Stark Raving Mad

“This way.” Areyne led Sarah through the twisting corridors of the castle.  Sarah stared at the marble walls and gold etched portraits, the vases full of flowers and the tapestries that adorned the hallways.  Her mouth nearly touched the floor, she was so aghast.  “Is something the matter, my lady?”

Sarah jumped.  She had barely been paying attention to Areyne and was merely following her blindly.  She turned to face her, a look of complete bewilderment coming over her face.  “Areyne,” she began, “not that you would know, I mean how could you really, but….is this the same castle that is beyond the goblin city?  Beyond the Labyrinth?”

Areyne simply looked at Sarah as though she didn’t understand.  “Of course it is child.  It is the castle of the Goblin King.”  Sensing Sarah’s complete disbelief she simply said “Come, you will see.”  She led Sarah a nearby set of double doors, opened them and stood out on the balcony.  Down below was a thriving community of goblin kin.  Somehow, it looked far different than what Sarah had remembered.  “That is Gonarish – the capital Goblin city of the fifth kingdom.  Outside of the Labyrinth, and even within, are other smaller communities.”  Seeing Sarah’s confusion Areyne continued.  “Within the Underground, there are five kingdoms, each prevailed over by a queen, king or ruling house.  For thousands of centuries, there were but four kingdoms, the elvish kingdom, tirean kingdom, the beastial kingdom, and wild kingdom.  This land was known as the Outlands – it was considered to harsh for the fairer kin.  Each division of the underground housed multiple cities or, well, habitats I suppose you would call them, for different communities.  For example, within the elvish kingdom lived the fae, fairies, elves, and woodland dwelling creatures and within the beastial kingdom resided the beasts, knights, and nomadic peoples.  The wild kingdom housed the equis, tiberlains, the fearlix and others.  There came a time where certain creatures and people became overwhelming.  There was no organization to the lifestyle of goblins and firies and the like, as you may well know.  Many suggestions were thrown out on how to deal with the ever-growing chaos that these creatures were causing.  Many suggestions were given, on how to deal with the problem, banishment, incorporation, and some far harsher ideas with dark intent. Finally, Jareth stepped forward and offered to create a, haven if you will, for goblin and the chaotic kin.  Therefore, it was resolved to create a fifth kingdom.  Within the kingdom reside the Goblins, firies, lundins, and others who did not find a suitable home within the other kingdoms.  It was not banishment by any means, these kin are free to stay or to leave as they wish. Many have just found the fifth kingdom to be more of a home than they have ever known. The Labyrinth has the ability to alter its internal environment to suit it’s creators desires, and what he desires is a home for others.  This is the fifth kingdom, Sarah.  It’s ruler and it’s inhabitants hold as much sway and power as the other four, and more so even, because of its king.”

Sarah thought on all that had been said for a moment before asking “Why isn’t the fifth kingdom ruled by a Goblin?”

Areyne nearly fell over laughing.  “My dear Sarah, you have seen the nature of Goblins, they live not for governing and order, but for satisfaction alone.  They are neither malicious nor cruel but rather are benine and innocent creatures.  If they were left to their own devices, others may take advantage of them, using them in armies as fodder or may outright destroy them.  Here,” she gestured out to the kingdom and beyond “ they find refuge and community – they live productive and happy lives within the fifth kingdom, and they are protected and accepted.”  Seeing the look of confusion on Sarah’s face, Areyne pressed “Why do you look so confused?  Is it something I said?”

Sarah turned her view from the city to look deep into Areyne’s eyes “It just…..it didn’t look like this before.  It looked dirty and angry and everything was a mess…I just don’t understand.  I mean, well what I mean is, he does turn children into goblins.  I am just so confused.”

Areyne looked upon Sarah with eyes that seemed to know the world “Sarah, perhaps you saw what you wanted to see and not what was really here all along.”

Sarah half smiled and uttered “I hope I was wrong about more than that…”

“I hope so as well, child.  Now, come, I must take you to the main hall.  He should be waiting for you.  And you must be ravenous.”

“Actually, not at all.” 

And with those words, Areyne closed the balcony doors and the two continued down the hall.  Within a few moments they stood before a set of ornate double doors, carved with an intricate design, one Sarah had seen before, somewhere.

As if reading her mind Areyne said “This design is the insignia of the ruling house of the fifth kingdom.  Within these chambers you are safe, no harm will come to you.”  Areyne turned on her heel then and began to down another hallway, leaving Sarah standing before the imposing doors.

“Wait!” Sarah called, a bit of apprehension creeping into her voice.  “What am I supposed to do?”

Without turning back to face her, Areyne replied “Go in.”  and then she rounded a corner.

“Right, go in.  Yeah, like it’s that easy.” Steeling herself for the worst, Sarah took a deep breath.  How bad could it be, right?  I mean, I could walk in and he could toy with me, torture me, make run the gauntlet all over again….perfect.  Come on Sarah, he has no power over you – you are just going to sit down, eat something, and tell him to take you back – that’s it – right – simple – easy – I think I am gonna throw up.

