Rolling in the Deep

by NikkiKelly

NEWLY UPDATED! PLEASE REREAD CHAPTER 1! Sequel to Hurts Like Hell and A Brief Progesssion of Fate. Jaron sets off in search of Alyx while Sarah and Jareth attempt to find a way to cure the darkness festering inside the Goblin Prince. Little do they know that Mab has called upon the Swamp Hag, Zefiryn to extract her revenge.

2. Chapter 2: Blackout's Hearts

Rolling in the Deep

By: Nikki Kelly

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Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth. I am however building a shrine in my office.

Author's Note: Warning to all, the end of this chapter gets a bit smutty.

~Nin

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Chapter 2: Blackout's Hearts

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~Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell. ~Edna St. Vincent Millay~

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At that moment, Jaron stood before a wall of mirrors as the Fae tailor put a few finishing touches on his newest suit. It was a simple white and cream number that he had absolutely hated the moment he put it on, so he knew it would be perfect for the new 'him'. It was definitely something that his family would approve of. It even boasted an embroidery, sewn with the finest golden thread, of his family crest upon the lapels. The coat also had tails… He hated coats with tails. He felt like a bauble that was to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This must be what Fae women felt like when they came of marrying age.

"This suit was embroidered by the finest seamstresses in Fin Bheara. It is one of my greatest achievements." The tailor boasted as he set the last cuff-link and stepped back to admire his work through tiny round glasses. "A suit fit for a king."

"Trog, tell me the truth… Do the pants make my arse look big?" He grimaced as he studied his pasty reflection in the mirrors. Next time he cast his glamour, he really needed to make sure he had at least a bit of tanned skin. "I feel like the pants make my arse look big."

The tailor blanched as Trog gave the prince a once over and replied rather drolly. "No, the pants are fine. It's your arse that makes your arse look big, banshee-breath."

With that insult the tiny fairy nearly fell from her perch atop the mirrors in a fit of giggles and Jaron was a little bit ashamed to feel a small flare of rage at her simple remark. He pushed the feeling away and put a fake smile on his face for her benefit. It would do his healing no good to push away his closest friends, no matter how the lingering magic made him feel. At least hanging out with Trog made him feel a little like his former self.

"I believe the suit is quite flattering, Your Grace, but all the men of the Sindhe family wear pale colors very well." The tailor interjected, tossing a stern look at Trog and she responded by sticking out her tongue when he returned to fussing with Jaron's suit.

"Well, at least the blonde ones do…" Jaron replied, squaring his shoulders and studying how the short jacket lay. "I've always preferred a splash of bold color myself."

"Perhaps a crimson cravat? Or one of royal blue?"

"No, this one is fine." Jaron gave the cream necktie a slight adjustment. "It will be perfect to hang myself with before the end of the evening."

"I doubt it will support your fat arse." Trog snorted.

Sparing Trog another stern look, the tailor continued his spiel. "This cravat is made of the finest silk to come from Xanthe Fai in the last quarter of a century. The stitching is-"

Jaron waved one hand to dismiss him. "Save your breath, sir, I'll take it. It is impeccable handiwork. Finish the last of the alterations before Yule and you'll be paid double."

"Thank you, Your Grace! I shall return for the suit after I make note of the alterations." The old man gave a sweeping bow and disappeared from the fitting room.

Trog gave Jaron a look of frank disbelief. "You are actually going to wear that? Outside? Where people can see you?"

Jaron moved to untie the cravat and shrugged as he began to disrobe. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?"

"Because it's hideous! You look like Jareth if he stuck his head in a mud pit!" Trog replied. "I've never seen you wear something so ugly."

"Well, times are a changing, my friend. It's something that mother and grandmother would approve of and it will make me at least look respectable enough for the rest of the Seelie nobles. After all, I must look my best when I accept that Barony in the Highlands that grandfather has been on me about."

Trog's mouth hung open in pure shock. "You're actually going to take that?! But then you won't have any time to come to the Enchanted Wood!"

"Of course I will. I'll just not make as many visits as before. My time away has made me realize what a child I was before. It's time for me to grow up and take on a few of my own responsibilities." Jaron carefully folded the new suit before returning to his own simple outfit of dark furs and wools. "I'll be marrying after I take the Barony as well."

"You've got completely off your rocker, haven't you? Totally batty and absolutely wonkers?!" Trog yelped, barely believing her tiny ears.

"Oy now! That's not very supportive! Especially since I was going to make you my best man when I get hitched." Jaron admonished her. "Well, that is, if you could lift the ring, of course…"

"Well, un-invite me and use Roland for your stupid ring, because I ain't going!"

"Not going? Why not?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Because if you've really gone that stupid to get hitched and it ain't with Alyx, then I don't want to be anywhere near that mess! In fact, if you do that, then you can consider us unfriended! Forever!"

Jaron set his jaw at the mere mention of Alyx's name, and black licked at his heart. He stifled his anger and crossed his arms over his chest while giving the fairy a stern glare. "She doesn't want me, Trog. She's made that perfectly clear. You know damned well that I tried to profess my love to her and she denied me outright."

"Well, she musta' lied."

"Lied?" Jaron snorted and threw his hands up in exasperation. It was not the first time that someone had used this line of thought about Alyx's actions when arguing with him. Though he tried to ignore it, the darkness began to swirl in his heart and choke his soul. He barked out a laugh. "Oh, yes, everyone's favorite defense for poor, poor Alyx's response to my love… And, pray tell, why do you think that she would lie about such feelings to me?"

"I don't know! All you Halflings are weird with all them weird human emotions!" Trog snapped, angry with how mean he was getting towards her. "All I know is that she went through hell and back to save you and that means that she's gotta love you!"

"Trog, please see reason." Jaron could feel the beginnings of a very nasty headache and he fought the urge to further snap at his fairy friend. "Alyx felt as if she owed me some great debt after my banishment. Saving me merely repaid that debt and made her a king's ransom to boot. If it was love that she saved me for, then it was the love of gold."

Trog stared hard at him as he spoke as if engrossed in his every word. When he finished, she rolled her eyes. "That is the stupidest thing that I've ever heard. I was there after she rescued me in Bergtroll! I saw how hard she worked to get close to you and-"

"Enough!" Jaron shouted and wrapped one hand around the tiny fairy's waist. He brought her very close to her face and hissed. "She doesn't want me! Understand?!"

Struggling against his grip with wide eyes, Trog did the only thing that she could think of. She leaned down and bit his finger as hard as she could, drawing blood. Jaron cursed and dropped her onto the floor. In an instant, she was flying towards the ceiling, far from his reach. She spat his blood from her mouth and nearly gagged at the taste. She could tasted the residual traces of the geis and how the dark magic was sickening him. The Goblin Prince stared up at her with sad eyes, the dark rage broken the moment her teeth had pierced his skin. His shoulders hung, in shame and there were tears in his once bright and mismatched eyes.

"Trog… I'm so sorry." He whispered and held out one hand for her. She didn't mean to, but she shied from his attempt to touch her and her heart nearly broke when his face fell. "I'm sorry…"

"I've known you since the day we was born, Jaron… Your mother and mine shared the same midwife on that rainy spring day in Goodfellow Glen. We've been thicker than thieves since we was born and never once have you held me in anger…" Trog brushed away at the hot tears forming in her eyes. "Until today…"

"Please, Trog… I-"

She shook her head, sadly, hugging her own arms. "I'm going back to Goodfellow Glen… If our old Jaron ever decides to show up, maybe you can find me there…"

Without sparing him another glance, she flitted from the room and was gone. Jaron cursed again and rubbed at his own tearful eyes, angrily. So far this holiday was beginning as a living hell. If he kept this up, perhaps he would alienate himself from his entire circle of family and friends before the New Year. He stormed from the dressing room, pulling on his fingerless gloves as he stepped. He left a small pouch of gold on the counter and the nervous tailor stammered his goodbyes as he strode for the door. Jaron pulled up his fur-lined hood before stepping out into the flurrying snow. The minute he hit the cold, he was tempted to use his magic and transport directly to his warm quarters in the castle, but ultimately decided that a long and walk to the castle would serve him good. It would give him plenty of time to calm the dark rage inside and also prepare his sorrow filled excuses and apologies to the others for running Trog off so close to the Yuletide.

He breathed a warming spell onto his already chilled fingers and moved to join the hustle and bustle of Honah Lee. Dodging a small sleigh full of wassailing brownies that was being pulled by a pair of miniature reindeer, he let an almost real smile cross his face. He sighed and began to take in the bright lights and wonderful sights of Honah Lee. It was true that something about the magical town that made even the stingiest of scrooges and grumpiest of Grinch into the merriest of revelers the Yuletide season had ever seen. Groups of carolers clustered along the busy marketplace, their many voices singing in perfect harmony, despite the fact that every group sang a different seasonal favorite. Children of every race, sprinted through the drifts as if they were clouds and often began snowball fights with complete strangers. The scents of gingerbread, peppermints, and the sweetest hot cocoa filled the air, only adding to the holiday cheer. It was nearly impossible to be in a sour mood here.

Well, nearly.

