Chapter 3

Jareth was pacing his throne room when his steward walked in on him. "I'm sorry to bother you your Majesty, however you have a guest."

Jareth looked up, aggravated at his steward. "By all means Devon, show them in then," he said taking a seat on his throne.

Devon nodded and turned to escort the guest in. Jareth wondered who would be calling on him. He didn't have many visitors. Most Fae disliked coming to the Goblin Kingdom simply because it was that, a goblin kingdom. They viewed the goblins as dirty little creatures that were always up to no good. Jareth, not being well liked among certain members of Fae society because of the "games" he liked to play, had been put in charge of the Goblin Kingdom at a young age. The high council had figured that by thrusting so much responsibility at him, he would have to sober up and take charge. However their plan backfired. The goblins and Jareth loved each other because of their matching personalities. Jareth loved puzzles, games, pranks, and having a good time; the goblins had much the same ideals. A bond of loyalty was formed.

Jareth had also formed a bond with the Labyrinth herself. Many former Fae Goblin Kings didn't realize the Labyrinth was alive and treated it with no respect. Hence why they didn't last very long. Jareth not only had a bond of respect with the Labyrinth, he had formed a bond of trust and considered the Labyrinth's needs and wishes as he ruled the kingdom.

Jareth looked up as he heard the clicking of heels and scuffing of Devon's boots. He stood as the Grand Council Woman, Desideria Rayne, entered his throne room, and bowed towards her. "Grand Council Woman, had I known you were coming I would have prepared a welcoming party," Jareth said addressing the white-blond woman.

She wore the traditional garb of her station, a simple, flowing, square necklined, scarlet dress with a black under gown. The long loose sleeves came halfway down the skirt of the dress. Her waist-long flowing hair was left undone, and she was unadorned by any jewelry except for a golden intricately woven circlet around her head. She was a woman who understood that in some situations, less was more. "Jareth, rise please," she said gesturing with her pale hand.

Jareth rose from the bow and stepped down. "Would you like a seat?" he asked offering her his own throne.

"That's quite alright thank you though."

Jareth nodded and resumed his seat on his throne. "What can I do for you Grand Council Woman?"

"Jareth my dear, can we not call this a casual visit?"

"Nothing is ever casual when you visit mother, else you would not be visiting."

"Well put my dear. Might we meet in a more private place then?"

"Of course," Jareth said and stepped down from his throne, took her arm and led her out into his gardens.

"Ah yes, this is much better. I've always loved the gardens here," Desideria said sitting on a marble bench overlooking a small grove of peach trees.

Jareth sat next to her. "What brings you to my kingdom mother?"

"The council received another request from Lord Abbadon."

"Oh? That old fool who rules the lands to the west?"

"Yes, he claims that the lands of the Goblin Kingdom should be his because in times long past his ancestors ruled them."

"He's been claiming that for years, what makes this time different?"

"He has proof."

Jareth looked alarmed, "What?"

"He has brought before the council a scroll containing the agreement laid out between the Abbadon family and the twenty third council. It states that Abbadon lent the land to the Council as a place to put the goblins. The council then sent a Fae to try to rule over the goblins and the Abbadons made the condition, knowing none would stick around to honor it, that if the king of the goblins could produce an heir in 1,000 years, they would turn the land over permanently to the Goblin King and they would make void any claim they had on the land."

"When was this agreement made?" Jareth asked placing a hand on his mother's arm.

She looked into his stormy blue eyes, "I'll give you one guess."

"Nine hundred ninety nine years ago?"

She nodded, "Lord Abbadon is claiming the right to his family's land and believes that since there is only a year left of the contract and you have no heir let alone a wife, that he should get what is due him now."

"The Council can't let him! Do you know what he'd do to the goblins? Abbadon is a xenophobic old fool who would destroy the Labyrinth and enslave the goblins!" Jareth had stood and was yelling.

"I know dear, that's why I'm here. If you were to take a wife and produce an heir Abbadon's claims would be void. I think it's time, my boy, that you came to court to choose a Queen."

Jareth stopped pacing and turned to give his mother a wide-eyed look. "I – I can't."

"Jareth! You must!"

"You don't understand."

Desideria stood and placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Jareth, what do you mean? Have you found another? An equal?"

"She is my equal in everyway mother. She's beautiful, intelligent, and still believes in magic. And she can't remember me at all."

Desideria looked startled. "Do you mean to tell me you've fallen for a runner of your Labyrinth? Who?"

"Sarah Williams."
"The girl who bested the Labyrinth? The only mortal to have done so?"

"The very same."

"Jareth… "

"I know mother! I know no one will accept her as a royal, I know how impossible it is to make her love me even if she had her memory back, I know I should choose a wife from the high court, but I can't! I can't leave her! I made contact with her again and resumed the bonding process I started six years ago. I danced with her again, I held her in my arms. You can't ask me to just leave her!"

There was a long pause as Jareth looked at his mother, his eyes pleading. "I was not going to ask you to my son," Desideria said, her hands seeking her sons'.

"What?"

"It is obvious you love her very much. I would support a union betwixt you and this mortal who has so thoroughly entangled you. I have much persuasion over the High Council. The majority would side with me," Desideria smiled up at her son.

Jareth smiled back, "Thank you mother."

"Of course my son. Now, as to your mortal remembering you. I would suggest getting her here in the Underground as soon as possible. It may not be as easy a transition as we'd like, but we don't have time to be gentle."

"Yes mother, I value your advice."

"My son, I must go now, the Council is meeting soon and I would be missed. Do not hesitate to ask for help though."

"Yes mother."

"Jareth… I know you. Ask for help if you have need, you'd be surprised at how many people are willing to help if you but ask."

Jareth looked down, "Yes mother."

Desideria embraced her son, "Fare thee well, till we next meet."

"Fare thee well mother," Jareth replied embracing her back.

They released each other and Desideria stepped back and disappeared in a swirl of golden glitter.

Jareth pulled a crystal from the air and thought of Sarah. The crystal glowed and he could see that he'd been right. She had put the crystal he'd given her in a place of honor on a high shelf in her bedroom. Having one of his crystals in the same room he wished to see into made things exponentially easier. Sarah was sitting in her chair reading. Her face was calm and she smiled at something she read before turning the page. "My Queen, I hope you have the strength for what is about to come," he murmured.

Jareth sighed and tossed the crystal up, it disappeared at the apex of its ascent. He walked back into his throne room. "Devon!" he called for his steward.

Devon came rushing into the room, his forest green robes whooshing around him. "Yes my King?"

Jareth lounged in this throne, "Tell me Devon, is that charming imitation of my labyrinth in the mortal world still open?"

"Yes my King. Monsieur Dubois has also opened a conservatory to go with it."

"If I do say, Devon, Charles Dubois is probably one of the most successful ex-runners of my Labyrinth I've ever seen."

"Yes Sire, I suppose he is, considering that he lost his brother to you."

Jareth glared at his steward. "He did not lose his brother to me. He gave him up. Dubois didn't even get past the oubliets before he ran out of time."

"Perhaps if you had not sent him through the Forest of Eternal Night first, he would have made more progress."

Jareth frowned, "Yes well, what's done is done. Tell Monsieur Dubois to expect a visit soon and when I come, to kindly make sure his labyrinth is empty. I want to make sure Sarah and I are the only ones in there."

"Yes Sire, I shall inform him."

"Thank you Devon, that will be all."

"Yes your Majesty," Devon said bowing before leaving the throne room.

Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think. Any critiques, comments, or suggestions would be welcome.