A.N. - I really hate my car right now. I want to blow it up by lighting a cigarette and tossing it into the gas tank and running like hell away from it. Also, work is annoying me because I'm getting called in to work for people who call in sick. That would be fine and dandy if I actually got a day or two off afterwards! Instead, I get to pull a double then show up eight hours later for my shift. Joy. I'm supposed to be pat-time damn it!
Now that I've got that over and done with, on with the story! ^.^
Chapter Eight
Max glared at the TV from his spot on the couch. He couldn't stand to be in his room alone. Not after used to the sounds of someone else always being there. The absence of Seth and his things was like pouring acid onto an already seeping wound. It hurt. It hurt knowing he was the cause of it. Knowing that it was all his fault.
He was also angry and wanted to break something. The anger built each day and every time he had to go into his room and see the emptiness it doubled. If the Fae had known who Max hadn't really meant it, if he had gotten to the castle two minutes earlier, if he'd never heard that stupid story before, if Seth had never been born. A lot of ifs ran through his head.
His aunt was worried about him as was his school councilor. They couldn't see why he was so angry all the time. His aunt thought it had to do with him overhearing what his mother had said. He couldn't very well tell them it was because he'd wished his brother away. A brother who no one remembered anymore. It was as if he never existed.
Max wanted to scream and the anger just festered until turning into hate. He hated the Goblin King and wished there was a way to get even with him.
Angrily stalking out of the living room, he slammed the door as he went outside. He walked down to the lake then began to throw rocks in with all his might. Scowling at the water, he frowned when a shadow joined his on the ground in front of him. Glaring at the person for intruding in his space he was taken aback when the person stated, "I can help you."
"Yeah right, sicko. Get lost before I call the cops."
"That won't bring your brother back, will it?"
Max gaped. "H-how do you-"
The person grinned. "Like I said. I can help you. You want to get even with the Goblin King and I can help you with that."
"How? What's in it for you?"
"He has something of mine. I want it back. As for the how." Another grin. "That's where you come in."
It looked around at the medicated proclaimed 'crazy' people with amusement. Mortals had always been a great source of amusement. They were the only source of amusement It had until the one calling itself the General of the Goblins was able to unite them against and imprison It. The reason they had succeeded was because It had underestimated them. It vowed that it would not happen a second time.
Striding purposefully to the room It wanted, looked into the occupied cell via the small window. The room's occupant had been in It's service sine It awoke and became free. She had gained It's favor but was quickly losing it. Plans It had set in motion years ago had begun to come to fruition until her son interfered. It had pondered for a time whether or not to let her rot behind these iron filled walls. It did not want to throw her away just yet though, in case she proved of use later on.
Entering the room he called in a dangerously sing-song voice, "Va-nes-sa."
The dryad looked up and It watched in fascination as her confused wary look morphed to one of recognition and comprehension. Her complexion paled further if that was possible making her dark sunken eyes showed her fear.
"Do you like the body I've procured?" It flexed the fingers of both hands on It's body. "I had to settle for one less satisfying than I would have liked." It eyed her and when she flinched, caused It's mouth to smirk in sadistic pleasure. Squatting in front of her, eyes cold and hard asked, "What have you done that makes you fear my retribution?"
Of course it was a rhetorical question as It knew precisely what she had done and It was furious with her. It had commanded her to keep Crispin and Sarah away from each other. She failed. It commanded her to dispose of them. She failed and It had to alter Sarah's memories. It commanded her to take care of the child. She failed. Now the child was in the one place It didn't want under the protection of the last one It didn't want.
The dryad quaked knowing she had failed It. She had been commanded to get close to the Williams girl and she had with It's help. But Crispin who'd been suspicious of her for along time, interfered. He practically became her bodyguard. That had annoyed Vanessa and angered her. Jealousy had clouded her judgment and she had acted rashly. Crispin had been there every single time to get in her way. When she found out the mortal was pregnant with his child, that had been the last straw.
She'd been praised for getting rid of Crispin but she was severely punished for almost killing the mortal and her child. Her failure had landed her in this iron filled prison that was slowly but surely killing her. Because of her failure, her son had done worse than that. His punishment would be much worse than hers.
