Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Labyrinth. All other characters and the storyline are mine.

Chapter 17

Jareth paced the throne room, waiting for Serina to arrive, his black cloak swishing through the air with each turn.. He swore the woman was deliberately delaying them. Rail and Kelgar stood nearby talking quietly as they waited. The two of them would remain at the castle and tend to thing while Jareth and Serina attended the ball. Every so often Jareth would glance at the clock hanging near his throne and growl.

"Where in the Underground could she be?" He snapped suddenly.

"I'm sure she's on the way Jareth." Ralir tried to placate the livid king.

"She should have been here by now."

"You know that she doesn't want to go anymore than you do my friend."

"That's no excuse. She always keeps her word and she said she would go. "

A screech ripped through the air, followed by the sound of chittering and racing footsteps. Suddenly the doors tot the throne room burst open to admit a goblin fleeing from the woman chasing it. "Get back here you little creep!" Serina's face was flushed as she chased the goblin around the room. When it fell into the sunken pit near the throne she snatched it up and walked over to the window. Before anyone could move she had drop kicked the creature out the window and they all heard a screaming giggle as it flew through the air.

Serina turned and smiled brightly at the men as she straightened her sapphire blue skirts. "Hello."

"Kitten? May I ask what that was all about?" Jareth grinned in amusement, his anger at her tardiness forgotten.

Regally nodding her head, she flashed him another smile, "Yes you may your Majesty. That goblin is responsible for my being late." Jareth tilted his head and eyed her curiously, his lips twitching at the corners. He knew how the goblins loved pulling pranks on her. Serina glared at him and growled.

"Oh really?" He was having a hard time keeping from laughing.

"Jareth, it isn't funny. The little beast turned a bunch of piskies loose in my rooms. You know how much damage those things can do!"

Kelgar chuckled as he stepped forward, "Worry not my lady, we'll get things put back to rights before you're due home." She turned and gave the elf a hug.

"Thanks Kelgar. I appreciate it."

Clearing his throat, Jareth smiled and reached out for her. "We're late enough kitten. Our things have already been sent ahead. Serina stepped back and took his proffered arm. He twirled a crystal in his other hand and gave her a slight smirk before tossing it into the air above them. They vanished in a burst of glitter.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

When they appeared just inside the city gates, Serina gasped. The city spread out before them, built predominantly of white stone and surrounded by elaborate triple walls and massive gates made of sculpted silver stood before them. In the center stood an elegant castle made of the same white stone that seemed to glow with it's own power. People of all types and races bustled around as they went about their business, dressed in a riot of colors. Where the Goblin Kingdom was slightly dark and had a gothic feel to it, this city was the complete opposite with it's rabid life.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, looking around as they walked towards the castle.

"Welcome to Jancrest, home of my parents." Jareth grimaced, looking down at her. Her smile slowly faded as her first meeting with Jareth's mother rushed back to her. He gave her a comforting smile. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. Lisae is here and anxious to see you."
"I've missed her visits."

"As has she, I imagine. Come, let us get this over with." They approached the castle doors and waited as the guards bowed and opened the doors to let them in. As Jareth predicted, Lisae was just inside the entrance and when she spotted Serina, the woman gave her a bright smile and hurried over to them.

"Oh Serina! It's been so long since I've seen you! I hope everything is going well?" Lisae fairly bounced with excitement.

Serina laughed and hugged her friend. "Indeed Lisae, I've settled in nicely I believe. It's wonderful to see you too. I've missed our chats."

"Well, you learn fast." Lisae turned and gave her brother a smile before hugging him. "Welcome Jareth. Mother and Father are expecting you both in the throne room." Lisae smiled slightly, worried about what might happen. Ever since their mother had gone to visit Jareth a few days before, Queen Nessta had done nothing but rant about the barbaric creature Jareth was consorting with. Jareth squeezed his sister's hand and nodded slightly before glancing over at Serina who stood there tensely.

"It'll be alright kitten. Just remember to keep your temper in control."

She smiled at him as he rubbed a gloved hand up and down her arm. "I'll do my best."

