Title: The Labyrinth: The Way Back
Author: The pretentious Aviry of Nolane
Rating: Rather PG
Summary: Sometimes the way forward is the way back... To the aboveground. A
courtly decision is made on Jareth`s behalf and he is forced to protect the
one he loves... Or hates... Or loves... Or doesn`t quite like, but doesn`t really *not* approve of anyway, to keep his position. But that`s beside the
point. After as many twists and turns (possibly as many as the Labyrinth itself) will these two manage to crash into each other? And what of the threat of war? And courtly politics? And Jareth`s family? And my GOODNESS the skeletons in the closet! Keywords: JSR
Notes: Yub, yub. Chapter 14, bah, it's not phenomenal, but it's getting there. Thank you Terrie and JLF for reviewing
Chapter 14 - Exposed
"You did what?"
"I locked her in her room." Jareth reclined casually into the leather- backed seat in his study, propping his feet up on the ottoman before him he gazed back at his advisor.
"You did what?" He asked again.
"Alec, honestly. Listening is a skill." He smiled at his little joke and turned his attention to the flames that consumed the mirkwood in his fireplace.
"I heard what you said, Jareth. I was just curious as to how locking her in her room aligns at all with your plans." Alec slumped down into a nearby chair, apparently exhausted by the shock of the king's actions.
"I assure you, it assists my plans in the most important respects." He turned his attentions back to Alec with a sincere smile, "I can't very well have her running all over the castle, proclaiming my unjust and monstrous sentiments towards her. Whatever would the kitchen staff think?"
Alec saw the truth behind this statement, and perhaps a little more. He sighed. "The kitchen staff is already aware of your most delightful personality traits, my liege. "He paused, "Jareth, honestly, you are suddenly the most inept man at personal relations I have ever come across. I must say that I don't understand this situation at all. You are King Jareth, Lord Protector of the Underground, third in line to the Seelie throne, practically the immortal lust god of the third realm," he laughed aloud at this, raising his arms in confusion. "She's just a girl! A young, mortal girl, who somehow had the dumb luck to end up at your castle door before her time was up."
Alec's dark eyes sparkled with laughter and amusement as he focused his gaze on the now nervously pacing king.
Jareth had stood at some time during this proclamation, and now paced the room with feverish intensity.
"It's not that at all, Alec."
Alec feigned innocent misunderstanding as he gazed up at Jareth from his sitting position. "Really? Well then, enlighten me on exactly what it is."
Jareth turned his back to the dark-haired fae, facing the oil painting that looked out on his study. His words were weighty and seemed forced.
"I," he took a breath, "I let her win."
Alec gasped dramatically, but remained unmoving. "You what?"
Jareth turned, a surprised smirk lacing the edges of his face. "You knew?"
Alec laughed at this, "Yes, yes I knew." When Jareth didn't continue he sat up from his reclining position and went on. "You could have erased her memory, you could have lied to the courts, you could have kept her. The Jareth I knew would have kept her." He paused, staring up at his once teacher with sincere confusion, "The Jareth I knew wouldn't have let her win in the first place."
Jareth carefully folded himself back into his chair, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead with his fingers. "That's exactly what I thought, too."
"So then why did you-"
"Send Nelly to be with her, Alec." Jareth cut in, "We have work to do, and I don't want to be bothered with her until I'm through."
Alec nodded, agreeing with the order even before it was given, "Of course, Nelly would love to come, but before she does, maybe you should go let the girl I out /I."
"I don't have the time for her right now, Alec." quipped the Goblin King, obviously starting to loose patience with the whole thing.
Alec stood and reached for his cloak near the door, "Jareth, tomorrow I am coming to discuss the ascent of the Fellowship. Most likely the next few weeks of both our lives will be filled with legislation, discussion, and planning. If I'm staying here to discuss business, I don't want your head in the clouds wondering what to do with that girl you have locked away in some chamber."
Jareth opened his mouth to speak, but this time he was the one to be cut off.
"Take care of it tonight, Jareth."
