When the world finally stops spinning, Brook is barely able to stand. She clutches to the nearest sturdy object as her knees buckle. Smirking eyes greet her own as she realizes she is holding onto the Goblin King for dear life.
"Don't worry precious," he coos, running a gloved hand through her hair. "I'll never let you go."
The tone is mocking, but Brook hears the seriousness behind his words. She looks into his mismatched eyes as her own begin to tear up. She's so sick of crying and doesn't want to show her captor any weakness, since he seemed to enjoy seeing her so pathetic. But she wants to go home so badly. Her arms drop weakly to her sides as she fights back tears and swallows her pride.
"P-Please take me back," she begs, hoping her pleas will appeal to some part of him that isn't a cruel child snatcher.
Jareth closes his eyes and basks in the pitiful sound. She is so vulnerable and open to him, pleading to her King, begging. He imagines Sarah on her knees in Brook's place and a shudder of satisfaction washes over his body. He'd always craved for her to be so submissive: fearing him, loving him, giving into his every desire. He brings his fantasizing to a halt, forcing his mind to focus on Sarah's treachery and unworthiness of him. Besides, this new mortal girl would make quite a good substitute once he'd shaped her to his liking.
"You are mine now Brooklyn," he whispers possessively, gently wiping away a tear threatening to stream down her cheek. "You wished yourself away to me and in doing so gave up your freedom, but fear not for I can be a fair King."
Just love me, fear me, do as I say and I will be your slave . No, he would not say those words yet. She needed to earn his affection and prove her worth or she would not compare to the Sarah he'd grown fond of, the Sarah he so desperately needed to forget.
"But I don't want to stay here with you!" Brook yells angrily, trying to yank her arms out of his grasp.
The Goblin King's hands become an iron clad grip on hers and he pulls her into him with more force than a human could ever muster. She slams painfully against his chest, but the blonde man doesn't even blink.
"Beware Brooklyn. I am being quite generous, I am giving you the opportunity to prove you are worthy of me. I can be cruel. Defy me and you will feel my wrath," he whispers threateningly in her ear. His hot breath against her skin and the sadistic promise of his words makes her shiver involuntarily.
Brook looks down in fury. Why should she have to prove anything to this man who so casually kidnapped her? She knows defiance probably isn't wise, but she is unwilling to let this so-called King treat her like a mere belonging that he can just do as he pleases with.
"Your wrath. Tell me Goblin King why should I be afraid of you?" She tries to hide her fear and sound bold.
Much to her surprise Jareth doesn't become angry, he just studies her expression, smirking the whole while. "Well my dear, if you were to really upset me I could make you live out the rest of your days in the dungeon, banish you to the bog of eternal stench or turn you into a goblin." He laughs softly, though the cruelty and dangerous air lingers in his tone.
Brook stiffens but says nothing, knowing her chances of escaping are slim to none if he is that powerful.
Feeling her resentment and hopelessness, Jareth knows he's tormented her enough for now. He cups her chin in his hand, tilting her face up to his. Her deep blue eyes captivate him, holding the passion and rage of a great, proud sea. He knows taming her could prove difficult, but her fiery spirit is alluring to the Goblin King. After all, he always loved a good challenge.
"But what a waste of beauty that would be," he murmurs as he takes all of her in.
Her long black hair is completely straight and reaches a few inches past her shoulder blades. Though her hair is similar in length and color to Sarah's, he misses the wild look of the curled hair that had framed Sarah's face so perfectly when they'd danced. He had to admit he found himself more attracted to Brook's noticeably more feminine features and womanly figure. He could tell she was one of those girls that had blossomed into womanhood earlier than most. Her breasts, though not huge by any means, appear to be round and firm beneath her well fitted tank top. She is curvy for a young girl which was more sensual to the King than the thin and flat body Sarah had when they'd first met. Her eyes hold a certain wisdom and strength that whispered of trials overcome at a young age, which intrigues him.
