A/N: Ok, so after a so long wait that I am personally ashamed and I apologize thoroughly to you all for as well as thank any and all who have stuck with the story, here is the next chapter! This chapter doesn't contain too much of a physical appearance of Jareth, but it does provide more insight into Viola and other servants of the Underground Castle! I promise that the next chapter will have plenty of Jareth. And after that the story will most likely pick up involving both him and Arissa!
Now, at the late hour during which James sat nervously on Jareth's throne awaiting his brother's return and Viola busied herself with the caretaking of the Labyrinth's Fae guest, most of the Kingdom slept, dreaming wonderful dreams that filled them with joyous anticipation for the days to come. The Castle was no exception. Most of the staff rather enjoyed sleeping after a long day's work. But there were some who did not sleep at such a late hour. One such Fae was Creshenda, the Castle Seamstress.
With chambers that lay below ground level in the Castle's first actual floor, Creshenda was a Fae who had seen two generations of Underground Kings, having grown up as a part of the Fae generation which produced Jareth's grandfather King Malfor. From the moment she was old enough to thread a needle, Creshenda had displayed a great passion and talent for the sewing arts. Whether it was embroidering detailed images on otherwise dull cloth napkins or touching up a fading tapestry with bright new colors, Creshenda quickly took to the art under the tutelage of her mother Larissa, the former Castle Seamstress.
While her mother was nearing the end of her days as Seamstress to King Malfor, Creshenda elected to travel throughout the Underground to its various villages, studying the art of the stitch from both Goblins and Fae. Creshenda quickly learned which elements and minerals produced the very best and lasting colors of dyes as well as various different sewing techniques which would go on to improve her work. Once Creshenda had replaced her mother as the Castle Seamstress, it wasn't long before she became known throughout the Underground as a renowned and talented seamstress, able to tackle any project and succeed tenfold at it.
Sewing was Creshenda's life, so much so that even at the age of 1900 years, she had not yet engaged in any relationships besides friendship with other creatures. Her workers were her friends, and her friends were her family. Creshenda personally did not feel that between them and her craft she had time for any relationships, nor did she need any relationships. So the Fae woman worked tirelessly, day in and day out, creating new wardrobes for anyone who could want one as well as brand new dresses that she kept in storage. Anything she or any other occupant of the castle wore she had made, and many of the tapestries and cloth items of the castle were either touched up or created by her as well, along with her three Goblin helpers.
The Goblin maidens who accompanied Creshenda in her chambers were of greater than average Goblin height and went by the names of Nyx, Vyx, and Ryx. The triplets had been born in Malfor's reign as King, and all three had liked watching Creshenda work so much that the woman had allowed them to become her special helpers.
Nyx, the eldest of the three, had dark green skin that was as soft as the fabrics she worked around and long brown hair she kept pulled up in a braided bun. Her murky brown eyes shone as she watched Creshenda work. She enjoyed the time spent as she helped the Seamstress out. Nyx often wore a beautiful purple gown with glittering jewels sewn into it to resemble stars, with a pink sash that tied around the Goblin girl's waist. Attached to that sash by bejeweled clips were various items that could help her in assisting Creshenda: scissors, thimbles, measuring tape, extra needles, pins, etc. Nyx was always at Creshenda's side, either putting the finishing touches on an embroidered piece of linen or waiting eagerly for her next special assignment.
Vyx was younger than Nyx by one minute, and was of a dark blue skin color with golden eyes and green hair that was pulled up in a half bun behind her head as the rest of it flowed down her back. Vyx often wore a golden hued dress with black onyx stones sewn into it for color contrast and a translucent black sash was often wrapped around her waist. Although most of her skin was as smooth as Nyx's, Vyx had much tougher callouses on the bottoms of her feet. That was because Vyx, while she did enjoy helping with the sewing of the garments and cloth items of the castle, liked even more the act of helping Creshenda with the organization of the Seamstress's store rooms and the transportation of items made by Creshenda and the Goblin maidens to other areas of the Castle. Because of this, Vyx was almost constantly moving about doing something or other.
Finally, there was Ryx. Younger than Vyx by two minutes, Ryx had skin that was of a mustard yellow color and had dark blue hair that flowed in cute ringlets around her face and down her back. Often seen wearing a dark green gown with amber jewels sewn into it and an amber colored sash around her waist, Ryx was more interested in designing new gowns and items than creating them, and while she was always eager to bring Creshenda a sketch pad or a piece of paper for the Fae Seamstress to draw upon in order to design a new item, Ryx was happiest when she was on her cot in a corner of the large room that served as Creshenda's main workspace, designing new creations on her own pieces of sketch paper, constantly erasing and redoing the designs until they were perfect, even if she didn't plan to actually create the designs she thought up. Creshenda would often go to Ryx for new ideas, and each time she did so, the little Goblin maiden would be ecstatic with joy, and would aid as best as she could in the creation of the items.
