nodding his head Jareth watched as his friend left the room hoping that nothing would happen to her as she saved her own love. Turning around he looked at the other two important women in his life and said quietly,

"I think that I am beginning to see why you both are so wise you see beyond the power of magic and see a higher power in the love we feel for one another."

Christine closed the gap between them and placed her arm through his before replying, "Yes, love is a powerful ally."

Matilda smiled at the couple as she addressed them, "I have one more question for you two when do you want to perform the bonding ceremony?"

Jareth looked at Fates messenger and asked, "How soon can you retrieve the knife from the Fates that is needed for the ritual."

Matilda quickly replied, "I can deliver the dagger to you in three days."

Looking down at Christine he asked, "Would you bond with me in three days my love."

Looking up into his eyes she answered, "It will be my pleasure to bond with you forever in three days."

Kissing her forehead he turned back to Matilda and said, "The ceremony will take place on the night of the third day."

The older Fae walked toward the couple and embraced them both, "I can't think of anyone I would like to see bonded more then you two."

As she turned and left the room Christine looked up at Jareth and kissed his neck before commenting, "No where were we…Ah yes I was trying to convince you to postpone your Kingly duties and make love to me for the rest of the afternoon."

Nibbling on his lower earlobe Christine felt Jareth wrapped his arms around her and moved her against his body and in a flash of royal blue color they were in Jareth's chambers and as their clothes litter the floor he picked up his love and placed her gently on their bed. Soon the passion they share enveloped their bodies and they reaffirmed their love for each other as they became one. They rode the waves of ecstasy and as they descended from the heights their love making they settled for a short time in each others arms delighting in their shared sensations.

All too soon Christine felt Jareth place and gentle kiss on her forehead and said sweetly, "I would love to stay in your arms all afternoon but there are things I must do."

Lifting her body from his she placed a kiss on his lips and replied, "I know my love is there anything I can help you with?"

Thinking he answered, "Yes can you go and make sure all the arrangements are in order for the proceedings this evening." Nodding her head accepting his request the lovers got out of their bed and dressed before setting off to carry out their royal duties.

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