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.

6. Chapter 6: Kiss With A Fist

Rolling in the Deep

By: Nikki Kelly

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Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or any of the other movies, video games, etc. that I reference…

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Chapter 6: Kiss With A Fist

Both were breathing heavily from their fight and it seemed as if Patch only had just enough strength left to keep Alyx pinned against the door. He was taking in deep, ragged breaths and glaring down at her with an unreadable look in his green eye. Alyx was certain that she lacked the strength for another escape from his grasp. Gasping, she squirmed her body against his hold, hoping to wear him down further. Patch took in a hissing breath and with renewed force, kept her hands pinned with only one of his and using his free one to grasp her hips. He pressed his lean body against hers and Alyx tried for a breath to scream out for rescue. His head swooped down to crush his mouth against hers and smother her shout.

At first, she stiffened in his embrace, but then she relaxed as his tongue swept through her mouth. Moaning against his lips, she nearly went slack in his arms as the kiss deepened. Blindly, Alyx found herself kissing him back, her body arching in response to his lips and tongue caressing hers. His hand moved to cup her butt and pressed her hips harder against his. Feeling his evident arousal against her sent a small flare through Alyx's foggy brain, but when his lips moved to her neck, she lost all notion of thought. His sharp teeth began to worry at her neck, sending delicious shivers down her spine. Her eyes fluttered open and when she gazed across his shoulder, she saw their reflection cast in the mirror there. His glamour rippled like a breeze across a still pond. A stary thought flashed across her clouded mind.

Something wasn't right.

His mouth moved to the other side of her neck and she moaned again, her body arching against him. With a growl, his lips captured hers again in another fierce and savage kiss. He freed his grip on her hands above her head, cupping one of her breasts and holding her against him with the other hand. Her hands went to his shoulders, holding onto him for stability due to her shaking legs. Shyly, her hands moved up his neck as if to tangle in his hair.

Something wasn't right.

In one swift move, she grabbed a handful of his hair with one hand to break their kiss and hold his head still. Using her other hand, she ripped off his eye patch and the glamour fell. The most beautiful pair of eyes stared back at her. Mismatched ones of green and blue.

"You…" She whispered, feeling a weight lift from her soul.

"Me." Jaron responded and captured her mouth again.

His kiss was harsh and bruising, as if he was starved for her taste. Alyx responded just as fiercely, having forgotten how wonderful it felt to be in her Goblin Prince's arms. Her hands tangled in his long hair to press her lips harder against his and he gave a low growl in response.

"It's you." She gasped against his mouth.

"It's me…" He returned and grunted in pain when she pulled on his hair as hard as she could. "Bloody hell! What was that for?!"

She shoved him away from her. "You snake! You threatened to give me a Havelock Smile!"

"Well, if I remember correctly, you threatened to slit me from 'nuts to neck'." Jaron retorted.

"I thought you were a legitimate psychopath! I was so sure that Mab had sent you to murder me!" She smacked his chest with the palms of her hands. "What in the hell are you even doing here?"

"Making sure that what happened at your keep in the Enchanted Wood, doesn't happen again!" He snapped as her eyes flashed to the silver streak of hair at his temple and her face fell. "Seeing as how you wanted nothing to do with me, I figured that acting as a hired bodyguard might be the better plan to keep you safe."

"Posing as a shifty pirate was the best plan you could come up with?!" Alyx gave him another angry shove. "All you managed to do was get yourself bitten by a sea serpent and you nearly died right in front of me!"

"I got myself bit trying to keep you from getting eaten! Truly, I don't know how you manage to get into all the trouble that you do and I'm an expert at getting into mischief! I mean, I no sooner fight off a serpent from eating you whole and then you run off into Finfolk Bay where you managed to get a Lich hot on your trail." Jaron held out his bloodied and bandaged hand to show her the price for the blood magic on the ship. "Do you even realize what kind of spells that I've had to cast just to throw him and the others off of your scent? Being your personal bodyguard is a full time job!"

"I'm quite aware of the blood magic that you've doused the ship in, but you forget that I never asked for you to come swooping in with your magic blazing to play bodyguard! If I remember right, I asked you to leave me the hell alone! I've tried everything in my power to banish you from my life!" Alyx took a step towards him and took his face in her palms. Her voice softened to nearly a whisper and tears danced in her silver eyes. "But, instead of running away, you heard my call in the dark and plucked me from death's embrace. Why?"

"You foolish girl, you know why." Jaron replied, heatedly.

He closed the distance between them, catching her lips with his again. Her happy sigh caressed his mouth and he deepened the kiss. Her shaking hands slid up the inside of his coat, pulling his shirt out from his pants. He paused her wandering hands only long enough to slide her heavy jacket from her shoulders. As they kissed, he moved them, and sat her upon the desk. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he leaned over her and set his lips back to work at her neck. His hand ran up her ribcage to caress her nipple through her shirt and she moaned.

A loud knock sounded on the cabin door and Morven called out. "Oy, it got kinda quiet in there. Ya two alive or did ya slit each other's throats yet?"

"Ugh! Morven…" Alyx hissed through gritted teeth. She had forgotten about her captain's involvement with this entire scheme. Sitting up against Jaron, she attempted to get up to go to the door. "I'm gonna wring his gold encrusted neck!"

Jaron held her still in his arms. "Tell him to leave."

"Not before I give him a piece of my mind."

"Tell him to leave." Jaron repeated, his voice husky.

Her eyes locked with his and without breaking eye contact, she yelled. "Buzz off, Morven!"

"Oy now!" Came Morven's muffled voice. "That's my cabin yer occupyin'! I gots me business to do!"

Jaron cursed against her skin and in a whirl of magic and feathers, Alyx found them now on the hard floor of her cabin. He was still above her, but his hand were at her shirt, tearing it from her torso like paper. She gave a mild sound of protest, but then his lips were back against hers.

"I'll buy you a new one." Jaron muttered against her mouth, his fingers fumbling with the lacings on her pants and tugging them down her slender hips. Leaning up into his kiss, her hands went to unfasten his own pants, and then her fingers wrapped around him, intimately. He sucked in a sharp breath at the unexpected touch and followed that with a groan as she caressed him. Supporting himself above her with one hand, he buried his face back into her neck. Her head lolled as her hands moved to cling to his broad shoulders in a vain attempt to keep herself grounded. His other hand traveled to the junction between her legs, stroking the damp flesh there. She gasped at the sensation and bucked her hips against his touch. His fingers danced over her sensitive skin and she felt a fire flickering inside her.

"Jaron! Please…" She nearly sobbed.

In one swift movement, his hips were between her legs and he was taking her. There was no time to be gentle for either of them, for their need for one another was so great. Each plunge lifted her higher and higher, until she plateaued, and with a cry, she was convulsing around him. He continued to slam his hips into her, oblivious to the wood digging into his knees and her nails raking down his back. Sooner than she expected, Alyx felt herself climbing for her peak again, and she whimpered against his skin. His hips shifted against at the first signs of her coming orgasm and his pace increased. Her climax washed over her and to keep herself from screaming, she sunk her teeth into his shoulder. He shuddered at the dull pain of her teeth marking him and groaned out her name as he found his own release.

With a shaking arm, he held himself above her, trying not to crush her under his weight. Alyx felt the warm rush of magic and suddenly the pair was resting in a mass of fluffy pillows. She gave him a grateful smile, as now that the pleasure was fading, she would feel how the hard wood had bruised her back during their tryst. He collapsed upon the pile of pillows next to her, his fingers searching out hers as they both stared at the ceiling.

"You'll wish me away now, yes?" Jaron asked, slightly out of breath.

"The thought had crossed my mind." A weak smile played at Alyx's lips.

"Well, at least let me get my pants on before you set the goblins after me." Jaron grumbled and moved to sit up, his shirt askew and nearly choking him. "I'll never hear the end of it from Jareth when the Goblins fetch me and my pants are around my ankles."

Alyx stopped him with a gentle touch to his arm. "I'll make that wish later."

He gave her a questioning look. "Later?"

She opened her arms to him. "Shut up and come to me, my Goblin Prince."

He gave her a warm smile and shed off his confining clothes. He nestled back into their impromptu bed as her arms wrapped around his neck. His lips met hers in the dim light and she returned his kiss with equal enthusiasm.

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While masquerading as Wren in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, Queen Zefiryn made many attempts to infiltrate Jaron's tower. It was said that the Goblin Prince had a wondrous amount of magical oddities in his tower and she hoped to find out where the Girl Who Saved the Goblin Prince was hiding. Surely Jaron had sought the Girl as well.

The last attempt to enter the tower nearly revealed her rouse to the entire castle. The wretched vines and biting fairies has again blocked her from entering the staircase and in a fit of anger, she had thrown a dreadful curse at it. In response, the fairies chittering raised to a crescendo that nearly pierced her ear drums. She clapped her hands over her ears and a bright blue light filled the staircase. Immediately, a return blast of magic threw her backwards and flat on her back. When she sat up, her eyes widened to find the tower was gone, but it was not by her doing. Whatever magic controlled the tower had completely removed it from the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, and all that remained was a hole where it had once stood. Her ears were still ringing and she was shell-shocked from the blast, so she did not know that the Goblin Queen was there, until the woman was helping her to her feet.

"Lady Wren! Whatever happened?" Sarah asked and gasped when she saw the whole where Jaron's tower had once stood.

Her senses returning, Zefiryn launched herself into the young Queen's arms and began sobbing into her shoulder.

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There was a great thunderous noise and the ground quaked beneath Jareth's feet. His eyes flashed towards his castle and widened when he saw the gaping maw of where his brother's tower had once stood. Immediately transporting himself to the halls that led to Jaron's tower, he found Sarah there comforting the distraught Lady Wren.

"What has happened to my brother's tower? What is she doing here?"

Wren's cries deepened against Sarah and Sarah brushed a hand down her hair gently. "It's okay, Lady Wren. Jareth isn't angry with you. Just tell him what happened."

The poor girl was weeping so hard that she was hiccupping. "Oh, Your Majesty! I had received word from a fairy that Prince Jaron wish for meet me in this hallway, but when I got here the tower exploded and threw me from my feet!"

"Jaron? He was to meet you here? What fairy told you that?"

"I am sorry, but I do not know its name, Your Majesty. I do not know any of the creatures that dwell here."

"You have no fault here, Lady Wren. Please allow my wife to escort you back to your chambers so that you may rest. I will investigate this mystery myself."