Creshenda's chambers consisted of three tall and wide store rooms full of either rolls of cloth ready to be used by the Seamstress, wardrobes and mannequins laden with many clothes that had either not been worn yet by the workers and residents of the Castle, or wardrobes and chests full of clothes and other items that needed to be repaired by Creshenda and her Goblin maidens. Linked to those store rooms by wide archways was Creshenda's major working area, complete with three cots for her Goblin maidens with three little wash basins, towels, and wardrobes, a sewing machine in the center of the room, a planning table, a desk against a tall window that magically showed the sky outside at all times, bookshelves full of sketchbooks and notebooks of sewing techniques, mannequins for her current projects, a large wooden work table, a three way mirror, and wardrobes of more articles of clothing. Off from that room through a locked oak door was the Fae woman's own bedchambers, complete with a four poster King sized bed, wardrobe, desk, bedside table, and bathroom.
Currently, Creshenda leaned over her sewing machine as the machine whirred and pounded its needle into the beautiful jacket the Fae woman was currently working on. Creshenda's skilled crystal blue eyes gazed intently at the fabric as her thimble covered fingers moved it through the machine, gently guiding it. The jacket was a new one for King Jareth, the fabric she dyed for it now having been colored so that it started at one end with a dark midnight purple color and darkened as it made its way to the other end until it was pitch black. Once she was done with the overall sewing of the jacket's design, she'd stitch in some silver studs onto it to look like stars. Then she'd sew some dark trousers and a dark vest for the Goblin King to wear with it, and order for him to have some new black leather boots made to match it. It was actually an idea Ryx had gotten while gazing at the night sky once and Creshenda felt it would fit the Goblin King well. Flashy, yet elegant. Especially since on the collar she planned to use the silver studs to create great swirling designs.
Creshenda herself wore a large blue gown of layers that she herself had designed. The first layer of the gown was a normal sleeveless ball gown dress of the softest blue silk. She'd stitched in orange butterflies and vines all over and had added an orange hem to the top of the gown and to the bottom of it. She'd gone one step further and stitched pearls into the hem lines at symmetrical intervals. The next layer of the gown was a layer of soft silk in the same hue as the base of the first gown. It wrapped around her middle snuggly and split down the front with its own orange hem framing a good look at the butterfly gown underneath. That hem was also dotted with pearls. At its bodice the outer gown cradled Creshenda's breasts while splitting to reveal the butterfly gown, with orange pearl lined ribbon moving through it like a corset. Finally, the outer gown had long blue sleeves that clung to Creshenda's long Fae arms and ended with ribbon tie offs. At the shoulders of the sleeves were orange caps of silk dotted with pearls as well. In addition to the pearls, Creshenda had added bejeweled accoutrements to the gown: little amber studs which were surrounded by their own pearls. These studs dotted the corset-like top of the outer gown as well as the top hem of the primary butterfly gown. Creshenda'd also created a pearl and amber stud headdress which she wore in front of her braided light brown hair which she kept up in a braided bun behind her head at all times, a stud set of earrings that hung from her ears, a pearl and stud necklace that was snug around her neck, and a pearl and stud belt that wrapped around the waist of the dress and hung down like a long chain. Two other studs were attached to the ribbons at her wrists. Creshenda wore brown leather shoes to complete her ensemble, as well as dark lipstick on her luscious Fae lips.
Creshenda's breath was held as she slid the material through the whirring machine, and when she was done with that line of stitches, the Fae woman finally leaned back with a satisfied grunt, grinning at the work she'd accomplished. There. One hemline of the jacket completed. As she quickly repositioned the pattern underneath the needle of the machine, she turned to Nyx who sat on a small wooden chair beside Creshenda's large velvet and oak chair, working at embroidering a picture of the Labyrinth in golden thread upon a dark blue cloth napkin, "How are you fairing?" the woman said matter-of-factly. Nyx turned to her and smiled, "Well, Mistress Creshenda! I've done. . ." she turned to the sizeable pile on the small Goblin sized table beside her, and carefully went through the sizeable stack of blue napkins there. That'd been the Goblin's special project for the week, and she'd not only dyed the material, she'd also cut and hand stitched it to form the napkins. Now she was busy embroidering them before they would be used in the castle. She turned to Creshenda after mumbling each napkin's number under her breath, "15! That means I have. . ." she glanced up at the ceiling of the room as the candles set throughout the room flickered slightly. She then turned to Creshenda, "35 left to go!"
Creshenda smiled calmly, "Seems like we have a whole night of work ahead of us, Nyx." Nyx beamed at her, "Those are the best!" Creshenda chuckled, and turning back to her jacket without another word, set to work. Nyx turned quickly back to her embroidery. This was how the two worked, pausing to check in with one another before continuing their quiet, detailed work. At that moment, a small clatter in the Store Room that held mannequins and wardrobes of new clothes was heard, startling Ryx as she lay curled up and asleep on her cot. The little Goblin's pointed, long ears flicked up and were alert as she stared with wide eyes at the store room in question, as Creshenda frowned, not taking her eyes off of the fabric she was working with, "Everything ok in there Vyx?" Nyx creased her brow ever so slightly but kept working.
