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Owl Flight, Fire and Ice
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Janine held onto the pendant around her neck for comfort. It reminded her of Jareth, he had given it to her. He cared... He had to...
Once Janine was firmly on the ground, the dragon flapped her wings, leaving the earth again for a few minutes while she positioned herself to land neatly on the ground, folding her wings comfortably along her back.
"I..." the dragon started, and then she looked up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She simply stepped off the edge of the cliff, gracefully falling towards the earth. Just as she was about to crash her wings furled open, catching the air currents and she soared upward, her tail waving behind like a flag.
Suddenly the owl realized that she was giving chase and it turned, flying away from her.
Jareth was getting exhausted, it was all he could do to maintain owl shape. And still she would not give up pursuit, even though he was sure she could see him failing. With a sinking feeling he realized that she was just playing with him, determined to tire him. And then once he fell… With newfound determination, he continued on.
The dragon was faster. With a snap of her jaws, she caught him, holding him gently within her teeth. And then she spat him out, into her waiting front claws.
He straightened as best he could, trying to get his feathers to lay neatly. If she was going to destroy him, at least he could look presentable.
Suddenly he felt better, they must have left the boundary of the dragon's lands.
*Brother,* Jareth called weakly, telepathically, *Please… help me!*
He used his PKS to 'enter' the melted lock and the rest of his psyche to break it open. He stood back and opened the cage, gently taking Jareth-the-owl out and placing him on the bed.
Trent sat down on the chair at his desk and started making a poultice he hoped would ease the pain of Jareth's burns. He sighed, wishing his brother had never gone, had never brought the mortal girl in the first place...!
He heard a commotion at the door, and before the goblins could enter he transported out there.
Jareth winced, "Well..." he started, "At least...at least it's not as bad as last time..."
The dragon, who was carefully carrying Janine slowed, slowly descending.
Janine looked around herself; where was she...?
"Please hold still little one," the dragon spoke, her voice deep and rich, "I don't want to drop you, not when we're nearly there."
Janine blinked. "Oh, um, ok..." she was conversing with a dragon...! How surreal...
"I'm going to set you down, then come around to land."
Janine swallowed. "Okay..."
The dragon neared a cave, cut into the sold rock face of a mountain.
Janine closed her eyes, feeling a little motion-sick
"Ready little one?"
Janine nodded and braced herself for a landing, hoping it was similar to gymnastics, which she'd done at school.
The dragon's hind paws touched the ground and she lowered her front ones until Janine's feet were on the ground.
Janine landed neatly and steadied herself
Janine looked at her. "Why'm I here...?"
The dragon regarded Janine with deep green eyes.
Janine frowned, noticing how the green was like the green on the thing in her pocket.
"Do I seem a bit familiar? Because I believe you have something of mine in your pocket."
Janine swallowed. "It's - it's yours?" she asked, sounding slightly disappointed. "Oh... I suppose you'd like it back?"
"No not at all," the dragon said, "It's yours now if you want to keep it."
"I can...?" Janine smiled. "Thank you... May I ask why I'm here?"
"I brought you because I was concerned for you."
"Concerned for me...? Whatever for? Jareth's looking after me fine..." Janine was puzzled
The dragon snorted, "Sure he is..."
Janine's brow furrowed. "Yes, he is... He's given me everything I need..."
"As he does with all of them..."
"A-all of them...?" Janine swallowed
"Yes." The dragon snaked her head around Janine comfortingly, "I am sorry..."
Janine looked shocked, puzzled, and very hurt. "I don't understand..."
"I know you don't little one," the dragon nuzzled Janine.
Janine bit her lip, still holding the pendant around her neck. "Please, explain..."
"Jareth likes mortal girls, he often brings them home with him. You are not the first."
Janine blinked, suddenly fighting back tears. "He - he does...?"
"I believe the last one was named Sarah..."
"Sarah?!" Janine snapped in spite of herself. "She's - if it's the same - she's my friend...!"
"Oh," the dragon said gently.
Janine sighed, sinking to her knees. "I don't get it... Why me?"
"What?"
The dragon's wings tensed, "Someone is coming."
"How can you tell...?"
"I can feel it." Her eyes narrowed, "There should not be anyone unfamiliar within my territory..."
Janine looked worried, and a thought came to her; Jareth. "You don't think it could be-? He - you don't think he's - come for me...?" she looked hopeful. Maybe this time was different...
The dragon closed her eyes for a second, "I'll will go see. Please be careful, stay away from the edge, I do not want you to fall."
"Would he have come for me...?" Janine murmured
"I don't know... watch out, I'm going to take off."
Deeply in tune with all of the elements of her territory she could sense that something was wrong, but what she thought was not evident in the way she flew. Her wings took her forward in her lazy glide. The only indication of her mood was her eyes, the deep green tinged with red from her internal fires.
She had not gone far when an movement in the clouds caught her eye.
