Checked for continuity, grammar, and spelling: May 2, 2011.

Chapter Seven: Dreams and Revelations

Jareth stared into the clouds. He had never before been in this place, though he knew enough of it to know where he was. When taught about it, he was told it was filled with mist. But, looking into it, he felt that 'mist' was too light a term. Fog would be more appropriate, he thought. And, as the Mortal expression goes, it is thick as pea soup. Though nothing here was truly solid, including himself, he could have walked around. He would have gotten nowhere and seen nothing, so instead he clasped his hands behind his back and continued to stare forward and wait.

He was not left waiting long.

"At last, the Goblin King has ventured into the faded Realm of Faerie Dreams. Unbidden he comes, and after so many refused invitations." A deep voice resounded from behind him, filled with wisdom and experience. Jareth turned to face the speaker. He was clad in long, flowing robes of silver. Though his face appeared young, in his pale blue eyes reflected an age of thousands of years gone by. On his arm was a woman in similar dress, with the same timeless features. Her long, white hair was swept up away from her face and pinned with a cluster of gems, the only ornament indicating rank and power worn between the two of them.

Jareth bowed low, "Your Majesties. Indeed, I have come."

"Such formality from one who has turned his back on the High Court of the Fae, as his ancestors have done before him. However, although thou hast long since shut out Our ways, in times past thou were once held in Our favor. For this reason We come to thee here, to give thee aid if thou doth ask it and begin to mend this breech." She spoke with a gentle rebuke, but without malice or resentment.

The High King tilted his head to one side slightly. "Even when thou were in Our favor, since thou came into thy Powers thou hast guarded thy thoughts. Thou hast guarded thy dreams. Thou hast built walls to shut out all and close thyself in. But one does not enter this Realm without intention, and here thy mind is free and open for Us to read. It is a strange action for one so careful with his privacy." They approached him and each placed a hand on his shoulders. "Rise, Goblin King, and walk with Us. We shall speak of thy troubles and give thee counsel."

Jareth rose as he was bidden, and walked between the others. "You say no one enters this Realm unintended. However, I had no intention of coming to this place now."

"This is true," the High Queen regarded him with a bemused smile. "Another power has helped to bring you here. Thou hast somehow bound thyself more closely to thy Kingdom and its Magic than most other Fae throughout history have done. Certainly more so than any other Goblin King before thee."

"The nature of Fae Kingdoms is that they give their rulers what those rulers want, Goblin King." The solemnity in the High King's voice caught Jareth off guard. He stopped abruptly, and the High King turned to face him. "Thine own Kingdom hears what thy heart doth beg for, thy most secret and longed for desire. Because of what thou art, who thou art, and the nature of thy powers, such a thing is as powerful as any wish spoken with the True Words. Thy Kingdom, bound to thee as it is, hears this desire, and does everything within its abilities to bring that thing about. Thine own desires become its desires. Thine own powers work in conjunction with its Magic. And that Magic has brought you here."

There was a pause as Jareth thought this over. "So my Kingdom is manipulating me with my own powers?"

"In a sense," the High Queen said, a hand held out to forestall any outbursts or sudden actions, "but not entirely. Compelling thee, not manipulating. It merely pushes things forward, becoming a catalyst of sorts in events that would take place in their own time. Giving thee mysterious cause to act sooner rather than later. How it managed to bring thee here unwilling is, admittedly, singular and unexpected. However, thou wouldst have journeyed to this place eventually, it was only a matter of time."

"That is the curious thing. How hast thou managed to be brought here?"

Though Jareth knew they could easily pluck the answers from his thoughts, the High King and Queen had long since rejected petty antics of rummaging through another's mind unneeded. However, this did not prevent random thoughts from being projected without his carefully placed walls to keep them contained. He would not know what they would hear, and the truth voiced on his own was expected. "I was Aboveground, Your Majesties. While there, I panicked, and returned Underground without channelling, simply using magic raw. I remember falling in and out of consciousness before falling completely under and finding myself here. In my weakened state, I must have been vulnerable to... my own Kingdom," He was still struggling with that idea, "and I was brought here to speak to you."

