T.D.K- Um, I didn't think anybody would like this. Guess I was wrong! So, here's chapter 2. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: A kidnapping and a…rescue…?
Liz smiled, seeing the Goblin King appear before. Her smile widened as she noticed that he blocked her view of Sarah's retreating form. He was taller than Liz, and exactly as Sarah had described him. Platinum blonde hair seemed to have more in common with the texture of bird feathers. His eyes were mis-matched, but Liz couldn't tell what color they were.
Her hand began rubbing at her chest. It had begun to tighten, and it was very uncomfortable. She knew she had to be picking up on Jareth's emotions. She felt his anger at her, for cutting him off from Sarah. She felt his love for her friend. "You will come with us." His voice was steel.
"Your chest is tight. It's 'cause ya can sense Sarah nearby." The Goblin King's face darkened. Liz wasn't scared. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, if he wanted to stay on Sarah's good side.
"Do not think to confuse me, Empath!"
"I'm not. I'm sayin' a valid statement. Dat's a genuine concern too. Is your chest tight 'cause Sarah's near?"
"It is none of your concern!" Jareth was getting even angrier. Liz smirked; she loved aggervating people. Sarah often told her daily that she was annoying as hell. She adopted a look of mock pity.
"Awww, am I makin' ya mad? Sarah tells me dat I'm annoyin' at least once a day." Liz didn't miss a beat as she felt a wash of emotion, she'd only felt in this magnitude from Sarah. She gasped at the strength of the king's love. "Ya really are in love wid Sarah! She'll never submit ta ya.
"I'll tell ya somethin' 'fore ya take me ta Underground. Sarah's jus' as in love wid ya as ya are wid her." She felt more than saw Jareth's surprise and hope. "I'm ready. Let's go. I wanna see your labyrinth. While I'm wid ya, ya may do what ya will wid me." Liz jumped as she felt the magic whirl around them. Her eyes went wide as they just reappeared within Jareth's castle.
Liz sat by Jareth's feet in his throne room, her body curled up to keep from going any where near a few of his goblins. She felt the negativity of their emotions, but they couldn't compare to what she felt rolling off their king in waves. Jareth knew Sarah would come to get her friend. He didn't show it, but he was glad he would see his paramour again.
The young empath didn't like the way some of the goblins watched her. She didn't let it show, but she was afriad. Their leers reminded her of the hell she'd been through, at the foster home she'd escaped a long time ago. She was getting close to using a special power. It was something only she could do.
Her hand shot out, gripping Jareth's calf. She sent her fear through that touch, sharing emotions she kept closely guarded. Jareth saw quick flashes of a life lived almost constantly in the shadow of violence. He felt fear, an emotion he had only felt in the moments before Sarah had defeated him. It almost crushed him. The Goblin King removed her hand.
He leveled his gaze at the goblins that gazed at her. "This empath is my guest. She is under my protection. If she comes to any harm, I will personally kill the goblin myself!" The king hefted her up, and whisked her away into the depths of his Escher room. "You will be safe here. My goblins are not allowed into my personal rooms. I come here to think."
"Sarah told me dat ya sang ta her in dis room. She told me 'bout her time here. I came ta love dis place too. Hoggle, Ludo, an' Sir Didymus are my only other friends besides Sarah. It's hard ta get a lot o' friends when ya grow up inna house o' horror." Liz sat on one of the steps, letting her mind wander over the maze. Her mouth was on auto.
"What was that?"
"Sorry. If I'm emotionally stressed, I can send dose emotions ta someone else. It's a defensive thing. I don't know how I do it, I jus' do. 'Corse you're da first I've ever tried it wid. Hey, has Sarah found a way ta come get my ass?" Jareth knew a diversion when he heard one. He summoned a crystal, bringing Sarah up in it.
"She's at the entrance of my labyrinth. I wonder if I should make it harder for her?"
Sarah looked around, knowing Hoggle had to be here somewhere. "Hoggle, where are you?" The labyrinth doors opened, revealing her three Underground friends. "Guys!" She hugged them in turn, happy to see her. "Jareth has Liz! She went with him willingly, but made me promise to come and get her."
"I knewz when he wuz mutterin' it wasn't good. Ohhhh." Hoggle shook his head, hoping his other Aboveground friend was ok. Ludo looked around at the labyrinth.
"Ludo help Liz." He said. Sir Didymus nodded, his usually brazen self, quiet for once. "Browtha?" The fox knight started from his thoughts, stirring violently on Ambrosias.
"Forgive me, my friends. I worry for Lady Erzabet. I can only hope she is safe within the castle."
"Of course that Empath is safe. Sarah, what a pleasant surprise. And what, pray tell, is this visit for?" Jareth seemed nonchalant, but he was hiding well. After three years around an empath, Sarah had become good at spotting the signs. She glared at him.
"I want to Liz! How do I know she's even in your castle?! You could have dumped her in the labyrinth!" Jareth sighed, motioning to the shadows nearby.
Jareth muttered "Fine." Liz stepped out, her arms crossed. She was not a happy camper, that much Sarah could tell.
"I've been in da castle da entire time! I'm perfectly fine, Sarah. Big bad Jareth here's been keepin' me in da depths o' da castle. …Hoggle! Ludo! Sir Didymus! I can see ya!" Liz leapt upwards, excited to finally see what her Underground friends looked like. She hugged Hoggle, then Didymus.
"Liz safe?" Ludo asked, looking the woman over.
"Yes, Ludo. I'm safe." Liz hugged the rock caller, snuggling into his red fur. She turned to Jareth, anger clear on her face. It was one of the few things Sarah loved about the empath. She always showed her emotions. "How many times do I gotta tell ya?! I hate bein' called an empath! Dammit all! Use my name or Erzabet! Or else I'll start butcherin' yours!" Sarah and company watched as Jareth and Liz began to fighting. The dark haired woman could swear they fought like siblings.
"Will you two stop it?!" She yelled, when she'd had enough. The fighting had degraded into childish name calling.
"He started it." Liz said, pointing at the Goblin King. He glared at her, ready to threaten the bog.
"Liz."
"Yes?"
"Not helping. I'm here to take Liz home. I'm hoping I don't have to run the labyrinth again, since she wasn't wished away." Sarah watched as Liz's sky blue eyes became vacant. "Lizzie?" She said, trying to get her friend's attention. Didymus tapped the red haired woman's knee, but she showed no reaction.
Liz had tuned them out. A strong swirling mass of negativity had drawn her attention from her friends. It was somewhere out in the labyrinth. It shouldn't have been there, as it felt like it didn't really belong here. "What's wrong, Lizzie?" Sarah's voice broke through, drawing her from her inner sight.
"I'm pickin' up on a large amount o' negativity. Jareth, may I?" He held his hand out, and the empath placed her hand in his. She showed him what she was sensing. In that moment he understood why she called it 'negative'. It was a swirling mass of hate, anger, sadness, envy, and other numerous 'bad' emotions. Caught in her grip, in her power, Jareth felt another of her memories take shape, but was only able to receive impressions.
Jareth felt the weight of the crushing fear once more. What was it about her past that had frightened her so badly? Could it have truly been that 'house of horror', as she had called it? The emotions and impressions left as Liz released his gloved hand. He left them in a shower of sparks, going to investigate what that mass was.
T.D.K- I've got about two more chapters down, and I still have no idea where this is going. Liz screws around with my plot a bit, and I'm pretty sure Jareth helps her. Anyway, the flame threat still holds. Show the button some love, and I'll see if I can't get everyone's favorite Goblin King in the author notes next chappie.
It's kind of lonely without someone to talk to…