Welcome Back, My King
"Finally remembered me now that your shiny, new toy is off elsewhere?" He teased with a light-hearted grin. Miren was Jareth's polar opposite. In looks, Miren was as lanky as Jareth was broad. Where Jareth had platinum blond, untamable hair that stood out in all directions with electric blue eyes as wild as his mane, Miren was dark. His shoulder-length brown hair was always neatly tied back away from his narrow face. Where Jareth loved flair and dramatics in both his manner and dress, Miren preferred subtlety. Miren enjoyed watching from the shadows as things unfolded while the King made events unfold when he could. However, they were incredibly mischievous, even by Fae standards. A fact that often saw one or both in trouble as children. "She is an adorable little thing, I'll give her that. 'Tis a shame her young life has been thus marred."
"That's putting it mildly, don't you think?" Jareth replied rather bitterly.
"Oooh, someone's a mite touchy today," Miren smirked. "Still, if she keeps you from belly-aching about that ungrateful Champion you fancy, more power to her." Jareth froze half-way to standing up. Sarah. How could he have forgotten her? He hadn't spared a thought for her since Marie's arrival! "Oh my," Miren gasped, clapping his hands to his cheeks, his mouth opened in a comical 'o'. "You actually did forget about her, didn't you? Well, no doubt about it. That girl has my support, whatever happens to her." He laughed, dodging the crystal Jareth chucked at him, much to the King's annoyance. "What?" his friend drawled, lounging on the couch across from him. "That was meant as a compliment. If this child can shift your attention away from your unrequited love, I say that's a good thing."
Jareth sighed, resuming his position. "It is long past time I let my affections for her go, isn't it?" Miren's gaze softened in sympathy.
"Indeed. I like not the person she has turned you into, dearest friend. So morose, so despondent you have been these three years. I've seen more life come back to you today alone than since that night. It's given me hope, my King. Hope that I've dared not feel in many moons, that you might return to the carefree, laughing spirit I've known our whole lives together."
"I suppose you're right," Jareth sighed again before muttering, "as much as it pains me to say." He growled as his closest friend laughed. "Very well. I shall endeavor to bury these tender affections forever in favor of young Marie and those others the Labyrinth hinted at. Satisfied?" Miren was spared the trouble of answering by a knock at the study door. "Enter," Jareth called, sitting straight.
Grybar slowly walked in. "You w-wanted to see me, your Majesty?" The goblin asked, kneeling. The King stood before the prostrated creature.
"I did. Shut the door, Grybar." He was pleased to see his head chef's throat bob as the goblin swallowed thickly before turning to obey the command. "I understand it, you have some resentment towards my guest for the sake of your punishment. Is that true?"
"What? No! Of course not, Majesty!"
"Is that so? Did you not call her a wench? A brat? Did you not insult my guest due to your vexation over your own weak stomach?" He was nearly spitting with renewed anger and the goblin flinched with each accusation. "You never know when I am listening, Grybar. When you insult my guests, you insult me. Unfortunately for you, my guest happened to be listening as well. She did not take offense to your attack on her person, but I do not share in her placidity."
"And now he thinks to lie to you," Miren supplied, crossing his arms casually, as though entirely bored by the situation. However, Jareth could see the sly glint in his friend's eyes and that, more than anything, calmed the King down.
"Indeed, how could I have neglected that fact? Thank you, Miren. Well, Grybar? What have you to say for yourself? Choose your words carefully, for they could be your last."
"I…I…" The goblin bowed his head with a sigh. "Do what you must."
"Do you hear that, Miren? This goblin thinks to command me."
"My, my, don't we have a presumptuous one on our hands. Does he believe himself to have supreme authority here?"
"No, that's not what I meant! I swear it!"
"Oh? Enlighten us, Grybar. What did you have in mind when you insulted my guest, lied to my face, and proceeded to command me?"
"I-I-I only m-meant that I'll acc-ccept w-whatever punishment you d-deem n-necessary, M-majesty."
Jareth laughed, derisively. "As if you have a choice. This is the second time in two days that undisciplined tongue of yours has lashed out and I warned you what would happen, didn't I?" The sniveling goblin whimpered, clutching his face. "Oh, you know that will do nothing to stop me. Fear not, however, you will still keep your job in the kitchens. Only now, you will be able to focus on your task instead of wasting your time with idle chatter." He spun a crystal on his finger before bouncing it off toward the pale creature in front of him. It landed squarely on his leathery head and in a puff of blue smoke, Grybar was gasping and choking on what was no longer there. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly as his yellow eyes bulged in their sockets.
Miren laughed beside the King. "A chef with no tongue. Jareth, you are a vicious thing." He waved the goblin out. "Now, be off with you. I believe it's time you began the dinner preparations." He waited until the door had shut behind the cook before smirking. "That's the King I grew up with. The one who played with his food before chewing it up and spitting it out. Not the one who so callously chucks his subjects into the Bog on a whim. Now," he continued, clapping his hands together. Jareth raised an eyebrow, though unable to raise issue with his remarks. "On to more important things. Like this Mira twit Marie spoke of. I dislike her greatly. Can you believe there exists a woman who shares my name who won't step up and protect those in her situation? Who thinks it is only fair that those younger than her suffer the same fate because she was subjected to it?" The King watched, amused, as Miren began pacing the stone floor.
"Do you not think it wiser to discuss the implications of Marie being able to wish herself to the gates?"