The Goblin Prince sighed, dejectedly, and trudged on through the snow. At least the cold walk would do to settle his temperament, even if he couldn't manage a good mood for the holidays. After walking a few blocks, Jaron had begun to focus much of his attention to his own feet, so that he wouldn't slip on the random patches of ice dotting the cobblestone roads. So absorbed in maintaining his equilibrium, he did not bother to look ahead as he turned one particularly sharp and icy corner and he collided with another small, fur-covered body. The combination of the ice and their collision, caused both to fall, hard on their backs, their hoods momentarily blinding them. Groaning in pain, Jaron sat up, gingerly, if not a bit winded by the collision. The small pile of furs across from him struggled with their hooded cloak and was huffing in anger.

"Hey! Why doncha' watch where you're going?!" A small voice rang out from the fur. "You're gonna get someone killed running around like that!"

"My deepest apologies!" Jaron got to his feet carefully and took the other's hand, helping the still hood-blinded person to their feet. "I was watching the ice and-"

The figure ripped back their hood and revealed an angry elfish girl. Her big brown eyes widened and her pretty face paled as she recognized him. She gasped in surprise and in her hurry to curtsy to him, she nearly slipped upon the ice again. Luckily, Jaron still had a good grip on her arm, so he held the now embarrassed girl on her feet.

"Oh, I'm so terribly sorry, Your Grace! It 'twas my fault for, uh, r-running and, uh, not… Uh-"

"No, it was entirely my fault, my lady. Please accept my deepest apologies." Jaron helped her regain her balanced and moved them both to snowier ground. "There we are… Solid ground."

The pretty little elf gave him a bright smile and a proper curtsy. He could tell by her dress and her manners that she must be of some sort of nobility. Or at least the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Her fur cloak was luxurious, thick, and the clasp bore the seal of a prestigious finishing school in Bethmoora and the dress she wore under that was finely made and tailored perfectly.

"Wow! I mean, holy cow!" Her grin widened. "They aren't gonna believe that I, literally, ran into you!"

"They?" Jaron asked, adjusting his hood again against the cold.

She nodded, enthusiastically, and held out her hand to shake his. "I'm Telyn Squall, Your Grace."

Jaron cocked one eyebrow as he shook her outstretched hand. "Squall? Are you-"

"Yes. I'm Morven Squall's daughter… Well, kinda. He adopted me!" Telyn looked about, nervously, and lowered her voice considerably. "Well, him and Alyx adopted me."

"You don't say…" Jaron replied, dryly. He was getting rather tired of hearing that particular name today. "And are you not also the estranged daughter of the former mayor of Trader's Post, Tybolt Brownleaf?"

Telyn's eyes widened. "How did y-"

"I'm the Friend of Fairies, remember? Woodland Fairies like their gossip. Especially if it concerns our mutual 'friend', Alyx." Jaron gave her a small smile to ease her worries when she seemed nervous of his knowledge of her past. "Don't worry. I'd wager that no one in your family will wish to tangle with your adoptive mother over you again. In fact, your father is currently serving time in Jareth's oubliettes for multiple offenses, one being his mistreatment of his missing daughter. He claimed that you 'ran away to join a gang of pirates'."

She blushed. "I did run away, but Alyx wouldn't let me join the pirate ship. Instead they adopted me and sent me to school."

"How very wise of her. Rest easy, Telyn Squall. For you are quite safe in your new life."

Her brow furrowed in thought. "But, how did you know-"

"In the many weeks since my return, I have made it my personal mission to learn as much as I could about her many travels these last seven years, Miss Squall." Jaron's eyes grew distant as he thought of Alyx and the stories that he had heard of her many adventures. "Fortunately, I am blessed with many ears that I call friends, and there is little about her adventures that I have not heard."

"Yeah, Quigli said you came around at Pallas's island and asked a bunch of questions about what she had been up to and where she was."

"Yes, I did… And you need not worry about whispering her name anymore. It is well known that she is alive and well. She is no longer a wanted woman, but in fact known affectionately as the Girl Who Saved the Goblin Prince."

"Oh, thank the Gods!" Telyn replied, breathing a sigh of relief. "I told her that all this hiding out wasn't worth her effort, but she's awful stubborn."

"Yes, she is." Jaron replied, a wry smile on his face. "She always has been."

"You sure do know a lot about her, huh?"

"Indeed…" He paused for a moment and continued, a bit somberly. "There was once a time that I believed that I knew everything about her…"

"That's perfect!" Telyn clapped, gleefully. "Then you can help me find her a Yuletide present!"

That was not the response that he had expected and he was a bit taken aback by the reply. "I-I… W-wait-… What did you-… I beg your pardon?"

Telyn huffed and blew a stray strand of hair from her face. "Well, see I just got here and I've been to six stores already! I can't find a single thing that she would like or that she doesn't already have! I mean what the heck do you buy The Girl Who Saved the Goblin Prince?"

"Miss Squall, I-"

"Call me Telyn."

"Okay, Telyn… I do not wish to seem rude, but… Oh, dear gods, how do I phrase this?" Jaron paused and tried to pick out his good words, but failed miserably. "The entirety of Hell will freeze over before I would want to help pick out a present for that woman."

The tiny elfish girl frowned at his words and put her hands on her hips in a disapproving stance that reminded him much of his mother. "Now, that's no way to act at Yuletide! Stop your pouting and come on!"

Jaron was taken aback again by the young woman's bold attitude. He could see why Alyx had taken such a shine to the young elfish girl. He felt the rage begin to flicker at his heart and he struggled to push it away. Telyn must have realized how bossy she was being, because she reached out to him with a worried look on her face. "I'm sorry, Prince Jaron. I didn't mean-"

"Please, just call me Jaron. It is I who must apologize…" Jaron replied, surprising them both. Suddenly, his words just came falling from his lips, and he found himself sharing his dark secret with the girl. "The geis has been some of the hardest dark magic to remove from my body and it has left a… stain upon me… A stain that often causes me to behave in a manner unbecoming of Seelie royalty and myself. It has changed me and not for the better."

Her eyes widened and she looked him up and down. "The geis makes you mean then?

"Something like that. I am recovering, but not as swiftly as one could hope. Hence, why I feel as though I am not the person you want helping pick out a present for her."

"Oh, no! You're perfect for it! Besides, maybe doing a few good deeds will help get rid of your 'stain'?" Telyn retorted, earnestly. "A good deed always lifts gloomy spirits at Yuletide!"

"Perhaps…"

"Please! Just give me fifteen minutes!" Telyn pleaded. "If you still don't want to help me then you can just leave!"

Jaron sighed, staring hard at the begging girl before him. Perhaps she was right. There was nothing better to battle dark magic than the simple good in life. He gave her a smile of surrender and replied. "She used to play the guitar… I believe that it was once her passion."

Telyn's bright smile returned and she squealed with glee. Taking him by the arm, she began to drag him down the snow covered streets, nearly taking them both down onto the ice again in her urgency. "See, I knew you could help me! I think there's a music shop just up the street!"

As the young elf dragged him along, Jaron felt his dark mood lighten, if even only in the slightest. Perhaps it was only this town at Yuletide and this lovely girl's spirit, but something was certainly lifting his spirits. The dark cloud over him dissipated for the moment and he actually felt almost alive again. Doing this good deed was certainly not doing any harm and it somehow felt good to be this close to Alyx again. The thought of her was not even tempting his rage in the slightest, but instead was filling some great void in him.

They entered the nearest music store in a flurry of snow and wind, causing the satyr behind the counter to gasp at the chill. It wasn't until after Jaron had closed the doors and turned back his hood before the creature bleated in disbelief, stumbling over his cloven hooves to their aid.

"Prince Jaron! It is a pleasure to see that Your Grace is safe again within the arms of the Seelie Court! Welcome to the Melodies of Opus: Musical Shoppe!" The satyr bowed, deeply. "I am Opus the Harmonious. What do I have the honor of doing for you and this lovely lady today?"

Telyn gave the satyr one of her bright smiles. "We need a guitar and it must play beautifully! It must be a special guitar!"

Watched the pair with a slight smile, Opus nodded, slowly. "Ah, I see… A special gift for a special lover, Your Grace? Say no more!"

"No-" Jaron started, but the satyr was already trotting away.

Opus jumped atop a small crate behind the counter, so that he could reach the lock on the cabinet. Producing a ring of keys from his coat pocket, he began to make short work of the lock. "I have just the instrument, Sire! It was made in my cousin's shop in Allerleirauh many years ago. His work was done under the guidance of Pan himself!"

Removing a battered guitar case from the cabinet, Opus sat it down upon the counter. Snapping it open with flourish, he beamed with pride at the instrument within and spun the case to show them. Telyn gasped in awe and even Jaron was quite impressed with the craftsmanship of the beautiful guitar nestled in crushed red velvet. The instrument was painted black with an intricate gold leaf work design upon the body that Telyn ran one finger along, gently. Each inlay was a tiny golden jasmine and the machine heads on the headstock were fashioned like tiny golden leaves.

"It is enchanted to always maintain proper tune and exquisite sound. The body and neck are carved from of willow to give it a certain flair when played by skilled hands. The strings are pure silk from the Royal Silkworms in Xanthe Fai and nigh unbreakable. Would it suit her tastes, Sire?"

Jaron did not speak, but merely reached out to strum his fingers across the nearly translucent strings. He closed his eyes as the sweet notes drifted about him and his thoughts drifted to sweet jasmine on a summer wind.

"Oh, Opus, it's marvelous!" Telyn clasped her hands together, merrily, and gave Jaron a wide smile. "She'll love it!"

Jaron nodded, a bit in awe at the gift and how perfectly perfect it was for Alyx. "Yes… We'll take it."