As Vyx set about reorganizing the store rooms, which was an everyday occurrence for the Seamstress and her Goblin workers, clatters and bangs were frequent sounds to be heard. "Yes, M'lady," Vyx panted, coming to the door of the store room, blinking at Creshenda, "A mannequin just got unsettled too much. You know them, when one goes down, they all go down!" one of her shoulder straps of her dress had slid down her arm, no doubt in her hassle to get out of the way of the toppling mannequins. "Best get them back upright and make sure none of the clothes are ruined then," Creshenda remarked calmly, continuing on in her work after glancing at the Goblin to make sure that she was ok.
Vyx bowed low, her long pointed nose brushing against the ground, "Of course, M'lady." Turning, she darted back into the room. As Ryx was lowering her head to sleep again, another sound disturbed the Goblins and their Seamstress, as the small Goblin door that was set beside the regular door to the room was flung open and a small goblin maiden came tumbling forth. It was one of the younger Goblins, Esmel. The Goblin rushed up to Creshenda's side, "MISS CRESHENDA, MISS CRESHENDA!" she gasped, tugging on one of the Fae's skirts. Creshenda blinked, paused in her work, and turning, gazed down at the Goblin, "Little Esmel, are you quite alright?" she murmured gently, her eyes studying the lass. Esmel was easily excitable, but the Fae'd never seen her so out of breath before. Even Nyx put down her napkin at the moment as Ryx turned back around in her bed to get a good look at the young Goblin and Vyx walked out of the store room, tugging at the strap of her dress to get it on her shoulder again. All three of the Seamstress's maidens had their ears perked forward curiously.
Esmel panted and after sucking in some quick deep breaths, nodded quickly, her ears flopping back and forth, staring at Creshenda with wide eyes, "Quite alright, M'lady! In fact, I be so happy! The Cas'le has new guest! New Fae guest! Very excitin'! Govern'r James, he sent Esmel to go fetch ye and Oswald the cook! Lady Viola wants yer help with the guest, she does!" Creshenda's eyes widened at the goblin girl's words, and Vyx breathed out, flopping against a wooden beam of the archway she stood in, "A new Fae. . ." Creshenda couldn't deny the joy flooding through her. A new wearer of her garments! Oh, how she'd waited for this day! Not that she didn't enjoy making garments for the current staff and residents of the castle, but to have someone new to make clothes for, now that would be ideal! There was only one more thing she needed to know, "Tell me, Esmel," she said, not bothering to hide the excitement in her voice, "Is this guest a boy or a girl?" Esmel grinned at her, "Oh, tis the best part, M'lady! This guest, they not be just some ordinary Fae! It is a PRINCESS, Miss Creshenda! Princess Arissa o' Latvania!"
Creshenda was up on her feet in the next moment, rushing to the room full of new clothes, hiking up her skirt, "Splendid!" She had so many dresses that she'd made that she wanted to put the new guest into! And best of all, with her Fae magic, she was able to make them all fit the Princess's body exactly! "She'll need a nightgown, for sure," she breathed, opening one wardrobe and taking out five such gowns of varying colors and thicknesses. Vyx rushed over with a now empty medium sized chest, and taking the clothes quickly from Creshenda, folded them up and put them in the bottom of the chest as well as their matching cloth slippers. "And some day dresses, for breakfast and walks," Creshenda whispered, rushing to another wardrobe and flinging it open as well to take out even more gowns. "And undergarments!" Nyx cried, bounding into the room and quickly grabbing some before putting them in the chest as well. "And gloves!" Ryx declared happily. Gloves were her favorites to do, and so she had plenty of various colors and designs to put in the chest. And so the four went on, putting new things into chests until four chests of medium size sat full in the center of the room, which now held within it considerably less garments than it had mere minutes before.
Esmel clapped her hands and hopped from one side to the other, eyes closed with glee, "CLOTHES, CLOTHES, CLOTHES, NEW PRETTY CLOTHES FOR THE GUEST! CLOTHES OF SILK AND CLOTHES OF LACE! CLOTHES OF SATIN, FILLED WITH GRACE! CLOTHES CLOTHES CLOTHES! NONE SHALL GO TO WASTE! CLOTHES CLOTHES CLOTHES! I GO TO GET OSWALD NOW! I GO TO GET!" she turned, ready to dash out of the room. Creshenda suddenly gasped, and called out after the young energetic Goblin, "But where are we to go, Esmel?" "TO KING JARETH'S OLD ROOM! UP UP UP IN THE OLD TOWER!" Esmel cheered, as she headed out the door. For a few minutes, the seamstress was silent, as her three Goblin maidens blinked at her, waiting for their orders. All would accompany the Fae woman on this important task.
