A/N: I know, I know, I have soooo much grovelling to do to gain everyone's forgiveness for a near 4-month hiatus. A lot has been going on on my end. Left my old job, started a new one that doesn't allow for as much spare time as the old one did but ultimately makes me happier and mentally healthier by far, my little one started school, was sick and exhausted for a while as I adjusted to a whole new schedule, and had major writer's blockage. I must have started, scrapped, and restarted this chapter five times. But, there is a silver lining to all of this. Just because I struggled with this chapter, does not mean I wasn't writing elsewhere. I've got the entire rest of the story nearly finished. I just have to put the pieces together and polish it off. Or should I say, the rest of part 1, nearly finished? Yes, for those of you who have not given up on me, here is a teaser treat indeed. This is going to end up being two parts. There's just too much that occurs after Sarah's discovery. And yes, she will be discovered. I've received a lot of comments asking about that and I would recommend going back and re-reading the Prologue. There is a ton of foreshadowing in there, particularly involving an approximation of when I will get to Sarah. Note: Eliza speaking. I hope this assuages some concerns and heightens anticipation knowing that, since they are written already, it will not be nearly so long for the next chapters to be posted.

Wished-Away

The next morning dawned rather later than usual when Jareth opened bleary eyes and stretched luxuriously, his body aching deliciously from the first long night of lovemaking with his friend in almost two decades. His chest still gave off that dying ember sensation, but it was nothing more than he was already used to and he easily ignored it. Glancing aside, the other half of his bed was empty. Jareth smirked. As expected of his dutiful advisor. No doubt Miren was up at the crack of dawn as always to oversee the knights' morning drills.

"Does Kingy wish to break his fast in his sitting room today?" Vazerd asked, pulling clothes for the day out of his closet. "You missed eating with the missies this morning. I sent word to Relde that you were unwell."

"Yes, yes, fine. I shall apologize to them later."

The goblin bowed and left to run his bath.

Jareth conjured a new Scrying Crystal, having thrown one the previous night. With a glance to where it had been before Vazerd had no doubt moved it, he called out Marie's name. The King watched as her clear image swirled to life.

'Odd,' he thought, smiling gently at his small wards playing some unfamiliar game in one of the gardens. 'It was fuzzy last night. I suppose I was in a bit of a panic when I conjured it, perhaps my emotions clouded the magic.'

He chuckled softly as the girls, who had been skipping in a circle and chanting some silly rhyme, suddenly collapsed together, laughing. It was a heartwarming sight after all they'd suffered. Even Terra was joining in on their fun. He'd been worried her condition would prevent her from enjoying such childish things anymore. He could see their attendants and several guards in the background watching their antics carefully.

Jareth vanished the crystal and headed to his bathing room and then settled in one of the plush chairs as his attendant brought his covered meal, hot and fresh. It had been a while since he'd taken a meal in solitude. Since Marie's arrival he'd eaten with others. It was…quiet. Almost unnaturally so. He'd grown used to the chatter. Even fond of it. Before, he'd found such idle noise to be grating and he preferred the silence of his chambers or his study, but now… The King found himself distracted from his meal by the stillness around him which annoyed him to no end. Huffing impatiently, he grabbed his plate and transported himself to the garden they were still playing in.

"Jareth! Are you feeling better?" Marie called as soon as he came into sight.

"Much. Were you worried about me?" he replied, smiling.

He sat with his food on one of the stone benches that lined the pathways and chuckled at the light blush that lit her cheeks. She nodded and quickly scampered back to the others who were scattered on the ground laughing. She ran up to Jessie, tapped her shoulder, and yelled "tag". Like lightning the pair were chasing each other around the clearing, shrieking with laughter.

"C-can I sit with you? This game isn't really one I can play." Jareth glanced up at Terra, biting her lip and wringing her hands together in nerves. Didymus stood close by, carefully watching her every move while Ambrosius stood dutifully at her side, his lead in her hand.

"But of course. Will you allow me to take your hand and guide you?"

"N-no thanks, I can do it."