As Sarah left with the girl, Jareth moved to study the hole, intently. When designing their towers, there had never been any spell work placed that could just remove the tower completely. Unless, Jaron had made some serious modifications to his quarters that Jareth had not been privy to. Upon placing his hand on one of the few remaining stones, Jareth was surprised to find it still warm from the extremely powerful spell. He summoned a crystal ball in an attempt to show him what magic had caused this, but it revealed nothing. He was tempted to reorder time just to see what had actually occurred, but he did not know what effect the magics of his brother's tower would have against such a spell. He was still staring at the hole in the castle wall when Sarah returned to his side.

"Well, your mother and I managed to get Lady Wren calmed down and into bed. The girl is a wreck. Her maid had to sedate her with tea made of chamomile and valerian root. She kept repeating that the tower just exploded."

"Vanished… If it had exploded, there would still be remains of the tower." Jareth corrected her. "This was powerful magic that has caused my brother's tower to vanish to parts unknown."

"What kinda spells did Jaron have on this place to make it just up and move like that?" Sarah asked, bewildered.

"I do not know, but I intend to find out."

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Across the Under, in the darkness of Alyx's cabin on the Merrow Wind, Jaron's eyes snapped open and a gasp escaped his lips. Ancient magic called to him from across the land as the creatures that protected his tower used their wild magic to vanish it from the Goblin City. He was still half asleep, so the event escaped him as Alyx shifted in his arms and murmured in her sleep. Taking a deep breath, he tightened his hold on her and buried his face in her hair to return to their peaceful dream.

The Ruins of the Forest Gardens and Tangleroot Palace in Allerleirauh were quiet in the cool twilight. There was the beautiful crescendo of fairies singing and wild magic began to hum energy through the ruins. Slowly, at one corner of the garden, rocks began to move and shift and vines began to grow. A doorway grew and enlarged into a staircase, lit by fairies and the stones supported by vines and growing saplings. Stone by stone, Jaron's tower reconstructed itself in the place their Prince knew as home.

Slowly, the pair of lovers appeared, their bodies barely shades as they waltzed amongst the castle ruins before the reconstructed tower.

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In the months after Vesper's defection from the Unseelie, Morgan distanced herself from Magesblood. She took refuge with her sister in their family home, but kept one ear to the sea for news of Jaron or Alyx. Together, they studied the ancient magics, trying to find a way to stop the ritual that Zefiryn planned. With every day that passed, she grew more and more worried, until she heard rumor of the Goblin Prince's betrothal to another woman and she feared the worse. She had prepared to return to Magesblood to find out more, but then both of the le Fey sisters felt the pull of the wild magic when it ripped Jaron's tower from the Castle Beyond the Goblin City.

"What in the seven hells was that?" Morgan asked her sister and Wyntr stared off towards the northeast.

"Wild magic…" Wyntr spat and made the sign of the evil eye. "Something's got it right pissed off."

Morgan cursed. "It's likely that bloody Swamp Witch. I must return to Magesblood and try to find out what has happened."

Before she could transport herself, Wyntr stopped her by grabbing ahold of her sister's upper arm. "You listen and listen good! Be safe and wary upon your return to the Darkling Court. You know as well as I that Zefiryn is not one to be trusted or underestimated."

Morgan gave her a smirk. "I am the Sorceress and Enchantress of Sirocco Forest. I refuse to let that Hag outwit me."

"Don't get cocky. Not even I got the power to take on the entirety of the Unseelie Court for you, dear sister." Wyntr warned.

"I am not afraid of her." Morgan shook her arm free from her sister's grasp.

"You should be… We all should be. In some ways, she is loonier than Mab is, but she is the smartest kind of crazy. Zefiryn is dangerous."

"The witch may be dangerous but she has no real power. Not as long as Mab is upon the throne. As long as Mab Nightshayde is Queen of Air and Darkness then the Swamp Hag would not dare touch me." Morgan replied, firmly.

"That may be true, but no one has seen the Unseelie Queen in weeks and you've heard the same dark rumors that come from Magesblood that I have. Zefiryn means to take the throne and doesn't care whose blood she spills to get it."

"The Unseelie throne is merely the beginning if she gets her way and performs that ritual on Alyx. That's why I must return to Magesblood. Such a great burst of magic disturbs me, Wyntr. Something terrible could have happened."

"I know I can't change your mind, but do try to be safe, sister. Please. Send Sullie with news as soon you can… You hear me?"

"I promise it."

With that, Morgan transported herself away in a whirl of smoke and feathers. Almost instantly, she reappeared in her tower in Taveres Castle. The room remained pitch black upon her arrival and she frowned. She heard her pet crow give a weak squawk in the darkness.

"Sullie?" She asked and snapped her fingers to illuminate the room.

A scream died in her throat as the light revealed Harkin standing right before her, a sneer upon his scarred face. One of his large hands shot out and wrapped around her pale throat as a platoon of orcs pounced, shackling her in irons. One had Sullie locked in a tiny cage to prevent him from warning her of the trap.

"Welcome home, witch." Harking sneered as she hissed in pain against the burn of the shackles against her skin.

"Release me at once!" She snarled and his fingers tightened on her windpipe.

"Silence, witch! By the order of the Queen Zefiryn, you are a prisoner of the Unseelie Crown. You shall remain in irons in the dungeons until she decides what she wants to do with you."

Gasping, she wiggled in his grasp. "Mab is Queen, you fool. I am her sorceress!"

"Not any more…" Harkin gave her a smug grin. "Zefiryn has been made Queen Regent to rule until Mab has overcome her sudden illness."

"Then it's true. The witch has been poisoning her all along. I warned Mab to not trust her. She would have been wise to order Zefiryn's execution years ago."

Harkin growled and backhanded Morgan across the face, both busting her lip and knocking her to the floor. The Sorceress spat a mouthful of blood upon the floor and stared daggers up at him.

"Take this filth to the dungeons to rot." Harkin ordered and the orcs descended upon her.

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Sunlight filtered through the walls of Alyx's cabin and she sighed as the warm rays bathed her and Jaron's clasped hands. They hadn't moved from the makeshift bed he had created, unless it had been to make love again. She had awoken in his arms well before the coming of the sun, and at her stirring, he continued the worship of her until both were spent and exhausted.

"It's dawn. Don't you have to leave at dawn like last time?" Alyx asked, her voice soft.

Jaron leaned up on one elbow to look down at her. "You were quite intent that the last time was to be our only time. If I had stayed past dawn, I would had done all in my power to keep you in my arms forever, including hog-tying you to the bed."

"Your intended does not mind you spending the night in other women's beds then?"

"Alyx, love, there has never been someone that I am engaged to. My stupid pride wouldn't let me tell you the truth."

"Then why is she the talk of the goblin horde?" She paused for a moment. "I met her in Allerleirauh in my dreams."

"Now, you know as well as I do that goblins are the worst little rumor mongers-" Jaron stopped and gave her a confused look. "You met her?"

"Yes, in Allerleirauh while I was dreaming. She said she had heard that we dream-walked there together and wanted to meet the woman that her betrothed was in love with. She was blonde and beautiful…"

Jaron scoffed and tugged on one of her ebony tresses. "Well, you should have known better. You know I like my gals with sinfully dark hair."

"I'm serious, Jaron." Alyx batted his hand away with a frown. "I spoke to her."

Jaron pouted. "And I am serious when I say that I have no betrothed waiting on me back at the Goblin City. Not one that I have proposed to, at any rate."

"Then why did I dream of her?"

"This dream… It was when I woke you months ago and you were screaming, yes?" Jaron's lips drew into a grim line at her nod. "I knew that something was wrong. Someone, likely one of Mab's cretins, managed to find you in Allerleirauh while you were dream-walking and pretend to be my betrothed."

"I thought you cut those dreams a long time ago."

"It's not that simple, Alyx." Jaron sighed. "We are connected, you and I… The wild magic in within us both and the heart of the wild magic rests in Allerleirauh. I can dampen our dreams or refuse to dream-walk when you do, but I can never get rid of them completely. That's why I heard you call out to me in the darkness."

Her fingers danced along the grey streak in his hair at the mention of that night and she whispered. "What did you give up for me?"

"Just a bit of me youthful good looks." Jaron gave her a grin. "Not anything you got to worry your pretty little head about."

"Liar." She accused and tugged at his beard.

"It's nothing to worry your pretty head about." Jaron insisted.

"So, there really is no wife-to-be waiting for you?"

"Of course not. You see, I've had my sights set on a rather special girl for the better part of a decade and I'm going to keep trying to get her to love me back, whether she keeps wishing me away or not." Jaron replied, honestly, and kissed her knuckles.

"But we're like fire and gasoline…" Tears rose in her silver eyes. "Our love just causes the other person pain."

"No, love." Jaron leaned down to press his forehead against hers. "It's just taking us a bit longer to get our happily-ever-after."

"Do we deserve it?

"Everyone deserves a happily-ever-after."

"Then we will see…" Alyx chuckled and took a deep breath. "If the winds were good to us, we should land in the Genkis by the end of the day."

"Do you intend on wishing me away or running away from me then?"

"I've tried both and you still managed to find me…" She leaned her head back and smiled up at him. "Perhaps, I'll try letting you stay around for a while this time. Sooner or later you are bound to get sick of me."

"Love, I'll get sick of you when goblins fly on the backs of chickens over the Bog of Eternal Stench." Jaron leaned down to capture her lips for a kiss. "I'll stay at your side as long as you allow me to."

Hours later, after reluctantly dressing and packing her bag, Alyx waited on deck of the ship, near Morven's cabin. When they made port in the Genkis, Jaron had disappeared into the city to procure them some transportation. She had stayed behind to give appropriate orders to the crew and they were currently busy loading and unloading cargo. Morven's cabin door opened and the Captain peeked out. Seeing her waiting, he sauntered in her general direction with a smug smile. She gave him a foul look.

"I'm mad at you, Morven."

"I don't care." He replied, his grin growing. "Tickles me pink that you an' Patch got things settled betwixt the pair o' ya."

"That was a foul thing to do!" Alyx hissed and poked him in the chest hard with her index finger. "You lied to me!"

"No, I were merely withholdin' certain truths from ya."

"That's the same damned thing!"

"Is not. I tol' ya the truth 'bout how I knew him. He were me First Mate once upon a time. Last one I had 'til you stowed away on me ship, in fact. 'Course, not a soul in the under would believe that the Goblin Prince were a scurvy pirate, so he was Mister Armande Patch back in those days. Had to wear that eyepatch to hide them distinct Sindhe eyes of his."

