Disclaimer: I don't own the labyrinth or any of the character from it.
A Couple of Surprises
It had been about a week since Ann had been staying in the Goblin Castle. She had managed to make due with the cloths that Jareth had made for her and she had managed to keep busy with other things around the castle to keep from getting bored. Also, Ann had made a couple of new friends among the staff of the castle. There was Que who was a goblin maid that she had talked to the time she was trying to find the King, and there was also Velema who was a human non-the-less but was born in the underground and was a servant in the castle as well. Velema's parents were wished away children from many years ago. It surprised Ann finding out that Jareth actually takes wished away children and makes the wisher run the labyrinth to try and get them back. But, Velema had grown up in the underground and was very happy as far as Ann could tell.
It was a beautiful day; Ann was out in the garden admiring the many different flowers, she spotted a flower, with golden petal, but right down the center of each petal was a silvery streak, she was just about to pluck the mesmerizing flower, "I wouldn't do that if I were you", Ann jump as she was startled and caught her finger on one of the nearby rose thorns. Looking up to see Jareth standing nearby with a dark haired elfin male, she grabbed her injured finger to stop the bleeding.
"Did I frighten you?" Jareth asked as he and the elfin walked over to where she stood.
"No, you didn't I was just careless," Ann lied as she thought 'Of course, you incompetent fool…you scared the hell out of me' she would of liked to have said but keep her composure.
"Oh really", the King smiled tauntingly, as he reached out and took Ann's injured hand. Seeing it was but merely a scratch, he brought her hand to his mouth and he kissed the injured area. His actions startled her, and she jerked her hand quickly away not meaning any insult and not noticing that the scratch was gone.
Seeing that his somewhat punishment got across for lying to him in front of a guest, he didn't get offended by her quick actions. "This is Kyrin", the king gestured to the man beside him, "he is Aiden's brother from the Elfin Kingdom to the North."
Ann looked over to the elfin and curtsied to both gentlemen. She noticed that her actions surprised the King a little. "Hello, nice to meet you Kyrin", Ann said as she took in both men's' appearances. Kyrin was as tall as Jareth probably about 6'2" with dark hair and deep blue eyes and sharp features. He was dressed in a dark green vest, white shirt, and matching trousers and deep brown boots. He looked quite dashing Ann thought but quickly lost that thought as she looked to the King he was dressed in a royal blue vest with a white blousy shirt and beige trouser and a deep blue cloak at his shoulders and the usual necklace laying on his bare chest where his shirt was open at the collar. His mismatched eyes though were quite mesmerizing. Ann quickly asked to get her attention on other things, "What do you call this flower?" she pointed to the golden one with the silvery streaks in it.
"Ah well…you see that flower is called "flur". Quite beautiful isn't it, but that is its disguise, said Jareth as he reached out to touch it. Once the king's fingers touched the flower the whole flower turned silver. "You see, once someone touches it, it releases a poison from it petals and it will cause its victim immense pain." Jareth saw what looked to be concern on Ann's face. "But do not worry we fae are immune to its poison, but I am afraid you are not. That is why I stopped you from picking it."
"Oh, well I thank you," Ann said thankfully.
Kyrin watched the human with much interest as she was conversing with the King. He didn't know what has come over him but he just couldn't take his eyes off the human. He never though humans to be attractive, but this creature in front of him was quite beautiful even for a fae she would be considered a beauty. She had dark brown almost black hair that would reach her waist if she had it straight instead of pulled back as she had it, and dark brown eyes with a hint of yellow to them giving them a almost golden look. She was about 5'7" not short but not too tall and she have a very shapely figure unlike most elfin or even fae for that matter.
Kyrin without thinking reached over to the "flur" and plucked one from its stem. It turned colors because of the poison, but knowing its effects wouldn't harm him, "Here", Kyrin said as he reached out to give her the flower. He could see the confusion on her face as he was trying to give it to her. He explained, "Once the "flur" has been picked and all the poison is gone from it petals it is of no harm to anyone".