He watched her hand feel around her, finding the bench and brushing away a few stray leaves. She sat carefully, feeling for the nonexistent back of the bench before moving herself away from the edge. Her hand slipped and she began to flail and fall. Without thought, Jareth threw out an arm behind her to steady her, the sudden motion causing his tray to clatter to the ground. At the same time, Ambrosius jumped up, clasping the front of her dress in his teeth, and pulled forward.

"Or maybe not," she muttered softly after she had settled.

"My Lady!"

"I'm fine, Didymus."

"Of course she is, thanks to Ambrosius. You've trained him well, Sir Didymus. His reflexes are impeccable." The steed sat proudly on his haunches, his twitching nose high in the air, accepting the praise. Jareth gave him a small scritch behind the ear and gestured for him to 'clean up' the mess of his meal.

The kitsune bowed deeply. "'Tis only natural, Sire. For we must be ready to serve your Majesty and our Mistress at a moment's notice. If there is nothing else, I shall stand aside until I am called."

"Jareth! Is everything okay? We heard a loud noise!" Marie yelled, running up to the group, Jessie not far behind.

"All is well, little ones. Put your minds at ease and return to your game, by all means."

"Aw, your breakfast…" Jessie pouted, looking at the nearly spotless, if not slightly damp, area his tray had fallen to.

"No matter, it was cold anyway. Shall I have snacks served to us out here?" Both girls nodded their eager approval, though Terra remained strangely passive and quiet. He gave the order immediately and sent the girls off playing again.

"Terra?"

"I said I'm fine!" He frowned at her sharp tone even as she gasped, holding both hands over her mouth. Didymus started their way, but he waved off the fox with a single hand. "I'm s-sorry," she whispered in a trembling voice. "I-I-"

"It is alright. I am not angry," the King murmured in a soothing tone. She turned her bandaged face towards him. He was saddened but unsurprised to see the damp spots already beginning to seep through. "Though I will ask what is on your mind that would cause such an outburst."

"I-I…"

"Yes?" he encouraged.

"I hate this," she whispered, turning her head back to her knees. "Being blind, I mean. I still feel like I can't do anything without help. I can't even sit down properly and because of me, you lost your food."

"Terra, I am not worried about the food. I am worried about you. If these dark thoughts are troubling you, I need to know if I am to help."

She sighed, scuffing the toe of her boot against the cobblestone. "Th-they don't. Not usually anyway. Just when I do stupid things like that. Things that wouldn't happen if I could see what I was doing. But I promise, I am getting better mostly. Before we had that talk, I felt that way all the time. Now it's just sometimes."

"There is nothing wrong with the way you feel. You are working and learning through a challenge few will ever have to face. That you get out of bed and try at all is an accomplishment in itself. And yes, some days will be harder than others, even some moments, but for every little moment that makes you feel like that, there are hundreds more you have every right to be proud of, that you should celebrate."

"You're absolutely right, my King, as always," Miren said, clapping his hands and strolling up to the bench. "What were we talking about?"

"Good morning, Miren," Jareth drawled, rolling his eyes as Terra snickered. "How goes the training?"

"Impeccably as expected, Sire. Naturally, I've ensured the knights keep in top form." His friend bowed deeply.

"Indeed. You're certainly preening your feathers today."

"Am I? I wonder why that would be," he replied throwing Jareth a knowing smirk.

Jareth only pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation questioning his decision to use his friend as a means to move on. Surely any other Fae would have done.

"Sir Miren has feathers?" Terra asked, tilting her head in confusion. "I never saw that in my dreams." Miren gaped, an expression of the purest offense on his face and Jareth could not stop the snort of laughter that escaped him.

"I most certainly do not have feathers," he exclaimed.

"Well, not when you're molted," Jareth agreed, holding back yet more laughter. "Assuredly, Miren, you usually have the most wonderful plumage. Terra, shall I show you? It matches his eyes exactly."

"Sire!"

"Does he really have feathers or are you just messing with me again?" Terra asked, her tone suspicious.

The King leaned in close to her ear. "You're learning. This makes me proud. In this case, it's more that I am teasing him," he whispered.

"What are you whispering to her, my King?"

