As I've said before, Jareth's childhood was, shall we say, 'less than conventional'. For a brief description, see Jareth's Father.

From the age of eight years, Jareth's life was governed completely by Lukas. He did nothing, said nothing, saw nothing and heard nothing that was not sanctioned by his father. Tourmahline spent the majority of Jareth's childhood on Earth if only to avoid Lukas as much as possible. She had been spared the king's wrath the moment he began 'teaching' Jareth, and was only too happy to keep it that way. Not because she was callous, cold or loved her son any less than a mother should...but simply because she had little idea of what was going on.

So Jareth spent the majority of his life, from the ages of eight to sixteen, alone to cope with whatever atrocities Lukas laid on.

One day, when Lukas was mercifully absent on political nonsense, Jareth happened to wander into the stable. It was forbidden by Lukas, of course...but he wasn't around was he? And as long as he didn't find out, everything was fine.

He wandered through the stables rather aimlessly, ignoring the nagging voice that reminded him exactly what would occur if his father found OUT he'd been disobeying, when he bumped straight into a rather short, sandy haired elf with a pale face smattered with freckles.

Worried, Jareth apologized at least six times in three minutes hoping at least the groom would keep his mouth shut. He didn't wish to think about the consequences just yet.

As it turned out, the groom, Teek as he was called, promised not to breathe a word...however odd it might be that the Goblin Prince himself was nearly begging him, a lowly GROOM to be quiet. Be quiet over what? Teek hadn't the faintest idea, but one doesn't disobey royalty.

In the end, the two became friends. Every time Lukas was away, Jareth would help Teek faithfully.

Until one day...when, invevitably, Lukas found out. He arrived back early from a three day trip to Runefast to find his son consorting with grooms and the like when he had been specifically told NOT to. This was too much for Lukas, who made up his mind immediately to punish the disobedient prince severely. Then, he changed his mind. There were much more effective methods of teaching Jareth a lesson that, in his eyes, would make him a stronger person as well.

Surprisingly, Lukas did not forbid Jareth to see Teek, nor did he punish Teek outright either. But he did take it upon himself to embarass Jareth in front of his only friend at every available opportunity. There wasn't a day passed that Jareth remained unscathed by Lukas's sneer or cutting words. Teek in the beginning took it to be no more than fond teasing...but that notion was soon abolished.

Lukas's comments became more and more nasty with each passing moment...until Teek wondered how Jareth could take it. Then again, he noticed quickly the Prince's demeanor take a drastic turn for the worse at the King's appearance. Jareth stared unmovingly at the ground, scrutinizing the cobblestones and replied with a flat, emotionless "Yes sir" or "No Sir" to nearly every question Lukas posed. He didn't smile, laugh, lift his chin or even wink out of time. It was very curious, and disturbing at the same time.

The first moment Teek managed to find Jareth alone, he queried him on the subject. Jareth refused to answer bluntly. It didn't take long for Teek to hit on exactly what was the trouble (no pun intended there). When he confronted Jareth, who was trying to slip away discreetly, the goblin prince simply shrugged, and explained that everything he'd suspected was true, but then again it was, after all, "his own fault".

This was a complete farce that should have been exposed for what it was and apparent to anyone with any common sense. Jareth apparently hadn't an ounce, for he truly believed it was his fault, and he deserved everything in turn.

Slowly, through subtle hints, stories, Teek convinced Jareth otherwise. He began to see that no matter what he did, said or achieved, his father would never be satisfied...and this sparked a dangerous rebellion.

Slowly, Jareth became bolder until months later, frustrated and fed up he tossed a sword at Lukas's feet and refused to attempt anything more. With that, he walked up headed to the castle... but didn't quite get there. Suffice to say Jareth hadn't any idea how he had acquired so many aches, pains, cuts and bruises.

Teek, Lukas deduced was a bad influence on the prince. He'd been more than generous. He'd allowed Jareth to continue to see the groom, but now it had to stop. Jareth would pay dearly for his insolence.

After a morning of routine conditioning, Lukas handed Jareth a dagger. Bemused, he looked to the deviously grinning Lukas in question. To this, the king replied simply, "practice". Confused still, Jareth did as he was told. Lukas NEVER deviated from his schedule, and today was archery...nothing to do with daggers.

He paid no mind after a while, and was pleasantly surprised to see Teek arrive in the training grounds before Lukas. He couldn't make out the exact conversation, but Lukas's quiet smile put worry from his mind and he continued. The worry returned with a vengence as suddenly Lukas strode over, a faintly confused Teek at his side. He pleasantly explained that he'd asked Teek to help Jareth, since he would make a much more size appropriate sparring partner.

Jareth was actually having some semblance of fun...under the watchful eye of his father, as he a Teek attacked targets childishly with blunt daggers.

Quite out of nowhere, Lukas grabbed Jareth's arm roughly catching the startled Teek with his other hand. In the rush, Teek dropped his blade...unfortunately Jareth did not, and Lukas forced the chipped edge to Teek's throat...locking his hand over Jareth to ensure the prince couldn't drop the knife.

Of course Teek didn't move an inch. His back was to the both of them. Jareth was holding the blade. Jareth wouldn't hurt him...

And truthfully Jareth didn't...it was Lukas who pulled the blade, wrapped in Jareth's hand across Teek's bared neck. The old blade didn't cut the flesh neatly, it tore open thin skin. Teek died instantly. As the elf dropped to the ground Lukas released Jareth's hand.

He was shocked, and outraged...and more importantly devastated. Something like that doesn't ever leave you, and Jareth knew that already. With something near amusement Lukas drilled into the prince's mind how HE himself had killed Teek. He was holding the dagger after all, if he had been stronger, he could have stopped it. If he had worked harder, he could have prevented Teek's death. If he hadn't disobeyed none of it would have ever happened.

He was right in one sense at least, Jareth was taught a valuable lesson...two really. Be a loner, and never trust anyone. Deviating from those rules made one vulnerable, and invited pain. He wouldn't make that mistake again. He only wished...maybe he'd have known that before he'd met Teek...

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