Ann looked to Kyrin and reached out and accepted the flower generously, "Thank you very much" she smiled.
"Come, Kyrin we have much to do before tomorrow." Jareth said curtly.
Noticing the King irritation, but not knowing what put him in that mood, Ann quickly said, "If you gentleman would excuse me I have a few things to do myself" Ann curtsied and turned to leave.
"Perhaps, I will see you again" Kyrin said quickly before she could go.
"Perhaps", Ann smiled and then left again noticing the frown on Jareth's face as she was leaving.
"Come Kyrin, let go meet up with your brother so we can finish the arrangements for the upcoming ball" said Jareth.
Kyrin noticing Jareth's irritation, quickly answered, "Yes I do believe we should finish the preparations for the ball. Both men leaving the garden didn't notice a shadow figure hidden on the other side of the flowers, with an evil smile the shadowy figure left.
Later that evening, Jareth was sitting in his study looking over the days work and reports, putting the reports to the side, Jareth thought back to the encounter in the garden. He still could believe his irritation when Kyrin showed interest in the woman. 'I mean I am engaged to a beautiful fae woman. So, why does she affect me so.', Jareth thought. Just then the door opened to his study, pulling him out of his own thoughts Jareth looked up to see Selina step through the door.
"Oh my love, I am so glad to see you are still up. It would have been trouble explaining me going to your room if anyone would have seen me," Selina seductively said. Walking the rest of the way into the room and in front of Jareth chair, Selina leaned over and kissed him.
Jareth quickly getting over the shock of Selina being so forward put her at arms length. "Selina, my dear, I don't believe this is neither the appropriate time nor place for this sort of escapade."
"Oh my love, we will be married in just a few months" Selina stated. Trying to push Jareth's hand away so she could get closer to him, her night robe had come open in the front and showing the upper curve of her breast seductively. Selina reached out and started kissing him again passionately trying to get him in the mood to take her, but to her surprise he again put her at arms length.
Breathlessly he said, "I am sorry, but I am not in the mood for this tonight, I have much on my mind Selina."
Selina angrily stated, "Don't think I will easily give myself to you again or when it is convenient to you." Selina straightened her robe covering herself completely. "You have changed Jareth, ever since you went to the aboveground over 20 years ago. You came back a different fae." Selina frowned, "I don't like what you have become. You are showing your weakness." Selina said over her shoulder as she walked out the door and then slammed it shut.
Jareth a little shocked at how Selina acted was just about to follow her and show her just how merciless he could be, but then decided against it. He thought to himself, perhaps I have become weak in a since then decided it was just his tiredness working through him.
He decided it was time to turn in for the night.
As Jareth was walking toward the east wing to go up to his room, he noticed a light in the library was on. He opened the door and looked inside and noticed Ann on the cough with a book in her lap with her head resting on her propped up arm. He walked over to the cough and found out that she was sleeping soundly. He walked over to her and picked the book up from her lap and read the title 'History of the Labyrinth' and smiled to himself at her interest in his home. He then decided that he couldn't let her sleep like that the rest of the night and picked her up and then teleported them to her room. He walked over and laid her on her bed and pulled the covers over her. The action woke her up and she sleepily looked at Jareth. Not quite fully awake she reached up to Jareth and surprise he by placing a quick kiss to his lips and then laying back down to sleep.
He reached up and touched his lips for he felt a quick shock from her lips and then turned to leave through the door for he was still surprise by her sleepy action. He left out the door and turned down the hall to his room. He didn't notice as Selina peaked out the door and saw from where he was leaving. The look of anger in her eyes could kill. "So this is how you want to play Jareth", Selina stated angrily as she shut her door.
Enchantress of Dreams: Here is another chapter still no big action but i liked the chapter. I promise a little distrubence in the next chapter. I appreciate the review. I like them whether they are good or bad. You can't be any type of writer if you can't take the good with the bad that is just the way of life. Anyway until the next chapter. Thanx to my readers.