"I'd really like to see what Sir Miren looks like with feathers," Terra snickered.

"What? Sir Miren has feathers?!" Marie exclaimed, jogging up to the small group.

"Yeah, fluffy purple ones, from what King Jareth said," Terra answered. Marie and Jessie stared up at the devastated brunet in awe.

"I do not have feathers!"

"Do they grow in like a bird's or are they magic?" Jessie asked, her emerald eyes wide with curiosity. Jareth was relieved to find that ember-like ache in his chest didn't flare again at the sight of them.

"Can you fly?" Marie asked, blue eyes sparkling.

Seeing his poor friend shoot him an imploring glance, Jareth decided to have mercy, still chuckling behind his hand. "Come, little ones. Miren doesn't like talking about his feathers. Let us leave him in peace and attend to our snacks, shall we?"

"Okay," they chorused.

"Sorry, Sir Miren, we didn't know you don't like talking about it," Jessie said.

"Yeah, we won't ask about it again, we promise," Marie vowed before following the small blonde.

"Thank you, King Jareth," Terra muttered beside him, smiling. "That made me feel a lot better."

"I am glad for it. A child such as yourself should be laughing more than she cries. Now, go on before the other two gobble it up on their own. We'll be along."

"Yes, sir." He placed Ambrosius' lead in her hand and the steed guided her to the cart Sath and Relde had brought.

"My King, that was cruel," Miren whined. "How could you?"

"Perhaps you should learn to preen your feathers a little less publicly, hmm?"

"Is that what that was? Revenge for being in a good mood when I know you enjoyed it as much as I did? Sire, you vicious thing."

"I have no qualms with our activities; however, they should not be paraded about in front of my girls. Do you not think they are far too experienced as it is? And Jessie, not at all. I would like to keep her that way if I can."

"I…see your point. Fair enough. So, I have feathers now, do I?"

Jareth smirked. "I suggest you grow accustomed to it. That was quite a timely misunderstanding on Terra's part, don't you think?"

"I'm sure you couldn't have asked for better, my Liege."

"Oh, put away this sour mood, my friend. It does not become you. Won't you join us?"

"If they will have me, that sounds delightful."

"So long as you don't appear next to them unexpectedly, it shouldn't be a problem," Jareth chuckled lightly.

"Tease me no more, Sire, I beg of you. Have mercy on your poor advisor!"

"Can my advisor, second in the Labyrinth Realm only to its King, not handle a little teasing?"

"I can handle it just fine," Miren grumbled, "but you seem to be especially relentless today."

"Very well, I'll ease up if you so desire. But you know, such consideration comes at a price." Jareth smirked at his friend, already thinking up things he could have his 'poor advisor' take care of.

"Don't worry, my King, I will be sure to repay your generosity in full. Tonight, if you would like." A grin crossed Miren's face, heat flaring in his purple eyes.

"Control yourself, Miren. Lest you repeat your mistake not but a few minutes ago."

At least he had the grace to look abashed. "Quite right, my King. Shall we?"

The two made their way to the center of the courtyard where the girls, their attendants, and the snack cart had been placed. A second cart had been prepared for them containing foods more suited to their palate.

"It's about time you guys showed up," Marie said, grinning widely.

"Yeah, we were starting to think you weren't coming," Jessie added, smiling a bit more shyly.

"Not a chance," Jareth assured, ruffling Marie's hair. She batted his hand away while holding a piece of food in her mouth. It was an adorable sight. "Jessie."

The little girl tensed, clearly not expecting to be addressed directly. "Y-yes?"

"I've been meaning to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" She looked over at Marie, who only shrugged her shoulders.

"You have helped me to move on from a problem that has caused me endless grief for some time now."

"Oh, really? How'd I do that?"

"Simply by being, little one. You see, you forced me to confront the problem that I had, until now, been running from."

"Oh," came her simple response. "I'm not sure I get how I helped, but I'm glad." A shy smile spread over her cheeks as she seemed to tuck herself slightly behind Marie.

"What do you two have going on today? Anything big?" Marie asked.

