Chapter 7: Happy Birthday, Alex!

He stifled a snicker.

Jareth had a strand of Alex's purple hair in his gloved hand, brushing it lightly against her nose. The little human made pathetic squeaks and whimpers as she tried to brush her hair away. When she finally opened her eyes it took her a few seconds to register what she saw. He was disguised as Matt again, wearing normal clothes. And he was playing with her hair.

"Why are you in my room?" She managed to mumble.

"I'm waking you up."

She sighed and resisted the urge to light something on fire, "Why are you waking me up?"

"In case you don't remember, it is Friday. You said you'd come with me for breakfast, today. I figured we could eat early and get to all the shops you wanted to go to with time to spare and as few interactions with humans as possible." He smiled in faint amusement at Alex's groggy state and took that opportunity to yank the blankets off of the bed. "So rise and shine, beautiful, and let's move out!"

"Ah! Go eat a turnip and stick your head in a blender!" She shrieked at him as she tried to pull the large T-shirt she wore into some semblance of modesty and he simply chuckled.

"I happen to like turnips, actually. However, I don't think I'd go looking for them. As for the blender, yours seems to be broken at the moment. Do you often sleep in nothing but a shirt?" He smiled at her blush and flourished his hand. There on his fingertips rested an emerald robe of cool satin.

Alex slipped the robe on without looking at him and hurried off down the hall toward the kitchen to get a Coke and some cereal. She didn't want to know what time it was. Too early. Spring had just come and with it, Spring vacation. She reveled in sleeping in late. One of her classmates had once said "Sleep is my drug of choice. It's morally acceptable, very addictive, and soothing all at once!" Of course, she wasn't going to make him a role-model, but he did occasionally have some good ideas.

Her foster-mother came in while Alex was eating, "Oh, Alex! I didn't know you'd be up this early! Where did you find that robe? It's simply gorgeous! You know, you look like a fairy-tale princess when you wear green like that!"

"I know, that's why I got it for her. I felt like getting her something special, you know? Just to lighten things up. I must say that I'm very proud indeed with this find." Jareth said as he sauntered through the doorway.

Alex ignored the rest of the pointless conversation that followed. She knew her foster-mother would want to know where he had gotten it and how much it had cost, and blah-di-blah-di-blah. She knew he hadn't bought it; he had… made it with his magic? Maybe. Maybe he had bought it somewhere. She mentally shrugged and finished her breakfast, then went to take a shower.

Jareth was waiting for her in the living room and together they set off for the cluster of shops and stores that Alex had come to adore. They ate breakfast at the coffee shop where some positively devilish pastries were sold and spent the next few hours going from shop to shop buying supplies for Alex's art projects: oil paints, small canvases, oil paint thinner, X-acto knife blades, watercolor paper, a pencil sharpener, and various other supplies. Sadly these things weren't all in one shop, so they took quite some time simply walking and talking.

Alex knew he was planning something, but could not figure it out. He had a twinkle in his eyes that lent them some warmth after being icy for so long. A spring was in his step as he hummed nameless ditties. She must have looked similar as she walked beside him. She couldn't get him out of her head, so she had given up trying. She had become enthralled by him. Even today, the anniversary her family's death, he seemed to give her the strength to overcome the grief of last year. She wondered if Lilly had told him that today was her birthday. Would he have planned something? Would he give her a gift? Would he find some way to take her to that ball tonight? She shook her head. That was pushing her fantasies a bit far.

It was eleven o'clock by the time they had finished all their shopping. Alex having quite forgotten about anything else but Jareth's presence with her, she didn't even question how he could be away from the Labyrinth all day. Laden with bags of art supplies and baubles, they made their way back to Sarah's house, and, though Alex did not know, the birthday party.

As Alex entered the house she could sense something out of place. Maybe it was the smell of a fresh baked cake, the feeling that one gets when there are many people nearby, or the sudden sheepishness in Jareth's eyes. Whatever it was, she was still quite surprised as a group of people leapt out of hiding places and screeched "SURPRIZE" and Jareth simply laughed in the joy of the moment.

She couldn't believe it! Lilly, Sarah, Mark, and Andrew were there, along with her foster-parents, and a few of Alex's other friends. Lilly was practically beaming as Alex began to laugh. "Hey, Alex?"

"Yes, Lilly?"

"Happy Birthday."

Alex grinned and hugged her dearest friend, "Thank you, Lilly! Thank you so much!"

"Who wants pizza for lunch?" Sarah called out. She was answered by a tidal roar of people begging for food. "Okay, okay! Enough! Birthday girl goes first, though. Alex? Would you like some pizza? Lilly brought your favorite: black olive, mushroom, and sausage."

"Of course! Thank you!" Alex answered happily.

Sarah dished out the pizza to everyone gathered and they all sat in the living room to eat; Birthday Girl in the middle. She was bombarded with congratulations on turning sixteen, questions about when she would get her driver's license, probing about a possible boyfriend, and what she had wanted for her birthday. Alex answered all the questions as best she could through mouthfuls of pizza and Coke. She felt so loved, everyone genuinely caring about her. She was suddenly reminded of the fact that her immediate family wasn't here, and a terrible emptiness threatened to engulf her.

