Rolling in the Deep

By: Nikki Kelly

Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth.

Author's Note: Hello All, Sorry for the revamp, but this story desperately needed it. I will finish this series. I have it almost done… I think. Kinda… Please bear with me!

~Nin

Chapter 1: Hopeful and Hopeless Romantics

"… Though the adventures weren't over for our heroes just yet…" The mother's soft voice continued as the lightning crashed in the dark night. "They had a bit of trial left before they found their happily ever after…"

"I will love the light for it shows me the way,

yet I will endure the darkness

for it shows me the stars."

~Og Mandino

The soft glow of lantern light illuminated the hall leading to the western tower of the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. The once majestic forest staircase had begun to waste away in the absence of the prince. The once lush foliage and trees were now wilted and drooping. The fairies held barely the faintest glow against the dark night. A stray breeze blew a small pile of dead flowers up the spiral staircase and the odd wind captured the interest of more than a few of the larger pixies. As harsh lantern light hit their tiny faces, they squinted and began to flit about the dying staircase, nervous of an intruder to their staircase. A puff breath extinguished the lantern and the fairies began to glow, lighting the staircase in a faint golden light. One pale hand reached out in the moonlight and rested against one wilted wall, gently. The wall began to glow beneath the fingertips and there was the smell of spices in the air. Wild magic surged through the walls and life returned to the staircase. Almost like fire, the vegetation grew green and lush and the wild orchids bloomed. There was groaning as the tree branches spread back into a glorious canopy. The fairies began to chitter happily, glowing nearly as bright as the sun.

Jaron withdrew his hand from the wall and a soft smile played at his lips. He began to ascend the staircase to his quarters. With each step he took moss began to grow under his bare feet and as he trailed his fingers along the walls beautiful jasmine blossoms bloomed. Tiny sprites and fairies alit from the walls to swing from his long hair and hide in his long coat. They were all giggling and fighting to whisper their secrets to him. More and more of the beautiful creatures came from the foliage. They came to welcome their Goblin Prince home. Some caressed his scars with their tiny hands and murmured consolingly as they kissed the silver skin. He paused at the top of the steps as one tiny sprite's secret caught his attention.

"We had visitors? Here in my tower?" He cocked his head to one side as he opened the door to his room. "When was this?" He nodded, slowly, at their response and replied. "Queen Sarah could cause no harm here… Will you lovelies do a favor for me?

The entire corridor brightened with their glow as they all chattered their agreement. Holding out one palm, Jaron let the largest of the sprites land there. She was as golden as the sun and hosted long blonde curls that brushed his palm at each of her barefooted steps. He leaned forward and breathed out his command to her.

"Find the Girl Who Saved The Goblin Prince."

In a moment, she was flying and the entire staircase became a virtual whirlwind of glowing fairies and sprites. The mob flew past him and into his bedroom, spinning about in a storm of gold and tiny voices. Jaron raced across the room to throw open the doors to his balcony, freeing the mob into the night. They flew past him like a million shooting stars, scattering in every direction. Jaron watched them fade in the distance and turned back into his quarters. With the flick of one wrist, he closed the balcony doors behind him. The Goblin Prince stopped before one wall of his quarters where a tall object was covered with a dusty tarp. He pulled the tarp down to reveal a rather large glass mirror. His eyes caught his gaunt reflection and he held open the coat to reveal his body. Jaron winced at the sight of scars across his pale skin. He was still not used to the sight of them and he had noticed they caused others to stare. The prince ran one shaking hand down his bare chest and the scars faded in its wake. It had been decades since he had used such magic, but he had not forgotten the art of glamour.

Tearing his thoughts from his past, Jaron studied the simple mirror before him. Though it looked like next to nothing, it was nearly 800 centuries old and one of the few ancient magic mirrors left in the Underground. It stood as tall as he but was only three foot across and had a small chip in one corner. The heavy mirror was made of wild cherry wood from deep within the Enchanted Wood and glass was forged in the fires of the Dragon Wastes.

Unfortunately, like with all ancient magic mirrors, you had to speak to it in rhyme to produce any results. Jaron sighed, miserably. He was wretched with rhymes. Not quite as bad as Heep-Heep, but the Goblin Prince was no word smith.

Jaron pondered for a moment and then spoke. "Mirror, mirror, made of glass… Tell me where I can find that crazy lass."

The mirror's clear surface became cloudy within the swirls of smoke an elderly face emerged. The mirror responded with a deep and elderly woman's voice. "Such a dotty girl hides with ease, especially when her magic agrees."

Jaron cursed. First in Goblinese and then once more in broken Dwarf. The blasted girl was blocking him. He tapped his fingers against his chin, thoughtfully. "I need help to track her down… Can you lead me to her nearest town?"

The mirror rippled and sighed. "Alas, dear Prince, she hides too well, I cannot tell you where she likes to dwell."

Jaron groaned and sat down on the floor, hard. This was getting him nowhere. He rested his head in one hand, trying to think of another question in rhyme.

"In her travels, her identity is never the same." The mirror supplied, helpfully. "There are few in the Underground who know her true name."

Jaron's head snapped up. "I have come not to play a game. I need to know the few's name!"

"There is a dwarf who calls her a friend. He can tell you where her trail ends." The mirror returned. "Tiny in stature, but big in heart, Quigli the Dwarf travels in a seafaring cart. If you want to get him pinned, you must find a pirate ship called the Merrow Wind. Set your sails to the south. Seek out Quigli, the big mouth!"

"Pirates, eh? Someone's been a busy girl..." Jaron walked away from the mirror and back out onto his balcony. He gripped the stone ledge with his hands, tightly, and weighed his options. The fairies were out in search for her, but the girl had a powerful glamour shielding her, so there was a chance they would never locate her. He had the name of the pirate Quigli, but if the man really was a pirate it could take Jaron months to track him down. This girl was causing him a great deal of trouble.

Jaron froze, a sudden realization crossing over his mind. It had been seven years… Seven long years. Perhaps, she did not love him anymore. Once, their love connected them in a way that was rare, even for the Fae, by letting them share dreams. Long ago, he had demanded that she stop the dreams, and he had refused to reach out to her when he slept. He had been fearful that Mab would somehow use the connection to find Alyx, so he let the tie between them wane. He had even ordered her to stop dreaming of him. Perhaps because of his treatment she had moved on. Perhaps, she no longer held love for him…

Something dark clenched in Jaron's chest, hard enough to cause him to clasp one hand over his heart. He gasped in pain and recognized it as the residues of the geis inside of him. He felt rage surge from the darkness inside him and he fought it back with clenched teeth. His eyes darkened and he shook his head violently. The clenching pain eased and he sucked in a few ragged breaths of relief. Dark magic like that never left anyone untouched afterwards.

He patted one hand over his thudding heart and chuckled weakly. "It is like a stain on my heart, little one…"

Thunder rumbled in the distance and Jaron felt the first splashes of raindrops land on his face. He closed his eyes and tilted his face up to face the ensuing downpour, grinning widely. He leaned his head back against the railing and began to laugh aloud against the rumbling storm.

"Look at yourself, Jaron. A little leftover pain and you're a right mess!" He chastised himself, jovially, and wiped the rainwater from his face. "Sitting out in the cold rain, liable to catch your death… You're mad as a bloody hatter! Even the March Hare wouldn't take his tea with the likes of you these days."

Rising to his feet, he returned to his room. He snapped his fingers and in a waterfall-like effect all the torches around the room lit. Then he turned to the massive fireplace near his bed. Two study trees wound together served as the frame and chimney reaching out the top of the tower. Grasping a poker, he rolled the charred log in the hearth, showing the underside to be unmarred. Producing a match, Jaron kneeled down into the hearth.

"Fiametta… Come out, my little fire…" Jaron coaxed until tiny ember colored eyes peeked out at him from the ashes. "There you are, lovely..."

The salamander shook off the ash, revealing her shining red scales and scampered up on top of the log. She flicked her tongue once, and cocked her tiny head at Jaron.

"Buenasera, pretty girl." Jaron lit the match and held it out to the salamander. "Here you go."

Fiametta's sticky tongue shot out and she ate the flaming match, smoke rolling from her nostrils. Slowly, flame began to lick out over her body and ignite the log beneath her until it was burning merrily. Happiest in her fire, the little salamander scuttled down under the log and into the white hot coals. Jaron smiled, fondly, and held out his wet hands, enjoying the warmth. He was the only prince he knew with an Italian salamander living in his fireplace. He propped his head up with one hand, staring into the flames, oblivious to the puddle of water collecting around him.

"I shall look for the pirate ship." Jaron announced to the empty room. "I'll let the fairies scour the lands for her and I'll take flight over the seas."

"Well, you'll get nowhere with wet feathers!" A voice huffed from behind him.

Jaron spun around with a frown to find Abby shuffling her way through the door, balancing a large tray in her hands. Setting the tray on the nearest table, she gave a huff of relief and turned her glare to him.

"You could have at least told me you came home! I could have had Cookie whip you up something proper for supper, but no! I had to hear it from a pair of garden sprites rummaging about in halls. There I was ready to curl up in bed with a hot toddy an' then them bloomin' fairies are telling me that the Goblin Prince is in his tower!" Abby put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. "I tells myself 'Abby, that boy needs a decent meal if he's coming home this late at night'. Then I get here, after trudging up all those stairs, mind you, to find that you're soakin' wet an' making a mess of that nice Highland rug your aunt gave you for your 116th birthday! Are you mad, boy?"

Jaron gave her a warm smile. "I missed you too, Abby."

"'Course you did… You ain't never had a nursemaid as good as your old Abby." Abby snorted. "Let's get you into some dry things, Master Jaron. We can't have you catching your death right after you've come home."

"Yes, Abby." Jaron rose to his feet and stepped behind his bed to begin to peel off the wet clothes while Abby went over to the nearest wardrobe and began to dig through the drawers for dry clothes for Jaron. Producing some things she saw fit, she began to pick up some of the clothes hanging about.

"I suspect most of your things'll be a wee bit big on you, what with you being built like a scarecrow these days." Abby scrutinized a small stain on the shirt before her and shrugged. "'Course it won't take Cookie an' me long to put some meat back on your lazy bones. Now, don't you be throwin' them wet things on the floor… That's what them hook's on the fireplace are for."

Jaron chuckled as he tugged the dry shirt over his head. "Yes, Abby."

When he stepped back to the fire, he found she had conjured a pair of comfy chairs before the fire. She was busy situating the tray on a table between them. She gave him a warm smile.

"It's not much, but I found a bit of beef stew in the larder, a hunk of crusty bread n' butter, a wedge of that gnomish cheese you like, an' a couple of cinnamon pumpkin snaps that my mother baked today." From the folds of her apron, she produced a small flask and emptied it into the teapot on the tray. "And a bit of honeysuckle whiskey I nicked from your Da's private stash. I figured that a good old toddy would warm both of our bones on a night like this."

She turned back to him and the smile on her face waned when she saw how worn and tired he looked. She reached out, tentatively, a worried look on her face. He gave her a weak smile.

"You were always too good to me, Abby. I dare to say that you've spoiled me rotten."

"Oh, you little brat!" Abby rushed into his arms, hugging him, tightly. "I've missed you so very much. You've had me worried sick all this time! I swear you aged me an' your mum a few unnecessary centuries!"

Jaron hugged the elfish woman to him, tightly. "I'm home now, Abby. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

"Don't you try to lie to me, Master Jaron." Abby admonished. "Not even ten minutes ago I heard you say that you was running off in search of pirates!"

"I have to Abby. It's the only way I'll find Alyx." Jaron explained and motioned for her to sit down while he poured her a toddy.

