Title: A Mother's Perspective
Author: Yodeladyhoo
Summary: What happens when a mother runs out of steam? What happens when that mother is Fae?
Genre: Fantasy
Pairings: Jareth/ Mary Sue ( OC )
Rating: K +
disclaimer (dĭs-klā'mər): noun
1. (law) a voluntary repudiation of a person's legal claim to something
2. denial of any connection with or knowledge of syn: disavowal
c.1986, 2006 The Jim Henson Company.
LABYRINTH is a trademark of The Jim Henson Company.
Labyrinth characters c.1986 Labyrinth Enterprises.
All rights reserved, but not by me.
All rights are reserved, but not by me. This short story is a work of fiction. All original characters in this story are fictional, but based on actual persons. Said persons have been contacted and their permission to use their resemblances has been granted. This means, if I didn't talk to you about this, it's not you in this.
Maurasoon is mine.
Plea for Reason: Okay, so this is total wish fulfillment. It is a very different perspective than from anything I've seen on here. Just try it on for size. LEAVE ALL EXPECTATIONS HERE.Mary's eyes were forced to the ceiling fixtures as they flickered and went dark. She looked to the electrical alarm clock that no longer had a digital display. "Great," she thought, "Power's out." She felt very drained.
"So, this is where you've been all these years." A cultured male voice said from the guest bedroom.
Mary whirled around and dropped to one knee. "My Lord."
"Now, now, my dear. We can dispense with formalities between old friends." The Goblin Prince walked toward the doorway and offered Mary his hand to help her rise. "How do you fare, Ma-"
"Do not use my name, my Lord, least you wish me to hold the same power over you." Mary interrupted, her head shot up to face the young man, her face set as a warning. "I was careful in my summons. I request the same."
He lifted an eyebrow in amusement. "Still as fiery as ever. As you wish, my dear. Why do you summon me?"
Mary lifted her head with confidence. She took in the man who stood before as her eyes acclimated to the darkened room that was sporadically illuminated by lightening. The last time she had seen him, they were both barely out of childhood. The person who stood before her now was a budding man. His angular face still held a remnant of the softness of boyhood. His wild blond hair had lengthened to be shoulder length. His physique was that of their people; lean and classically defined. His wardrobe was tailored finished showing that he was not of the peasantry. Yes, the young prince cut a fine figure for the king he was to become. "I seek retribution."
"Retribution?" he said with disbelief. "From whom? Perhaps I should place a claim of retribution against you in my father's name!" The young man stalked away from her. Mary felt dread as she walked towards the end table. She opened the drawer and withdrew three votive candles and a book of matches. She placed the candles on the end table and lit them. She moved to the other side of the bed and repeated the procedure. The Prince flopped down into the nearby chair and arranged himself as comfortably as he could. His head was expectantly cocked to the side as he waited for her reply.
"My Lord, what, of value, have I taken from your father, the King? I was just another pair of hands in the kitchen that were easily replaced. Your father, the Court, even the household staff had no recognition of me. I was of no consequence to anyone, save my mother. Besides, I was coming of age and dowerless. I was quickly becoming a burden to her. My disappearance probably eased her mind of that worry by replacing it with another, one that would have diminished as time went by."
The Prince contemplated her answer as he stroked his chin in thought. "Valid points. You're right, very few did notice your disappearance. Mostly the little ones and your mother, of course," he said, off-handedly as he plucked a miniature statuette of a satyr playing a panpipe from the dresser top to examine it.
"Did you take notice, milord?"
He looked up; a lopsided smile overcame his face as he replaced the statuette. "I wondered what mischief you had gotten yourself into. I assumed that the outcome of it was far more interesting than the castle's hearth."
"You always did understand me best, Jay." A shy smile came over Mary's features.
Jareth waggled a finger at her. "Careful, least I do the same to you. Now," he rearranged his lithe form so that he was sitting upright with his long arms draped on the armrests of the chair. His elegant hands and fingers were relaxed as they draped over the edges. "From whom do you seek retribution?"
All of a sudden, Mary felt as if she were in the presence of the King, in his Court, requesting a hearing of grievances. She sensed the shadows of the advisors and courtiers just outside the periphery of her vision. She bowed her head in supplication.
"If it pleases your Lordship, I request retribution from my kin and spouse. For many years, in local time, I have been expending my energy, my essence, my magic. I have asked for so little in return; just to be allowed to express my natural emotions and to experience all of the emotions that this species can offer. In the early years, the emotions that were generated by my actions were varied, as it were to be expected. As of late, my spouse and children have come to expect instead of appreciating my generosity of effort. Their ensuing emotions have been either apathetic or negative."
"The roles I have portrayed for them are varied. I have been the Enchantress of Everything, the Hearth Elf, the Dryad of Drudgery, and the Grand Pixie of Plumbing."
