17
Within minutes, the men and women were aboard a small ship that had been singed by the dragon's fire.
"Do you think this is going to last long enough for us to get anywhere?" Trinity sighed, releasing Jareth's hand as she swung over the railing and landed on the deck.
"One can only hope," Leont shrugged and then walked over to the helm. "Seems the crew already had the anchor pulled up for us. Everyone aboard?"
"Yes," Vorian nodded, helping Evelyn over the ship's railing and then watching with great concern as the woman dropped next to the railing and pulled herself into a tight ball.
"Is everyone all right?" Jareth asked, surveying the scene.
His and Vorian's waistcoats were torn in several places, and both men had burn marks on their faces. Evelyn and Trinity were soaked to the bone, having struggled through the water in their immense dresses. Both were tattered and weary, and they shivered in the early morning air.
"To think. My own captain was a dragon the entire time," Leont said thoughtfully, sailing the ship away from Point de Rouck. "That is immensely disappointing. Good heavens, Miss Trinity!"
Trinity started, and looked up at the pirate king.
"What?" she snapped.
"My dear girl, your beautiful dress has been ripped! We really must find you something else to wear! It is completely out of fashion for a lovely woman such as yourself to walk about with so much leg showing!"
"So much leg?" Trinity frowned, and glanced down to see that her skirt came down to just about her knees. "What on earth are you talking about? That's nothing! Just ask Vorian. Women in my world wear skirts all the way up to their thighs."
"But still! Oh, to think that I should be in such a situation!" Leont exclaimed.
Jareth rolled his eyes and looked up at the vampire.
"Leont, Miss Trinity is quite appropriate, given the situation. She would have burned to death if it hadn't come off."
"And Miss Evelyn as well! What did happen to your dresses?" Leont asked, looking away from Evelyn as she had a long slit in the bottom of her dress from when she had struggled through the water.
Evelyn let out a sob, and Trinity moved away from Jareth and walked over to her friend. She sat down next to her and then wrapped her arms lovingly around the woman's trembling shoulders. Evelyn turned her head and put her face in Trinity's shoulder, still crying.
"That wretch!" Vorian growled, clenching his hands into fists. "That traitorous, mutinous piece of ocean filth! If only I had the power…"
"It's over, Vorian," Jareth said, putting a hand on Vorian's shoulder. "The whole situation is done and over with."
"One wave, Jareth, one measly wave has the power to drown out a dragon's fire!" Vorian scowled. "And I couldn't even call up one wave!"
"You haven't the strength yet," Jareth said calmly.
"But I should have!" Vorian snapped, pushing his friend's hand away and moving over to the ship's railing.
He put his hand out over the water and closed his eyes for a few brief seconds before opening them again. The blue and green in his eyes were dazzling, sparkling with magic, and Jareth shook his head.
"Vorian. You haven't the strength. Don't try it."
"I have to be able to protect her," Vorian hissed, the muscles in his arm beginning to twitch violently. "Once upon a time I hardly had to move my hand to call forth the water. Just a flick of my fingers, and it was all at my disposal. Now, I can't even…can't even…" He growled and clenched his teeth tightly together.
"Vorian!" Jareth exclaimed, watching the color draining from Vorian's face. "Stop it!"
"No!" Vorian grimaced. "Not this time, Jareth."
The water rippled beneath Vorian's quivering hand, and a wave began to form. It raised itself to one foot above the rest of the water, and then it collapsed, accompanied by Vorian. The Fae sat down abruptly on the deck, his eyes closed and his breathing labored.
"Vorian, you've been in the human world for over a year now. You haven't used your powers in a long time. You can't just immediately call them forth again. It won't succeed," Jareth said gently, gazing down at Vorian.
"I should have strangled him, Jareth," Vorian hissed, looking up at Jareth, his eyes sparking with fury. "He hurt her. He hurt her badly."
"He didn't do much, Vorian. He just…"
"Kissed her," Vorian growled, clambering to his feet. "Right in front of me, against her will, by force, that wretch kissed her. She's been saving that kiss for her husband, and he just stole…"
"She didn't kiss him. He kissed her, and yes it was by force, therefore, she hasn't lost anything," Jareth frowned. "Your concern for Evelyn is noteworthy and commendable, but you forget, my friend, that you aren't responsible for her. You aren't the man she has chosen to protect her and guide her through life. She has a mind of her own, and she took the whole situation rather well."
"And she's suffering for it," Vorian whispered, looking over to Evelyn's quaking form. "And I want nothing more than to go over to her and hold her, embrace her, love her, like she should be loved."
Jareth smiled sadly and put his hand on Vorian's arm.
"She has not asked for your affections, my friend. You must wait. Wait and give her the ability to make her choice. There will come a day, I believe, when she will show you that she wants you, that she needs you, and then you can love her like you wish. For now, give her distance, give her time."