Letting a bit of anger seep into It's voice, "Tell me right now, why I should not leave you to your fate? You have hindered my plans a great deal!"
Vanessa shifted and her fear nearly paralyzed her. As It gazed at her all she could think of was how she had failed It. Because of her son, Jareth was in possession of the one thing It did not want him to have. That act had more than likely signed not only Max's death but hers as well. By bargaining with Jareth she had hoped to forestall her immanent death. Yes, she had told him her part of what she had done and partially why she had done it, but not all.
"Things are still in your favor," she hastily said hoping to her betrayal would be overlooked for now or at least partially forgiven. It raised an eyebrow showing It was listening. "Jareth is still ignorant. He does not know what he possesses. I never told him the purpose of it."
"You've spoken to my jailer." It was stating a fact, not questioning her. It had known she'd spoken to him, made a deal with him. It smiled sending a shiver of dread down her back "I'm sure that he will be more lenient on you than I will be. Yet, I"m sure that you are aware that the Fae will not let you free to roam either the Aboveground or Underground. The current High Councilor will most likely come up with an interesting if not entertaining punishment for you. A shame that I will not be able to witness it."
Vanessa tried and failed to keep from shaking, knowing full well that anything proving to be entertaining to It wasn't for anyone else. "It'll be to your advantage if Jareth remains ignorant. That it stay and Jareth forms a bond with it."
Propping chin on It's hand that was resting on a knee asked, "And how pray tell is that to my advantage? When the Goblin King finds out-"
"He won't. Fae revere children, remember? It will only work for you if a bond is formed. The longer it stays hidden, the stronger the bond. The stronger the bond, the harder it will be for Jareth to sever it."
It thought about that, a contemplative look on the face of It's body. Casting a look at the desperate Dryad, stated, "You had best be right. In the mean time, I've decided to recruit you son."
Vanessa was confused. Why would It want Max? He was nothing. He was practically a human. His lifespan was just as short as one. It grinned wider at her confusion and she wondered if this was It's way of tormenting her.
"He's mortal. Talented, but still a mortal."
"Precisely. With your son under my command, it'll be easier to retrieve. After all, Seth loves his big brother doesn't he. And what kind of younger brother doesn't listen or trust his older brother?"
Resisting the urge to fidget, kings do not fidget, Jareth waited outside the audience chamber mentally reviewing what he was going to say. He'd already sent his forms to the Fae Council regarding the whole Max/Seth fiasco. Included were his findings of Vanessa's deeds, a requisition on her punishment, and documents stating that Seth Williams was his heir.
Unlike how matters were Aboveground with mortal society, being claimed as an heir didn't come with inheriting titles, property, or money. In the Underground if a Fae was proclaiming someone their heir, it was basically like adoption Aboveground. The heir would inherit the Fae's family name, trained exclusively by said Fae, and inherit their knowledge and power.
Fae rarely claimed a mortal as their heir, but it was not unheard of. What would cause the commotion was that Jareth was still young yet and unmarried. It was a bit early for him to be claiming an heir. The greater stir would be when the identity of his heir was revealed.
For reasons only known to Jareth's family on his mother's side, knew why the Goblin Kingdom was different when it came to inheriting the title of king. The Goblin Kingdom had been in Jareth's family since it's founding. When either the current king or the goblins of the Goblin Glade felt it was time for him or her to retire, they did so. The goblins would then select a child or blood relative to take up the vacated position.
Which was why Ardis asked him if he was sure about what he was doing. Once it was revealed that Seth was Jareth's nephew, they would assume that Jareth was not only claiming him as heir but successor as well. Rumors would go around that Jareth was training his replacement and abdicating when the boy was old enough to take over. Despite what Jareth would say, rumors wold circulate and Jareth was sure to end up with another headache. In fact, Jareth was so use to having a headache, he'd forgotten what it was like not to have one since this whole debacle started.
Glancing over at the cause of said debacle, he was glad to see the child was asleep at the moment. His thumb in his mouth, head resting on the page's shoulder. As he observed the sleeping child, Jareth idly wondered why they couldn't stay like that. They were so much more peaceful and easier to deal with when they were sleeping.
