Title: The Labyrinth: The Way Back

Author: Aviry Nolane

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Note:

Well, it's certainly been... forever since I updated. I had forgotten completely about this fic, until (thanks to recent comments) it was revitalized.

More later, but now... ON WITH THE SHOW

Chapter 18 - The Purple Dagger

Alec shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Funny, he didn't remember any blue velvet armchairs ever being present in Jareth's throne room before, and yet today the place was positively flooded with them. The sea of powder blue reached from wall to wall and back again, the empty chairs seemingly lying in wait for a Goblin Scout convention that would never take place.

Which was not to say that the new décor was highly appreciated, in fact, it struck Alesandor as being rather, well… Girly.

Alec grinned. So, the lady of the castle was making her presence known already. He

decided at once that this was to be taken as a good omen, though a note pertaining to her particular style was made as well.

Fumbling for his balance atop the uncomfortable excuse for a velvet pyramid, Alec turned his attention to his royal counterpart.

Jareth sat without ceremony at the base of his throne, chin cradled in his left hand, staring intently at what seemed to be a morsel of forgotten Goblin Chow.

Alec's gaze remained affixed to the form of the king as he rose and glared unceremoniously at the chow, kicking it heartily across the room. The change in his mood evidently swinging from one of quiet reflection to intense rage.

One hardly had to be the Lord Protector of the Underworld to figure out what had Jareth's knickers in a twist.

Tapping his quill on the inside edge of his parchment folder, Alec observed the king as a common and indifferent party. This, luckily for the Goblin King, was exactly what was needed at the time.

For instance, by the way a certain King of the Underground was now pacing relentlessly up and down his marble foyer, one was left to surmise that last night all had not gone exactly as planned. Had it not been for Alec's ability to commonly and indifferently mention this flustered state, it just may have gone unnoticed by the king himself.

I didn't say it was likely.

Unable to stand the resolute silence, Alec broke in with the first conversational gambit which came to mind. "Why, Jareth. I didn't realize you were redecorating."

A shade of confusion crossed the king's face and Alec motioned haphazardly to the abundance of blue velvet in the surrounding area.

"Ah, yes." Jareth nodded, obviously sorting through the haze of the previous evening, "You see she refused to sit in my throne when we first arrived," he paused, straining for memory, "I made her this chair instead… And then, last night," he stopped and shrugged, "it seemed important, at the time, to make more of them. In case of emergency, you know."

Alec bit his tongue nearly to the point of madness to keep from laughing.

His gesture did not go unnoticed.

Jareth returned to his throne and casually draped a leg over an extended arm. "You see, Alesander, it seems last night someone played a bit of a prank on me."

"A prank?" Alesander mused, "whatever do you mean?"

"I'm sure you're acquainted with one of my favorite little tricks, Alec. In fact, I remember while I was schooling you it seemed to be one of your most favored as well."

"You mean the peaches, I presume?" Alec played.

"Indeed I do." Jareth stared relentlessly in Alec's general direction, though the high dosage of Blesphemene still coursing through his veins from the previous night made it difficult to lock in on his exact position.

"That is unfortunate, Jareth." Alec quipped, "do you have any leads as to the culprit?"

"None." Jareth replied stoically, and then, with a shake of his gossamer locks, "what say you we get down to business at last, old boy?"

"It has to be done, I suppose." With that, the dark fae stood and pulled a stray leaflet from his folder. Walking to the edge of Jareth's throne he held it out in offering.

"What is this?" Jareth asked, pulling the seal.

"It's the fellowship, Jareth." Alec shook his head, "they're coming closer, undoubtedly by a design of some sort. This pamphlet was found in the neighboring lands of Asilica."

Jareth's body jerked to attention. "So close to your Napora, Alec."

"Close, yes. But closer still to the kingdom of the Sil Elvin, home of the Goblin King."

Jareth shook his head. "Tirisias has no business with me, Alec. Our score was settled long ago."

"By your rights yes, Jareth." Alec reached out and laid a firm hand on the king's shoulder, staring directly into his icy glare, "but not by his." Alec turned and walked to the balcony of the throne room which overlooked the lands of the Sil Elvin. "Their numbers are increasing, Jareth. The sign of the purple dagger increases also."

At once, Jareth jumped to his feet. "I can do no more of this today, Alec. As long as my position as Lord Protector hangs in the balance of the Fae Court, there is nothing I can do. My powers are useless and without measure in this battle until I am secured."

Turning, Alec raised a concerned brow to the king he had grown to respect so highly.

"Yes, my lord. And they know this. It would be to your advantage to, as you put it, secure your position, as soon as possible." With his piece then said, Alec winked. "You know, Jareth, Nelly can't do everything for you. She is my wife after all, and I don't mind telling you that the idea of her marrying Sarah is a bit off-course to me."

Silently, Jareth stepped down from his throne. "Enough of this then. Let's discuss Nelly's obligation to her brother over lunch." Grinning, Alec strung his arm across the king's

shoulders as best he could manage. "No, no, my liege. If we discuss any woman over lunch, let it be Sarah. I want to be sure of your appetite."

"Alec, you wouldn't be able to recall the key ingredient in such a narcotic potion as the Goblin's peach, would you?"

"Of course I do, Jareth. Blesphemene."

The king scoffed, "Oh my friend, I fear you have much to atone for."

Had he known any better, he would have found this statement ironic.

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avi