Trial By Fire
A Forgotten Realms Wizard's Apprentice Meets the Goblin King
By Sailor Northstar
Disclaimer: I do not own anything involving Labyrinth, thats the property of Henson and company. The AD&D world of Forgotten Realms belongs to TSR, I'm just crossing one of my characters from the RPG with Labyrinth, so that makes this story and the main character mine! Any attempts to sue me will not be any good, as I am a poor college student trying to save her sanity before finals. No money is being made off of this, I'm just having a little fun.
Time Period: I have no idea. All I know is that it is set at least 100 years after Sarah solved the Labyrinth. Of course, I may change this, considering that Jareth reminded me that he is fully capable of playing with time.
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As dawn's gentle light peeked over the rim of the lonely valley, the grand tower began to glow with an internal light. Known as the Tower of Illumination, it housed the region's most powerful and wise Diviners. Seperated from the rest of the Forgotten Realms, the tower was served only by a small trading village, which was home to those who provided the tower with provisions.
The inhabitants of the tower, and their apprentices, were known for being the most wise of all diviners in the Forgotten Realms, if you could even manage to make your way to the small settlement. Very few of their mages ventured to the outside world, much less beyond the valley. Days, years, decades, in some cases even centuries, were spent in the accumulation of wisdom and knowledge. Even mere apprentices were involved in the accumulation of knowledge, though they dealt with mundane matters like spying on the local evil humanoids. It was on this day, however, that one apprentice was preparing to become a journeyman, and she had been working on her resesarch project for the last two years.
I'm almost done, thought Galadrea. Concentrating, the young diviner spoke the final words of the spell that would give her the knowledge of the lower realms. For the last two years of her six-year stay in the tower, Galadrea had been fascinated with the lower realms and planes of existence. Though barred from accessing such knowledge while a mere beginner, she had been allowed by Archmage Talikor to begin her studies in preparation for the tests which would move her out of the apprentice status and into full journeyman status, when she would be allowed to leave the valley, if she so wished.
Suddenly, the door flew open. "Gala! Congratulations!"
Startled, Galadrea's concentration broke, and the spell's energy dissipated. Rage such as she had never known coursed through her veins, overpowering the exhaustion such a spell had caused her. Turning around she faced the source of the disturbance.
"You moron!" she hissed, her voice lowering itself into a threatening whisper. The young man, not more than 12, a newcomer to the tower, blanched as he was speared with Galadrea's venomous gaze. "Do you know how long I have been working on this research? Two years! This spell was vital to my completion of my project and test. Without it, I cannot advance and must wait three whole years to try again! Utter dolt!"
Backing up, the young man ran up against the wall. "I-I'm sorry, Gala! I di-didn't know! I was just so excited that today was your big day. Y-you are my sister!" By this time, Galadrea was eyeball-to-eyeball with the unfortunate young man.
"Exactly!" she continued in that deadly quiet voice. "That is the only reason that I am sparing your miserable little existence, Indros." Turning away from the boy violently, eighteen-year old Galadrea stalked back to the center of the workroom. "You are such a pain. Always following me going Gala this and Gala that. What a complete and utter nuisance! If I had known that you were going to be so much trouble to me, I would have never recommended you to Master Talikor." Young Indros was silent, tears running down his face. Utterly silent, he could do nothing but stare as his dearly beloved older sister bent over her worktable and began to weep.
Hesitantly, the young apprentice approached his sister with an outstretched arm. "Gala, I-I don't know what to say..." he stuttered quietly as Galadrea took a step back from him, exhaustion leaving its marks on her elvish face. The rage came back suddenly as she stared through tears at Indos's innocent face.
"Indros, I wish the goblins would come and take you away right now! Then I could try to complete my work!" she shouted at the top of her voice, the force of her cry backing her young brother up three paces. Suddenly, the magical lights of the workroom went out, and Indros screamed.
"GALA!"
Galadrea Solardin stood before the council of the wise, the ruling triumvirant of archmages that determined procedure for the entire Tower of Illumination. Tears streaming down her face, she related all that had happened that just a few short hours ago. Looking at the faces of the council, Galadrea could tell she was in trouble. Archmage Talikor was gazing at her with an expression of disappointment laced with pity. Archmage Kelesanthina was deep in thought, a frown marring her gentle features, which were known for turning harsh upon learning of a breach of etiquette. The gold elf had little patience for pranks and misconduct. Finally, Galadrea turned her gaze fearfully to Archmage Soldis, her own father. His face, as always, was expressionless. As it should be, since he had never had anything to do with Galadrea, Indros, or their elvish mother. Upon achieving archmage status, he had left his elvish wife and her newborn daughter to reside full time in the Tower. They heard from him rarely. It was he who Galadrea feared the most. Finally, Master Talikor broke the silence.