"Well, today was supposed to be centered around helping Jessie to adjust to her new surroundings and addressing any concerns she may have, however, she seems to be acclimating herself fine."

"Yeah, we had a long talk after Miren left for the morning, didn't we, Jess?" Marie answered, wrapping her arm around Jessie's shoulder. The smaller girl nodded.

"Really? Care to tell me what you discussed?"

Marie looked to Jessie who nodded again, her shoulders drooping and her expression growing more somber by the second. "Hey, Terra?"

"Got it. Come on, Jessie. Let's go play again. We can play fetch with Ambrosius," Terra suggested, holding out her hand for the girl to take. The two along with Didymus and Ambrosius, walked away, the latter barking and wagging his tail boisterously.

"Alright, little one, out with it. What's with the secrecy?" Jareth asked, staring hard at the girl in front of him while she scuffed the toe of her boot against the cobblestone.

"It's not really a secret…it's just…Jessie shouldn't have to listen to what she told us again. It's almost worse than what Terra and I went through."

"What do you mean?" Miren asked, crouching down to her level. He made to reach for her hand but stopped when she didn't reach back. Instead, she looked away and rubbed her arms as though chilled.

"Marie?"

"Well…remember yesterday when she was talking about her grandpa and the fire and being pushed down the river by the water?"

Jareth nodded but saw his friend freeze where he crouched before recalling that Miren was hearing her story for the first time.

"And how it pushed her so far that when it finally calmed down, she was in a part of the forest that wasn't on fire?"

"My Stars," he heard Miren mutter.

"Go on," Jareth encouraged, as it looked like she was about to elaborate more. He could inform his friend in greater detail later. Marie's eyes flickered between the two.

"Well…she asked us this after breakfast if things at the house would happen here too. When Terra asked her what she meant, she said that when she got out of the river, she walked for a long time before finding a house. When she knocked on the door, Lord was the one who answered, only she didn't know he was Lord. She told him what happened and he invited her in. He gave her a bath and fed her in his office and told her that if she was a good girl, she could live there.

"It wasn't until she said yes because she had nowhere else to go, that he threw her in the room with the rest of the girls and she found out the truth. She said that the way she'd been taken care of here felt like that and she was afraid it would happen all over again. We told her it wouldn't and I told her that I've been here for a couple months now and it's the same now as it was when I first got here. We told her that everything Big Sister said about this place and you was true. I think she believed that more than anything but she looked happier anyway. We've pretty much been playing out here since."

"… I see."

Jareth could not recall a single instance where Marie had spoken so much at once. And what she had to relate was chilling. Their 'Lord' had made Jessie feel welcomed. Had earned her trust after such a harrowing experience. Had been kind to her when she was at her most vulnerable and betrayed her. The King's hands clenched into fists in barely contained fury at her mistreatment. He now understood why Terra had taken her elsewhere before Marie started. The two showed a lot of forethought when it came to their younger companion, more than he had any reason to expect. It was impressive as well as heartening the way they were taking care of each other.

"D-did we do something wrong?"

Jareth shook himself of his thoughts to see Marie gazing up at him, her brow furrowed in worry and took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. "Not at all, dear one. I am proud of the way you two handled it. By doing so, you've probably helped her avoid a lot of the same problems you two had when you first got here. I hope you'll continue to guide her in the coming weeks or encourage her to come to Miren or myself if you cannot?"

"Sure will! We want her to be happy too."

"There's a good girl. Why don't you run along and play with the others if you're finished with your snack?"

"Okay! Hey, Sir Miren, are you okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, little one. You need not fret over me. Go have fun if you're ready." He reached out to pat her head. Marie stilled at his touch but did not flinch away. As soon as Miren's hand retracted, she gave him an uncertain grin and dashed off after the other two.

"Did you see that?" he muttered before turning back to Jareth with a beaming smile, his eyes sparkling. "She let me touch her. She willingly let me pat her head."

Jareth didn't have the heart to tell him it was more likely because she was still worried about him. "I saw. It seems she's finally growing comfortable with you."

"Do you truly believe it or am I being teased again?"