The king nodded, resigned. "I'll see you tomorrow, Alec."
And with that, the dark-haired visitor disappeared.
courtly decision is made on Jareth`s behalf and he is forced to protect the
one he loves... Or hates... Or loves... Or doesn`t quite like, but doesn`t really *not* approve of anyway, to keep his position. But that`s beside the
point. After as many twists and turns (possibly as many as the Labyrinth itself) will these two manage to crash into each other? And what of the threat of war? And courtly politics? And Jareth`s family? And my GOODNESS the skeletons in the closet! Keywords: JSR
Notes: Yub, yub. Chapter 14, bah, it's not phenomenal, but it's getting there. Thank you Terrie and JLF for reviewing
Chapter 14 - Exposed
"You did what?"
"I locked her in her room." Jareth reclined casually into the leather- backed seat in his study, propping his feet up on the ottoman before him he gazed back at his advisor.
"You did what?" He asked again.
"Alec, honestly. Listening is a skill." He smiled at his little joke and turned his attention to the flames that consumed the mirkwood in his fireplace.
"I heard what you said, Jareth. I was just curious as to how locking her in her room aligns at all with your plans." Alec slumped down into a nearby chair, apparently exhausted by the shock of the king's actions.
"I assure you, it assists my plans in the most important respects." He turned his attentions back to Alec with a sincere smile, "I can't very well have her running all over the castle, proclaiming my unjust and monstrous sentiments towards her. Whatever would the kitchen staff think?"
Alec saw the truth behind this statement, and perhaps a little more. He sighed. "The kitchen staff is already aware of your most delightful personality traits, my liege. "He paused, "Jareth, honestly, you are suddenly the most inept man at personal relations I have ever come across. I must say that I don't understand this situation at all. You are King Jareth, Lord Protector of the Underground, third in line to the Seelie throne, practically the immortal lust god of the third realm," he laughed aloud at this, raising his arms in confusion. "She's just a girl! A young, mortal girl, who somehow had the dumb luck to end up at your castle door before her time was up."
Alec's dark eyes sparkled with laughter and amusement as he focused his gaze on the now nervously pacing king.
Jareth had stood at some time during this proclamation, and now paced the room with feverish intensity.
"It's not that at all, Alec."
Alec feigned innocent misunderstanding as he gazed up at Jareth from his sitting position. "Really? Well then, enlighten me on exactly what it is."
Jareth turned his back to the dark-haired fae, facing the oil painting that looked out on his study. His words were weighty and seemed forced.
"I," he took a breath, "I let her win."
Alec gasped dramatically, but remained unmoving. "You what?"
Jareth turned, a surprised smirk lacing the edges of his face. "You knew?"
Alec laughed at this, "Yes, yes I knew." When Jareth didn't continue he sat up from his reclining position and went on. "You could have erased her memory, you could have lied to the courts, you could have kept her. The Jareth I knew would have kept her." He paused, staring up at his once teacher with sincere confusion, "The Jareth I knew wouldn't have let her win in the first place."
Jareth carefully folded himself back into his chair, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead with his fingers. "That's exactly what I thought, too."
"So then why did you-"
"Send Nelly to be with her, Alec." Jareth cut in, "We have work to do, and I don't want to be bothered with her until I'm through."
Alec nodded, agreeing with the order even before it was given, "Of course, Nelly would love to come, but before she does, maybe you should go let the girl I out /I."
"I don't have the time for her right now, Alec." quipped the Goblin King, obviously starting to loose patience with the whole thing.
Alec stood and reached for his cloak near the door, "Jareth, tomorrow I am coming to discuss the ascent of the Fellowship. Most likely the next few weeks of both our lives will be filled with legislation, discussion, and planning. If I'm staying here to discuss business, I don't want your head in the clouds wondering what to do with that girl you have locked away in some chamber."
Jareth opened his mouth to speak, but this time he was the one to be cut off.
"Take care of it tonight, Jareth."
The king nodded, resigned. "I'll see you tomorrow, Alec."
And with that, the dark-haired visitor disappeared.