"Galadrea Solardin, you stand before us in full knowledge that is was your spell that attracted the attention of a being of the lower realms. You willingly admit that by you own words you wished your only brother, a fellow apprentice, away, and thus admitted to the tower an otherworldly presence which would not have been able to enter otherwise. Is this correct?"
"It is, Archmage," Galadrea answered tonelessly.
"Galadrea Solardin, you have accepted full responsibilty for your actions which have resulted in the imperilment of a fellow appprentice. Is this correct?" came the voice of Master Kelesanthina, emotionlessly.
"It is, Archmage," Galadrea answered again. Twice now, she was condemned.
"Galadrea Solardin, you have reached the stage of trial for advancement to journeyman status. You were on the verge of completing your research project, and were casting a spell that had been granted to you only because of your superior work thus far. Your inability to keep your concentration resulted in the destruction of your project, which you blamed on Indros Solardin, your fellow apprentice. Such lapses of concentration prove that you are not ready to advance, and the behavior you displayed upon being disturbed were highly inappropriate to your status. Is this correct?" were the harsh words of Master Soldis, his voice merciless and cold.
"It is, Archmage," Galadrea answered for the third and final time, her face scarlet at the hateful words of her own father, knowing deep in her heart that he spoke the truth. Had I been fully concentrating, I would not have faltered at my brother's approach, she silently chastened herself. Upon the return of the lights, her brother was no-where to be found, and there was the presence of an otherworldy being in the workroom, but Galadrea could not spot anything or anyone, yet she was able to feel the disturbance. In horror, she had rushed immediately out and went to find Master Talikor, and now she was standing before the triumvirate, waiting for them to decide her future.
Pacing about in her room, Galadrea gathered the last of her personal items. There is nothing for me to do. They have no choice BUT to banish me. I might as well be ready, "But Damn it all to the Abyss, it just isn't fair!" Galadrea screamed to the ceiling.
"Oh it isn't, is it?" came a soft, slightly amused voice from the air. "Now, where have I heard THAT particular phrase before, hmm?" As Galadrea turned anxiously to find the source of the smug voice, she felt the presence of the unfamiliar magic she had in the workroom.
"Show yoursef, you miserable bastard!" Galadrea hissed. "Or are you afraid?" Galadrea had had it. She had lost her brother, and probably lost her chance at becoming a diviner. Now this voice and presence had returned to make fun of her? No way in the nine levels of the Abyss was she putting up with it.
The voice laughed, a sensual sound ringing throughout the small quarters. A storm of glitter blinded her, and a raging wind swept through the room. Covering her eyes, Galadrea searched for a spell of shielding, but was unable to come up with anything. As the wind died down to a chilly breeze, Galadrea uncovered her eyes and found herself staring into a pair of cold, mismatched eyes, set in a lean face which was startlingly handsome. "Well, here I am," he whispered, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Gasping, Galadrea backed up automatically. Then, her voice returned.
"You miserably son of a bitch!" she said, and swung her fist at the figure dressed all in black. To her surprise, and the surprise of the being in front of her, she connected. A wet sound of fist meeting jaw resounding throughout the room. The being stumbled backwards, his eyes registering shock while his hand felt his jaw.
Mage and supernatural being stared at each other in shock, different responses flitting through their minds. Not possible! If this creature was truly of the lower realms, I shouldn't have been able to touch him. Therefore, he is not of the lower realms!
Who in the name of darkness is this girl? Never before has anyone been able to stand up to me, except for her let alone get in a physical attack! was the being's thoughts. This is going to require careful handling...
"Well,congratulations my dear," he said, laughing huskily. "No one has ever been able to touch me before. I am truly impressed," the man said, his laughter sliding over Galadrea's mind like a warm, dark blanket.
Focusing her thoughts, she replied "And I wonder why that is, hmmm?" she said, throwing his tone of voice back at him. SHe was rewarded by seeing his amusement disappear, to be replaced by a cold fury. Suddenly, the figure reached out and threw an object at her. Dodging quickly, throwing herself to the floor, she was confused to see a small crystal sphere connect with the wall, and shatter into tiny pieces which then disappeared.
