Hi all! I suggest that you read Mirrors and Crystals United before reading this one, although this story works alright alone too (it will feel weird without the information from the other fic though). Either way, enjoy! I don't own anything, just the new characters that are not in the Labyrinth.
"Knock, knock," said Jareth. He looked into a small bedroom to see the most beautiful woman in the entire Underground. The young fey turned around, elated to see the Goblin King. Her mismatched ocean blue and emerald green eyes shone with love and admiration. Walking into his arms, she kissed both his cheeks and gave him a hug.
Jareth was clearly delighted with his greeting. "How are you, my princess?" He curled her platinum blonde hair behind her ear affectionately before planting a kiss on her forehead. Cassandra's smile faded and gave him a half shrug. "I'm alright, I guess." Seeing the worried look on Jareth's face, she put up a fake smile. "Don't worry Dad." She reached up to give him another kiss.
Jareth continued his frown. "You're just as bad as your mother at hiding emotions," he noted. In many ways, it was uncanny how much Cassandra was like her parents. She put her hands on her hips just like Sarah did when she was thinking hard, but inherited his ability to intimidate anyone (except her parents of course) with one certain stare.
Cassandra sat down on her bed, making a pouty face. Jareth sat down on the chair next to her vanity, waiting for her answer. Cassandra gave a huge sigh, one that Sarah would make when she was frustrated. "It's just, I don't want to sound vain..."
When she didn't continue, Jareth conjured some peach cobbler. He ate it in the most disgusting, slobbery way he could.
Cassandra made a disgusted face at her father. "What?" Jareth asked between mouthfuls. Cassandra tried to not laugh, but failed. "Dad! You're eating as badly as goblins! You're going to make my room messy!"
Jareth chuckled. "I just wanted to see you smile, Sweet Pea." Looking at his daughter laughing, he was sad that she was no longer his little girl that he would teach to kick goblins or threaten anyone with the bog. She was a young woman now, and he hoped that he would always have a special place in her heart.
Jareth looked deep into her eyes. "Now, please tell me what's wrong," he said quietly. His daughter had been moody lately, and not even Sarah could get her to say anything, which was unusual. Sarah could get Cassandra to admit anything.
Cassandra hugged her legs against her. "It's just, I'm a princess, but it doesn't mean anything since I can't rule so I actually have to figure out what I want to do. I mean I love being your daughter, I'm proud of it. It's just, being the daughter of two Labyrinth Conquerers and two very powerful monarchs means that I have a lot to live up to. I don't have a name for myself, and even worse, I'm the most beautiful woman in the Underground. There I said it." She buried her heard into her knees.
Jareth tapped her shoulder, making her look up. "Cassie," he called her by her childhood nickname. "There's nothing wrong with being beautiful! It's not vain, it's true." Cassandra pushed his hand away. "No it's not! Even you know it! All these men and women come to ogle at me. No one would take me seriously. It's like they think I'm too good for them or they mock me for just being a leech to my parents."
As sad as it was for Jareth to hear her fears and insecurities, it did make him pleased to hear her confiding in him. Usually, she'd only tell these things to her mother, and Jareth would have to pry it from his wife. Trying to console her, he tried resting his hand on her back. He was glad that she didn't swat it away, letting him comfort her.
Scooting onto her bed, he did his best to help his princess gain confidence again. "Cassie, you are your own person. You just had your 17th birthday, just became an adult. You will find your way and be your own person, I promise. As for your beauty, well, you know your mother and I are both quite attractive." He winked at her, and smiled when Cassandra laughed.
Jareth continued. "When you were born, I fell in love with you. I had never experienced anything like it. I wanted to protect you, to make you safe. You are a result of my love and your mother's love, half me, half the woman I love most. And, I think that's why I loved you so. But not long after your birth, you began to grow into an amazing young girl, and we love you for the person you've become. You have a good heart, a sharp mind, and quite dedicated at perfecting your talents. Someone will come around and love you for who you are. People will always be wary and be strange about beauty. It is a gift and a curse for sure, but know that unless they can see also see your heart, those people are not worth your time." Flicking his wrist, he formed a crystal that turned into a beautiful dress and handed it to his daughter, who looked a little less grumpy.