Foolish one, she thought, thinking that you can hide from me in my own territory.
With a flap of her wings she rose up in the air, her eyes focusing in on her target, the snow white barn owl.
She increased her speed, emitting a warning burst of fire, narrowly missing the owl. She missed him on purpose, she was a very good shot.
As annoyed as she got with him, she never wanted to kill him, at their last encounter she was sure that he would stop annoying her, after how badly scorched he was.
Apparently the owl was thinking the same thing, for his flying became more erratic, and yet seemingly tired.
This she also expected, the further from his realm he strayed, the weaker he became. She had wards set up in her territory to protect from foreign magic, which was effecting his powers.
She kept up the chase for awhile, enjoying the pursuit, her hot blood roaring through her veins, making her fly faster, powerful wing muscles working in perfect rhythm.
Enough of this; she thought; growing bored with the game. The little one would be growing worried. She let out another blast of fire, neatly singeing the tail feathers of the owl.
Jareth screeched, an unearthly shriek and he started to go down.
Jareth's owl form wiggled, but he couldn't very well transform in her claws, he'd fall for sure. At least if she dropped him he could still fly.
She landed on a rocky outcropping, holding Jareth the owl in one claw, and something else in the other.
"You are an idiot. I could roast you right here, in fact I should roast you right here."
She shifted and thrust the owl into the thing she carried in her other claw. Delicately, she closed the door of the wire cage, and with a carefully directed stream of fire, she welded it shut.
Jareth was stuck. The cage was barely large enough for his owl form, much less if he took his normal form. He could not teleport as an owl, regardless of where he was. And he could not teleport, or do any magic in the dragon's territory. It was all he could do to remain in owl shape, because if he lost that spell and transformed within the cage he would have a serious problem.
Trent was right, he thought, I should not have come, but I could not leave her.
Her claw shot out and she grabbed the cage. With a flap she was aloft, not bothering to worry about if her passenger was having a comfortable trip.
He was not. The cage was not being held straight and since he didn't have room to shift he was forced to spend the trip uncomfortably on his side.
She looked down and regarded him through bright green eyes.
His dark owl eyes returned the gaze angrily.
She blinked and enacted a spell.
He gasped as his wings were suddenly bound tightly against his body. Feeling slightly dizzy from this rough ride, he closed his eyes.
She circled the castle, calling out in a loud voice.
Trent, alone in his room and trying to sleep, heard Jareth's call and shot up in bed. ~Brother...!~ he responded sadly, getting up and lifting himself off the floor. This was going to be tough... ~ How badly are you hurt Jareth?~
Jareth didn't answer for a second, trying to think over the dragon's calling. *Well...*
Trent sighed softly, and went to his window, leaning out. ~Where is she-~ "Oh, there... Give him to me...!" he called up to the dragon, his psyche making his black hair stand on end.
"I'm glad that you've arrived," she answered, a bit amused, "I was beginning to think that I'd be stuck with him, not that I'd mind having an owl around, but hey..."
Trent growled. "I haven't time for jokes, he was foolish, just hand him over so I can get him out of the cage before he ends up turning back...!"
"Catch."
Trent knew there was no way he could catch the cage physically, and was extremely angry she was making himself tax his weakened psychic strength once again. "Fine...!"
She circled lower until she was nearly above Trent, "Here ya go darlin'" She let the cage fall. Even though it was only a meter or so Jareth shrieked in alarm.
Trent was relieved she wasn't going to make him do anything drastic and grabbed the cage as gently as he could.
"Thanks..." he muttered, bringing the cage into his room. He looked at it and groaned; it was going to take a lot to get it open...
Jareth closed his eyes.
Trent gently held his hands over Jareth and tried to work out what was most wrong with him. "Brother... Keep awake... Can you transform?"
Jareth wiggled, trying to get free of the red bands which held his wings pinned to his sides. Finally the owl slowly faded, and Jareth took his normal form.
Trent breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to his cabinet, taking out a number of bottles and bags. "I warned you brother..." he said, in a resigned tone.
Jareth panted. "Trent..." he said softly, "Please..." He looked down at his arms, bound firmly to his sides.
Trent looked round and sighed. "Bloody hell..." he walked over again and put his hands on the bands, frowning as he felt their strength.
He wasn't sure whether he had the strength to remove them!
He looked at Jareth's face and bit his lip; he had to. With a huge burst of psychic energy he managed to break the bonds.
His face white, with cold sweat on his temples, Trent moved back again. "Rest, brother..."
Jareth closed his eyes again.
Jareth slowly opened his eyes, now that he was home he didn't feel quite as sick as he had before.
"How are you feeling now brother?" Trent clicked his fingers.
~I want ice to my room immediately!~ he sent out a telepathic order to the goblins.
"Rotten."
"And you say I use too much mortal slang..." Trent quipped, getting up again. "Can you sit up? I have some things here I would like you to take..."