"Excellent choice, Sire!" Opus moved the guitar into a sturdier case and began to wrap it in festive tissue paper.

Telyn wrapped her arms around Jaron and hugged him, tightly. "She's going to have a kitten when she see this! Thank you!"

"No, thank you, Telyn." Jaron replied, earnestly. "You have certainly managed to brighten my spirits today."

"See what I've been tellin' ya, Annibal? The man's insatiable." Roland thick brogue drawled out over them and the pair turned to see him at the door of the shop with a grinning Annibal beside him. Roland shook his head and clicked his tongue, disapprovingly. "Leave 'im alone fer ten seconds an' he's ass over tea kettle fer the prettiest lass in Honah Lee!"

Telyn cheeks flushed and she ducked her head, giggling nervously, dropping into a curtsy. Jaron merely gave his cousin a smirk and crossed his hands over his chest. "It's not my fault that you're always last to the race, cousin. What are the pair of you doing here? Nosing about after me?"

Annibal gestured to the violin cradled under his arm. "Broke a string today after tea."

"An' I'm thinkin' of buyin' me-self a tambourine or a cowbell…" Roland beamed and gave the still blushing Telyn a wink. "I 'eard gals liked men who play a bit o' music for 'em now an' again."

Jaron rolled his eyes and made the introductions. "Boys, meet the Lady Telyn Squall… Telyn, that shameless loudmouth is Roland Amarantha and the musical lout with him is Annibal Caradoc."

"Oy, shows what you know! Me an' the lass met yesterday." Roland shoved his cousin to one side so that he could press a kiss to Telyn's knuckles. "Annibal an' me escorted her carriage from Bethmoora."

"Miss Squall is a dear friend of my sister, Mina." Annibal explained and gave the girl a reassuring smile. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Telyn."

It was almost as if Telyn did not hear him, for she was far too focused on the fact that Roland was kissing her knuckles. She had developed a mild and possibly stupid crush on the Highland Prince since meeting him at Mina's home.

"Roland, stop befuddling the poor girl." Annibal chuckled and gave him a nudge.

"My sincerest apologies." Roland released the crimson girl and gave Jaron a broad grin. "Whatcha' up to, cousin? Funsies without us?"

"No… I've been helping Telyn find a gift for her… Friend."

"Oh?" Roland's eyes widened in interest and he gave the pair a knowing smile. "What friend?"

"Isn't that being a bit nosy, Prince Roland?" Telyn responded, having gained back some of her bravado. She gave him a sweet smile as she gave Opus a small bag of coins. "The way your tongue wags, she'd know before I got home if I told you."

"Me dearest apologies, my lady, but I'm an inquisitive creature…" He gave her his best smile and then looked back to Jaron. "Spill it, cousin… Who's the guitar for?"

"You, sir, are relentless!" Telyn replied with a chuckle as she took the wrapped gift from Opus. She leaned over to give Jaron a kiss on his cheek and gave him endearing smile. "Thank you again. I just know she'll love it."

"Thank you for making me smile today, Telyn." Jaron inclined his head and squeezed her free hand. "Happy Yuletide."

She wrinkled her nose and smiled, happily. With that, the elfish girl rushed from the shop, tossing a quick goodbye over one shoulder.

Roland watched her leave and looked back to Jaron. "An' why do I get the feelin' yer hidin' somethin' from us?"

"Aren't there better places to discuss my private life than in the middle of town?" Jaron retorted with a frown.

"No. Now fess up." Annibal replied. "We know that girl is Morven Squall's ward and we know who works for Morven Squall."

"Telyn needed a gift for Alyx." Jaron explained, softly. "I helped her and it brightened me a little to do so."

Annibal slapped one hand against Jaron's back in comfort. "Then you are truly on the mend, my friend."

"That's good news, indeed! Now wipe that long look from yer face, cousin." Roland wrapped one arm around Jaron's shoulders to lead him from the shop. "We've some celebratin' ahead of us!"

"Celebrating?" Jaron raised one eyebrow at his friends. "What for?"

"Our nearest an' dearest friend Annibal has done gone an' decided to be takin' that fateful plunge in joinin' the ranks of the desolate by proposin' marriage to yer lovely sister. 'Course, I warned 'im that Sindhe women be descended from harpies, but the man donna 'ave sense left in 'im!"

Jaron gave Annibal a questioning look. "You and Jora? Really? Weren't the pair of you in a tiff only last week that shook the foundations of the palace in Merial?"

"I tried tellin' the lad, but there's no talkin' to 'im." Roland shrugged and sighed.

"Aye, I may have become daft, but I've never been happier." Annibal joined the group on Jaron's free side and wrapped his arm around Jaron's shoulders likewise to Roland. "Come, we're off to get ready to hit the pubs to celebrate what is certain to be my last evening as a free man."

"How are you certain that you are ready to be wed? I mean-" Jaron asked.

"Oh? Do I hear doubts comin' from the very lad who announced to his brother that he intended on wedding very soon himself?!" Annibal shook his head and laughed.

"Ugh… I forgot how terrible of gossips goblins are…" Jaron replied and shrugged. "Apparently marriage is all the rage these days…"

Roland snorted. "Bah! I think you've been struck 'bout the head to often cousin! Come, ya fools an' let's nick a bottle or two o' wine from Puff's cellar."

The trio laughed, merrily, and ascended on Honah Lee to wreak havoc and merriment.

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Steam from the bath fogged the bathroom mirror, as Alyx stood before it wrapped in a thick towel. After splitting from Morven and Telyn, Alyx had decided to go to her room at the nearby inn and wash off a bit of the trail dust before she began her excursion in Honah Lee. She held her index finger one inch from the glass, her mind full of things to write in the fogged mirror. One shaking finger began to write out Jaron's name, but she swiped it away with the heel of her hand, angrily.

Best not to tempt fate and perhaps summon the Goblin Prince into her bathroom.

She bit at her bottom lip as she shuffled into a simple slip. Glancing to her left, she found her glass slippers, sparkling in the lantern light. Tossing her towel away with flourish, she slipped her feet into the slippers and let their magic coursed over her. She looked down and groaned at what the shoes had cast upon her. Boy these shoes could be stubborn.

It was a great, white ball gown that was all frills and layers. It was a much more elaborate and outlandish outfit than what she needed for traipsing about in Honah Lee. She frowned and stamped one heel, impatiently. "Oy, knock it off."

Slowly, the magic melded into a simpler blue dress made of thick and warm wool that hugged her curves. She nodded her satisfaction and raked a comb through her still damp hair. The enchanted comb detangled and dried her long hair with each stroke. Once finished, she crossing to her bed and collapsed with her face in the pillow. She let the pillow swallow her frustrated scream.

Alyx wasn't sure how she felt about spending the holidays in this Seelie infested town since she had ran into Jareth. Since that encounter, it seemed that a similar scenario with any one of the Seelie Royals loomed right around every corner. Since they were spending their holidays here, that meant that there was a higher likelihood that she could happen upon a certain Goblin Prince as well. She groaned at the implications and a knock sounded upon her door.

"Go away." She called out, her voice muffled by the pillow.

"Oy, yer not the boss o' me, bucko." Morven responded, cheerfully, as he helped himself into her room. "Oh, bother… What's wrong with ya now? I dinna bring ya to Honah Lee to see ya cry."

"I'm not crying. I'm just tired." Alyx replied, dryly, her face still buried in the pillows. "It was a long ride today."

"You're the worst sort of liar, lass." Morven sat down on the edge of the bed. "I've seen ya ride triple that with an axe wound to boot…"

"All the season's joy is sapping the strength from me."

"Uh-huh…" Morven didn't sound convinced. "This donna have somethin' to do with a certain Goblin Prince, do it?"

"Of course not."

"I thought ya dinna want 'im?"

"I don't."

"One o' these days, I gotta teach ya how to tell a decent fib. What's the bloody problem?"

"There is no problem!" Alyx sighed in exasperation and rolled over to stare at the ceiling. "You know that I don't like Christmas time!"

"Oh? An' why not?

"Well, let's see…" She began to tick off instances on her fingers. "Our first stint in the Bergtroll dungeons was on Yuletide, I nearly got eaten by a dragon near Christmas. I wrecked my wagon when I was with the gypsies right before the holidays… Shall I go on?"

"Bah! Pure coincidence, lass." Morven scoffed. "The Yule ain't so bad. I donna understand that 'Santa of Secrets' game ya tried to get the crew to play every year, but-"

Alyx was thankful for the interruption when Telyn burst through the door with a brightly wrapped package in her arms. Telyn beamed with unbridled joy. "Oh, I couldn't wait until Yuletide Eve! Here!"

Without ceremony, she dumped the large gift atop Alyx, nearly knocking the wind from her.

"Ooomphh!" Alyx grunted as she tried to keep the large present from tumbled off the bed. She adjusted it and sat up in the bed to study it. "What is it?"
"Oh, just open it, silly!" Telyn giggled, excitedly, and clapped her hands together in glee.

Giving the girl a tender smile, Alyx tore open the bright paper. When she saw the guitar case, her silver eyes widened. She ran one shaking hand over the worn leather of the case. "Oh, Telyn…"

Flicking open the case, Alyx gasped in shock at the beautiful guitar inside. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she ran her hands over the golden flowers and gently took the instrument from the case. Easing it into a comfortable position upon her lap, Alyx strummed her fingers across the strings, producing the loveliest sound she had heard in a long time.