"Now, I designed this dress for you tonight. And yes, we will be matching." Jareth was a fashionable man after all, and having matching colors will show everyone that they're a family unit.
Cassandra gasped at the beautiful dress. It was a deep red color, with darker red ribbons to tie at the waist. Her shoulders would be visible and her father provided dainty golden slippers to go with them as well. Her blonde hair would be let down and she was given fire red earrings, to represent fire, her magical medium. Her also gave her a ring with the Kingdom's coat of arms etched onto it, to signify that she was a princess. She had no crown, since she would not inherit the throne from her father. Clutching the dress to herself she thanked her father.
Jareth waved. "No need, darling. I have one more thing." He clasped a golden necklace on her. Looking into the mirror, Cassandra saw a lovely small peach on it. Peaches were her favorite fruit. She looked into the reflection and saw Jareth's huge smile.
"Is, is this for me to keep?" In the Underground, pendants and necklaces were gifts for adults only. If children wore necklaces, they did not belong to them but most likely, their parents. Jareth nodded. "This is your first ball as an adult, and the first crowning of a monarch that you'll witness. You'll have to look the part too, my dear." He kissed between her eyebrows. "Get dressed, I'll go tend to your mother. I love you, Sweet Pea." Cassandra hugged her father. "Love you Dad."
Sarah was busy trying to fix Jareth's dark blue jacket for the celebration that night. She cursed for the fifth time, noticing another golden button was missing. She was going to have to tell her husband to install another safety lock so their subjects wouldn't infiltrate their private chambers anymore. She got so mad that she even physically kicked them out of the throne room. That turned out to be a mistake because they started lining up to be kicked by her in delight. Only Jareth could scare them with his threats.
She could feel the atmosphere shift. Without even turning around, she addressed the person in her chambers. "So, how's our little princess?" Two strong hands wrapped themselves around her abdomen, and a small kiss graced her neck. Sarah turned around, and gave Jareth a deep kiss on the lips.
Though they've been married for years, their kisses still felt as thrilling as they did on their first date. Pulling away, Sarah reached for Jareth's jacket. "Jareth, we really need to set up a better security system. Look at the state of this!" She shook it in front of his face. Jareth sighed. "Love, I've changed colors for tonight. I felt that it would be nice to show colors that matched Cassie's medium." He materialized a new dress for his wife with his left hand.
Sarah's eyes widened. "Are you serious? Then what are you going to wear? And Cassie?" She had spent so long trying to fix his jacket, and all for nothing. Jareth looked unconcerned. "Don't worry, I gave her a new dress and I have mine tailored already. I apologize for not telling you sooner."
Sarah sobbed. "Why didn't you tell me? I worked so hard to fix it! And the goblins made me so angry that I kicked them and they just wanted more and it just got worse!" Fat, ugly tears rolled down her face, confusing the hell out of Jareth. She never got this emotional over something small. Except for when she was...
Sarah wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry Jareth, I'm pregnant."
It took a moment for Jareth to really let the information sink in. A huge smile was on his face as he lifted his wife in the air and kissed her profusely. By now, Sarah's tears were gone and he was lifting her dress up to kiss her belly.
Jareth laid his hand on her abdomen, trying to sense the baby. "It's a boy," he realized. Oh, how excited he was! He remembered when Sarah was pregnant Cassandra. He couldn't wait to teach her magic, run with her on his shoulders, and take turns kicking goblins. He felt the exact same for his new son.
Sarah laughed, feeling his light hair tickling her belly. The light in his eyes made her even more grateful that she had married him and to have him as the father of her children.
Jareth stood up, wrapping his arms around Sarah, leaning down to kiss her. He slipped his hand inside her neckline, but paused when someone knocked on his door. "KINGYYYYYY! You and Queeny and princess need to go to the ball now! Ambassadors are here!"
Both monarchs groaned, not wanting to part from each other's arms, but did what had to be done. Sarah yelled towards the door. "Diggie, thank you for giving us the message! Tell them we will be be down soon." She pulled her dress to look decent, but Jared stopped her. "Wait, my love, remember the dress I have for you."