Jareth groaned and shifted to a more or less sitting position.
Trent put the bowl down and gently lifted Jareth up, propping him against the pillows which had moved at his bidding. "There... Now, eat this..."
Jareth started to, then made a face at the taste.
Trent laughed softly. "I know it tastes foul... But it works..."
Jareth made a face again, and quickly swallowed it all down.
Trent nodded. "Good boy..." he said quietly.
"I thank you. Now get back to your duties." he snapped, grabbing the ice and transporting back to Jareth. He did not want anyone to see Jareth in that state.
"Right..." he made a few icepacks, and put one on Jareth's forehead, then the others on his worst burns.
"It's close brother... Very close. She was being lenient..." he looked sternly at his younger brother. "When will you learn to listen to me Jareth...?"
"Oh goody, I was wondering when this was going to come," Jareth mumbled.
Trent sighed and sat down lightly by Jareth. "You know I'm right brother... Don't you?"
He sullenly turned away.
"Jareth..." Trent rested his hand on Jareth's arm. "C'mon, peace... You need to be less stressed..."
"I...I know that she was lenient..." he said softly.
Trent nodded. "I'm relieved Jareth..." his voice let Jareth know just how worried he'd been about him.
"She didn't...she didn't flame me right away... she chased me first...until I was tired..."
Trent shook his head silently. She hadn't gone for him flames blazing. He wondered what her motives were.
"Then...once she had enough of that she caught me...and..."
"I know..." Trent gently interrupted his brother's story. "Drink this..." he held out the cup of ice and something else he'd been mixing with PKS whilst he sat with Jareth
Jareth took it and drank it.
Trent waited for the initial reaction. The drink was an ice-potion, designed to relieve burns and help in the healing process. But it was very, very cold on the way down...
Jareth let out an owl-like screech.
Trent laughed softly and stood up. "Thanks for that Jareth... I didn't need to hear anyway..."
"Not funny..." Jareth mumbled.
Trent shook his head, an amused smile still on his face. "I think you need some sleep, else you'll be freezing the rest of the day, and I doubt you'll appreciate it somehow brother..."
Jareth glared.
Trent smiled innocently.
He shifted position, lying down.
Trent smiled slightly, clicking his fingers so Jareth was under the thick, soft duvet. "Sleep brother, the best healer..."
"Yeah...yeah..." Jareth mumbled.
Trent smiled more; he was very fond of his younger brother, and it hurt him to see him in pain or distress. At least this way, Trent could keep an eye on him for a while.
"Trent?"
"Hmm?" Trent looked up
"After this, are you going to take me up to South Tower?" Jareth asked, no expression whatsoever in his tone.
Trent nodded solemnly. "But of course brother. You know well that I carry out my threats..."
"Fine," Jareth answered, drifting off to sleep, "And brother?"
"Yes?"
"Don't... no spells on my while I'm asleep."
"Of course brother..." Trent said out of habit. He'd have to cast a few simple healing spells while Jareth was asleep, but he wouldn't know that...
Jareth closed his eyes, and he was asleep.
Trent picked up one of the bottles and gently poured a drop of the liquid into Jareth's mouth. The last thing. Now he could rest. Exhausted from his psychic exertions, Trent sat on his chair, put his head on his arms and also slept.
She flew steadily back to her cave.
"Jareth is powerful, I will not deny him that. And he is not as you are, mortal. For some reason that I do not understand, he takes delight in bringing mortal girls home to his castle."
She nuzzled Janine gently, "It has been such a long time..." she murmured.
Janine was curled up in a corner, staring, depressed, down at the charm Jareth had given her. Was he just treating her like 'all the others'? Maybe he was. Probably... Maybe... Ugh, she couldn't concentrate, couldn't think straight...
"Hello?" she called, sliding into the cave.
Janine looked up. "Hi..." she said. "Was it-?" she looked hopeful.
"A minor problem. I took care of it."
Janine looked a little sad. "It wasn't - then...?"
"What?"
"Was it Jareth?"
"Oh... him "
Janine nodded slowly, hope still written all over her face.
"yes."
Janine smiled, then remembered what she'd said. "You - you didn't hurt him...?"
"No... not seriously. He'll recover."
Janine blinked. "Oh... Good..." she felt a lot better; he'd come to get her...!
"He is foolish. He could not bear to let me undo him..."
"Un-undo him...?"
"Yes. Because he brought you here, he does not wish for me to interfere with his fun."
Janine's heart went cold again. "I don't understand..."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be telling you this. He doesn't like it when I interfere, and so he always tries to fight me..."
"Fight you...?" Janine looked hurt. "But - why does he -? Why do you-?" she sighed, putting her head in her hands. "Why did he bring me here?"
She snaked around Janine, "I am sorry little one, it is hard to explain."
Janine rested against her. "Can you try? I need to know, I mean, I have nothing to lose..."
She shifted slightly, "I suppose I could try." She adjusted her position, bring her tail around in front, a bit protectively.
