Jareth's POV

When he wakes up, his mind returns to spinning over the points his cousin brought up.

Frowning, he pushes those thoughts away. Today will be too busy to spend time focused on the past. Not when today is about the future.

Tomorrow he will view the past. He can use his crystals to view the Founding of the Goblin Kingdom, the Labyrinth, and the Great War. History isn't something he normally focuses on. With Kemhel's concern over the fact Anfetche is completely awake, he'll make it a point to find out. He always thought that she was an adult when he heard the stories, he hadn't realized she was a child.

He shakes his head as he turns his focus on today's events.

First thing first, getting out of bed and getting ready to go. It's been a while since he paid attention to his looks. He's a vain creature by nature, and that shows exactly how bad his funk has been.

With a thought, he tips his hair in dark browns and rich ambers, to match his chosen outfit of the day: a pair of tight creamy white pants, an amber gold poet's shirt with ruffles on the wrists and the collar open, along with high rich brown boots, and matching long gloves.

Leaving his room, he vanishes and reappears in the dining hall. He's unsurprised to see the cousins who hadn't arrived the previous evening sitting at the table patiently. All of those sitting rise to bow or curtsy depending on their style of dress.

Fala's the first to greet him, "Hello Your Majesty," she states softly.

Inclining his head, he takes his spot at the head of the table while the rest of them sink back into their seats.

"Pleasant morning to you," he mutters in response as he notes that there seems to be some tension by those who live primarily in the Sidhe High Court. "Is there an issue?" he demands, staring directly at Nayala, Kemhel's slightly younger sister and the second oldest living fae in the family.

She flinches under his stare, glancing at the table as she answers, "There is talk of war, not war between the Sidhe, but war between the High Court and Goblin Kingdom if the Goblin Kingdom seeks to grow."

He snorts, recalling seeing something to that effect within the paperwork he had processed the day before. "The Goblin Kingdom is not growing. I am quite pleased with where it currently is. As for the Forest of Prospects, that's not mine."

"Too right, it is not, it belongs to the Champion, or will when she is ready to claim it," the high pitched voice of the Labyrinth states from where she floats just a few feet away, seated in the air as calm as she pleases. "Fret not, there will not be a war, those foolish Sidhe would not dare."

"How can you be so sure? Who are you?" Nayala demands, staring at the floating fae.

"She's Anfetche, the Labyrinth, sister dearest, you should show more respect to the eldest of our line." Kemhel answers as she walks in with Yuna.

Grinning, the fae girl drops out of the air to stand on the ground, "Technically I am dead so you're the oldest of the line," there is mischief in her expression as she speaks. "And I am ever so happy to see that you were successful in summoning the family Yuna."

His younger sister bows to the fae girl with a small smile, "I was unable to find Nhael."

"She'll be here, I have already spoken with her." the Labyrinth replies returning to floating, "Well while you all enjoy breakfast, I have a few people to check in with, do behave," she declares before vanishing from sight.

While the Labyrinth is speaking, the rest of the family that is already in the castle comes pouring into the room, each taking a seat by those they wish to speak with.

Little Zacary is the first to break the silence after the Labyrinth vanishes, "She's like you cousin!" his voice is all excited.

That seems to break the ice and all twenty nine family members seem to start chattering at each other and at him at the same time.

Instead of trying to answer, he nods to the head cook who is standing just off to the side with a hand on her hip, shaking her head. Apparently his sister does not know that his head cook is Nhael, the missing cousin. Before the death of his mate, he lived as both male and female, after the death of his mate he used his magic to change himself into a herself and has lived ever since as a female. Like Willam, she prefers to stay in the Goblin Kingdom but did not wish to live on her estates. Since she is an excellent cook, he left the castle kitchen in her capable hands.

Well, then those who did not know will get a shock when she takes her seat which happens to be beside Willam at the table.

A few moments later a small army of regular goblins and a few minor goblins come pouring into the room carrying trays and dishes full of food to set on the table before returning to the kitchens and their other duties. Not long after that Nhael takes her place beside Willam, joining his conversation with her son, who happens to be the head of the guard.

Breakfast is a lot smoother than dinner the previous night had been, now that the initial excitement of so many family members together at once has worn off. There's still a flurry of conversation about the fact there is a new Between forming. Those who live in the Sidhe court are chatting about the threat of war, while Anetri, the only member to live in the Dark Sidhe court, gets amusement out of the threat. Remarking that she would love to see them try, just to have their collective asses handed to them.

As breakfast comes to a close, he announces, "I will be spending the day in Midcity in order to celebrate the holiday."

Most of the family agrees with that idea, planning to go with into town as well. The rest choose to stay at the castle until the Feast of the First Harvest.

