Journey to the Forest Peak 2

So typical of him. What a pain in the ass, Mr Grouchy.

"Is that what you really think about him?"

Suddenly I heard a voice, that voice. It couldn't be...

"Yes?"

"What are you really doing in my head?" I said as I looked up and my gaze met with her's... the Big White Tiger-Pheonix Beast.

"Well you both really do give us a show" she said as she laughed a little bit.

Well all these were happening in my head, so Jareth couldn't understand or see what was going on.

"You know he has to stay by your side" she spoke again.

"No I do not, you know the way to the forest peak, you could direct me" I said to her.

"Young one, it is not really as simple as that" she said again.

"How is it not simple" this time I blurted those words out loud.

Jareth and the little white tiger-pheonix beast turned in my direction to look at us.

"Urrrgh" I grunted as I saw the puzzled look on their faces. I turned my head back, now facing the big white tiger-pheonix beast.

"What's he still doing there? I thought I told him to leave" I mind communicated with the big white tiger-pheonix beast.

"You'll need him, trust me. The road ahead isn't an easy one. There'd be dangers."

"I can handle danger."

"It's nice that you are confident. Good I like that, but it is not enough."

"What do you mean by it is not enough?"

"Like he said. Well some things he said are true, without your magic, can you fight? I do not agree with what he said that without your magic you are nothing"

"Thanks" I said interrupting her, "and no, I do not know hand to hand or sword combat."

"Well now you see."

"But I still and would always have my magic" I tried to defend myself.

"What would you do if you cannot use your magic?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't worry, when we get to that bridge we would cross it."

"I don't like being kept in the dark".

"It is okay, but you need him. There would be different type of beasts to face and doing it alone would be cumbersome" she said again.

"But I've got you."

"Yes, but when they are too many... Astrid, you have got to admit it and face it, you need him on your journey. Using magic drains you, so what if you encountered an enemy after you have been exhausted? What would you do then?"

She did have a point. Using my magic drained the hell out of me. Perhaps it was also due to the fact that I haven't mastered the art of it itself. I am still a newbie sorceress.

"But it doesn't give him the right to talk to me like that."

"You also don't push him over the edge dear."

"Whose side are you on big white tiger-pheonix beast?"

"No one human, oh no, sorceress."

"Very funny.. Ha hah hah a... I'm not laughing. By the way, what's your name?"

"Don't have one" she said rather flatly.

"Okay, I am gonna call you White-Fire, Big White-Fire."

"Why did you chose that?"

"Isn't it obvious, you are a white tiger, so the name white and a phoenix, you spit out fire... So White-Fire."

"All right Astrid, now you understand my point" she quickly changed the topic.

"What point?" Astrid said feigning ignorance.

"About him."

"Who? Your cub?"

"Astrid, I am serious here" she said with frustration laced in her tone.

"Ok, Jareth. Well I guess I would let him stick around till we get you home. How is that?"

"Good but he sticks around till he has shown you out of the forest. You need him, admit it and he cares about your well being".

"Hmmph, this grumpy young man. I doubt that. He just wants to clear his conscience that's all."

"Whatever suits you. Go talk with him, you were pretty harsh a while back you know. Oh and perhaps you can ask him to teach you combat skills"

"Okay, as you wish. Now I think I'm crazy talking to you" she turned and started walking towards Jareth.

------

Jareth's POV

I am sorry about all the things I said to her. I want to apologize but the stern look she is giving me is throwing me off.

Boy she is scary when angry.

It's been a while now that she left me and went to stand in front of the big white tiger-pheonix beast. All of a sudden a hear a voice.

"How is it not simple" I hear her say those words out loud, it seems they have been talking.

After a long while, she turned her whole body to face me and started walking my way.

I wanted to turn away, like I was angry but I couldn't I was caught up in those eyes of hers, they had return to their normal shade of colours.