Chapter 3
"Jareth we should have a ball and invite everybody." Sarah said. "Your mother and her husband. We don't see them often enough." Jareth and Sarah were on their way from the city, where they were visiting some of the goblins there.
"Anything you want, Sarah." She loved how he talked, the way he said her name with his accent. She could listen to his voice forever. Lucky for her she probably would be able to do just that.
A guard ran up to them at he castle entrance. "Your Highness! Your Highness!"
"What is it?" Jareth asked calmly.
"It's Toby, your majesty, he -"
"What's happened to my brother?" Sarah interrupted.
"He -" Before he could answer, Toby appeared with an unconscious Janine in his arms. She had passed out again before they had reached the castle.
"I need help." Toby called.
"What happened?" Sarah asked. "Where did she come from?"
"I don't know."
"Come on Sarah. Let's get her to one of the chambers," Jareth said.
"Oh, yes. Come on Toby."
After they laid her on the bed, Jareth looked closely at the girl, then at Toby watching her raptly. Though Jareth's face showed no emotion, inwardly he smiled. "Toby, do you want to help me?"
"Oh, of course."
Sarah looked at Jareth in surprise and he flashed her that smile that could melt her on the spot. She knew he was up to something, but saved her questions for later.
"I think she hit her head," Toby said.
"Okay, put your hands on her head. Feel the power flowing through you."
"Wouldn't it be better if you do it?" Toby asked.
"No, I think you should."
Toby looked at him suspiciously, but felt he was right, even though he didn't know why. He closed his eyes and felt the power travel through him and leave his fingertips. His heart poured out more than just concern for an injured girl. It was this girl. It was imperative that he help her. Toby took his hands away, swaying slightly. Sarah pulled up a chair for him.
"I think she'll be okay for the most part," Jareth said. "Tomorrow we'll have to find out how she got here and what happened to her."
"But she lost her memory. She was tied and gagged when I found her."
"That's terrible," Sarah gasped. "Who would do something like that, Jareth?"
"I don't know, but as far as I know the only way you can get here is if someone wishes you away, or if one of us brings someone here who wants to come. I'm sure Sireth or Reineth didn't bring her here, but I'll see if they know anything tomorrow."
"But she's a teenager," Sarah protested. "Can they be wished away? Who would do that anyway?"
"Technically they can be, but the goblins or myself would have to go get them and we don't take teenagers.
"I know Jareth. It doesn't make any sense."
"Don't worry, we'll find out tomorrow. And her memory should return soon now that we've healed her. Do you want to stay with her awhile? Make sure she's alright?" Jareth asked Toby.
"Sure," he replied without taking his eyes off Janine.
When Jareth and Sarah left the room, and Jareth had closed the door behind him, Sarah turned on him. "What's that sparkle in your eye for? You can't fool me anymore. What do you find so amusing?"
Jareth put his arm around her and led her to their chambers. "She's one of us."
"What?" Sarah stopped walking. Jareth gave up and transported them to their room. "Jareth," Sarah rolled her eyes, exasperated with his silly behaviour during this serious problem. "What do you mean she's one of us?"
"She has the same magic you and Jennifer have."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Why did you have Toby heal her?"
"Didn't you notice?" He flashed that grin at her again.
"No, I didn't." She was ready to throw something at him now.
"I think she's exactly what Toby needs."
"What makes you think that."
"Come now Sarah, he's been here alone for sixteen years. He was coming to the end. I'm sure he was very close to going back Aboveground."
"But he has us."
"That's not what he needs. Believe me, I know. I know what it's like." Jareth got this distant, pained look in his eyes as he recalled what it was like for him here in the Labyrinth, waiting for Sarah. Especially after she rejected him.
"Oh, Jareth!" She put her arms around him. "I'm sorry. How could I have been so blind not to see that my brother was suffering?"
"It's alright. You've had a lot to handle. And I think his problems are over now."
"But -"
"Shh, tomorrow." He smiled at her and she relaxed, smiling back.
"Why is it that the males in this family keep going for younger women?" Sarah teased, not minding in the least that she went for an older man.
"There's only eleven years between Sireth and Jennifer. Besides, I think she'll be fine with Toby." He kissed her.
She moved back to trace his face with her hands. He hadn't aged much since she first came to the Labyrinth. "Why is it that you still look the same as when I met you." She teased him even though she had only aged until she was thirty, but after that the aging had slowed to almost a halt.
"Easy," He replied with a cunning smile and laughing eyes before he started singing.