As silence fell, they could still hear Esmel's singing as the Goblin girl rushed off to get Oswald, "ESMEL RUNS THE ERRANDS, IMPORTANT ERRANDS ON THIS NIGHT! ESMEL RUNS THE ERRANDS, SHE RUNS THEM ALWAYS RIGHT!" Creshenda just stared ahead of herself for a moment, before moving quickly to her regular desk, opening a drawer of it, and pulling out a small leather black book with Fae runes embossed upon its covers, "The tower room. . . Jareth's old room . . . why would Viola put the guest up there? Unless . . . unless it was Jareth's orders. . . but why would he order for her to be brought up there? No one ever stays there . . . not even his guests. . . No matter, we must go." Quickly gripping the book, she turned to her goblin maidens who each carried a chest, the chests bewitched by Fae magic to be very light even when full. She smiled and picked up the remaining chest, "Come darlings. We must go to the tower. We must help Viola."
And so Creshenda, Nyx, Vyx, and Ryx headed up a winding servant staircase that would lead to the main floor of the Castle. The four passed on with joy in their souls at the thought of using previously unused and dormant clothes for a new resident. Esmel felt a similar joy running through her tiny Goblin form as well. The Goblin enjoyed her work and life serving the Labyrinth and its Castle. As with every other servant of the place, her work drew from her own natural wants and abilities. For Esmel, that included climbing. Since she was very young, Esmel had enjoyed climbing to new heights and exploring new places. As she'd grown, she had learned to be more careful in each climb. Not only did this run less risk of her breaking or damaging the items of the Labyrinth, but it also enabled her to engage in playful spying upon the other Labyrinth residents. So, when it came to delegating jobs, the decision regarding her was unanimous: cleaning and caring for ceiling fixtures, ceiling murals, or other high, hard to reach objects. Esmel adored her work, and especially liked her rainbow colored gown that Creshenda had made to match her energetic attitude and character. Esmel would be wearing it still, had she not gotten some paint on it from when she'd been touching up a ceiling mural of beautiful swirls, colors, and stars earlier that day. It was because of that that her gown was in the laundry, waiting to be cleaned.
In spite of the joy of her every day work within the Labyrinth, Esmel had to admit that changes of pace and duties were something she would get excited about. In fact she already had. She rarely got to work at caretaking other creatures or areas outside of her regular work spaces in the Labyrinth. So, she planned to take care of the Princess Arissa as long as she could, "Fetch the cook, fetch the clothes! Make this castle her abode! New friend, Esmel will make, as she follows orders of Master James!" she sang, skipping down the hall.
Viola sighed, laying Arissa out gently on the top sheet of the bed. Turning, she gripped the throw of the bed and slowly pulled it up and over the naked Princess before stroking the girl's pale cheek, gazing at the child's sleeping face before sitting on the edge of the large bed herself. She'd done all she could at the moment. She'd cleaned Arissa off, rubbed her with soothing oils, and had even braided silky locks of the Princess's white hair into a long braid that she had made into a bun behind the princess's head. Now, until Creshenda and the cook Oswald got there, all she could do was wait, watching over the Princess as she lay spellbound and unconscious on Jareth's bed. As the silence wore on, Viola cleared her throat a little and decided to strike up conversation, even if the Latvanian princess couldn't hear her, "You know, you really are lucky. You seem to have only gotten rather superficial wounds in the battle of your castle, and those have already healed up. . . You're really lucky that no more needs to be done to ensure your immediate safety." Viola entered into another silence at that, as the girl breathed gently in her sleep. The Lady of the Castle frowned, blinking at the girl's quiet face. Sighing, just wishing for something to do, the maid reached out and smoothed the throw a bit more over Arissa, "I know you probably won't think of yourself as lucky, Princess Arissa. Your home has been destroyed most likely, as well as most of your loved ones and friends. While there are no major physical wounds, the emotional and mental ones have cut deep . . . but don't lose hope! Jareth can help you with that! Sure, his entire home hasn't been destroyed before, but. . . well. . ." she sighed, "He has lost people valuable to him in the past. . ." her mind instantly went to Jareth as a teen clinging to her and sobbing as she cradled him in her arms as she lay on that very bed with him. She gritted her teeth.
Losing his father and mother had completely unsettled Jareth's world. At one point he'd even declared that he no longer wished to take the throne, or learn any more magic. Thank goodness he'd changed his mind. Viola had no idea what would have happened to the Underground if he hadn't taken the throne. After all, no alternative had ever been done before, so there was no previous situation to reference in order that proper action could be taken should he not have fulfilled his birthright. Viola sighed. Jareth's stubbornness and despair had been the cause of many sleepless nights for her, where she'd stay awake wondering about the fate of the Underground.
Often times, Jareth would remark that without her there as a motherly figure he'd never have come out of that darkness he'd felt. He often stated that that was the reason he'd made her the Lady of the Castle. Viola didn't give herself nearly as much credit. Although Viola knew that she had in fact aided in Jareth's healing over his parents' demise- a fact that she was quite honored and proud of- she also knew that her help could not have possibly been enough to help the Fae prince in his time of distress.
