Chapter Text

A Wish Awry: Chapter One

     "I wish the Goblin King would come and take you away, RIGHT NOW!" Such a simple little phrase, but all it took really. She stared in horror at her younger brother, though a grown man of eighteen. She was shocked. He didn't believe in magic, not as she did.

     So why would he even consider saying such a thing on the tail end of a fight? Suddenly, she felt strong arms wrap around her, and she was pulled away, landing in an all too familiar throne room, small monstrous creatures running to and fro, and a strange lopsided circular throne in the center. Standing beside her, a man... who was more than a man. He had eyes of two different colors, wild blond hair that dangled below his shoulders, and an irresistible, infuriating smirk.

     He stared down at her as she fell to her knees, unable to stand. A low, helpless sort of whimper rising from the back of her throat, as she shoved a dark strand of hair back from her face.

    "Y-you're him... aren't you...?" She gasped, as she stared, wide-eyed, up at him. "The Goblin King-?"

He gave a low mocking bow, bringing one arm before him and curling it in a slow, sensual manner in front of him.

     "Jareth." He said, with a sly smirk. "But, yes. You will refer to me as Your Majesty, while you remain in my domain." He said as a slow predatory gleam came to his eyes. "And you will remain you see. Your brother flubbed the words, you know." And with a careless gesture, he indicated the pentacle pendant hanging at her throat.

    "Someone like you, really ought to have warned him more of the dangers. It's obvious that you're a believer in the old ways. Quite careless of you I must say. So... because he worded it wrong, I'm afraid he's ineligible to run my little gauntlet, meaning that you are without a champion." The smirk became a full-fledged grin, as he looked down at her.

    She shuddered slightly, lowered her eyes meekly to the floor, though her back remained straight and proud. She knelt, silently, her legs parted ever so slightly, leaning back on long ago training in her fear and worry. She could tell he was not done taunting her. She had only to be patient, and he would reveal what she so desperately wanted to know.

    "Ahh..." -He said with a soft sigh, as he relaxed in his throne, his dual colored eyes taking in her figure. "Such manners. I must say, I am impressed. Most mortals these days would be plaguing me with questions, or desperately seeking to bargain with me... But not you, I see. And yet," He paused, tilting his head to the side in an amused manner. "I am not wholly cruel. So... I will grant you a rare opportunity. Aside from that insipid brother of yours, is there anyone else whom you believe capable of running my maze to save you?"

    She licked her lips slightly, not daring to raise her eyes, to look up at him. She nodded slowly, struggling to find her tongue. "Yes... Your Majesty. There is... my..." She bowed her head, tears running down her cheeks, as pale fingers came up to touch the thin leather collar at her throat, as she struggled to find the words.

    "Don't bother, " He said, cutting her off, with a wave of his hand. "I believe I understand. Such things are not unknown to the Fae, girl. So... I have inadvertently acquired someone else's property. That does explain your charming demeanor. He should be proud. And you are correct, it's only fitting he be permitted to challenge for your return." The smirk was back. She didn't need to look at him to know it, it was in his voice, it went beyond confidence, into downright arrogance. He was playing with them.

    He stalked over to her, slowly. She could hear the measured staccato tapping of his boots on the floor.

    "I keep saying 'He', don't I? I assume it is a 'he', yes?" He asked as he leaned down, murmuring directly into her ear.

    "Yes, Your Majesty," She bit out slowly. His presence sent shivers down her spine, and goosebumps over her skin. She wanted to scream in terror, to rail against him, demand that he release her. She knew it would be useless. Sighing softly, she bowed her head fully, her body relaxing, in a gesture of defeat.

    "Very good then. We shall go and collect him for you, and see what he thinks of seeing what is his in my care..." With that, his arms wrapped around her own, and in the blink of an eye... they were gone.