"You think that lass hooked up with pirates? Well, I've heard of stranger things." Abby mused and studied him, intently. "All the goblins say it was her who saved you in Merial."

"All the goblins are right." Jaron replied as he sat down and stared into the flames. "She did…"

"Well, then where is she? Why didn't she just come home too?" Abby sipped from her tea cup. "I can't think of a soul who'd be unhappy to see her."

"I don't know." He replied, truthfully. "I will not rest until I find her."

"Well, she is a slippery little thing. You'll have your work cut out for you." Abby stirred a little more honey into her drink, thoughtfully. "Well, there's one thing you can count yourself lucky for… You have all the time in the world."

Several weeks later…

The Enchanted Woods were bright and sunny as Alyx roamed the forest, a wicker basket hanging from her arm. A soft layer of white snow covered all the Wood in harmony with the coming Yuletide. Looking up at the trees surrounding her, she squinted in hopes of finding the certain species she was looking for. When she found what she was searching for, she knelt at its base to collect the wild herb that grew there. It was a rather rare plant that only grew when the snows came and was used in many of her potions and salves. Her growing dark hair blew free around her face and she wore a simple dress with a battered apron around her tiny waist. Tucking a strand of hair behind one ear, she rose and tucked the basket back under her arm.

It had been many weeks since the rescue of the Goblin Prince. Word from the Unseelie was that Mab still sought Morven and Aneurin for their betrayal. So, Morven moved them to the keep as quickly as possible and she rarely left home. The pirate had assured her that it would be safe to return to the seas eventually, but until then he was going to let Krollin and Quigli care for the ship. He only made occasional trips to the coast to mark their progress. Meanwhile, Alyx was left to contenting herself with the forests and making the keep into a home. Stopping to refill her water skin from a small brook, she set the basket to her left. When she cupped her hands to drink, she froze the sight of dark boots across the brook from her.

"You take a lot of tracking."

Startled, she fell backwards onto her butt, hard. She scrambled backwards from the water and the man standing before her. Her hands flew to her apron and the small knife hidden there. As her fingers curled around the hilt, she realized who it was standing before her. It was the Goblin Prince. He wore a long, leather coat that was as black as the snow was white. Somehow it both managed to frighten and excite Alyx to see the Goblin medallion resting upon his bared chest.

"It took me weeks to find you, you know." Jaron gave her a smirk and crossed his arms over his chest. "You are harder to track down than a leprechaun. I didn't even get a rainbow for a hint."

She lifted her chin in defiance. "I made it that way! I didn't want you to find me… Anyways rainbows lead to the gold not the leprechaun…"

Jaron crossed the creek and still stayed a distance from her, eyeing her carefully as she rose and dusted off her dress. She studied him, warily. Alyx hated to see the fading dark circles under his beautiful eyes that marked his time under that witch's reign. His form was still quite gaunt and his dark clothes seemed slightly ill-fitting due to that.

He cleared his throat and she looked back to his face. "I never got to thank you, properly. For coming after me... You disappeared after getting me to Merial."

"I had to leave. You blew my disguise with that little stunt at Ahearn." Alyx hugged her arms to herself. "I had to disappear. I'm a wanted woman in this world, you know."

"You've not been the wanted women you thought you were for sometime now. In fact, you are being regaled as a heroine amongst the fairy folk, though few of the Fae truly believe you're alive these days." Jaron replied and cocked one eyebrow. "Who could blame them? What with the exaggerated tales of your untimely demise…"

"That's what people get for listening to gossip. "Alyx retorted. "You were the one who taught me that things aren't always as they seem in this place, remember?"

'Indeed…" His eyes scanned her. "I've been asking about you…"

"To who?" She scoffed as heat flooded her face. "No one knows me by the same name twice-"

"So I have discovered… I met a dwarf in the Forbidden Islands that called you Aneurin the Genki and the Prince of Taureg called you Aleydis the Dragonslayer." Jaron was suddenly at her side and he began to circle her like a predator. "In Xanthe Fai you were called Khalidha by the locals and the gypsies in the northlands call you Deja. There was even a faun in Thaw who called you an angel… Strangely, few who knew you could tell me that they were your friend…"

She glared at him. "Don't you have anything better to do than stalk me?"

He gave her a sharp grin. "Nope. I like to know what you were up to the seven years we were apart. You have had many adventures, little one. There are few in this world who can claim to have killed a mad dragon or a legion of trolls, but you have done it all. Why?"

She shrugged. "What else do you do in a fairytale?"

"Why?" He asked again, his voice stern.

"You know why…" Alyx nearly whispered, fighting at the tears in her eyes. "I promised you, but I had to be stronger. So that's why…"

"There is much left to be said between you and I…" Jaron gave Alyx a wry smile and gestured between them with one hand. "Many words that need to be spoken. Words that have waited for seven long years."

"I have nothing left to say." Alyx shrugged, nonchalantly. "Tho' it's good to see you safe and alive."

He stepped closer to her and she took a step away. He frowned and stepped again with her following suit. He cocked one eyebrow at her and she gave him similar look. He sighed, wearily. "We have shared dreams together. That is rare for the Fae… Very rare."

"We are not like most Fae, Jaron. We have mortal in us." Alyx reminded him. "Listen, you saved me and I owed you for that. I repaid you and I left. End of story."

"Did you want to stay?" Jaron asked, bluntly. "Even a little?"

She looked away from his eyes. "Only to collect my pay."

An uncomfortable silence reared its ugly head between them. Jaron studied her with dark eyes, his face unreadable. Alyx bit one lip, nervously. Something had changed within her Goblin Prince. He was much darker than she had ever seen him. He gave her a smirk. "It is good to know what my life is worth."

She frowned and decided to change the subject. "You knew we were there to save you. You knew to give your will to me, didn't you? How?"

He avoided her gaze and watched her from the corner of his eye. "When I saw you in Bone Square… Don't ask me how, but I knew it was you…"

Alyx bit her lip. "I couldn't just leave you there, Jaron. I had to come. I promised. You must understand why I-"

"I am in your debt." His voice was suddenly proper and cold. "Trog told me you saved her in Bergtroll. For that I also thank you."

"You owe us nothing." Alyx argued. "We have our gold and you're free. Let us cut ties at that."

"Your gold… Of course… My thanks again." He stepped away into the thicket and was gone.

Alyx bent to retrieve her basket and stared off into the direction the Goblin Prince had disappeared. She turned to head for the keep when someone grabbed her arm, spinning her back around and into a hard chest.

"Just one more proper thank you?" Jaron breathed and closed the distance between their lips. Her basket slipped from her fingers as his arms entrapped her and his tongue swept through her mouth. She melted into the kiss, relishing in his touch after seven cold and lonely years. Her hands reached upwards of their own accord to tangle in his hair. One of his hands slid down her hips to press her hips against his as he crushed his lips to hers. He moaned her name against her mouth and she came crashing back to reality. Shoving him away from her, desperately, she gasped.

She pointed a shaky finger at him. "Not again, Goblin Prince! I am no young mortal fool these days."

He gave a sharp laugh. "If there is anything that I have learned in the past seven years it is that we are all fools, madam…"

Ducking down for her basket, she took off at a sprint, eager to be free from him.

"Never run from anything immortal, Alyx! It only attracts their attention…"

Alyx stopped running and sighed. It seemed she wasn't going to be rid of him so easily. There was the rustle of feathers and magic, and he was in front of her, again. Alyx glared at him. "Leave me be! Vex me no more!"

Jaron raised an eyebrow. "Vex? You're starting to talk like Jareth."

"Go bug him then!"

"I believe he's rather busy at the moment… Before I left, I filled his bedroom with Grassland Pixies."

Alyx's eyes widened. "Why?"

"He's the one that banished me in the first place, remember? I owed him one at least!" Jaron chuckled. "Do you not miss the old, fun me?"

"It's hard to miss something that won't go away." She hissed as she passed him by and began her walk again. When she did not hear his footfalls behind her, she turned to find him gone. She felt the rush of magic and when she spun back around, he was in her path again, nearly touching her.

She pushed him away. "Damn it, Jaron! Just because you have your magic back, doesn't mean you need to use it for everything! Don't you have a family to bother in Merial?"

"Oh, they were driving me bonkers. 'Jaron, drink this', and 'Jaron, eat this' and 'Jaron, stop seducing the help'…" Jaron shook his head. "It started to wear on my nerves, so I ran away."

"Ran away?" She snorted and sidestepped him. "You must have them worried to death."

"I left a note." He said, defensively, as he fell into step beside her.

"A note? That was grand of you." She remarked, sarcastically. "So is that how bored you've become already? You've come to torment your rescuer? Bedevil me even? Some thanks, Goblin Prince!"

"Oh, I want to thank you." Jaron smirked. "Rather personally if I can."

"Stop. Just please stop…" Alyx shook her head, sadly, and stopped walking again. For a moment they were both silent and the only sounds in the forest were the birds chirping and the wind rustling through the trees.

"I-" He moved to speak and she held one hand up to stop him.

Her voice was soft. "Let me be, Jaron. If you really want me to be happy, leave me, and never come back."

His eyes grew cold and dark. "And if I refuse?"

"Please don't do this." Alyx begged, fighting back the tears that threatened in her eyes. "Please don't make me hurt like that again."

"I refuse to keep living this sham that was my life if I cannot have you in it! I am not the same Fae as seven years ago, sweet Alyx…" His gaze darkened. "Not the same Fae at all…"

"Please, Jaron, you're scaring me."

"Good." Jaron's voice became harsh and he grabbed her upper arms hard enough to bruise. She struggled against his iron grip as he forced her to face him. "Tell me that you love me! Tell me the truth!"

It was at that moment that Alyx knew that his time with Mab had driven him mad. His eyes were dark and his jaw set as he stared her down. Ragged breaths tore through his chest as he struggled to keep his temper.

Alyx stopped her struggles and took a deep breath. "I don't love you, Jaron. Please go and never come back."

"You're lying!" Jaron's voice was near pleading and he gave her a slight shake. "You're lying…"

"Go away, Jaron…" Alyx replied. "Go away."

Jaron leaned in with a smug grin. "Make me."

She narrowed her eyes and hissed. "I wish the goblins would take you away, right now!"

Jaron's eyes widened, slightly. "Oh, you wretched little-"

There was the cackle of goblins on the wind and he was gone.

His grip on her gone, she sunk to her knees on the forest floor. With one shaking hand, she drew a series of runes into the snow, muttering as she worked. Drawing her blade from the apron, she cut a long slice into the palm of her hand, letting her blood drip onto the spell work etched into the pristine snow. Magic coursed around her and with the end of the spell, she was sure that Jaron would not track her again. She did not like using blood in her spells, especially her own blood, but it was the most powerful magic she knew. Jaron had frightened her with his intensity and anger. Rubbing her arms where his fingers left bruises in their wake, she felt tears welling in her eyes. It had been madness that drove her father to beat her and it now madness drove her Goblin Prince to harm her. It seemed that the time in Mab's care had hardened her once happy Prince. Alyx could not risk either her or him in an attempt to renew what they once had. Both she and Jaron had slipped into an endless darkness. They could no longer be the light in one another's hearts. Tears coursed down her cheeks and mixed with the blood.

"Well, I am glad to see you are still mortal enough to cry."

Alyx did not even raise her head to the new voice. "What do you want?"

There was the rustle of cloth the hem of an elaborate red gown obstructed Alyx's view of the remains of her spell. Vesper knelt down to her daughter's level.

"That was some rather dark spell work-"

"What do you want?" Alyx cut in, harshly, and raised her hard gaze to meet Vesper's. "I am through with unwelcome visitors today."