Janine settled herself a little more comfortably. "Thank you..."
"For what little one?"
"Understanding that I need to know..."
"Oh..." she nuzzled Janine, "I will tell you then."
Janine nodded and waited for her to begin.
Janine looked puzzled. She had guessed Jareth wasn't - normal... "What does he- do with them...?" she asked, feeling her cheeks going red at the question
"I am not entirely sure. I believe that he finds it entertaining, or perhaps he simply just likes mortal girls. He promises them anything that they want..."
"Does he give it to them?"
"In a way, yes. He can do many things."
Janine nodded. She sensed a catch
"However... he insists that they remain with him. Some last longer then others, but eventually they all wish to go home."
"Perhaps they have things they want to return to..." Janine said, a little wistfully.
"Yes, that is exactly it. And Jareth..."
"...doesn't want them to leave, right?"
"Yes. He does not take kindly to attempts to leave his realm..."
Janine shrugged a little. "I'm different... Maybe I could even change him..." she murmured
"Others have thought that as well..." she said gently, "how I wish that you would be different, but..."
Janine shook her head a little. "I have nothing I wish for back home..." she sighed. "Maybe I would have liked there to be, but then, if there was, I would not have left it..."
"Oh little one, there is still much that you do not know."
Janine looked up at her. "What d'you mean...?"
"There is more to him then what you have seen..."
Janine looked worried. "I - I don't understand..."
"You were taken in by him when you met him, he charmed you didn't he?"
"Well... Not exactly..."
"You can admit it, I will not fault you for it."
Janine went red as her answer
"Little one, I understand, there is no shame in it, lesser mortals then you have fallen for him... and few could resist anyway..."
"So why'd he pick me? S'not like I'm anything special..."
"I don't know. Perhaps it is simply by chance. He saw you and decided that you were the one he wanted."
Janine sighed and brushed her hair back with one hand. "And there I was, starting to feel like someone again.." she said bitterly
"Hmm?"
"Such a long time since my little ones have gone..."
Janine tilted her head sideways. "You're lonely?"
"A little..."
Janine sighed. "I know that feeling well."
"Still, I get by."
"You have to really..."
She nodded.
Janine sighed, settling into silence, the cruelty and unhappiness of her youth preying on her mind
"Janine..."
Janine jumped a little. "Yes?"
"If you would like to stay here..."
Janine smiled. "Sure!" at the corner of her mind, or rather her heart, something yearned for Jareth, but Janine impatiently pushed it away.
"I would like that."
Janine smiled again. "Me too, seriously, there's nothing I'm gonna miss back home..."
"It'll be nice having a little one around again..."
Janine grinned. "Thanks..."
Jareth opened his eyes, feeling better, and sat up slowly.
He appeared in his room, where he had to sit down. He wasn't about to admit how tired that simple spell had made him.
Once Trent was gone, Jareth eased out of bed.
Trent was still slumped over his book, sleeping heavily, his black hair tousled.
Jareth watched his brother warily, then started to get up.
"Hmuh?" Trent sat up and promptly fell off the chair. "Oh, hey Jareth... How'd you feel now?"
"Oh. Much better now."
Trent smiled. "Good, I'm glad..."
"Yes... um...thank you..."
Trent shook his head dismissively. "No problem.
Jareth stood up and started towards the door.
Trent stood up and flicked his fingers. The door locked. "Jareth..." he warned.
"What, now I can't leave my room?"
"One, brother, you're in my room. Two, I know exactly what you're planning on doing..."
"Fine. well I want to leave your room and go to mine. If that's alright with you..."
Trent's eyes snapped a little; weary and worried his temper was starting to unravel. "Jareth." he said in a low voice. "Cut the sarcasm out and stay put. You're not going anywhere until you're fully recovered."
Jareth shook his head.
Trent nodded curtly. "Listen to me, if you go after her again I can't guarantee I can heal you again, I'm worn out as it is Jareth, you're not just messing with yourself you know!"
Jareth rolled his eyes, and vanished.
Trent wearily clicked his own fingers, noticing himself how long it took for the spell to actually begin, let alone complete. "Jareth please, listen to me, there's nothing we can do right now... I'm sorry..."
Jareth sighed, "I know brother..."
Trent sat down heavily, his eyes dark-ringed. "I don't know what to say..." his mind flashed back to the crystal, and the necklace, but he kept quiet. Jareth needed as little tension as possible.
"I know that I must rest, but I also must find her..." *Maybe if I can convince him that I will stay...*
"Don't even try it..." muttered Trent wearily. "I may be knackered, but I can still see the look in your eyes... I'm a Psy, I can sense these things..." he glared slightly. "Can't you just give it a rest for tonight...?"
Jareth sighed, "Well..."
"Please Jareth..."
"I guess I cannot go now..."
"No, go to bed. And sleep." Trent picked himself up and rubbed his eyes. "Just this once Jareth, listen to me..."
