This story has probably been done over and over again...but I wanted to write something after a few years... so here it is! Enjoy!
The large marble pillars loomed in the foreground. They were followed in succession by one right after another and after another. They created a long, seemingly endless path. However, they did end; and it was not the ending one would generally hope for. There, sitting in matching silver thrones, sat the High King and Queen of the Fae.
The pristine white of the room made everything and everyone so much brighter than even heaven would allow. The guests in attendance of the court were dressed in pale, soft colors. Of course they all wore jewels, flowers and everything the owner of the endless click-clicking of boots walking down than endless aisle abhorred. It was not until after the clock struck 13 that the sound ceased.
Jareth, the Goblin King, was dressed in his full regalia of dark armor and torn cape as he bowed to those seated high in front of him. A smirk lit up his features as he righted his posture. "Your majesties, it is not often that I am called to the High Council. To what do I owe the honor of my invitation as your 'special guest?'" The Goblin King knew very well why he was there. The fact that he had not been called in sooner, in fact YEARS sooner, he still could not comprehend.
"Goblin King," The High King, Oberon, kept his voice calm and even; yet let it carry throughout the room. "You stand before the High Court accused of treason against the crown." The entire room seemed to have take in a large breath all at once. It seems as though all of those in attendance were also not informed of today's opening events. If Jareth had been a younger Fae, he would have let it show that he felt the immediate lack of oxygen around him. Instead, he quirked a brow.
"If I may be so bold as to ask what this pertains to, exactly." He matched Oberon's collected tone.
"You allowed a mortal girl to defeat your Labyrinth and then return to the Aboveground."
"That is hardly treason."
"Did she not eat food of the realm?" Titania, Oberon's Queen spoke harshly.
"I am not quite certain." Jareth shifted his stance.
"Not certain? It is your duty to watch the runners at every turn. To thwart their attempts to enter the Goblin City. It is on a credible account that we have heard she has eaten food of the realm and thus, belongs to us."
"Who is your source, exactly?"
"Guards." Oberon stood as the large doors at the far end of the aisle once again opened, much like they had for Jareth. He immediately heard the shuffling of feet and small groans walking up to him; the room echoing the creatures pains. The Goblin King sighed as he immediately realized who it was. In fact, he could smell her well before she reached the spot next to him.
"Yer Majesties." The Junk Lady bowed as elegantly as she could; though it wasn't much. The large chair on her back shifting enough that Jareth thought it may fall.
"Why you insolent bag of-" Jareth thought he was being quiet enough, but was stopped by the High King.
"Please tell the court your name, your occupation and ties to King Jareth and what exactly you saw." Oberon gave the Goblin King a warning glare yet was talking entirely to the Junk Lady.
"Certainly." She shifted, odd bits falling around. This caused Jareth to step to the side to avoid any debris. "My name is Wynne. I come from the land just on the outskirts of that goblin city. You know the place. Well, anyways. I was just mindin' my own business, collectin', when out of the sky falls this-human. This mortal girl. She looked nice. She was a little crazed but nice. Make no mistake my High King! That girl had the mark! That smell!"
"Your Majesties, this creature lives in the landfills outside of my city. That smell could have been anything."
"It was distinctly Fae." She spoke again; glaring at her sovereign.
"You say she fell from the sky?" Oberon seemed tired of the conversation already.
"Well-yer Majesty...she wasn't there one moment and then appeared the next."
"Thank you. You may leave." Oberon sat back down in his throne and leaned to one side, his hand covering his lips as he thought. The trash lady, Wynne, took her leave. She shuffled her way down the aisle once more and Jareth could not be happier to be rid of the smell.
"Jareth, King of the Goblins," The High King had just a hint of confusion in his tone that none other than Jareth would pick up upon. "Do you have anything to say in your own defense?"
He shifted his stance very slightly as he collected his thoughts. "Whether she had eaten food of the realm or not...she defeated my Labyrinth. The rules state that whenever there is a champion, they must be returned to the Aboveground. I was following orders, your Majesties."
Oberon took a deep breath as he contemplated. It seemed like ages before the High King stood again.
"Jareth, King of the Goblins. Due to your negligence, Fae property has been returned to the Aboveground without consent. However, let it be known that we are a court that is not without reason. You must bring back your Champion to us before the next full moon Aboveground or face your punishment. You are dismissed." Oberon sat down as Jareth heard those large doors at the back of the room open again. His heart sank.
Oh Sarah... His thoughts swirled. What have I done to you.
Jareth waited in a small wood-filled chamber for several hours; located right outside of the main hall. The room had tapestries depicting great wars of their race's past; yet he had seen them all before. He took no notice.
"Jareth." Oberon stated as he closed the door behind him. The Goblin king remained standing with arms crossed, looking away from him. "You know that I had no choice." A strong silence passed between them."As soon as Titania caught wind of the fact that you were the one responsible and-" He sighed as he took a seat as the ornate wooden desk. "It spread like wild fire throughout the court."
"Can she not hold her tongue." Jareth spat.
Oberon smiled slightly. "I suppose it is my doing." At that Jareth turned around. "Oh, you know very well that she and I have never gotten along. She did this to harm me…not you."
"I cannot bring her back, Oberon."
"Then everything will be taken from you. Your kingdom, your title, your magic. Jareth, you will be banished."
"The Labyrinth will be untamed. You know there is no one left that can control it like I can. I have been one of your strongest allies... The court shall loose a large resource."
"Cousin, please…"
"I cannot."
"And I cannot play favorites." Oberon leaned back in his chair. "As it is, I have allowed you much more than anyone before. The Labyrinth... It will not be easy, but we shall find someone else to rule should the need arise." He was not a man of empty threats. Although he regarded his cousin with respect that he offered very few others, he would follow his own word.
"This task is impossible and you know it. You've given me two and a half weeks." Jareth leaned against the wall; his arms crossed over his chest.
"No one is irreplaceable."
Jareth did not speak a word for a long moment. When he did, he spoke just above a whisper. "...What does Titania want with her?"
"Knowing that this girl is a favorite of yours? Knowing that she is the Labyrinth's champion? Nothing kind." Oberon stood and walked to his cousin. "Two and a half weeks. That is more than enough time here. Do not waste any more of it in this room. I suggest going back to your kingdom and devising a plan. Know that whatever it is, you have my full support and I will help where I am able. I cannot say the same for Titania. That woman is a devil all her own."
"You do not want me to bring her back?"
"I do not want you to bring back someone whom Titania may claim." Oberon adjusted his royal garments and bowed his head slightly to Jareth.
Poor precious thing...