Children were a hassle when awake and active. It'd been difficult enough getting the boy properly attired in clothes befitting the heir of the Goblin King. He didn't even want to think about the bath that proceeded getting dressed. No, children were much cuter and easier when they were asleep.
Rundoon, a Sleeper was still just a child himself so was small enough to easily hide amongst the voluminous shirt the page wore. He was there to help keep the boy calm if he woke or became agitated.
At least Jareth was able to keep Ardis from accompanying them. Whenever the woman was around the High Councilor tempers flared and Jareth usually had to bear the brunt of it from both parties. It lay in Jareth's best interest if his mother stayed well away from the High Councilor and today's proceedings.
When Jareth was motioned to enter the audience chamber, he strode gracefully in, head held high. He walked to the center of the room and quickly assessed the council's mood and what they might be thinking based on their facial expressions and body language. He noted that just about everyone was represented. He had figured as much when he added the documents concerning his heir. That was an interest to everyone. Whenever there was a shift in power, a successor declared, the Fae Council was gathered and the successor introduced.
The council consisted of nine members. Four of them he knew well and personally. Three he had met but did not know. And the last was a complete mystery though he had heard of her. As well as the mistress she served.
The member for the Goblins had a serious face yet his eyes were alight with suppressed mischief. Jareth had known him since he was a boy tagging along at Crispin's heels. He was on of the rare children who'd grown up in the Children's Forest. Ardis was the one who got him the position on the Fae Council.
Having gathered all he could in a quick glance, his eyes met the hazel eyes of the High Councilor himself. The man's face was unreadable. Jareth had no idea of what the man was thinking, he never did. Their staring match lasted all of two seconds but to Jareth, felt infinitely longer. Relieved when the man's eyes left him, Jareth could breathe a bit easier.
The council member to the left of the High Councilor started the proceedings. "Jareth Mab Makenna you have been called here to account for your actions regarding the taking of two minors of magical descent without the consent of their magical guardian."
Jareth didn't wince this time around as he had last time. He just waited since they'd gone over that when Jareth had appealed to them requesting to go Aboveground temporarily.
"Since getting the consent of the guardian to retract their claim on the Wished Away child, why is it still in your possession?"
Of course the High Councilor had to be the one to ask. Making sure his voice and expression was neutral he replied, "As I have written for you, when speaking with the guardian, she was not his biological mother. The father was the magical parent. The mother is...unaware of our laws regarding claimship on children."
Jareth had left a crystal with his page and Rundoon so they would be aware of what was going on and when to enter. He wasn't sure if Seth was still asleep or not at the moment nor did he know how much a four year old understood. Not wanting to take chances, Jareth had worded his reply accordingly.
"I have given you all the information pertaining to this issue."
Not to mention they'd gone over some of it the last time he was questioned.
The High Councilor waved his hand dismissively about to speak but good Mícheál beat him to it. Eyes filled with mirth, his lips twitched but stilled them as he asked, "Are you asking us for permission to go Aboveground, again? To obtain the boy's birth mother's consent?"
"That would prove difficult seeing as she doesn't recall having any children."
The council frowned and there was shuffling of papers. Jareth knew they were rereading his missive about his conversation with Vanessa. Again Jareth watched the council's expressions. Most wore a mix of concerned outrage while High Councilor Eon's gaze never shifted from Jareth who could feel his gaze boring into him. Knowing at least what little he did know about the man, Jareth was sure Eon was impatiently waiting for his colleagues to go back to questioning him.
"She's admitted to violating our laws willingly?" The speaker was female with long seafoam colored hair and ocean green eyes.
"She did. I believe she had help though and I have the Bookeries looking into it."
Mícheál spoke again, this time serious. "Since this incident regards a Dryad and I share the seat, I will deliver this to Anthea. If the council agrees, we shall let her deal the punishment to the traitor."
One by one the council members agreed until it was Eon's turn.
"I will make my decision after I heard what all this has to do with Jareth naming that Wished Away child as his heir."
Jareth met the man's gaze, a perverse part of him enjoying the attention he was receiving from him. Watching closely so to savor the reaction stated, "The child in question would have a different surname if not for Vanessa's treachery. Instead of being known as a Williams, he would've been known as Seth Mab Makenna."