"Of course, I've also taken up the mantle of the Tooth Faery and the Shoelace Leprechaun. I have also portrayed the Nymph of Knicks, Scraps, Cuts and Bruises, the Sweet Dream Sprite, not to forget the Homework Harpy or the Chauffeur Spirit. Nor has by husband complained when I've been the Scintillating Succubus of his fantasies."
"I am also the Lady of the Laundry, the Sorceress of Supper and the Creator of Child Friendly Culinary Creativity."
"And who do you think pins up webs of streamers and balloons across the rooms to transform our home into a birthday ballroom overnight? Who do you think wraps every gift that comes in to or out of our home? Who transforms our Yule Tree into the gift laden extravaganza that is a Western style Christmas? One person: me."
"I also cater to each birthday wish, holiday feast, and home cooked meal. After twelve years of marriage, I've yet to eat a home cooked meal prepared by another's hand!"
"All this with barely an enthused 'thank you'. Sometimes without any thanks at all. I am exhausted from living up to their expectations. There has been little to no love injections. For all this, my Lord, I seek retribution of acknowledgement and gratitude."
Jareth sat forward in his seat, listening attentively. His head rested gently in his fingers of an arm that was propped up on his knee. The other hand was draped over the armrest. At the end of Mary's recitation, he sat back and contemplated his judgment and sentence. "I could take them away; make them learn to appreciate all that you have done through labor."
Mary's eyes widened in fear. "Oh no, milord. That would be too generous of you. Although I know they would be well cared for, their fear and consternation would be on my head for a lifetime, if not longer."
"Then the alternative to this is that you return with me and your family learns of your generosity when you are no longer there to provide it." Jareth's face formed a sardonic smile as he offered her this option.
"My Prince, I have a responsibility to my little ones that I will not shirk, no matter what the temptation. This is not a valid alternative."
Jareth stood up and stretched. Having the regal bearing of his lineage, the appearance of his stretch looked nothing more than him standing to his full stature, and then allowing his shoulders to roll back as his well toned muscles settled into place. He leveled his gaze on Mary as he declared his final sentence on the matter. "So it shall be that beginning at the start of the new day, all mothers in this realm shall be honored and celebrated for their efforts for the duration of one day. This homage shall perpetuate into the future on the anniversary of tomorrow."
Mary felt the short hairs on the back of her neck rise as the magic did Jareth's bidding. Jareth's lips formed a thin smile as he walked towards Mary and looked her in the eyes. "Does that satisfy your request?"
Mary lowered her eyes, "Yes, milord. It is more than sufficient." She felt awed to be in the presence of such a power as he that can command such magic to shift the minds of so many people in the entire world.
"Now, there is the small matter of reciprocation."
Mary dropped a curtsy, no small feat when you are dressed in capri slacks and a tee-shirt. "If I may beg your Lordship's leave for just a few moments." Jaeth tilted his head in acquiesce. Mary proceeded to walk around him to leave the room. She returned a few moments later with a small paper bag. She emptied it on to an end table for his inspection and approval.
"Trinkets? Ribbons? Sweets? My dear, this is almost as trite as milk and sweet breads left out for the faeries!" His distain was evident in both his voice and expression as he fingered through the mismatched gemstone earrings, gaily colored ribbons and brightly colored sucking candies.
"My Lord, I did only ask for your appearance--"
"And for consideration of your grievance! I change the ideas of all the humans in this realm and is this the best you have to offer in return?" He turned on his heel in disgust and sat down in the inadequate chair with a flourish, a scowl still adorning his face.
"My Lord, I have nothing else of value to offer you." Mary hung her head in shame and fear. Tendrils of hair escaped her loose chignon. What would he ask of her?
"There is something you have to offer." Jareth said silkily as he arose from the chair and approached Mary. He moderated his pace so that there was a pregnant pause before he stood before her, his footfalls silent on the carpet. Mary kept her head bowed. She tried desperately to control her trembling. "Return to be my paramour."
Mary's head shot up to look directly at Jareth, her shock apparent. "Your what! Surely you jest! What type of scandal would that cause? An ex-scullery maid in the Prince's entourage!"
Jareth couldn't control the smirk that curled his lip. "No one remembers you as a child, except perhaps your own mother. She might not even recognize you once you are dressed for the Court. Besides, this wouldn't be the first scandal I've caused and I'm sure it won't be the last."
Mary's face grew solemn, "I still have my children to raise."
Jareth's smirk softened to a smile. He started to step backwards away from her as he faded through the veil that separated their worlds, "We can afford to be patient, can't we, Maurasoon?"
Mary contemplated the Prince's words as she slowly blew out the candles and went to bed.
She would have to call the electrician in the morning.
Author's Note: I've done it for you. Now, please return the favor. Review. Thank you.