"In a moment. I'm still irate. This selfish creature shares my name. How am I supposed to make an impression upon meeting Marie face-to-face if she only associates me with one who encouraged her torment? Tell me, Jareth. How can I expect to be met in welcome that way?" Miren threw up his hands in frustration. "Should I ever get my hands on this one who ruins my good name, I swear to you, she shall know torment."
"You'll do nothing of the sort," Jareth replied, his amusement growing. "And do you not think it too soon to be considering a meeting with the young Marie? She has only been here a very short time and is still too petrified to remain in the presence of anyone. She needs to grow used to her new home before we think of introducing her to anyone else. I fear too much, too soon, will have an adverse effect on the girl. As you've seen, and understandably so, the slightest thing sends her to panic."
"It's all the same anyway as she's likely to resent me for baring the name of one who could have helped but refused to," Miren muttered petulantly.
"You're really stuck on this aren't you?" Jareth asked, snickering at his oldest friend. He'd never seen the brunet in such a state. Nearly three hundred years together and this was the first time he'd ever witnessed his confidant pouting. "You cannot help your name. I am sure, when the time comes, Marie will write it off as a coincidence. She seems like the gentle-hearted sort to do that."
"Yes, well, perhaps. But it remains fact that this human has put distaste to my name. How dare she?" Jareth allowed him to rant his offense a little longer before his amusement hit its peak and he threw his head back in laughter.
"Miren, my friend, you really are too much. Ease yourself! It is highly unlikely for you to ever even meet this Mira girl anyway. You can work on restoring Marie's faith in your name in due time. There is not much reason to worry about it until then, alright?"
"Oh, fine." Miren stuck his tongue out at Jareth as he did when they were children, causing Jareth to laugh again. "You know, I haven't heard you laugh like that these three years long. I'd keep going for the rest of the day if it meant bringing you back." That brought Jareth up short, his shocked expression melting into one of softness.
"I understand. And I thank you. I do not know where this Kingdom would be were it not for you."
Miren crossed his arms, cockily. "The Labyrinth and this Kingdom would have fallen into a sorry state of disrepair and you exiled centuries ago." Jareth raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Is that so? I'll admit you can be useful when you feel like it but think not yourself so important as that."
"Is that what you believe?" Miren laughed. "Was it not I who has risen you these last three years? Run your Kingdom in your stead while you mourned the unrequited love of a human? Trained the guards into an adequate army after that embarrassing display when they met the Champion? Feel free to throw a ball in my honor whenever you choose."
"Ah, now I see what this is about. You and your ego cannot be satisfied with my gratitude. You desire public recognition. Shall I invite the Eight Realms to witness your crowning achievements as well? Perhaps you wish to sit on my throne while I grovel at your feet?"
"While that does sound like a splendid exhibition, I believe I will allow you to keep your seat on the throne. For now." He winked.
"Take care, friend, for others would have seen that as a challenge." Miren gave him an oh-so-innocent look but anyone could see the mirthful glint in his purple eyes. "I must ask why you haven't been this insistent about getting me back to normal before now."
Miren shrugged. "I've been waiting for a sign that you were ready to return to us, my King. Being able to shift your focus so wholly to little Marie that you completely forgot about the Champion appeared to be a strong one, therefore I jumped at the chance to encourage you." Jareth nodded, accepting his reasoning and appreciating his friend all the more. "Now that you've agreed it's time to come back, shall we get down to the business of the day? The Northern Kingdom has been pressing to extend more trade routes through to the East. It serves us no purpose to allow this, but those Orcs are nearly as stubborn as you are and will not take 'no' for an answer."
Jareth rolled his eyes. "King Agronak has yet to get over my having slighted his daughter at last year's Harvest Moon Ball. I refused to stand with her and he's never forgiven me for it. Now he demands that I make amends by allowing this when all involved know he would have an easier time trading through the Northeast."
The two moved to the desk and continued discussing trade and politics within the Nine Realms. Jareth had much to catch up on, having been a rather absent King lately. Unfortunately for him, Miren was all too eager to relay all the goings-on. At length, the conversation did turn to Marie and the potential events hinted at by the Labyrinth, however, neither could make head or tale of Its riddles. Seeing no point to spinning themselves in circles with 'what ifs', they left that discussion for another day. The two worked late into the night and only stopped when Jareth spotted Miren yawning for the fourth time.
"I believe that about covers things for today. If we continue any longer, I fear we might end up sleeping on those couches." Miren chuckled tiredly.
"As if that hasn't happened before. But I must agree with you. My chamber is calling my name and I'm sure yours is as well. Shall I have some food sent to you, seeing as we missed the evening meal?"
"I shall be fine until morning. Go and rest well, Miren."
"I believe I will rest better this night than I have in years." Miren strolled towards the study door and walked out, looking over his shoulder as he left. "Welcome back, my King. It is good to see you again."
An hour later, Jareth was in his own expansive chamber. He gazed around the dark room and sighed, undressing and laying in his vast, empty bed. No amount of luxurious comfort could replace his longing for what he would never have. While determined to keep up the appearance of pushing his yearning for her aside for the sake of his young ward and his Kingdom, in his private chamber, he allowed himself to feel the loneliness acutely. Her jade green eyes still haunted him. Her full lips still teased him. His precious Sarah still held fast to his heart and he knew she always would as much as he knew the pain and humiliation of her rejection would never go away. "It's only forever," the goblin King mumbled, blowing out his candle. "Not long at all."