"You could have told me that he was Jaron." Alyx snapped. "Especially after the serpent attack. He nearly died!"

"Oh, right? Ya know as well as me, that the second ya found out I'd smuggled the Goblin Prince aboard, right under yer wee button nose, you'd be goin' an' disappearin' at the first port we come to… Tell me I'm wrong." Morven challenged her and when she made no move to retort, he gave a satisfied nod. "That's what I thought."

"I'm still angry with you, Morven."

"An' if that's what it takes to keep yer ticker tickin', then I can live with that." Morven replied, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Sides, there be worse things than havin' the Goblin Prince as yer own personal bodyguard."

"Oh, yeah? Like what?" Alyx gave him a sideways smile.

"Imagine if he were the one after ya? Tenacious that one is… An' wily as a silver fox."

"I suppose you are right…" Alyx shifted her pack on her shoulder. "Are you coming ashore?"

"I'll be sendin' you an' Patch on ahead to Krollin's place. Figured the pair of ya needed a bit o' alone time." He laughed at her frown. "'Sides, Krollin an' Quigli are gonna take the boat back south an' I wants to go over the port stops with them. I'll be sendin' Gero with 'em, but he's gonna masquerade 'round like you to throw others off yer scent."

"Morven, what if he gets hurt-"

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't you worry yer head 'bout Gero. Quigli an' Krollin'll guard him like he were really you."

Jaron, back in disguise as Patch, came striding up the gangplank and moved to join them. "I got us a wagon and gear waitin' at a dive at the edge of town called The Broken Mast Inn."

"Well, no time like the present to get a move on, mates!" Morven put a hand on each one's shoulder and began ushering them towards the gangplank. "Now, I wants the pair o' ya to play nice on yer little trip. No pokin' at each other with swords or castin' hexes against each other an' such. An' remember don't be talkin' to or takin' no shiny red apples from strangers."

Alyx rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever you say, Dad…"

"Ya never can be too safe 'round these parts." Morven stopped and looked her up and down. "Now, ya got yer axes an' such, right?"

"Strapped to my pack." Alyx gave him a smile.

"Got that key?"

She pulled the key necklace out and showed him with a wry smile. "Check."

"Good. First sign o' trouble, you use that key an' the pair of ya gets to the Labyrinth, you hear me? No arguments, just go."

She gave him a mock salute. "Aye-aye, Cap'n."

"Ya gots you enough gold? Can't 'ave the pair of ya beggin' yer way to Krollin's place."

Alyx patted at a hidden pocket inside her coat. "Yep."

"I forgot to get yer share of the haul to ya yet. Run to me office and gets yerself the bag in me top desk drawer."

"Morven, I don't need-"

"No 'buts' 'bout it. Hop to it!" Morven ordered.

Alyx sighed and turned to head to his office. As soon as she was out of ear shot, Morven turned his attention to Jaron.

"Glad to see she dinna wish ya away, lad."

"Yet." Jaron returned, dryly. "All she need do is say the right words."

"I want ya to listen to me an' listen good… You stay frosty an' keep yer eyes peeled. I can't shake the feelin' that we ain't seen the last o' that Lich. The Genkis is 'bout the safest place in the Under to hide from anybody, but the Darkling Court… They gots eyes everywhere. I tol' the crew Anuerin were off few a wee trip to see his ailing mum an' they knew this were the last port fer you accordin' to yer contract."

Jaron nodded. "I've reinforced the wards and spells that have cloaking her. No one will see her."

"Still yet, if anythin' rubs ya the wrong way or ya see somethin' ya don't like, then I want ya to take the both of ya back to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City… Damned be whatever she's got to say 'bout the matter." Morven clasped Jaron's shoulder and gave him a little shake. "An' I mean, anythin', you gets me?"

"Aye, I gets ya."

"Good. I'm gonna put my ear to the ground here an' see what whispers be floatin' 'bout the island 'bout her. If I ain't there or got word to ya in three days' time, I want ya to take her somewheres inland. I donna care where, but keep her movin'. Donna use the same name or disguise twice an' steer clear of them bigger cities. 'Specially Unseelie ones."

"You act like this is my first time on the run." Jaron reminded him.

"Yeah, but ya dinna 'ave the Darkling Court after ya then. They'll not play fair."

"And neither will I." Jaron replied, grimly. "I'm prepared to take on the entirety of the Sluagh for her. She did the same for me once."

"Aye, an' we nearly lost the pair o' ya in the process."

"I won't let anything happen to her, Morven. I swear it.'

"None of us want anything happenin' to you either, you hear me?" Morven put one hand on the Goblin Prince's shoulder. "I donna know what kinda magic you was playin' with when you brought her back, but you know as well as I do that kind of magic is a slippery slope. If ya ain't careful, you'll be little more than the Lich that chases her."

"Why is it that everyone assumes I used dark magic to save her?" Jaron asked, curiously.

"Didn't you? Onlyiest magics I know that can bring someone back from the dead is necromancy, laddie."

"I don't dabble in the dark arts…" Jaron gave pause and, unconsciously, his hand went his head, where Morven knew his glamour hid the streak of silver hair there. "It was a different sort of magic that aided me in saving her."

"Oh? And what might that be then?"

"Nothing for you to concern yourself with." Jaron retorted.

Morven gave him a frown. "I donna like the sound of that, bucko."

"I know what I'm doing, Morven."

"Aye, an' that's what worries me most."

Jaron gave him a frown as Alyx returned to their side, tucking away the coin purse in her jacket. Morven enveloped the girl in a hearty hug and she hugged him back tightly.

"You say yer goodbyes to Krollin an' Quigli then?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"You stay safe an' I'll be seein' the pair o' ya in a few days. Now, gets a move on 'fore ya lose all yer daylight." Morven released her, reluctantly, and ushered them down the gangplank. Alyx turned to give him a sad smile with a small wave. He returned it and watched the pair as they disappeared into the crowded port. A frown grew on his face. He did not like not knowing what kind of magic that Jaron had been dabbling in these days, but he had no choice but to accept that the Goblin Prince was doing what was necessary to protect Alyx.

---

After the disappearance of the western tower, Jareth spent the entire next day studying ancient magics in his extensive library. He was determined to find out what had magicked it away. Despite his tenacity, he found very little evidence of what spell had been cast. Lamenting the fact that he had returned the djinn in the wine bottle to Jaron's quarters before the tower vanished, he pulled another dusty tome from the shelf. Releasing a bevy of sneezes, he made a mental note to order his staff to clean the room thoroughly. His sister Jora, who had long since been bored by Jaron's supposed fiancée, had joined him after lunch, and was deep into a trunk full of old scrolls. She looked up at him from her search with a wry smile.

"It has been years since we studied in this library together, brother."

He snorted. "As I recall, we did very little studying and more goofing off. Master Gwydion was quite unhappy with our progress and ordered us to be separated for our studies."

"A fine tradition that I passed along to our darling baby brother when he studied under our same Master." Jora laughed, heartily. "Our co-studying did not last a week and I was sent to Tir Asleen to study under Cherlindrea. After a week alone with Jaron, Master Gwydion resigned his position."

"I remember." Jareth gave a chuckle and adjusted his reading glasses. "Mother threatened to dip Jaron in the Bog over that. Master Gwydion had been tutor to the Goblin Family for centuries. Thank the Gods that Queen Allerleirauh was up to the task of Jaron's tutelage."

"She always had quite the way with Jaron. Mother said it was because of his Halfling nature." Jora gave a frustrated sigh and closed the trunk she was digging in. "Nothing here, either, Jareth. All I've found in here are old land deeds for the Bog, hexes to make someone's hair fall out, and recipes for Goblin mud pies."

Returning the book that he had been perusing with a sigh, Jareth said. "I have a feeling that all this searching will be for naught. Between Queen Allerleirauh, the dragons of the Waste, and whomever else he came across over the years, Jaron did not learn about magic the same way as you and I… We may never find what happened to his tower."

"I swear that I am going to murder him for this…" Jora grumbled and moved to another chest. "I do not have time to play such games with him!"

"I feel your pain, dear sister, but you know how our brother enjoys his games."

"Perhaps one of us should search for him in the Aboveground again. Perhaps-"

Jareth cut her off. "Jora, we do not even know if he was in the tower when it disappeared. He could be anywhere."

She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Jareth! What if he was in the tower? What if the magic obliterated him an-"

"We would know if our brother was dead." Jareth interrupted her again, a little more harshly than he intended. His voice softened. "We would know."

Jora's eyes widened. "Trog!"

"Pardon?" Jareth gave her a blank look.

"Trog! If anyone knew where Jaron was, it would be Trog!" Jora rose excitedly. "You must summon her at once."

Jareth rolled a crystal to his fingertips and commanded to it. "Bring me Trog Magpiebeak of Goodfellow Glen."

There was flurry of Goblin magic and the candles in the room dimmed as his subjects did his bidding. Within moments a pair of goblins popped into existence before them, with Trog the fairy in tow. The tiny fairy was a spitfire of pointy teeth and Gaelic curses as the larger goblin had her clasped in two gloved hands. Finally her sharp little teeth dug through the thick gloves and met flesh. Her captor squealed in pain and released the buzzing fairy, where she flitted to one of the highest candleholders in the room.

"Fraggin' aardvark!" Trog snapped at the goblin and focused her angry glare at Jareth. "If you wanted to see me, all you had to do was ask. Instead of sending your smelly and stupid goblins after me."

"I'm sorry, Trog, but this is of the utmost importance!" Jareth replied and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Please, Trog!" Jora pleaded. "You must tell us where we can find Jaron."

"I dunno." Trog looked miffed. "He said he was going above sometime back and I ain't see him since."

"Trog, it is important that-" Jareth began until the irate little fairy cut him off.

"He disappeared okay? He didn't tell me where he was going! He just disappeared! Nobody knows where he is and if they do they ain't telling!"

Jora spoke, softly. "His tower has vanished."

The fairy's eyes widened and her lip trembled. "What?"

"There was an explosion of magic in the western wing and when we arrived, Jaron's tower had disappeared." Jareth explained. "We've tried to pinpoint what magic was used, but-"

"Show me." Trog ordered, her voice shaking almost as much as she was.

Upon her arrival to where the western tower once stood, the fairy flitted about the giant hole in the castle wall, wordlessly. Once in a while she would rest her hands upon the stones and close her eyes in thought. After a moment, she turned to the siblings, worry in her eyes.

