I do not own the Labyrinth or its characters from the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth or the Manga!
The Labyrinth's power is growing. Jareth appears in Sarah's townhouse one morning for a haven to escape his troubles, mainly that the High King demands a magic tax from the Goblin Kingdom in order to limit its power!
"Magic Tax"
By: Tal J. Smith
Chapter 1: Council Meeting
Sarah was standing in her kitchen of a very large but empty townhouse mindlessly stirring her newest version of her favorite Spanish dish. She had soft music playing on the stereo. She heard a recognizable but subdued pop of air being sucked out of the room and smiled while checking in the oven at her cobbler for dessert.
The Goblin King stood in her living room noticing her shy smile, and then very dramatically fell onto her cough with a loud sigh.
Sarah went to get him a drink. She'd purchased him a nice cognac upon finding out it calmed his nerves somewhat. "Well, just make yourself comfortable." She handed him the glass with a smirk.
Jareth looked at her gratefully and took the glass; he sat up to take a sip. "I must not look intimidating enough for those fools to think they could speak that way to me. If I had my way the entire court would be thrown into the Bog!" Jareth put the glass down and closed his eyes again. "I'd actually rather be dealing with goblins than those greedy bunch of…." He trailed off.
"What happened this time?" Sarah asked as he got back to a seated position (well more like a lounging position) on the couch. Sarah sat down and curled up on the other side with a cup of tea in her hands.
"They want the Labyrinth to pay a magic tax. A magic tax of all things! I mean it's unheard of in the Underground!" Jareth fumed and took a sip of his cognac.
"No other kingdom is required to pay this tax as they can produce goods and services to the high king, but the Labyrinth provides childless couples a way to become loving parents, and populates the other kingdoms. That in itself should be priceless. But no, they demand more!"
"Why would the high king need more magic anyway?" Sarah asked confused. "Isn't he supposed to be the most powerful in the Underground?"
Jareth smirked at Sarah and beamed with pride, sticking his chest out a bit and putting his nose a little higher in the air. "Sarah the Labyrinth contains the most magic of all the kingdoms in the Underground. I am the only one who has been able to contain it, and harness it. The very essence of the Labyrinth breathes magic. I believe the high king thinks I am getting a trifle too strong and will wish to challenge his position."
Jareth leaned his head back on the cushions. "But leaching magic from the Labyrinth would weaken it to the point where it would be vulnerable to invaders from neighboring kingdoms, ruin its built in protections, and affect the health of my people."
Sarah put down her mug. "Would you challenge the high king?"
"Of course not! Why anyone would want to be High King and deal with the courts everyday is beyond my comprehension." He rubbed his eyes to get rid of a small headache, looked at Sarah, and suddenly seemed to notice the aroma.
Changing the subject he asked, "What are you making? It smells heavenly." Sarah smiled and went to the pot in the kitchen to give it another stir. Jareth followed to the kitchen bar.
Sarah brought him over a spoonful of the sauce. "Tell me if it needs anything."
Watching Jareth closely, he gently took the spoon from her as though she were handing him a fabergé egg he. His gloves felt like butter on her fingers. He sipped the sauce from the spoon and closed his eyes. The moment seemed to last forever. Sarah stared at his face transfixed.
Sarah took in his soft poet's shirt and dark breaches. He sat on the kitchen stool with a perfectly straight back with his black suede boots resting on the foot rests. She thought to herself that he seemed slightly uncomfortable in her presence still. She had yet to see him completely relaxed.
Sarah reminisced about the first time she had come downstairs first thing in the pre dawn hours on a Saturday morning about a year ago; to stop at the foot of her stairs to see the Goblin King sitting on her couch looking worse for wear. At her hesitant approach all he asked was, "May I stay here for a moment or two? I …I just need a place to….please Sarah?"
All she did was turn to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee, and handed a mug to him asking. "Do you like milk or sugar in your coffee?" It was the "please" that got to her. Did the Goblin King ever say please?