He conjured an outfit. Sarah's dress was one that was fitting for a queen. It was elegant but simple at the same time. The deep red gown was laced with gold thread to represent the Labyrinth. Like her daughter, Sarah's slippers were of a golden color. Her hair would be half up, half down in order to make holding the crown in her hair easier. An ear cuff was also part of the ensemble. She put her engagement ring and her wedding ring on as well. She and Jareth would wear crowns on their heads as this was a solemn ceremony, for the new High King would be crowned. This was the biggest ceremony since Sarah herself became regent High Queen. She was glad to be giving the responsibility over to Zarek. The young king was also Sarah and Jareth's godson, since they had a lot of responsibility in rearing him and were kind to his parents. This made tonight even more special.
Jareth's outfit was nearly the same as during Sarah's peach dream during her Run, except his coat was red instead of blue. He also carried his and Sarah's scepter, another mark of their rule.
Sarah gasped when she saw her daughter. "Oh Cassie, you're so beautiful." She refrained from crying, not wanting the ambassadors to see her get emotional. Cassandra kissed her mother, happy to be by her side.
Jareth stood, not far from his wife and daughter. Oh, how he was so proud of both of them! And now, he was gaining a son too. Life was going well.
Normally, when a monarch was crowned, the High Monarch would crown them. Or, if the monarch came in to power through marriage (like Sarah), they would be crowned by their spouse (like Jareth). However, since this was the High King himself being crowned, the next most powerful monarch would do it. In this case, it was Jareth and Sarah.
King Zarek knelt in front of his throne, with Jareth and Sarah at both sides of him. Now eighteen years old, he was considered an adult.
Jareth opened his mouth to speak. "I, King Jareth of Goblins, Conquerer of the Labyrinth, with the power vested in me by the Head Goddess, declare that Zarek, Champion of the Labyrinth and chosen High King, has met the requirements to be king of the Underground." He gave one bow, and Sarah stepped forward.
"I, Queen Sarah of Goblins, Conquerer of the Labyrinth and High Queen regent of the Underground, with the power vested in me by the Head Goddess, attest that Zarek, Champion of the Labyrinth and chosen High King is worthy and able to rule over the Underground. He will rule righteously and with dignity for all the creatures." She bowed.
"I now pass on my responsibility to you, and now crown you King of the Underground." She placed a crown on his head and Jareth placed a scepter in his hand. The new High King went to sit in his throne. Sarah and Jareth knelt in front of him, each kissing his hands, and crossed their right arms across their chests to declare their loyalty. "Long live the King!"
"Long Live the King!" The rest shouted. Cassandra watched, transfixed by the momentous occasion that almost never happened. Monarchs were only replaced if they died (which was rare since they were immortal), if they did a horrible job (like Queen Raina), or they simply retired. This was a sight to see indeed. Her chest swelled with pride as she saw her parents declared him king. She always knew that her parents were powerful, but it didn't really occur to her until then.
Like her parents, Cassandra hated parties. She liked the food, decorations, and dances, but more often than not, it was just formalities where people were only kind to her for appearances.
Men and women kept asking her for her tips on beauty, or just staring at her. None of them asked her about her medium or any news about the Labyrinth or her studies. It wasn't fair, she pouted silently. The only good thing about dinner was that she caught her parents sneaking food into her mother's Mirror portal for later. Cassandra could spot Jareth's mischievious look anywhere, since she had the same look when she was up to no good.
After dinner, everyone moved into the ballroom. Cassandra hated this part. At least dinner had good food. She sat in a spot far away, all by herself, trying to not look depressed while drinking a little bit of champagne.
Sarah was conversing with the King of Dwarves when she noticed her daughter was in distress. Politely excusing herself, she crossed the ball room, trying to not collide with the dancers, and sat next to Cassandra. She picked her daughter's hands up and kissed her cheek. "How is my beautiful girl?"
Cassandra snorted and turned around. "Don't call me that."
Sarah frowned. People must've commented on her looks again. "Honey, what's wrong?"
"Everything," she shot back, reminded Sarah of Jareth when he said the same word after she asked him what made him generous. "Mom, no one is even asking me normal questions like how schooling is or how the kingdom is. No, they're asking me and commenting on my looks, dismissing me as stupid." She shook away the tears that were forming in her mismatched eyes. "No one wants to dance with me, no one has. I'm just a thing to look at. No one wants to even get to know me." The last words came out as a whisper.