Jareth moved over to his bed.
Trent stayed where he was. "I'm keeping tabs Jareth."
"What?"
Trent rolled his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere until I know I can trust you to do what I ask..."
"I won't leave. Now you also need to sleep."
Trent shrugged stubbornly. "I can cope."
"Trent..." he put on a pleading tone.
Trent shut his eyes and groaned. "You're too old for that Jareth....!"
Jareth crossed his arms and rolled over.
Trent clicked his fingers and left, making it to his own room before collapsing spectacularly across the floor. He didn't bother moving, but reached up and grabbed his blanket, tossing it over himself and going to sleep.
Trent was out like a light, his Psy senses flicked off from over use.
He tiptoed towards his window.
A small sensor Trent had dropped shot a cord out across the window.
Jareth groaned.
The sensor shone slightly in the weak light of the rising moon, a clear warning to Jareth that Trent might be exhausted but not stupid.
With a frustrated sigh, Jareth climbed back into bed.
Trent yawned and woke up, stretching to relive the stiffness in his neck. He made a mental note that however tired he got he would never sleep across his floor again. He clicked his fingers and appeared on the roof. He smiled; senses back. He clicked his fingers again and appeared in Jareth's room.
Jareth shifted and snapped his fingers. A long red ribbon appeared. One end twined around Jareth's wrist, the other around the bedpost.
Trent clicked his fingers and appeared back in his own room. He'd kept some ice from the night before, and quickly prepared the drink for Jareth. He didn't like the idea of him going, but this way was better than nothing...
Jareth was sitting on his windowsill, staring outside.
Trent sighed. "Good morning brother..."
Jareth didn't answer.
Trent walked up behind him and put his hands on his shoulders. "Jareth, relax..."
Jareth shrugged Trent's hands away.
Trent sighed again, a little hurt. "Jareth..."
Trent's eyebrows rose. He clicked his fingers and the ribbon broke, as did the sensor across the window. "Cheerful this morning, aren't we Jareth?" he said softly.
Jareth was silent.
Trent sat beside Jareth. "Talk to me Jareth." he said quietly, all the laughter in his voice gone. Only concern remained.
"Thought you would prefer me like that," Jareth said, waving the ribbon up again, "Then I wouldn't leave..."
"Jareth... Please understand... The only reason I did that last night was to stop you running off and getting yourself killed... I know you, you're my brother, aren't you? I know what you're like to do..." Trent looked down and sighed. "Just trying to stop you from getting hurt, so sue me."
Great, Jareth thought, feeling guilty now. "Brother I-"
"Don't worry Jareth." Trent waved his hand, his customary grin back in place. "I understand." he did, to a certain extent.
"Do you?" Jareth sighed, "I know that you do not approve of my...my habits."
"I guess everyone has a bad habit or two brother..."
"Yes but, this time...it's different with Janine."
"What do you mean?"
"She's not like any of the others... I must get her back."
"How is she unlike the others?" Trent questioned.
"I...I don't know Trent, but I know that she is different."
Trent's brow creased slightly. "I don't know how we can get her back Jareth..." he admitted. "If she's with the dragon, she won't let her go, and you can't go into her area without getting half barbecued..."
"I *must* get her back."
"But how?!"
"I...I don't know... all I can do is try again."
"No! You know if you go there she shall defeat you! Again and again! Brother I can only heal you so much..." Trent leaned back against the wall. "We're stuck..."
"I don't know what else to do..."
Trent shut his eyes, wishing he could help Jareth more. He'd never seen his brother quite like this before. It was a little un-nerving.
"I can try at least."
"Please Jareth, not again..."
"I won't..." Jareth started.
"Won't what?"
"Just trust me brother."
Trent sighed. "I don't know..."
"I will be careful."
"That won't help Jareth... It's her territory..."
"I know."
"Then why say you'll be careful when you know...?"
"I know but, I won't just go flying in this time."
Trent shut his eyes again. "Oh boy... Jareth, do you really think that will make a difference...?"
"It might... if I...if I go to see her..."
"And say what brother?"
Jareth looked down, "I don't know..."
Trent put his hand on Jareth's shoulder again. "Maybe if you go in peace she shall listen...?"
"That is my hope."
Trent sighed softly. "Let me prepare you the ice drink Jareth, at least if she tries to barbeque you you're slightly protected..."
"Alright."
Jareth waited, he promised. It was the least he could do.
Trent appeared back in Jareth's room presently. "Drink." he said, holding out the large glass with the icy liquid in.
Jareth drank, holding back a yelp.
Trent sighed softly, still worried about Jareth.
"Are you satisfied?"
Trent nodded slightly. "I suppose I'll have to be, brother."
Jareth turned to go.
Trent put out his hand, then let it drop, knowing there was nothing he could do to dissuade his brother. "You still have that date with the South Tower..." he quipped.
