Queen Marissa's open air carriage made it's way through the various lands of the Under Ground while the queen glanced around at the beauty surrounding her. When people realized that she was on a journey to the High Court, many of them lined the streets waving at her and she felt a warmth come over her that made her smile sadly. She didn't get out of her palace quite as often as she should, so many things to be responsible for and never enough time to do it all. It was a shame really, because she loved seeing all of the kingdoms under her protection.

She looked forward to seeing her sisters even as she dreaded it. They had happy marriages and lives that held more than ceremony and rigid rules of conduct. They had some sort of purpose that was not tied to what they were born to do, but rather what they were choosing to do. It was a sobering thought.

"My queen, we should arrive at your sister's palace within the hour," her captain of the guard, Jordan LeCastem , announced from his steed. The dark haired captain, otherwise known as the Duke of Versity, rode alongside the carriage throwing confused looks at the queen's companion and wondering to himself why the terrier was seated in a spot of honor next to Marissa. Surely she didn't think that Sir Didymus was someone who could protect her if trouble arose. Surely Jordan was not jealous that he himself was not in the carriage with his queen saying pretty things. Surely, he told himself wryly trying to not roll his green eyes at his own ridiculous notions.

"Thank you, Lord Versity, you may ride ahead to ensure the safety of my journey. Sir Didymus will entertain me with tales of his daring adventures."

"Of course, my queen," Jordon mumbled. Pushed aside for a fox terrier. Was she trying to insult him or could she just not see what she did to him with her dismissive attitudes? He rode to the front of the procession, fuming that he could not just tell her all he felt for her. They had been friends since childhood and told each other everything. But to tell her this, his courage failed him each time.

Meanwhile, oblivious to Jordan's plight, Marissa was noting to herself that every kingdom her magic protected had its own charm, each monarch had their own dignity, no matter what citizens resided there. Even the troll kingdoms with their forges and sulphur clouds filling the air had a certain beauty to them and the weapory made there were like fine pieces of art, perfectly formed by those who knew the value of a good strong sword.

She thought of her father, the one happy memory she had of him when she'd presented him with such a sword for his birthday the year before her mother had died. The look of pride in his eyes had filled her with confidence that she was not merely an afterthought, but a welcomed daughter. That feeling had left soon after he did and she'd never gotten that sense of belonging back again.

Seated next to her, Sir Didymus was saying something, but she'd long ago learned to block out his ramblings. She jumped as he turned to her, speaking in a louder tone of voice.

"Ambrosius of course gives his regrets that he might not make this journey himself, but his mate is due to give birth to their first litter shortly and he feels needed at home."

"No worries, good knight - a parent's place is of course with his children at the time of their birth. Tell me," she leaned in to whisper, "what do you know of this Champion? In your travels with her - was she all that I hear? Brave, kind - beautiful?"

"All that and more, my lady - she fought honestly and admirably for a human child. And if I may say so, the king was quite smitten."

Ah. There was the information she had been wanting. She schooled her face into a look of indifference.

"So would you say that Jareth - has true feelings for the girl?"

"I do not presume to know my king's emotional state, my lady. But I will say that he was most - intrigued by her actions during her encounters with him. I have never seen such interest taken in any of his previous runners. He has never allowed any of them near his castle and he has certainly never let us aid one before, as you may know."

"And you find her worthy of such attention?" Marissa's mind was whirling, did Jareth think he'd found a queen of his own? If so, things would get quite interesting for all of them very soon. Jareth was the only heir to her kingdom and if he had a queen - she could step down and make him the Crystal King. How good it would be to finally be able to relax.

"I find her most worthy of any and all attentions that bring her happiness, my lady. She is a good and true friend to all she meets. I only hope all will share in her happiness," his voice trailed off as he thought of Hoggle's reaction to Sarah's obvious attraction to Jareth.

"Would there be one who would not share in this happiness you speak of?"

"Um, none who can do any harm of course. I only meant that the Lady Sarah is most beautiful and there would be many who would fall in love, I mean to say would love to - oh dear. Never mind, my queen," the terrier rambled as a cautious look came into Marissa's eyes. She grabbed his lapel to get his attention and the startled dog almost yelped.

"Who else would lay claim to her heart, Sir Knight?" the voice was calm, but Didymus heard the thread of steel cloaked within it.

"Well, I am not sure but dear friend Hoggle seemed, well, smitten with the Champion. I am certain it is not a matter to be concerned with, he is merely protective of her as we all are."

Lovely. A jealous dwarf could cause much mischief, they were greedy when it came to possessions and a friend, rare as they were, certainly filled that description. She sighed, planning strategy even as she knew some things were out of her control.

"I see. Well, if the girl is smitten with Jareth, then she has a long road ahead of her. Come Sir Didymus - tell me all of your adventure with the girl. I wish to be prepared should I ever meet the child."

