Chapter Forty

Fairies, Gomes and Trolls

Jenny and Gwynn looked forward to the days that they played the game of hide and seek in the Labyrinth. Each time they played, the Goblin King showed them yet another safe place to hide. Their mother didn't always go into the Labyrinth with them now. She would tire too easily. One afternoon Jareth took each of the children by the hand. "It's time you met some of the Labyrinths inhabitants," he said as they disappeared though the hedge. Instead of running off to hide, they walked thought the maze of plants to a stone bridge.

Jareth tapped on the stones with his riding crop, winked at the children as he crossed his arms over his chest.

A brusque grumbling came from under the bridge. "What ever you're selling I don't want any!"

"Gorsin, get yourself out here now," ordered the King.

"I gave at the office!" Insisted the voice.

"Gorsin, this is your office," countered Jareth.

Jenny giggled, and the sound carried.

A head popped out from under the stone bridge, big eyes searching for the sound. "Ah, what have we here?" The little man in strange garments came out from under the bridge, sliding near. "A tasty little human girl… ah and a boy child as well…. Tempting treats Sire." Gwynn instead of being frightened, ran to the troll and threw his open arms around the startled creature. "Sire, the boy is not frightened. Is he demented?"

Jareth snorted, "No, this is Gwynn, son of Sarah, and this is her daughter Jenny. They are my stepchildren. I wanted them to meet the Master Troll of the Labyrinth."

The Troll looked with wiser eyes, "Trouble brewing for our Kingdom." He looked at the children. "Sarah's offspring…I didn't have the pleasure of meeting your mum, but I've heard tell of her."

Jenny smiled at the strange little man. "You live under the bridge?"

"Cor, no!" squawked the little man. "I live in a nice little cottage, just over there." He pointed. "I just works under the bridge." He looked up at the King. "We sees and understands. The Kindred will be protected, by our oath." His long arms wound round Gwynn protectively cradling the lad.

Jenny looked up at her stepfather. "What's a Kindred?"

"You and Gwynn are my Kindred. The members of a Kindred may be related by blood or marriage, or may be unrelated. It's an extended family of sorts, my little love." Jareth smiled back at the child. "Your mother is my consort, and you and your brother are my Stepchildren, therefore, my Kindred. As such you are given certain rights and privileges, and all my subjects are foresworn to protect you always."

Jenny turned to the Troll. "It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Gorsin."

The rubbery faced Troll smiled back.

Jareth disentangled Gwynn and they bid the troll a good day. Over the bridge, Jareth showed them a path to a glade in the woods. Little houses dotted the hillside there. Jareth told them Forest Gnomes; smaller distant cousins to the Garden Gnomes lived there. Jareth also told them they may not see the Gnomes, but the Gnomes would see them.

"You must always be careful of where you step here in this glade. You don't want to disturb this community," he warned gently. "Gnomes of the Forest are important to the health of our Labyrinth."

Jenny promised they would be careful, even as Gwynn began to move closer to the little houses. He bent down and looked at a little wheelbarrow that was lying on its side. He laughed, then scampered back to his Stepfather.

The next stop on the tour was a little clearing in a ring of gnarly oaks. Jareth put a finger to his lips as they watched tiny Fairies dancing and floating on the air. Jenny's mouth dropped. These Fairies were not like the little swarm at the gate of the Labyrinth. These were dressed gaily in muted colors of flowers. Some even had petals and leaves incorporated into their elaborate fashions.

"Jenny, listen to me very attentively. You must never, I mean never, enter a ring when Fairies are dancing. You are not Fae, and if you enter bad things can happen."

The little girl frowned, "But the music is so pretty. It makes you want to dance."

Jareth shook his head, "That's just it, my little love. You'll dance until you can dance no more." He knelt in the tall grass beside his stepchildren. "Only Fae, like myself can enter a ring with other Fae."

Tears came to the little green eyes. "You mean I cannot dance with the Fairies…ever?"

A gloved hand stroked the child's cheek, "I won't say never… perhaps one day…but not now. For now, you may watch, but you may not enter the ring. Understood?"

Jenny nodded as she began to sob, and allowed Jareth to pull her toward him. "I won't enter the Fairy Ring."

"Jenny, darling, this is for your protection." He murmured to her. "I will always protect you and your brother."

Gwynn lay down in the tall grass and closed his eyes.

Jareth soothed away the hurt feelings of the little girl. "You may dance for me, anytime you want little love."

"Can we build a ring for us?" she asked with a pout.

"A Jenny Ring?" Jareth snickered. "I think that would be a very nice thing to do. We'll find a place for you in the garden." He patted her back. "We best get back home, Gwynn has had enough for today it seems."

Jenny kissed her stepfather's cheek. "Thank you, Father."

Jareth caught his breath. "You are most welcome, Daughter."