the return of the water-rhyme! lol that was written by me.
4
Trinity and Evelyn woke up early the next morning and immediately set about the task of making breakfast for themselves and then dishing up feed for the horses. It was sprinkling lightly outside, but by the time all of the horses were fed, it was pouring.
Both girls hurried into the house and then found different ways to amuse themselves. Trinity sat down in the living room and began to draw, no doubt sketching another picture of Jareth. She had become quite good at drawing him over the past several years.
Evelyn went into her room and sat down at her laptop. She stared quietly at a blank document on Microsoft Word and then began to write, pouring out her emotions and thoughts on the blank screen.
An hour and a half passed, and Trinity got up from the couch and went into hers and Evelyn's room.
"What are you up to?" she asked, seeing a smile on Evelyn's face.
"Writing."
"Writing what?"
"A story," Evelyn smiled. "It's a story about two girls in the middle of a dark and stormy night. The power suddenly goes out and…whoosh…the Goblin King enters the scene."
"You're writing our story?" Trinity asked, gazing over her shoulder.
"Sure, but I want you to write some of it too. I've started. You can keep going."
Evelyn moved away from the computer, and Trinity sat down at the laptop. She read what Evelyn had written, and then she began her own writing.
XxXxX
Lunch passed, and then the afternoon came. The rain slowed down, giving Evelyn the opportunity to teach three riding lessons. Trinity spent that time at the computer, writing the outstanding story that she and Evelyn could call their own.
She was startled when, in the middle of a sentence, a hand rested on her shoulder. She gasped and then turned her head to see Jareth standing behind her.
"Enjoying yourself?" he grinned, kissing her briskly on the cheek and then looking at the computer screen.
"Yes," Trinity nodded and then shut the laptop.
"What was that for?" Jareth asked.
"You don't need to read it yet."
"Oh? What are you writing?"
"It's just a story. I'll show you later," Trinity smiled up at him. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I would assist you ladies with feeding the horses."
"Is it that time again?" Trinity asked, glancing at her watch. "Oh wow, it is!"
Jareth offered her his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.
"Is everything going all right in the Labyrinth?" Trinity asked as they walked towards the front door.
"I'm afraid not," Jareth sighed. "A ship full of merchandise disappeared entirely from the waters, and no one can figure out what happened to it."
"Not even Vorian?"
"Vorian sacrificed quite a bit to come to your world," Jareth said gently. "He isn't as powerful as he used to be. Were he in the Labyrinth for a good deal of time, he would regain his powers, but that would take quite some time."
"And I'm guessing everyone thinks pirates had something to do with this?"
Jareth nodded.
"They've been all over the place, Trinity. Not many seem to see them, but they're there, and they're succeeding in just about everything they do. It is a great burden to me."
"I'm sorry," Trinity said, wrapping her arms around him.
"I'm sorry too," Evelyn said from the front door. "To interrupt, that is. We need to get feed done. Hello Jareth. You're back soon."
Jareth nodded his greeting and then followed Trinity outside into the light rain. He and Trinity gathered together the grain and hay for the front pastures and then got into the farm vehicle and began to drive towards the front property. Trinity glanced over her shoulder as she drove, catching sight of Evelyn walking, alone, to the middle property with her buckets of grain. The young woman looked so lonely, walking in the rain by herself.
"You seem concerned," Jareth said, immediately sensing her feelings.
"She's all by herself. I thought she and Vorian were so perfect. I mean, the way they interacted was amazing. If he had been any other man, she wouldn't have let him near her, never mind her actually getting close to him."
"She needed him to save her," Jareth said.
"But there was something more…I know it!"
"Vorian is concerned. He doesn't know how to tell her how he feels."
"I think I might have an idea to help him," Trinity said thoughtfully, bringing the farm vehicle to a stop.
"Oh?"