"It was powerful magic that ripped the western tower from the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. It was ancient and wild." Trog flitted back to them and rested upon Jora's shoulder. "Was Jaron in the tower?"

"We cannot be sure." Jareth began. "His betrothed believes-"

"Betrothed?" Trog spat out. "You can't be telling me those rumors are true?!"

"I'm afraid that it seems so. That is why it is imperative that we find Jaron. We must have him to make some sense of all of this."

Trog gave an affirming nod. "I must go to the Enchanted Wood. If there is anyone who knows where he is hiding, it will be there. I will be in touch."

With the inexplicable magic that all fairies and sprites possess, the fairy was gone, leaving the siblings alone. The pair continued to stare at the hole in the castle wall where the tower once stood, until Sarah approached the pair.

"The goblins told me that you summoned Trog? By the looks on your faces, I take it she didn't have any good news." Sarah frowned and rested her hands on her swollen stomach.

"Unfortunately no, but she claims the magic that tore the tower away is ancient and powerful. I have fear that this is Unseelie work." Jora replied, hugging her own arms to herself.

Jareth shook his head. "The magic did not leave a dark mark. I don't believe it was Unseelie."

"Regardless of what magic did it, I am not leaving a hole in my castle walls." Sarah retorted, firmly, and held out her hands in a square before herself to study the massive hole. "Tomorrow Ludo is going to come here and fill the hole. I'll warn you that it will look absolutely horrendous, but a few of the seamstresses are weaving a tapestry to cover the stones. They say it is to be a dedication to Heep-Heep the Rhymer."

Jareth groaned. "Heep-Heep can barely read, let alone rhyme."

"That's what I tried to tell them, but they were insistent." Sarah shrugged. "They said it was a gift for his birthday."

"Back to the library, brother?" Jora asked.

"Oh, no you don't!" Sarah scolded the pair. "You two have left me alone to deal with your mother and Lady Wren all day! It's your turn to play dutiful hostess! I want to go to our chamber and soak my feet until bedtime."

---

The sun was setting into the sea by the time that Jaron and Alyx made it to the secluded cove where Krollin had made his home. Hours before, Alyx had leaned against him as he steered their wagon, and had fallen asleep with her head rested at his shoulder. Jaron pulled the wagon up to the tiny barn next to Krollin's shanty and pressed a kiss against Alyx's head.

"Wake up, love. We're here."

Alyx grumbled and blinked her eyes sleepily. "Already? How long have I been asleep?"

"Only a few hours." Jaron dismounted and turned to help her down from the cart. "I'll get the horse put away and gather our gear. Why don't you go on inside and get a few lanterns going?"

She nodded as she grabbed her pack. With a yawn, she made her way into the shanty. Years before, when she had first started staying there, Krollin had magically expanded the two bedroom shanty and added a cozy and private loft bedroom for her. After lighting the lantern in the main room and kitchen, she climbed into the loft, coughing at the dust that she unsettled in long vacant home. Dumping her pack against one wall, she moved towards her lanterns. Within moments, her room was lit and she sighed, happily, at the sight of the large feathered mattress in one corner. As she busied herself changing the sheets on the bed, she heard Jaron bringing in their supplies inside. Once that was done, he also climbed into the loft, dropping his pack next to hers. Crossing the room, he took the girl in his arms, inhaling the scent of her hair. She curled up against him, burying her face in his chest. He pressed a kiss against her dark hair.

"Every time that I touch you, it feels like the first time all over again." Jaron confessed. "I could spend eternity rediscovering you."

"I must admit that in your arms is the safest that I've felt in a long time." Alyx confessed.

"Then that's where you shall stay." Jaron teased and tightened his arms around her.

She laughed. "Hey lighten up, I need to breathe!"

With a laugh, Jaron released her, and gave her a gentle push, so that she fell upon the bed. Within moments, he was on top of her, his lean body pressed against hers, and his lips at her neck. Alyx moaned.

"You can't just ravish me anytime that you please…" Alyx protested, weakly, as he nipped at her neck.

"Of course not." He chuckled against her skin. "Where are my manners?"

In one quick movement, he flipped them over on the bed so that he was flat upon his back and her legs straddled his hips. Giving her a sexy smile, he laced his fingers behind his head.

"Ravish away, madam." He practically purred.

She looked down at him, disapprovingly. "You are incorrigible."

"I know."

"There are million others things that we need to be doing besides fooling around."

"Name three." He challenged.

"We need to put away our supplies, clean the shanty, and set up a perimeter of wards… And not in that particular order."

"Done, done, and done… I handled everything before I came up here." He rubbed her arms, reassuringly.

She frowned. "Then I feel like we need to set some ground rules on our relationship."

"So, we are in a relationship, then?"

"Jaron…" She warned.

He groaned. "Why do I feel that I'm not going to like these rules?"

"May I remind you that you are only words away from me wishing you back to the Goblin City?"

"If you wish me away, I'll only find you again. You may think you have a lot of aliases, but I am a master of disguise myself. I have no intention of leaving your side, Alyx."

"I am starting to regret not saying my right words on the ship." She replied, sourly.

"You are not." Jaron returned with a smug smile.

"I've agreed to let you stick around for now, but you can't just keep me in bed with you all the time. I still have more studying to do on Lichs and we both need to be keeping an eye out for the Unseelie."

"If you would just let me take you to the Goblin City, you wouldn't have such worries." He rubbed her bared arm, gently. "Grandfather rescinded his hunt for you years ago and my family wants nothing more than to welcome you back with open arms. You are a hero within the Seelie Court."

Alyx scoffed. "It's enough that being in my presence puts you in harm's way. I'm not about to bring the Sluagh down upon the rest of your family and my friends. I wouldn't have even returned to the Merrow Wind if it wasn't for what happened at the Keep. If your family sheltered me it could cause a war between the Courts."

He cocked one eyebrow at her. "Since when did you learn so much about courtly politics? And since when do you care?"

"Since it could get people killed because of me."

"Alyx, love, tensions have been high between the Courts for over a millennia and have worsened as long as Mab has been Queen. Her imprisonment and torture of me only managed to escalate things. The only reason that my Grandfather did not go to war before now is the fact that one life is not worth the lives of hundreds more that will die in battle on both sides. I fear that soon, war will be inevitable… No matter what you or I have to do with it."

"I refuse to let anyone die for me, Jaron. I'll sooner turn myself over to Mab and Zefiryn than let this erupt into war between the Courts."

Jaron leaned up, cupping the back of her neck with one hand and pressed his forehead against hers to whisper, fiercely. "You will do no such thing."

"Like you said… I may not have a choice." Alyx removed herself from his arms and moved to her pack across the room.

Jaron cursed in Goblinese and was at her side in an instant, gripping her arm tight. "Your surrender would only delay the inevitable. As long as Mab and Zefiryn are in control of the Unseelie throne, war brews on the horizon, however distant it may be."

"Even so, if it would save lives, then it is the right decision to make." She jerked her arm free from his grasp. "And may I remind you that it is my decision if it should come to that."

"Then you would die in vain and I would declare war on the Unseelie Court myself." Jaron confessed. "Even if I were the only soldier in my army, I would fight until my last breath to avenge you."

Tears came to her eyes. "I don't want that, Jaron."

He cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her face up to look at his. "Then leave with me. We will cross the worlds and go to the Above… We could hide there."

"But for how long, Jaron? How long can a Fae survive in a world of cold iron and jaded mortals who no longer believe in magic? We may have mortal blood, but we are still Fae as well. We would suffocate there." Alyx turned away from him, hugging her arms to herself. "One hundred years? Two hundred? How long would it take until we wasted away and withered to dust?"

"I would take that versus an eternity without you." Jaron replied, firmly.

"No matter what choice I make, someone dies… Now do you see why I've cast you from my life for so long?"

"Enough with this martyr act!" Jaron snapped, angrily. "Everyone deserves a happily-ever-after! You included! Once you've gotten that through your thick skull, we will all be a lot better off!"

"I don't think I'm a martyr! I've spent all of my short life looking for my happily-ever-after and every damn time I get close, someone dear to me gets hurt! I'm not about to sacrifice those I love for my own personal happiness!"

"And what about my happiness? All my life, I've been considered an outcast… There were even times my own family has treated me like an outsider. Then one fateful day a mortal girl made a wish that changed my life forever. I was drawn to you like a moth to a flame the moment that I saw you. Our fate is tied together, Alyx… For better or for worse, we are connected. I have never been happier than when I am with you." Jaron drew a shaking breath. "Even if you drive me mad sometimes."

Alyx was quiet for a moment as tears fell down her cheeks. "Do you ever wish that I had never wished myself away?"

"Of course not." Jaron reached for her and drew the crying girl into his arms. "Do you?"

"Never." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest as he smoothed her hair with one hand. "As much as I wish I could, I would never rescind my wish."

The pair was quiet for a while, with him comforting her with his touch and her holding him as tightly as she dared. Once her tears managed to subside, she took a shaking breath and looked up at him.

"What are we going to do, Jaron?"

"Right now? Sleep… Tomorrow, we shall see…" Jaron pressed a kiss to her forehead.

---

Sighing happily, Sarah leaned back to soak in the sunken black marble tub in Jareth and her private bathroom. The warm water was scented with peach essence and rose petals floated in the water around her. The babe in her belly gave a gentle kick and with a soft smile she ran her hands over her swollen stomach. This was the first time in days that she had managed to have a spare moment to herself, and due to the aches of her pregnancy, she had decided that a good long soak was in order.

Tensions had been high in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City since Jaron's tower had vanished. Jareth and Jora had been spending much of their time searching for what sort of magic that could have done such a thing, so it had mostly been up to Sarah and Jiera to play hostess to Lady Wren. The poor girl had been beside herself when the tower vanished before her eyes and Wren had heard no word from Jaron as to when he planned on arriving to meet her. To be honest, such radio silence out of Jaron also had Sarah quite worried about the whereabouts of the Goblin Prince. Furrowing her brow, she summoned a crystal to her fingertips.

"Show me Jaron." She ordered, but despite the pull of her magic, the crystal remained dark and murky. Cursing in Goblinese, she threw the crystal towards the wall, barely missing Jareth as he appeared in the bathroom. He ducked to avoid the crystal and it smashed against the wall.

He cocked one finely arched eyebrow at her. "Have I chosen a bad time, precious?"

"Oh, Jareth! I'm sorry!" Sarah moved to get out of the tub. "I was tryin-"

He was at her side in a moment, stopping her from rising. "Rest, my love. I am only glad that you are not burning down my hedge maze again. Did you see something in the crystal that did not please you?"