"On this I would never tease or mislead you." Though tempting, it was too important to his bosom companion for the girls to feel comfortable around him. If anything, Miren's smile widened and his eyes began watering. As he was about to respond, Jareth felt a tug, deep within his core, calling him aboveground. A wished-away. And this time, he felt the tether connecting the child to the wisher.

"What is it, my King? Another self-wisher already?"

"Not this time. And chances are slim this one is connected to my girls. I shall return shortly. Look after those three in my absence and do attempt to not press your advance with Marie."

"I would never!" Miren protested in mock offense. Jareth rolled his eyes.

"We both know how excitable you are."

Miren scoffed. "Even so, I would not wish to lose the trust I have worked so hard to gain."

"I should certainly hope not. Very well, I'll be off."

Several moments later, Jareth found himself appearing in the slums of some city, he cared not where. He grimaced at the dilapidated housing units and cracked, crumbling paths that surrounded him, standing in front of one that was particularly derelict. The door opened with a twitch of his fingers and he wrinkled his nose. The inside of the place was nearly as decrepit as the outside. A woman with stringy-looking dark red hair sat with her back to him, crying quietly. An infant wailed beside her.

"I know, baby. I know. I'm sorry. I-I can't…"

Jareth cleared his throat, startling the woman. She whipped around, her brown eyes red-rimmed and wide with shock.

"Y-you came…" she whispered brokenly. "My mom…she was right…you-you're th-the Gob-lin King."

"Indeed. How do you know of me?"

"My mom…sh-she used to tell me the story of th-the king of the goblins who took kids to his kingdom and turn them into goblins if they'd been bad. Th-that all she had to-to do was call on him."

Jareth crossed his arms. This was more in line with what he was accustomed to hearing from those who wished their children or siblings away. Ordinarily, he wouldn't bother questioning these pathetic wishers, but this one seemed…different somehow. "And you called me here because…?"

"I-I didn't have a choice."

"Meaning?" He was beginning to lose his patience.

"Mean- look around you! Does this look like a place a kid can live in? I was abandoned by his father and I'm about to be kicked out of here! I can't even afford food for him. I've tried all the programs but they don't want to be helpful. They just want to make themselves feel good. I…I can't take care of him!" She finished her rant and sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "I…I…I j-just want my s-son ta-ken care of. Even…even if he is a goblin, at least it's better than this." She stared up at him, tears streaming down her sunken cheeks. "P-please. Take him."

"You understand what this means, do you not?"

She nodded, crying harder.

To say Jareth was surprised would be an understatement. In his long years as the King of the Labyrinth Realm, he had never encountered a wisher who called to him unselfishly. He was used to spite and malice, but this woman loved her son. Enough to give him up rather than attempt to raise him in penniless squalor, knowing full well he would be transformed into something unrecognizable. Knowing full well she would never see him, never have any contact with him again. It was admirable and he could respect this wisher for her decision.

"As you wish. Will you attempt my Labyrinth to win your son back?" The woman shook her head, blubbering her thanks. Jareth held up his hand. "In that case," he continued, conjuring a crystal, "here. This crystal is just that. A crystal. But if it is turned a certain way, it will show you how you may accomplish that which you desire."

"N-no thank you. Knowing m-my s-son is taken care of is all I care about," she sniveled.

"Think carefully on this. It is not a gift I bestow often." He'd only done so on one other occasion.

After a moment or two where he could see she was seriously considering his proposition, she reached out trembling hands and clasped the cold crystal and carefully set it down on the couch. "Th-thank you, s-sir."

She turned and picked up the babe, cradling him in her arms. "Shh, shh, it's okay," she murmured to him in a soothing, wavering voice, a smile on her face. "It's okay now, Matthew. You're going to be fed soon, I promise. And you'll-you'll be warm…and happy…" She kissed his forehead tenderly. "I love you, Matthew. Never forget that." She crooned and soothed the babe to sleep before handing him over to Jareth with all the care and love of a mother.

"Please take care of him," she whispered.

"I will," he vowed. "If you'd like, I can make it so that you don't remember any of this."

She shook her head. "I…I don't want to forget him."

"Very well. Then I shall-"

The woman gasped. "Wait! J-just a second. Wait right there. Please!"

