Two days had passed since Neeva’s first morning in the castle, and she was finding her surroundings very lonely. She had met no one but Claire since she’d arrived there, and she had a distinct feeling that there was a reason for that. She asked her maid.

“Nothing in particular I can think of. We don’t use this wing much, and anyway, with the ball going on, most of the servants are in the ballroom most of the time,” Claire explained, opening Neeva’s window onto the lovely day, and setting down a lunch tray.

“A ball?”

Claire glanced up at the young woman and smiled. “Oh, yes, tomorrow night. It’s going to be just wonderful. Dancing, food, all the best people in the land.”

“I didn’t think there was anyone here but goblins.”

She laughed. “This place is full of different creatures. Most of them are quite strange, but there’s a lot who are worth a second glance.”

“I wish I could go,” Neeva sighed.

“Ah,” said Claire. “This is a place where wishes come true.” She reached into her pocket and withdrew a card. “Here.”

Neeva looked it over. It was a simple, white card, with silver lettering. It read:

Neeva
You have been invited to the royal anniversary ball to celebrate the twentieth year of the reign of His Majesty, King Jareth of the Goblins.


“Sort of plain, isn’t it?” she said aloud.

“Ha! That’s just because it was hand delivered. The rest of the guests got a personal summons from the king through crystals. It was very impressive.”

Neeva shrugged. “I’m sure I have nothing to wear.”

“Jareth sent something up today.” Claire went to her closet and pulled out a silver and white ball gown. The long, heavy dress was entirely too much for the little goblin woman to handle, and she had to hand it over to Neeva immediately. Neeva held it up in the mirror, examining it against her own frame. It was empire-waisted, with an soft, silver bodice and long white sleeves that trailed from her wrists down against the white skirt of the dress.

“I can’t wear this.”

Claire looked at her for a minute. “Whyever not? It’s simply gorgeous!”

“Yes, but it’s not right. I’ve never worn anything like it to any balls I’ve ever been to,” she declared adamantly.

“How do you know?”

She frowned. “I don’t.”

Claire shook her head. “I won’t have any more of this nonsense. Do you like the dress?”

“Yes, very much.”

“Then wear the dress!” she laughed. “Go to the party, dear. Have a good time.”

Neeva was still frowning in the mirror. “There’s just one thing I don’t understand.”

“And what’s that?”

“Why did Jareth invite me?”

Claire shrugged, grinning. “You’re invited. Who cares?”

Neeva finally smiled. “I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am.” She looked at Neeva as she stood before the mirror with the dress over her. “Silver is your best color, you know. You must have worn it quite a lot.”

“Always,” she replied without thinking.

“Really?”

Neeva mulled it over. “I suppose I did. But I was wearing black when I came here. Maybe I didn’t wear it all the time. I don’t know.”

Claire laughed. “You think too much. All your memories will come back to you soon enough.”

“I hope so.”

*****

The next night, Jareth was standing in front of his own mirror, adjusting his clothes, making sure he was more than presentable for this very special occasion. It was time.

He gave his jacket one last tug, and then turned and exited his room, starting down the hallway and then the stairs that would lead him to the ballroom. And then he saw Neeva.

Her white hair was swept up on top of her head. The silver dress he’d sent up fitted perfectly, as he knew it would, and the long, silken skirt just touched the floor. She was fidgeting nervously, and he noticed that she was barefoot. He had forgotten to send shoes.

“Your Majesty,” she said softly, and he realized she was not nervous, but only ill at ease. “Is it custom to go without shoes on special occasions? Claire assures me it was merely an oversight--”

Jareth sighed, rolling his eyes. “Quite.” He tossed a crystal on the floor. It rolled over to her and touched her feet, instantly enveloping them in crystal slippers. She wobbled on the heels.

“Have you ever worn shoes of this fashion?”

She only looked at him, smiling slightly. It was a charming expression, weary, but humored. “I wouldn’t know, Your Majesty.”

He offered his arm to her. “You did realize you were to be my escort?”

She stepped back a bit. “I couldn’t possibly--”

“You shall. Come along. I told you from the beginning I wouldn’t tolerate nonsense.”

Neeva had no choice but to link arms with the Goblin King, and as he led her down, she didn’t see the msyterious, mischievious smile that crossed his lips. And she certainly didn’t know what was in store for her that night.

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