"Do you like it?" Telyn asked.

"Oh, it's beautiful… I haven't played in so long…" Alyx ran her hands over the curved wood, lovingly. "Thank you so much!"

"And you'll never guess who I ran into and got me to help pick it out…" Telyn gave Alyx a teasing grin.

Alyx cocked one eye at the young girl. "Who?"

"Prince Jaron! He helped me pick it out and everything!"

Alyx's head snapped up and her eyes met Telyn's. "He's here? You saw him here? In Honah Lee?"

"Of course he is. All the Seelie royals are here for Yuletide. He was in the market. I left him with Annibal and Roland at the music shop. You know, he's pretty okay for being a prince an' all. Not stuck up like some of them are at school…" Telyn flopped down on the bed next to Alyx and added, teasingly. "Did you know that the Goblin Prince fancies you?"

"Don't remind me." Alyx returned the guitar to its case with trembling fingers.

"Well, don't you love him back?" Telyn propped herself up on one elbow to stare at her friend.
"No."

"Why not?" Telyn frowned. "You should."

Alyx scoffed. "I think I could live out the rest of my immortality without him around to muck it up, thank you very much."

"Yeah, but I doubt he could live without you." Telyn mused.

"Sweet Danu, can we please talk about something other than the Goblin Prince?" Alyx huffed as she moved to set the guitar case against one wall.

"Fine!" Telyn shrugged and replied. "No skin off my nose if you want to be miserable."

"Thank you."

"Are you still going to come out with Morven and me? There's going to be a fairy band at the Broken Bottle tonight."

"Oy, lassie. Even I'm bright enough to know a bit o' proper grammar. It's Morven an' I." Morven gave the girl a playful swat and grinned. "I dinna pay fer all that fancy schoolin' fer ya to talk like a common bilge rat."

Telyn rolled her eyes with a smile. "Yeah, yeah, yeah… So are we going or what? Mina wants to meet me there."

"I think that I'd rather stay in. I-" Alyx started, but Morven threw her a glare.

"Oh, no ya don't. Ya ain't missin' out on this one, bucko. We may be a bit o' an odd family, but by the Gods we are a family, an' we'll be goin' out to celebrate the holidays together." Morven threw her cloak at her and grinned, broadly. "Besides, methinks there might be a card game or two worth playin' while we be celebratin'."

---

Sarah sighed, happily, as she leaned back against Jareth's chest. The pair sat on the bench on her balcony, wrapped in furs, and awaiting the fireworks that were scheduled for that evening. The couple had enjoyed a wonderful evening alone together in their quarters. Even when Ashe had returned, he and the Goblin King managed to get along. Jareth had even surprised the gryphon with a golden ball for Yuletide, making Ashe more inclined to tolerate his presence. At the moment, Ashe was at the foot of the bench, hugging his new toy and snoozing, happily. Jareth pressed a kiss against Sarah's bared shoulder.

"This has been a wonderful evening. I love you, Jareth." Sarah snuggled closer into his embrace.

"From your lips to my heart, precious. I am only glad I could come to some sort of ceasefire with your pet."

Sarah giggled. "You give a gryphon gold and they'll love you forever."

"Such counsel would have been helpful before…" Jareth rested his chin on her shoulder. "Preferably, when he was trying to tear out my throat."

"Jareth, he never-"

A burst of feathers and screeches erupted from the balcony on the floor above them, startling them both. Instantly, a bird was flying towards the city. A single gold feather drifted down to land in Sarah's hair and Jareth frowned. "What in the blazes is he doi-"

"Oy, Jaron! That's bloody not fair!" Roland slurred from below in the courtyard.

"Yeah! It's cheating to take off flying in a footrace!" Annibal's voice drifted up as well.

Sarah peered over the balcony and saw the pair running towards the city, trying to catch up to Jaron. She looked back at Jareth with a laugh. "I think they're hammered."
"So it seems. I believe that the fools are celebrating Annibal's engagement to my sister. Puff found that his wine cellar had been raided this afternoon and someone's sticky fingers managed to pilfer a bottle of my best whiskey from our room. Hopefully, they will manage to stay out of too much trouble tonight."

Sarah giggled as she watched them run. Jaron was making lazy circles and slow dives around them, while the other pair shouted curses up at him. "I think Roland just tripped."

Jareth followed her gaze and winced. "Yes and over that poor gnome it seems."

"Oh, dear, your brother almost flew into a bush." Sarah put one hand over her mouth as she laughed. "Oh, Jareth, I love your family."

Jareth took a deep breath and spoke against the skin of her shoulder, his breath barely above a whisper. "Marry me, Sarah."

Sarah turned in his arms and met his mismatched eyes. "What?"

He cupped her chin in his hand and locked eyes with her. "Marry me, precious. Marry me and join this odd and twisted family with whom, I might add, you fit in with almost too perfectly… Marry me and I'll fulfill your heart's every desire, grant you an unlimited amount of wishes, and I will love you until the world turns to dust around us…" He leaned in to brush his lips across hers. "What do you say love?"

"Okay." A warm smile drifted across her lips and she leaned in to kiss him, deeply. She breathed against his lips. "But only if Ashe gets to be in the wedding."

Jareth chuckled and crushed his lips against hers, happily. "Anything you wish, love."

"Do I get a ring?"

"I am giving you a crown and yet you still desire a silly little ring?" Jareth teased and held out both hands clenched in fists. "Guess and you shall win your silly little bauble."

Sarah cocked one eyebrow and studied his clenched hand. Tapping his right hand, she cried out in outrage when he opened it to reveal an empty palm.

"Such a pity." He murmured with mock sadness and then laughed as she lunged for his other hand, prying it open.

In the cup of his left hand was a delicate gold ring. The settings that made up the ring were fashioned after the royal medallion he wore at his neck. At the center of each sat a diamond. "I had it fashioned in Nidavellir. Do you like it?"

"Oh, Jareth. It's beautiful!" Sarah slipped it onto her finger and gave him another kiss. "I love it."

"I love you." Jareth brushed a lock of hair from her nape and planted a kiss there.

"I love you too."

High above them, the skies of Honah Lee erupted with light as the fireworks began. Sarah pushed his long frame back on the chaise they rested on and he obliged, a sly grin upon his face. She crushed her lips down upon his and tangled her fingers in his silken hair. Straddling him, she gave him a wicked smile.

"Can we get married in the Labyrinth?" She asked, trailing her fingers down his bared chest.

"Well, I suppose if you are that insistent on those little cretins ruining the celebrations…" He cocked one eyebrow at her as his hands settled on her hips. "Surely, you don't wish us to hold our nuptials in the Bog of Eternal Stench?"
"Actually, I was thinking about in the new hedge maze." Sarah teased.

With one swift move, Jareth flipped them over, pinning her beneath his lean body. Leaning down until his lips were against her neck, he muttered. "Witch… It took me six bloody months to get those hedges to grow back properly…"

---

Far north in the forest city of Magesblood, the Unseelie Court was celebrating much more than the holiday season. Dark creatures of the Sluagh crowded the cobbled streets, following a black carriage pulled by four nightmares with a black-clad Dullahan at their reigns. Orcs leaped about in glee, while Trolls pounded out a deep, driving rhythm their elf-skin drums. A trio of Red-Caps followed the carriage, blood dripping down their faces from the caps for which they were named. The excitement grew as the carriage and following throng neared Taveres Castle.

High in her tower, Morgan looked down upon the festivities with a frown. A crow sat at her window and cawed at her. She gave it a loving stroke, its sleek feathers matching her long dark dress. Turning from the window, she returned to the potion bubbling over the roaring fire in the center of her room. She crushed a handful of herbs over said mixture as a knock sounded on her door.

"Enter." She barked, unhappy with the interruption. Vesper came into the room and Morgan smiled, slyly. "How was your trip to see the daughter?"

"Horrible. She loathes me and wants nothing to do with me." Vesper sat down at the table where Morgan was mixing things together for the cauldron. She propped her chin up with one hand and sighed. "Threatened to turn me into a newt."

"A newt? Well, that's interesting." Morgan chuckled in amusement. Grabbing a bottle of nightshade, she poured a liberal amount into the bowl, stirring it with a basilisk toe. "Sullie tells me she's in Honah Lee. Mayhap that will improve her mood."

"Unlikely." Vesper frowned. "The Seelie Royal family is holidaying there as well. The Goblin Prince has decided to wed… Although she loathes him as much, if not more than I…"

"Wed? Jaron?" Morgan chuckled at the thought. "The girl spurned him then."

Vesper looked up. "She did?"

Morgan cackled. "Only that could make the Goblin Prince decide to wed anyone. Especially if it's not her he's marrying. Jaron's full of half-baked ideas. He'll get over it."

"You think she loves him?"

"I know it." Morgan added a toad heart to her mixture. "I saw it, Vesper."

Vesper frowned. "What do I do, Morgan?"

Morgan shrugged. "I haven't had children. I know nothing of that sort of thing."

"She hates me."

"The girl is strange. Very strange." Morgan spat into the bowl and stirred again. "I like her."

Vesper frowned. "What in the name of Donn are you brewing?"

"Poison." Morgan dumped the bowl's contents into the bubbling cauldron and it began to smoke. Putting the lid on it, she turned back to Vesper. "For rats."

Vesper raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Are you coming to the feast tonight?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I have poison to brew."

