Returning to Labyrinth.

The Proposition

Jareth stormed his castle in a rage, barging past the goblins in his way as he descended to the throne room. There his second in command, Gunder, waited for him. Gunder could see his King was in distress and went to where a bottle of the strong earth juice that only Jareth was allowed. He handed Jareth the bottle as he sat on the throne.

"I could kill my brother!" Jareth yelled, "I might just!" Jareth took a drink of the liquid then smashed it against the wall, causing Gunder to jump.

Gunder was taller than most of the goblins in the city, he was also part elf, giving him some -but not many- magical abilities. Leith had given Jareth the 'gift' of Gunder, even though he belonged to both their kingdoms. Gunder occasionally done jobs for Leith when he was asked, but his preference was Jareth, he wasn't as friendly, but was certainly more generous. Gunder knew Jareth more than anyone, so Jareth decided to make him second in command, his magical abilities also took part in Jareth's choice, but not so much. Jareth thought Gunder's powers as petty compared to his own, which was true, but Gunder was still offended by the remark.

"I'm not sure that would be wise, sir." Gunder replied, while he called in goblins to clean the glass from the room.

"I don't care for what is wise!" Jareth exclaimed "That brother of mine is going to get what is coming to him!"

Jareth rose from his throne and paced the room, his mind racing with ideas on what he could do to his brother. Put him in the Labyrinth? No he's too smart. Tell father? Too petty. He couldn't think of a good way of revenge.

"Sir, I don't know what happened in there, but perhaps we should wait for your father to arrive?" Gunder offered.

"Wait for my father!?" Jareth yelled, "He has Sarah within his grasp Gunder!"

Gunder bowed his head in shame, he knew of the earth girl, how her human heart had Jareth caught in a trance he did not fully believe was right. It's not that he didn't want Jareth to be happy, he did, he just didn't believe a human girl was the best match for him.

Jareth clenched his fists and punched the wall to the left of the room, it didn't hurt, he didn't care. He looked at a frightened Gunder and straightened out his fingers. Since Sarah beat Jareth, Gunder could tell Jareth's soft spot had surfaced, he was less fierce than he used to be, although he could still be forceful if needs be. He was weaker, and Jareths father had noticed, that was why he was visiting, to check everything was still in order.

The goblins that were once cleaning had dispersed from the room, leaving only Gunder and Jareth, the only noise in the room being Jareth's shoes clicking along the stoned floors.

"We need to do something." Jareth finally spoke.

"Yes sir, of course, but what?" Gunder questioned, wondering what his King could possibly have in mind.

"I don't know yet... but I will, and when I do, Harend will have to watch his back!" Jareth stated, slumping down on his throne.

"We could always ask Leith for help?" 

Jareth laughed, "That little brother of mine would only help me if I gave him something in return."

"Then we give him an offer, something intriguing." Gunder added.

Jareth thought of what he could offer his brother,he hardly had anything to offer him. Leith was not a lover of the goblin society, so he wouldn't want soldiers, or money. "I think I have an idea." Jareth said, smiling "It's time I spoke to my baby brother."

Jareth stood, yet again in front of The Mirror, it stood in the middle of the circular Contact Room, surrounded by stone. His brother had agreed to an audience, and Jareth knew exactly what he was going to say.

"Brother dear!" Leith called through the reflected glass as him image began to show, "It has been a while." Leith was certainly the most handsome of the three brothers, his pure blonde hair and blue eyes stood in perfect proportion with his body, slim and tall.

"Yes it has!" Jareth stated, smiling towards his brother, "Sadly not long enough."

Leith laughed at his brothers statement, "Always the charmer Jareth, now cut to it."

"I have a proposition for you." Jareth offered, "A simple deal."

Leith raised an eyebrow at his older brother, his 'propositions were always intriguing, "Go on."

Jareth smiled, "I know you take a fancy to the human realm, and it's... species." Jareth grinned at the thought of Sarah. Leith waved his hand as a sign to go on. "And also, I know how much you dislike our... dear older brother of ours."

Leith began to smile, he always knew the day would come when Jareth would fully go against Harend, that being one of the reasons he kept on his good side. Eventually, he realized this must have some form of gain for the both of them, "And what is your gain from this Jareth? The human girl?"

"Perhaps, if all goes to plan, yes." Jareth nodded, thinking of the possibility.

"You know father will not agree over any of this, you may be most powerful of us all, but you are not the favourite, and neither am I." Leith stated.

"I'll deal with father, but I need you to go to the human realm." Jareth added.

"Are you insane?" Leith asked, "That's not wise Jareth!"

"I do not care! You go there, find Sarah, and then do what you must, to get her to call for me!" Jareth exclaimed.

"Jareth it's been five human years since she seen you! What makes you think she will call?"

"I don't know if she will Leith, but you have to help me." Jareth begged, "Please."

Leith was taken back, his brother hardly ever said please, never mind practically begging. "Fine!" He yelled, "I'll be in touch." Leith vanished from the mirror, and Jareth stood, looking at his reflection. How petty of you to beg!