Relaxing in the hot water again, she sighed. "I tried to search for Jaron… All it showed me was black."

"He is quite adept at blocking others from peeking in on his life. Let me focus on finding my brother… I want you to focus on my son in your belly."

"Or daughter and she'll be fine." Sarah gave him a smirk. "Besides, what kind of Queen would I be if I didn't try to help you find your brother?"

"I do appreciate the help." Jareth admitted as he began to disrobe and joined his wife in their tub. Once he was settled, she curled up into his arms and he used his magic to rewarm the water again. "I apologize for my absence whilst we are to be entertaining our guest."

"You owe me and your mother big time for this one, Jareth." Sarah warned, leaning her head back against his chest. "Lady Wren has been a wreck since the tower fiasco. The girl has barely left her quarters and looks pale as ghost whenever I do see her."

"She had heard nothing from Jaron?"

"Not a word." Sarah shook her head. "She's hasn't said it, but I think she's afraid that either he was in the tower when it went or he's going to break their betrothal. If he hasn't arrived in three days, she's going to go back to Nairn and await word from him."

"Just as well, since we have our hands full here with trying to solve the mystery of his disappearing tower. I am glad that you are taking such good care of the girl."

"Well, like I said you owe us… I'm talking big ticket gifts, Goblin King." Sarah teased.

"I believe I have just the thing." Jareth twirled a crystal up to the tips of his fingers, and held it out before the both of them her. He teased. "I've brought you a gift."

Sarah turned to cock one eyebrow at him. "Not funny… What is it?"

"Well, it is a bit late, I do admit, but I've brought you the spell that provides you with the magic to transform into a bird of prey, like the rest of the Sindhe family. Since you are not born of Sindhe bloodlines, the gift must be given to you by kin of the Sindhe."

She reached out towards the crystal, her emerald eyes full of wonder. "What kind of bird will I be?"

"One can never tell. It is the magic's choice, but this is not a gift for any ordinary girl." He twisted his wrist and let it dance upon his hand as he asked, innocently. "Do you want it?"

She gave him a dirty look and grabbed for the crystal. He kept it just out of her reach and clicked his tongue. "Ah, ah, ah… Don't I deserve a kiss?"

Sarah gave him a beautiful smile and leaned in to press her lips against his. Deepening the kiss, she distracted him long enough to pluck the crystal from his fingertips with a smug chuckle.

"Minx…" He frowned. "That's not fair."

"I wonder what your basis for comparison is?" Sarah threw his own words back at him and looked deep into the crystal. "How does it work?"

Jareth gave a chuckle and nuzzled her neck, affectionately. "Just say your right words, precious."

Her emerald eyes locked in on the crystal and she whispered. "I wish I knew what kind of bird I will be."

In a small burst of glitter and golden brown feathers, Sarah transformed. She was now a smaller owl perched upon his arm. She looked very much like his barn owl form, but instead of snowy white, she was a dark golden brown along her head back and wings, but her belly and face were a soft golden red color.

Jaron looked her over, appreciatively. "You are a Golden Masked Owl, I believe. It is only found in on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea and is quite rare in the Above."

She gave an excited screech and stretched her wings.

"Ah-ah!" Jareth stopped her. "I would prefer if you waited to fly until after the baby is born."

Sarah gave him the foulest look that her owl form could muster.

"I'm sorry, precious, but we must think of the baby. You haven't the foggiest clue how to fly yet an-"

Instantly, she transformed back to her original form and pouted. "What good is giving me a gift that I can't use?"

He gave her a warm smile. "I'll tell you what. After dinner tomorrow, we shall go out into the Labyrinth and I shall teach you to fly, but I prefer that you save flying for when you are with me or at least that winged rat of yours… Agreed?"

"I guess." Sarah snuggled down into his arms. "Thank you, Jareth. Have I told you how much I love you today?"

"Hmm… Not since lunch, I do believe."

"Don't be cocky."

"Of course not, precious."

---

After the fiasco of Jaron's vanishing tower, Zefiryn kept to herself in her quarters in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. Besides the fact that she was furious at losing whatever knowledge that brat prince kept in her tower, the toll of her spells had begun to weaken her, and was causing her youthful looks to fade. Ramsden had brought her the blood of some young nymph, but its power was not nearly enough. Her time was running short in the Labyrinth and she knew it. The mute handmaiden she had chosen from Magesblood was her only option, and Zefiryn bled her dry with gusto to regain her strength.

Lounged out in the white marble tub of her quarters, she bathed in the young woman's blood, delighting in the way the blood restored youth to her fair skin. Ramsden watched from the doorway, a frown upon his handsome face. He had long disposed of the handmaiden's body. She gave him a smile and cupped her hands in her bath to drink.

"Perhaps it is time that we return to Magesblood, Your Majesty." Ramsden said, nervously. "With his tower gone, Jaron could come back at any time and this ruse will be exposed."

"If he has not returned by now, then the brat will not be returning anytime soon." Zefiryn replied as she drank her fill. "Besides, I am more than enough match for a silly little Goblin Prince."

"What of the rest of the Goblin Monarchy? Let alone the Seelie Royal Court when they get wind of this?"

"Are you afraid of the Golden Court, Ramsden? You should be more afraid of me than they." Zefiryn warned as she rose from the blood filled tub and magicked away the stains with the flick of once wrist. She stood, beautiful and nude before him, her hands on her slender hips. "Fetch my robe."

Wordlessly, he returned with the garment and helped her wrap herself in it. He followed her to her bedroom and watched as she combed out her long blonde hair at the vanity. A knock sounded upon her chamber doors and his panicked eyes flew to her. She waved him towards the bathroom with a curt smile and the former prince hid there.

"Come in!" Her voice rang out, sugary sweet, and the elf, Abby, was there with a covered dinner tray.

"Pardon the disturbance, Your Grace, but your handmaiden didn't come and get your dinner."

Zefiryn gave her a glowing smile. "I forgot to inform everyone that she has returned to Nairn. It was a family emergency and she was needed there more than here."

Abby set the tray upon a table and studied Jaron's supposed intended with curious eyes as the girl finished out brushing her long blonde hair. "Is there anything else that you require, miss?"

"Yes, but you have no way of producing my betrothed for me." Zefiryn simpered in the mirror.

"'Fraid not, miss. Of course, Prince Jaron has quite always had a mind of his own."

Zefiryn turned in her chair to study the elf. "But you were his nursemaid, yes? Surely, you know him better than anyone."

"Aye, I do, but not as well as I thought." Abby replied, her mouth set in a thin line and arms across her chest. Like most of the Fairy Folk, she did not fully trust this supposed paramour of Jaron's. "Will there be anything else, miss?"

"No, thank you." Zefiryn crossed over to lift the cover of the dish and was delighted to find a small roasted game hen with all the trimmings. "Oh, please inform the King and Queen that I feel much better now and hope to take my breakfast with the family in the morning."

"Of course, miss." Abby gave a nod of her head and left the room.

Relaying the message to the nearest goblin page, she set out on her own mission. Using a magic that was reserved for elves and some dwarves, she went to the nearest wardrobe door, and opened it. Instead of clothes meeting her eyes, the door opened up to the private quarters of the dowager Goblin Queen and King. Jorall was standing at the fireplace with one hand braced upon the mantle as he stared into the flames and Jiera was across the room, staring out over the Labyrinth from her window. Both Fae's attention snapped to her as soon as she cleared her throat.

"If the pair of you make me go into that witch's den one more time, I swear I can't be held accountable for my actions." Abby warned, her face flushed with anger. "It were all I could do not to take my fists to that vile woman!"

Jiera's face softened and she rushed over to take the elf's hands in her own to comfort her. "I am sorry, Abby, but it is a necessary evil."

"Hmph…" Jorall gave a snort. "If it were up to me, I'd go in there and slit the Swamp Witch's throat meself and save the whole lot of us the time and energy."

Jiera gave her husband a frown. "You know we can't do that, Jorall. We cannot risk war between the Courts."

From the moment that Jiera had laid eyes upon the supposed Lady Wren of Nairn, she had seen right through the rouse. She had recognized the corn silk hair and bright blue eyes of the former Unseelie Queen. Though she had been a mere tyke the last time that she had seen Queen Zefiryn in the glory days of her youth, the dark Queen had made a lasting impression on Jiera. She remembered the light hair and eyes, but cruel nature of the Unseelie monarch had been confusing for her child's mind to comprehend at the time. The vision of purity in evil had set like stone in Jiera's memory, so she had nearly blacked out when the witch had shown up sporting a new identity and claiming to be her youngest son's betrothed. Immediately after, the Dowager Goblin Queen summoned Abby, along with a few of the more trustworthy house servants and set them to watching Zefiryn in secret.

What she had discovered disgusted her.

The vile witch had managed to sneak in Prince Ramsden as her paramour by having him masquerade as Jaron and now her handmaiden had disappeared. The worst of it was that Zefiryn had everyone in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City fooled with the exception of a scarce few. Although Jiera suspected that Jareth had his suspicions ever since Jaron's tower had vanished in her presence.

"We must inform King Jareth, Your Grace." Abby said, urgently.

"No. Not until I know what it is that she is planning."

"Jiera, love, it's obvious the woman is trying' to get a rise outta Alyx and draw the gal into a trap. We've got to tell Jareth so that he can spoil her ruse and-" Jorall began and she held up one hand to stop him.

"No."

"She's dangerous, Jiera." Abby pleaded. "She has likely murdered under his own roof."

The Dowager Goblin Queen's eyes widened considerably. "What?"

"Her handmaiden is completely gone. Not one of the staff in the castle can find the girl and the witch claims that she returned to Nairn."

One hand fluttering over her mouth, Jiera set her lips in a grim line. "It is no wonder that she looks so young then… She is using maiden blood to regain her immortal youth."

"That's why we gotta tell Jareth."

"I cannot risk having that witch somewhere where I do not have eyes and ears on her."

"Even if she drains every maiden in this castle?" Abby argued. "Imagine what could have happened to Miss Mina and Miss Telyn if they had not gone to Bethmoora? Or if Miss Vesper had not left for Merial to confer with Titiana?"

"Enough of this argument. It's high time we got that wolf in sheep's clothing outta this castle." Jorall replied. "Jareth, we need you!"

The Goblin King appeared before them with a curious look about his face. "What do you three look so guilty about?"