She seemed so desperate, Jareth agreed. She ran off to another room. Jareth took the opportunity to conjure some soft, clean blanket and proceeded to re-wrap the child in the new linens. She returned about a minute later holding a small, rubber duck.

"It-it's his favorite," she whispered, tucking it into the bundle in the King's arms. Tiny fingers curled around the toy and the woman nearly broke again. "B-bye, M-mat-thew."

Jareth laid a comforting hand on the poor mother giving up her son out of love.

"I-I don't w-w-want your p-pity," she sobbed, attempting to shrug his hand off. Jareth ignored her shrug.

"I do not pity you," he assured.

Whether it was because, thanks to the girls, he was now accustomed to comforting others or because she reminded him somewhat of the sacrifices that 'Big Sister' made for the girls in her care, he wasn't sure, but he found himself speaking more plainly with her than he had ever spoken with any wisher.

"I could never pity one of such strength as you have. He will be well looked after before and after his transformation. I will see to it personally. You have my word as King of the Goblins."

"Th-thank you." She gave her son one last kiss and stepped back. "Please go," she said, not taking her eyes off him. "The longer he's here, the more I want to take it back and I c-can't."

Jareth nodded and transported himself and the babe back to his Realm, directly into the throne room where he took to his throne carefully, propping the sleeping bundle in his arm. He breathed deeply, thinking hard about all that had just transpired. He looked at the tiny face, smiling in his sleep, little fingers grabbing and releasing his duck. Much like his girls, he was another innocent born into unfortunate circumstances. Unlike them, however, his relation, his mother did want him. She wanted him so much and cared for him deeply. She just wanted to give him the best chance at life more. He would ensure her sacrifice was not in vain.

"Rigteerd," he called softy.

The guard immediately stood before him and kneeled.

"Yes, your Kingyness," he grunted.

"Have someone in the kitchens prepare something palatable for an infant. And make it fast."

The guard saluted him and scampered off, leaving Jareth to his thoughts once again.

He'd vowed that he would honor the mother's request but, looking at the babe now, perhaps he'd been a little hasty in offering such. None of the wished-aways had ever been quite this young. Usually, they were older, between Toby's age and Terra's. How was he to take care of this child for the next thirteen hours? He'd asked for something palatable for an infant but if he was being honest with himself, it was because he had no idea what an infant would eat. Toby had been his youngest wished-away before this one…before Matthew, but Toby hadn't seemed nearly so fragile and was at least three times larger than Matthew.

"My, what's this?" Miren muttered, leaning over the top of his throne to get a closer look. "The wished-away? It's awfully small, isn't it?"

Jareth, who had felt him appear the instant he did, was unphased. "Yes, this is Matthew. Where are the girls?"

"I told them where you had gone. Currently, they are reading in the library. I did not expect you to be gone for so long. What kept you, my King?"

"I have my reasons. How long was I away?"

"An hour at least."

"I have been away from the castle longer than that before."

"True, but never when you travel to the Aboveground. You are usually back in less than half that time."

"Calm your worries, Miren, all is well. There were…developments…that captured my attention."

"Understood, Sire. Shall I send for the girls now that you've returned?"

"By all means if they wish to come. They may also choose to entertain themselves as they have been."

"We both know that will not be case," Miren replied with a snicker that Jareth mirrored.

"You're right about that. Just ask them to keep their voices low. I would not want to wake Matthew before he was ready."

Miren bowed deeply and departed.

"What am I to do with you, hm?" He asked, softly rocking the tiny babe. "Where I put you all depends on what kind of goblin you turn into. I can't really plan for that. And what to do in the meantime? The others I could play with. How do I go about playing with you? How does one entertain a babe of your size, little one?" The sleeping child only grabbed at his duck again and turned his head towards Jareth's voice. "Thirteen hours and you won't remember anything from before. That should provide you with some comfort at least. Until then, you and I shall simply have to work it out as we go. Agreed?"