"But-"

The doors to Morgan's chambers slammed open and Ramsden strode, with a slight limp, into the room. He put his hand upon the hilt of his sword.

"Mab wishes to see her Ladies at once."

"Knock upon my chamber door before you enter again, Ramsden." Morgan paused to give him a smile. "Or I shall cut out your tongue and feed it to my crows."

Ramsden snarled. "Watch your tongue, wench."

Morgan cast one black nailed finger towards him with a wicked smirk. Muttering in Gaelic, she crooked the finger, and cackled merrily.

"What are you blathering on about?" Ramsden frowned.

"What is going on? Why does Mab want us?" Vesper asked him.

"Mab wishes her ladies to come downstairs. We have an esteemed guest tonight."

Morgan grinned and clapped her hands together, merrily. "Has the Goblin Prince returned?"

Ramsden scowled. "I've warned you."

Crooking her finger his way again, she smirked and cast her spell. "Harsh tongue hides not a thing, for under the skin lies the real thing. Reach and grasp and grow I say. Make him wish to never see another day."

"You speak nonsense, witch." He scowled.

Morgan just cackled harder and swept by him, a flurry of dark skirts and feathers. Vesper sauntered next to him and gave him a slight smile.

"I'd find a mirror… Soon."

Ramsden strode to a silver shield on the wall and examined his reflection with wide eyes. The Sorceress had cast a hair curse upon him, and both the hair on his head and his facial hair began to grown at an astound speed. He growled and turned to Vesper.

"That damned witch!"

"You'll learn to watch your tongue, then." Vesper stated and followed the path Morgan had taken to the main entrance hall.

Upon entering, she was astounded to find such a large crowd gathered. Mab stood at the door, watching the carriage come to a stop outside. The door opened and a hooded figure was helped inside the castle. Throwing back her hood, the aged witch, Zefiryn, smirked over the crowd inside the castle.

"Welcome back to Magesblood. Swamp Hag and Dark Witch of the Forked River Swamplands." Mab curtsied to the former Queen. "Come to my chambers to rest from your travels."

Vesper frowned and Morgan spoke from beside her. "The Dowager Queen. Mab must be desperate to return her from exile."

"I've heard tale of Queen Zefiryn." Vesper said. "None of it good."

"Rightly so." Morgan agreed. "Her reign, short as it was before Carsys took the throne, was the bloodiest in Unseelie history."

"What is she doing here now?"

Morgan shrugged. "Our Queen of Air and Darkness is still unhappy she lost the Goblin Prince. She seeks wisdom from Zefiryn, I assume. The Swamp Hag knows much about the darkest magics. There must be something in it for her as well."

Vesper frowned. "Are you not worried?"

"What sense is there to worry about that I cannot change?" Morgan shrugged again. "Zefiryn is a mad dark witch. Very powerful. Her coming here is never a good thing. Never."

Morgan led the way through the castle corridors towards Mab's chambers. Willow met with them in the hall, her hair tousled and her eyes bright.

"What is happening? What is it?" Willow asked.

Morgan raised an eyebrow. "I see you've taken a tumble?"

Willow glowered at her as Morgan knocked upon the massive onyx doors to Mab's private quarters. Carved into the black stone was an array of Celtic knot work and Unseelie creatures at dark play. They swung open wide and the trio made their way into the spider's lair. Mab lounged on a settee, dressed in a fluffy gown made of feathers, her long hair pulled back from her face. The dowager Queen sat upon a jeweled chair, now dressed in a purple gown embroidered with diamonds.

Mab smirked over the wine she held at her lips. "I present my Ladies, Zefiryn. You know Morgan le Fey? My Sorceress?"

"And Carsys's before that, mine before that, and my husband, King Ulger, still longer before that." Zefiryn smiled with worn and grimy teeth at Morgan. "Hello Morgan. Still looking out for number one?"

"As always." Morgan examined one nail, as if bored with the whole affair. "The same with you, I suppose?"

Zefiryn cackled and ran one hand down her own aged face. "As you can see, I haven't done much for myself as of late! The dark magic never agrees with one's beauty."

Morgan's eyes flickered over. "I can see that."

Mab continued to Vesper. "This is the Lady Vesper Moraine. She handles everything that I do not wish to be meddled with."

"Your Grace." Vesper curtsied, but Zefiryn practically ignored her to focus on Willow.

Zefiryn gave the beautiful girl a grimy smile and studied her soft skin. "Who is this beautiful young girl?"

"I am Willow Raine, your majesty." Willow answered with a curtsy, her voice dripping with honey.

"Yes, and you are just right." Zefiryn cackled and addressed them all. "I suppose that you three are wondering why I'm here?"

"Oh, I've been dying to know all evening." Morgan smirked and noted. "Something that will, ultimately, benefit you, I'm guessing?"

"You know me very well, Sorceress." The hag said with a knowing grin. "I've come back to help my daughter-in-law get what she wants… And to get a… Treat for me."

Morgan cocked an eyebrow. "A treat, you say? Do share."

"It is well known what effects the continual use of dark magic has upon the natural beauty of a Fae. It saps it and drains it, until you look as aged as a mortal who has lived nearly all their days. The dark magic is powerful, but it has its prices." Zefiryn gestured to her wrinkled cheeks, and sallow skin.

"Aye and I did warn you of that." Morgan replied. "So did Old Meg Mucklebone when you started in on her for darker spells."

"I wish for the beauty of my youth once more and I can achieve it, without glamour or other temporary magics. Dear Old Meg knew the spell, but lacked the courage for the ritual. So she traded me." Zefiryn cackled, manically. "And it was a pricy trade, indeed. Meg will never be quite the same!"

Morgan raised an eyebrow. "You cursed her?"

"I killed her." The Dowager Queen retorted, firmly, and gestured towards the youngest lady. "Come to me, Willow Raine."

Willow, despite her disgust and fear of the old hag, obeyed. She gasped as the hag grabbed her arm. Keeping a firm grip on the struggling girl's arm, Zefiryn chuckled. "Hold still, dearie. I don't want it all from you… Just a taste…"

Using the sharp thimble-blade on her thumb, she sliced into the frightened girl's wrist. She began to drip the blood into a waiting chalice on the table. Tears came to Willow's eyes as the hag milked her arm to her content. Once Zefiryn had her cupful, she thrust the girl away from her with a snarl. Vesper went straight to the crying girl's side, compressing the wound with her skirts.

Morgan crossed her arms over her chest with a chuckle. "You old hag… You need more than that for any spell of real value."

"This is only a taste of what I mean to accomplish!" Zefiryn brought the cup to her lips and drank, heartily. As she finished a red aura began to pulse around her and, slowly, she began to look younger. Her hair began to fade into a long golden blonde braid and her wrinkled skin began to turn to a smooth white. Her body shrunk, tightened, and widened in all the right places, giving her the hourglass figure of her youth, while her aged eyes became clear and bright. When the transformation was complete, she looked to be a beautiful woman barely into her thirties.

Morgan smirked again, knowingly. "That won't last, Zefiryn, and you know it."

Zefiryn turned her bright eyes onto the Sorceress and her voice was sweet and soft. "Of course not. This is why I need that girl… That Girl Who Loves the Goblin Prince. After I bathe in her Fae blood and drink the last cup, I will absorb her wild magic. With her blood I will stay young for centuries to come!"

Vesper gasped. "You'll kill her!"

"Of course I will, my dear." Zefiryn studied her new and improved reflection in the mirror, pursing her full red lips. "Once the girl is dead and the Goblin Prince has no one for his will to go to, he again will be weak… Then he shall be Mab's for the complete taking."

The sound of clapping put a frown on Zefiryn's face and she turned to see Morgan laughing and clapping, merrily. "Oh, of all your dastardly themed plans, this one takes the cake!"

Mab frowned. "You think this is funny, Sorceress?"

She only began to laugh harder and wiped at her tearing eyes. "Oh, yes, my Queen. I find this very funny."

"What, pray tell, is so bloody funny about it?" Mab snarled.

"The fact that you both actually believe that the girl would be foolish enough to allow the likes of you two to catch her! Or that Prince Jaron would let you harm a single hair on her pretty little head!" Morgan snickered and turned to leave the room, still erupting with laughter. "Such foolishness is hardly a good enough reason to leave my tower today! Good day, Your Graces."

Mab was bristling as the Sorceress disappeared and nearly screamed. "That insolent twit! I should kill her for speaking to me in such a way!"

"Oh, never you mind Morgan le Fey." Zefiryn ordered and waved one hand, dismissively. "She has very little faith in the dark arts."

"Then how come she's a Sorceress?" Willow asked through gritted teeth, still holding her injured arm.

"Morgan is a Sorceress because Morgan is quite clever." Zefiryn tossed the girl a towel and ordered. "You're bleeding everywhere… Get to a healer."

Willow scrambled from the room, while Vesper remained frozen in one spot. She looked to Mab, almost fearfully. "Any orders for me, my Queen?"

"Find them both." Mab replied, darkly. "Tell me where they hide." Vesper curtsied and rushed to leave the pair alone. Zefiryn turned to Mab with a smirk. "Well, they are a cute little bunch."

"I should slay that damned Morgan." Mab drank long from her wineglass. "She mocks me constantly these days."