Jareth had always depended upon his parents as an anchorage for his soul. Whether he'd always shown proper respect or love for them or not, he'd always depended upon their presence. Upon his mother walking about her garden, constantly singing and tending to the plants. Upon his father, a constant role model and Jareth's own personal tutor of royal duties. Upon the both of them embracing one another in love and passion- even when they thought Jareth and James weren't looking-presenting a model of romance for the young princes. Jareth had depended upon the presence of his parents and the promise of his father to return safely from every skirmish. And when his father had died in that fateful skirmish with the Bosnians and his mother's sanity left her in her grief, both of those supports had been ripped from young Jareth.
Jareth and James had been immediately sent from their country estate to live in the Labyrinth's Castle where they'd previously visited often. The rapid move had been made not just to increase Jareth's royal instruction so that he could ascend the throne sooner in his father's absence. It had also been made with the boys' own emotions in mind. It was the hope of King Malfor that by moving the boys just days after the beginning of their mother's mental deterioration, the boys would be spared of psychological damage that their mother's insanity would surely cause upon the young Fae princes.
As Viola had perceived, James had been younger and the purpose had been fulfilled in him. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Jareth. It had nearly broken Viola's strong, firm heart to see the riveting devastation his father's death and mother's madness had had upon the young Fae.
He'd retreat from reality to sit despondently for hours on end at times, while at others he'd erupt in rage and anger. He felt betrayed and ashamed, grateful and angry. His confusion, Viola felt, might have driven a weaker Fae mad. And yet, somehow a part of Jareth had finally shone through the darkness. Slowly, out of the pits of despair, he had climbed forth as a great King, caring for his subjects, ruling his kingdom with wisdom, and defending his lands with valor. All that time Viola was there, watching. She couldn't have been happier or prouder as Jareth had accepted the amulet of the Underground and inherited his birthright, his kingdom. A boy who Viola had once feared was lost forever had risen up as powerful a Fae as his ancestors.
That was why she knew two things: a part of Jareth had to have played a part in his rise out of his depression and now that part of him could help Arissa in the emotional turmoil she would surely suffer at the deaths of so many of her own people. Viola smiled and stroked the girl's pale locks of hair as she slept, "Don't worry Arissa, it'll be hard. Definitely a struggle . . . but you'll pull through. Jareth will help. . ." the Fae woman sighed and turned to the closed window of the room, "If he ever gets back."
She stood and walking slowly to the window, drew back the curtains, gazing out at the starry night beyond. Soft sighs came up from the Labyrinth below, as it waited patiently for the return of its King and his goblin soldiers. Viola gritted her teeth, gazing out towards Latvania. Jareth's time as king had thus far been a time of peace and only a handful of skirmishes and battles. But every time he went out, no matter how seemingly insignificant the battle was in regards to directly affecting the Underground, Viola was always filled with uncertainty and worry for her precious young King. Especially now.
It was hard to explain, but Viola had always had a sixth sense for when things were about to go awry. For many years, she'd just thought of such an ability as her motherly instinct: she always had an uneasy feeling with no apparent cause before a child in the castle fell ill. But now, she had a feeling that the ability she possessed was much more than a mere motherly instinct.
For years now, she'd felt a sense of foreboding, like some diabolical plan was in the works somewhere in the universe. Viola feared that this was a plan that-should it succeed- could greatly alter life as the creatures of all the dimensions understood it. Viola's uneasiness had continued to build over time rather than simply fade away. And although Viola had not yet spoken of it to Jareth or the other Fae, the uneasiness frequently consumed her mind and prodded it with questions: What was this dark plan she sensed? When would it be put into motion? How could they stop it from carrying out its purpose? Could it be stopped at all? Viola's concern was all the more heightened now in her hours of waiting for Jareth's return.
Something in her felt there was more to this "random" attack on Latvania than met the eye. She therefore planned to tell Jareth immediately upon his return of her thoughts on the matter. Hopefully, betwixt the two of them, they would be able to get some sort of idea as to what might lay ahead. "Jareth, oh sweet Jareth, please come home," she whispered, leaning against the window. But she saw nothing but stars in the night sky. Jareth had not yet returned.
At that moment the door to the room was knocked upon ever so gently, causing Viola to turn from her vigil to see Creshenda walking into the chamber, followed by Nyx, Vyx, and Ryx. Each of the four carried a medium sized chest. Viola couldn't help but smile at the amount of clothes they'd brought.
Creshenda's eyes moved quickly to the girl lying on the bed. The Fae woman walked briskly over as Viola approached from the other side of the bed. "She's younger than I expected," Creshenda remarked calmly, gazing down at Arissa's sleeping face and stroking her cheek gently, "But I can modify the clothes for this sweetheart. Easily. We'll have her dressed in no time," she turned to Viola and smiled in confirmation. Viola smiled warmly back at the seamstress. Creshenda and Viola had grown up together as residents and workers of the Castle. They both were very efficient yet caring towards others, and with their own individual gifts, were able to manage the Castle very well.