Again, the fingers just reached and grabbed. Only this time, the toy fell before the babe could grab it. In his precarious position, Jareth couldn't move fast enough to catch it either. The duck bounced off his knee and skittered down the steps of the raised platform. Jareth cursed under his breath as Matthew's face scrunched and he began squirming in his bundle, whimpering.

"Now, now, no need to fuss," Jareth grunted, trying to gesture to one of the remaining guards to pick it up.

Vren scurried forward but managed to accidentally kick the toy into the unlit fire pit. When she picked it up, it was covered in soot and ash. Jareth nearly growled in frustration with the imbecile as Matthew started howling his discontent.

"Have that washed off immediately," he commanded. The guard saluted and ran off as fast as her legs could go. "Where is Rigteerd? He should have been back by now."

The babe squirmed and wailed louder. Jareth was beginning to feel slightly panicked, trying desperately to calm the infant. Bouncing, shushing, humming, cooing, none of it worked. The little thing was hungry and would only settle when he was fed, and Jareth knew that. Still he tried, cursing Rigteerd all the while. In some small way, he supposed this was akin to how Matthew's mother had felt. Knowing what he needed, yet helpless to provide it. However, he could provide it if his guard would ever return!

"Clunonk," he growled low, glaring towards one of the remaining guards. He was kneeling before the King instantly. "Go find him and show him how to do the task he was assigned! And pray to the Stars you're faster."

"Jareth? What's going on?" Marie's soft voice called over the squalling babe. She led the girls while Miren kept watch over them from the back. "Why do you have a baby?" Her face lit up in realization as Clunonk darted past the group. "Is that the one who was wished away?! Who would wish away a baby?!"

"Why is it crying so much?" Jessie asked, just barely loud enough to be heard.

"It's hungry," Terra answered before Jareth had a chance to. "And it probably needs to be changed too."

"He," Jareth corrected. "And how did you know this?"

"I used to take care of my cousin, remember? Didymus, can you get me over to my cushion so I can take him? King Jareth sounds stressed."

"But of course, Miss Terra."

As soon as she was comfortable, she reached her out for the screaming infant and Jareth, confused, but slightly relieved, handed the boy over. She immediately laid him in front of her and unwrapped him from his linens, feeling him with her hands. "He's so skinny," she lamented quietly before patting his bottom. "Yeah, he's very wet. I guess you guys wouldn't have any diapers around here, but we need to get this one off before it starts causing a rash. I'm guessing there's no such thing as formula here either. Can someone get me a bottle of warm milk? It's not usually good for babies this little but he needs something."

"Sliat, see to it at once," Jareth demanded. A fourth goblin saluted him and ran off. The King took a close look at the device Terra had removed, and tried to replicate it by conjuring a linen in its general shape along with a couple of fasteners. "Will this suffice?"

"It'll have to," she muttered, feeling its shape. "He can't stay like this for the next thirteen hours. Marie, can you help me here?"

"Oh, sure."

Marie crouched next to the older girl and held Matthew's squirming legs up high, lifting his bottom off the floor completely. She then slid the clean linen underneath and laid him back down before securing it on both sides.

"Done."

"Thanks"

"No problem!"

Terra picked the babe up and held him close. "There. That's a little better, isn't it?" she cooed softly. "And you'll be fed soon too. Won't that be good?" She began patting his back gently as he calmed, hiccupping.

"Wow, Terra, you're amazing with babies," Jessie gushed in an awed tone.

"I must say, I agree wholeheartedly. Your skills are impressive," Miren concurred.

Terra's face fell into an expression that looked as though she didn't quite agree with their sentiments but was spared the trouble of answering by the arrival of Vren, Rigteerd, Silat, and Clunonk. Vren held a now-clean duck and Silat carried a cup.

"I guess you don't have bottles either?" Marie questioned.

"Why? What'd they bring?" Terra replied, turning her head toward the approaching footsteps.

"A cup," Jessie answered, taking it and handing it down to Terra who then dipped her finger into it.

"I…I'll see what I can do but he might end up wearing most of it. At least the temperature's alright. I'm definitely going to need some help here though. I can hold him but someone has to pour the cup into his mouth a little at a time and pull it away before he can drink too much at once."

