Chapter Three

Third Person POV

Jareth sat in his throne, his legs dangling off the side, with a crystal in his hand. He watched as the girl confronted the three Pixies, Greta, Fiona, and Aliessa. He got a little worried when Greta started to loose her temper. When she went to throw one of her fireballs at Lily, he evaporated it before it could hit the girl.

When he promised that no physical harm would come to her while in his Labyrinth, he had every intention of keeping that promise to her.

He watched as she made friends with the outcast Pixie. That was one thing he had found most intriguing when he had first met her. She had compassion that would put any Elf to shame. But then again, she was raised by an Elf. He was surprised when the young pixie agreed to go along with his Lily Pad. Aliessa wan't known amongst the pixies for being the most brave and outgoing.

Then again, he was happy that his Lily wouldn't be traveling alone. He was planning on joining her in his owl form when she started to panic about the Labyrinth. Now he wouldn't get that chance. It made him a little sad to think about it. He couldn't go to her in his owl form without the pixie knowing who he was. Everyone in the Labyrinth knew of his owl form. That made things more difficult than he wanted.

He glanced out of the window and sighed to himself. The throne room was practically empty, with the exception of a few goblins who'd fallen asleep on the straw covered floor. Luckily, this was the only room he normally allowed the wretched little creature in.

Getting up from his throne, he nudged one out of his path with his foot and made his way up the stairs. He knew if he didn't stop watching the girl now, he'd never be able to relax and get the rest he needed. It had been quite late when he had placed her in the forest clearing. There was about two hours before sunrise.

He had his highest respected goblins keeping tabs on the girl and that would give him at least a few hours of peace without having to worry about her. He chuckled to himself. Who was he kidding? He was always worried about his Lily Pad. That was why he would do everything in his power to convince her to stay with him.

Trying to push the thoughts of the girl from his mind, with no success,

Lily and Aliessa were walking through the woods, trying to find their way out. "Are you sure this is the way out?" Lily asked, looking around skeptically. Aliessa gave her a weird look and flew back to Lily, sitting on her shoulder. "Of course I'm sure."

"Okay. I guess I have no choice but to follow your lead." Lily sighed. They had been walking for at least a half an hour now. "Don't worry. Not too much further." Aliessa said cheerfully, hopping off of Lily's shoulder and into the air. Lily laughed a little at her new-found friend.

After moments of silence, Lily broke it with a question. "What's his name?"

Aliessa just looked at her confused. "Who?" she asked, curious about Lily's question. "The Goblin King. He never told me his name. He said time would tell." Lily explained. Aliessa was quiet for a minute before answering. "No one knows. It's said that a Fay's name holds extremely powerful magic and is only trusted with those they trust." Aliessa explained, a little surprised that the king would tell her his name.

They went into an awkward silence for a while and then it turned into a more comfortable silence as they made their way through the woods.

"Look!" Aliessa yelled out a while later, jumping off of Lily's shoulder and flying ahead. "I can see something ahead. I'm almost positive we're almost out!" she said fluttering around excitedly. Lily just laughed and followed her friend. A few minutes later they stepped out from the woods and Lily stopped abruptly.

"Wow." she said under her breath. Aliessa noticed that Lily had stopped walking and flew back to her. "What's wrong?" she asked, sitting on Lily's shoulder. Lily looked around speechless. "It's beautiful here. What is this place?" she asked the pixie. Aliessa doubled over in laughter and fell off of Lily's shoulder. Before she hit the ground, she caught herself and flew back up so she was face to face with Lily.

"You really don't have any memory, do you?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Lily just gave her a strange look. "I didn't think you were lying, I just didn't really think you had no clue." Aliessa explained. When Lily didn't answer, Aliessa shook her head and turned away from her. "This is the Labyrinth. It's located within the goblin realm. We just came out of the Tanglewood Forest. It looks like we're coming up to the door, though." she said, the last part sounding skeptical.

"What's the door?" Lily asked, following after Aliessa, who was flying ahead of her. "When there's a runner in the Labyrinth, they have to opportunity of finding the door. If they find the door, the Labyrinth decides whether they're worthy or not. If they are, they're sent straight to the castle. If they're not, they're sent back to very beginning." Aliessa explained.

Lily stopped in her tracks and looked at the pixie. "What'd you mean 'the Labyrinth decides whether or not you're worthy'?" she asked, confused. Aliessa sighed and stopped again. "You know, we're never going to get anywhere if you keep stopping and asking questions. You need to trust me. I wouldn't lead astray." she told Lily, seriousness evident in her tone.

Jareth jumped when there was a knock at his chamber doors. He had tried getting some rest, but failed miserably when every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was the girl. Some of the images were more pleasing than others, but he wasn't going to go down that road again. He had given up on trying to get some sleep and was now leaning against the balcony doorway.

"What is so important that you've interrupted me?" he barked, pushing off the frame and heading for the doors. Opening them, he was surprised to see Sebastian, a male dryad servant, standing outside of his chambers. Jareth smirked a little to see that he look completely terrified.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, sire, but Lester sent me to let you know that the pixie has lead the Valentine girl to the door." he said meekly, his eyes never leaving the ground. Jareth's eyes widened at the mention of the door. If the Labyrinth chose her, she'd be sent straight to the castle, ruining everything.

"Very well. You're dismissed, Sebastian." Jareth said coldly, shutting the doors after the young dryad bowed and turned to leave.

Walking out onto the balcony, he glared up at the dark night sky. Now that his first plan was shot, he'd have to make up a new plan. Fast.