"Ignore Morgan le Fey for she is nothing to concern yourself with right now. After we have finished our end game, we can deal with Morgan any way that you wish, but for now we need to keep her under our watchful eyes. Come, Mab… We need to go to the Plains of Crom Cruach and begin preparations for the Rites."

---

Roland, Annibal, and Jaron roamed the snow covered streets of Honah Lee, dodging sleighs and late night shoppers in their revelry. They were sharing a bottle of wine and a flask of honeysuckle whisky between the trio and were well on their way to having a perfectly wonderful evening. It had been hours since Jaron had felt even the slightest bit of the dark magic tainting him, and not once did he have to hold his temper in check.

"Well, it be yer last night as a free man, me dearest friend." Roland took a long pull from the flask and grimaced at Annibal. "What'll we do? Drink ourselves silly and run nude through the streets?"

"Oh, no! The last time we did that, I lost my clothes." Annibal shook his head as he passed the bottle of wine to Jaron. "And it was just this cold out."

"We could try to rearrange the ice sculptures again." Jaron suggested.

"Holy nightmare, no! Puff threatened to string us up by our wee toesies if we even thunk such thoughts again!" Roland mused for a moment and frowned. "'Sides, I dunno if we're up to drinkin' like in them old days, lads…"

"Oh, stop acting like you're already over a millennia already!" Annibal groaned. "We've barely begun to drink!"

"I'm Irish and you're Scottish, cousin…" Jaron traded Roland bottles. "Drinking is what we do."

"I'll cheers to that, mate." Roland grinned as they toasted and the pair finished the bottles. After finishing, Roland pointed up the road with the empty bottle to the front of a lively and loud pub. "That place's got the best brewed ale in all of Honah Lee… An' the prettiest of bonny bar maids… Let's go there…"

The trio stepped into the small pub and was delighted to find that the fairy band was in full swing, playing a fast Celtic melody. The numerous fairy folk of the bar were all dancing, drinking, and enjoying the lively music. Roland led the way to the bar, where a cute forest nymph was serving drinks. She had pale purple hair and the faint impression of leaves along her fair skin.

"Ah, sweetest Tulyp! Be a good lass an' get ales an' shots for us thirsty beggars?" Roland grinned and reached out for her hand to kiss it.

She flashed the princes a smile and tugged her hand away with a giggle. "Oh, we've got royalty in the house tonight then! You boys out causing trouble?"

Jaron smirked and gave her a wink. "Only as much as we can."

Tulyp giggled again and leaned across the bar. "Let me know if there's anythin' I can do for you, Goblin Prince. We've missed ya runnin' round here in Honah Lee."

"I'll remember that." Jaron flashed a smile as she poured their drinks.

"Hey now! I can think o' a few wee things ya could be doin' fer me, lass." Roland purred.

"Oh, listen at ya, Roland Amarantha!" She admonished, teasingly. "You know I'm a taken lady!"

Roland continued to flirt with the nymph, so Jaron went ahead and drank the shot before him. Taking his beer, he turned to set his sights on the lively crowd. He raised his mug of ale to his lips and began to drink, but stopped mid-swallow. Some of the brew spilled down his chest and he nearly choked on what didn't. He cursed as his eyes locked on a familiar Fae woman as she danced across the pub. Though she was using the glamour of her glass slippers for her clothing, he would recognize her face anywhere.

It was Alyx and she was radiant.

The happy girl was swathed in a simple blue dress with golden trim the emphasized her curvy body. She was clapping her hands to the band's beat and letting a group of elves twirl her about in a traditional holiday jig. Someone had curled her dark locks and pinned them back from her rosy cheeks with tiny golden stars. Somehow along the night, she had lost her shoes, so she danced barefoot along the floors. With each twist and turn, her laughter rang out like bells and filled his heart with joy. She was so very happy.

Annibal had caught Jaron's reaction and followed his friend's gaze across the room. He brought his beer to his lips to hide his smile. "Ah… She's gotten lovelier, I see…"

His voice snapped Jaron out of his trance and he turned back to the bar, his face grim. "More shots, Tulyp, and quickly."

Roland gave him a funny look as the barmaid ignored his advances and moved to fulfill Jaron's request. "Drinkin' fast, ain't we, cousin?"

"Your friend, Aneurin, is here." Jaron downed the rest of his ale in a few short swallows. "Fill the ale up as well, Tulyp."

"Anuerin? You mean-" Roland looked out to the dance floor and his face brightened when he saw Alyx dancing there. "Spot on! I'm gonna say 'ello."

Annibal burst into peels of laugher as Jaron stared, gaped jawed, at his cousin's back as he made his way to Alyx.

"Damn it, Roland." Jaron hissed and hurriedly took his shot. He was thankful for the burn as it rested in his gullet.

Annibal leaned back against the bar and smirked at the Goblin Prince. "So are you just going to ignore her all night and hope that she disappears?"

"Why not? Sounds like as good a plan as any." Jaron retorted, dryly.

Alyx had been enjoying dancing with the elves to the wonderful music the band played, but the time came when she needed something to drink and a rest from the revelry. She begged off for the next dance and turned to head for the bar to replenish her drink. Roland had been right about the pub being a lot of fun. Currently, he was somewhere trying his hand at cards and Telyn had joined a group of girls for conversation near the roaring fireplace. After refreshing herself with her guitar all afternoon, Alyx had craved more music, so she had spent most all of her evening near the band and dancing. She was having a wonderful time.

That was until she saw Roland approaching her with a stumble to his steps and waving, cheerily.

"Good lord… Roland?"

"There's the best lass in all the Under!" Roland grinned and swept her into his arms. "An' one o' me favorites too!"

"Are you drunk?" Alyx wrinkled her nose at him.

"I am very drunk!" He responded, gleefully and swung her about. "We be celebratin'!"

"We?" She asked.

"Yes we!"

"Who?" Alyx was almost afraid to ask as he turned her to face the bar. He pointed to here Jaron and Annibal sat. Annibal smiled and gave her a happy wave, but Jaron kept his back to her and drank his drink. "Oh, of course it is… What are you celebrating?"

"Ugh… Marriage." Roland responded, somberly, and moved to lead her to the bar.

She stopped him, biting at one lip. "I don't think it would be a good idea for me to-"

"Nonsense! C'mon lass!" Roland then proceeded to all but drag her protesting form to the bar.

Jaron chose that moment to turn as they approached and he swallowed hard when he saw them advancing. He tried to appear casual, by leaning backwards against the bar, his mug dangling from one hand. Annibal elbowed him and then grinned and nodded in Alyx's direction. Shooting him a dirty look, Jaron let his attention go back to Alyx. Her cheeks were blushed pink from her dancing and her bright eyes sparkled. She gave him a weak smile as they stopped right before him.

"Hello, Jaron." She said, softly.

"Do me a favor and at least let me finish my beer before you go wishing me away." Jaron replied, dryly, and sipped his beer.

She frowned at him as Roland gave him a slap upon his thigh. His cousin hissed and glared. "Manners, Jaron! It's not like the lass saved yer miserable life or anythin'."

"No, Roland, it's okay. I told you that it wasn't a good idea. You boys have a good night." Alyx replied and turned to leave. She felt gentle fingers grasp her upper arm, stopping her in her tracks. She turned again and was surprised to see that it was Jaron who had stopped her.

"I'm sorry, Alyx. That was miserable of me." Jaron released her arm, quickly, remembering how he had hurt her the last time he had touched her. He turned to the bar and grabbed a shot. He thrust it towards her. "Here… It's honeysuckle. I remember you acquiring quite the taste for it some time ago."

Her eyes locked on his as her trembling fingers took the glass. He grabbed for another and they toasted.

She spoke first, her chin high. "To your upcoming marriage, Goblin Prince."

Downing the shot, Jaron signaled for another. Roland and Annibal shared a look when Jaron did not correct her mistake, but the pair kept their mouths shut on the subject. An uncomfortable silence loomed between them, until Annibal cleared his throat and bowed to Alyx.

"A dance, my lady? It's has been seven long years since I had a dancing partner as graceful as you."

Alyx nodded and Annibal led her away to the dance floor. Jaron watched them with dispassionate eyes, so Roland took this opportunity to give his cousin his fiercest glare. "What in the name of Queen Allerleirauh are you doin'?"

"What?"

"Lyin' to that lass like that!"

"So what of it? I never lied, I merely failed to correct her assumptions of me." Jaron shrugged him off. "Besides, what does it matter to her if I marry or not?"

Roland groaned and put his face into his hands. "Oh, ya great dunderheaded fool! The lass is there within yer reach an' ya still deny it? Yer worse than a fool."

"If you remember right, she denied me! At least I'm on speaking terms with the girl!"

"Bah!" Roland grunted and flicked his hands at Jaron, dismissively. "You don't know nuthin'…"

The song ended and Annibal returned, leading Alyx with him. Roland ordered up a round of shots for them, ignoring Jaron's now foul mood. After they toasted again, Alyx cast a careful look at Jaron. "Thank you… For helping Telyn with the guitar. It's lovely."

Her words of thanks seemed to catch Jaron a bit off guard and he nodded, uncomfortably. "It was nothing. Telyn wished for you to have the perfect gift is all."

Roland watched the pair with a bemused look on his face and then clapped them both on the back. "There, now that I got the pair o' you on the mend, I'm gonna go introduce me self to that enchantin' lass in the corner. Come Annibal, I'll be needin' yer assistance!"