"I'll be back for it."
"Good."
Jareth smiled and vanished.
Trent sat down on the windowsill and rested his head against the wall. His brother was mad. Truly mad.
She smiled, then raised her head, sniffing the air.
Janine didn't notice as she buffed up an apple on her trousers.
"Janine, I'll be back. You can explore if you like."
"Thanks... May I ask where you're going?"
"I..." she started, and then sighed, "I can't believe it."
"What...?" Janine frowned, confused already
"That little idiot."
"Jareth?" Janine still felt a little shiver when she said his name.
"yes."
Janine tried to stop the smile she wanted to smile. "What's he doing?"
"He has come back into my territory again..."
"He has...? What for...?"
"I don't know. I'm going to go find out."
"You - you won't hurt him, will you...?"
"No... not much."
Janine sighed. "Not much, please."
"I won't."
"Thank you..." Janine smiled at her.
She smiled back and walked over to the entrance to her cave.
Janine stood up and walked to the entrance too. "Is he far?"
She closed her eyes, "He's near the border."
"Oh..." Janine didn't really know what else to say.
"Will he come closer?"
"Probably, his intent is to come here."
"I see..." Janine sat down again, looking out over the scenery. "May I go and explore?"
"Sure. If you need me, call. I'll hear you..."
"Okay, thanks!" Janine smiled and headed off to explore.
*Waiting for me, he wants to talk,* she thought, amused.
She closed in around him.
She dropped silently from the air, slinking close to the ground as she approached him, wings flat on her back, neck and tail outstretched.
Her hot breath on the back of his neck startled him. He turned around and was confronted with her head, teeth bared.
"I do wish you wouldn't do that," he said, "You could have at least announced your presence."
"A huntress must be silent when stalking her prey," she responded, "And you are hardly in the position to make such a request," she hissed.
He involuntarily took a step back, "Allow me to explain and then you may do as you like with me."
"Hmm…" she answered thoughtfully.
He took another step back, only to discover he was completely encircled by her tail, which had slowly been closing around him.
"Speak," she ordered.
He winced, feeling her tail snake around his ankles. "I must see her," he pleaded, "Please let her go."
"The only person that I am holding captive right now is you," she growled, "Janine is free to do as she pleases, and she desires to stay with me. She is no longer yours. Now leave, before I decide to fry you."
He went visibly pale, but he was still. "At least let me see her," he said, "Let me talk to her."
"She will not wish to see you."
"But I must speak with her!"
She hissed.
Jareth braced, but the fire didn't come. She swished her tail, and he lost his balance.
He reached down, tugging at the red bands, which bound his ankle's together. He hissed and pulled his fingers back. They burned.
"I have no power anyway," he said, "Why do this?"
"Why not? Why not stuff you in a very small cage," she retorted, "Your choice."
He opened his mouth to respond when he felt something hot tighten around his wrists. It was too late, by the time he tried to pull his wrists apart, they were already tied as well.
He sighed, "I cannot--will not--fight you. Why all this? No…never mind. You do not need to explain. I will not argue."
She pushed him down, pinning him to the ground with one front paw.
"Please," he said, "Just let me see her. If she is as free as you say, then she shall choose."
She growled, but had to admit that he was right. She picked him up, holding him tightly in her claws. She spread her wings and took off.
The flight back to the cave was rough. When he wasn't in control, flying tended to make him airsick.
Jareth looked up and shook his head.
Jareth looked up. It was a bit hard to maintain the suave nature when he was tied up.
The dragon shifted, flexing a wing and covering Janine under the dark red canopy protectively. She glared at Jareth with bright green eyes and took a deep breath.
The dragon leaned closer to Janine, trying to comfort her, and above all else, protecting her from Jareth.
She lifted her head and started at Jareth. "Finish what you intend to say."
She looked down at Janine, a bit concerned.
She growled rounding on Jareth. "Do not rouse my anger further," she growled, "Your habits annoy me, but you do not hurt one of mine!"
Jareth couldn't move to look up at her. The potion that Trent had given him protected him some what against her fire, but not against her strength.
Janine looked at the dragon. "Please... Don't hurt him..." she whispered
Janine watched as the dragon left with Jareth, then curled up into a ball in a corner of the cave. She had truly thought that there might have been something between her and him, she had really fallen hard for him; and it wasn't just the spell.
Janine didn't look at him, she kept her head turned away. "What d'you think?" she asked the dragon.
"I think that you will not know for sure how you feel about him until you face him."
Janine sighed again. "I don't know if I can..." she whispered.
"I understand."
Janine swallowed, taking a deep breath. "I suppose I have to, don't I?" she asked.
"I will stay if you like. But he has no power over you. You can see him as he is."
"I think I'll have to speak to him alone, thank you..." she rested her hand on the dragon's side. "I gotta be strong..." her hands shook.
"You are one of mine now. You have the power."
Janine nodded. "Thanks."