"I can help with that if you will allow me to sit close to you so that I can control how much the babe receives," Jareth offered. Terra froze.

"I can try but I won't be very good at it," Marie admitted. "He might end up choking if I do it."

"Me too," Jessie agreed.

"It is Miren or I, I'm afraid," Jareth said regretful that he would have to break her carefully constructed boundaries in order to see that Matthew was cared for. He could almost see the resignation settling on her shoulders.

"If it means he can get fed, then fine." She sighed heavily, resituating herself on the little cushion.

"I will not linger once Matthew is sated," Jareth promised her, hoping to provide some comfort. She nodded, adjusting the blanketed bundle into a more upright position. Jareth sat next to her, using Marie's offered cushion and took the cup of lukewarm milk.

"Remember. Not too fast and not too much all at once. He's going to need time to adjust and we don't want him choking."

It was adorable the way she patiently instructed him on how to feed the babe and he made a show of listening with utmost seriousness to the rest of the spectators. After all, Marie had been able to teach him much without trying. He'd be a fool indeed to think the others who followed would not have their own things to teach. Carefully, very slowly, the two were able to get Matthew to drink about a third of the cup, only spilling drops here and there when he made to grab at it. Then, Terra proceeded to teach him how to burp him. The loud belch he managed to encourage from the boy had the girls giggling and the goblins chuckling.

"If we don't help them get those air bubbles out, they'll end up throwing up and we have to bathe them and start all over again," she explained.

The rest of the babe's time passed quietly enough. The girls gently played with him, enticing more than a few squeals and smiles out of him. His linens needed changing twice more during that time, which Terra had informed Jareth was unusual for such a small infant. When he eventually grew tired, Jareth sat with him on the throne and rocked him to sleep.

Just before the babe's thirteen hours were over, Jareth told the girls he would meet them in the Great Hall for dinner and to go on ahead of him with Miren. He then took the slumbering Matthew out to the northern courtyard, believing the babe's turning was not something they should witness. He laid the bundle on the cobblestone and waited.

It was a rather gruesome thing to see the limbs at such odd angles, hearing the bones crack and pop into new places, watching the skin transform from that soft color to whatever shade of green their goblin selves would be. He knew they felt no pain from it, having asked the Labyrinth multiple times in his early days as King, but he always found it disturbing, nonetheless. And this one was the smallest wished-away he'd had yet.

'What kind of goblin will you produce?'

The process of turning lasted neigh on two minutes at most before a knee-high goblin with overlarge, bulbous, yellow eyes and skin that resembled the kelp of the Deep Realm's wild vegetation finished untangling himself from the linens. He mindlessly attempted to dart off, however, Jareth was faster and quickly recovered his face with the linen, stepping in front of him before he could remove it.

"State your name," Jareth commanded. It was the only thing a goblin really knew upon the end of its turning, though neither he nor the Labyrinth really knew why.

"Ukt," the new goblin replied, his voice rather high-pitched for a male of his species.

"Ukt. I am your King. You are in my Realm and my word is your Law. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Misser Kingy," Ukt said.

It was then that the goblin spotted the yellow duck and tilted his head, his long, pointed ears twitching slightly. He picked it up, staring at it with more than the usual amount of intensity a new goblin should have been capable of. Jareth grew a mite concerned. Surely the goblin did not remember the toy as being his. Such a thing should be impossible. Perhaps there was some fleeting attachment to the thing, though even that thought was a stretch. Still…

"You may keep it," Jareth offered, softening his tone. The goblin's ears wriggled in his excitement as he started hopping foot to foot. "Vazerd." His attendant was at his side in an instant. "Take Ukt under your care and instruction. He is to assist you in your tasks." 'It would be best to keep an eye on him. At least for now.'

Vazerd bowed deeply and guided the new goblin away without so much as a word. Jareth was always grateful toward the intuition Vazerd regularly displayed. Had it been any other goblin, they would have questioned and pestered him until he threatened to toss them headlong into the Bog of Eternal Stench. The King, satisfied that all had turned out well for the time being, nodded to himself and transported himself to the Great Hall to enjoy the meal with his girls.