Etsuki-chan, you're certainly keeping me busy with writing lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Labyrinth. Only the unrecognized characters and storyline are mine.
Chapter Five
The first thing Serina was aware of was the sensation of laying on a soft mattress and the weight of several luxurious blankets. Slowly, she forced her eyes open and tried to turn her head, only to feel pain shoot through her head while her stomach rebelled at the simple movement.
"My lady!" An aged voice gasped when she moaned. A moment later, a glass was tilted gently against her lips and Serina swallowed reflexively as the liquid flowed into her mouth. Almost immediately her head cleared and the pain decreased.
"Where am I?" Her voice sounded raspy, as if it had been unused in ages. A wet cloth was wiped gently across her forehead.
"You're in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, my lady. The king will be glad to hear you've awoke. He's been most anxious to speak with you."
Serina slowly looked around, though she still had some difficulty focusing on everything. She could make out the she was laying on a huge canopied bed that was draped in pale green silks. Even as fuzzy as her vision was, she could tell that the room was decorated in pale blues, greens and violet colors. Slowly she focused on the woman next to her. A kindly face that was lined with age with cloudy blue eyes carrying untold wisdom hovered above her.
"Who are you?"
The elderly woman chuckled softly, "My name is Matilda dear. His Majesty, King Jareth has allowed me to watch over you while you recovered."
"Recovered? What happened?" Serina racked her brain trying to remember what had happened to her, but everything was a complete blank.
"You don't remember?" Matilda shook her head sadly and patted her hand. "When the king brought you here, you were nearly dead. Where ever you came from, they certainly treated you horribly. We've all wondered why."
"Yes, considering the condition you were in, it's a wonder you survived." a new voice interrupted. Serina turned her head a little to quickly and whimpered as stars exploded across her vision. "Easy dear lady. You are still very ill, so the slower you move the better."
Serina studied the man closely, his smoky eyes were the purest gray she'd ever seen. His black hair hung straight down his back, blending in with the black robes he wore, and she could barely make out the tips of pointed nears in the heavy locks. "How did I get here? What happened?"
Kelgar sat quietly for a moment, watching as Matilda fussed about the girl, plumping pillows and straightening her blankets. Finally he turned his gray eyes towards her. "Do you remember anything that happened before you were brought here?" She shook her head, her mind drawing a blank. He sighed. "His Majesty brought you here from your world after a man wished you to him."
"I was to be executed..." Images of her 'trial' and torture trickled through the foggy haze that clouded her memory.
"Yes. The king brought you here to try and save your life. By the time I was able to tend to your wound, you had a bad infection. Matilda here has been administering the potions that would help heal you."
She thought for a moment. "How long have I been here?"
"Nearly two weeks."
Her eyes went wide, "Two weeks?" She was horrified, how could she have been unconscious for almost two weeks? The healer gently pushed her back against the pillows when she tried to leave the bed.
"Easy child. There's nothing to get upset about." Matilda soothed as she puttered around the room.
"Nothing to get upset about? I nearly died at the hands of my kinsmen! I was beaten, raped and starved for days! Now I'm in a strange place where I have no idea as to who anyone is!" Serina was fighting to stay calm, but it was a lost battle in and of itself.
"Well my dear, that can easily be remedied. I am Kelgar, the Royal Healer for his Majesty, King Jareth."
"You're not a goblin. Matilda said this was the Castle beyond the Goblin City."
Kelgar laughed, "That is true my dear. While I'm no goblin, we are in the Goblin Kingdom."
"Why would an elf be in a goblin kingdom?" She looked at Matilda who seemed to be trying not to laugh herself.
Kelgar grinned at her, "This is the Goblin Kingdom, but goblins are not the only creatures who live here. We are a part of the Labyrinth which the Goblin King rules."
"I'm sorry, but this is too much. I've never heard of a labyrinth, or a King Jareth."
"You are no longer on your world. This is the Underground," Kelgar smiled gently at her. A huge yawn erupted even though she tried to stifle it. Chuckling, Kelgar patted her arm. "Rest now Lady Serina. His Majesty will want to speak with you soon. I must go report to him now."
Serina nodded as the healer rose and made his way to the door. "Thank you Lord Kelgar."
"Just doing my job my dear." He turned and smiled at her, "I'll return later on to check on you again." Matilda waited till the door was completely closed before turning back to look at the young woman. Offering a gentle smile, the human tucked the blankets around Serina and patted her shoulder softly before leaving as well. After a few minutes, Serina closed her eyes and gave in to the pull of sleep that beckoned her.