"Better take care
Think I better go, better get a room, better take care of me
Again and again
I think about this and I think about personal history
Better take care
Forever
I'm screaming that I'm gonna be living on till the end of time
ForeverThe sky splits open to a dull red skull
My head hangs low 'cause it's all over now
And there's never gonna be enough day
And there's never gonna be enough night
And I'm never ever gonna get old
There's never gonna be enough you
There's never gonna be enough me
And I'm never ever gonna get old
So I'm never ever gonna get high
And I'm never ever gonna get low
And I'm never ever gonna get old
Better take care
The moon flows on to the edges of the world because of you
Again and again
And I'm awake in an age of light living it because of you
Better take care
I'm looking at the future solid as a rock because of you
Again and again
Wanna be here and I wanna be there
Living just like you, living just like me
Forever
Putting on my gloves and bury my bones in the marshland
Forever
Think about my soul but I don't need a thing
Just the ring of the bell in the pure clean air
And I'm running down the street of life
And I'm never gonna let you die
And I'm never ever gonna get old
And I'm never ever gonna get
I'm never ever gonna get
I'm never ever gonna get old
And I'm never ever gonna get
And I'm never ever gonna get
Never ever gonna get old"
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Toby brushed the hair back from Janine's face. He touched her eye and the dark circle around it disappeared. He took her hands, about to heal her wrists, when she woke up. "Where am I?"
"You're in the castle. Do you remember anything?"
"No, nothing before I fell."
"Don't worry. Jareth says your memory should return soon."
"But I shouldn't be here, should I?"
"No. Listen, I can heal your wrists if you want?"
"How?"
"Don't be afraid." He touched them gently.
"Ah!" Janine gasped, but the initial sting soon gave way and she felt nothing. "How did you do that?"
"I have some magic ability."
"Boy, I really don't belong here."
"Jareth's going to find out tomorrow what happened."
"Who is Jareth anyway?"
"It's a long story and I think you should sleep now." Toby moved to sit back in the chair.
"Don't leave me." She grabbed his hand. He looked at her hand on his. It was still so cold. Then his eyes met hers. "I don't know why, but I feel safe with you."
"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."
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Crystal left the park and found her way to her mother's old school. She was glad now that her mother and Uncle Toby had taught them about their world. Toby had brought books with him when he came to live in the Underground. She hadn't seen the point in them learning this before, but it was very useful now.
She heard music coming from the gymnasium and she snuck in among the kids to see what was going on. That's when she saw him, singing on stage. He was tall with long, light brown, curly hair and dark eyes. He wore light blue jeans and skin tight t-shirt. His voice was not as beautiful as her fathers, but beautiful all the same. She moved closer to the stage.
"Wow, this ain't the right thing to do
So let's go!
Young girls they know what they're after
Young girls don't kiss me goodbye
Rockets shooting up into space
Buildings they rise to the skies
Bang! Bang! I got mine
Bang! Bang! Reach for the sky
I keep a good friend on videotape
He'll drive his sports car until it's too late
But we'll have a hot time on the town tonight
Cause love is my bet and it's the best yet
Bang! Bang! I got mine
Bang! Bang! Sun don't shine
Bang! Bang! You all angels
Bang! Bang! Now you all ought to be in pictures
Oh girl, oh girl,
My problems can't follow me
Phone calls I take my machine
I wander lonely to the sea
Lonely? Ha-Ha-Ha What does it mean?
Bang! Bang! I got mine
Bang! Bang! And you are next in line
Bang! Bang! Reach for the sky
Bang! Bang! Sun don't shine
Rise buildings
Rise to the sky
Young girls they know what they're after
I said, young girls don't kiss me goodbye"
He had noticed the girl who had worked her way up to the side of the stage while he sang. There was something about her that made her stand out from everyone else. She was so beautiful it was almost inhuman with straight long, light blond hair and bright green eyes. After he finished his song, he came down from the stage to talk to her. "I've never seen you at school before."
"I sneaked in here."
"Why?"
"I heard the music."
"Really?"
"Yes, I wanted to see what was going on."
"Well, what did you think?"
"It was great." She wouldn't have understood half of what he had been singing about, if it wasn't for her mom and Toby teaching her things about this world, so she was grateful.
"I'm glad you liked it. Are you going to be going to school here?"
"No, I'm just visiting."
"Oh, that's too bad."
"Why?"
"I wanted to get to know you."
"You still can. I might be in town for awhile. I know somewhere where we can go and talk if you want."