She was not in any mood for conversation until she had her coffee, and looking back at that moment, Sarah realized she probably should have put on some more clothes. The spaghetti strap tank top, and baggy sleep pants were fairly revealing. But since he was the one invading her space, she thought he would just have to deal with it.
"Both please," was all he replied.
She made him coffee the way she liked it, and they both sat on opposite ends of the living room. She usually read a book for a couple hours. He didn't say anything right away but sipped the coffee deep in thought. So she turned on a reading lamp and picked up a book from the side table, started reading and sipping her coffee. She stole occasional glances over at the Goblin King who stared into outer space for several minutes. The only sound was the motor and splashing water from a small fish tank in the corner of the room.
"The quiet here is so refreshing. I needed it." Jareth said softly as sunlight started illuminating the room.
Sarah put down her book, "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?" Sarah was usually the one all her friends went to for advice, the one who ended up giving advice and helping to solve problems.
Jareth finally brought out of his reverie looked over at Sarah quizzically. "No, I ah, I think I've a solution. I just needed a place to escape and think. I'm not sure why I chose here. I hope I didn't intrude."
"No problem. I wasn't doing anything." Sarah with a shrug. "Come by anytime, I'm usually alone."
Jareth tilted his head in confusion. "I thank you for your hospitality, I should be going."
"Alright," Sarah said with a slight smile, "But you can stay as long as you need too, I would hate to see you lose your temper and Bog someone that didn't deserve it."
Jareth smirked and put a hand to his chest in mock horror. "I wouldn't dream of such a thing."
Sarah smiled the first real smile he'd seen all morning. He actually felt that smile do something to him. He was not sure what it did, but he was willing to find out.
Now his visits were like seeing an old best friend, she looked forward to this. Sometimes he would visit for a couple minutes, sometimes for hours. Maybe he would stay for dinner again. Their dinners (when he stopped by at that time) were always nice and casual, chatting about changes he'd made to the Labyrinth, new staff members, or the newest mischief the goblins had gotten into.
She awoke from her stupor of staring at his lips as he was tasting her newest sauce when he said, "This is excellent Sarah, very nice, what is it?"
"Well, I'm calling it chef's surprise for now. Will you be staying for dinner?" Sarah cursed in her mind; it seemed she couldn't hide the hope in her eyes or her voice.
Jareth looked pained. "I would love to Sarah, but I must give the court an answer on the tax issue tonight."
"I have peach cobbler for later." His eyes snapped up. Sweets, chocolate or peaches, she found, were his weakness.
"Sarah my dear, you are completely devious. But I really must return tonight." Jareth smiled with her favorite grin that she hoped he reserved just for her.
"Bummer, well what would happen if you go back and tell him you just refuse to pay this tax?" Sarah questioned.
"The High King could charge me with treason….or strip me of my title. Ha, I wish him luck finding someone to rule the Labyrinth without me. Then he'd never get his precious magic." Jareth looked down at his hands. "I wouldn't give up the Labyrinth to that tyrant for any reason anyway, my subjects deserve better. I'll have to find some other way to convince him of my distaste to be high king."
"Well I'm sure you'll think of something." Sarah went back to stirring.
Jareth grinned a bit. "May I have dessert for the trip back?" He continued sarcastically, "You know the magic use to get here weakens me so." He made a move as if to faint. "Something sweet would do wonders for my health."
Sarah giggled, "A bit overdramatic wouldn't you say?" She went to get an oven mit. "OK, but you have to promise me a visit to the Labyrinth soon, once you get things squared away with the courts."
"Precious, you may have your heart's desire for a portion of your dessert." He stood and bowed low. "Provided you do not cut off my supply."
Sarah laughed at his antics but secretly loved the endearing words he called her by, "Well at least I know the best way to tempt you if there's something I want." She pulled the warmed cobbler out of the oven, cut a slice, and put it in a Tupperware. As she handed it to him he slowly turned to leave.