None of the family actually expect him to stay with them, so he vanishes, taking himself to the single temple within the city proper. He knows that the humans who use it call it a pantheon due to the fact it has niches to each of the gods and goddesses worshipped within his realm. There is only a single priest and priestess who live on the property year round. However there is an attached abbey for acolytes to live in. Most of which are humans who were too old to be changed and needed some form of belief.

"Your Majesty," a rich voice greets him as a woman strides towards him. "Welcome to our humble temple."

"Priestess Avori," he responds, turning to face her.

The priestess bows low, her long silvery white braid nearly brushing the ground as she does so. As she straightens, she queries, "Is there something you desire, Sire?"

A smirk curves his lips. There are plenty of things he desires, none of which the priestess can offer him. "No. I merely wished to inform you the entire royal family will be attending the Feast tonight."

Her smile is brilliant, eyes gleaming in joy. "That is wonderful news Sire! I will insure the royal platform is prepared."

"Don't bother, we shall join in a more traditional methods." He remarks as he turns towards the door to leave, this close to Midcity there is no reason to vanish when he can just walk there.

"Yes Sire," she replies, bowing once more as he leaves.

As he walks through the city, he opens all his senses up. The city air pulses with joy and happiness, excitement and celebration. He realizes he can't determine when he last felt this much positive emotion in his kingdom.

Everywhere he looks he can see the city flourishing in a way it hasn't since the steady decline of imagination in the Above. The city is returning to its former glory. In some areas the buildings have become elegant in ways they never were before. No longer does the city look old and worn, instead the buildings look brand new.

Colorful banners hang from the roofs. They appear to come in a wide variety of types. There are personal family banners. Banners that depict scenes from the Goblin Kingdom's history or the history of the city. There are banners representing the harvest and full of the autumn colors. He even spots some that represent the various deities of the fall and harvest.

It seems like every intersection, at the fountains, and each market is full of vendors with a wide variety of selections. More so than they normally carry. Even many of the vendors who normally work from indoors have booths out in the open for their customers to preview their wares. Many of the bakeries, butchers, and sweets shops are offering small tastes of holiday foods for free and bigger portions for a lower cost than they normally would. Cafés are setup with outside seating for the celebrations, even those that don't normally offer it. There are artisans everywhere with their various wares.

Those who notice him greet him than continue on their ways, those with foods or drinks ask if he would like to try something.

He spends the entire morning into early afternoon drifting along, shocked at the differences in his kingdom. At one point he even vanishes to drift in some of the outlying villages and communities, mildly surprised to see that the same type of joy and festivities seem to be going on there as well. Nearly everywhere he goes is full of life in a way he cannot recall it ever being. Eventually he decides to pay a visit to the Labyrinth, desiring to ask if this is her doing.

Almost as soon as he appears in the hedge maze at the center, the small female appears seated atop one of the hedges.

"Why are you not enjoying yourself?" she queries, her voice lighter than he had recently heard it.

"I was curious why after so many years the population seems to be rejoicing." He answers, deciding not to try and join her, she would probably just move.

Smiling, she hops off of the hedge, landing lightly on her feet before him and answering, "Because there is hope."

"What hope?" he retorts, thinking that life has not really changed. Yes, there's a runner who beat the Labyrinth, got her wished away child back, and left without a second glance. The Labyrinth's awake and fixing things right, left, and sideways that had fallen into ruin or been destroyed during Sarah's flight through the Labyrinth. There's even the new Forest that had popped up on the border of the Goblin Kingdom. None of it equals hope in his opinion.

"You're a silly man, owl chickadee, there is always hope or this world would be sealed off from the Above. You just do not feel it right now because things are not going the way you want," she informs him haughtily, a mischievous smile curving her lips as she rests one hand on her hip in the universal female look of annoyance. "Things will improve, it will take time, but that's alright, they are in motion, besides, owl chickadee, you have time, and lots of it, what's five Above years compared to three-thousand Above years?"

"Frustrating is what it is," he snaps, thinking, I want them done now. I am tired of always being alone.

Peals of laughter escape her, "You are definitely Jaegar's descendant. He was very much like you. One day I will even answer the questions you have in regards to why a child committed ritual suicide and bound herself to the land. But not today, today you should enjoy the fact that there is hope, that your lands are healthy, that your people are thriving, and you should prepare."

Cocking his head to the side he queries, "Prepare for what?"

"Why the influx of children that are going to occur in roughly two Above years," she answers him merrily. "Most of which will wish to stay here within the Goblin Kingdom, some of which will actually belong to the Forest of Prospects."

"You joke, there has been a drastic decline in children being wished away, why would there suddenly be a sudden uptake in it?" he demands, temper flaring.