"It's that Lady Wren. She's not who she makes herself out to be." Abby scowled in disgust. "She-"

"I know." Jareth replied, curtly as the trio gaped at him in shock.

"How did you-How long have you known?"

Jareth gave the elf a smirk. "I am the Goblin King, you know. I have had my suspicions about her since we learned of her existence, but the night that Jaron's tower disappeared I became even more curious about our guest. While Jora and I were digging about in my library for answers to the tower's disappearance, I came across an old journal of my father's. Inside the supposed Lady Wren was described and illustrated to great length during the sections about his time within the Unseelie Court… I know she is the Swamp Hag in disguise. How did the three of you come to the same conclusion?"

"It is hard to forget when you've seen pure evil, my son." Jiera replied. "I recognized her upon her arrival and I urged Jorall and Abby to assist me in spying on her."

"It is obvious that she is attempting to lure Alyxandrea here, but I do not understand what she could want with Jaron's tower?"

Abby snorted. "That's easy enough. Your brother's got a stash of magical knick-knacks that any sorcerer would give their left hand for."

"That or the witch believes that he's got Alyx hidden away up there." Jorall added.

"What do you intend to do about her then?" Jiera asked Jareth.

He cocked one eyebrow at his mother. "The same thing that you have been doing, apparently. Until I know her full plans and Alyxandrea is safe, I'd prefer to not let that witch out of my sight."

"We can't just let her waltz around here like this!" Jorall protested.

"We can and we will."

"An' what of Queen Sarah and Princess Jora? Are we to keep them in the dark?" Abby asked.

"Yes. Sarah does not need any more undue stress while she is with child and Jora can barely contain the rage she feels for our brother's supposed intended as is. I also have a special regiment of Goblin spies that shadow the Swamp Hag as we speak."

"An' what about Jaron? Don't he deserve to know?" Jorall asked, heatedly. "I'm goin' Above and warnin' my boy about the witch that is posin' as his betrothed!"

Jareth scoffed. "We do not even know if he is Above."

"If he' 'round these parts, he would 'ave done come snoopin' about at the whispers of a supposed fiancée. I'm goin' Above an' lookin' fer my son."

"You will do no such thing!" Jiera's voice rang with authority.

"Jaron deserves to know the schemes afoot!" Abby supported Jorall. "If he were here-"

"Enough from the both of you! Jaron has his own schemes to worry about." Jiera responded, hotly.

Jorall gave his wife a confused look. "Jiera… What's going on?"

"I'm afraid I cannot tell even you, my love." Jiera gave her husband a pleading look. "I am bound by an oath to keep my son's secrets."

"Jiera, what in the devil are you talking about?" Jorall asked, gently taking his wife's hands into his own. She turned over one of her pale palms and a faint blue glow ran across her palm like the cut of a knife. He gasped when he realized that it was a blood oath that his wife had taken. "Jiera!"

"Who am I to tell my baby boy 'no' when he begs me?" Jiera gave her husband a sheepish smile and held the hand over her heart.

Jareth cursed. "What has he gotten himself into this time? He never even went Above, did he?"

Abby gasped again, the pieces falling into place. "He's went after Miss Alyx, hasn't he? He's run off to keep her safe!"

Jiera gave them all another sheepish smile. "I cannot say."

"I'd bet me best set o' armor that's what my boy is up too… It's what I'd do an' he takes after his Da, that one…" Jorall said, proudly.

"That he does…" Jareth lamented. "Which means that he is liable to be thinking with his heart and not his head… Ergo he is making his plan up as he goes along."

"Yeah, but what better way to stay ahead of the Unseelie if he don't even know what he's gonna do next?" Jorall beamed and pulled his wife into his arms. "That boy of ours might be a genius!"

"It's hardly the word I'd use for my darling Jaron." Jiera replied, bitterly, and wrapped her shaking arms around her husband. "I am worried for him."

"Now, don't you go worrying 'bout our boy. He's got a good head on his shoulders and more uncommonly good luck than you can shake a stick at. The lad will be fine!"

---

Strong hands held Jaron under the water and his lungs burned for oxygen. His hands clawed at the dark figure with the steel grip upon his throat. The blurred form of a skull mask came to him through the water and he opened his mouth to scream.

His body slick with sweat, Jaron sat up straight in bed, choking back a scream. His hands went to his neck and he gasped.

It had only been a dream.

Alyx shifted in the bed beside him and murmured in her sleep. He tucked the blanket around her form with a slight smile and moved to exit the bed. He walked nude across the room, his hand resting gently over the pendant on his chest. Alyx had not noticed the change is his pendant since she had last seen him. Gone was his Goblin Prince medallion and another had taken its place.

It was a beautifully crafted piece of art. The pendant hosted a winding tree of life made of gold and wrapped around a circle of a dark hard wood. The pendant had replaced his other when he had found Alyx dead in her keep and he had called out to the wild magic in the Enchanted Wood to beg it to save her. The magic had accepted the blood he drew from his palm, drinking deeply from the wound. Then it named its ultimate price for saving the girl.

In exchange for bringing the girl back from the fade, the ancient magic demanded a favor from the Goblin Prince. A favor that it would call upon at any time and he could not refuse. Throwing caution to the wind, he had agreed without hesitation. The medallion nearly burnt his chest at the change and showed as physical proof of their pact. The moment he felt the tug of the magical binding, a streak of silver hair grew at his temple and Alyx had drawn a ragged breath into her still lungs. The magic had brought her back.

His thoughts sobering him, he tapped the pendant nervously. Dealings with wild magic were more oft than not unpredictable and chaotic. Few beings were left untouched after a pact with such an ancient magic. He did not like not knowing what the magic was expecting of him in the future. His life had been a virtual whirlwind since that fateful night when she had called out his name in the darkness.

A month before, he had told everyone in his family that he was going Aboveground for a holiday, but it had only been a ruse so that he disappear. Only his mother had known of his plans, but she had sworn an unbreakable vow to him to keep his secrets. In disguise, he could find out more about what the Unseelie had planned for Alyx. When the Knight of Death had stalked about at his brother's wedding, he had known the situation was dire. He had been haunting about Magesblood for more information on the ritual Zefiryn had planned when Alyx called his name and he flew to her side. Once she was safely in Squall's hands, he arranged with the pirate to hire onto the crew and keep a closer eye on her.

He smiled over at his lover's sleeping form in the bed. Regardless of what the magic asked of him, it had been worth it. Everything was worth it when it came to her. She turned in her sleep, letting out a heavy sigh and a slight snort. He chuckled.

Even if she snored like a troll.

After dressing quietly as to not awake Alyx, he left her a note in the predawn light and left the cabin. Sunlight streamed in the windows as the hours passed before Alyx awakened. She frowned when her searching fingers did not find Jaron in the bed, and the frown deepened when she realized that there was a piece of paper stuck to her forehead. Plucking the paper free, she squinted her eyes to read the scrawled note.

"You were sleeping so well, I couldn't bear to wake you. I've went to the lagoon to catch breakfast. Love, Jaron." She read aloud her frown growing with each word. "P.S. You snore like a troll."

She crumpled up the offensive paper and quickly dressed in a loose shirt and pants. Climbing down from the loft, she realized the sun was already high in the sky and it was likely past lunch time. The kitchen/living room area was empty, so she went outside to find Jaron. The scent of roasting fish hit her nostrils before she was even out the door and her stomach grumbled. He was there on the beach, next to a fire pit hosting two large fish on stakes. He was busy adjusting the fish over the heat and did not notice her approach, so she took time to study him.

Gone was his pirate disguise, and he had opted for a ragged pair of pants and no shirt in the warm tropical sun. He had weaved his long brown hair into a braid that showed off the strands of gold that ran through out the curls. She nearly giggled when she realized that there were a pair of tiny Genki spites weaving chunks of his long beard into braids as well. Sunlight glinted off of the medallion at his chest and she was surprised to see it was not his Goblin Prince one, but instead a beautiful rendition of a tree of life. One of the sprites noticed her watching and fluttered to Jaron's ear to whisper there. He turned and gave her a smile as the sprites flew away into the jungle.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." He asked. "Did you get my note?"

She tossed the crumpled note at him and scowled. "Of course I bloody did! You glued it to my forehead while I was asleep… And I do not snore like a troll."

"Yes, you do, but you snore like an adorable troll." Jaron teased as she sat down into the sand next to him. "Hungry?"

"Starving." Alyx confessed and gave him a puzzled look. "How did you catch the fish? I'm sure all the line on our fishing poles has rotted away by now."

He smirked and blew one of his golden gyrfalcon feathers in her direction. "My bird form has many uses."

"That would have been a handy talent to have while I was traveling the Underground all these years." Alyx replied and played with the golden feather. "What is it like to fly?"

"Heaven." Jaron replied, honestly. "I do most of my best thinking when I fly."

She was quiet for a moment and sighed. "About last night-"

"I'm sorry that I yelled at you." Jaron cut her off. "You mean more to me than you realize, Alyx, and I only want you safe and happy."

"I know that, Jaron-"

"And I do not wish to fight with you today. For today can we forget what demons chase us and simply enjoy being together for the first time in nearly a decade?"

"I would like that."

He gave her a warm smile and brushed his knuckles down her cheek, lovingly, and leaned over to capture her lips with his. Eager for his touch, Alyx reciprocated the kiss, hungrily.

"Are you hungry love?" He whispered against her lips.

"Ravished." Alyx confessed and tackled him into the sand, her lips pressed against his once more.

It was only by pure luck that he did not burn their lunch while taking her on the beach and under the bright Genki sun.

The young lovers spent the next few days entangled in one another. To them, nothing existed except for themselves. Hours were spent in one another's arms, whether it was in the white sands of the beach or nestled under the blankets in her bed. They did not speak of the future, but instead their conversations were of the past. She told her stories to him. The great tales of her adventures in the long seven years he was a captive. They recounted their shared dreams in those years with fond memories and found that over the years there were many times that their paths had crossed outside of the dreams. When he tired of the tales, his mouth and hands would begin to travel along her smooth skin until her story was mere gasps of pleasure created by his touch. They enjoyed one another and pretending that the outside world did not exist.

---

Sarah mumbled a curse as the poked her finger with her embroidery needle for the sixth time that morning. She had decided to take up the habit as a way to get to know the Lady Wren better and fill the boredom of her days. Sticking her bleeding appendage into her mouth, she groaned when she saw two drops of blood staining the baby gown that she was attempting to stitch small versions of the Goblin Seal upon. Wren looked up from her own work as Sarah glared at the blood.

