Amaranth
Chapter 1: Never-Fading Rain
The strong winds of change seemed to blow even faster through the thickness of magic that filled the air. Only the Underground, home of the fae and immortal beings, could hold such power with so little will. Humans would find the world exhausting from the illusions that had no end to them. Yet not all illusions controlled the minds of most mortals.
For Sarah Williams-de Aisling, magic was just as much apart of her now as her memory of mortality. Oh yes; even human lives have their advantages.
And on a day like this fine, sunny morning, Sarah sat out on her balcony listening to the sweet sounds of the world that had accepted her as a new fae.
Hearing the small sound of cooing from the crib nearby, the once heroine drew away from her daydreams to the young man with bright blonde hair who seemed to call out her name in some strange language all mothers could understand.
Smiling gently, Sarah reached down and picked up young Toby in her arms, causing him to laugh and cling to his mother's shirt.
"Yes my love," she said slowly to her son. "I bet you're excited to see your sister for the first time!" The baby cooed again. Poor Arianna had yet to hold her new baby brother since enforcing her first proclamation to the Seelie and Unseelie Court. But as promised in many of her letters, she set aside a full week to spend with her parents and new little brother.
"Oh Toby, what a day we have planned for you," she whispered gently to the small boy as he giggled.
"You do mean, what a day Ari has planned for us, don't you?" Jareth questioned as he appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing his son's cheek. "Ari did order that we not lift a finger nor say any protests to what she has planned."
Sarah laughed. "She is too much like her father," Sarah stated firmly as she handed off Toby to Jareth who raised him in the air.
"You say that like it's a bad thing, love," Jareth remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"It is," Sarah replied with an evil grin. "And I'm making sure you don't end up corrupting this little guy as you had her." She played with Toby's small hand.
"Ah, but it was you who raised her," Jareth reminded as he played spaceship with his child, gently holding him up and down in the air above his own head.
"That doesn't mean anything," Sarah stated, hands wrapped around her shoulders. "Half of your stubborn genes reside within her genetic DNA, dear, while mine seems to stay dormant."
"I doubt that," Jareth retorted quickly. "After all, I ruled my kingdom with an iron hand up until the day that this young child defeated my labyrinth by distracting me."
"I distracted you?" Sarah exclaimed, placing hands on her hips. "Well excuse me Mr. Tights but what was with that stunt in that crystal ball of yours? Hmm?"
"I sent you the dream, love," Jareth replied coolly. "It was up to you to what the dream actually contained." He smiled as his son seemed to giggle at his father's response. "But regardless, I feel blessed from everything that has happened." He sighed happily. "I was given four beautiful children; two of whom will become well known rulers in the Underground's history. And I have the most beautiful fae to stand at my side." He leaned over and kissed Sarah on the lips.
"Suck-up," Sarah muttered under her breathe as Jareth handed Toby back to her. Jareth smiled at her.
"Come, we should leave," he said as he pulled her into his arms and they disappeared into his cloud of glitter.
Ari's Kingdom – Salatylia – in the heart of the Underground
"Oh look how big he is!" Ari exclaimed as she immediately grabbed Toby out of her mother's arms. "Hi there little guy! I'm your big sister! Well, one of them anyway." Toby smiled, seemingly recognizing his own blood and wrapped his arms around Ari's neck n a small hug. She laughed and looked to her parents. "I guess he'll be the only one with blonde hair, dad. Sorry."
"I understand," Jareth stated as he gently rubbed his daughter's back. "My daughters shall have my eyes while Toby here will have my looks. I find no pain in those words."
Ari rolled her eyes and looked at Sarah. "Must he always talk like he's regal?" she asked, causing her mother to laugh. "Look, I'm High Queen and I still don't talk like I know-it-all, dad."
"Oh let him show off," Sarah said slowly, placing a hand on Ari's shoulder. "He isn't hurting anybody by doing it!"
"Yet, anyway," Ari added which caused a glare from her father. "What?"
"Don't tease him Arianna," spoke a masculine voice as he appeared in a cloud of glitter. "You'll only encourage him to do it again."
"Hello David," Sarah greeted as she hugged her old friend.
"Divac, mom," Ari stated.
"Oops, sorry," Sarah apologized. "Old habits die hard, I'm afraid."
"I take no offense, Sarah," David laughed, hugging her in return. "You may be the only person to call me David. I will have no objection to it." He turned to Jareth. "As for you-"
"Now what did I do?" Jareth questioned immediately.
"I order you to call me Grandpa, young lad," Divac demanded, head held high, and winking in Ari's direction. "After all, your own daughter calls me Great-Grandpa in privacy."
"Why can she not call you that in public?" Sarah asked.
"It's a matter of respect amongst faes, mom," Ari explained as she handed Toby over to Divac. "At least the Courts don't expect me to actually call him 'His Majesty' or something like that just because he once had a higher ranking position than I did for a short time. I just have to use the title 'Sir'."
"Yes, just as I have to call her 'Ma'am' in front of our peers," Divac continued. "It's all a part of the ancient laws of our ancestors that was passed on from the old kings of the humans from Aboveground." He then noticed that Sarah's face dropped a bit. "Sorry. A sore subject?"
"I'm just trying to get use to all of the immortality business," Sarah replied gently. "I was born a human and have human desires, but with every wish at my disposal, it seems almost-"
"Unfair?" Jareth finished for her. "Magic is something that must be taught, love. Every being, fae or human, must learn to deal with it. This phase will pass with time." Sarah just nodded in agreement and smiled at her son as he reached out for her.
"Well, what are we doing still standing here in this hallway for?" Ari pointed out. "Let's head over to this new garden I built!" She grabbed a hold of her father's arm, as a child would. "I think you are going to be quite impressed."
In the Castle beyond the Goblin City
Silai sighed as another helpless goblin began to bug her about how this other goblin was picking on him. It was more of a baby-sitting job than anything.
"Father must have had the patience of a saint," Silai muttered to herself aloud.
"You must remember that these goblins were babies once," a melodic voice entered the room as a woman walked into the throne room.
"What could you possibly want now?" Silai growled at her mother. The last time she had seen her, Shardae was begging once again for the return of her powers. "You know that what you ask can never be undone."
"Oh I am not here for that honey," Shardae began as she moved closer to the throne. "I'm actually here to announce to my Queen, that I shall be leaving soon for your sister's kingdom."
"Why is that?" Silai asked with a serious glare. "You know that she finds no comfort in your appearance. Especially since the last time you two last faced each other."
"Oh I'm not going to hurt the young girl," Shardae remarked with a roll of her eyes. "I'm actually going there for her best interests."
"Come again?" Silai questioned in shock.
"Come with me, dear, and I shall tell you of this dream I had," Shardae stated, pointing out to the hallways. "A nightmare of pain and death for the Underground."