"Evelyn and I are writing our story, about how we met you and Vorian a few summers ago. Once she gets to the parts about Vorian, I'll let him read the parts. Evelyn expresses herself best through writing. He'll be able to see right into her heart."
"Won't she be upset about that?"
"This will be to help her," Trinity said calmly, getting out of the vehicle and grabbing several of the buckets. "Something needs to be done, Jareth."
"I suppose so. Let's get done. It looks like it's going to start raining harder again."
XxXxX
When Jareth, Trinity and Evelyn finished dinner an hour later, Evelyn left Jareth and Trinity again to themselves. The young woman was confused. She knew something wasn't right between her and Vorian, and she hated that. But, she couldn't put a finger on what the problem was.
She sat down at her laptop and considered, once again, what love was. Love meant putting others before self, being concerned with the needs of others. Yes, she cared about Vorian. If he got hurt, she would hurt for him. Perhaps, though, that was just the magic of how they had healed. They had both felt whole at that catastrophic point in time, when they needed each other to save their lives.
Evelyn's fingers began to flow against the keys as she thought about Vorian. She remembered when she had first awoken to see him near her. She recalled his song, how he sang her to sleep every night. She remembered how he had once carried her, with such gentleness and concern that she had almost cried. And she distinctly remembered what the magic water fountain had showed her…how Vorian had kissed her on her forehead when she was asleep, and how he had lingered above her, fighting the powerful urge to kiss her deeply.
And then there was that warmth. That constant warmth that flowed through her when he was near. It was warmth that sent shivers through her spine and made her blood run hot.
"I'm going to erase this later," Evelyn sighed as she wrote, letting her thoughts show entirely on the screen.
"How the girl had wanted him to kiss her. There was something magical about the man, something that drew her to him like the waves are drawn into a current. His song could soothe her when nothing else could. His smile could make her feel as though she was in the presence of an angel. And his touch…his touch was so kind, so welcoming. This was the magic that was Vorian, the magic that the girl desperately wanted to feel more of, but was terrified to do so. How she wanted to invite him in, how she was tormented when he was close, desiring so greatly to envelope herself in his warmth, but she could not. She could not because…"
Here Evelyn paused, and tears filled her eyes. She bit her lip and then continued writing, slowly and thoughtfully.
"Because she was afraid. She had never given her heart away, and she was afraid to do it now. She didn't have the courage, the strength, to show him her feelings in return, so she turned away."
Evelyn sniffed and a tear streamed down her cheek.
"She turned away and refused to acknowledge that something strong, something beautiful could come of herself and the water prince. And why was that? Because she was afraid. She needed his lead, his strength, to show her that it was all right. She needed his passion to push her farther than she had ever gone, to make her reach out and take the hand that was offered so freely to her. But…she…couldn't."
"All right. That's enough," Evelyn said, wiping away her tears and moving away from the computer. "I need a glass of chocolate milk."
Evelyn walked into the kitchen, hiding her teary eyes away from Jareth and Trinity as she did so.
"Ev," Trinity called as her friend opened the refrigerator.
"Yes?"
"Do you have any lessons tomorrow?"
"Two."
"Any in the afternoon?"
"Why?" Evelyn asked, pulling the milk and chocolate syrup out of the refrigerator.
"Jareth and I want to go into town to watch a movie. Would you care to join us?"
"I wouldn't mind at all," Evelyn smiled. "That would be fun."
"You okay?"
"Yeah," Evelyn nodded. "Chocolate milk?"
"No thanks."
XxXxX
Evelyn's two lessons passed quickly the following afternoon, and then she, Jareth and Trinity fed the horses. As soon as that was finished, they piled into Evelyn's car and drove to the theater. Trinity and Jareth had chosen a good comedy romance, and the next two hours passed pleasantly with laughter and some tears.