"That's it… I give up." Sarah tossed her project to one side and inspected her wounded finger with a pout. "I'll never be a proper seamstress."

"Embroidery is not for everyone." Wren set her own work to the side and gave the Goblin Queen a sweet smile. "Perhaps it is time we took a break anyways?"

"Sounds good to me." Sarah rang a small bell on the wall beside her and soon a servant was bringing them their tea. After making and taking a lengthy sip from her glass, Sarah gave the other girl a weak smile. "I am sorry that your visit to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City has been this way, Lady Wren. I mean between Jaron not showing up and his tower disappearing…"

"Besides the obvious misfortunes surrounding my trip, I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your home, Your Majesty. Albeit, I do wish that my betrothed had been here while I got to know his family, I have very much enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you." Wren replied, her voice sweet as the honey that she stirred into her tea. "Has His Majesty discovered anything about the whereabouts of Prince Jaron's tower?"

"No, but he is hopeful." Sarah gave the girl's hand a gentle pat. "I'm sure that whatever happened to the tower, Jaron is fine. He's a very resourceful Fae."

"As I am finding out more and more… Tell me, have the Goblins any clue as to where their Prince can be?"

Sarah opened her mouth to reply and froze as a realization came over her. She gave another low curse and an apologetic look to Wren. "Uh, if you would excuse me… I have to find my husband."

Running, or as she felt that she was waddling with her swollen belly, she made her way to the library where Jora and Jareth were again immersed in books. Both gave her curious looks when she rushed into the room, red-faced and breathing heavily.

"I truly hope that you are not in labor and ran to tell us." Jora gave her sister-in-law a smirk.

Sarah shook her head and took a deep breath. "I'm an idiot! Why didn't we think of it before?"

"Pardon?"

"It's so simple! Why didn't I think of it before?"

Jora raised a questioning eyebrow to her sister-in-law. "Whatever are you talking about?"

With a triumphant grin, Sarah rested her hands over her swollen stomach and said. "I wish for the goblins to bring me the Goblin Prince… Right now!"

Jareth smiled. "Clever girl… Even I did not think of the power of the words…"

The lights in the room dimmed, considerably, and a few of the braver goblins came from the shadows to face their queen.

"We sorry, but Jaron no answer summons, Miss Queenie." One chewed on his hat brim, nervously. "We can't bring him here. We can't see him."

"But he's Goblin royalty. He's bound to the same rules as the rest of us." Sarah returned.

"Upon my marriage to Annibal, my title changed from that of the Goblin monarchy to that of the Grasslands, and I am no longer bound to the summons." Jora replied. "I still hear them, but I can choose whether or not to answer."

"Yes, there are ways around the words, but very few of them. Whatever could our brother have found to unbind him to the power of the words?"

"We can't bring Prince for Queenie, but we found Prince's tower! Trog the fairy showed us an' said to tell you!" Another goblin spoke up in the dark and this triggered Jareth's interest.

"Where? Where is the tower?" The Goblin King asked, urgently.

"Queenie Allie's place."

"Allerleirauh?" Jareth frowned. "The palace there is but ruins."

"No, it grows again…"

Jareth scowled and produced a crystal ball. "Show me Allerleirauh."

The image of the ruins of the Forest Court appeared in the crystal. Jaron's tower was regally standing in the center as the castle ruins began to rebuild itself around it. The great stone and tree trunk walls of the castle had almost finished rebuilding themselves, and there were hundreds of fairies, encouraging the vines of jasmine to grow over the walls and Jaron's tower. Jareth's mismatched eyes widened in wonder at the sight.

"Tangleroot Palace… It is rebuilding itself and using Jaron's tower for its center…" Jareth replied, his voice filled with awe.

"That is impossible. Allerleirauh's magic has been dormant for centuries!" Jora stared into the crystal. "The fountains are not flowing."

"The waterfall fountains will not flow again until the Forest Court has a ruler." Jareth said. "Though Jaron was named Queen Allerleirauh's heir apparent, the waterfalls have never flowed for him. He was as content as Allie to let the Forest Court slumber as long as it wished."

"Sure doesn't look like it's sleeping now." Sarah responded watching the ruins slowly piece themselves together.

Jora cursed. "Jaron is Queen Allerleirauh's heir apparent… He has ties to that land. Then the real question is, why did the tower relocate itself in the first place?"

Jareth replied, darkly. "Something must have frightened the fairies of the staircase for them to resort to such drastic magic."

"Do you think that Lady Wren has something to do with that?" Jora asked, pointedly.

Jareth gave his sister an odd look. "What do you know?"

"Well, only that you've been lying to Sarah and myself about who she really is and that she's the reason Jaron's tower vanished in the first place." Jora retorted, her voice edged with anger. "You are not the only one who has read father's old journals."

"How long have you known?"

"Not much longer than you. I saw a spark of recognition on mother's face when we met her and then I discovered father's journals in your study. I confronted mother this morning and she confirmed my suspicions."

Sarah gave them both a curious look. "Who is she?"

"If the illustrations are correct, Lady Wren is none other than the Dowager Unseelie Queen, Zefiryn."

"And you all left me in the dark about this?!" Sarah blanched. "That witch was in my own home and you didn't even have the decency to let me know?"

"I did not wish to cause you undue stress." Jareth went to his wife's side and splayed one hand over her stomach gently. "I have been keeping a close eye on our guest since the tower incident an-"

"I want her gone." Sarah ordered, angrily. "I want her out of my castle right now."

"It is wiser to keep our enemy in our sights, my love." Jareth moved to take her hand and Sarah jerked it away from him angrily.

"Then I'm leaving. I'll not cohabitate with the woman who is attempting to kill my friend."

"Nonsense. You are safest here in the Labyrinth where my magic is the strongest." Jareth replied. "Besides, if Zefiryn is here then we know she does not yet have Alyx in her grasp."

Sarah gave a frustrated sigh. "If that is the case, then I shall be indisposed for the remainder of her stay."

"Sarah-" Jareth began and she gave him a glare.

"No, Jareth. You are not allowed to do this. I am your Queen and your equal. I deserve to know the truth, no matter what the consequences."

He gave a resigned sigh. "You are right, precious… I should have shared this information with you before now. I am sorry, but I fear for the health of you and our unborn babe."

"And what about me?" Jora asked, angrily. "Do I not deserve to be in on the family schemes as well?"

"I knew that you would be unable to keep your mouth shut." Jareth returned, huffily. "I am surprised that you have held your tongue this long."

"Enough of this bickering!" Sarah broke in and put her hands on her hips. "This is what she would want. We need to decide what to do about her, especially if you are adamant about her remaining under my roof."

"I promise you that I have taken every precaution the moment that I found out that witch was in our home."

"Yeah I noticed the newest gaggle of goblins that you have following me around." Sarah huffed.

"In all honesty, Zefiryn is unlikely to murder anyone in your halls." Jora stated, dryly. "Such actions would-"

"She has already taken the life of her handmaiden." Jareth replied, grimly. "And I suspect that the 'Jaron' that everyone in the castle keeps spying glances of is one of the Unseelie courtiers in disguise."

"Good Gods…" His sister's fingers trembled over her mouth. "Do you think that she has Jaron in her clutches somewhere?"

"I would have a better idea if the fool had not coerced our mother into an unbreakable vow concerning his whereabouts and some idiotic scheme that he has."

"That little rat! However are we to find him then?!"

"Alyx… He went after Alyx didn't he?" Sarah asked, resting one hand on Jareth's arm.

"We believe so."

"So… As long as Zefiryn is here… That means that Jaron and Alyx are safe?" Sarah straightened her shoulders. "Right then… This is where all my years of theatre classes are gonna come in handy."

"Pardon, love?" Jareth gave his wife a bewildered look.

"As long as she is here waiting for them, it means that they are safe, so we are going to go above and beyond to make her want to stay here! Plus we could feed her false information to keep her off of their trail." Sarah crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "I'm gonna be that witch's best friend."

---

Jaron was dreaming.

He was in Allerleirauh at the edge of the Forest Gardens, only they were no longer ruins, but the glorious gardens of his youth. Vining jasmine covered the garden walls and the leaves twinkled with dancing fairies. It was nearing the midnight hour and a full moon cast a warm glow upon the pathways. The grass felt wonderful under his bared feet and a warm summer breeze tousled his long hair. A smile played at Jaron's lips.

He was home.

The fairies began to sing and their million tiny voices raised in a beautiful crescendo at his arrival. Making his way down the pathways, he approached the many fountains that fueled the vegetation of the gardens. As they had been since Queen Allerleirauh's passing, the fountains remained dry and bare. Despite her claim that he was her heir, none of his visits had ever caused their sparkling water to flow again.

"Jaron…" A voice whispered on the wind and Jaron spun at the sound, trying to find its source.

"Who's there?"

"Jaron…"

A wash of warmth came over him and he inhaled deeply. The air was heavy with the scent of spice and jasmine.

It was the wild magic.

Jaron tensed. "So, you've come for your favor then? What must I do?"

A cool breeze brushed him as if to say that the magic was not yet demanding their price from him, but the hair held the bite of the promise that the time would come soon.

"I do not enjoy being toyed with…" Jaron scowled. "Will you draw out my waiting on your favor for eternity?"

A low roll of thunder answered him with the implication of a warning.

"You can do as you wish to me, but I swear to the Gods that if you rescind our deal and harm Alyxandrea, I will tear apart this world and the next… And the next… Until I find your source and cast it into oblivion."

The air surrounding Jaron became warm and gave Jaron a sense of calm as fairies began to dance along his skin to comfort their angry prince. He took a relieved breath. The magic had no intention of reneging on their deal and would never cause harm to Alyx.

"What do you want?" Jaron whispered and the fairies giggled from their nests within his hair.

A heavy wind whipped through the air, spinning him around until he faced the far side of the moonlit gardens. His eye widened in wonder as he took in what the magic revealed before him. Across from the lifeless fountain was a glorious throne fashioned of a former tree stump and covered with moss and jasmine vines. There upon the seat was a crown fashioned as a circle of golden antlers. He had not seen such a crown since-

"Queen Allerleirauh…" Jaron took a tentative step towards the throne, but stopped himself short. "Allie may have named me as her heir, but I do not know how to make the fountains flow!"

The winds whispered that he did and would know when the time was right, but Jaron began to shake his head.

"I know nothing of being a king!"