Luckily Jareth was paying attention, "Who wants her to open presents?"

Lilly caught the hint and jumped up, "She opens mine first!"

Alex's thoughts of the past vanished as Lilly handed her a small box wrapped in simple silver paper. She carefully peeled back the paper and opened the cardboard box. Inside was a simple silver chain with a small silver locket attached. Inside the locket were a picture of Alex and a picture of Lilly with the miniscule words "Friends Forever" printed on them. "Oh! I'll wear it forever!" Alex whispered as she put it around her neck.

Sarah handed her another present. "This is from Andrew," she said. Alex smiled as she pulled out a worn book from the tissue paper of the bag. Sarah must have this book memorized, by now. Even that last line that had always eluded her as a child. This was the book that had caused her to wish her little brother, Toby, away to the Goblin King. It was also the reason that Jareth had found Alex, because he had been watching Sarah. She didn't know what to say, but simply hugged the book called The Labyrinth to her and smiled.

From Sarah was a new CD, from Mark a new computer game. Her foster parents gave her various hair baubles and art supplies to keep her stocked at little longer. Her other friends gave her similar doodads and knickknacks. But the gift she treasured most was Jareth's. After everyone was done, he walked off for a few minutes as Alex gave her thanks. When the cake and ice cream were served he placed a box before her.

It wasn't wrapped, which was fine. It was beautiful! Made from some dark wood that seemed to glow it was just the right size for some of her most valued books to fit inside. The top was decorated with etched leaves and flowers, and the vines covered the sides in an intricate knot work display. It also had a strange lock, a bronze sheet extended form the top of the box to the side where it was fastened tightly. Try as she may, she could not figure out how to open it, it seemed to need some oddly shaped key to press into an indention. As she turned to glare at him, he offered her a silver necklace with a leaf-shaped pendent.

As Alex pressed the pendent into the crevice on the lock, it made a quiet click. Swinging open with barely a whisper from the bronze hinges she was greeted with that smell: the smell of Jareth, that mixture of leather, roses, and forest that she had become so captivated by. She pulled out a hardbound book, brown leather to match the box, with the same vine and flower design flowing over its cover.

"I thought that since you read so many stories, you might want to write your own." Jareth said quietly. "Write a story, use it as a journal or a sketchpad," he shrugged. "It is yours to do with as you will."

"I… This is… beautiful! Did you make all of this yourself?" Alex managed to say.

"I did."

"Thank you!"

Jareth ducked his head to eat his cake and Alex could swear he was hiding a blush, or was she imagining it? She mentally shrugged and placed to journal back into the box. The necklace went around her neck with Lilly's locket. Cake and ice cream were promptly finished and people began making their way to the door. Soon it was only Lilly, Sarah, Mark, and Jareth with her, Andrew having gone down for his nap.

"Thank you, Lilly, for arranging this. It helped a lot, with…" Alex trailed off.

"I know, that's why I did it. You're welcome! I had fun. Matt is a great planner, and even better at keeping secrets. Like: did you know you're going to that ball tonight?"

Alex froze, "No, actually, I didn't know that."

Jareth chuckled, "Well, now you know."

"Does she have a dress?" Lilly asked.

"She will be ready by the time we agreed to meet, have no fear. Perhaps you'd best go get ready yourself?"

Lilly looked uncertain, but headed out the door with a friendly farewell. As the door closed behind her friend, Alex gave Jareth a "look of death". "How am I supposed to get a dress in a few hours?"

Jareth smiled at her as he held up a crystal, "My dearest, do you forget who I am?"

"N-no…?"

"Take this little crystal."

"Why?"

He grinned, "Because I said so."

She frowned at him but took the crystal from his outstretched hand. A gasp escaped her lips as she saw her clothes change into an emerald green ball gown. The skirt seemed to fall around her like leaves, rustling when she walked like the whispers of leaves on a lazy summer day. Those leaves would show her slender legs when she walked, hinting at her hidden beauty, but conceal her entirely when she stood still draping around her like any simple green dress. The smooth bodice that fit her snugly had long sleeves that ended in tapered points on the backs of her hands, with a thin loop of the same satin cloth that fit around her middle fingers, holding the sleeves in place. The neckline was almost too low, a dipping V-shape, but not quite, and a V-shape at her waist where bodice met skirt was sewn with an expert hand and seemed so perfect. Shoes to match her dress adorned her feet, sandal-like things that were so comfortable she almost didn't know that she wore any shoes at all. Her hair was pulled up into a lose bun, some strands falling out and curling around her dainty neck, strands of silver and emerald jewelry threaded into the rest of it. A simple silver and emerald necklace adorned her neck, the twisting wire reminding her of elven jewelry, and a matching bracelet hung around her left wrist.

"I have a question…" she began.

"Yes?"

"Can you let me see without my glasses?"