Vorian made a stop at the farmhouse while the girls and Jareth were gone, intentionally coming at such a time. He appeared in the house's living room, a wrapped parcel under one arm. He hadn't intended to stay long, and he moved, in his graceful, fluid motions, to the room that Evelyn and Trinity shared. He moved to the desk where Evelyn's computer was situated and then placed the package next to the laptop, accidentally tapping the mouse in the process.
Evelyn's screensaver immediately disappeared, and a Word document appeared.
"Looks like someone's been writing," he said to himself, and turned to leave.
As he did so, a word, his name, caught his eye on the screen.
"What has she been up to?" he asked, and quickly averted his eyes. It wasn't any of his business what Evelyn wrote, though she was usually pretty open about him reading her documents. But still…his name had been on the page. Maybe he would discover some mysteries to the woman he cared for if he just looked at the page…
"I can't," he said firmly, and turned away. He then disappeared, filled with great curiosity, to the Labyrinth.
XxXxX
Evelyn, Jareth and Trinity were laughing when they stepped into the house after the movie was finished.
"That was quite a show," Jareth said, sitting down on one of the counter chairs. "Thank you for inviting me."
"Oh, there is something you have to do before you leave," Trinity said, a grin on her face. "Evelyn and I want you try something."
"And what would that be?" Jareth asked, an eyebrow arched.
"Ice cream. You haven't had that American delicacy yet."
"Necessity, is more like it," Evelyn smiled, opening the freezer door and taking out a carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream. "This is absolutely delicious stuff."
"Is it now? I suppose I shall have to try it," Jareth said, sitting back comfortably.
Trinity scooped up three bowls worth of ice cream and then handed one of the bowls to Jareth. She and Evelyn both watched as Jareth delicately brought a spoonful of the cold dessert to his mouth.
He tasted the ice cream, and his eyes widened, no doubt from having taken such a large mouthful of the cold substance.
"It's cold!" he mumbled, forgetting his manners for once and speaking with his mouth full.
"That's why it's called ice cream," Trinity said, rolling her eyes. "You know, there's ice in it?"
"You could have warned me," Jareth said, swallowing the ice cream and nearly tearing from how cold his mouth was.
"Sorry," Evelyn chuckled. "What do you think?"
"Aside from being extremely cold, it's delicious," Jareth said.
"It's even better with chocolate syrup on top. Want some?" Evelyn offered.
"No thank you. I think I'd rather eat this by itself for the first time," Jareth declined.
"Well, I'm going to put some candy on mine. I'll be right back," Evelyn said, stepping out of the kitchen and going towards her room.
"You really like it?" Trinity asked the Goblin King, grinning as he took another mouthful.
"I do. I shall have the goblins learn how to make it. They and the rest of the people would enjoy it as much as I do," Jareth nodded.
"I can't believe you've been visiting me for so long, and yet you've never had ice cream," Trinity sighed. "It's been a long time since we first met."
"Hardly, in your world," Jareth said calmly. "Time is so much longer in the Underground."
"I know," Trinity nodded.
"I miss you greatly when I am gone."
"You are so sweet," Trinity smiled, sitting next to him and resting her head on his shoulder. "You've been so patient."
"And I'll just have to keep being patient until the appropriate time comes," Jareth thought to himself.
"I wonder what's taking Evelyn so long," Trinity wondered aloud. "It shouldn't take her five minutes just to get some ice cream. Evelyn!" she called. "Are you coming?"
"Yes," Evelyn called back, and then she walked into the kitchen, a small package in her hands. "Someone left this for me. I'm sincerely hoping that Vorian didn't come while we were gone."
"Why?" Trinity frowned.
"Because I had one of my documents up on the computer that I would have hated for him to read."
"Vorian never intrudes in other people's affairs," Jareth said confidently.
"I hope not," Evelyn sighed.
"Well, what is it?" Trinity asked, gazing at the package.
"I don't know."
"Open it!"
Evelyn smiled slightly and then began to unwrap the package. Underneath the wrapping paper was a small cardboard box, and inside of that was tissue paper and what appeared to be a snow globe.
