Chapter 16: The Unexpected

Before Jareth could even register what was going on, the creature went flying backwards and falling on its own wreckage. The rest went by in a blur. The creature seemed to be getting its tail whipped by an invisible foe. Every time it managed to get up some new blow would knock it down even harder. It managed to get to its feet again and lumber over towards Nell and Jareth. As soon as it reached its arm out, blood spewed down from above and a deep thud sounded not far off. The now headless creature swayed in the air a moment before its knees gave way and the thing thundered to the ground, scattering the goblins beneath it. As soon as they saw the creature fall the horrified Morainians retreated full force.

Still on the ground where he had fallen, the Goblin King stared slack jawed at the woman before him. She hadn't moved a muscle, but there was no doubt in his mind who had slain the beast. Then, as quickly as it all had appeared it all disappeared: the magic, the snarl, and the glazed white eyes. Her eyes rolled back and her body crumpled beneath her. By the time he reached her she was out cold. He patted her cheek, but he needn't have wasted his time.

She felt something grace her forehead and push back her hair. Fighting her heavy eyelids open, she found a man was sitting by her on the bed.

"About time you woke up," He said with a chuckle. "I know you love to sleep in, but three days is pushing it don't you think?"

All she could do was stare at him with a wrinkled brow. His smile faded and was replaced by a worried frown.

"Are you al…" He began.

"Who the hell are you?!" She asked sitting up and leaning away from him.

Jareth felt like he swallowed a stone. He could feel it sink down to the pit of his stomach.

"I think a better question is do you know who you are?"

He watched as realization and then panic flooded her features. He took her shoulders reassuringly.

"Your name is Naella and I am Jareth. You are my wife."

She looked him up and down skeptically.

"I am?"

"Yes. I am the Goblin King and I rule over all within the Labyrinth's walls."

"Goblins?... Labyrinth?"

"Follow me," He said, leading her over to the window. She stared out at the huge maze spanning into the distance. As she looked down below her she noticed the busy medieval setting. Her mouth dropped open as she realized they weren't people in the crowded place, but strange looking creatures.

It had been two weeks since she had woken up and she was slowly getting acquainted with it all. To be honest, she had taken the existence of his world and all in it a lot easier when she had first arrived than she was now. Jareth sat in his throne tapping his fingers impatiently on the ivory arms. This was not what he had in mind for his first few weeks of marriage. So much for a honeymoon. Nell had been moved to her old room for the time being and shied away from his every touch. He let a frustrated burst of air escape his mouth before moving his mind to other matters. His brow furrowed as he recalled the battle. Where had all that power come from? Had she secretly been holding back? No, it had appeared out of the blue. And why did she lose consciousness and her memory to boot? And then there was the matter of those eyes…