Brook wants to break the intense stare, but her eyes ignore her wishes. She hadn't realized his eyes were such a gorgeous shade of golden hazel. She could have sworn a minute ago they had been a brown so dark they looked black, with his left shade slightly lighter than his right. She'd also been very taken back by his compliment. He had seemed to find her misery so laughable and then for a brief second he sounded so mesmerized, like he truly thought she was beautiful.
A dull pang in her chest reminds her that he's probably just toying with her. Why would some regal, magical being have any interest in her? She couldn't even get normal men to stick around much less a King. Not that I want him, she mentally scolds herself for letting his looks get the better of her. He had just taken her away from everything she knew and refused her pleas. As he'd pointed out before, she had wished him to take her and he had done as she said, now her stupidity cleary amused him and he felt like taunting her further.
Jareth is slightly surprised when Brook tears her gaze away from him angrily. He had been weaving his magic around them, entrancing her so she'd be vulnerable to him again. He found it intoxicating to have her under his control, hypnotized by his exotic looks and the wonder of his power. Of course her now standoffish attitude had diminished the spell. Were all mortal women so difficult? Any Fey in her place would be swooning from his magical charm.
Brook doesn't notice the irritation on Jareth's face as she takes in her surroundings for the first time. She stands in the center of a large medieval style room made of stone walls and pillars. Out of the corner of her eye she spies two odd little creatures peeking at her from behind a plush, red throne that could only be the King's. They were knee high, greenish brown, with weird but cute faces and bright, mischievous orange eyes.
"Why hello thur pretty lady," one of them chirps aloud, grinning broadly at her.
"Bees respectful," the other snaps, whacking it's companion on the head. "She's probly gonna bees King Jareth's-"
But the King cuts the goblin off with a look and it immediately closes it's mouth and bows respectfully.
"Tis not my place to says, Lady. Cheeky is sorry."
Brook's eyes narrow suspiciously. "What does it mean, Jareth?" She hadn't bothered to find out his name as she figured someone so pompous probably just made everyone refer to him as 'Your Highness' all the time.
The man in question simply chuckles at her demanding tone. "All in due time, my dear. And she-" he nods at the goblin who now had her chest puffed out indignantly at being called an 'it'. "-Is going to be your personal attendant for the time being."
Before Brook can vehemently object, the little goblin does an adorable curtsey with the biggest eyes and brightest beam the teenage girl has ever seen. "Oh thanks you Master Jareth! Tis an honor for Cheeky to bees the assistant of your guest."
"Did you bring me here to teach proper English," Brook mutters in defeat, unable to crush the little Goblin's delight.
Jareth closes his eyes and walks away, but a small smile lights his features. A sense of humor, that was another thing Sarah had lacked. He knew this girl was going to prove interesting. "Goodness Brooklyn, I'm going to have to teach you some proper manners aren't I?" he chides looking back at her. "Come along."
Brook however, ignores his order and stands her ground, arms crossed firmly against her chest.
The Goblin King immediately halts and turns around with a wicked gleam in his eye. "What's this? Defying me again, you silly girl? It seems you really do have a lot to learn-" in the blink of an eye he is standing right in front of Brook, his body pressed firmly against hers as he looms over her menacingly. "You precious little thing."
Brook tries not to be scared. She didn't know if it was magic, but the man who stood before her now seemed a lot bigger than the Jareth who had been there a few minutes before. A delighted but dark aura seems to radiate off him, like he enjoyed seeing her cower before him. As small as she feels, she doesn't back down.
"I don't want to go anywhere but back home." She meets his gaze as his fingers grip her chin forcefully. The King looks at the difficult girl coolly before bringing his lips to her ear, letting the jagged edge of his fangs trace her lobe lightly. He feels her stiffen and shudder which pleases him. He can tell from the expression on her face that she enjoys the touch, as much as she was trying not to show it.
"You are home now Brooklyn," he lets the tenderness of his words seep through her ears, into her mind. It was a soothing spell that would make her more docile, he didn't want his subjects to start disrespecting her because she hadn't learned to see him as her King yet.