"It seems as though you have more than enough for that. The princess will have a full wardrobe when you leave here," the Lady of the Castle murmured. Creshenda smirked, and as she removed the throw from Arissa's body, took out her long brown and gold measuring tape, Nyx was passed the seamstress's little book as well as a quill from a pocket of Creshenda's dress.
"We mustn't let the Underground Castle lose its reputation as a hospitable abode for guests. So of course I brought the Princess a full wardrobe, Viola." With that Vyx and Ryx hopped onto the bed. There, they along with Viola began to move Arissa's unconscious naked form as respectfully as possible around so as to allow Creshenda to take proper measurements of the Fae teen. The seamstress moved her arms as she hummed a gentle tune, wrapping the measuring tape around Arissa's arms, neck, waist, and bodice and aligning it down the Fae girl's arms, feet, legs, and torso. As she worked, she would pause often to murmur to Nyx the measurements which the goblin would then jot down on a page of blank parchment in the book. Viola smiled calmly as she worked at aiding the seamstress, welcoming the distraction from her otherwise worried thoughts.
Finally all measurements had been taken, and Creshenda turned to Nyx, receiving her book back which was open to the page of measurements. Tearing the page out, the Fae Seamstress closed her eyes and breathed in deeply before sighing and opening her eyes once more. They now glowed a deep crimson light. The Fae woman then went to each clothing chest, murmuring soft enchantments under her breath. Her palm glowed red as she touched each chest, and the light moved along the edges of said chest as the clothes inside were form fitted for Arissa through Creshenda's magical abilities. Viola smiled calmly as she watched Creshenda work after the Lady of the Castle had gently recovered the Fae Princess, before a gentle knock was heard on the door once more, pulling Viola's attention away from the Seamstress and her Goblins.
Turning to the door as Creshenda and the Goblins began to move undergarments and a light blue nightgown and slippers from the chests and onto Arissa, Viola walked over and cracked open the door. There stood the main cook Oswald and Esmel. As Lady of the Castle, Viola knew each well. The Fae Oswald was the head cook of the castle and Esmel was a Goblin lass who helped polishing chandeliers and touching up ceiling murals. Both were excellent workers in the castle, and very dependable.
Oswald was a Fae who had a long white beard and a balding head. He wore now scarlet hemmed royal blue robes of the softest crushed velvet, with a golden embroidered "O" on the front pocket area and a gold, blue, and red embroidered band of velvet tied as a belt around his waist. His dark blue eyes were wise and his palate was keen. Oswald came to stand about a foot above Viola, and despite his career in the castle, was remarkably thin and fit. Overall, the older Fae male had a cheery disposition.
In his weathered yet firm hands now was held a simply elegant silver tray with a silver tall and slender teapot and a tall curved matching teacup. The two items had silver vines for their handles and around their rims and bottoms and the teapot had steam and an absolutely divine smell coming from its spout to frame Oswald's face. The pot was one that Oswald had especially designed to keep all of its contents forever warm or cold as the user wished. It was no doubt full to the brim of a sweet, milky Cholorita elixir with a dash of Skybird Teardrop essence. The drink was remarkably similar to the human world's Hot Chocolate, but had a taste that leaned more to human Coffee drinks. The drink was created from the Cholorita bean which was grown in all of the Castle's gardens and could ease a Fae's energy quickly and bring them comfort. The Skybird Teardrop essence helped ease the slightly bitter taste of the drink, and also ensured that the Cholorita drink didn't ease a Fae's energy streams too quickly resulting in a disruption in said streams. The drink would be perfect for Arissa, or so Viola hoped. She may take a sip herself. After all, Oswald's Cholorita drink was the very best in the Underground.
"She's getting dressed, Oswald. I'll take that to her," Viola murmured gently, "Thank you very much for it. I know it's late." Oswald bowed low, holding the tray out before him, "It's no trouble at all, M'lady. I do hope that the young Princess finds it comforting. I have also taken the liberty of preparing a batch for Jareth to drink upon his return." Viola smiled warmly at him, taking the tray carefully into her own hands, "Thank you. I'm sure the King will appreciate that." Oswald smiled at her, and the two passed a moment of remembering when they'd both been staff workers while Viola had been a nanny to Jareth.
Due to Jareth's high strung nature, they'd frequently used Skybird Teardrop tea as well as the Cholorita drink to help calm Jareth in his darker or more stressed moods. After all, learning to be royalty was never easy. As a result, the two cared for the King perhaps a bit more than most would expect them to. That caretaking nature had only intensified when Jareth had lost his parents. "I'll return to my chambers if you no longer need my assistance. But do contact me the moment you have need," Oswald murmured gently. Viola nodded, smiling, "I will do that. Have a good night."