What felt like a river of water splashed over Jaron's head and he shot up in bed from his deep sleep. Sputtering, he had to use both hands to wipe his wet hair from his face and sluice water from his beard. His shocked face went to Alyx, who was standing next to the bed with an empty bucket in her hands and a smug smile upon her face.

"Morning!" Alyx's voice was saccharine sweet as she put one hand on her hip and swung the bucket with the other. "Sleep well?"

A grin crossed his face as the remnants of his dream faded and he gave a playful growl. "You'll pay for that, witch."

Like a flash, he reached out to grab her hand, and pull her down into the wet bed with him. She squealed as she fell atop him and he quickly flipped them to pin her on her back. His fingers danced along her ribs and her giggles soon turned to shrieks of laughter.

"I yield! I yield!" Alyx shrieked as she tried to bat away his tickling fingers.

His eyes sparkled as he leaned above her and gave her a grin. Her fingers went up to his hair and she pulled him down for a deep kiss.

"Good morning…" She whispered against his lips.

"It was not at first, but it is getting profoundly better…" Jaron murmured back.

She giggled again and he leaned back so he could stare down at her. He fingers gently wiped some of the wet hair from his face.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." She sighed.

"Me too, love." He agreed and quirked one eyebrow at her. "Well minus the wet bed, of course."

Alyx snapped her fingers and instantly he and the bed were dry. He gave her a smirk. "There!"

"Now, since you got magic that don't mean that you need to use it for everything." He chided, impishly.

"Blah, blah, blah…" Alyx rolled her eyes and gave him a gentle push so that she could begin to rise from bed. "Come on. You promised to teach me to brew Mithridatum today."

He groaned and rolled over onto his back, throwing one arm over his eyes. "I told you that I got lucky when I brewed it once. I doubt I could replicate the formula again."

"Well, we are not spending another day loafing about in bed. I can practically feel my body wasting away from disuse."

"Oy, we've been using our bodies!" Jaron protested. "Why last night we-"

Alyx laughed and clapped one hand over his mouth to stop him. "I am well aware of what we did last night and the night before, Goblin Prince. Get up and get dressed and I'll make you pancakes."

He arched on eyebrow at the mentioned pancakes. She had reintroduced him to the mortal delight a few days prior and it had quickly become his favorite treat. Especially the ones that she had made with fresh vanilla and wild berries.

"And bacon?"

"If you insist." Her eyes caught at the medallion at his bared chest and she ran her fingertips across the unfamiliar pendant. She teased, curious about his new necklace. "That's a pretty new trinket… Where's your Goblin Prince medallion?"

He shrugged and lied. "I don't know. I picked this up somewhere in my travels and it had a nice shine to it."

"I thought you were obligated to wear it as a sigil of your station."

He scoffed. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not the type to really care about the obligations of my station. Besides, variety is the spice of life, eh? Can't wear the same bauble all the time, can I?"

"I suppose not. It's a tree of life, you know… It suits you."

"Hmm… I'm not convinced yet."

Alyx gave him a strange look and placed one hand on his chest. "Jaron… Are you ever gonna tell me what spell that you used to bring me back?"

Jaron stiffened against her at the words and avoided eye contact. "Does it matter? You live."

"You know I don't like secrets." Alyx frowned. "Was it dark magic? I'll not judge you if-"

"No… It was not dark magic." Jaron sighed and covered her tiny hand with his. "I struck a bargain to bring you back… I drew my own blood as an offering and promised a favor to the wild magic."

Alyx recoiled as if he were on fire, her eyes filled with worry. "The wild magic?! Are you mad? They could ask for anything of you!"

Jaron sat up in the bed. "You forget that I am of the wild magic. It will not ask me a favor that I cannot give."

"And what if it asks for your life? Or-"

Jaron pressed a finger against her lips. "If it asks for my life, then so be it. I would die a thousand deaths if it meant that you could keep walking this world."

"What good is my life if you are dead?"

"That's the same question that I asked myself when I struck the bargain." Jaron gave her a shrug. "I do not regret the decision that I made and neither should you."

Alyx shook her head and gave him a weak smile. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

He gave her a smirk and a roguish wink as he lay back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "I don't know, but it must have been terribly wicked."

---

Morven's horse was drenched in sweat and froth, but he still urged the beast faster. The pirate's eyes went wide with fear as he could hear the cackles of the Sluagh on his heels. With a yell, he dug his heels into the horse's side and somehow the creature managed to go faster.

He had to reach the cove and warn Alyx before the Sluagh got there.

After staying behind at the port in the Genkis, Morven had started investigating about the small town. He had has simple questions, trying to glean anything he could about rumors concerning Alyx. Most of what he learned was just that, rumors, until he spent an evening playing cards in one of the smaller pubs. One of the creatures playing was an Orc, fresh from Magesblood, and the dimwit drunkenly bragged about being part of a detail searching for the Girl Who Loves the Goblin Prince. Hiding his worry, Morven played a few more hands and then excused himself for the evening. He staggered for the door, making sure to put upon the ruse of nothing more than a drunk, until he was out the door and out of their sight.

Then he had ran.

It was over a day's ride to the cove on under normal circumstances, but in his attempts to hide his path, he had taken a longer route. He had to travel along the coastline to avoid the thickest of the jungles where his horse could not breach. Despite his best efforts, somehow the Sluagh had found his trail. He could sense the Lich leading them and the creature's foul scent was nearly driving his mount mad with fear. He urged the frothing beast faster, alternating between using his riding crop and the heels on his boots. There was a low cackle in his right ear and he felt the cold fingers of Baobahn Sidhe upon the back of his neck.

Morven's horse screamed in fear and the poor beast's heart stopped in its chest. The creature fell forwards on its front legs at full gallop, throwing Morven over its head and into the tropical brush. Tumbling through the palm leaves, he nearly cried out when he felt something snap in his arm. When he finally came to a stop, he gripped his limp and useless arm in pain. He groaned in pain and then there was a shift in the air. The Lich was standing above him, his pale lips thin against the scarred face under his mask. Morven spit a mouthful of blood from his busted lip and gave the Lich a red-stained smile.

"Sir Claec of Volkan… As I live an' breathe… Been some years. Last I 'eard, you was dead an' buried under an avalanche in the Wild Mountains."

Claec frowned at the battered pirate at his feet. "Morven Squall… I might have known it would have been your mangy hide that was hiding the Girl."

"Shouldn't there be a Cap'n in there somewheres?" Morven bit back and stifled a cry of pain when the Lich's armored boot connected with his ribcage.

"Still sharp tongued I see." Claec knelt down, his yellow eyes glaring at Morven. "Where is she, Squall?"

"If yer lookin' fer a gal fer a tumble, the whorehouse is back the way ya come from, mate." Morven spoke through gritted teeth.

Claec's frown grew and use one armored fist to strike Morven across his already bruising face, breaking the pirate's nose in the process. "Jokes will only lead to more broken bones, Squall. Tell me the whereabouts of the Girl Who Saved the Goblin Prince."

"Don't know her."

Claec struck him again. "I play no games pirate. Where is she?"

With a snarl, Morven spit a mouthful of blood in the Lich's face and sneered. "Fuck off!"

The Lich hit him again and Morven could feel some of his teeth loosen in his jaw. Grasping the pirate by the lapel, Claec hauled him up into a sitting position and leaned closer into his face. "Tell me where the Girl is and I might let you live for the Sluagh to hunt down another day."

"If yer gonna kill me, then just kill me!"

Claec snarled and raised his fist. Wincing for a blow that never came, Morven was amazed to see an arrow protruding through the Lich's shoulder armor. Releasing the pirate, Claec spun to face the wielder of the bow, only to be peppered with two more arrows in succession. Alyx was there, nocking another arrow and the third one sunk into the eye socket of Claec's mask, sinking into his skull.

"You!" Claec hissed, staggering from the numerous arrow wounds upon his body.

"Me…" Alyx drew another arrow and with a quick spell, the arrowhead was ablaze. Claec's uninjured eye grew wide at the sight of the dreaded flames and with a howl of defeat, his body whirled into shadows to flee. She let fly the arrow, but the Lich was already gone. She cursed and rushed to the battered pirate's side. "Morven, what are you doing here?"

"I come to warn ya that the Sluagh were in the port town. I dinna realize I were so close…" Morven groaned in pain as she helped him up, slinging his good arm around her shoulder. "Where is Prince Jaron?"

'Doing his thing and warding off the rest of the Sluagh." Alyx muttered a quick transportation spell and the pair reappeared in the shanty in the cove. She immediately went to work setting Morven's bones and tending to his wounds. "Somehow, I knew that this peace I've known the last few days couldn't last."

Morven gave her a weak smile. "Been havin' funsies with the Goblin Prince then? He put a bun in yer oven yet?"

Her cheeks reddening, Alyx gave him a scowl, and tugged extra on the sling she knotted at his neck, causing the pirate to wince. "How many were with the Lich?"

"Not the entirety of the Sluagh, but enough orcs an' trolls to haul ya in… And at least one Baobahn Sidhe at his disposal."

Jaron appeared at the door to the cabin, splattered in blood that was not his own. "We don't have to worry about the Baobahn Sidhe anymore."

Alyx went to him, her eyes worried at all the blood on him. "Are you-"

"It's not mine." Jaron assured her, but winced when she took his hand. She eyed the fresh cut there, suspiciously.

"More blood magic?"

"To buy us time." He explained. "Your flaming arrows won't keep him gone for long. Especially now that he is sure that you are on the island."

Morven grunted as he slowly got to his feet. "What the plan then?"

"We go the Goblin City. My family can protect her." Jaron ordered.

"Absolutely not! I am not bringing the wrath of the Sluagh down upon them!" Alyx argued.

Jaron groaned in frustration. "Not this argument again!"

"Yes and until you listen-"

"Alyx, yer being a fool! I knew that Lich an' he ain't one to toy with. He is Sir Claec of Volkan. Mab's Knight of Death."

Jaron's face went pale at the name. "I thought he perished in that avalanche, Morven."

"As did I, but it seems he found what he were lookin' fer in the Wild Mountains."

Jaron grabbed Alyx by the arm and propelled her towards her room. "Go and pack your things… Quick like."

"No!" Alyx jerked her arm free from his grasp. "I refuse to keep running like this!"

Rushing to Alyx, Jaron took her face in his hands, kissing her deeply. Alyx went slack in his arms and then returned the kiss as eagerly. Leaning back he pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry, love…"

"What for-"

"I wish the goblins would take you away… Right now!"