"That is very likely. But why here of all places? If thou wished to speak to Us, why not transport thee to Our Palace. And what purpose had thee Aboveground? "

"Possibly so you could explain what you just did." His expression changed as he began thinking aloud rather than answering their questions. "Actually, this all makes a great deal of sense. Just before I returned was when I realized I regard her as mine, possessive without cause. That made no sense then, I have not offered, she has not accepted. But if events have been pushed forward..." He trailed off.

"Her?" asked the High King. "Aboveground. Thou art in pursuit of a Mortal?" Jareth's carefully schooled expression and lack of denial was confirmation enough. "But thou has little regard for Mortals. Who could have possibly caught thine attention?"

The High Queen's eyes widened. "It is she," came the startled realization. "The one who completed the Labyrinth a few years ago, is it not?" Jareth nodded in reply. There was silence for a few long minutes as the High King and Queen stared at Jareth incredulously.

"I see. You have done well in guarding your secrets, Jareth." The High King's change to informal speech was not lost on Jareth; it was a measure of the seriousness of the entire situation. "You must continue your efforts at doing so. More, if possible. There are those who would use this information against you without a second thought. Strange it is that you were searching for answers to one question so your Kingdom brought you here, where you would find answers to others as well and without risk of intrusion. No one can enter here without our knowledge. Here, unguarded thoughts are safe.

"This explains the rumors of changes within your Kingdom as well," mused the High Queen. "No one is quite sure what these changes are exactly, but I see what has prompted them. Out of curiosity, why did you panic and resort to such a drastic return Underground? The Fae are known for their possessiveness. Though it came as a surprise, surely it did not merit such a response."

Jareth sighed. "I went to see her. In person. As I have not done since we last met. I had followed the rules; she thought the experience was entirely a dream. She saw me and made the connection and I could not -" He sighed again. "It was too soon."

The other two exchanged a look. "I see," said the High King. "I think it best advice be offered now. You must go to her again, Jareth. Considering everything involved, time is fleeting. Go swiftly, but gently."

"Gain her trust. Open her eyes to your world, your ways, your life, and your heart. Do not tell her, but show her what you are offering." The High Queen placed her hands on the sides of his face and gently kissed his forehead. He could feel strength and healing fill his body where it lay in his bed.

"Go now," continued the High King. "Go with speed and Our blessings, King of the Goblins. You are welcome here again, should you ever find yourself lost."

Jareth bowed low once more. "My thanks, Your Majesties, for the aid I did not know I sought." As he rose, he slowly faded into the clouds. The High King and Queen stood watching the place once occupied by his form.

"She must accept him, Oberon. It is only a matter of time before this gets out, regardless of how careful he is. He is her only chance at protection from his enemies."

"But it is not only that, Titania. My love, you heard his thoughts as well as I. He has not acknowledged it yet, but though she is not yet his, he is undeniably hers. These two pieces were put into play long ago, and, though they thought it was just a game, she has truly denied him once, both unknowing what was at stake, what was being offered. If she denies him a second time, refuses to submit herself wholly to him as he has already done, albeit unwittingly, to her, it could drive him mad."

"Though I wish you did not voice it, you speak the truth. But I believe it has gone past the possibility of madness, my lord. You saw it. If she denies him a second time, it will most certainly destroy him." They were silent again, and a smile appeared on her lips. "A pity we may not interfere. I should dearly like to meet this young woman. I do not recall having seen any of his line looking so... humble. It is as though the arrogance they seemed to have deliberately bred has dissipated slightly."

"That was not humble. Ceremonial, perhaps. Mildly formal, perhaps. But humble? I think not, my dear. However, you are right; he is changed. And, perhaps, a meeting can be arranged. We must think on this." With that, he offered his arm and, after she took it, they turned and disappeared into the clouds as well.