Chapter 5: Bubbles in the Glass
The Goblin King paced around the throne room kicking a few Goblins out of his way. The stupid girl was just as stubborn as before. How would he put her to use in the Labyrinth without driving himself insane? He glanced up to the tower where he had placed her. And why had her childish flirting bothered him so much. It's not like he cared about her the way he had Sarah… He frowned; no he could never feel that way about anyone again. I was going to play with her a little more in her world, but now that she's here, I suppose I'll have to find some amusing task for the girl. The goblins watched their king work out his annoyance as his toy refused to amuse him the way he wished. These two stubborn girls the goblins had brought along to their king were turning out to be nuisances indeed.
When Nell woke up the sun was shining in a patch near her feet. Stretching out, she unfurled from the small ball she had formed at the end of the bed. Pouting, she rubbed her eyes trying to understand her surroundings. She yawned, extending her arms out behind her head until her joints cracked. Nell sighed and relaxed. "Now what?" As if in reply, something told her to look in the dresser. She did and realized her clothing from home was all there. "But how?!" She started, pulling out a pair of shorts and a tank top. She shook her head with her eyes narrowed, "Jareth…" Looking up behind her out the window, she wondered how she had fallen asleep in that constant bright sunlight of the Labyrinth?
"…Do they even have showers here I wander? …Do goblins bathe?"
Back in the throne room Jareth glared at the orb. How preposterous, did she think he never showered? Honestly it was like the girl did everything she could to insult him.
After happily finding her door unlocked, Nell found a bathroom not to far off. It was rather luxurious as well.The fixtures were intricately molded gold, the white marble bathtub was big enough for four people, and there was a huge counter in front of a wall-sized mirror. She stood in awe for a moment before happily starting a bath. To her surprise, she also found her bathroom supplies in there including her bubble bath. Swiftly removing the towel, she sunk beneath the steaming bubbles. Nell closed her eyes and sighed, finally finding a moment of comfort in this crazy place.
Jareth had sent the Goblins away, leaving him alone to think in the throne room. Looking into the crystal again, the girl had started taking a bath. He found himself thankful that the Goblins had picked up her bubble bath…He should really stop…now. He remained fixed on the girl as she drifted to some happier place in the tub. Her face looked so peaceful, like that one night…before she had woken from the nightmare. Jareth wondered if even now, the dream would come and interrupt her only time of peace. How much he had wanted to ask her then…
What had she dreamed of that had scared her so badly?
After Nell was all clean and finished soaking, she began to rise out of the bubbles. A Goblin ran into the Throne room and Jareth almost dropped the crystal as it went completely blank. He raised his head slowly, "WHAT do you want?" The words crooned out carrying hidden threats. This had better be important. The Goblin bowed as his armor clumsily clanked.
"Get on with it already…" Jareth said rubbing his forehead.
"Your highness…well uhm…" Jareth threw a look at him to persuade him to hurry up. "That is, the eastern wall has...has fallen…" He cringed back reproachful of an angry blow. Jareth almost did give the goblin a good swing, before he remembered he had a human locked away in his tower. He smiled wickedly as his cleverness, just hoping she was still young enough. The older humans got, the less connected with magic they became.