With that, Annibal and Roland left the bewildered couple and for a moment they stared at one another, helplessly. Jaron took another drink of his ale and motioned for her to sit next to him, casually. "Sit… At least have another drink with me, Alyx. It will help shut him up."
"Okay." She sat down, warily.

"Where is your Captain tonight?" He asked, pointedly, signaling for another round of drinks.

Alyx looked around, realizing that Morven had been missing for quite a while now. Damn that silly pirate. He was never around when she really needed his help. She remarked, casually. "Oh, he's around… Probably off entertaining Telyn."

"Doubtful, because Telyn is the very girl that Roland was off to romance and your Captain is nowhere in sight…" Jaron smirked a little. "You don't actually know where Squall is, do you?"

"Of course I do!" Alyx gave him a sharp look and attempted to change the subject. "So, who are you marrying?"

"What do you care?"

"I don't." Alyx retorted. "I'm just trying to have a normal conversation... What is she like?"

"Nothing like you." Jaron snorted when she bristled. "Steady as she goes, Alyx… Truly, I don't know what my bride is like, since I haven't met her. Isn't that a trip through Sheridan's Field?"
"You've never met her and you're marrying her?" Alyx quirked one eyebrow as he took her untouched beer and downed half in one swallow.

"Something like that."

Alyx gave him a quizzical look and snatched back her drink. "Well, I'm sure she'll teach you some manners after the wedding."

Jaron shot her a glare and she returned it over the rim of her mug. For a moment they traded their most treacherous looks, before Jaron snorted again and broke his gaze. He leaned over the bar and gave Tulyp a wink as he grabbed a partial bottle from her well. Pulling the cork out with his teeth, he spat it to one side and took a long swig.

Tulyp returned and gave Jaron a disapproving look. "Now slow down there, Goblin Prince… You know what ya get like when ya start on the absinthe."

"'Course I do. I get fun." Jaron and moved to take another long pull from the bottle. Tulyp frowned and snatched it from him.

"No, ya get mean."

Jaron gave Tulyp a sulky look. "You're not any fun anymore, Tulyp."

"Ha! Says you!" Tulyp took a long swig from the bottle and grimaced before offering it to Alyx. "Go on, little lady. Might as well be on his level if you can."

Alyx finished off the last of the absinthe and fought the urge to grimace at the burn the stout liquor gave her. She handed off the empty bottle to the barmaid as the nymph gave Jaron a look and shook one finger at him.

"You be nice to that girl, you hear me, Goblin Prince?"

Jaron frowned at the retreating bartender and then turned his frown at Alyx when she failed to stifle her laughter. "Shouldn't you be hunting for your pirate?"

Alyx's laughter died quickly and she glared at him. "You said you wanted me to drink with you."

"I've changed my mind." Jaron threw out, casually. "'Sides, I'd hate to keep you from your lover."

"I'd say the same if you even knew who yours was." Alyx retorted, hotly. "Of course, from what I remember there were always legions of girls after you seven years ago, so you'll have no shortage of wannabe wives, I'm sure. You could have your own harem."

"Then perhaps I could interest you in taking part? I could always use a good concubine." Jaron spat back, angrily. "If I can't have your heart, then how about your body at least?"

"Not for all the jewels in Nidavellir or all the silk in Xanthe Fai." Alyx hissed.

"Then it's apparent that our hatred of one another is quite mutual." Jaron snapped. "Good thing that we got that resolved."

Startling them both, Alyx reached out for his hand, tears dancing in her silver eyes. Jaron looked down at her hand in shock and realized just how awful he had been speaking to her. He hadn't even noticed the darkness swirling in his heart and how angered it was making him.

"Oh, please don't hate me, Jaron. Don't really hate me." Alyx shook her head, slowly. "I don't think I could stand that."

Jaron studied her, intently, and tightened his hand in hers. He gave it one last squeeze and released it while shaking of his head at himself. He looked away from her, disgusted with how he was acting towards her. He whispered. "I could never hate you, Alyx. You know that."

"Jaron, you have to understand why I-" Alyx seemed stricken to tell him something, but he held up one hand to silence her.

"No explanation needed… You made your choice and I cannot change that. I'm just still very… Unwell… and I have no right to take my pains out on you. I am sorry for my harsh words and harsher actions."

"It is good to see you this well, Jaron. I worried for you."

He shrugged. "I'm well… Sometimes."

"Are you really?"

"No." He admitted and took her hand to place it over his heart. She could feel it beating and the warmth of his skin. "There is a dark here that refuses to leave me. It frightens me because it caused me to hurt you that day in the Wood. It frightens me because it makes speak to you like I did tonight." He tightened his grip on her hand against his heart. "We were good friends once… Can we not be again?"

"No… We can't." She drew back her hand, trying not to notice how his face fell at her action. "I'm sorry, Jaron. Besides, I was a pretty wretched friend. All I ever did was get you banished and tortured for seven years."

"No… I did that. I did that for love." Jaron finished his ale and rose from his seat. "Good night, Alyx. Happy Yule."

"Jaron-" She cried, but before she could turn to stop him, he was gone. She sighed, heavily, and put her flushed face in her hands. A hand clasped her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden touch. Roland was there with a frown on his face. Telyn was there at his side with a worried look upon her own face.

"What happened, lassie? Did ya 'ave another row?" Roland asked, genuinely concerned for her.

"I'm going back to the inn." Alyx replied, hoarsely. "I'm tired."
She swept by the pair without another word, grabbing her cloak as she left. Wrapping it around her shaking shoulders, she stepped out into the swirling snow, trying to avoid the revelers in her path. She drew her hood around her face, tightly and, inwardly, cursed herself. Biting her lip, she stopped and took a deep breath to steady herself for the choice she was about to make.

"I wish I could talk to the Goblin Prince." She waited in the cold snow, her breath fogging the air, but he did not appear. She frowned and stomped one foot, angrily. "I wish I could talk to the Goblin Prince, right now!"
Within seconds, he was there, forcing her back against the nearest wall. His eyes were dark and he trembled with unspoken rage. One of his hands was loose around her throat, his thumb rubbing against where her heartbeat fluttered under the skin in her jugular vein.

"I am not some pet that you can summon at a whim and I am no Fae to be toyed with, little girl." Jaron spat, angrily, his grip at her throat tightening, slightly. "You made it very clear that talks between us were to be few and far in between if any at all."

Her shaking hands rose to cup his cheeks and in his surprise, he released his grip upon her. "Oh, Jaron. You've never been so dark. I'm so very sorry. I'm so very, very sorry."

Tears began to well in her bright silver eyes and then she shocked him more by wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. She sobbed against his chest and held him as tightly as she could. "I'm so sorry…"

Slowly, his hand moved to smooth over her hair and he began to murmur soft words of comfort to the crying girl. He returned her hug by gathered her shaking form into his strong arms. Neither was sure how long they stood like that, but it was the best feeling that either had felt in a very long time.

Once her sobs had calmed to mere sniffles, Jaron finally spoke. "You are freezing."

She gave a weak laugh. "Is that all you can say?"

Jaron took her tiny hands into his and breathed a warming spell against her chilled skin. He shrugged. "What would you have me say?"

"Will you forgive me?"

"Always." Jaron responded, firmly and pressed his lips against her knuckles. "Always."

Again, she shocked him by leaning up to press a kiss to the scar at the corner of his mouth. When she leaned back, their eyes connected again, and Alyx felt the same fire within her veins as she did seven years ago. The same fire rushed through the both of them and took her back to when she first fell in love with the Goblin Prince. It was then that she decided to make the most potentially destructive decision of her entire life.

"Hey, this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but…" Her breath caught and she bit at her lip. "Since this is your last night as a free man… Maybe, I could talk you into… Uh… Well…"

"Yes, Alyxandrea?"

She blurted it out. "Would you like to spend it with me? We can't give each other our hearts, but we could share our bodies at least once, right? We deserve that much after everything we've went through together."

Jaron was taken aback at her words and he took a deep breath. "Alyx, I did not mean to call you a concubine earlier. I-"

"I know…" Alyx gave him an unreadable look and softly said. "I… I wish you would spend tonight with me."

Jaron's fingers moved up to tangle in her hair and pull her nearer so that he could close the distance between their mouths. His swept his tongue over hers and she nearly melted into his arms. She had forgotten what kissing him could be like.

He leaned back and broke their kiss for a moment, resting his forehead against hers. "You know that I could never say no to you, Alyx. No matter what the cost."

Alyx moaned and pulled him back to her lips. His arms crushed her body against his. Within both, hearts sang with joy for the touch of what they had missed for so long. Jaron's tongue delved into her mouth as he pressed her against the wall, biting at her lips. Wild magic flared between the pair, finally free after being kept deep inside for so long. Alyx had given her own gasp when the magic flared between them, and then she melted against his touch. The darkness in Jaron's heart lifted like a veil and he felt what had been lost for so long. It was her and the love of her. She was his happiness and his home. The girl was the keeper of his will, his hope, and his heart. There was nothing that could ever change that. He bent and scooped her small body into his arms.

Alyx whispered as she tangled her fingers into the fur of his cloak. "I have a room in an inn… It's just up the road…"

Jaron looked up the snowy street and then back at the beautiful girl in his arms. She reached up to cup his cheek in one hand and his thoughts flashed again to all the tomorrows that loomed ahead of him. All the tomorrows, without her.

Tonight… At least he could have her tonight.