"Jareth." Sarah asked.
"Yes." He stopped and turned to look at her with those piercing mismatched eyes.
"I um, will you…." Sarah was not sure what she wanted to say…..several things went through her mind to ask him. Questions she could not bring herself to ask. 1) Will you come back to visit me later? 2) Do you ever think about the ball where we danced? 3) Would you mind if I kissed you?
"Yes Sarah, what is it?" Jareth did not miss the blush that started to form on her face.
He watched her every move around him. He noticed her tight jeans formed her figure, and the way her breath hitched in her throat whenever he called her precious. He knew she was accepting of his presence in her life, but was still nervous around him. Though she'd never said as much, he knew she enjoyed his company.
"I...well…just. Just will you be careful ok?" Sarah looked like she wanted to say more.
He smirked and winked. "I will. What trouble could I possibly get into?"
Jareth caressed her cheek lightly with a gloved finger and disappeared in his signature cloud of glitter.
Sarah finished making dinner, berating herself for being so weak. She'd wanted to ask Jareth why he kept visiting her. I mean she knew they were friends, but they'd not talked about what had happened 10 years before when she ran the Labyrinth.
She'd just turned on the TV and made herself a plate when the phone rang. She looked at the called ID.
"Hey mom, how's it going?"
"Sarah hon, what are you doing home on a Friday night? Are you all alone? Do you want to come over here?" Karen sounded worried for her recluse of a daughter.
"My dinner plans changed last minute mom, but I'm fine. I've got a movie rented that I've been dying to see." Sarah rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you bring it over and we can watch it together? You shouldn't be all alone like this Sarah. What happened to your girlfriends from work?" Karen started her interrogation.
"They all have families mom, I'm the youngest on my team. And I am not hanging out with that sleaze ball Mike ever again. That was a complete disaster." Sarah was starting to get annoyed.
"Ok hon, I just worry about you. I know Mike wasn't for you, but that doesn't mean you stop looking." Karen sounded exasperated.
"I'm fine mom, really." Sarah rolled her eyes.
"Sarah. I mean it, you should be out on a date. Not cooped up inside the house doing nothing…..." Karen just didn't give up.
Sarah cut her off, "Mom, I had a date planned for tonight but he had to cancel. He was called back into work last minute."
"Really, you did…..who? What's his name?" Karen asked in disbelief.
"Oh no, I'm not about to jinx this, just know that I met him years ago and we've just recently re-connected as friends. We've had the occasional lunch or coffee meeting, and a couple of friendly dinners, but hopefully it can be more in the future. And that's all you're getting." Sarah stated forcefully.
"Fine, but have to give me all the details sooner or later." Karen sounded really excited now. She only heard Sarah's "no nonsense" tone when she felt really strongly about something, and she wasn't joking about the date. "And I want to meet him the next time you visit."
"He has a very busy work schedule as it is mom. We'll see." Sarah sighed. What in the world was she doing?
"Ok well I gotta go finish cooking dinner myself, Toby's raiding the fridge over here. I swear that boy's gonna eat me out of house and home!"
"OK, bye mom, I'll see you all next weekend."
"By hon, and good luck!" Karen hung up as Sarah heard Toby in the background complaining there was "nothing to eat around here".
Jareth stood in the back of the court proceedings in a shadow behind a large pillar eating the rest of his cobbler. The conversation of the council was getting interesting. Oberon was standing on the main floor petitioning the fae council.
"He must not be allowed to continue gaining power." The High king preached to the rest of the council. "If the Labyrinth were to spread and grow, your lands, your kingdoms would all be at risk." The High King's voice got higher and louder. "There is nothing to stop the Goblin King if he so chooses to expand his kingdom tomorrow!" Oberon paused for effect. "His power must be limited. It must be controlled. We must have safeguards in place for any such hostile occurrence."