More peals of laughter escape, "I forget you do not have the ability to See for all you can play with time. Trust me, there will be a large uptake in children being wished away. Now go mingle and get out of my Labyrinth until there is a runner."

Shaking his head he chooses to do as suggested, visiting another one of the outlying villages, this one right on the edge of the Between and Below. Its population is made up of once Sidhe and Dark Sidhe, primarily of the pixie and sprite varieties.

"Your Majesty, good midday to you," the excitable mid goblin stammers as he comes to bow low and stand slightly before him, head inclined, "Have you come to inspect our humble holdings?" There is confusion, concern, and curiosity in the goblins voice.

"No, I have been exploring the various villages and their festivals," he replies, thinking back to the last time he had come to this particular village without having an official reason. Not during this mayor, or even the last mayor's term, each mayor is mayor at least one-hundred Above years. When had he stopped visiting the villages just to? Somewhere around one-thousand Above years ago. He'll have to add that to his schedule again, it really is a good idea for him to regularly visit his villages, even if it's only once every hundred years or so, for non-governing reasons.

"Splendid! I hope you enjoy, Your Majesty, this has been a rather productive year, very busy for all, plus we have had a flood of immigration requests over the last few months. So many so that we have actually had to create a waiting list." The mayor tells him happily, his voice no longer full of confusion or concern, merely curiosity.

"Really? Why the sudden uptake?" he queries as he walks with the mayor through the village, looking at the various items and food stuff that the vendors are offering.

"They wish to avoid conflict, its well known fact that the Goblin Kingdom never goes to war. It's also a well known fact that it is not wise to anger the Goblin King or the Labyrinth," the goblin babbles before his eyes widen as if remembering he is speaking to that king. "Sire, I ummm—"

He waves it off before the goblin has a chance to start apologizing, "How much is the uptake?"

"Nearly five times a normal year's request Your Majesty, some though admit that they only wish to be here until the Forest of Prospects becomes available." The goblin answers nearly instantly.

"Hmmmmm," he hums thoughtfully. It's something he'll have to speak with the Labyrinth about at a later date.

Silently, he waves the goblin away as he returns to looking over the village, noticing the new houses and homes that have sprung up. Now that he's looking the differences between the different ones it's possible to determine which sprung up because of the sudden intake of people and which were built during slower times.

Realizing that it's nearly time for the Feast of the First Harvest, he vanishes, returning to Midcity and the temple. The large gathering field behind the temple is full of long tables with food. Fae of all types and humans are collecting into circles of thirteen people but they're watching the priestess at the moment, waiting for her to signal the beginning.

Behind her between, two of the tables, is an alter set up with a fiery banner of red, gold, and orange with runes of the harvest and a large tree burning in fall colors. There is a scythe laid across the back of it and a sickle on the front of it. Baskets with apples, corn, grapes, and various grains are arranged on the side edges of the altar, while a shimmering pillar candle of blended oranges, golds, and reds stands in the center of it all.

Seeing that the priestess' circle includes his sister Yuna, and his cousins Willam, Nhael, Nhanael, and Anetri, he decides to join that set but realizes it is one short of the thirteen. He is a bit surprised when the Labyrinth appears beside him, her clothing changed to reflect the season.

As the sun dips below the horizon the priestess turns to face the candle, lighting it before turning back towards the circle and beginning a chant, in her hands is several stalks of wheat grains, "The Wheel of the Year has turned once more, and the harvest will soon be upon us. We have food on our tables, and the soil is fertile. Nature's bounty, the gift of the earth, gives us reasons to be thankful. Mother of the Harvest, with your sickle and basket, bless us with abundance and plenty."

When the oldest female in each group takes up the chant, some a few words behind, some a few verses it is a rather startling thing. It had been years since he had attended a Feast of the First Harvest and he cannot recall it ever being this coordinated.

Upon completing the first verse she rubs the wheat stalks, allowing the grains to fall to the ground before she begins the second verse of the chant, "The power of the Harvest is within us. As the seed falls to the earth and is reborn each year, we too grow as the seasons change. As the grain takes root in the fertile soil, we too will find our roots and develop. As the smallest seed blooms into a mighty stalk, we too will bloom where I landed. As the wheat is harvested and saved for winter, we too will set aside that which we can use later."

Reaching behind her, she grabs a loaf of bread off of the altar while all of the leaders of the circles grab their loafs from small baskets by their feet.

Tearing a small piece off, she turns to him, passing the loaf and stating, "I pass to you this gift of the first harvest." Before she grabs a small jug of water from the alter.

