251 Naughty Jealous Elf

She was going to be like this till she got news of their safe return. It wasn't easy for both of them, but Regin had it worse.

He was the one who gave the order and let them go, but a part of him was scared. He knew his sons very well and he wouldn't be doing them any good if he kept protecting them.

They needed to show and lead by example, who better than them to do it?

"I understand, father. I would be in my rooms," Avery said after some time. With a small smile on her soft lips, she bade her parents goodnight and left the throne room.

Both of them watched as she faded into the dark and the doors were closed after her. Regin turned Aelinor so she was now facing him. 

"You know her better, follow her. She would disobey and go after them."

"I know. Right now, the only thought on her mind is the possibility that Blade and Terrence would be hurt because she wasn't there to help."

"Good. Watch out and have guards staked at every possible escape route."

"Alright." With that Aelinor straightened herself then turned around to leave. "Aelinor," Regin called out.

"Hmm?" She turned her head to look at her husband only to find him looking serious. "Thank you for understanding."

"It is the least I can do as a wife, mother and a queen."

"They would be fine and come back victorious," he assured her once more.

"I know. Goodnight."

She faced front and majestically walked out of the throne room, with her cape flowing behind her.

–––––––

Before long, Jareth found his way back to the arena and found several wooden chairs and benches in a circular format at the arena.

In the middle were several foods and fruits, with some bottles of drinks. Jareth wanted to ask how they got most of all these things, like drinks, bed and all, but then someone beat him to it and asked.

He trailed his gaze to where the voice came from, to his right hand side to see whom the person was. His eyes landed on Cari. 

After lingering his gaze at his back, he lpeeled his eyes away to the person at Cari's right hand side and landed on Astrid.

Immediately, his blood began to rush as his adrenaline began to pump. 'And what does he think he is doing close to her?' Jareth thought inwardly.

'Why is she smiling at him like that like she is enjoying his nonsensical talks?'

Jareth was having an internal battle right about now. He so much wanted to move there and pull Cari up then connect his fist with his face, but he knew Astrid would be angry.

Besides, he did not want to ruin everyone's fun now, did he? No, so he swallowed his anger and slowly released his clenched fist that he did not know he balled just now.

Astrid looked back to check if he had arrived and saw him standing not too far from her. She immediately waved at him, signaling him of where she was.

He searched around but did not see any space left for two, just one person space he saw at different benches. There were three in total.

Two free spaces were at the far end opposite of where he stood and one near Astrid.

To Astrid's right, there was a space left for one person to sit down. Jareth turned his head to the side and saw another male walking towards the empty seat to sit down.

Quickly he his feet moved on theor own accord and he first the man to get to the seat and immediately sat down, beaming an apologetic smile at the man.

The man saw this and gave Jareth a knowing smile then turned around, heading for one of the two free seats.

"Hey," Astrid whispered to him.

"Hmm." He barely replied her and fixed his eyes on the lady that was explaining to Cari how they got their supplies.

If one could see him now, they would think his interest was piqued by the lady's story but Asrid knew that was not the case. 

He deliberately refused to answer her, keeping a straight and serious face like a good student.

"Master, he is angry you are with this new merman," Snow's voice chipped into her mind.

"Yes, I can tell. He doesn't like him, sadly."

"I do not want to trust him easily but Jareth is just behaving like a child now. I think stayin with you has rubbed off on him."

"Snow! Urgghh!" Astrid growled in her mind.

Snow was lucky to have been relaxing far from her leg and reach. If not she would have spanked or hit him.

"Naughty little mystical beast."

"Naughty master that loves a naughty jealous elf."

Okay he was getting on her nerves and he knew it. He wanted her to behave childish so he could taunt her more with it.

"You two belong together, you and Jareth. Oh well, pacify your lover master. Serious Jareth is scary."

Astrid was about arguing but decided to shut up. She turned her head to her side so she was looking at his face under the clear moonlit sky.

"Jareth," she started. "Come on talk to me," she probed further.

"No."

"Why?" Astrid asked in a whisper.

"Why sit with him?"

"It was not planned Jareth, you have got to believe me. I was here waiting for you to arrive when he walked in here with the guards trailing behind him. Immediately he spotted me, he came over and sat down."

"Then next time, just leave."

"That would be rude Jareth, besides I was the only one who offered help to him when he first came. It would make sense why he first came to me."

"I do not like him," Jareth whispered back. "Hey and do not say it is because I am jealous. Something doesn't feel right about him being here."