He smiled and reached out to take them from her face. She closed her eyes as his fingers brushed her skin and shivered as a faint tingling coursed through her body. Whether that was from magic being used, or how close he was to her she couldn't tell. When she opened her eyes, she could see. She could see better than she ever had with her glasses! She smiled at him; she had never had a better birthday! It was only going to get better! She could hardly wait until the ball, would he dance with her all night? Would she get her first kiss? These thoughts overwhelmed her and she ran joyously to the guest bedroom to see herself in a mirror.

Jareth watched her go and set about getting himself ready. It was going to be an interesting night, he could tell. This little girl-- young woman, he corrected himself-- was truly a beauty, and she was his. But could she love him? He shuddered, no he wouldn't think about that right now. That was something to think about later. For now he simply had to take her to this ball, dance with her, and bring her home. Time would tell the rest… and he was patient.

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He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Jareth held a report in his hand from the Council. It read:

His Highness, the Goblin King, Ruler of the Labyrinth, King Jareth, is requested to give all attention to the following report from the Overseer of the Underground. His Highness's brother, Deram, has collected a large bounty and has been held in custody. As His Highness's brother is not a bounty hunter it is illegal for him to collect bounties. As another point of notice, Deram has collected the bounty placed on His Former Highness, Mathis. Should you wish to redeem your brother you may donate a sum of money to the council. Otherwise, he will remain in our custody for six months, at the end of which he will be granted full privileges of former life.

Thank you for your time and cooperation with the Council.

He chuckled as he crumpled the paper in his gloved fist. Mathis was dead and his brother was locked up for six months. How could anything be better? He wondered if he should tell the Council a few more things about his brother, like those times he went to the Aboveground to cheat a few mortal girls out of their virginity, or those deals with the bounty hunters of the Underground. The list wasn't endless, but it was long. He shrugged, let the Council learn about that on its own.

Maybe he would use that against his brother some other time. Maybe he would simply let things play out as they would. He frowned, why had it taken so long for Mathis to be caught and disposed of? That drunkard couldn't possibly have resisted for so long. That thought tickled at the back of his mind until he decided to visit his brother to learn the account of what had happened.

The Underground was a confusing place. It was a large realm parallel with the Aboveground, but, as the name implied, slightly below. However, unlike the Aboveground, it was split up into separate realms, each being only as big as the Kingdom being ruled. The Labyrinth was not the biggest of these realms, but it was one of the most important. For a human to get into the Underground, they had to go through the Labyrinth. From the Labyrinth one could get to three other kingdoms, and each of those led to other kingdoms. For a mortal with no magic to travel in the Underground, it was a tangled web of pathways to be traveled. For one such as Jareth, however, it was simply a matter of will and magic.

He arrived at the Council, a large kingdom containing all of the official buildings such as the Grand Council Building, the prison, the Library, and a few others that Jareth had forgotten the purpose of. He was admitted into the prison and directed toward his brother's cell. His brother didn't acknowledge his arrival as Jareth had predicted.

"Give me one reason to get you out." Jareth said.

"I got rid of Father for you?"

"Not good enough. You should have left that to the bounty hunters."

Deram sneered, "Why are you here?"

"I want to know hat happened. How was Mathis when you saw him? How had he been eluding the bounty hunters? How did you kill him?"

Deram sighed as he stood and turned to face Jareth, "He wasn't drunk. That's how he'd been escaping the bounty hunters. They hadn't been going after him strong because he was just too easy to warrant much notice, regardless of the price on his head. Also, he hadn't been able to get any booze after we kicked him out; he was barely able to get food. After this long-- what, a couple decades?-- he had sobered up quite a bit. Did you know he was a mage? A pretty good mage, too. Maybe stronger than Luc is now. He nearly blew the place we were fighting up."

"How did you kill him?"

Deram smiled, "When fighting a mage, you make them think you'll use magic to destroy them, 'cause what else is strong enough? But a properly placed sword will kill anyone. Magic is the cloak billowed in a mage's face while a very real dagger pokes them in the heart."

Jareth nodded and turned away. He wanted to know how accurate and honest Deram had been; something hadn't seemed right in his brother's speech. His voice had caught slightly in odd places, a sign of lies. Besides, those words about the cloak and dagger belonged to a famous duo of bounty hunters, a mage and a warrior, who had taken to calling themselves "Cloak and Dagger," altogether fishy, in his opinion.

The council member at the prison desk showed him the report of Mathis' body. He had sustained many burns and bruises, possibly from the magic that had been thrown around. He had also had a dagger wound in his chest that had stopped his heart. Somehow, though, that didn't seem to be what had killed him. He had been examined and there was no other way that he could have been injured unto death. Perhaps he had killed himself and Deram had stabbed him in the heart, just to be sure. Yes, that was it. That was all.

Jareth thanked the Council member and began his journey back to his kingdom. Now that Mathis was dead, Jareth need only worry about Deram. That was a far bigger problem, however, and Jareth needed help. How was he to get help? Luc had stormed off again and he would not accept help from anyone else. Sitting down in the throne that he had had for less than a century, the young Goblin King began to plot his own brother's demise.