The High King turned to the fae audience in the back of the chamber, "He must be…." He stopped mid sentence, seeing Jareth for the first time.
"Ahh Jareth, we were just talking about you." Oberon said gracefully.
"That's refreshing, usually you're screaming about me." Jareth walked forward down an aisle to meet Oberon; his face showing complete boredom and slight annoyance.
Oberon bowed to the council, "May I present to you, the Goblin King." The fae council had not recognized him. The Goblin King rarely left the Labyrinth, and almost never attended council sessions.
A council woman greeted Jareth, "Welcome Goblin King, thank you for attending. We have some concerns we would like to discuss with you."
"Ah yes, please tell me your concerns, so I may put your fears to rest." Jareth smirked at Oberon still standing next to him.
The woman continued condescendingly, "The Labyrinth has been gaining in magic within the past year now whereas most other kingdoms surrounding it have not. Can you explain this?" She nodded in Jareth's direction.
"My lady, it appears that the Labyrinth as a sentient being has been prospering under my rule, and the denizens therein are thriving now more then ever. The magic increase only shows a thriving nation. Nothing more." Jareth tightened his gloves.
"You say this is all because the Labyrinth is….. happy?" The lady looked at Jareth incredulously.
"Yes. Would the council deny that the Goblin population has been very quiet and well behaved within the last year?" Jareth asked.
"The behavior of your goblins are not the question here sir, the amount of power the Labyrinth has amassed is. How are we to be assured that this power will be used judiciously?" The council murmured agreement.
Jareth interjected. "If it is used at all you mean?"
"Yes, Goblin King. What assurances do we have from you?" She waited.
"I've lived by the council rules for a millennia. In that time, the Labyrinth has not spread its boundaries. I have no wish to change that. My only goal and concern is the care of my Kingdom and the wish to be left alone." Jareth turned to Oberon as he made his last statement as if to make a point.
"Thank you Goblin King. You will be notified of our decision." She turned to the rest of the council. Oberon looked pleased.
"Mgghhh, Mgghhh, Mgghhh." Jareth cleared his throat. The woman looked back at him.
"Was there anything else?" She was annoyed he remained after her clear dismissal.
"I merely wished to inquire how Jaston's son Tercel was doing." Jareth said in a graceful and seemingly interested manner.
A man from the council stood looking surprised he'd been called out. "He's doing well sir, he just celebrated his 99th year. He'd meant to send an invite to you, but…."
"Oh no need, I'm just glad your family was able to receive the blessing of one of the adoptees from my Labyrinth. I'm sure you and your wife treasure your child everyday." The rest of the council had eyebrows raised.
All over the Underground, kingdoms with childless families had received wished aways from the Labyrinth. The fae couples which were chosen had been carefully selected for this gift, and to get on the list was no small feat. No one really knew how couples were chosen except the Goblin King. The fae council were all interested to know that one of their own had gotten on the list and received a wished away child.
Jareth nodded at the rest of the council. "Then I bid you goodnight. I will be in touch."
He threw a crystal orb and disappeared in a flash of glitter.
Jareth appeared in his study, and went to sit behind his grand mahogany desk. He propped one leg over the chair and leaned back holding a copy of the study done on the magic levels within the Labyrinth. It was indeed increasing exponentially.
He only had guesses of the cause of this phenomenon and he thought it may have something to do with his interactions with Sarah.
This all started when he appeared in Sarah's home after a very late and very infuriating meeting with a fae family requesting (no demanding) a child; and them wondering why they were not to be put on the list.
He needed somewhere he could just sit and steam, somewhere out of the Underground where no one would bother him. He was vaguely aware of letting the Labyrinth choose his destination. He was surprised to learn Sarah's living room fit that description.
Since his encounter with an adult Sarah, the magic in his kingdom had risen steadily. The only question was; what in the Underground has Sarah got to do with the increase in magic. She's only human.
And this starts my next story idea while on my school semester break! Read and review please! ~Tally