"Yes, my queen - I shall tell you all I know," he rambled on then, giving Marissa a clear understanding of all Jareth had done for the girl, even as the girl had given him her heart without knowing.

JSJSJS

Hoggle saw the two royals racing towards his hiding spot. He quickly moved a stone from the massive wall and laughed as the secret passage into the kitchens revealed itself. His sister Grizelda would be working today and she would help him once he told her what was going on with the rat. Dwarves held onto what was theirs, king or no king. He watched through a tiny crack in the door as Jareth and Briella arrived.

He could see Jareth frown as they reached where he'd been standing. Jareth looked concerned. Briella shrugged, biting her lower lip in thought.

"Perhaps we were seeing things? Then again, one old dwarf looks rather like another." She glanced at the sky, smiling.

"The noon day meal is upon us - would you like to have lunch with me?"

"No. I have a better idea. You would like to have lunch with Mother. She's always wanting you to take part in these sister luncheons, is she not? To prepare you for your place in society? I think that is a fine idea."

"You want me to - oh no." Hoggle saw Briella shake her head. "I will not spy for you."

Jareth looked affronted. "Spy? Dear sister, who said spy? I merely wish for you to do your duty and if some small piece of information amuses you, you might pass it along to amuse me as well."

"And what if Mother finds out?"

"That you are finally fulfilling your royal duties and learning more of the Crystal Kingdom's magic? She will be thrilled. And of course, you will speak highly of your amazing brother - the one you adore."

"Hmm, do I have a brother I have not yet met?" Her eyes sparkled and Jareth laughed.

"I ask this of you humbly, my sister. Please speak well of me to Sarah - I fear that I need some added assistance in winning her heart."

So the rat was sending in a spy to trick Sarah was he? It was a good thing Hoggle was here. Ludo was already inside, wandering around, looking for Sarah and Hoggle had let him go. What he needed to say to his sister didn't need witnesses.

He ran down the stone corridors until he found himself in the kitchens, Grizelda working hard at the giant stoves, preparing the food for the noonday meal.

"Grizzy, get over here," Hoggle whispered loudly and his sister jumped. What in the world was her brother doing here? She ran over and hugged him.

"The gardens are in good order brother, I didn't know they'd be callin' you here," the older dwarf said, confused. "But I am glad to see you."

"Grizzy, I need your help. I need to get into that royal lunch thing today."

His sister's dark amber eyes widened. "The royal luncheon? That is not for anyone but family. Even if you could get in there, it's for females only. You'd be tossed out on your hat."

"Are you goin' in there? Someone's gotta feed them," he said quickly. She nodded.

"Yes, female servants are allowed inside. Once the protection spell is done, no males can enter without permission."

"But if a male were to enter before the spell..." Hoggle said hopefully.

"What are you planning, Hoggle?" Grizelda crossed her arms over her ample chest and glared.

"Me? Nothin' - just helpin' a friend that's all. I need to get in there before he does is all," Hoggle stopped, frowning.

"He? As in the Goblin King?" At Hoggle's look of amazement his sister gave a short laugh.

"It's all over the kingdoms that he's in love with a mortal girl. She's gonna be here and if she's your friend you think you gotta be here too to protect her from him."

"She's my friend - she said so! She ain't gonna love him! He don't deserve her!" Hoggle shouted. Grizelda pieced the puzzle together and did not like what she was discovering. No, her brother was in way over his head if he thought a mortal girl would choose him over the Goblin King.

"You think you do?" Her shrewd eyes watched him flush.

"Hoggle knows what's best for Sarah and it ain't the rat!" the dwarf said fiercely.

"Hoggle's gonna get himself bogged," his sister mocked. "I'll help you get in. But you're not gonna like how."

"Don't care how as long as I's inside," he said pounding a fist into his hand. She nodded, resigned.

"Fine, let's get you changed into something a little more - frilly."

JSJSJS

Marissa sat unbelieving. The boy Sarah had wished away was her own brother? Kareena's child? A child no one had seen fit to tell her about? What did they think she would do? Kidnap the boy just to escape her fate?

Wouldn't you? a voice in her head whispered. She tried to push the thought from her but she couldn't. Was being queen that bad? Was being needed by her people that horrible? She frowned. No - not if she had someone to share the responsibility with - someone to rely on and to love.

Love. That was the real reason she felt so lost. Kareena didn't love her enough to let her know that she'd had a child. She feared her own sister so much that she hid a part of their family from her. The pain that caused made Marissa almost weep.

"Aunt Marissa," Briella's cheeful voice broke through Marissa's thoughts and she forced herself to smile.

"Briella - what a surprise! Will you be joining us today?"

"Yes. I think it's time I start taking my responsibility seriously and Mother has been begging me to do so - so here I am."

"Good. Good - you may escort me into your mother's study and we shall begin our reaquaintance."

Arm in arm the two royals made their way into the luncheon.