The older woman's eyes softened. "I've come to see my daughter… I had heard tale of the Girl Who Wished Herself Away, but could not believe it until I saw you with my own two eyes. When I saw you in Raghnall, you had such glamour, but then… When the Goblin Prince gave his will to you, I somehow knew that you were my daughter I had left so many worlds behind. My heart has bled for-"

Alyx laughed, bitterly, cutting the older woman off. "As if you cared if I lived or died… You had years to find me in the Aboveground after you disappeared… Years! But you just left me… With him."

Vesper took Alyx's injured hand in hers. "You do not know how I wanted to come back for you. I have searched this world from one end to the next for the power to cross the worlds and bring you back… I knew that we could be very happy here, together, my sweet child, but I lacked the means to bring you to me, safely."

Alyx snorted in disgust and jerked her hands away, tears burning at her silver eyes. "You mean to tell me that you couldn't find a single way to get to me? Not one single way? You live in a world that is supposed to believe in true love and happy endings, but there comes no chance for you to save your daughter from her wretched mortal life in the Above and get your happily-ever-after? Pardon me if I find that hard to swallow."

"Happily-ever-afters are not easy to achieve… Even here… When you are new in the Underground, it is hard to get anyone to help you, especially if you are merely a lost and stranded mortal woman…" Vesper paused and studied the girl before her. "But you know that all too well, don't you?"

"Don't try to tell me what I should or shouldn't know and never compare me to you." Alyx rose to her feet and rubbed at her bruised arms. "Are you done seeing me yet? As I said, I've had enough with unwanted visitors today."

"No, I am not done… It has been centuries here since I have looked upon your sweet face. Would you truly deny that of your own mother? Would you deny me the chance to gaze upon my dearest flesh and blood after so long?" Vesper reached out to brush one bejeweled hand down Alyx's cheek. "You may not believe it, but my thoughts have been only of you all these years."

"Yeah, but centuries without me were nothing compared to the short time that I was stuck alone with dad." Alyx replied, heatedly. "Without you, he became the same as the monster in my closet or under my bed, but he was constant and there was no mother to keep his fists from me."

Tears came to Vesper's eyes. "He shall pay for his sins, Alyxandrea… Please believe me when I say that. With my own two hands, I shall see to that."

"It is too little too late." Alyx waved one hand, dismissively. "He is worlds away now by my own doing. I am free."

"Yes, free, but still very unhappy…" Vesper changed tactics and reached for her hands again. "I did not mean to pry, but upon my arrival, I saw you arguing with the Goblin Prince. I saw him put his hands upon you and I feared he might have hurt you."

"I can take care of myself. Prince Jaron would never let himself never hurt me." Alyx jerked away from her touch and her voice softened. "At least not as I've hurt him."

"It was a brave thing you did to save him in Ahearn. Such bravery stems from love, my dear."

"I don't love him anymore!" Alyx yelled. "Just as I don't love you!"

Vesper narrowed her eyes at her daughter and smirked. "Oh, you always were a horrible liar."

"Aghhh! Get outta here before I-I-I… Before I turn you into a newt!" Alyx huffed, angrily, and turned on one heel to stalk away. She threw back over her shoulder as she departed. "An' don't even think of following me again or I really will turn you into a newt!"

"A newt indeed…" Vesper chuckled as she faded away like mist in her daughter's wake.

Alyx took the long way home that afternoon, backtracking and travelling as to make sure both of her visitors lost her trail. Upon her return to the keep, the young girl reinforced all of the spell work she had, carefully, placed upon their home. In a manic state, she doubled the protection spells and tripled the stealth hiding their home from prying magical eyes and only felt satisfied when she felt as if she had run the entire length of the Dragon's Waste on foot. Unfortunately such spells, taxed her energy and depleted most of her charms and herbs.

She was circling the room with her burning sage one final time when she heard the front door open. Spinning about, sharply, she was happy to see that it was only Morven and a weary sigh escaped her chest.

The pirate gave her a sparkling smirk and held up a small bag, swaying it too and fro. "I got ya some trinkets from me trip… An' some of it's shiny…"

She gave him a tired smile and lowered her sage wielding arm. "Did you have a good trip, Morven? Fair seas and fast winds?"

"Oh, aye. The best travels I've had in quite a time… Ya look tired, lass…" He sniffed the air, suspiciously and eyed the sage still burning her her hand. "Ya doin' a bit o' spell work or are ya just burnin' sage to try an' hide the fact that ya smoked the last stash of Fire Grass I had hidden in the cellar?"

"A little of both. I was just reinforcing a few spells and charms." She teased as she tossed the remains of the sage into the burning hearth. After destroying the remains of her spell work, she crossed to him and reached for the bag, he held out. "Now, what all did you bring me? I hope you found some of that wild elf grass from the Highlands an-"

Morven held the bag just out of her reach, above his head, and wagged one chastising finger in her face. "Ah, ah, ah… Donna be greedy, kiddo. Why ya reinforcin' 'em spells already? We ain't been here no time at all for them spells to fade just yet."

"I just had a few unwanted visitors in the Wood today and I wanted to make sure that my home remained unknown to them…" She shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing major."

He raised one eyebrow and rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh…"

"It's not an issue, Morven. I promise."

"Uh-huh…" The pirate took her bandaged hand in his free one. "Enough of an issue to use a bit o' blood in yer spells though? Enough to use a bit of darker magic then?"

She tugged her hand away and rubbed at the dull ache the wound left. "I just wanted to be certain the spells held. There are many powerful Fae in search of me if you remember correctly."

"Uh-huh… an' did one o' these unwanted visitors happen to be a certain Goblin Prince?"

Alyx gave him her a frown and snatched the bag of goodies from his hand. As she rummaged through the bag, she muttered. "No worries, mate… He won't be back."

"Uh-huh… An' I'm a grassland pixie." Morven smirked, crossing his arms over his broad chest. It was obvious that the pirate was amused with how uncomfortable it made the young woman to discuss the Goblin Prince.

"So, how are Krollin and Quigli doing on the ship all by their lonesome?" Alyx swiftly changed the subject as she emptied the contents of the bag onto the nearest table. She pretended to study the goodies a little closer as she spoke. "Everything is ship-shape, I assume?"

"Oh, that pair are doin' well enough I suppose… They're makin' us plenty of gold… Legit gold at that.

"Oh?" Alyx's eyebrow quirked. "With us gone, they lost their taste for piracy?"

"Hell lassie, ya know well enough that all them hair-brained schemes for quick coin came from the pair o' us, not them boys… Well… I guess it was mostly me own foolish ideas, if I'm bein' honest 'bout it."

She smirked. "Why Morven Squall, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you've become a changed man!"

The pirate captain scoffed and sat down across the table from her. "Pshaw… Not to worry lassie. I'll always be the same ol' worthless lout that ya know an' love. Can't teach an ol' salty dog new tricks, can ya? In all truths, they miss us somethin' fierce, but Quigli does like playin' Cap'n and Krollin's enjoyin' a wee bit o' peace from the pair of us. I think our last adventure would have turned his hair white, weren't it already so."

"That silly dwarf always did like being the one in charge." Alyx replied, lovingly. "I miss them and the crew something fierce, but I needed sometime away from the sea."

"Sometime to hide, ya mean."

She ignored him and peered into a milky piece of quartz the size of her palm that she had found tucked away at the bottom of the sack. "Is this from Qadira?"

"Nah, it an' them smaller ones be straight from the seas surroundin' the Forbidden Islands. After such a successful haul on the ship, they saw fit to let the crew 'ave a bit of a holiday. They joined all them fairy folk from near an' far that still be celebratin' the return of their beloved Goblin Prince." Morven plucked a bright green apple from the bowl in the middle of the table and buffed it against his shirt, absently. "Krollin reckons that not one goblin in all the Under has sobered up we brung that lad's home."

"You don't say?" Alyx tried to seem disinterested as she moved on from the quartz and sorted the small array of sweets from the bag. She often tried to ignore him when he began to bring up Jaron or the Seelie nobility to her and both of which seemed to be on his mind more and more these days. More often than not he would take the hint and change the subject, but he had also become a lot more stubborn as of late. These thoughts faded and her face brightened as her eyes landed on a familiar bag colored with the brightest red and greens. "Oh! Is this that saltwater taffy that those twin wood-elves make on the ship at Christmas?"

"Aye, that be the very same stuff, kiddo. Them boys sent it an' their best regards to their favorite first mate. Cookie sent some o' them wee rum cakes ya like with the same regards…" Morven took a bite of the apple and chewed, thoughtfully. Alyx relished his silence, but only for a mere moment before she saw an evil smirk come across his face. "Oh, yeah… Nearly slipped me mind, but Quigli told me tale that there was someone askin' 'bout you 'round Pallas's place durin' their shore leave."

Alyx froze, her fingers tightening around the small bag of cakes. Morven took special delight in watching the blood drain from her face as she returned her full attention to him. If she hadn't been so frightened, she would have been furious at the amused look on his face at her reaction to his news.

"W-who?" She choked out, more fearful of the Unseelie Court seeking her out than anything.

"Well, I donna know if Quigli got a name, but If I was a bettin' man, an' I am… I'd wager me last pair of naga skin boots that it be the very same lad that came 'round here to call on ya today." Morven teased, pleased when he made her frown at him again. "Oh, donna worry yer pretty little head. The Goblin Prince grilled that old sea witch with gusto, but Pallas dinna tell 'im nothin' concernin' you or yer whereabouts."

Alyx sighed and visibly relaxed her taunt shoulders as Morven wiped the apple juice from his chin with the back of one hand. He took another large bite and spoke around the mouthful of fruit. "An' since Pallas was bein' a bit stingy with her information, Quigli gave the lad an' earful 'bout ya an' where ya been hidin' since we saved 'im."

"Oh, that little short-stacked bilge rat! How could he sell me out like that?! How much royal gold did it take for that little snake to hand me over?" Alyx replied, furiously, and slammed her fists upon the old table. "I can't believe he'd do that! Especially since I saved his dirty little hide more than once! Twice in Taureg alone and-"

"Belay that, lassie! Donna get yer knickers in a twist 'til I've finished me tale, savvy?" Morven ordered, pointing one finger at the angry girl and motioning for her to sit back down. She grumbled and glared at him, but obliged. He gave her a smile and took another long chew from the apple, enjoying making her wait. "Now, Quigli dinna do it to betray yer trust an' he dinna get one royal gold coin fer sellin' ya out to the Prince."

"Then why in all the Underground did he do it then?" Alyx asked, exasperated.

"Jaron begged him, Alyx. He did it, simply 'cause the Goblin Prince downright begged him… Quigli said that after the lad tried Pallas's nerves for hours an' by then the sea hag was threatenin' him with the worst curses she knew, he dropped to his knees an' begged the whole lot of them for any shred of news of ya. Swore he'd turn over this world an' set the next afire, but if only for the smallest clue to findin' ya. His pleas touched the ol' grump's heart, so Quigli consented to puttin' a wee bit o' wind in the boy's sails an' and aimed 'im in yer direction. That's how the lad managed to find ya today." At every word he said, Morven could see her face become sadder and sadder for her lost Prince. Tossing his apple away, Morven reached across the table to take her small hands in his. Squeezing them gently, he gave her a comforting smile. "Now, I be no expert on anythin' to do with love, nor all them trappin's what come with it, but it sounds to me like that boy's an awful lot in love with ya. C'mon now, me lil lassie… Canna ya just let the poor lad love ya? It's be all he wants most in all the Underground."

