Without further ado, chapter 16. I am starting to run out of steam with this story, but don't worry. I will finish it There is still more ideas in my little head. Plus, I really can't stand when I get into someone's story, but they never finish it. I always vowed never to do that.
Still sad that I don't own Jareth but I do own Arianna and Bentley
As Bentley led Arianna away from the dining hall, he had a special destination in mind. While many monarchs choose to have their castle towers used for prisoners, the castle beyond the Goblin City used its towers for cheerful purposes. The view from the top of the castle was unlike anything. Bentley remembered many happy memories spent up in the tower that he and Jareth had claimed for themselves as children. It was a place for the two of them to escape from the pressures of growing up royal and from their father's irrational temper.
Bentley took Arianna's hand and gave it a kiss. In that one small gesture, Arianna felt any anxiety wash away. It assured her that Bentley was a safe person to be around, and she felt herself wishing that the warmth that remained on her hand from the kiss would stay forever.
The pair walked through the castle hallways for quite sometime, neither one of them having the courage to begin a conversation. Both were feeling fairies dancing in their stomachs and their hearts beating at an absurd rate. Finally Arianna broke the silence. "Bentley, where is that you are taking me?" Bentley smiled shyly and said, "I want to show you my favorite place from my childhood. I feel that you would enjoy it greatly." Arianna felt truly honored that Bentley wanted to share a happy memory from his childhood with her.
Not wanting to stare directly at him for fear he would see her ogling him, Arianna studied Bentley's features. He had the most gorgeous eyes. She loved the two different blues she saw. Arianna could not choose which her favorite was. His smile made her feel warm and safe. His dimples didn't hurt either. She absolutely loved his hair. It was the perfect middle of tamed and wild. Though she did find Jareth attractive, Bentley was more her style. Jareth flirted with flamboyance a bit too much for Arianna's preferences. She wished she could stare at Bentley every day for all eternity.
Finally after negotiating the many twisty hallways of the castle, Bentley and Arianna arrived at a door. Bentley smiled sweetly at Arianna as he opened the door. When Arianna looked in, she saw stairs that seemed to reach to the very heavens themselves. She sweated with fear, for she didn't think she was up to the challenge of making it up all those stairs. "Are we going to walk up all of those?" Arianna asked incredulously.
Bentley threw his head back and laughed. His laugh sounded conspicuously similar the Jareth's laugh. "My dear," Bentley said giving Arianna's hand a light squeeze, "if there is one thing you should learn about this kingdom, it is that nothing is ever as it seems." Arianna gave him a questioning look. Without any words said, Bentley produced a crystal. Arianna stared at it in curious awe. Bentley grinned at the intensity of Arianna's curiosity. Then, he slammed the crystal to the ground in between the two of them. Instantly, they disappeared. When Arianna felt the air around her stop moving, she opened her eyes and realized that Bentley had transported them to the top of the stairway, much to Arianna's relief. There was only a door at the top of the stairs. This was no ordinary door, because there was no door knob. Arianna was curious to why it was like that. Sensing her curiosity, Bentley explained, "There is no door knob because the door is enchanted. It will only open when either Jareth or I touch our palms to its surface." Arianna nodded in understanding.
True to his word, the door opened once Bentley touched his palms to its surface. Bentley then led Arianna in to his favorite childhood retreat. Arianna was rendered breathless. The room had windows as big as the walls themselves on all 4 sides. The door seemed to disappear once it closed to reveal more of a view Arianna ran to each window to take in the view. The Underground looked breathtaking. Each window had its own separate view, and Arianna had trouble picking just one favorite. The labyrinth had its own special beauty and was seen out of all 4 windows. Even the dark forest held its own special form of splendor.
While staring out of one of the windows, Arianna felt Bentley put his hands on her hips. While initially surprised, Arianna felt herself very comfortable with his touch. They stood like that for several moments until Bentley led Arianna to one of the couches in the room. Once they were seated, Bentley put his hand on Arianna's own soft hand and said, "So my dear, why don't you tell me how it is you came to live in my brother's castle." So Arianna began her tale. She told him about her less than desirable childhood. She told him about her teen years, including the promiscuous sex life and drugs. Then she came to the part about the alley, "I was just lying there, wondering if it would truly matter if I died, if anyone would even miss me. I look to my side and see this random little red book. I could've sworn it hadn't been there before, but I was pretty high. After leafing through it, I said the words and your brother came to me and offered to take me away, so naturally I accepted, and I have been here ever since that night." Arianna happened to leave out the part about Jareth locking her up for not sleeping with him. She didn't want Bentley to know about it. "To this day, I still have no idea how that book ended up where I was shooting up."
Bentley squeezed her hand. "Perhaps I could shed some light on that for you." Arianna started in bewilderment. How could he possibly know about this? "You see, I always found the royal court to be imposing, so I would often take flight to the Aboveground. On one of my subsequent journeys, I happened upon a sad little girl playing alone outside of a rundown house. I felt something for this girl. I continued to watch her throughout the mortal years. I saw the dark and bad choices she made, but I could also see her heart of gold buried under the pain and heartache. I knew I had to help, and I knew Jareth would be able to help. So, I formulated a plan, as I was unable to simply take her away, as it is against the laws of the Underground. I took flight once more, this time with a little red book in my beak. I knew this girl was smart enough to figure out the words to say. So Jareth came and took her away to be saved. I knew you needed help, Arianna, and I just hoped you would accept it. I see that you have, and I am very pleased."
Arianna's mouth dropped in shock. So she had seen Bentley before, but she didn't realize that he was an owl that watched over her. All these years, and she had no idea. Then Arianna had another thought. If he went to such trouble to save her, does that mean that he has feelings for her?
"But why?" Arianna asked. "Why did you go to such measures to help me? I wasn't anything special." Tears were streaming down her face at this point. Arianna had never had someone care to help her so much, so she was quite confused. Bentley wiped away her tears with his leather clad hands. "You have got to understand something about faes. When we find our soul mate, we automatically know it. It is a feel unlike any other. Unfortunately, a fae may find their soul mate at a young age and have to wait. Jareth found Sarah when she was only fifteen and had to wait. I found you even earlier in your life."
Arianna shook her head. Fresh tears sprung from her eyes. "What do you mean soul mate? How am I your soul mate?" Bentley sighed. He knew that she would have trouble understanding, and he knew he would have even more trouble explaining it. It's not an easy thing to explain a feeling. "Like I said, Arianna, when you know, you know. Your heart can always tell you." "But I barely know you. How could I possibly feel that for you?" Arianna asked exasperated.
"Trust your heart," Bentley said as he placed his hand over her heart. At once, a surge of emotion washed over Arianna. She was in a dream like state. She could see Bentley's gentleness, passion, and kindness. She could see herself with him forever with just his touch.
Bentley removed her hand. Arianna had to catch her breath as she came out of her dream like state. She looked at Bentley with loving awe. "You're right Bentley. My heart did tell me. I honestly do believe we are soul mates," said Arianna who was still having trouble catching her breath. Bentley smiled that remarkable smile, and then placed a loving kiss upon Arianna's sweet lips. He took her hands and asked that question that many girls dream of hearing, "Will you be my wife and spend forever with me?"
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