Lisae led them to the throne room and they waited to be announced. When the double doors opened, the trio walked in and Lisae touched Serina's shoulder as she moved past them to her seat near the thrones. Jareth and Serina approached the dual thrones and bowed respectfully to the rulers. Nessta watched Serina with a scowl while the king sat studying her with a curious expression on his face.

"It's good to see you my son. You're late getting here, I hope your journey was uneventful." King Geran said as he turned his eyes towards his son.

"And you Father. We were slightly delayed with matters in my kingdom, but everything is fine now." Jareth cast a quick look at his mother who still glared at Serina. He cupped Serina's elbow, "May I present Lady Serina Vaelden?" Serina ignored the queen's glares and directed her attention to the handsome king, dropping into a curtsy. She could see where Jareth got his looks from, though Geran's platinum hair was trimmed short and curled slightly around his shoulders.

"It's an honor to meet you, You Majesty."

"And you my child. I have heard much about you recently." He smirked causing them to tense. "Come, a servant will escort you to your rooms so that you may rest. The celebrations will start tonight and I am sure you both would like to be prepared." At Jareth nod of acceptance, the king waved his hand; both dismissing them and summoning a servant.

Jareth escorted Serina from the room, following the servant. As they walked, Jareth explained more about the kingdom and the festivities they would be attending. The Yule season was a time of celebrating of the cycle of nature and reaffirmations of the life's continuations. The festivities lasted for all of twelve days, with dancing and feasts each day. No one was permitted to engage in any type of warfare throughout this time, meaning that everyone, friend and enemy, would be able to socialize together without fear of being attacked. Sometimes the temporary truces would continue into more permanent treatises while others did not.

Finally, they arrived at their rooms and were surprised to find that their rooms were directly across from each other. Jareth pointed out that Lisae's rooms were on the other side of his, but silently he wondered at why his mother had agreed to having Serina so close to the family's royal suites when she obviously didn't like her. He figured that his sister had something to do with it.

They stopped at Serina's rooms first and she was amazed at the beauty of it. While Jareth had decorated her rooms at his castle in greens, violets and blues, this room gave off a light airy feeling and was decorated in pale peach and rose tones. Intricately woven rugs were scattered about over a white marbled floor and a pair of glass doors opened out onto a balcony with a view of the city.

"Does it please you?" He asked quietly as she took everything in. Serina turned to Jareth with a smile.

"It's very lovely, but it's not home."

He laughed and agreed with her. Brushing a kiss across her knuckles, Jareth excused himself with the promise that he would return in time to escort her to the ball and went to his own rooms. He sighed when he entered the welcoming darkness. Where Serina's had been light, his were dark, decorated in hues of dark mahogany and light pine. Dropping down onto the king sized bed, he laid back and wondered at what would happen during their time there.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

They could hear the strains of music from beyond the massive double doors. The sounds of conversation drifted over the music and Serina sighed heavily. Jareth glanced down at her and smirked as he patted the hand she had tucked into his elbow. It amused him that his fierce warrior was nervous about entering the ballroom. Serina refused to look up at him, instead voicing her nervousness and displeasure in the form of a low growl from her throat as the doors opened.

Hearing their names announced, the crowd stilled and turned to look at the pair. Jareth was dressed in his typical fashion of tight pants and high boots. He wore a deep blue high collared jacket that shimmered with diamond dust over his white ruffled shirt while his wild hair sported streaks of dark blue that matched his clothes. The woman who stood beside him was dressed in a dark blue off-shoulder gown trimmed in silver and crystals that dipped low across her cleavage, the long flowing sleeves falling to points near her waist. Her crimson hair, streaked with silver, was swept up in a mass of curls with the bulk of it flowing in heavy waves down her back.

Several people sighed as they took in the couple's gracefulness and beauty as Jareth led Serina down the short flight of steps and onto the ballroom floor, while many of the women shot venomous glances at Serina. Having never seen the woman before, they all wondered who she was and where she had come from. Smirking slightly, Jareth refused to release Serina's hand as they walked, parting the crowd with mere glances. He glanced at Serina and found a mischievous smile painted on her face and couldn't resist smiling back in answer as he nodded to the other nobles that were around them.