Alyx jerked her hands away from Morven's and brushed hot tears from her eyes, angrily. "I can't! Oh, Morven… Can't you see that I can't? We're nothing but poison for one another! All that we would get for our love would be a horrible death for the both of us, and that would be if we were lucky! Why, if Mab were to get her hands on either one of us again, she would use the love we once had to draw the other into her trap. Then when she had us both in her clutches, she would use the rest of her immortality to destroy us both! It's for both of our safety that I can't and won't love him again. I'd rather never love again, than see him die for me."

"Ya tend to forget that love be some of the strongest magic in all the worlds, lass. Ya underestimate the power that come with lovin' and bein' loved in return. True love is rare, even in this world. I've seen it do amazin' things. I've seen it turn ya from a wee dormouse of a gal to one o' the fiercest Fae women I've met in all the Underground. An' no matter what lies ya like to tell yerself an' the rest o' the world 'bout how things are, I know the truth."

"Oh, yeah? And what's this truth that you speak of?"

"Morven Squall was born at night, but it weren't last night, bucko. Ya can fib all ya want to the rest of the world, but ya ain't a-foolin' this pirate with yer excuses. It weren't to pay off no long-standin' debt to Prince Jaron when ya went rushin' into the heart of the Unseelie Court with yer sword a-swingin' and yer magic burnin' in yer wake. Ya dinna brave that crazy bitch Queen an' carry the lad home for a measly IOU from all them years back. Ya did it all and fought for 'im home 'cause ya love him an' ya always have… An' ya always will love the lad… Not matter what lies ya like to spin to the contrary."

Alyx was silent for a moment, her eyes downcast at the worn tabletop. She brushed one shaking hand across her eyes. "That may be true, Morven, but I've made my decision on the matter and I will not be changing my mind… It's true that I love him. I love him more than the sun and stars in the skies, but it is because of that love that I push him so far away from me. I'll not let our love be the death of him. No matter what the cost is to me… And to my heart… Can't you see that it is much better this way?"

"No Alyx… I canna possibly see how such way of thinkin' can help either of ya in any way. A life without love can make the steeliest of Fae waste away into the winds and seas. We are immortal, but we ain't invulnerable."

"He will love again. Jaron is full of love." Alyx replied, confidently and shrugged. "And if I waste away to spare his life, then so be it. I've made my decision, Morven, and that's final. My choice will be for the best… You'll see. I'll speak no more of it and now I'll be the one doing some begging. Do not bring this up again… Please…I can't take it."

He nodded, slowly. "Aye… Though I think yer a damned fool for this, I'll respect yer wishes. I swear that I'll not speak of your love for the Goblin Prince again. Ya 'ave me word as a pirate, a captain, an' as yer best friend."

She gave him a soft smile. "Who said you were my best friend?"

"I did. An' as yer Captain, me word is law and unbreakable." Morven gave her a smirk and patted her hand again. "Now let's finish openin' them goodies that I brung ya, lassie. I wanna see a real smile on yer pretty face today."

"Thank you for the gifts. They were a wonderful thought." Alyx peered into the empty bag. "I think I've got them all."

"What? I could've sworn that I had- Oh! Near skipped me mind, but that's not all yer gifts in that bag there, kiddo…" Morven began to search the many pockets of his jacket. "Now, where in the blazes did I hid that wretched thing?"

Alyx watched him with amusement as he slapped at all his many pockets and then finally kicked off the heel of one of his boots to produce a small parcel wrapped in thick brown paper and tied off with rough twine.

"I forgot that I hid it in me hollow boot. Ya canna be too careful with such a treasure these days… So I was on me way to meet with the ship an' I ran into one of me old mates at a pretty skeevy bunter-house down by the docks.

"Bunter-house?" Alyx cocked on eyebrow curiously.

"It's a whorehouse, lass. Try an' keep up with me story, 'cause I donna 'ave the hours nor them nicey-nice words to explain the workin's of a bunter-house to a gal. Even if the gal be you." He waved the package before her. "Now as I was sayin', I ran into me ol' mate Jack an' after a string of unusual luck and me own personal skill at cards, I won me one of the old salty dog's best and fondest trinkets. Seein' as how he donna really 'ave a great need for the bauble and it's uses, especially since he gots himself to the Underground without 'avin' to use it once, I figured it was time for it to 'ave a new owner and I thought of a particular lass that might be needin' a bit o' a nudge in a right direction every now an' again."

"Oh, yeah?" Alyx smirked. "You didn't think at least once of a certain cocky pirate captain, who often drinks so much grog and goblin beer that he can't tell the stern from the bilge?"

"Oy belay that, matey! That were just that one time an' it were me first birthday in decades that I weren't sufferin' from the ill-effects of a curse! I deserved me a bit o' fun." Morven replied, haughtily. "Even if I did nod off and fall in the bilge after, but that's beside the point I'm makin'. I set me own needs to the side so that I could pass this treasure on to you."

"What is it?" Alyx eyed the small package, warily, and made no attempt to take it from his hand.

He gave a frustrated groan and shoved the present at her again. Will ya just take the damned thing. Yer temptin' me to say shove off an' I'll keep the bloody thing."

Gingerly, she plucked the package from his hand. "It's not that exploding candy again is it? I couldn't get the taste of burnt sugar out of my mouth for weeks."

"Nah, this be somethin' much better." He grinned widely and gestured to it again. "Go on, now… Open it."

Curious, Alyx tore open the package and was shocked to find an old and battered compass beneath the brown paper. She opened the compass, and frowned when the arrow spun in random directions. The needle twirled and twirled, but never once settled on true north. "A broken compass? That's what you made such a big deal about? Piece of junk doesn't even point north!"

"Oy, that ain't no ordinary compass an' it ain't broken!" Morven explained, coming around the table so that he sat beside her on the bench. "This compass donna point north… When ya hold it, it points to what ya want most in the world!"

Alyx tore her eyes from the compass and gave him a bewildered look. Even though she had thought she had seen everything in this magical world, she could barely believe his words. "Where in all of the Underground did you ever find such a thing?"

He gave another impatient sigh. "Ugh… I done told ya! I won it from me mate, Jack Sparrow…Well, he's Captain Jack Sparrow these days… Though I donna know fer the life of me how a man can be a captain when he ain't got no ship, but again that's none of me business an' all of his. Ya may have 'eard of 'im up Above. I got the pleasure and luck of befriendin' that crazy fool there. Seems like centuries ago, when me an' him spent a few seasons sailin' 'bout them famed seven seas. I weren't much older than you when I cross them worlds to see me fame and fortune amongst the mortal pirate. Oh-ho me bucko, the three o' us had ourselves some adventures back in them days…"

"Three of us?" Alyx asked, growing more and more curious of the strange compass's origins.

"Well, back in them days I weren't nothin' but a powder monkey, but I made best mates with ol' Jack. He weren't a captain then o' course, but he made a fair livin' as a rigger. Then there be Mister Armand… Dunno how the younger lad managed it, but he were a cabin boy. Methinks his pappy had some pull with Captain Jones, but-"

"Captain Jones? You mean Davey Jones?"

"Oh, aye the one and the same. Now that were me and Jack's first stint sailin' on the Flying Dutchman, but if I be remembering right it were Armande's second or third time playin' cabin boy fer ol' tentacle face. We three dinna have a lick o' sense 'twixt us, but we had all the luck that the Goddess could toss our way… All her luck an' then some a lot o' times." Morven smiled, absently, as he fondly remembered his days sailing in the Aboveground. "Jack, well… Cap'n Jack was loonier than a Highland imp stuffed with Fire Grass in the springtime an' the boy Armande be one of the most fearless and foolish Fae that I'd ever had the pleasure to sail with, but… Oh-ho, we had some times together! I still bear the scars from them adventures too… A lot of scars…"

"How will I know if it's right?" Alyx asked, her brow furrowed as she watched the needle spin, wildly. "I mean, how will I know if it really is what I want most in the world?"

"You'll know 'cause that's what the needle will point at an' it ain't never wrong yet. It's enchanted, ya know. I swear it an' on me own mother's grave, I ain't never seen it not point to ya wanted the most in all the worlds… Even if ya dinna know ya wanted it in the first place. He reads what's deep down in yer heart o' hearts an' there'll be no lies in there. Gimme the bloody thing an' lemme show ya." Morven took the compass from her and gave her a satisfied grin when it pointed northeast. From his right and in that very same direction, he produced a dark bottle of whiskey. He pulled the cork out with his teeth and spit it upon the table before taking a healthy swig. He signed happily as the alcohol burned down to his belly. She frowned when he gave her a smug smile and handed her back her new trinket. "See what I mean? The compass always be spot on to what yer heart desires."

"Well, lucky for it that you're a rather simple pirate. There must be something you want more in all the world than booze."

"Well, right at that moment, I dinna want nothin' more than a great pull from a bottle o' the finest o' spirits. It won't always point ya at the same thing ya want, lass. Just what ya want most at that time. There always be a catch or two when it comes to enchanted trinkets."

"Hmmm… A compass that doesn't point north… Now, I've really seen it all…" Alyx studied it intently and was surprised when the needle pointed north for the first time. For a moment she was puzzled at the compass, but then she realized what was directly north of them. The Labyrinth and the Castle Beyond the Goblin City was directly north of where she sat and that meant that Jaron was exactly where the compass pointed. She frowned at the compass and even more so when she saw the know-it-all grin on Morven's face. She dumped it down into the bag with her other gifts and returned the pirate's grin with a warm smile. "Thank you, Morven. I love my gifts… Even my broken compass."

"Oh, donna be thankin' me just yet, me bucko. I got ya one more big surprise an' it's the best one o' 'em yet!" Morven beamed and held out his arms, widely. "Pack yer bags, kiddo, 'cause we be takin' us a holiday!"

"A holiday? Where?" Alyx asked, warily. Her many years of travelling with him had made her quite rightfully suspicious of her friend and his, usually, harebrained ideas.

"Well, I've been a-thinkin' that what with Yuletide season comin' up, an' since we ain't never did much proper celebratin' of the holidays when we was aboard the ship. It was kinda hard to do much in the way of celebratin', what with us a-hoppin' from one port to the next and such. I kinda figured that we deserved us a special lil' holiday to make up fer all them we missed. What ya say, kiddo? How 'bout me an' you go and get a bit squiffy an' ring in the Yule the right way? Let's spend Yuletide in Honah Lee!"

"Oh, Morven… I don't really want to leave. I've got potions brewing and I've got to watch that patch of silver moss I'm trying to grow in the stables an-" Alyx began to argue, but he cut her short with the wave of one hand.

"Belay that! Moss won't grow 'til spring an' there ain't no potion worth missin' out on Yuletide in Honah Lee. As yer Captain, I'm orderin' ya to come with me to Honah Lee, no ifs an' or buts. I know that I done told ya to put them damn slippers away fer good when we came here, but if yer 'fraid of anyone recognizin' ya, then dig 'em bloody things out an hide-" He stopped himself short and took a deep breath to compose himself. He began again, his voice soft. "C'mon lass… Ya deserve a bit o' holiday cheer this year an' there ain't no where better for such than Honah Lee. What do ya say? Wanna see Honah Lee with me?

Alyx gave him a weak smile, amused by his enthusiasm for their Yuletide holiday. "Oh, what the hell? Okay… Let's go to Honah Lee."

Morven brightened immensely and wrapped one arm around her shoulders to give her a friendly squeeze. "Oy that's me favorite first mate!"

"I'm your only first mate." She replied, sourly.

"An' that's why yer me favorite!" He tweaked her nose, affectionately. "You'll 'ave the best o' times, I can guarantee that! Honah Lee is at its very best at the Yuletide. Leave it to ol' Cap'n Squall an' we'll 'ave a holiday you'll never forget!"