She smiled, "If you need me, just call."
"I will." Janine smiled back, glad she had at least someone to turn to.
Janine looked down at him and sighed. "Hi."
Jareth looked up at her, "Hello."
"Why did you bother coming?" Janine asked coldly. "I'm sure there's plenty other mortal girls you could find."
"I came. Doesn't that say something?"
"Other than you dislike having your 'fun' ended, no, not really I'm afriad."
Jareth struggled for a second, then gave up. "Janine, please."
"Please what?" she replied, not in the mood for any fun or games. She'd had her heart broken again, and this time she wasn't going to go down quietly.
"Please just allow me a chance."
"To say what?" Janine asked, her eyes blazing. "What is there to say? I'm just another one on a long string of girls... Why do you need me? Why don't you find someone else? Or maybe try Sarah again why don't you?!"
Jareth flinched at Sarah's name.
Janine was struggling to stop herself from crying. She'd really thought that for once she'd found someone who'd accepted her as her, and now she felt like she was nothing again. "Well? Why did you come? I would've thought you'd've gone and found someone new by now!"
"No..." Jareth said, shifting towards her.
Janine backed away, feeling the tears she had tried to hide start to fall down her cheeks, and turned, running to dragon and hiding behind her, sobbing softly.
Janine winced slightly, angry with Jareth but not angry enough to want him hurt.
Jareth braced as the fire shot past him, not hitting him, but passing close enough for him to feel the heat.
Janine breathed slowly, sensing with relief that Jareth hadn't been hurt, guessing he would have yelled or something of he had been.
"Janine, please. From what you say I see that you know some things but you do not know everything.
"What else do I need to know?" Janine shouted, tears in her voice. "You brought me here for your fun and that's it!"
"But, as you said, I should not have come here... According to you, since I only brought you here for "fun" I should just move on. That is what you said, correct?"
Janine fell silent, confused and emotional.
"I don't know what to do..." Janine whispered softly
"I could roast him if you like," she offered.
"No!"
"I didn't think that you would want that..."
Janine swallowed. "I don't know what I want..." she said slowly, quietly.
"I can ask him what he means if you like..."
"Yes... Please do..."
Janine waited, unconsciously clutching the pendant
"She is right," Jareth said carefully, "I *could* have gone after another, but I did not. Doesn't that mean something?"
Janine stopped. It was true, he could have...
"And instead I choose to come here. Janine, you are not like the others. you must believe me on that!"
Janine swallowed; it really did sound as if he was telling the truth...
"I would not come here, and put myself through this," he held up his wrists, "If I was not seriously concerned about you."
"Why are you concerned?" Janine's slightly muffled voice came from underneath the dragon's wing. "I am in no danger here..."
Jareth was silent.
"Jareth...?" Janine still felt her heart jump as she spoke his name.
"Yes?"
"Wh-why are you concerned...?"
"Because I..." He sighed, "You are right, I did bring girls home for fun, but...it is different with you. I could not leave you. I simply could not."
Janine smiled in spite of herself. "I-I see..." she said shyly.
Janine looked up at her and smiled a small half smile. "I don't think he's lying..." she mouthed
"Hmm..." she answered.
Janine frowned. "What's wrong?"
She eyed the necklace that Janine wore.
Janine looked at it as well. "What?"
Her eyes changed color and she inched along the necklace, following an invisible thread towards Jareth.
Janine watched her, confused
She nosed into Jareth's front pocket and a small crystal levitated out.
Janine kept watching, even more puzzled and confused. What was with the crystal?
She gently took it in her teeth and brought it over to Janine.
Janine looked at it. "What is it?" she asked, a little too nervous to take it
"Look."
Janine looked into the crystal, then gave a small cry and ran to the back of the cave. "Liar...!" she sobbed.
Janine curled into a ball, rocking slightly on her heels. How could she have been so stupid?!
Jareth couldn't help yelping in pain.
Janine winced as she heard the yelp
"Janine?" she asked softly, snaking towards her.
Janine looked up, rubbing the tears angrily off her cheeks. "Yes...?"
"Little one, I will stay if you like, but I want to get rid of him..."
Janine looked back at Jareth, her eyes wounded.
"I think... He had better go back to his castle... Just please.... Don't hurt him..."
Jareth winced, "Not...her fault...natural reaction..."
Janine bit her lip and looked back at the dragon. She didn't know what to do...
"She...she has to protect..."
Janine clenched her fists; he was making her feel guilty just by talking...! Why?!
"...her children..." he finished.
"I won't little one," she said, "I'll just take him back to his castle."
Janine sat on the floor rather than her feet and looked depressed. "I..."
"yes?"
She shook her head. "I don't know... I - I feel something..." she whispered
"Do you want me to take him away?"
"I don't know... I suppose so..."
"Okay," she said softly, "I'll be back soon..."
