Labyrinth- Jareth's Return

18. Elven Kingdom

The difference between the goblin kingdom and the elven kingdom were night and day. One was a desert wasteland while the other was fruitful and vibrant. What kept the elven kingdom so fruitful was their connection between Almother and their faith. With the help of the oracle, they were able to stay connected to her as one kingdom. While other kingdoms tend to have shrugged off or forgotten their connection that the underground held to Almother.

Aranel stumbled with every other step and her vision blurred in and out as she walked ahead of Jareth. Taking a deep breath to try to even her dizziness, she paused and still continued on her way. "The....river connecting to....."She huffed as she held her head to think. "Vitality lake... is close." She stopped to take another breath as she closed her eyes. "Just another few... steps.....and we ...." At that moment she collapsed on the ground unconscious. Jareth ran up to her and turned her on her back. "Aranel? Aranel! Wake up!"

He hovered his hand over her chest feeling her heart beating faintly through his power. Before sitting back. "Don't worry Aranel. We will get to the lake and you will be as good as new." Jareth lifted her up into his arms before continuing quickly in the direction Aranel gestured to. If only my power was fully back, I'd have no problem helping you.

The trees seemed to fly by as Jareth picked up speed, the sounds of water filled his ears as he came up to the treeline next to the river. The river was wide and quick as it rushed over the rocks heading into the direction of the goblin kingdom. Jareth looked up stream and continued on.

"Hold on, we're almost there."

Jareth carried Aranel's limp body in his arms as they trudged through the elven forest. Her head swayed back and forth as Jareth glanced down at her face. A cold sweat broke through her brow as he pursed his lips. We need to get to the lake.. Please keep her safe Almother.

As the minutes passed, the trees thinned out as rocks thickened and a wall came into view ahead. Jareth paused as he looked at the rocks, they glistened silver like glitter lining the sides of the river and closing in slowly forming the wall like dam. That must be the lake ahead. As Jareth neared, a silver gate formed before him blocking his way to it. The gilded gate stood high making it border the entire lake behind the rocks. Jareth slowly laid Aranel against a boulder as he analyzed the gate ahead of him.

The gate was thick and embroidered with elaborate white jewels and carvings that lined the edges of this massive gate. As Jareth neared the gate he hovered his hand before it, feeling the slight static energy emitting from it. Just as he was about to touch it, the water from the river began to rumble and gurgle before forming into a water spirit, its body was of nothing but water as a face soon formed into what was neither man nor woman. It was just a moving figure of water.

"What brings the high king to my precious lake."

It echoed softly without moving its mouth. Jareth pursed his lips as he straightened himself standing tall. "I've come to recover myself and the oracle. She needs help or she will die." Jareth gestured to the elf lying on the ground. The figure tilted its head and moved its way toward the limp body on the ground. As he neared her, the water moved around her body, lifting her up as the water spirit analyzed her. It then moved water, enveloping her body to make a ball like a cocoon surrounding her. The water spirit turned to face the wall raising its arms for the cocoon to flow through the wall, her body and all. As Jareth watched he stiffened clenching his fists to his sides. "What are you doing?" He exclaimed.

The water spirit looked back lowering his arms slightly as it stared daggers into Jareth. "Healing her. How dare you bring the oracle in this condition? What have you done to her?"