Alyx clung to him as he began to stride up the street. She refused to let herself be afraid of the path ahead of them this night. This was inevitable and she wanted to be able to be loved by him one more time before giving him up forever. Maybe she was greedy for wanting some tiny bit of happiness to hold onto in the years ahead, but she felt they both deserved at least that. Jaron often stopped to bend his head and capture her lips again.

"We will never make it to my room at this rate, Goblin Prince." Alyx whispered against his lips after the fourth time he stopped.

"I agree." Within seconds, he had transported them to her room.

"Just because you have your magic back, doesn't mean you need to use it for everything." She scolded as he deposited her to her feet.

"So, I've been told." Jaron shrugged and sat upon the bed to take off his boots. He froze and straightened again, looking to her. "What of Squall, Alyx?"

Alyx froze from where she was unpinning her hair and turned back to face Jaron. "What of him?"

"He'll not like the fact I am about to bed his woman." Jaron replied, dryly.

"And your wife-to-be would not like that I have been kissing you the last half hour. I belong to no man." Alyx responded. "But what we're about to do isn't forever… We'll just have tonight and leave it at that, right?"

Jaron smirked as he kicked off his boots. "So this is to be 'just sex' as the mortals say?"

Alyx hugged her arms, self-conscious. "It would never be 'just sex' with you, Jaron."

He crossed the room to her, concern crossing his features as he cupped her face in his hands. "Forgive my sharp tongue. I have waited what seems like an eternity for your touch and then I go and ruin things by wagging off at the mouth. It will never and could never be 'just sex' between us, Alyx."

He bent his head to capture her lips again, gently kissing her. He leaned back to gauge her reaction and she pulled him back to her lips. Jaron unbuttoned her cloak, letting it pool to the ground. Scooping her into his arms, he went to her bed, and dropped her upon the duvet. She laughed as she bounced on the bed and he smiled down at her. Scooting back against the headboard, she crooked a finger at him. He smirked and covered her body with his.

Her eyes were serious as she cupped his cheek and asked. "Do we only have until midnight? Like in the stories?"

"'Til dawn, love." Jaron moved to kiss along her chin. "I have to be back… At dawn."

Her eyes grew sad. "There is always a time limit in stories, isn't there?"

He nodded with a small smile. "Aye."

"They why are you wasting time by letting me blabber on?" She chuckled.

"My mistake." He leaned down and ran his hand up her thigh and under her dress. His fingers pushed her underwear to the side so he could touch her, intimately. Alyx's head fell back as his mouth moved down her throat. He smirked at the buttons on the front of her gown and they popped open on their own to reveal her smooth skin. She gasped and gave him a frown.

"I know, I know. 'Just because I have my magic back, doesn't mean I have to use it for everything'." He grinned. "But it does come in handy when my hands are otherwise preoccupied."

He demonstrated by flicking a finger over the bundle of nerves between her legs and she moaned. He moved to kneel before her and open the front of her gown fully, so he could see her breasts. She leaned up to unbutton his shirt and slid it from his shoulders. Running a hand over his smooth, un-marred skin, she looked to his eyes. He was using his glamour. She had never seen Jaron use his Fae glamour before. Jaron had never needed to use it to impress her, but he used it now to mask his scars from her.

"Turn off your glamour, Jaron." She put her fingers to his cheek and gave him a soft smile. "Girls like scars, remember?"

He took a deep breath and slowly his glamour melted away. A scar appeared under her palm and she knew it was where the evil Queen had cut open his cheek the night they saved him. Her fingers danced along it.

"I was afraid you wouldn't be able to look at them. Sometimes even I can't look at them." Jaron admitted a little, shamefully. "I've kept my glamour on since I awoke in Merial."

"They make you even more beautiful to me." She whispered, reaching for him. Alyx traced her fingers along the pale silver scars lining his chest and shoulders. She moved her mouth to each one and kissed along them. Reaching a rather large scar above his left nipple with her mouth, she lathed it with her tongue, causing his breath to come in uneven gasps. He leaned down to capture her lips for a kiss and then moved down her torso to one breast. Her fingers moved, shakily, to trace the thin scars on his shoulders from the iron-tipped whips as he played his lips along her skin. He paused, staring up at her, and she gave him a wonderful smile.

"You look like a nymph has painted silver on you." She murmured, her fingers dancing along the scars.

He smiled. "Wasn't paint, love."

Tears came to her silver eyes. "I should ha-"

Jaron caught her words with a deep kiss. He breathed against her lips. "Cease that meaningless prattle and let me love you, woman."

She moaned as he drew her panties down her legs and pushed her skirt up so he could have better access to her. Her head fell back into the pillow as he moved his tongue to the path his fingers had blazed, drinking from her.

She gasped and tangled her fingers in his dark hair. "Jaron…"

"Yes, love?" He whispered and looked up into her clouded eyes as he slid a finger inside her.

She tugged at him to draw him up to capture his lips again. Her hands fluttered at the waist of his pants. He stopped her hands and held them between his.

"Do you really want this, Alyx?" He asked, his eyes locking with hers. "We have agreed that will only have tonight together, but do you truly want this?"

"I'd rather have just tonight than an eternity of not knowing your touch." She whispered as she raked her teeth along his neck. "Please …"

Jaron groaned and waved his hand over her, banishing her dress from her skin. Her hands went back to his waistband and began to stroke his sex. He moaned and let her flip him onto his back. Kicking his pants away, he watched as she trailed her mouth down his chest, gasping when her lips surrounded a nipple. Her lips moved down his waist and she took him all into her mouth. Gathering a handful of her long hair, Jaron guided her mouth as she set him ablaze. With a grunt, he pulled her away from him and flipped her on her back. Moving to nestle his hips between her legs, he rubbed himself against her. Obviously nervous, Alyx shook beneath him, and he bent to kiss along her neck.

"You are shaking." He commented as his hands smoothed along the bare skin of her thighs. "Is this new to you?"

She moaned at his touch. "Does it matter?"

Jaron chuckled, lowly, against her neck. "Of course not. Your virginity is of no consequence to me…"

He nuzzled against her cheek as he cupped her thighs, guiding her legs around him. Her hands traced over his shoulders as she pressed her lips to his collarbone. Whispering in her ear, his grips on her hips tightened. "Because I am about to make sure that I am the only lover you'll ever remember."

Jaron thrust his hips forward, catching her cry with his mouth. Resting against her with their hips joined, he gave her gentle kisses along her face and jaw, and letting her adjust to him. When her hips began to writhe against his, he smiled. Rolling them over on the bed, he let her sit atop him, and gently urged her hips with his hands. She took his example and began to rock her hips against him, gasping.

"That's right, love." Jaron whispered as he reached up to cup her breast as she rode him. "Just like that."

"Jaron…" She moaned.

"Seems I've left a few scars on you." His fingers trailed to just above her hip bones and traced the twin scars from the battle at Ahearn.

"They are something to remember you by."

She ran a hand down his chest and he thrust his hips up with a smirk. Alyx gasped as each movement of her hips sent him deeper inside her. He moved one hand to stroke her folds, gently, as she bounced above him. He felt her tighten around him. She rocked against him, hard, and cried out as her world exploded in sin and starlight.

His hands continued to urge her hips into movement and he gave her a wicked grin. "One more time, love. I know you have it in you."

He flipped them over on the bed and began to slam his hips into hers, causing her to cry out in pleasure at each stroke. He moved to capture her mouth again and let her tangle her fingers in his hair. He felt the familiar tightening of her muscles and began to move faster within her.

"Jaron!" With a cry she climaxed again and this time her orgasm triggered his. He groaned above, her and collapsed, breathing deeply into her neck, spent. After a moment, he leaned back and brushed her wild hair from her face.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

She gave him a dazed grin. "Is that what I missed out on seven years ago at Still Lake?"

He chuckled. "Aye, but I'm not up to prime yet."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"I'm only performing at maybe half my real skill. I've had it rough the last seven years, you know." He ran a thumb over her lips. "I wish I could have taken more time so you would have enjoyed it more."

"Weren't you in this bed?" She raised an eyebrow. "Who says that I didn't enjoy that?"

Jaron gave her a smirk and leaned down to kiss her again. "Allow me ten minutes and I will best that last performance."

"You've got five."

"Eight."

"Five."

Hours later, Alyx rested, with her head upon Jaron's chest. He toyed with her hair and had one of her small hands against his lips as they lounged in her bed, still nude. Pre-dawn began to peek over the horizon, filling the darkened room with a weak light and Jaron kissed her head.

He whispered, hating himself. "I have to go, Alyx."

"I know." Alyx sat up in the bed, wrapping a sheet around her nude form. "Good luck."

He stopped her movements and rested a hand upon her cheek. "Thank you, Alyx."

"Thanks? For what? Being your last fling as a single man?" She asked as she climbed from the bed to look out the window at the rising sun.

"No, I thank you for letting me be your first." Jaron rose from the bed. "That is not something that anyone, immortal or mortal alike, give away very easily."

Jaron moved to stand behind her at the window and in his reflection, she could see him dressed, no doubt by magic. He stepped closer and kissed her neck, gently. She melted into his touch for a moment and his arms wrapped around her, tightly. Tears came into her eyes and she held them shut, tightly, because she was afraid that he would see.

"There is nothing I can do to change your mind?" Jaron voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Jaron."

The sun began to rise.

"I won't forget you, Alyx."

The wind whispered in her room and his touch was gone.

She was alone.