Jareth pulls back, his lips so close to Brook's it sends a warmth through her body she's never felt before, even with Mike. For a minute she swears she sees a longing in his gaze, something deep and profound that could never be seen in the eyes of a human: an eternity of loneliness. Then it is gone as sudden as it came, and she wonders if she'd even seen it at all. Brook shakes it off as her imagination, someone as cold as him would have the emotional depth of a teaspoon. Despite her anger towards him, she feels herself growing light and carefree.
Seeing the far away look in her eyes, the satisfied man grins and offers his arm. "Shall we, love?"
Without a second thought she entwines her arm in his, the movement is so graceful and fluid. Which is completely unlike Brook, something was definitely wrong. Why is she going along with this?
Cheeky clasps her fat sausage fingers together with a sigh, "awee."
Brook mentally throttles the Goblin King, but her cheek presses into his shoulder against her will. Jareth gives the little goblin the smile of a gracious and perfect gentleman before leading the way. Oh yes, something is very wrong here. No matter how hard her mind screamed and fought, Brook still feels like she's made of clouds. The sensation makes her ill with disgust and she can only think of one reason she'd feel like this, magic.
Though her body ignores her will, her mouth seems to work just fine. "Jareth, what have you done to me?" The question is filled with promises of stabbing.
Jareth continues to lead her through corridors with her on his arm. She notices he moves with an unusually fluid grace. She concludes he's most definitely not human as much as he looks it. He finally stops before a large door framed with soft green vines and embroidered with various types of flowers that let off sweet sounds like the hum of a beautiful lullaby. Thoughts of her interrogation are swept away as she gazes in wonder at the little symphony. Seeing the little flowers sway to their own beat like they're dancing in place is the most extraordinary thing the astonished teenager has ever seen.
The Goblin King takes her moment of shock to press his gloved hand to her cheek. "Oh it was just a little something to calm you down, Brooklyn. I hope you don't mind." The smile on his face seems to say otherwise as if he's daring her to fulfill her silent threats from before.
She glares at him, her awe forgotten. "You can't just go putting spells on me," she growls.
Jareth laughs heartily as he opens the door, guiding her inside with a little twirl, absolutely delighted by her annoyance. "On the contrary, dearest. You let me put that spell on you, you welcomed my words into your heart and mind. If you hadn't, the magic would have had no effect. Of course then I would have had to carry you over my shoulder, which would have been quite embarrassing for you so subconsciously you made the right choice."
Brook has never felt such intense hatred for anyone in her life. This guy was more manipulative than a woman and armed with supernatural powers. How could she stand a chance against him?
The inner conflict in her eyes amuses the Goblin King, such fight she had in her. It's so refreshing from the eager to please and obedient goblins he was always surrounded by. The King cared for his subjects, but their ridiculous games, short attention spans, and typically lack of intelligent conversation sometimes irritated the Fey. In time they would harass Brook as they did him, but he'd now have the satisfaction of her company to endure it with.
With a snap of his fingers the spell begins fading from Brook's body. She had no idea the power words possessed here and he would use that to his advantage. He had the upper hand, for she was not a runner like Sarah whose desire to protect her little brother had given her the strength of love to stand against the intimidating Goblin King. Brook had no one to save but herself and because of her distress with some mortal male and Jareth's display of power, she didn't have the confidence or feeling of self-worth to truly stand up for herself yet.
Brook feels her body starting to return to normal and she tries to look around the room for something to maul him with. Sensing her intentions, Jareth sweeps back into the doorway, pushing a bewildered Cheeky forward.
"Cheeky, clean Brooklyn up and get rid of those ghastly clothes. Dress her like a lady worthy of sitting at my table."
Brook has a horrible feeling there's a hidden meaning behind those words. However, she is busy trying to regain feeling in her arms to throw a nearby jewelry box with sharp looking edges at his head. He grins that evil little grin of his as if he knows exactly what she's thinking.
