Chapter Fifteen

Third Person POV

While Jareth was still contemplating why Cassandra had brought them here, he failed to notice the two red eyes that were locked on Lily as they came closer and closer. Lily was transfixed as she stared back into the eyes of whatever beast was in the cave. The creature stopped just before coming close enough to the edge of the cave so the sun would reveal it.

"We should leave. Even if we canʼt get back with Cassandra, I can still teleport us back to the castle. Sheʼll be able to make her way back to the castle. If not, Iʼll send Arthur out to collect her." Jareth said, starting to pace a little.

The beast heard what the Goblin King was saying. In the flash of an eye the beast pounced. Jareth heard Lilyʼs scream and was about to jump into action when her screams turned into laughter. The beastʼs tail was wagging and it was licking Lilyʼs face. The beast was very different from the last time Jareth had seen it.

When Jareth had last seen it, it had been a lion that was twice the size of a regular lion. Now it was a wolf. A larger than normal wolf, but a wolf nonetheless.

"Okay, okay! Calm down!" he heard Lily gasping under the beast. Jareth had a perplexed expression as he watched the wolf do as she asked and sat next to her, waiting for her to sit up and catch her breath. She looked up at Jareth and he couldnʼt help the small smile that was tugging at his lips when he saw the immense smile on her face.

The wolf gave off an extremely loud bark, trying to get Lilyʼs attention. Lily turned back to the wolf and used its back to help herself get up off the ground. "You could have done so many things and this is how you do it." she said to the beast, brushing dirt off her skirt.

The wolf just shook its head and made a grunting noise in the back of its throat. This caused Lily to laugh lightly. "You do make a good point." she said. Jareth was bewildered. "Lily?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. Lily spun around and there was a sparkle in her eyes that wasnʼt there before.

"Jareth, I know why Cassandra brought us here." she said, the smile on her face growing even more. He waited for her to continue.

"Remember when I said you were on of the few friends I had as a child? Well, you were the second and last friend I made. I think I should start from the beginning. But first, do you think we could go somewhere more comfortable, my back hurts a little now." she said, a light blush coming to her cheeks from rambling.

The wolf walked up to Lily, nudged her hand, and when she lifted it, it nuzzled its head into her side. Lily smiled down at the beast and scratched behind its ear. "Of course." Jareth said, giving the beast that was fawning over Lily a skeptical look. "But tell me this. What is it?" he asked, nodding to the wolf.

Lily let off a light laugh. "His name is Angelus. It could take me some time to explain who and what he is. I can tell you he means the world to me, though." she said, looking back down and giving the wolf a loving smile. Jareth only raised an eyebrow. He extended his hand for Lily to take. She gave him a smile and took his hand.

With a puff of wind and they were all transported back to the castle. Jareth made sure Cassandra was transported back down to the stable and he, Lily, and Angelus were somewhere more comfortable. Lily looked around the room and then turned back to Jareth with a confused look.

"I donʼt remember this room in the grand tour." she said, raising an eyebrow. Jareth smirked at her and lead her over to a very comfortable looking couch. As soon a Lily sat down, Angelus jumped up and sprawled across her lap. Jareth couldnʼt help but think the way they acted with each other was adorable.

Jareth suppressed a grin and sat at the other end of the couch, crossing his legs and folding his hands under his chin. They were quiet for a moment until Lily broke the silence. "I think I should start from the beginning." she said, absently stroking Angelusʼ head. Jareth gave her a small, but reassuring smile.

She took a deep breath before going into her story.

"When I was little, about two I think, about a month after my uncle became my caretaker, he had to take me for a counsel with the Elven Elders. Because I was half Elf, I had to go through what is known as the Ludicio. All Elves go through it the day theyʼre born, but since I was born in the Asrai realm, I wasnʼt able to.

"The Ludicio is a magical test that Elves are put through to see what their future holds. If their future is significant enough, theyʼre assigned what are known as Tutores or Guardians. Angelus is my Custos. There is no specific race thatʼs chosen as a Custos. Itʼs usually who or whatever is able to protect that Elf.

"Angelus doesnʼt have a specific race. Heʼs a shapeshifter thatʼs only able to change into the forms of animals. Thatʼs why when you first say him, he was a lion. He usually takes the form of a wolf or a small cat, so Iʼm not sure why he was a lion." she said, pausing a moment to think about it. When she came up with nothing, she continued.

"When the war started, Angelus and I were separated. I had hoped I would have been able to find him while I was traveling, but obviously wasnʼt successful. I should have been able to sense where he was, but my magic hasnʼt worked properly since I turned seventeen.

"An Elf and their Custos have a very special bond. Theyʼre born on the exact same date and at the exact same time. They grow up together, even though the Custos ages quicker and matures faster. The Custos can communicate telepathically with their Elf and thatʼs how itʼs able to communicate with its Elf without speaking. One canʼt survive without the other. If one dies, so does the other. Thatʼs why itʼs hard for us to be apart for long periods of time and why a Custos will do anything to protect their Elf.

"Weʼre a part of each other." she said, a smile on her lips as she looked down at Angelus who had fallen asleep peacefully on her lap. She shifted a little and pulled something out of her pocket. At closer inspection, Jareth saw that is was blue charm with what looked like wire around it.

She carefully lifted Angelusʼ head and wrapped the charm around his neck and tied it so that it laid on his chest in a prominent way. "Itʼs a symbol of the Valentine family. He lost it just before we were separated. I always kept it with me in case we I found him again."

Jareth sat in silence, taking in everything Lily had just told him. Heʼd known she was special, but special enough that the Elven Council would think she needed a guardian?