Sarah squeezed her daughter's hand. "I don't understand everything you're going through, but I love you and I just want you to know that not everyone will be like this. You're young, and people will change attitudes when you're older. Trust me." She planted a kiss on Cassandra's forehead.
It was nice to be with her mother, but she was still a teenager and wanted to go and pout. Before she could answer Sarah, an outstretched hand holding a rose was in front of her face. Looking up, Cassandra saw her father smiling down sweetly at her.
"Well hello there. May I have this dance, my lady?" Jareth was the vision of the perfect gentleman. Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Daaaad you're embarrassing me," she complained quitely. Jareth didn't let that deter him. He just kept on smiling. "Oh come on. You used to love dancing with me! Plus, it is rude to refuse a dance especially at an occasion such as this." Cassandra glared at his hand. Sarah giggled. THIS was what she had been wanting all her life, to have a husband that would love their child like Jareth loving Cassandra.
Cassandra could see in her father's eyes that he was slightly hurt by her glaring. She felt bad, and accepted the rose. Her father did love her so much, she knew that.
Jareth smile widened. He took his princess's hand and guided her to the center. He smiled at his little girl. "You look so much like your mother," he commented. "So defiant but so innocent at the same time. I find it adorable."
Cassandra smiled. She teased Jareth back. "I wonder why mom would fall for someone like you." Jareth winked at her. "It must be my dashing good looks, looks that I gave you, my silly girl."
Immediately, Cassandra's face dropped. Jareth install regretted his comment. "I'm sorry sweetie-" Cassandra held up her hand, cutting him off. "That's all I am, isn't it? Just looks nothing else. It's not fair." She looked away from Jareth, still dancing with him.
Normally, Jareth would be tempted to banter back, but this was not a good time. Obviously, something happened to her that triggered this. "I was trying to light up the situation. I'm sorry that I was flippant and didn't think carefully." Cassandra mumbled an apology back at him, but was clearly still hurt.
"Remember what we talked about today? How I told you that you're special for who you are? And you always will be. You are beautiful, you can embrace it without being vain. Don't worry about what others think. You're perfect just the way you are. At least to your old man." He said, bowing and kissing her hand. "I love you, Sweet Pea." He really meant it. Cassandra was his world.
She smiled. Even with being upset, she could never be angry at her parents for long. They were so loving that it was impossible not to.
There was a tap on her shoulder. The new High King, Zarek was asking for a dance. "Excuse me, Goblin King. Might I dance with your princess?" Jareth nodded, smiling. "Please do. Take good care of her."
Jareth joined his wife's side, giddy. He loved Zarek, and so wanted him and Cassandra to start a romance. Sarah knew better though. Her daughter and the High King grew up too much like siblings to have anything romantic happen between them, and voiced this to Jareth.
"Oh come now Sarah," he said. "Don't ruin this for me. Maybe Cassie will court him!" He sipped on his champagne and offered Sarah non alcoholic apple cider. Sarah obliged. "Still, I doubt it. Also, I'm hungry all the time. It won't take long for me to balloon up," she commented.
Jareth chuckled. "Love? Let's dance." He offered his hand out to her. Sarah smiled, and took his hand. Jareth led her to the dance floor, pressing his lips to her right hand, then clasped his left hand in her right. Her left hand went to his arm and he put his right arm around her waist. His wife was radiant and exquisite. Her emerald green eyes sparkled and her dark hair framed her face perfectly. He snuck in a kiss, making Sarah blush.
Not far away, Cassandra was in the arms of the new High king, who was now the most eligible bachelor in the entire Underground. "How was the Above, Zarek?" She asked her old friend politely.
He smiled "Ah, you know. I actually went to many different places. I was taken in by a politician so I understood more of how ruling different realms is difficult. I also worked with doctors they called them. Above healers. Anyways, I learned about their healing methods that I think would be useful for you." He spun Cassandra around. "How are you this evening?"
Before she could answer her friend, someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Excuse me, High King and Goblin Princess. May I have this dance?"
