1I do not own Labyrinth or The Tudors. This has been in my mind for a while. I believe Jareth would really be taken by Queen Katherine of Aragon, for she is everything a Queen should be: beautiful, strong, courageous, intelligent. He would also most likely dispise Henry, thinking him far beneath someone of Katherine's lineage!
Chapter One: When One Door Closes, A Window Opens
Jareth
I don't think she knew, just what kind of damage she would do, by saying those words! Spoiled little Sarah, who knew nothing of magic! What she had done! But in the end, I really have to thank her! For what, you say? Well, that is a bit of a complicated tale. The backlash of magic from the Labyrinth when Sarah said to me "You have no power over me!" was so great, even I took some time to gain my bearings, to realize the change that had taken place! So great was the backlash that I had been sent literally, back in mortal time! A madness took me, when I first looked around. At least my Labyrinth and home were still intact! Something about the spirit of it's place had protected itself, and in doing so, me! I watched through crystals, trying to figure out just how far back I had been sent. Even just where this realm was positioned, in the scheme of things. It appeared we were the Underground of Britain.
And as luck, or unluck depending on who you would ask, would have it, it was Britain under King Henry VIII. When I had lived in this time before, I hadn't taken the time to really engage in observing the mortal world. That only came with the passing of time. Curiosity was taking me. I wondered just how different this time really was, from where I had been only moments before. It would also be a distraction. A way to forget about the girl who stolen and stomped on my heart with no more feeling that someone squashing a cockroach underfoot! The more I thought on it, the more I despised myself! To be taken in by such a girl! She did not have what it took to be a Queen! She was to soft, wouldn't know how to rule, understand the burden of power. The price of it. The demand on my magic, to seek out wished away children was gone! At first, this troubled me, but as days began to pass, I felt a strong sense of freedom from this!
I decided that I would interact with this time, like I had never done before! The Labyrinth could not be forgotten, of course not! This is a time however that I could go to and fro and no one would question it. So I went above ground, and assumed the roll of a foreign lord. A distant relative so far down the line to not inherit but enough dignity to be a regular at any court I chose. And as Britain's call was alway's the strongest, it was here that I turned. With my power I created the credentials needed, to be presented to the King. Easy enough as well to gain what I needed, a fine horse, proper attire for the age. It had been along time, since I had really last indulged in the luxury of velvet, silk, lace. It was the most difficult to change my strange hair. I used illusions, made it look all one length. I tied it back at the nape of my neck, french style with a black ribbon.
I took the name, Lord Jareth Valois of Burgundy. I intended on impressing the king so much that I would be put high in his favor. Creating thus a better way in which to view how this world was ruled. I walked pass ancient halls, be lead by one of the king's pages. I admired the structure. Men of this time had more imagination than the ones that were to follow in their wake. During this time, they still had a sense of majesty about them. Henry, I was told, was fond of extravagance, and would spare no expense in decoration. Had to admire that about the man! I always enjoyed those with true imaginations!
It was early evening, and I came to a lively court lit with the light of many candles. There a young man, who looked more like a young boy, with dark hair and blue eyes sat on his throne. He actually held a remarkable resemblance to Sarah, with the same sense of entitlement, or so it seemed at first glance. It was the woman though, to his right hand, that caught my attention! Regal, she was! Clothed in a dark dress with gold accents. Half her dark black hair was visible underneath her dark hood and veil. She had beautiful, deep set light green-blue eyes. She held herself proudly, and there was a certain knowledge in her glance. The sense of misery though was heavily upon her! It seemed to make her stand out all the more, above everyone else in the court. This was one that in her very bearing looked BORN to rule.
The contrast between her and the boy-king beside her couldn't be greater. It was she, who first caught sight of me. She leveled me with her gaze, and for a moment, I felt that this mere mortal could read in me all of my secrets! It was the gaze of a sorveign who knew their place! I reluctantly looked back to the boy-king, Henry. He was sulking in his chair. He only lit up when a young attrative girl, with chestnut hair and flashing dark eyes entered the room. He stared at her, like a man obsessed, right in front of his Queen! Her pro-offered hand to him was rebuffed. That look of sadness in her only increased. Whispers could be heard from all over the court. I heard the most shocking thing I could ever hear, from them. "This is the girl he wants to divorce the Queen for!"
If I weren't such a good actor, my jaw would of been seen to jump to the floor! Trade a Queen for a Commoner? I watched, as she simply nodded with sad acceptance. I couldn't understand any of it! A song had begun, a nice, lilting dance. The King took the arm of the girl with chestnut hair, the Queen looked on. Not one tear visible. Not one emotion could be seen, except in her eyes. It had been a while now, since I had danced. And the beautiful Queen looked to be a great partner. I decided upon a bold move. Before even I had properly been received by the royal couple, I was going to approach her Majesty, and ask her to dance! I heard whispers, as I made my way up to her. I bowed low, and strangely felt no sense of shame in it. It seemed natural, that I, an immortal King of the Fae, should bow to her.
"Your majesty, I am Lord Jareth Valois of Burgundy, and I would be honored if you would do me the pleasure of having this dance with you." I said. I watched her take a measure of me. She found me pleasing to the eye. I smirked inwardly. Not even one such as she was immune! A blush stole over her cheeks, her sadness temporarily gone. Suddenly she looked years younger. "I am to old for such pleasures, young sir. I am sure there are other pretty maidens you would rather dance with." she said. "Nonsense, you are by far the most beautiful and worthiest of any woman in this room. You are never to old to dance, lady." I said. I put all my charm into it. I boldly stepped closer, bowed, and dramticly offered my arm. "If you insist, my Lord! She said, a since of mirth coming over her.
I heard the room almost stop, in shock, when she took my arm and I led her to the floor. The King's expression was unreadable. He continued to dance with the girl who I now thought to be his mistress. It turned out, what I had thought had been true. The Queen was by far the most graceful, most skilled dancer not only on the floor, but out of all who I had danced with in the past thousand years! Her foot fall was light, and to lift her was to lift air! Her laughter rang through the hall, and I smiled in spite of my self. We finished the dance all to quickly. I bowed, and whispered for only her to hear. "See, in this room madam, you have no rival. Any who believe otherwise is a fool!" I saw her pain again return, when she looked over at Henry staring into the eyes of his mistress. She whispered back "If only all believed that." Aloud she said "Thank you, kind sir, that is the most fun I've had in some time!"
It was then, it would seem, I would get my proper introduction. The King had watched everything closely. After he and the Queen had retaken their seats, he called for me. "Who might you be, who dance so prettily with my wife?" he asked. "Lord Jareth Valois of Burgundy, your Majesty. Though all I have is the title. I came here to seek a place of my own, out of the watchful eyes of older brothers who would rather run me through then look at me. I brought my credentials." I handed them to the King. He looked them over quickly. He handed them to the Cardinal, standing to his left. "He checks out majesty." he said, after briefly looking over the paper work. "Welcome to our dominion, Lord Valois. If it is your desire to become our loyal subject, we will set a time for you to take the oath. After that time, it would do us pleasure to have you about the court.
If you proove a good and humble servant, perhaps you can win something that is worthy of your title. We welcome you with open arms to England!" he said heartily. He was so good at hiding his true intent! Perhaps my original assessment had been taken to quick. I bowed low. "I'm am in your Majesty's debt" I said.