The minute that Alyx had uttered those special words, Jaron felt the magic of the Goblin Horde pulling him back to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. Thanks to their capable, albeit a tad grubby, hands, he reappeared in the middle of the throne room. He was still scowling at the girl, when he turned to face his eldest sibling and King of the Goblins. Jareth was lounged, casually, upon his throne, but he wore a sour look upon his regal face.

"You couldn't imagine my complete and utter lack of surprise when I found the flock Grassland Pixies in my bedroom when I arrived, but the prank was completely overshadowed by the uproar from Merial when everyone discovered that you had simply disappeared after your second breakfast." Jareth said, drolly, tapping one finger against his thigh. "Congratulations, brother. You've managed to age our dear mother decades in mere moments, you've inspired grandfather to draft a new law to deter the import of wild Grassland Pixies into the cities, and you've set the Seelie Court into one of the worst tizzies since your banishment. Everyone from the highest born Fae to the lowest imp have been searching for you and praying to the Gods for your safe return."

Jaron straightened his back and raised his chin, defensively. "I left a note."

"Oh, yes… The note. Mother quoted it to me, quite hysterically I might add, at lunch today… Now, how did it go? Oh, I recall… 'I've run away. Love, Jaron.' How very, very considerate of you to leave such a detailed explanation of your whereabouts." Jareth tapped his riding crop against one boot, casually, and studied his brother with amused eyes. "And here I am, prepared to tear the Underground apart in search of you, when I receive summons for a wished away child. Of course, I was rather puzzled when I realized that the words did not come from Aboveground, but rather somewhere here in our own world. The pièce de ré·sis·tance of this whole debacle was when my Horde delivered no child at my feet, but my own wayward brother and had nary a soul willing to traverse my Labyrinth in your honor. I find this turn of events rather fascinating to say the very least. Do you care to explain yourself, little brother?"

"No… Not especially." Jaron replied, testily. He was in no mood to deal with his older brother's dry humor this day. "Jareth… I've had a rather long and taxing day, so thus I'm in no mood for your lecture. So, since we both know how this conversation will continue, shall I just do us both a favor and save your precious time and breath?"

"Oh?" Jareth cocked one eyebrow. "Go on…"

"Well, you'll begin by ranting and raving for a few hours about my total disrespect for authority and my overall lacking of a proper attitude in general. You'll threaten me with a swift Bogging if I even think of stepping one toe out of line while I remain under your watch. In return, I will argue my case by laying total blame upon someone other than myself and when that fails to calm your sharp tongue, I shall provide you with a few half-hearted apologies and numerous false promises to never pull such a moronic stunt again. We will continue to bicker over my immaturity compared to my age and my severe lack of good decision making skills for another few minutes before you call me a fool, a wretch, and a lout. In turn, I'll respond with another witty anecdote about how you are still a pretentious windbag who was cursed with the most offensive taste in hairstyles that's ever been seen in this world or the next. Then you will try to change tactics and begin brow-beat me about the unnecessary worry and stress that I've placed upon our dear, poor mother. I'll concede that I've never been the easiest of children to raise and offer to buy mother something special to make amends for my wayward ways. Since I cannot take anything seriously, you'll curse me straight to the bowls of Hades. I'll retort with some heated comment about your lack of basic intellect or your manner of dress and in a fit of rage, you'll throw me in an Oubliette. Then I'll wait until Trog arrives with either Ludo the Rockcaller or a gaggle of dim-witted goblins to free me from my unjust prison. Thus, in a matter of a few short, but terribly dull hours, I am once again free to wreak havoc upon your kingdom and bed every virgin within arm's length. Repeat from the beginning on the 'morrow…" Jaron took a deep breath and gave his brother a dull look. "Did I manage to cover all the bases or did I miss something?"

"Oh, by great Titan's beard, Jaron!" Jareth rose, swiftly, from his throne to stand before his brother. Shocking both of them to the core, he grabbed the young Prince's arms and hauled him into his embrace, hugging him, tightly. His voice was near breaking when he finally spoke. "We've only just now gotten you back after all of my foolish, foolish mistakes! It would kill the whole of us to lose you again, little brother… You mustn't worry us like that! We've had patrols and guards combing the entire Under for even a word of your passing. We simply cannot bear losing you again."

"Bloody hell, I think I miss the old 'swift bogging' Jareth…" Jaron wrinkled his nose and tried to squirm out of the embrace. "When did you decide to get all touchy-feely, brother? Has that woman warped your mind in the short time that I was away?"

Jareth released his brother from his arms with a hearty laugh. "She has warped me, but only for the best, I assure you."

"If you say so, but I still miss the old Jareth that would rather throw me in the nearest Oubliette, rather than deal with my impertinence."

"Enough you little fool. Now, tell me… Who wished you away to the goblins, Jaron?" Jareth asked, curious of what adventures that Jaron had gotten himself into. "As a matter-of-fact… Where were you today?"

"Out."

"Out doing what, may I ask?"

Jaron shrugged. "I merely felt that it was high time for me to search out my rescuers and thank them personally for delivering me from that witch's den. Nothing more, nothing less… It took a little time and much more patience than I tend to have, but I managed to track the pirates down and offer my humble thanks."

"I see. I myself would have liked to have had a few choice words with that elf before he disappeared from Merial without a trace… Though it pains me to share this news with you, I must. The louse and braggart elf claimed to have killed our Alyxandrea some years back, but I could smell his lies from miles away. Hell, there were even rumors that she was part of the battle in Ahearn to sa-"

"The elf doesn't lie." Jaron held up one hand, cutting Jareth's tirade short. "The Alyx that I knew is dead and gone. The girl is no more."

"Impossible!" Jareth's jaw dropped in shock and anger flared in his mismatched eyes. "Are you telling me that despicable little elf really murdered-"

"The elf didn't kill her." Jaron took his brother's abandoned seat upon the throne, already weary of the conversation. "But she is dead, just the same."

"In light of such sad news, I am truly sorry, my brother…" Jareth rest one reassuring hand on Jaron's shoulder. "Truly, truly I am… We all loved the girl as if she were of our own family. In fact, many hoped she would marry into our family someday."

Jaron waved one hand, dismissively. "I've had seven years to grieve her loss. I'll not waste another second thinking of her."

Jareth cocked one eyebrow, quizzically. "You could forget her so easily? You have become harsh since your time dancing with death, little brother."

"And what else would you expect? Did you really think that I would be a big batch of sunshine and rainbows after escaping from that viper's nest?" Jaron asked, dryly, as he lounged back in the throne and rested one hand over his throbbing eyes. He could feel a massive headache coming upon him. "Perhaps it is not that I've grown hard or harsh in my time away. Perhaps, I have merely learned to mature some?"

"I suppose… If you say it is so…" Jareth eyed his brother, warily. He could tell that he was keeping something from him. Something very important.

"Maybe I should take Grandfather's advice and be married. I could take over Lordship of that small province in the Highlands that he and Grandma are always badgering me about… Maybe put out a few pedigree rugrats and live out my eternity in domesticated bliss?" Jaron said, randomly, and dropped the hand from his eyes, staring at the ceiling. He smiled back at the chipper goblin waving down from where he was nailed to the ceiling above the throne. "Well, hello there Scribbles. You're looking quite dapper today…"

"Thanks boss!" Scribbles squeaked and beamed. "I gots a new hat!"

"I see that, dear fellow. Quite dashing, if I do say so myself. Stainless steel and tafetta is definitely in season…" Jaron then noticed that Jareth was strangely quiet and turned his gaze back to the Goblin King, only to find his brother staring at him, gape-jawed. Jaron raised one eyebrow and asked. "Uh, Jareth… Are you okay?"

"Is it possible that you just stroked out there for a moment or have you gone completely bloody insane?" Jareth responded in shock at his brother's words. "You actually want to get married? And you wish to take on a Lordship under Grandfather's orders?"

"Sure…" Jaron shrugged his shoulders. "Why not? It is only what every well-bred Fae aspires too in our society. I believe that if I can survive Mab's vast dungeons and callous hand, then I can, surely, handle marriage and a Lordship. It shall be what the mortal's call a 'cake stroll'."

Jareth sighed, loudly, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh, please tell me that these notions are brought on from swelling on your brain that has not completely gone down… Or better yet, you're drunk, right? Please tell me that you are drunk as a Clurichan on St. Patrick's Day."

"Oh, dear heavens, how I wish I were drunk…" Jaron responded, almost miserably. "But, you can't deny that it is a rather good idea… After all, everyone's been after me for decades to take on some responsibilities an-"

Jareth held up one hand to stop him from continuing. "No, no, no… I don't care what your reasons may be or why in all of the Under that you have come up with such a half-cocked idea, but I shall have absolutely no part in any of this mess. No, thank you."

Jaron frowned as Jareth merely disappeared from the room in a burst of glitter. The Goblin King was only gone mere seconds when a new and nearly hysterical voice startled the young prince.

"Oh, you sneaky little liar!"

Leaning his head upside down over the arm of the throne, Jaron saw a very angry Sarah glaring at him from the doorway to the throne room, her loyal griffin at her side. Both were giving him dangerous looks and nearly hissing in rage at him.

"Well, hello Sarah. Been eavesdropping long?"

"How could you lie like that about Alyx?!" Sarah strode over to the throne and gave him a sharp kick in the shin. Jaron yelped in pain and leaned backwards as she shook her finger in his face, menacingly. "You saw her there in Ahearn as clearly as we did and if I remember right, you even had your tongue down her throat at one point before we left that wretched castle! All that and you still lie to your brother about her?"

"Yes, but as I've learned, there were certain promises made to a certain pirate captain about keeping Alyx's existence quiet and you were one of those that promised along with Roland. You seem to have forgotten that Roland is my favorite cousin and he could barely wait to tell me the tale of how she saved the Goblin Prince. So tell he did, right up to the point where those promises were made." Jaron retorted, hotly, as he rubbed his bruising leg. "I'm merely doing my part in keeping this dirty little secret."

"Oh, you nasty little troglodyte! I oughtta beat the tar outta you! Those were stupid promises and you know it! She's not a criminal. If anything she'd be treated like a hero for saving your wretched hide." Sarah hissed and Ashe nipped at Jaron's arm with a squawk. "So why the hell didn't you just drag her back here after Ahearn and love her senseless?"

Jaron rose from the throne so quickly that he almost knocked Sarah off her feet. His face was mere inches from hers when he responded, rather heatedly. "Because she doesn't bloody love me!"

Sarah's face fell and she reached for him. "Oh, Jaron… Of course she loves you. She's just afraid to-"

"No, you don't quite understand me, Sarah… Alyx does not love me. She made that clear as crystal and said such words straight to my face on this very day." Jaron clenched his jaw as he avoided her touch. He began to explain, coldly. "I've spent weeks tracking her down so that I could bring her home, but she denied me. She could have stayed in Meriel after the battle at Ahearn, but she did not… She could have returned with me today, but she did not… Forget about the girl. Alyx will not be coming back here and, frankly, I could care less about what she does with her eternity."

Sarah sidestepped Jaron, carefully, as Ashe growled low in his throat at the angry prince. She raised one shaking hand to her mouth as she sunk down to sit upon the throne that he had abandoned in his anger. "Oh, my dear, sweet Jaron… What happened to you? What happened to your light? You never used to be this dark."

His anger still burning, Jaron made to reply with some witty remark, but the bitter words stopped in his constricting throat. Sarah was right. His light was gone. He was becoming dark and full of hate again, much like he had with Alyx that day. The residual magic of the geis was tainting him darker and darker with each passing moment. The darkness settling within him only served to fuel his unjust anger towards those he loved. Ironically, it was not the geis that he had to worry about trying to break him, but rather how such dark magic had left a stain upon his once bright soul. And it was a stain that was spreading.