Sarah elbowed her husband. "Jareth, who's that?" Jareth looked over, frowning. "No idea. I've never seen him before. No one should've been able to get in the ball room unless they've been invited, and even Zarek doesn't seem to know who he is." If Sarah was in the Above, she'd describe this mystery man's features as "Asian."
A very handsome man had approached Cassandra. He had dark hair and small almond shaped eyes. His face was very kind, and seemed almost otherworldly. Zarek nodded, letting him dance with Cassandra.
Cassandra was confused. Who was this man? He bowed down. "My lady, you are quite lovely." She nodded, too surprised to speak. Who was he? He was quite handsome, and seemed to glow even. The man spoke again. "I see that your earrings are fire and your necklace is a small peach. Any significance to that?"
Aside from Zarek, no one else had bothered to ask her about things outside her beauty. She was intrigued. "Oh, fire is my medium and peaches are my favorite fruit and flower."
The mystery man hummed thoughtfully, and conjured some peach flowers. Cassandra gasped. "Why, these are lovely!"
He smiled. "I'm glad you like them, my lady. Tell me more about yourself." He dipped her down and brought her back up. When they made eye contact again, something seemed to happen. A connection maybe? Cassandra wasn't sure.
"I'd like to be a healer one day," she told him. "I like caring for others in their sickness. Sickness can also bring in difficult times on the family so I will also assist in helping with that aspect." It was refreshing, talking about what she wanted to do and be and not how she looked. He looked impressed. "Ah, to be a healer is not easy, but a worthwhile profession. It suits you. Fire is conviction and can bee dangerous but also breathes life as well. It suits you, and I can feel that you'll be a caring person." Cassandra was flattered.
He kept on speaking, his eyes looking delighted. "My medium is water, also life giving. Both of us have equal and opposite mediums," he said. "I'd also like to know you better." Cassandra's heart soared. Was he asking to court her, or at least be friends?
The princess asked a question in turn. "And you, good sir, what is your name?" He paused for a moment before answering. "You may call me Troy." Cassandra pursed her lips. She didn't like that answer. "Why not tell me your name?"
He shrugged. "Where I'm from, names hold power. Only a select few will know your true name, which is why I tell you what I am called."
Cassandra nodded. "And, just where are you from?"
He dance partner didn't seem to be paying attention. Looking her Cassandra's head, he saw Sarah looking worried and Jareth fuming. The Goblin King was clutching his wine glass so tightly, it looked like it would break.
Cassandra noted that Troy looked nervous. "What's wrong?" She asked him.
"Who are those people looking at us?" He gestured behind her. Cassandra turned around, seeing her parents. "Oh them? My parents. Don't let my dad intimidate you," she said half jokingly. Jareth was a good father and let her have her freedom, but was also fiercely protective.
Troy continued to look nervous. "Wait. That's the Goblin King and Queen," he realized. Cassandra nodded. "Yes, they are." He looked back and forth, noticing the matching colors. "Wait, are you Princess Cassandra?" She nodded. He tried to swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. "I'd like to talk more, but I must go. But before I do, please keep this token." He placed a bracelet on her wrist, a simple gold one without any other markings, and he disappeared.
Cassandra was so unsure of what had transpired. An attractive man had asked to be with her, and really wanted to know her. And yet, he ran away after realizing who her parents were. What was going on? She twisted the bracelet in her arm, trying to use magic to see if it could reveal anything. Unfortunately, she couldn't find anything.
Jareth called her in. Both him and Sarah were still wearing fine clothing from the ball, but Cassandra took hers off already and was wearing her nightgown. She felt that she paled in comparison in front of her parents.
Her father was fuming, while her mother had the concentrated and concerned look on her face. Cassandra didn't like it. She knew that it had to do with her, but she wasn't sure what she even did wrong.
Jareth paced back and forth. "Cassandra, who was that man you danced with?" She tried to not flinch. Her father only used her full name when he was upset. "He told me he was called Troy." She told him, wringing her fingers, just as Sarah was doing right then.
"Called Troy? What do you mean, that's not his name?" Jareth started pacing back and forth even faster, making Sarah and Cassandra both nervous. Cassandra shook her head. "He said where he was from, names held power so he told me that's what he was called." Her hand instinctively went to her bracelet that Troy gave her, and she played with it for comfort.