Oswald smiled, and then Esmel made a small whining sound, sensing that the conversation was over. Oswald chuckled down at the Goblin lass gazing intently up at him, "I do think I'll leave little Esmel here, though, I think, if that's alright with you, M'lady. The young lass is quite excited to have helped take care of the castle's new guest, and it is her wish to not leave young Arissa's side until the princess is well again."
Viola smiled and turned to Esmel who gazed up at the Lady with pleading, large eyes, "Very well. I will grant your wish, Esmel. It will ease me greatly to have someone as eager and capable as you watching over the girl. That way, you can be sure to let me know what Arissa needs quickly after the need is made clear to you. Can you do that for me?" Esmel beamed and curtseyed low, her head bowed. Oswald and Viola smiled calmly at the goblin maiden as she jumped up, standing straight, gazing intently at Viola, "ESMEL DO HER VERY BEST!"
Oswald nodded to both, "Then I will take my leave. Let me know what you have need of from me as soon as possible." Viola smiled and nodded, "I will, don't worry." He smiled, and turning with a swish of his robes, left down the stairs. Esmel turned to Viola and beamed as the Fae woman turned and walked into the chamber. The Goblin lass eagerly rushed in after the Lady of the Castle.
As Esmel approached the bed, she couldn't hardly believe her eyes. She'd heard of the beauty of the Latvanian royal line, with their white hair and pale skin, and bright vibrant eyes. But never before had she seen a Fae of such radiance and beauty. She climbed onto the bed to kneel beside Arissa's head, gazing at the girl's sleeping voice. The child look innocent in sleep and pure, and Esmel felt only the need to stay and protect her consume her Goblin soul. "I protect you Princess Arissa," she whispered, reaching out and patting the princess's clothed arm, feeling the silk beneath her leathery hands. "You can't do it on your own though, Esmel," Viola whispered gently, walking up beside the Goblin maiden. Esmel turned and gazed up at her, blinking.
Viola blinked down at her and smiled gently, "You are to watch over her until she awakens. Then you are to send word that she has awakened. Ryx, can you stay here? So that you may go get someone should Arissa wake while no other Fae is present?" she turned to Ryx, who blinked and nodded slowly, "Yes, M'Lady. . . as long as Creshenda needs me not?"
Creshenda smiled as the Goblin maiden turned to her, "I can send you your sketchpad so that you can work while you're here, little one. And soon you will be back in my chambers again, and can show me all the interesting designs. Why don't you make them for Arissa?" Ryx smiled and nodded, "Yes of course!" Creshenda smiled at that and turned to Viola, "My work is done here. I shall send up Ryx's book shortly. You will wait with them until Jareth returns?" Viola nodded, blinking at the Fae woman, "At least for that long." Nyx and Vyx both hugged their sister and soon the only ones left in the room were Esmel on the bed beside Arissa, Ryx sitting on the couch in the cushion pit, and Viola standing at the window, watching for Jareth's return. It had been a long night, and soon it would be morning. If he wasn't back by then, she would try to have James send a search party. "The King return soon," Esmel suddenly murmured. Viola turned and blinked at the little Goblin lass, who knelt beside Arissa, a hand on the Fae girl's arm, stroking her gently through the fabric with her fingertips. Viola smiled weakly as the goblin maiden smiled reassuringly back, "I know, Esmel. I'm just worried." Turning to the window, she sighed, "Jareth, please. Come home . . . come home safe, and come home soon."
It wasn't until the first sunlight was gleaming over the tops of the Labyrinth's walls that James felt a shift in the air of the throne room. Jerking his head up from having it hanging in his dozing state, the Fae's senses went on high alert, eyes searching the throne room for what had caused the sudden shift. His eyes had to search for a few moments and then they saw it: the small ripple in the air near the center of the room. The sign that a magical portal was being formed.
James gritted his teeth and stood up, staring at that spot. Jareth hardly traveled that way, so now when he resorted to that, James knew that his brother was in trouble. . . At that moment, Jareth staggered out of the air, his large wings bent and hung over him, some fire on the tips of some of his feathers, some smoke rising from others that were greatly singed. James could tell from where he stood that some feathers were missing from his brother's mighty wings. Others were bent or tattered. Jareth's clothes were tattered and singed, as were the feathers in his hair. Parts of his hair even seemed to have tasted fire, for the smell of burnt hair met James's nostrils.
But what startled James the most of his King and Brother's appearance was the large dark spike that seemed to be imbedded in Jareth's left shoulder. The point of insertion was covered by the Goblin King's right hand as it was laid over the wound. But even from where James stood, he could see a darkness spreading through the King's flesh, visible through the tear of Jareth's clothes that had been created by the wound. Jareth breathed hard, and staggered forward, head hung in his exhaustion, blood dripping onto the floor as he fought to breathe. James felt tears fill his eyes at his brother's weakness and pain, "Jareth," he whispered shakily.