Shaking off her woosey feeling, Sarah pushed upon the large doors.  Surprising her, they opened easily, revealing the most ornate and beautiful room Sarah had ever seen, which seemed to happen quite often in this place.  She stood, mouth agape, as she stared at the ceiling – or lack of a ceiling – as it was completely open to the sky.  The walls and floor were all polished marble and the pillars within the chamber were painted with creatures and scenes right out of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Rich blue draping hung upon the many windows and Sarah realized that neither the ceiling nor windows held any glass and that magic must have protected the room from the elements.  As she spun in place, absorbing the majestic beauty of the room her eyes eventually settled upon the throne, and the man sitting in it.  He was not at all as Sarah had remembered.  His shoulder length black hair hung in rolling waves about his thin face and he smiled at her, a wicked half cocked smug grin, as she stared at him.  He recognized the confusion on her face, and it only pleased him more.  He slowly rose to his feet, and Sarah took in his entire stature.  He was handsome, there was no denying that, but he frightened her, chilled her beyond anything she had ever known. 

The man, Jareth?, stood to his full height, close to six feet and began to slowly saunter towards Sarah.  He was dressed in tight black pants and riding boots that came nearly up to his thighs.  His deep purple silk shirt was completely open revealing a well-muscled and tan body beneath.  As he approached, Sarah’s breath caught in her throat.  His eyes matched his shirt nearly perfectly.  They were the deepest, most penetrating violet she had ever seen, and they stared straight back into hers with an intensity that turned the chill she had felt, to ice. 

He stood directly in front of her, gazing down at her with those violet orbs.  He began to circle her, running a hand down her neck to the middle of her back.  She hadn’t realized just how deeply her dress plunged in the back, and now she regretted that Areyne had chosen it.  Sarah wanted to run, wanted to scream, but too much had happened too fast and she was confused and paralyzed with fear.  He leaned in close to her neck and breathed deeply “Mmmmm, yes” he purred “I can see why he wanted you back.”  He finished circling her and now stood facing her, his face very close to her “You smell divine, my pet,” he reached to touch her face.  In a split second Sarah’s hand was up slapping his away.  Anger boiled inside her, an anger she hadn’t felt in so long.  “Yes, that’s it, let it come,” he whispered as his wicked smile grew.

“Get the hell away from me!  How dare you think you have any right to touch me!”  In response, the dark man merely bowed and backed away a few paces, never once taking his eyes from her. 

“Don’t forget, my pet, you are in my world now, I can do whatever I please.  Yes, and you please me.” He slid closer again, “I can certainly see why he desires your presence so.  I most certainly do. 

Sarah’s hand was up in an instant and streaked across his face, connecting with a crack that resounded loudly though out the chamber.  She stepped back, glaring at this man who dared speak so bluntly towards her.

Blood ran down the man’s cheek.  He slowly turned to look back at her, a wicked smile curling at his lips, his long tongue snaking out to lick at the trickling thick red liquid as it passed near his mouth.  “Yes, I certainly can see why….”

Sarah stared hard at the man before her.  In as calm a voice as she could manage, she asked “Who are you?”

With that simple question, the wicked grin tuned to an angry visage, one that turned all of the calm strength Sarah had mustered, into a primal need to fight or flee.

“I,” he stated with a cynical half laugh, “am the cousin to the ruler of the fifth kingdom, cousin by marriage, not by blood.  My name, my pet, is Stark. And I am the heir apparent to the fourth kingdom.  Impressed?”  He began to walk toward her, his eyes boring into hers.  Sarah stood her ground with her jaw set as he approached.

“Enough!”

The word echoed through the chamber and Stark winced visibly at the sound of his cousin’s voice.

“What in all of the five kingdoms are you doing in my chamber, Stark?  Shouldn’t you be elsewhere doing whatever it is you do?  Better yet, shouldn’t you have left by now?  I told you I would have no audience with you.”  The anger in Jareth’s voice was enough to make Stark shrink back. Sarah looked past the fearful Stark and her heart nearly stopped beating.  Standing upon the throne dias was Jareth.  Jareth, dressed in black pants and riding boots, a white silken shirt open to his mid chest, his signature amulet hanging visibly around his neck and black gloves adorning his hands.  Oh, God, he was real.  Jareth – the name stuck in her throat as through her heart were beating the name.  His pale face was as she had only recently remembered, but just as she had dreamed for years.  His wild hair framed his face, a visage that currently could have frightened anything living.  A deep resounding anger flashed in his mismatched eyes, but it was not an anger that Sarah feared, for somewhere, deep in her mind, she knew he would never, could never do her any physical harm.

“Just leaving, you majesty.  I assume we shall discuss our political matters at a later time.  Perhaps this evening.” 

“There is nothing to discuss, I only humor you out of respect for your mother.  Now go.”

Stark walked passed Sarah and as he did so, leaned in and breathed deeply.  “I do so love your scent, pet.”

Jareth was on Stark in an instant, standing less than an inch away from him, but putting himself between Stark and Sarah.  “Out Now!  Do not try my patience again.  You are a guest in my kingdom, you would do well to remember that.”

“Of course, your majesty.  Good Day, pet.” And with an exuberant bow, Stark exited the double doors.  Jareth turned to face Sarah.

A long moment passed after the doors slammed shut behind Sarah and Jareth.  But neither one turned, neither one moved, neither one heard the door close, neither one cared.  They simply stared at one another, taking each other in, not knowing where to begin.