Jareth's voice was calm, but strained. "And, what else transpired? Tell me all the details." Cassandra swallowed. If she lied, Jareth would be able to see, no doubt about that. And if she did lie, he would use a truth serum if he deemed it important enough. He hadn't used it on her yet, but he had never been this angry at her either. The last time she had seen him even close to this mad was when he had to rescue her from the Bog of Eternal Stench when she was 15.
"He interrupted me and Zarek dancing. Zarek didn't seem to know who he was. He asked me about my studies, I told him I wanted to be a healer. He saw my fire earrings, I told him my medium and he gave me peach blossoms when he saw my necklace. He told me his medium is water and then he was gone when he realized that I'm a princess and daughter of the King and Queen of Goblins." She didn't tell Jareth about the necklace, for fear he'd take it away.
"And, when did he tell you his name?" Jareth asked.
"Near the end," she replied. Jareth threw a crystal angrily at a wall, making a loud noise but no damage happened. Sarah rose up and put her arms around him. "Jareth, please don't-"
"NO." He bellowed out so loudly that the goblins scurried away. "Cassandra, you have asked me to treat you as an adult, and look at what you've done! You don't know who he is, and he comes to compliment you. He knows your medium and we don't know who he is. What if he's going to find secrets to hurt us?"
Cassandra stood up, her mismatched eyes staring at her own father's mismatched eyes. "Father! I did not expect anyone else to be at the ball except ones that we know! You're overreacting!"
Jareth scoffed. "Bah! Overreacting indeed! You were dancing with a HIGH KING and you go and dance with this nobody?" He ran his gloved hands through his messy hair.
The princess got protective of Troy for some reason. She didn't know why, but she felt that he was a good person. "Yes you are! He's a good man!"
"Oh, and how would you know? Because he said so? We taught you better than that!" Jareth put his hand on Sarah's arm to show solidarity. Sarah nodded. "Your father is right," she said gently, seeing how distressed both of them were. "We don't know who he is, and that could ruin the Labyrinth."
Cassandra couldn't help it. She shot back at her parents. "I thought you guys were stronger than to let a stranger in! What kind of monarchs are you?" Jareth narrowed his eyes. He didn't like it when anyone insulted his ability to be king. He had worked too hard and dealt with too many insults from the time he was a child for this.
"Don't defy me! I am your father and king. Years ago, the jiangshi-" "YES I KNOW ABOUT THE JIANGSHI!" Cassandra screamed. "That was years ago! You're probably just mad that someone took notice of me! It's not fair!"
"WHAT?" Jareth roared. "YOU WERE DANCING WITH ZAREK. He took notice of you! And then you go away and dance with someone who RUDELY interrupted that dance. And with the High King, of all people!" He shoved the chair away from him. "And what's not fair? You don't even have a good basis for comparison! You are a daughter of two powerful monarchs, graced with a good heart and amazing talents. You've seen the children that are wished away. You asked me to treat you as an adult. Well tonight, you let one man that spoke pretty words to you get to your pretty little head and all logic goes out the window. You may have endangered us all!"
Cassandra couldn't believe him. He struck a nerve, pointing out her beauty, again. She looked angrily at Jareth. "Well, if I'm such a useless child, then maybe you'll be glad if I wasn't here anymore!" She snapped her fingers and disappeared. If she had bothered to look carefully at Jareth, she would notice that he regretted the words "pretty little head" as soon as he said them.
Jareth and Sarah gasped at her disappearance. "Oh Jareth," she said quietly. "You shouldn't have been so harsh on her…" Jareth agreed, but he didn't want to listen. "She's probably in her room," he mumbled. "Come on love, let's go to bed." He helped his pregnant wife up, sad that today had started out nicely and that he probably strained his relationship with Cassandra for a long time.
If only both monarchs knew that Cassandra had not escaped to her room, but was elsewhere.
I had a lot of fun writing about Jareth being a dad! I didn't write much about Sarah being a mom, but you'll see more of their interactions later. Jareth clearly loves his daughter, but damn, she's just as head strong as both he and Sarah! Don't worry, there's still some Jareth and Sarah fluff in this fic!