With a croaked groan, Jaron dropped to his knees before Sarah and his once harsh voice softened. "I am sorry, dear Sarah… When you spend so many years trapped in the very worst of dark places, you often forget what light is…"

Reaching out, Sarah cupped one of his hot cheeks in her hand, and he buried his face in her palm. She murmured soft words of comfort as her other hand reached out to stroke his long and curly hair in gentle reassurance.

"There is a darkness in me now, Sarah… One that I have never known before my imprisonment. I have heard tale that no one ever really survives a geis upon them. They may live, but not without the magic causing distinct changes after the fact and very rarely are such changes for the better. To have such dark magic thrust upon you never leaves anyone unscathed. I can feel it seeping through my veins and cocooning my heart in a taut, black embrace until I feel like I am losing my breath. It is changing me for the worst and I do not know how to stop it."

"Jareth said that's to be expected and it's only the residual effects from the geis." Sarah began. "Besides, the healers said tha-"

"They know nothing of what I endure and the darkness that threatens to swallow me whole." He shook his head, sadly. "It caused me to hurt Alyx when I found her today, Sarah… I nearly crushed her arms in my bare hands when she told me that she didn't love me. I threatened her! Parts of me wanted only to hurt her worse than her words hurt me! I am becoming a monster!"

In one swift move, Jaron wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and rested his head on her lap, wearily. Continuing to stroke his hair, Sarah murmured words of comfort and hugged him to her. Even Ashe nuzzled up next to the dejected Goblin Prince, purring from low in his throat.

"Jaron… Come to Honah Lee with the family for Yuletide." Sarah ordered, softly.

He raised his head a little. "Honah Lee?"

"Yes… I demand your attendance for the holiday as Queen of the Goblin Horde. Perhaps, with some of Puff's wisdom and a whole lot of love from your family, then we can bring you back again. Maybe, if we try, we can find your light again?"

"I think it will take more than a family vacation to cure the evil haunting me."

"Yes, I agree, but it is more than a small step in the right direction. Granted we can't give you the love you want or need, but we can give you all our love, just the same. Besides, it would stand to do you some good if you were amongst your beloved fairy folk again. Like us, they have all missed their Friend of Fairies."

"It would be nice to see the lights of Honah Lee."

"Roland will be there too, so you won't be stuck with your brother and I the entire time. Come to Honah Lee. Consider this a direct order from your queen, little prince." Sarah gave him a bright smile and he nodded his head in agreement against her lap.

"Well, if my Queen commands it I cannot suffer to refuse her wishes." Jaron leaned up and gave her a weak smile. "Thank you, Sarah. You are a good sister, you know."

"Oh, don't thank me just yet." Sarah teased. "I still owe you, you know."

"Oh? And how so, little sister?"

"Well, I'm not sure what it is yet, but I owe you a lot for just dumping me in your brother's study all those years ago." She smirked. "Most days I teeter between wanting to thank you endlessly or wishing my hands were strong enough to throttle you for that little gift.

For the first time in a long time, Jaron genuinely joined someone in hearty laughter and he kissed her hand, merrily. "Well, lucky enough for me, you have all eternity to decide whether I deserve praise or punishment… Or a bit of both."

Jaron got to his feet, slowly, and gave Sarah a small smirk. "Care to join me for a bit of chocolate cake? I've heard tell that since my return, Merry has been baking up a storm, hoping to put more meat upon my bones and she knows that my favorite confection is her triple chocolate surprise cake."

"Oh? And what's the surprise?"

"If there is any left after I find it in the kitchen." He held out his arm to escort her. "Interested?"

"When chocolate cake is involved, I am always interested!" Sarah laughed and took his arm. He led her away and soon their voices faded away from the empty throne room. The room was oddly still for only a brief moment before Jareth melted out from the shadows from where he had been observing the exchange between his brother and his fiancée. A worried frown had taken residence upon his handsome face for most of their conversation and it still stuck after their departure at what he had learned. Earlier it had been more than obvious that Jaron had been keeping a great secret from him about his recent disappearance and exploits, so Jareth had decided to shadow the younger Fae for a while to see what he could learn. Of course he had never anticipated Sarah's arrival and how quickly he learned the many secrets that his brother kept.

Jareth could almost taste the lies when his brother confirmed Alyx's untimely death, but he would have never guessed the crafty girl's secret identity. It appeared that he had quite underestimated his former ward and her will to survive in this world. The little witch had been quite wise to disguise herself as an Elfish pirate and even smarter to stake claim for her own murder. The plan was tactical, efficient, and rather bold if he did say so himself.

Even Jareth had heard the rumors amongst the garden fairies that Alyx had been present at the battle to rescue his brother's life, but he had assumed that the little fools had gotten their stories crossed. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined his former ward attempting and succeeding with such a daring rescue. Alyx had proven herself very capable of surviving in this word on her own indeed.

It had shocked him to find out that his own Sarah had been keeping Alyx's identity a secret from him as well. Apparently, he had also underestimated his Queen's cunning and guile. Regardless of her withholding such truths, it made him rather proud that she had kept such a big secret from him for so very long. It must be eating her alive to have such knowledge and be unable to share it.

As Jareth sat down on his throne, his thoughts drifted back to his brother and the darkness that was consuming him. The Goblin King had noticed the changes, however so slight, in his brother since Jaron had awoken from his healing sleep. He had come home, yes, but he remained mostly distant from his family and closest friends. Jareth had come to notice that there was an odd coldness to his once bright eyes and he was quicker to anger than Jareth had ever known him to be. When once his laughter filled the halls on a daily basis, now there was seldom even a true smile upon his face. Jareth had prayed that his brother's melancholy mood would pass as he healed, but it seemed just the opposite. Something had been broken inside his brother. Something important. He hid from everyone these days, even himself.

For the first time since Jaron was a mere babe, Jaron was using his glamour to hide his true appearance from the world. His brother possessed quite masterful glamour skills that could fool even the wisest of Fae, but the young man had never felt the need to use such magic to cloak himself. Since he had awoken in Merial, Jareth had not once seen his true form. Though the King knew that they were there, he saw no sign of the many scars that Mab's blades of cold iron had left upon his skin. The scars that he bore from cold iron would never fade. Jaron would carry the reminder of that hell for the rest of eternity. Such vain and embarassed behavior was very unlike his brother.

He had also stopped spending any time around others. His time spent with Roland or Trog since his return was virtually nonexistent. More often than not, he would lock himself in his tower for days on end. Knowing what he did about Jaron's adventures that day, Jareth assumed that his brother was using that time to scour his numerous resources for a way to track Alyx down so that he could speak to her. He would have never guessed that the girl would spurn him! Especially after all that she had endured through to ensure his safety and rescue. It seemed much too big a task for anyone when they weren't emotionally involved.

His Sarah had made him proud, when she ordered Jaron to join them in Honah Lee at Yule. She could see that he was suffering and did her best to remedy that. It would be nigh impossible the boy to keep ill spirits while in the lands of Honah Lee. Providing it went well, such a trip could go a long way for his road to recovery and it didn't hurt that the sovereign of the city, Puff, was expertly skilled against the dark arts. Yes, Honah Lee and family at Yuletide was exactly what Jaron needed to put the last seven years behind him and fully heal from the ordeal, his love for that girl be damned.

Miles and miles away in Magesblood, Queen Mab sat upon her dark throne staring into the enchanted mirror before her. Two stout orc held the giant mirror and both were trying their hardest not to shake in fear in the presence of their Queen. To say that she was still angered by losing the Goblin Prince was an understatement. In the few short weeks since she had lost Jaron, Mab had become an unholy terror upon her court. In the first week, she nearly burnt down her castle in a fit of rage when Harkin refused a direct order to lead her Sluagh to Merial and retrieve the Goblin Prince. He had argued that such an action would lead to an outright war between the Courts. He had tried to make her see that it was sheer madness to attack the Seelie Court in their golden city on the sea. When he defied her wishes, Mab exploded. It took Morgan le Fey nearly two days to put out all the residual magical fires and to restore much of the western wing. Though the blast had badly burnt Harkin, Mab ordered him to spend time in her dungeons until he learned to dutifully obey his Queen.

She spent the second week cursing any creature that had the poor fortune to cross her path. Morgan spent every day reversing curses, nulling hexes, and breaking spells on everyone from Mab's ladies-in-waiting to a unfortunate vampyre who stumbled into the Queen's path as she took a moonlit walk in her swamps. The line of the bewitched leading into Morgan's tower seemed never-ending, but by the weeks end, Mab had begun to focus her attentions elsewhere.

The third week after Jaron's rescue, while reminding Harkin about whom he had sworn his fealty to, Mab nearly murdered the Fae with a pair of her best iron whips. Fortunately for Harkin, the dungeon master summoned Morgan before the deed was done, but the he would likely never see out of his left eye again and he would be extremely lucky if he regained full rotation of his right arm. The Sorceress had nearly flown into a fit of rage of her own when she saw the condition of their Captain of the Guard and had torn Mab away from his bloody carcass. The Queen flew into a rage at her, spitting and screaming and scratching until Morgan slapped her across her face as hard as she could. This act stunned Mab so much that she barely noticed the blood that trickled from her nose after the hit.

"You are naught but a spoilt child!" Morgan hissed at the dazed Queen. "What makes you think that just because you've lost your precious toy that you have the authority to take it out on the people of your kingdom?! You stupid, stupid girl!"

"They are my subjects! Their lives are mine to do with as I wish! This is my kingdom!"

"Oh, aye, but if you continue this madness then you'll not have a kingdom left to rule! Nearly all the goblins have already left for the safety of the Goblin City and most of the orcs have went into hiding in the swamps. All the Unseelie whisper in fear of the 'Mad Queen of Magesblood'. That bloody fire that you started a few weeks back managed to spook most of the imp and gremlins that made up the staff of this castle, so there's not been cooking or cleaning done in the last week. Your latest string of curses have terrified most of the Fae Courtiers and most have left for the outlying cities of your realm. Your royal guard has fell into disarray since you have jailed Harkin. A third of the troops have deserted since you have failed to appoint a replacement." Morgan looked to where Harkin groaned and bled upon the rack before them. "And tonight I am summoned by your dungeon keeper to find that you've nearly killed the poor fool and all because he refused to get legions of your subjects killed over your lost toy? Perhaps you deserve to lose your crown."

"I'll not lose my crown." Mab replied, coldly, her dark eyes narrowed. "No one will ever take my crown from me."

Morgan gave a barking laugh as she moved to tend to Harkin's wounds. "Says Queen Mab the Mad!"

In a swirl of dark skirts and gritted teeth, Mab left the dungeon and locked herself in her room. By the end of the fourth week, even Morgan began to fear that the monarch had taken her own life. Meals were delivered outside of Mab's quarters, but all were left untouched in the hall. On the first day of the fifth week, when Morgan was preparing to make plans to break down the bedroom door, Mab waltzed into her throne room, looking sinisterly beautiful and demanded that her enchanted mirror be brought to her side. She dismissed Morgan to her tower before the mirror arrived, and Morgan was unnerved about how calm and collected the Queen had become.

In all truth, Morgan's rant to her had opened Mab's eyes. She was of course very angered about losing her favorite slave, but the Sorceress was right that she was behaving like a spoilt child. It was not the Seelie and Jaron or her own people that she needed to seek revenge on. She wanted that girl. She wanted the Girl Who Wished Herself Away to pay. How dare that little witch come back after all those years to take Jaron away? She was the real enemy Mab's blood red nails dug into armrest of her dark crystal chair, scratching deep into the once smooth surface.