The Goblin King lifted his head shakily, his pain filled eyes gazing out from a face littered with slowly healing burns and gashes at his brother, "J-James. . . g-g-get V-Viola. . ." he suddenly coughed hard, spewing blood, and staggered forward again, lowering his head once more. James was at his side in an instant, holding him up, staring horrified at his brother, "Wh-where are the others of your forces?" Jareth gulped heavily and shook his head after sucking in a deep breath, "Those that I was able to salvage . . . they have been transported to the chapel on the hill outside the Labyrinth. They should be prepared. . ." Jareth whispered hoarsely, as James gazed morosely at him. James gulped, "And as far as those who are alive are concerned?"
Jareth groaned, and gazed at him with a sorrow-filled glance. And James's worst fears were confirmed: there were no surviving goblins. At that moment, Jareth groaned, and with his eyes rolling back in his head, passed out on his brother, who staggered under the sudden weight of the unconscious King. Turning, he stared at a birdlike Goblin gazing horrified at the two and standing nearby, "GO! GO GET VIOLA! TELL HER I NEED HER HELP IN JARETH'S BED CHAMBER! HURRY!" the goblin nodded quickly, eyes full of fear at seeing the proud king as he now leaned on James, and turning, bustled off. James turned to Jareth, "It's ok, Jareth. You're home now. We'll . . . we'll get you seen to and healed. You'll . . . you'll be ok. . . You've got to be."
Viola startled at the rapid knocks on the door, as did Esmel and Ryx who sat bolt upright. The Lady of the Castle turned to the door and was about to head over to open it, but the door was flung open before she had moved two steps. The birdlike Goblin burst into the room, eyes wide with fear, shaking. After darting its eyes wildly around, it focused on Viola, "G-G-Governor James! H-H-He. . ." Viola felt fear enter her heart. What could make the Goblin panic so?! "Yes?!" she gasped, "Wh-What is it?!" "HE NEEDS YOUR HELP! KING . . . . THE KING IS HURT! BADLY! BED CHAMBERS. . . JAMES NEEDS YOU IN BED CHAMBERS! N-NOW!" Viola felt her heart tighten in her chest. In the next moment, she was rushing out the door and down the stairs, as fast as her Fae feet could carry her.
A/N: So how many of you are anxious to learn what happened to Jareth? How many of you liked the characters of the Castle life? And which character was your favorite? I'm just curious. ^_^ Honestly, this chapter was written after Newspaper meetings, at Barnes and Noble, and at my house on notebook paper. Anywhere and Everywhere, pretty much. Before it was finally proofread and typed up and proofread all over again. As for the goblins, I view them as their own race, and so out of respect, I tried to go through and capitalize each time the word "goblin" appeared. I hope I succeeded, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Now, on a slightly more serious note: The latest review I got on this story was a rather harsh, cruel, and flamer-style one from a person who goes by PeachDream47. This person does not have a Fanfiction account, but what they said really hurt me emotionally. I remember being so excited to see that I got a review for New Beginnings, but once I read the review I literally felt tears running down my face. Let me make two things clear: I greatly value the reviews and what you lot think, and I also value critiques. Unfortunately, this was a review that because of the first half of that message weighed heavily on my heart, and it was not a critique so much as a bashing. I was devastated. And that was partially the reason why this chapter took so long to post. For those of you who may not want to go to the reviews to look, basically PeachDream47 stated that I used far too many details in my story, and that I should never try to write professionally. They offered zero constructive criticisms, claimed that I knew nothing of Labyrinth or its franchise, and called my story a slab of bog. The claim they made in regards to my knowledge of Labyrinth was particularly harsh, because this is one of my favorite franchises, and it struck like a dagger to my back. I've never been so upset in my life in regards to my writing. When I looked up PeachDream47 using Google, I found that this person intentionally goes to Labyrinth stories (often ones in which Jareth does not end up with Sarah), and bashes them, claiming that Jareth should end up with Sarah, the author is awful, or something of that nature. Not ONCE has this person left a profitable or good critique. Or even a positive one for that matter. To me, this is emotional abuse and verbal harassment, and I greatly promote the elimination of such things on the internet. It can deal heavy blows to any writer, and I was no exception. Now I'm not saying all this just to rant. I've done that plenty already to friends and family who have reassured me of my skill before I attempted this chapter. What I am saying this for is for three reasons: 1-Please never do that to someone. Honestly, coming from the victim end of the spectrum, it causes nothing but pain. And I'm concerned that some people may not either have the strength or support that I had to deal with it properly. 2-Please leave constructive critiques. As always, I welcome those. But no flamers, please. If you have something of that nature to say to me, Private Message me here. In other words, be proper and mature about it. 3-I want those of you who have left encouraging critiques of this story to know that I greatly value you as readers. And please let me know what you like or dislike about the story in constructive ways.
Thank you, readers. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, and I hope to have the next one up soon. After I graduate in May, I should have more time to write.