They danced several dances together, as well as with others, though Serina spoke little to her partners. Her aloofness led many of the women to start gossiping about her, while the men lusted heavily after her. When dancing in the arms of another, her face was carefully schooled into a polite smile, though when Jareth claimed her for a dance, she smiled up at him and relaxed, talking quietly. Other couples danced close to them, yet were unable to hear a word either of them said. No one was able learn anything about Jareth's mysterious guest, though everyone saw how they continued to keep each other with in sight.

Jareth was surprised at the amount of restraint his partner had shown, even when they had been forced to present themselves to his parents again. Finally, Lisae was able to drag Serina away from the dancing. They went to one of the tables that bordered the edge of the ballroom and sat down to chat for a while.

"You know that Mother is simply furious about Jareth bringing you here." Lisae whispered.

"She can stuff it for all I care." was all Serina had to say about it, which sent Lisae into a fit of laughter. "His Majesty requested that I attend with him since I am his bodyguard."
Lisae giggled, glancing around the massive room. "Well, considering how many women here would love to marry him, I'd say you've got your duties cut out for you."

"It's a pity they don't know me as well as you do isn't it?" the woman sighed dramatically. Lisae only laughed again.

"So, what have you been up to? I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit in a while, I do so miss your company."

"Nothing too serious. Jareth has been teaching me about the kingdom, whatever for I'm not entirely sure. It's been fairly slow lately though."

"I'm teaching you these things in case of emergency, kitten," Jareth's whispered seductively in her ear as he leaned over her, grinning when she only glanced up at him. He had tried to sneak up on them, but Serina's senses were too finely tuned to his presence, he sighed regretfully.

"And what emergency might that be your Majesty?" Serina prompted quietly, smirking back at him.

He waved a hand elegantly through the air, summoning a chair to sit beside her in. "Any number of reasons my dear. It's always possible that my bodyguard might one day succeed in killing me you know."

"What ever gives you that idea, my Lord?" Serina scoffed as Lisae fought to keep a straight face at the looks that were directed their way when her brother leaned closer to Serina.

"Perhaps her prior behavior over the past six months, hmm?" He smiled brightly at her and chuckled, "I must go speak with my parents now." Jareth took Serina's hand and kissed the back of it before striding swiftly away. Serina looked around the room, sighing. Suddenly her eyes were drawn to a delicate looking woman in a dark rose silk gown who stood near the wall several feet away watching Jareth's every move. After a few minutes, the Goblin King made his way over to the woman and asked her for a dance.

"Lady Vanessa." Lisae commented with a factitious smile when she saw who Jareth was dancing with.

"You know her?" Serina continued to watch them as they spun about the floor.

"Yes. She's from one of the southern kingdoms. There's rumors that she's a sorceress."

"Is that a bad thing?" Serina asked in confusion as she looked over at her friend.
"Not really, but little is known about her. She moves around the court a lot, but rarely tells much of herself."

"I take it you don't like her." Lisae shook her head as they watched Lady Vanessa with her brother.

"She's rude and cruel, worse than my brother."

Serina snickered, "That's hard to imagine. Surely no one can be worse than his Majesty."

"There are plenty who are worse my friend, you just haven't had the pleasure of meeting them yet." Lisae sighed, pasting a smile on her face as she rose to her feet. "Oh dear, he's bringing her over here." Serina looked back and stood up as well when she saw Jareth.

"Are you enjoying the ball, Lady Serina?" He asked when Serina curtsied.

"Of course, your Majesty." She studied the way Jareth was acting, taking her cues from him. He gave her a half smile and turned to look at the woman beside him as he gestured towards Serina.

"Lady Vanessa, I would like you to meet my sister, Lisae and her friend, Lady Serina." Lisae and Serina glanced at each other quickly, both wondering what was going on before greeting the blonde woman.

"Tis a pleasure to meet you, I am sure." Vanessa's rich voice rolled over them like honey and Serina winced to herself. They made small talk for a little while longer before Lisae claimed that she was tired. Wanting to escape the ball as well, Serina offered to go back with her. Jareth nodded and bid them a good night.