Crushing the bitterness that welled up he continued. "The son of mortal Sarah Williams and Crown Prince Crispin Mab Makenna."
The council chamber exploded in noise but all of Jareth's attention was on the High Councilor. Eon had paled, eyes narrowed searching Jareth's as if to catch him in a lie. Feeling his lips wanting to smile in a vindictive smile, he settled for letting his eyes flash victoriously.
"Do you have proof of which you claim?" Asked another ally of Jareth's. Ulrökk was the representative of the trolls.
"I do." He switched his gaze to Ulrökk. "It was Laverne herself who pointed me in the direction of his birth father."
The council murmured amongst themselves. If Laverne the Goddess of Spring vouched for the boy's lineage, they would not question or doubt it further. Yet Eon looked as if he did want to contest it, but wisely kept silent. Instead, he sent a thin lipped furious glare at Jareth.
Jareth would like to think he'd become immune to such looks, but when it came from that particular man...He looked away letting his eyes roam the other council members. His gaze locked with Ulrökk's then Mícheál's. They nodded to him letting him know they'd like to meet his heir.
The woman with the ocean green eyes spoke again. "We would like you to introduce us to you heir, Goblin King."
Jareth nodded wondering why she was putting emphasis on the word heir. Unless she too believed that when concerning that those of the Goblin King's blood was an heir as well as successor.
"Halt," Eon smugly stated when Jareth made to turn around. "We'll have our page bring him in."
Jareth's eyes narrowed. He thought the man might try to pull something like this. He wouldn't put it past Eon to do something to the boy before entering the chamber. Voice frosty, replied, "That won't be necessary. I have my page attending to him. He shall bring the boy in."
The two glared at each other, neither willing to back down until the woman spoke again. "Have your page bring him in. he is doubtless more comfortable with him."
"Thank you."
Outside the chamber the page glanced down at Rundoon who nodded. Slipping the crystal the king had given to him into his shirt, he adjusted his hold on Seth and walked into the chamber. He stopped three feet behind and to the left of his king. Seth who'd been peacefully dozing on on the page's shoulder thanks to Rundoon, began to wake.
His eyes opened blearily and blinked as he sleepily looked around. The page set Seth on his feet careful to avoid squishing, hitting, or exposing Rundoon. The boy's bottom lip went into his mouth worrying it, as he looked at the council's faces. His small hands fisted nervously in the hem of his tunic.
The page pushed him gently to Jareth who placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and guided him to stand in front of him. Seth looked up, his sienna colored eyes gazing into the king's mismatched ones in trust. Placing his other hand on the boy's other shoulder he nodded. Taking a breath, Seth introduced himself the way Jareth had instructed.
"Hullo. My name is Seth Mab Makenna." He tried to speak confidently but it still came out soft yet everyone still heard him all the same.
The council stared down at the boy who tried to meet their gazes. His eyes went from one council member to the next. A couple of them made the boy's heartbeat speed up in anxiety. He didn't like the feel of them. One of the ones causing him anxiety was Eon, whose ire was almost palpable. The boy whimpered and looked up at Jareth pleadingly, arms stretched up in the universal sign of wanting to be picked up.
Complying, Jareth picked the slightly trembling boy up and Seth immediately snuggled into his chest. Wrapped in the King's strong protective arms, ear pressed below the Fae's collarbone, a contented sounding sigh escaped. Seth's heartbeat went back to normal, soothed by the sound of Jareth's own.
Eon glared at them while the council seemed to be making their decision. Mícheál caught Jareth's eye and winked, laughter evident in his eyes. The woman though speaking to Jareth, was gazing thoughtfully at Seth. "Your heir appears sensitive."
Not knowing the woman well enough to determine if the remark was a compliment, condescending, or just contemplative, he wordlessly nodded to her.
Ulrökk turned to the High Councilor. "The council still awaits your answer, Eon."
He scowled at the troll representative. "The Dryad's can have her, but I wish to be part of the committee that decides her fate." When it looked as if Mícheál wanted to protest, Eon's eyes flashed angrily and the younger man shrank away from him. "I have the right by our law! I get to help decide her punishment. Crispin was my son, and I will seek retribution."