The King of the Goblins

Chapter One

Prince Jareth lie peacefully asleep in his palace bedroom. The prince of the faes looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old (though in fact he was closer to 500). He had long, thin blond hair in the style people of the human realm call a mullet, dazzling mismatched blue eyes, and skin that shimmered elegantly with magic.

Jareth had had a wonderful childhood- running through The Fae Kingdom with his mates, making magical mischief as any boy would. And when he got a bit older, not-so-shyly chasing after young fairy girls and boys. Being in line for the throne should something happen to his twin brother (first in line, as he was born first), he was also taught about how to rule their kingdom (the king and royal tutors found this a challenging task- Jareth was mischievous, even by fairy standards). But the best thing about the prince's upbringing was that it was full of love. He was dearly loved by his parents, his brother and sister, the royal staff, and all of his people. Jareth was almost never left without company, which suited him because more than anything he loved being with others of his own kind.

Now, as the young prince was curled up cozily in his fine blankets, he had no idea that all of that was about to change.

Suddenly, Elizabeth, the advisor to the queen, burst into his room and began to shake him.

"Jareth!" she hissed in a loud whisper. "Jareth! Wake up! We need to get you out of here right now!"

Jareth reluctantly sat himself upright and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Groggily, he said, "Elizabeth? Why have you woken me at such an early hour?"

"There's very little time to explain. Walk with me, and I'll try to make sense of this for you on the way." She took his hand and started leading him through the crumbled, burning castle halls. "The Fae Kingdom has been attacked. It's the dragons, they've-" she choked, holding back a sob. "They've burned it all. And they've already started on the palace. Your mother and father have instructed me to lead you through the portals to safety."

The portals were doorways to other worlds. Fairies could easily move from one realm to another by themselves, but only if the worlds were close enough. In some cases they were too far apart, and it required the power of multiple fairies combined. This was the purpose of the portals. In case there was need of a quick escape to some place far away from the Fae Kingdom, the portals could be used to help those in danger to a safe place, hidden to most. Of course, this could be used by enemies of the fae, so it was kept a secret among a select group in the castle.

Jareth stopped in his tracks and jerked his hand from her grip. "Where are mother and father? Where are Jack and Tillie?"

Elizabeth turned to face him. "Your brother is waiting with your father's advisor in the portal room. Now we have to go, Jareth." She made to take his hand back in hers, but Jareth refused.

"No. Not until you tell me where my parents and my sister are."

She swallowed hard. "Your mother and father are trying to hold the dragon off for a little longer to try and save as many lives as possible. And Tillie...Tillie is dead."

Jareth froze. Had he heard her correctly? Could it be? Was his baby sister, barely 150 years old, really dead? Elizabeth wrapped him in her arms, but he felt nothing.

"I know it's hard," she said. "But we have to move. Or your parents will be risking their lives for nothing. Please, Jareth."

He looked into her pleading eyes. She was right. If his parents were dying for his safety, the least he could do is make sure they didn't die in vain. Jareth took Elizabeth's hand and she lead him to through the halls and into the room of portals.