"You sound like your fiancé," Vorian chuckled and shook his head.
"And my fiancé is a very smart woman," Jareth said, puffing out his chest with pride.
"Go, tend to her needs," Vorian smiled. "I'll see to Evelyn."
The men walked over to Trinity and Evelyn, and Trinity stood up. She was reluctant to leave her friend, but she could see, from the look in Vorian's eyes, that he wanted to care for Evelyn, and so she left her friend and moved to Jareth.
"It seems we're safe for the time being," Jareth smiled down at Trinity as he led her to the bow of the ship.
"Yes," Trinity sighed, melting into his arms. "I just wish Evelyn was okay."
"She'll be fine," Jareth said, pressing his lips firmly to Trinity's forehead. "I was so worried I wouldn't see you again, and yet, here you are, back in my arms where you belong."
"I don't belong anywhere else," Trinity smiled up at him. "I was terrorized when I heard you were captured. And, when I heard a vampire took you, I just got so scared. I'm so happy to be back with you."
Jareth craned his neck and kissed her gently on her lips, savoring the peaceful moment. How she meant the world to him! How he would gladly give his own life if ever the need arose, just for her! He tightened his hold around her, holding her closer, moving his lips more firmly against hers. She wrapped her arms securely around him and returned his kisses, thoroughly enjoying his passion and care.
Vorian, in the meantime, had sat down next to Evelyn. He reached out to put his arm around her, and she shuddered when she felt his strong arm resting across her shoulders.
"No. Please," she whispered, wiggling out of his hold. "I…I don't want…"
"Shh. It is all over, my sweet. You're all right," Vorian said, watching, hurt, as she moved away from him.
"I feel like I have a mark on me," Evelyn shivered, not looking into his face and moving her hand to her neck again. "Vorian, do I…do I have anything on my neck?"
"You must move your hand so I can see," Vorian said gently and then placed one of his hands over Evelyn's. He pulled her hand away from her neck and then bent over so he could look more closely at her neck.
"No, Evelyn. There is nothing there."
"But…I still feel…I can still feel…" Evelyn began, and then shivered forcefully.
"I know. I know," Vorian said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closely to him.
"I'm all right," Evelyn spoke, her voice clear. She stood up and stepped away, closing her eyes as she looked over the railing. At this point in time, she didn't want any males close to her, and Vorian understood that. He remained on the floor, waiting lest Evelyn should need him.
XxXxX
Two hours passed before a magnificent shudder rocked through the ship, sending a large piece of the ship's starboard side falling into the water.
"Oh dear," Leont sighed. "I don't think she's going to hold up much longer. Jareth, kind sir, does there seem to be any land within sight?"
Jareth, who was holding Trinity tightly as the ship continued to jolt, looked forward.
"There seems to be an island some two miles away."
"Ah! Yes! I see it! We may have to swim again!" Leont said cheerfully, standing tall as the port side of the ship began falling into the water.
"Should we get off now?" Trinity asked and then gasped as the ship rocked again.
"No. I think it can hold off a bit…" Leont began, but a cracking sound made him stop and think.
The whole bow of the ship began to cascade into the sea, and Jareth quickly moved himself and Trinity towards the stern of the ship.
"Never mind," Leont called out. "Everyone off!"
As the five passengers hastily jumped off the ship, the whole ship began to crumble. Leont instructed everyone to swim away from the ship, so they wouldn't be sucked down when the ship disintegrated, and everyone did as they were ordered.
Within ten minutes, the whole ship had fallen apart, and driftwood was hovering above the ocean waves.
"We're two miles from shore. Are we going to be able to keep swimming for that long?" Trinity asked, struggling to keep afloat as her heavy dress tried to pull her down.
"I don't think so," Jareth said, shaking his head as he held to her hand. "It seems some of Vorian's friends have come to assist us."
Trinity turned her head to see a herd of magnificent horses, translucent like the ocean, swimming towards them. Their heads were held high above the water, and water was being snorted from their large nostrils.
"Talistide!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Oh! Are we going to get to ride them?"
"They are coming to help us," Vorian smiled at her, encouraged by her enthusiasm. He whistled, and the herd drew closer.
Their manes splashed against Trinity's cheeks, and she could feel water pushing against her, like a horse's front legs
"Grab their manes," Vorian called out, helping Evelyn onto one of the horses and then pulling himself up behind her. "They're very playful. Jareth, I think you should stay with Trinity. They might want to take you under the water a bit, so be ready for that. Even if they go down, they'll be down for less than a minute, so you'll be all right. Just hold on."
Jareth gave Trinity a boost and then swung up behind her, wrapping his arms around her so that he also could hold onto the large horse's mane.