Once the loaf has been passed around and everyone has a piece she begins again, "It is the time of the harvest once again. Life, growth, death and rebirth, all have come full circle. The God of the Harvest slumbers once more, giving us strength in the months to come." She waits for the round robin to get to the end before she continues, "Months ago, we planted seeds, and through the summer watched them grow. We have tended the fields in our lives, and now we are blessed with abundance. The harvest has arrived! Thank you, Lord of the Harvest, for the gifts yet to come. We eat this bread, grain transformed by fire, in your name, and honor you for your sacrifice"

Bringing the bread to her lips she states clearly, "May each reap the blessings of the harvest." Before she eats it and takes a sip of the water before passing the water.

Like everyone else, he follows suit, though he is surprised at the fact the Labyrinth is doing the same. She is physically dead, how is she doing so is very curious to him.

Softly so he is the only one who can hear her, she answers the unspoken question, "I am part of the land, I can materialize at will when I am awake though I do not age."

Beside him the priestess calls out, "Let the Feast begin!" before she turns to the table, collecting a small plate made of specially cleaned and carved birch and the silverware of the same type that she fills with selections of food.

With a sardonic smile, he joins in, and is second. Behind him he can hear everyone getting into line in order to get their food. After he collects his food, he finds a comfortable spot to settle on the ground and one by one the rest of the family joins him. Unlike a traditional feast which is held at tables, a Feast of the First Harvest is held in a picnic style with everyone being on equal seating. He could have demanded as table and platform as king, but felt that wouldn't be worth the effort. Softly everyone speaks to their friends and family.

As night falls, several temple colytes light a series of bonfires. Beside each fire the acolyte stays with a large basket of straw and other small items. He watches as the fae and humans finish their meals and head to the closest fire and acolyte where they make little straw dolls before pulling something small out of their pockets and attaching it to the doll. Some of them are individuals, some are in groups.

He randomly selects one, listening in as they repeat after the acolyte, "We now create dolls in our image. These dolls symbolize ourselves, in our many aspects, and all the things we give up each year, so that we may thrive and flourish later on." Once the dolls are complete they continue, "Earth of my body, water of my blood, air of my breath, fire of my spirit, please accept this offering." Then they throw the dolls into the fire, watching as it burns before the person doing so wanders away and the next person or group approaches.

Frowning, he considers it for a moment before glancing at the priestess and softly inquiring, "What are the dolls for?"

"To represent an offering, it can be anything really, at the first harvest most offer hopes that come spring they may come true but understanding that winter is hard." She answers him just as softly, "Myself and the acolytes do this after the rest of the population has completed theirs and returned home before allowing the fires to die."

For a while longer he thinks about it before deciding to participate. After all, he had taken part in many other aspects of the day, might as well include this. Standing he heads to a fire where a young half-goblin girl is standing. She's gotten the least amount of people that he had seen. Blushing, she attempts to bow only to trip somehow and nearly fall in the flames, forcing him to catch her if he does not want her to bowl into him.

"Your Majesty," she stammers, her eyes widening slightly and he realizes he has thrown her off course.

"There is a ritual to this, is there not?" he tries for gentle, noting that she is still a child by their kinds standards.

Nodding, she carefully pulls out a handful of the straw, instructing him quietly on how to make the doll and the purpose behind it. When he has fashioned it, he frowns as he realizes that he did not bring anything with him to burn. Perhaps he should summon something?

"A lot use a strand of hair to bind their wishes and hopes to the doll," she suggests, accurately guessing his problem.

Frowning once more, he considers it before deciding that he might as well complete it since he has come this far and runs one gloved hand through his mane of hair, a few strands are still on his glove when he is done, so he binds them to the doll before repeating after the young girl and tossing it in. He is surprised by the fact he feels almost immediately better as if a weight had been lifted from him. His choice of sacrifice is his wish for Sarah to be here with him.

Afterwards the half-breed girl murmurs, "Most return to their families or home about now, Your Majesty, all of the ceremony is done and it is just a matter of celebrating with family."

He nods once, "My thanks for your time," he tells her politely, conjuring a small crystal which he offers her.

Blinking she stares at him in shock, he can tell that she is not sure if she should take it or not.

"You may be part human, but you are also a goblin, never allow anyone to tell you otherwise. A gift for one of our kind," he tells her loftily, the crystal will grant her a single wish, though it will not be anything very big.

"What does it do?" she asks staring at it in awe, her fingers twitching as if she wants to accept but is afraid to.

"It will grant a single wish but you must be careful what you ask for, wild magic is ever tricky." He tells her, still holding it out.

Biting her lip with her sharp teeth, she slowly reaches out to accept it before pulling her hands back to cradle it against her stomach.

He nods once, turning on his heel and rejoining his family. Until nearly dawn they stay in the field, chatting and visiting, catching up with each other before they slowly break apart, returning to the castle to sleep. Tomorrow life will return to normal.