"Sure, my band's done for the night anyway."
They arrived at the park. "What's your name?" Crystal asked.
"David. And what's yours?"
"Crystal. How old are you?"
"Eighteen. It's my last year of high school. What about you?"
"I'm sixteen. I love music. My favourite colour is crystal blue. I like animals, being outside, gazing at the stars, moonlit nights, the warm summer rain. I'd like to see the ocean one day. I'm a bit of a dreamer . . ."
"I like what I hear. I'm a dreamer too. I have to be or I couldn't write songs. I feel like there's got to be more to life than what we see. It can't be just school to prepare you for work, then working so you can live. All the time you're trying to achieve freedom, a chance where you can do what you really want to do. That chance may come at retirement, but by then it could be to late. Plus you can't do anything without money. But will you ever have enough money to fulfill your dreams? Probably not. Sometimes I wonder what's the point. That's why I've got to keep believing that there's something else to all of this . . ."
"There is. I know."
"How's that?"
"I've seen it. My parents have it and so does my brother."
"What do you mean?"
"I actually came here to find you, to bring you back with me."
"What are you talking about?"
"I came from another world. We -"
"What, you mean like another planet?"
"No, kind of like in your imagination, sort of like another plane. In some ways it's close enough to reach out and touch right now and yet its so far away its beyond measure."
"Sure, and I'm the King of the Fairies," David laughed cruelly.
"It's true."
"Then why don't you prove it."
"I can't. I don't have any magic, and even if I did, females of our power can only use magic when in desperate need, with some exceptions. It's very complicated."
"I'll bet. How did you get here then?"
"My nephew brought me and if you wait a while he'll be coming to take me back and you can come with us. I don't think you belong here."
"Boy, I thought you were different, well you are, but not in the way I'd hopped." He turned to leave muttering to himself and laughing. "This could make a great song. 'Stargirl', or something."
"David, wait!"
"Sorry, got to go. I'll see you around maybe."
Crystal sat down on the bench. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. What had she done? She tried to stop the tears from falling, but it was no use.
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"Ello."
Reineth looked down at the blue worm among the stones on the outer Labyrinth wall, where he had sat down to wait. He was starting to get tired of swatting away those nasty fairies before they could bite him. "Hello."
"What are you doing out here at this hour of the night?"
"Waiting for someone."
"Why don't you come inside and meet the Missus. Have a nice cup of tea while you wait."
"I'm sorry, but I have to leave soon."
"Mum," The worm turned to the wall and called. "Why don't you come out and meet young Prince Reineth. No one's ever going to meet you if you stay in there." Then the worm mumbled to himself, "No one's got time for tea anymore, it seems."
"Alright, alright. I'm comin'." Reineth watched as another blue worm appeared from the stone work. This worm wore a red sweater and had pink curlers in her hair. She also had very long eyelashes and pink eyelids. "Why bless my soul. Look how 'E's grown. What brings you out here?"
Reineth sighed. "I'm waiting for my Aunt actually."
"Young Crystal? What's the Princess up to?"
"She wanted me to take her Aboveground. Why? I don't know."
"Ah, it's love," said the missus.
"But she's never been there before."
"It doesn't matter. She still feels its pull. You should tell Jareth. It's too dangerous for her to go alone."
"But he wouldn't take her there and if he finds out about this he'll kill us."
"Then you don't know your grandfather that well. He understands more than any what she's going through right now."
Reineth thought about that as he gazed up at the clock he had produced in front of a tree. It had been a few hours. He should check on Crystal. "Well I had better go now. It was nice to finally meet you."
"Yes, come back again soon."
"Bye." Reineth walked up the hill and produced a crystal. He gazed in and saw Crystal crying on a bench in the park.
He appeared beside her in an instant. "What happened?!"
"He didn't believe me."
"Who didn't? Believe what?"
"I found him. I tried to tell him where we're from to bring him back with us. He didn't believe me."
Reineth laughed with relief. So that was all. "Well what do you expect, humans aren't that open minded."
"My mother was and your mother was too."
"True," he conceded. "But lets get home before morning comes and they find us gone. Crystal wiped the tears away and went with him silently. "Don't you think you should talk to your father. I think he would understand -"
"But he doesn't," she cut him off. "My parents just want to keep me in the Labyrinth safe. I can't do anything. It's not fair."
They arrived at the castle. "Go on. We'd better get to bed now." Crystal shooed Reineth away, stopping him from arguing with her further.