Leont was still in the water, struggling to catch one of the Talistide. Vorian whistled to the Talistide he and Evelyn were on, and the horse immediately swam towards Leont.
"Leont," Vorian spoke firmly, holding a hand out to the vampire. "If you will give me the vial, I shall see to it that you have a mount."
"Oh, this?" Leont asked, pulling the vial off his neck and holding it out to Vorian. "I suppose I don't really want it. It was so ill gained. If things had gone more reasonably, I should have liked to keep it, but by all means, take it, sir."
Vorian took the vial and then let out a sharp whistle. The Talistide near Leont immediately stopped its frolicking and swam patiently in place while the vampire grabbed its mane and then pulled himself onto its back.
"How extraordinary!" Leont exclaimed as the Talistide began to swim (though it was a whole lot more like running) towards the distance island.
Vorian's Talistide swam alongside Jareth's for a moment, and the water prince handed the vial over to Jareth.
"Yours, Sire," he spoke, and then smiled when Jareth took the vial. "Your steed is about to submerge. Trinity, hold on tightly. Jareth, hold her."
Trinity held tightly with her hands and legs as her Talistide suddenly lowered his head and then swam down into the water, carrying Jareth and Trinity along with him.
It was magnificent beneath the surface. The sunlight was streaming overhead, sending rays plummeting into the water, lighting Trinity and Jareth's path. Fish of all colors and sizes swam past the Talistide, their gills glistening regally in the light. The Talistide's motions were amazing. His movements were as fluid as the water that surrounded him, and Trinity felt as though she was riding something that was flying instead of swimming.
There were other members of the Talistide herd surrounding Jareth and Trinity, and Trinity couldn't help but smile as several foals danced about her Talistide, nickering playfully to the large water horse. The Talistide stallion snorted and then tossed his head. He then reared up, and his head burst out of the water, sending splashes of the liquid flying all over the place, glistening and dancing in the sunlight. When he broke the surface, so did Jareth and Trinity, and they were all able to breathe for several minutes before the Talistide ducked his head again and then went back into the water.
The trip seemed far too short for Trinity, who was entranced by the magical horse. Before she knew it, though, Jareth was leading her out of the water and onto a sandy beach, his hand holding hers and both soaking wet.
"That was an adventure!" Leont declared, clambering onto the shore and looking back to see Vorian dismounting his steed and then offering his hand to Evelyn.
Evelyn accepted his hand, and once her feet were on solid ground, she released his hand and walked towards Trinity.
"Wasn't that amazing?" she smiled at her friend. "The Talistide are just amazing!"
"I loved it!" Trinity exclaimed excitedly. "I want to do that again sometime! Thank you so much, Vorian! That was great!"
Vorian bowed with pleasure and then turned to his Talistide stallion. He rubbed the horse gently on his nose, and then leaned forward and rested his forehead against the stallion's. The stallion nickered gently and nudged Vorian's chest.
Evelyn stood quietly, entranced by the power Vorian had over these wild, free creatures. He and the ocean were one. The creatures heeded his requests, and the ocean itself seemed to take good care of the Fae lord. And the water prince had never looked better. Water was dripping from his body, and his waistcoat clung tightly to him. His eyes were a magical color, shining with pleasure and power.
The Talistide left, and everyone moved deeper into the island. As they stepped into a large grove of palm trees, Jareth stepped back with Trinity and then watched as the other three proceeded ahead of them.
"Trinity," Jareth spoke, turning to look into his love's eyes. "I want you to have this vial."
He held out the vial of blood and tears to Trinity and then placed it gently in her hand.
"If something should happen to me, I want you to be the queen of the Underground. I want you to take my throne and care for my people. This vial will permit you to do that without fear of the Labyrinth destroying itself. Would you do that for me? Would you take on the responsibilities of my world if something were to happen?"
His brown and blue eyes bore deeply into hers, and Trinity blushed beneath his intense gaze.
"Yes," she whispered, closing her hand around the vial. "I will, Jareth. I love you."
"And I love you," Jareth whispered back and then leaned forward and kissed her.
It was a brief kiss, for everyone was moving ahead of them, but when they pulled away, Jareth felt completely relaxed. If anything should happen to him, his world would be in excellent hands.
Trinity moved to Evelyn's side and smiled at her friend, concern shining in her blue eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked, noting that Evelyn kept her hand on her neck.
"I think so," Evelyn said quietly. "I just…I can't get what happened out of my head. I feel like I've been branded."
"But there's nothing there," Trinity said gently.
"I know. Perhaps tonight I can go on the beach for just a few minutes," Evelyn said, looking up at the sky. "The sounds of the ocean soothe me and they help me think. I need some time to think and just give all my troubles to God."
"I know what you mean," Trinity smiled, giving her friend a quick hug.