"Show me Zefiryn!" Mab barked and touched the glass of the mirror with the tip of the crooked wand in her left hand. The glass began to ripple as it summoned the Dowager Queen of Air and Darkness. Queen Zefiryn was the mother of Mab's late husband, King Carsys and had ruled the Unseelie before Mab and Carsys had taken the throne. She was a powerful dark witch and only after Mab used Zefiryn to help murder her own son, Mab had banished her to the Forked Swamplands. This power play had ensured that Mab was the only one in sole control of the Dark throne.

Zefiryn cackling laugh filled the throne room as the mirror fixated on her weathered face. She was nestled in her dank keep the Forked Swamplands. "Well, hello Mab, dearie. It's been such a very long time…"

Mab took in the aged Fae woman before her. Zefiryn, like most dark witches, had aged horribly, despite her immortality. The dark magic had drained her youth and beauty over the years, turning her into the hag that she was now. Her long, plated hair was no longer as golden as the sun, but grey as ashes on the hearth. Her skin was no longer the color of fine porcelain, but blemished with the spots and wrinkles of old age. She still liked to show off her formal glory with a few jeweled rings upon each hand and a dark purple cloak thrown over her dark dress. Her thin lips stretched into a frightening grin as she took in the Queen of Air and Darkness with her dark eyes.

"I heard that your prince got away." Zefiryn laughed as she moved about her keep, adding things to the potion she was brewing. "I wondered how long it would be before you called upon me."

"Who says I call upon for that?" Mab asked, haughtily. "Perhaps I only wish to see how exile is treating you, Swamp Hag."

Zefiryn's eyes flashed. "You dare speak to the Dowager Queen of Air and Darkness so rudely?"

"I dare to do whatever pleased me, for I am the present Queen of Air and Darkness and you are merely an old hag with little more than a glorified title attached to your name!" Mab spat out and then leaned back in her throne with a wicked smile. "Perhaps, I have called upon you to offer you a place within my Dark Court once more…"

Zefiryn turned back to Mab with one eyebrow cocked. "Oh? Why the change of heart, daughter-in-law?"

"I may have found a use for you again." Mab's thick lips pursed as if she tasted something sour in her mouth. "I offer you a place in my Court again, Witch, but in return I need your wisdom on the darkest magics."

Zefiryn added ingredients to her potion as she moved about the keep, keeping one wary eye on the younger Queen. "A geis is powerful magic, but not without its own flaws."

"How was I to know that he would not give his will to me? I was sure that after some time in my dungeons, he would submit! I never dreamed that wretched girl would come for him and he's save his will for her!" Mab spat out, furious even at the mention of her loss.

Zefiryn laughed again and wagged a bony finger at Mab. "Tsk… Tsk… Silly child… Of course the girl would return for him! She loves him! You should have taken the chance to destroy her years ago."

"I have tried."

"Not quite hard enough, it seems." Zefiryn opened a jar and pulled out a squirming creature, adding it to her brew. "Since the girl still walks and breathes."

"What would you have me do then?" Mab asked.

"What would I know? I'm just a little old lady?" Zefiryn cackled.

Mab snarled. "Enough of your games, witch! Come back to my Court and make yourself useful again."

"As what? Your loyal servant?" Zefiryn scoffed. "A dowager Queen is not a slave!"

"You will be my advisor of the darkest arts. Come home and give me guidance once more, Zefiryn. Tell me how I get back the Goblin Prince?"

"Easily." The witch dipped a green apple down into her boiling brew and it came out a shiny and blood red. "You must kill the Girl Who Wished Herself Away and then he will be yours for the taking."

"How do I kill her?" Mab asked. "How?"

"Send a carriage to bring me home to Magesblood and I'll tell you of my plans." Zefiryn ran a hand down her wrinkled face in a subconscious gesture of her vanity. "I wish to be beautiful again, Mab, and such a feat will take a very dark kind of magic not seen since King Ulger's reign. For such a dark ritual, I shall need the altar at the Plain's of Crom Cruach."

"I'll give you anything as long as the girl dies and Jaron is returned to my possession!" Mab hissed and gripped the edges of the mirror until her knuckles turned white. The orcs shook harder and struggled to hold the mirror straight. "How do I catch her? Tell me!"

Zefiryn gave a low chuckled and sunk one grimy and sharp nail into the apple, causing the red poison to trickle out like blood. "You must do it the very same way that she did to you, Mab my dear. You must deceive her… You must gain her trust… And then you must crush her!"

Jorall peeked around one corner, warily, as he snuck down the halls of the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. Outside, in the city's center, the clock tower struck thirteen o'clock and bells began to peal, announcing the late, late hour. The Irish king winced at the sound of the bells and froze when he heard the sounds of footsteps nearing. He ducked through the nearest door, closing it softly behind him. It was always a challenge for him to sneak a late night snifter of brandy and a bedtime snack, but both were worth it in the end.

Suddenly a bright light from the nearest window lit up the dark room and caught his attention. Puzzled, he made his way to the window and saw the flashes of brightly colored lights that were launching from somewhere within the Western Tower. The odd lights were coming from Jaron's tower.

Jorall frowned. His son had been quite off kilter since his return and his behavior had not gone unnoticed by the former Goblin King. Scrunching his brow, Jorall transported himself to the spiral staircase that led up to Jaron's tower. There were numerous protective spells that prevented anyone, save Jaron, from transporting into his room directly, so the former king would have to take the stairs. Amongst the vine and vegetation, Jorall could see the tiny garden fairies, hiding in the leaves. Their attention did not stay with him long, but returned upwards to the tower, from which more flashes of light came and loud booms sounded. As Jorall ascended, the fairies and sprites brightened their glow to light his way. They tittered and giggled, whispering his name up the steps. The door to the room was open when Jorall got there, so he let himself inside without knocking.

Jaron was in the center of the room at a very large table. There were at least a dozen large tomes and scrolls opened before him, and the young man looked exhausted from his research. He barely spared his father a glance as Jorall entered. His attention was focused on the piles of literature before him.

"Havin' some trouble there son?" Jorall asked, innocently.

Leaning back in his chair, Jaron let his mismatched eyes fall upon his father. "Did you know that with my library, I can turn straw into gold, I can curse someone with Everlasting Dragon-Pox, and I can even turn a prince into a frog, but I can't manage one simple spell to make me forget?"

"You don't say? An' what would ya be trying to wipe out of there?" Jorall asked, taking a seat across the table from his son.

"I want to forget everything that that wretched girl." Jaron turned another page in the book. "I don't want to remember Alyx anymore."

"Oh… I see." Jorall nodded slowly. "Any luck then?"

"Obviously not." Jaron replied, dryly. "If I had succeeded, I would already be in Goodfellow Glen and sleeping with every nymph and dryad within reach."

"Did ya try drinkin'? That's always helped me forget things."

Jaron spared his father a wry smile. "I doubt there is enough shine in all the Under to accomplish such a feat. That is why I've turned to magic to help me. I've found nothing useful in my fanged grimoire and that djinn in the wine bottle only knows deadly curses and hexes… I've even tried using Cherlindrea's wand for Danu's sake!"

"How in the bloody hell did ya get Fin Raziel to come off this little wonder?" Jorall picked up the aforementioned wand from the table and studied its curves.

Jaron snatched it from his father's fingertips with a frown. "Oy! Hands off that! Finny owed me one or two favors. Doesn't matter, because the blasted thing won't cast a spell like the one I want. All it's good for in turning pigs into men…"

"If it's that hard to find a spell for what you're after… Well, maybe ya ought to give up? Maybe you're not meant to forget the girl?" Jorall supplied with a shrug.

"I suppose not… I had suspected that I'd have little luck, but part of me held out hope to find something to dull my memories of her."

"Then use our Holiday in Honah Lee to dull those memories, my boy. Sarah was right to order your attendance if you're this bloody miserable."

"Sarah seems to think it will help to cure me of whatever darkness is building inside of me." Jaron closed the books on the table, one by one. "But I fear that I'll never be well again."

"A geis is a powerful bit of magic, lad. It'll take more than a bit o' time for something that dark to completely fade away."

"It refuses to fade. The residual magic is tainting me. I can feel it darkening me day by day."

"I've noticed this darkness that plagues ya, my son. Don't think I haven't noticed how it's changing you and not for the better. You're angry and hurt, so that's all the feelings that the dark magic is wanting for you to return to anyone around you. You canna fight it Jaron, because it just make you weaker for the effort." Jorall studied his son, intently. "But ya forget that all darkness can be is merely the absence of light. Ya just got to find your light again. There is not a doubt in me mind that you'll find that light again."

Jaron scoffed. "My light wants nothing to do with me these days.""

"Anger makes you believe that, but I think there might be more to it than you know. Be patient and the light will come back to you. Now, knock off all this loud and messy spell work an' get yourself to bed." Jorall rose from his chair and moved to stand next to his son. "We are all leaving for Honah Lee early in the morning, and Sarah expects you to leave with us."

"That woman has become nearly as demanding as Jareth. I daresay that he's found the perfect Queen to compliment him." Jaron replied. "She's just as bossy as he is and even more stubborn."

Jorall chuckled and tousled his son's hair, lovingly. His hand lingered for a moment and his face softening. "It's good to have ya home, son. It's been pretty dull around here without ya underfoot and into things."

"Thanks Da'." Jaron smiled, weakly.

"Get some sleep, son."

The former Goblin King's tone had merely seemed to be light and carefree in the conversation with his son, but meanwhile his heart grew heavier and heavier as the implications of his son's ailment set in. His brow furrowed in worry as he left the tower and the still melancholy Goblin Prince that resided within its walls. The darkness in Jaron was growing at an alarming rate and Jorall felt completely helpless to aid his son with these fierce inner battles for his very soul. The older King clasped his hands behind his back as he took the long way back to his quarters, so that he could have a good and hard think about what was best for his broken son.

"You'll love Honah Lee this time o' year!" Morven rambled as they rode through the dense forest and towards the Great Lower Road that ran along the coast. That road would be the one to take them straight to Honah Lee. "'Tis a pretty sight to behold. Word on the wind's that Puff is throwin' the biggest Yuletide celebration in nearly a millennia."

"Puff?" Alyx asked, curiously. "Who is Puff?"

"You're never heard of the great and powerful Puff? The dragon who rules over Honah Lee?" Morven shook his head. "Well, I guess ya never got to spend a lot of time in these parts an-"

"Whoa, wait a minute. Puff?" Alyx's jaw dropped. "As in Puff the Magic Dragon? Are you serious right now?"

"Aye? Why wouldn't I be?"

Alyx smiled, broadly. "In the Aboveground, Puff the Magic Dragon is a folksy-type song that spawned a children's fairytale. It's about a dragon who frolicks in a land called Honah Lee."

"Oh is that right then? Well ya know who I'm talkin' 'bout… Donna know if I ever seen Puff do much frolickin' thought. Anywho, do ya wanna get dolled up and go to his big party? It could be a good time. Be like them fancy balls the Courts 'ave with all the dancin' an' eatin' an' drinkin'…"

"No thank you. I've had enough of those kinda parties to last me a lifetime…" Alyx reminded him. "I'd rather just spend our free time in the closet tavern if we decide to celebrate."

"Fair enough. I ain't got me good trousers anyways."

Digging in her pouch, Alyx produced the compass that Morven had given her. Flipping it open, she was surprised to show that it pointed towards Honah Lee. Could it meant that Jaron was in Honah Lee? Or was she just that excited for her first trip from the keep since she got there? She sighed, unhappy with all the worries plaguing her. This adventure was already showing signs of being yet another wretched Christmas in a long line of ruined Christmas's.

