Chapter Eleven-Something For Our Trouble

 

“A ball?” Fire Dstany repeated. “Music, dresses, dancing—a ball?”

“That would be the type, yes.” Jareth laughed. “After all, you deserve it.”

He pulled a crystal from the air, and without so much as a warning, hurled the magical orb at us. I put my arms up, but swung them back down when I realized nothing had happened. Or had it?

Looking around me, I saw all the List members wearing formal party gowns and small but intricate masks. A sophisticated orchestra was playing a beautiful waltz, and a few girls began to sway in time with it. Along the far wall was a long buffet table full of delicious-looking food, which nearly everyone was drooling over. Glitter was everywhere—this was a ball. “There’s one more surprise.” Jareth announced. “Come forth, Lady Cheralyn.”

My eyes nearly popped out as I stared at our long-gone, but never forgotten, Listian.

“Hey, guys!” Cheralyn greeted cheerily. “Did ya miss me?”

Her long, dark hair was pulled back in a braid with an intertwined gold ribbon. The silk dress she wore was brandy-colored and complimented the cast she wore on her left arm.

“Of course we missed you!” Northstar answered. “It just wasn’t the same without you helping us solve those riddles and talking back to His Tightness!”

The lot of us had a good laugh—all except Jareth.

“Let’s get this party started!” Cheralyn decreed.

Many of the Listians headed straight for the food. Others stayed off to the side to talk and laugh, sharing Labyrinth-related experiences now that we were no longer on a Labyrinth-related quest. And the last of the girls strolled to the dance floor. I giggled when I saw the looks on their faces as Jareth snapped his fingers and a few tall, mysterious male dancers joined them!

Cheralyn and I were the only ones not doing any those activities, so we took the time to catch up.

“You’re in a good mood.” I observed. “How’s the arm?”

“Feels fine. Shouldn’t move it a whole lot yet.”

“What’s everyone back home going to say?”

“My story is that I fell into an Oubliette.” Cheralyn replied. We both chuckled.

“So, did Jareth take care of you?” I asked after the laughter died down.

“I ran him ragged.” She beamed.

“You didn’t!”

“Two words, Libby.” Cheralyn motioned for me to come closer, then whispered, “Guilt trip.”

 

*                      *                      *                      *                      *

 

Jareth had disappeared—literally—shortly after bringing Cheralyn back to us. Though, truth be told, many of the Listians had no complaints. Myself included.

Upon the King’s return, he was clad in a purple-sequined vest over a white blouse, with matching white tights and black boots.

“Enjoying the ball, dear girl?” Jareth asked, surveying the scene. “Do try the punch.”

“No, thank you. And yes, I am enjoying the ball. But I’m not that social of a person, so I’ve been sort of hiding out.” I’d chosen a small wing behind the buffet to stand in. Since they’d eaten their fill, a few Listians only occasionally passed by the table to grab a snack, making it a good place to stay away.

“Have you been dancing yet?” The King sounded hopeful.

“Not much for dancing.” I half-smiled.

“And you say you’re enjoying yourself?” Jareth cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows.

“So I lied.” I turned, taking a few steps away from him. “Do you know what a social outcast is, Jareth. You have those here, Underground?”

“You are among friends.” He pointed out.

“Oh, I’ve said my formal hellos and said a little about how things are going in my life right now, but I’m uncomfortable around people I don’t know. It’s the way I’ve always been…”

“From your e-mails, it sounds to me as if you know them all quite well.”

“That’s right; you read our posts.” I feigned indignation.

“Yes.” Jareth said slowly. “Apologies all around. Yet, again, I must say, these List members seem like they’re great friends of yours. It’s not as if they’re complete strangers. They won’t judge you, or ignore you. All the Listians share a passion for fantasy and adventure, and you’re a fool if you don’t take advantage of that.”

I faced Jareth again and stared at him. His words got through to me; made sense. Stephanie, Daisy, Rhonda Wolfie—none of them ‘knew’ me the way people at school had ‘known’ me. Alex, Collin, and Krys would never pretend I didn’t exist. Raven would never think I was a freak—well, not as anything but a Labyrinth Freak. Or Anya, or Liorah, or Tawnya. All of these people loved a movie I loved as well, and because of that, we were friends. The King was right.

“Jareth, I—”

“Would you care to dance, my Lady?” Jareth offered his arm. I smiled as I took it and we went out onto the dance floor.

 

*                      *                      *                      *                      *

 

The end of our grand party came much too soon. Before we knew it, we were hugging and saying our farewells.

“So long, Bug-Woman,” Raven said as she waved to Stephanie. “Good luck with your theater production.”

“If I even have the part anymore,” Stephanie sighed.

“Fear not, Miss Faery,” Jareth announced. “I shall return all of you to the same time and place at which you were uprooted.”

Many a sigh of relief followed.

And so, one by one, my friends slowly faded away—their normal, Aboveground clothes returning. Once again, I was the only one left. Jareth smiled.

“How did you enjoy your quest?” he inquired.

“Aside from the poisonous animals, falling into a rather large hole, a rotting bridge, and so-called ‘dangerous’ liquids, it was fine.”

“Just…fine?” The King again raised an eyebrow.

“Well…it was fun…and exciting, and—”

“You see; I knew you liked it.” Jareth laughed.

“You never meant to put us in harm’s way.” I stated as if trying to convince myself. Jareth’s laughter absolved immediately.

“Never was that the intention. It was all meant to be in good fun. The alleged ‘danger’ that you spoke of; I presented it only because I knew I could handle it. You and your kind are brave, dear girl.”

“My ‘kind’?” I repeated, confused.

“Listians.” Jareth explained. “Those who view magic as a wonderful opportunity to explore more than just their world.”

There was silence for a long moment before the King spoke again. “Would you care to stay behind? Momentarily, of course.”

I considered the offer—honestly toyed with the idea of hanging around. Maybe stay a spell and forget my worldly problems. There was no pressure; I wasn’t Sarah who had to save her brother within a time limit. But I wanted to go back, and the King knew. He smiled half-heartedly and pulled a crystal from the air. “The offer still stands.”

Before the ballroom began to fade, I half-smiled as well.

“I know.”

 

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