Evelyn took the snow globe out, and her eyes widened with amazement.
The snow glob was amazing. It was perfectly crafted by its master. In the center of the snow globe was a small statue of a horse. It wasn't a horse from the human world, for it was entirely blue and white, looking very much like a creature one would find in some enchanted ocean. Its mane and tail were made of foam, and the rest of its body looked like great waves of the sea all coming together to form a solid structure. It was surrounded by multicolored water, making Evelyn think of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.
"It plays music," Trinity said, catching sight of a small latch on the side.
Evelyn nodded and turned the latch. Immediately, a sweet, familiar tune began to play and Evelyn closed her eyes and began to whisper, singing quietly with the tune.
"Waterfalls and rivers
Are powerful life-givers.
The ocean and sea
Hold magic for me.
But nothing like my love
No, nothing like the woman
The sprite, the water-nymph
The magic of a spring
Is nothing to my love.
Streams and springs
Are beautiful things.
A lake so serene
I think eyes of green.
But nothing like my love
No, nothing like the woman
The sprite, the water-nymph
The magic of a spring
Is nothing to my love."
"Why does he keep trying?" Evelyn sighed, opening her eyes as the music died away.
"A perfect craftsman," Jareth said, taking the globe from her and studying it. "He can make anything he pleases out of glass and water.
"The horse…it obviously isn't one from our world. What is it?"
"The Talistide. They are considered to be a legend," Jareth said with a smile. "Rarely have they been seen, if ever. Sailors consider them to be difficult to understand and unpredictable, but ever and always gentle."
"And yet they've never caught one?" Trinity asked, greatly interested.
"It is said," Jareth said, watching the magic water swirl around the glass horse, "that they can only be caught by one of their choosing."
"But they haven't found anyone yet?" Evelyn asked, catching sight of a small piece of paper in the packing box.
"No, otherwise they would no longer be a legend."
"Then they have to remain free," Trinity said, deep in thought. "Or it would destroy the legend."
Evelyn only halfway listened as Jareth and Trinity conversed about the mysterious horses. She pulled the slip of paper out of the box and then read it. The message was simple, yet at the same time, very deep.
"To one with a spirit of the calmest waters, but a heart of the gentlest, yet somehow untamable, seas. Ever and always yours…Vorian."
Evelyn promptly burst into tears.
"Hey. Are you okay?" Trinity asked, moving to her friend and wrapping her arms around her.
"I just don't deserve it! He does so much, and yet I never return his care. Why? Why am I like this?"
Trinity looked over at Jareth, and he nodded his head and promptly disappeared.
"I can never understand myself. I hate it!" Evelyn sobbed. "I can't even show him I care, because I'm scared!"
"What are you scared of?"
"Making a wrong decision! Getting in over my head! Like the song!" Evelyn tried to smile through her tears, but failed. "He's so nice, and I'm so difficult! I'm twenty-four already! I should be ready for this! But I'm not!"
"Age has nothing to do with it," Trinity said gently. "He's not asking you to dive in headfirst."
"No, but he's pleading with me to just…accept him, and I can't even do that!"
"Shh…" Trinity said, hugging Evelyn tightly. "Everything will work out. You'll see."
"I know," Evelyn nodded and then sighed. "I just wish I wasn't so difficult."
"You'll be okay. Now you've got that song stuck in my head," Trinity said with a grin. "I'm in over my head. Come on. Let's go listen to it. Cheer up. You'll be all right."
Evelyn nodded and let Trinity lead her out of the room, tears still clouding her eyes.
Trinity started up the song and gazed at Evelyn's laptop as she did so. Evelyn had been writing on their story, therefore she knew she could read it. She saw the last few paragraphs that Evelyn had written, and she was stunned by the older girl's openness and…passion. She had a talent for writing expressively, letting others feel exactly what she was saying.
"I think," Trinity whispered to herself. "That someone needs to see this."