She looked at the pendant round her neck and contemplated throwing it away, but couldn't. She looked at it as a single tear rolled down her cheek; why was she so unable to keep anyone, find anyone who would love her truly?
Was Jareth feeling guilty for what he'd done to her? Did he feel bad about how he'd treated her? Did he know that he'd broken her heart? Would he care? Why did it matter so much to her…?
Janine ran her fingers through her hair, trying to make it tidier.
She flew steadily back to the castle. "So call him," she ordered Jareth, "I don't feel like shouting." Trent shook his head slightly and took Jareth. "I'm taking you straight to South Tower..." he growled playfully.
Trent pretended not to notice. "Drink this..." he said absently, grabbing a few other essential items for his potions.
Jareth made a face, drank it, and then had the usual reaction.
Jareth followed, appearing behind Trent.
Jareth sighed, *Trent?* he called tentatively.
Trent was up on South Tower, meditating when he heard Jareth's call. ~I'm on South Tower Jareth...~ he replied.
*Goody...* Jareth said.
Trent clicked his fingers and hovered about 3 meters away from the dragon and Jareth. "Alright, I'll take him..."
"Good, he was gettin' heavy," she said, "He's all yours."
Jareth groaned, squeezing his eyes shut, "Just...down please."
Trent sighed, clicked his fingers and brought Jareth back to his own room. "What happened?" he asked, depositing Jareth on the bed and starting on yet another poultice.
"Very long story," Jareth said, struggling to get his hands free.
Trent snapped his fingers, then remembered it was harder to remove the bonds, walked over and created something akin to a small psychic explosion. "There..."
He rubbed his freed wrists. "Thanks..." He sighed, "Brother, this is going to be so much harder then I thought it would be."
Trent put one hand elegantly to his head. "You mean you're not just going to leave her?"
Jareth shook his head, "No...no not that... Janine... well...it's not that *she* is holding Janine..."
"What?" Trent turned round, leaving the spoon till stirring the poultice.
"She... I think that Janine's been adopted."
Trent's eyebrows were in danger of disappearing into his hairline. "You - oh hell..."
"When...when I said something that made Janine upset..." he indicated several of his worst sratches.
Trent shook his head. "We're gonna have so much trouble Jareth..." he said, levitating some salt onto his younger brother's wounds.
Jareth winced.
He obediently drank it and then sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know what to do..."
Trent sat on the bed next to Jareth. "I wish I could help more, brother..." he said sadly. "But I do not know what to do myself..."
"I must think of something," Jareth said.
"But what is there to do? What is there to be done?"
"Somehow I must show her..."
"Show her what?"
"Show Janine that I feel differently about her then the others."
Trent sighed. "I don't know how, brother... What happened when you were there?"
"I tried to tell her... she almost believed me...and then...then..." he sighed, "She found out about the tracking spell."
"Oops."
"Yeah...she got upset...and then I was attacked. So fiercly. You would think that she was defending her nest..."
Trent sighed, then had an idea. "Is the spell still usable...?" he murmured, half to himself as he disappeared behind a mountain of books again. "Oh! Almost forgot..." he levitated a crystal glass to Jareth. "Drink..."
Trent's sniggers could be made out from behind the books.
"You enjoy that, don't you?"
There was no answer, but one could almost see Trent's smirk.
Jareth groaned, "Will there be anything else then?"
"Not yet, I just need to check to see if there's anything we can do with your tracking spell..."
"You have an idea?"
"Maybe it can be used... I do not know... This bloody sixth sense..." Trent growled.
"Trent?" Jareth asked softly, "Before you do anything else...could you..." he indicated his feet.
"Hmm? What?" Trent's head, with it's shock of black hair appeared over the top of the books. "Oh! Jareth! I'm sorry...!" he came round, caused the small psychic explosion and appeared back behind the books again
"Thanks," he said rubbing his feet. Once he had gotten feeling in his feet again he stood up, "Well...shall we go?"
"Hmm?"
"You do remember don't you?"
"What?" Trent's mind was elsewhere.
"South Tower, brother."
Trent laughed softly. "But of course..." he clicked his fingers and was waiting on the top, a cheeky grin on his face. A little relaxation from the books would help...
Trent turned round. "You didn't run off then... Like the time you were fifteen and you-" he cut off, knowing Jareth would probably throw him off the tower if he brought that up again.
Jareth glared. "You said you would not speak of that again."
Trent sniggered softly. "Sorry brother.." he teased
Jareth made a face and then stepped towards the edge.
Trent ran forward and shoved Jareth forward with a cheeky "Have a nice trip brother!"
Jareth fell forward, not stopping himself.
Trent clicked his fingers and appeared a story down, sticking his head out of the window.
Jareth's speed lessened and he floated past Trent.
"Hi..." Trent laughed
"Hi yourself," Jareth plunged downward a few feet and then vanished.
Trent clicked his fingers and returned to his room to pore over his books again. Sometimes, he thought, being psychic rather than magic had it's down side...