"I expect to see you at dinner in one hour." He strides into the hallway before addressing her one last time. "Oh and do try to behave, precious." Just as the door magically begins to close by itself, Brook has full control over her body once again and dashes to attack, but the jewelry box smashes against the door as Jareth's face disappears behind it with maniacal laughter.
A furious Cheeky puts her hands on her hips and gives Brook the biggest scowl the little goblin can muster. "Naow see here Missy, you may bees master's guest. But you has no rights to destroy his beautiful gifts for you. 'ngrateful girls," the goblin mutters as she picks up the jewelry that much to her relief escaped harm.
Brook's fists clench, but she knows the little goblin doesn't deserve her anger, she was just doing her job as a servant by sticking up for her master. Regaining some control of her temper, the girl tries to win Cheeky over. "I'm sorry Cheeky, do you want some help?"
The goblin shakes her head and turns to give her a toothy grin. "Naw I gots it Miss, besides King Jareth would be in a fits if he saws you doing the work of a servant."
That doesn't seem like an accurate statement to Brook. "At least he treats you all well enough that you'd lie for him," she mutters under her breath.
Cheeky rolls her eyes as she stands on her tip toes to set the jewelry box in it's rightful place on the stand. "He is a good King Miss. I ain't seen him in such a good moods since that Sarah girl was heres."
Sarah, that name irritated Brook.
Before she can ask about this other girl, Cheeky gives her a hard stare. "You bests treat King Jareth better than she dids. He's bein' awful nice to you. He even gives you the most beautiful room besides his o' course."
Brook realizes she hadn't even taken a chance to look at the room because she'd been so focused on Jareth. The walls are painted with beautiful shimmering colors that reminded her of the glitter on Jareth's face. The movements of the different colors flow in perfect harmony across the room like they were painted in a dream. A lovely stone hearth with a warm fire gives the room a gentle glow and a large open closet, the largest Brook's ever seen reveals hundreds of different dresses and shoes. A Queen sized bed with royal velvet and gold linen lays beside an open window the size of two doors with a perfect view of a moon that must be 1000 times bigger than Earth's. She silently wonders if she's on a different planet somewhere far away in the galaxy and the thought makes her heart sink a little despite her secret pleasure with the gorgeous room fit for royalty.
Sensing her sadness, Cheeky shuffles to her side and takes Brook's hand in her own. "There naow don't frets Miss. I drews a warm bath for ya. Why don't you relax in theres for a bit?"
Brook allows the little lady to guide her into a bathroom half the size of her bedroom with an enormous shower/bath combo that could easily fit a dozen people. "Just set yer old clothes on the floor you wonts be needing those anymore. I'll picks something nice out for ya to wear to dinner." Before closing the door Cheeky adds, "trys to gives King Jareth a chance before you condemn 'im. He was only doins his sacred duty by takins you away."
An hour later Brook stands in front of the doors to the dining hall feeling surprisingly anxious. The outfit Cheeky had chosen was no doubt gorgeous. The silk blue dress hugged her body nicely and showed off her curves, but she found it and the black heels slightly suggestive for the presence of the mischievous Goblin King. A ruby necklace and the gold bangles on her wrists went perfectly with the outfit and made her feel like a real princess. As corny as that was she felt a little giddy. She'd never seen such large gems, pure gold jewelry, and gorgeous clothes before, she could get used to being pampered.
She'd thought about Cheeky's words to her as she'd sat in the tub. Even Jareth had said she'd wished herself away to him. Maybe he was obligated to do so regardless of whether the wisher understood the real meaning behind the request. Though that possibility didn't really excuse his behavior towards her so far. However Brook was sensible enough to realize that after whisking away children for a couple hundred years the guy might have no tolerance for crying or attitudes. Though some might find that a little insensitive, she could see his point of view. With that thought, she would keep an open mind during this dinner and try to be civil and pleasant. Maybe then he would be more helpful and open to negotiating. At Cheeky's behest, Sarah pushes open the large wooden doors with new found determination.