"A warning here and now, mage. Don't defy me!" the man warned. Suddenly, he took a step back as a small bolt of flame almost seared his hair.
"Fair enough. But don't mess with me, either!" Galadrea said, her hands glowing as she prepared another fiery bolt. But evidently, the being had had enough.
"Hold, mage!" he said, his voice commanding and stern. Intrigued, Galadrea ceased her spell. "Do you even know who I am?" the being asked her, his voice now mild in tone.
"Personally? I really don't give a damn. I want my brother back. Sure he's a pain, but he didn't deserve what I did to him!" Galadrea spoke, rising and facing the intruder. Facing the man, she realized she was almost as tall as he.
"I am the Goblin King, but you may call me Jareth, or preferably, Your Majesty. What is your name, girl?" he asked, casually noting that her magical bolt had indeed managed to singe a few hairs. Yes indeed, I must proceed very carefully with this one.
Snorting in disdain, Galadrea replied. "King of the Goblins? What kind of title is that? Who would want to be king of those verminous little creatures? And for your information, I am Galadrea Solardin, apprentice diviner, student of Archmage Talikor himself." Chew on THAT you blonde, handsome devil! Vaguely, Galadrea wondered silently where exactly had the term handsome come from. Though you have to admit, he isn't exactly lacking in the looks department, though it might be an illusion.
One eyebrow lifting slightly, Jareth turned away from the mage and summoned another sphere. Turning suddenly, he enlarged it to show a castle situated beyond a city in the center of an enormous labyrinth. "Your brother is there, in my castle, young one. If you had merely awaited, I would have told you this earlier, but no. You had to run to your masters, and see where it has gotten you? On the verge on being kicked out!" Jareth said, false concern and scorn lacing his voice. "Oh, poor little Galadrea. What a pity you couldn't hold your temper, isn't it? Thank-you for wishing your brother away. Now I can enter this protected tower whenever I please," he tormented her, grinning a startingly feral grin. Horrified, Galadrea noticed that he had fangs and backed up.
"What's going to happen to Indros?" she asked quietly.
Negligently, the Goblin King replied to her question. "Oh, he'll be turned into a goblin, and become one of my servants. He's a little old, so he may not survive the transformation," the fiend replied, letting boredom inch into his voice. "Unless..."
Galadrea knew a goad when she heard one. Though it angered her to answer, she did. "Unless what, you bastard?" she gritted out. Jareth narrowed his eyes and smirked. So, she had a temper. That would be very useful indeed. And a nasty right hook, lets not forget he thought, hiding his testing of his jaw behind a yawn.
"Unless you accept my challenge and win, of course," the king replied. If this worked, not only would he snag the brother, but he would gain the abilities of a diviner also. Yes, how fortunate her spell had backfired.
Tiring of Jareth's little verbal games, Galadrea decided to put an end to them. "Okay, what do I have to do to get him back?" Jareth appeared startled.
What? No pleading, no tears? This isn't going like I planned at all! he thought, slightly concerned. Unlike the last girl, he could not predict this one's actions. Then again, how many times have you approached a mage before, huh? "It's quite simple, my dear Gala!" With a false cheer in his voice, he gestured and the small room faded from view. Stumbling slightly, Galadrea reeled from the vertigo. A supporting hand kept her from falling headfirst down the barren hill.
Jerking herself away from the Goblin King's touch, Galadrea spun to face him. "You insufferable--" but she was stopped as she saw a clock fade into view.
"My dear, you have thirteen hours to find your way through my labyrinth and get to the castle. If you don't, your brother becomes one of my minions, and you become my servant. Should you succeed, you and your brother go free, and the Archmages need never know anything that has happened." Stopping, the King examined her face to see the effect of his words on her, but she had turned and was examining the labyrinth carefully.
"I accept the challenge, Jareth" Galadrea said, catching him off guard with her casual use of his name. "We'll see who has the last laugh!" And with that she turned her back, readjusted the small bag that carried her spellbook in it, and set off down the hill. Jareth was left at the top, open-mouthed in shock at her abruptness. He had expected at least a little whining, but no. She had accepted the challenge, and issued one of her own.
No, things are not going as I planned. Not one little bit...
This is horrible! Let's go back to Nancy's Rooms.