The Labyrinth Sequel

Chapter 11

"Thank you." I say softly.

He looks surprised again, but slowly replies, "Your welcome..."

Perhaps I was going to say something else, but when I look down at my plate, I realize that there isn't one where it should be. There is only one set of eating wear, and it is on Jareth's side.

"Where my plate?" I ask.

"You don't need one." He says simply.

"Then how am I supposed to eat without anything to put the food on?" I demand.

"Simple," He says matter-of-factly, "You will be sharing with me. No need to give you utensils you can't use. It is not so much to ask that you allow me to feeds you, but please allow me to at least share a plate with you."

"Do you not plan on eating?" 

"I will, but we can take turns. It would look very odd if I were to feed you and myself at the same time." He laughs.

"Oh..." Is all I say.

"Now then, let's see what we shall eat...." He begins to look over the food, as though deciding what would be best to eat in order.

In the crowd, everyone is staring at us, waiting. They clearly aren't going to start eating until the King does, which makes sense in this messed up place. Finally, the King decides on something and places it onto the plate, then continues spooning other piles of food onto the plate.

I don't remember it being that big, but somehow he manages to fit a little of everything on the table onto it. Then, with a smile, he scoops some up and turns to me.

"Ladies first..." He says, offering me the spoon.

"I think they are waiting on you." I point out.

"They don't care, and neither should we." He moves the spoon of what looks like potatos closer to my mouth.

Slowly, and completely aware that the entire room is staring at me, I open my mouth and let him place the spoon inside. I bite down and he tugs on the spoon playfully.

"Is it good?" He asks.

I swallow and let the salty taste sink in. Then, slowly, I nod.

"You heard her, go for it!" He calls into the crowd.

Chaos erupts and food begins to fly all over the place as the Goblins begin fighting for bites of chicken. Thankfully, our table is out of range from the food fight, but I worry about Toby and the others. Things don't look to be all that safe with knives and forks and broken dishes soaring through the air.

"Don't worry, everyone is used to it. And I made sure that everything is dull plastic for them, so no one will get hurt." He answers my unspoken thoughts.

"Thank God..." I whisper in relief.

"Now, let's continue eating, shall we?" He lifts another spoonful towards my mouth.

I let him feed me again, and this time he stops every now and then to eat himself. Watching him feels so odd, because I never thought of him as someone who would eat... He is very elegant, making each spoonful a work of art as he places it in his mouth. He chews slowly, and no food escapes his lips.

"Do I entertain you?" He asks.

When I realize I am staring at his lips I turn away with a fierce blush. What the hell is wrong with me? He is going to get the wrong idea...

We finish the rest of the meal in silence, and I am very careful not to look at him for too long. He seems greatly pleased as he continues feeding me, and I notice he takes more time while eating himself, as though he is waiting for me to look at him. I am strong enough to stare at the wall while waiting. He will get my attention when he is ready to switch again.

When the plate is empty, and I am certain that I can't each much more, he whispers to a Goblin who takes the food away. Then, he fills the only cup at the table with some punch and offers it to me.

"Eating is one thing, but you don't have to help me drink." I say.

"And you are going to do it yourself?" He asks knowingly.

"I'm not that thirsty right now." I say, though I lick my lips a bit so that he doesn't notice how dry they are.

"Come, come, I told you I would help you and I will. Now, hold still..." He comes closer, reaching around to cradle my head while he sets the cup on my lips. 

I would have loved to push him away, or even to tell him to stop, but the liquid feels so good on my lips, and the taste is fruity. Once the cup is empty, he pulls away and refills it. Then, his eyes on me, he puts the cup to his lips where mine were and drinks slowly.

Once again I look away blushing. I should have seen that one coming. Once he is finished he tilts the cup towards me, being careful to position the part where our lips touched towards me.

"Would you like some more?" He offers, his tone low.

"No thanks, I'm good." I say, sliding further away from him.

He only laughs. By now the Goblins in the crowd have finished eating, and most are just throwing chairs at each other for fun. Hoggle and Ludo have vacated the area, presumably taking Toby with them. I'm glad that they are looking out for his safety.

"Are you ready to go now?" He asks.

"Go? Go where?"

"To the ball, of course!" At the word the Goblins all stop, waiting.

"Oh... Um, yeah I guess so..." The Goblins all cheer, racing towards the doors. 

Jareth takes my arms and helps me through the now empty room. Through the door where the Goblins all went he leads me into the hallway. Still, everything is eerily silent.

"Prepare yourself, Sarah," He warns me as we approach another large set of doors, "What you experienced before was nothing compared to what you are about to see."

And without further restraint, he pushed the doors open into a chaotic beauty.