Within a few hours of riding, they hit the last part of the Great Lower Road which would take them into Honah Lee. The pair was surprised to find that the road was thick with travelers also heading to the enchanted town. Morven and Alyx fell in behind a small traveling group of circus performers and gypsies, whom Alyx chatted happily with. She had often missed hearing about the many gypsy caravans from the north. There were many expensive looking carriages among the throng as well. Alyx stared in awe at one that had been enchanted from an apple.

"There's an awful lot o' people goin' to Honah Lee this year… An' too many of 'em are Seelie Courtiers." Morven clucked at his horse and rode up to speak with the gnome driving the nearest gold encrusted carriage. "Oy, there driver! What's the news on all these gussied carriages headed for Honah Lee?"

The gnome spoke around the long straight pipe clamped in between his teeth. "'Tis turning into a wife market, Honah Lee is. Every available lass in the Underground is heading for Honah Lee this Yuletide. The Seelie's done decided to hold court there during the holidays an' that includes all them young princes an' such. There ain't nothing more a little gal wants for the holidays than a royal husband an' ya know what a good catch a prince is. Rumor is that even the Goblin Prince himself is huntin' for a holiday bride."

Morven stared at the gnome in shock. "He intends to wed? Just like that? He's only just gotten home after such a long time!"

"Can't say I've 'eard anything else but the gossip. I've never understood them royals, me lad. I only drive for them." The gnome shrugged and leaned over to whisper to Morven. "The fairy folk say that Queen Mab drove the lad nutty 'fore his rescue an' that's why he's lookin' fer a bride…"

Morven slowed his horse and turned to look at Alyx. "Mayhap, Honah Lee ain't the best idea this time? We could ride on to Wesh or-"

She shook her head. "No, it'll be okay, Morven. I brought my shoes if we need to hide."

They rode on in silence until they came within sight of Honah Lee. Alyx gasped as they grew closer to the beautiful city. It looked to be made entirely of lights. The quaint city was enchanted so that thousands of colored Christmas lights decorated the whole city. Horse drawn sleighs traveled to and fro and fairy folk were everywhere, shopping for the Yuletide season, and throwing holiday wishes to one another. Alyx's head snapped up and her hand went to her hidden dagger as a large shadow covered them. She saw a green dragon swoop low over the city.

"Happy Holidays to one and all!" Puff's voice boomed over the crowds as he soared towards his stone castle, nestled in the center of Honah Lee. She could not help but to stare around in amazement at the many wonders the city had to hold.

Morven gave her a wide smile, pleased at her reaction. "I knew you would like Honah Lee, kiddo."

He led her to a nearby inn, called the Elf-Shot Pub, and requested a set of small suites for them. While a small stable boy took and tended to the horses, Morven led Alyx towards to the pub. He rubbed his hands together with glee.

"Let's go an' splice the main brace a bit, kiddo. I need a drink after all that ridin'."

"You always need a drink." Alyx teased as she took his offered arm.

"Well, I-"

Alyx yelped as a snowball hit her square in the back and she turned to chastise the thrower only to freeze in fright. There before her was the Goblin King. Jareth wore his white feathered cloak and a smirk.

"Well, well, well… Somehow, I knew that you couldn't really be dead." Jareth said, silkily. "I guess the rumors of your demise were greatly exaggerated."

Alyx glared at him. "What do you want, Jareth?"

"You certainly have managed to pull the wool over all of our eyes, haven't you? Hiding right before my eyes, disguised as a Genki elf and a pirate one at that! Impressive. Jaron told me that the girl he once knew was dead, but I had assumed that he meant physically dead, not that you have grown up and become Fae. You were the one who wished him back to the Goblin City then… It is no wonder that his mood has become so foul! You've spurned the boy!"

"That's none of your business!" Alyx said, angrily. "You are no longer my guardian."

"Aye." Jareth eyed her and Morven together. "You are the Captain's ward now…"

Alyx realized the meaning of his words and settled herself into Morven's embrace. The she lied. "Yes. I am."

"It's not a wonder that Jaron's gone completely stupid then." Jareth retorted, dryly. "He'll be thrilled to find out you're here…"

"I have told the Goblin Prince that I want nothing else to do with him." Alyx retorted and tightened her grip on Morven's arm. "I have told him I have found my happiness and so should he."

"I see… So you have made up your mind then, young lady? You have made your choice?"

She nodded, fiercely. "Yeah, I have. So what now? You gonna turn me into the Seelie Court? Get my magic stripped and get me banished like Jaron?"

Jareth's face fell. "I'd never be so foolish to make that mistake again, dear Alyxandrea. It is enough for me to know that you are alive and well."

"Then do like I asked of your brother and let me be."

"But of course." Jareth gave her a mocking bow and disappeared into the swirling snow, his voice drifting on the winds. "As the lady wishes, I shall vex you no more…"

Morven cocked one eyebrow at Alyx. "An' what was that all about? Since when am I yer new prize chicken?"

"Oh, I just said that so he'd leave me alone." Alyx replied with a dismissive shrug. "It was the best lie I could come up with at the time."

Morven groaned, miserably. "Oh, that's just bloody perfect… I'll be cursed again before the next new moon… I can feel it in me bones. Ya know, I don't think I be wantin' any curses that I dinna earn on me own, kiddo."

"No one is going to curse you. Quit being a baby."

"Well, I might!" A cheerful voice replied.

Alyx turned and cried out, happily, when she saw it was Telyn Squall. Telyn was a young elfish woman that Alyx had technically kidnapped some years before. She had taken her away from her abusive father. Both Alyx and Morven pretty much adopted the beautiful young girl, giving her Morven's surname and funding her education at a prestigious boarding school in Bethmoora. Telyn launched into Alyx's arms and the girls hugged, tightly.

"Ah, I forgot 'bout that little surprise for ya! Telyn's to be meetin' us!" Morven beamed. "Come now, lass, and spin 'bout so we can have a good look at ya an' what me gold is payin' for."

The brunette elf giggled and spun before them both. She had blossomed into a beautiful young woman while at her school. Her long hair was in a simple plait down her back and she wore a beautiful green wool dress. She had also grown much taller and graceful since the last time Alyx had seen her young friend.

"You look beautiful, Telyn!" Alyx blinked back the tears in her eyes. "I'm so happy to see you here!"

"Oh, I've missed you both so much!" Telyn grasped Alyx's hand, tightly. She looked about, quickly, and dropped her voice to a low whisper. "And you gotta tell me everything about rescuing the Goblin Prince! It was all the talk at school!"

"How did you get here?" Alyx moved to change the subject. "You didn't travel here alone did you?"

"Oh, no! I traveled with some friends from school." Telyn began to blush a little bit. "Prince Roland of Amarantha rode with us part of the way to make sure we got here safely."

"Oh, 'course he did, that scoundrel." Morven chuckled and wrapped his arms around both girl's shoulders. "Well, here I be in Honah Lee with me two favorite lasses… What'll we do, ladies?"

"Oh, I want to get presents for everyone for Yuletide!" Telyn exclaimed. "I told Krollin I would send him some new boots and Quigli wants a new pipe… Oh, I have to find a new dress for the celebration at Puff's! The entire Seelie Court is going to be there!"

Alyx tossed the girl a glance. "You're going?"

Telyn nodded and blushed again. "I was invited by a few of the other girls from school. They said that it is to be the event of the season!"

Alyx groaned, inwardly, and let the girl lead her towards the nearest shops. It seemed no matter what she did or where she went, she was never going to be entirely rid of the Seelie Court.

Frowning as he reappeared near the palace in Honah Lee, Jareth grabbed a passing servant, lifting the small elfish creature off its feet. "Where is the Lady Sarah?"

The tiny gnome blinked up at the Goblin King and said. "I think she's with them other Ladies and Gents in the far courtyard, Yer Grace. In the middle o' the garden's, sir."

Releasing the frightened man, Jareth stalked through the gardens, barely noticing the beautifully enchanted flowers around him. All species of flowers in Puff's garden were enchanted in the wintertime so that they bloomed as ice, so that all year there could be the splendor of flowers in Honah Lee. Their colors were not as vibrant, but more a more translucent shade of every color. Budding ice roses were shining against the shimmering purple of the frozen violets and Jareth's own flower sat in the middle of this beautiful and frozen garden.

Beautiful music swept along the wind as Jareth eyed the gathering before him. A young Fae man sat before a gathering of nobles, his fingers dancing along the strings of a violin. His long blonde hair had been swept back into a half-ponytail at the crown of his head and he was dressed in a thick wool coat. His long legs were encased in black breeches and shining riding boots. Jaron recognized him as King Theoden's eldest and only remaining son, Annibal Piten. This prince was far nobler than his cowardly brother, Ramsden and worthy heir to Theoden's throne. The lad also happened to have a knack for music. He also happened to be courting Jareth's sister.

Jareth's eyes swept over the small gathering of nobles watching the impromptu concert with pleasant half-smiles and he found his bride-to-be. Sarah was in the front row, her eyes bright as she watched Annibal play. A smile tugged at Jareth's lips as he watched her, delighted with her happiness. Her informal crown was upon her brow and glinting in the sunlight, reminding one and all who she was. On one long and somber note, Annibal finished and took a bow to the applauding nobles. The group all rose and began to mingle. Sarah saw Jareth and went to him, quickly.

"Did you hear Annibal play Jareth?" Sarah asked. "I've never heard such beautiful music!"

Jareth nodded. "Yes, the Austral Prince does have a talent for all things musical."

Sarah frowned. "Something's troubling you. What is it?"

Jareth took her arm and began to lead her away from the group so wandering ears would not eavesdrop into their conversation. "Where is Jaron?"

"I think he went into town with Trog. He said something about wanting to get a suit made and then they were going to hunt down Roland. Why?" Sarah asked.

Jareth looked around to make sure no one was too close and whispered. "She's here."

"Who?"

"Alyx! She is here in Honah Lee."

"What?!" Sarah yelped and everyone turned to stare at the couple. She covered her mouth with her hand and blushed. She lowered her voice. "She's here? She's okay? How was she?"

"Well, she still has the venomous tongue of a pit viper…"

"I can't imagine where she has been hiding for all this time…"

Jareth gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "You don't have to hide it, I know that she was the elf that saved my brother in Ahearn."

Sarah bit her lip. "Oh, I'm sorry I lied to you, Jareth, but Morven made us promise not to-"

Jareth raised one hand to stop her. "That doesn't matter right now. At least the girl is alive and well. The bigger problem is that she and the pirate are in and when Jaron finds out the pair is here… Well, I have a feeling that this is going to be a wretched holiday for all involved."

"Oh, don't say that!" Sarah admonished. "Perhaps its fate making them meet like this!"

"She's in love with the pirate. She told me so herself."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "I'll believe that malarkey when pigs fly."

"None the less, I believe sparks will fly when they happen to cross paths this holiday."

"Fate will find a way."

"One can only hope, precious." Jareth took her hand and pressed a kiss to the palm. "Though the course of true love has never ran smooth. Look at our own trials and tribulations."

"Eh, just made loving you more fun." Sarah wrinkled her nose and giggled.

"Indeed." He looked about and gave her a smirk. "Where is your winged rat hiding?"

"Oh, he went to roll about in the piles of gold in Puff's treasury. He couldn't resist when his beady little eyes saw it."

"Ah, so we have some time to ourselves then?" A twinkle came to Jareth's eyes. "Is there a chance that I could persuade you into joining me for an early supper? Honah Lee is filled to the brim with delightful restr-"

"Of course! You had me at the word supper!"