A/N: Big thanks to KAM for helping me edit, giving advice and creating ideas! And thank you's for the reviews! I absolutely enjoy hearing your point of views and what you guys think might happen. You all have helped shape this story into what it is now. I didn't expect it to pass 4 chapters and now I see it'll be continuing for a while. I'm already 1/3-1/2 the way through chapter 5!
Sarah hadn't expected the hours to pass by as they had. The piles of books surrounding them justified the hard work they put into their current task; trying to find hope, so far they had not found much at all. As far as Sarah could tell there were three types of books in the library. Goblin written, Fae written, and English (or Human) written. Goblin books looked like doctor handwriting or chicken scratch, she could see chickens writing for the goblins. Hoggle was literate enough to read them. The Fae writings were harder for her to understand, reading them were similar to having a thought at the tip of your tongue; it's there but hard to grasp. Gavan said the amulet would translate it in time, as she was still adjusting. He was kind enough to sort through a few books but eventually had to leave to deal with the agenda roll of 'The King.'
Sarah was completely grateful that he wasn't forcing her to take control of the kingdom, yet he said that she must soon. Fat chance, not if I can help it. She thought. Gaven did return with lunch for the hard working two and the passed out Sqib, before promptly leaving. The feeling that he was avoiding researching the books tingled in the back of her mind but she quickly pushed it away.
The satisfying lunch helped energize the draining Sarah. She felt the familiar tugging of her soul, it brought a dreadful fear that she could pass out any moment and a distress about her other life. What if there was a fire or accident, would she wake or would they think she was in a coma? Her agitations of what ifs and worst-case-scenarios were mounting. Sarah was shaken from her thoughts when Hoggle came running around the corner with a book in his hands.
Hoggle told her that he had found a goblin story about the battle of matrimony but if you know anything about goblins is that they tell the tallest stories and amplify the simplest of situations. It did, however, refer to a few books: one was Fae the other an English book. He gave her to author's name and Sarah quickly scanned all the books that she had, it wasn't there. She scrambled to her feet and started to examine the shelved books.
Nope, nada, not it, next, ugh! Where is it?! Uh, no. Gah this is going to ta- YES!
Sarah pulled a large bound book from the shelf. It plopped on the ground as she fell to her knees, opening it up. Carefully she thumbed through turning pages as to not rip them. The lettering was faded and the phrases were in Anglo-Saxon. "What the? I can't read this, it's in Old English. This isn't fair!"
"No it's not but that's the way it is." Hoggle eyed her with a smile, she rolled her eyes back.
"You're not being helpful, Hoggle." She couldn't help but smile back at how he threw her own words back at her.
"Wha 'bout Gavan? He can read it."
"Yeah," She sounded hesitant, "but I don't want to bother him. It's ok, I'll see if he can read it when he... if he comes back." Hoggle nodded, leaning back on a shelf.
"Sarah? What... what if yous can't get back home?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well," He looked down at his large thumbs twiddling in his lap, "What if yous can't get back and hasta stay here? Would it be so bad?"
"Hoggle. I can't think like that, I have to get home. I can't live here or marry some guy I don't even know. I'm too young." She could see the sadness in his face.
"I understands that."
"Hoggle, It's not like I don't like it here. I... I like it because you are here and Ludo and Sir Didymus! But it's just not where I belong." Sarah closed her eyes along with a deep sigh, "If it came to be... if I can't return home. I will stay and make the best of my situation." An encouraging smile help brightened Hoggle's face. "You're not going to stop helping though, right?"
"Course not!" He beamed.
"Phew, good." Sarah sat back against an opposing shelf, "A break sounds nice though." She said as she popped a couple grapes in her mouth.
"So if yous leave us whos gonna be ruler?" Hoggle asked causing Sarah to ponder a moment.
Well, Jareth of course. That is if I can get him back here. But what if I can't, then maybe...
"I don't... I don't know how it works but I imagine that if I leave before the Battle then Gavan would take the crown, you know, fall to the next inline."
"Hmph, tha' rat?"
"I thought Jareth was the rat?" Sarah smirked.
"Him too! The lot of 'em."
"What do you mean by that? He has more family?" This clearly intrigued her.
"Er... well he did." Hoggle seemed hesitant about saying so.
"Did? What happened?"
Hoggle scrambled to his feet. "Nope, not for me to say, Sarah" he said as he escaped around a bookshelf.
"Come on Hoggle! What do you know?" She bolted up to follow him.
"What do it matt'r?" Hoggle spun around halting Sarah in her path. "Why you interested in 'em?"
"I-"
"My Lady, Sarah."
Sarah spun around to find Gavan looming over her from the shadows, carefully she held in a squeak as their eyes met. He really needs to stop that. It's frustrating, on so many levels. She thought before clearing her throat and composing her clearly stricken expression.
"Gavan." Thousands of thoughts ran through her mind, as she looked up at the dignified Fae, but one stood out amongst the others. The Book! Gavan can read it! "I'm glad you're here."
"Oh?" One of Gavan's elegant eyebrows rose. Something in his opposing mismatched eyes glinted of mischievousness. Something scent a mircro-shudder through her frame causing her flesh to prickle.
Did the room just suddenly darken? Step back or away or something. A fearful voice cried in her mind. Why can't I move? Why... do I feel like we are all alone? Where's Hoggle?
"Yes," Her voice sounding a little more monotone, her eyes trapped under his gaze. "I wanted..." Oh know! I forgot what I was saying!
"What do you want?" His voice was soft, so delicate that she couldn't recall seeing his lips move at all. Images filled her mind's eye, home, her parents, Toby, Jareth- Sarah felt a grip on her hand followed by tugging force downward in her shoulder. Within that moment, light and sound crashed in all around her as Hoggle pulled her back; causing her to stumble.
"Hoggle? What was that for?" Sarah shot an angry look at him, completely forgetting what had just passed between her and Gavan.
"I was jus'" Hoggle looked a little hurt. He glanced at Gavan, who wore a satisfied smirk, then back to Sarah, "Ugh bog it." Hoggle grumbled and shuffled back to the stacks of books.
"Wait, Hoggle!" Sarah sounded a little apologetic, Damn it, what was that about? "Anyway, I was wondering if you'd translate something for me." She asked Gavan.
He bowed his head, "But of course."
Gavan held the book open to the page Sarah requested for translation and smiled. "My lady, it describes the Battle of Matrimony. From the events that take place to the day of the wedding. I would have told you this, had you asked."
"You knew this already?"
"Yes. Most Faes are required to learn the rules, should the occasion arise."
Sarah thought for a moment, feeling like every moment, every move she made was part of a strategic game. If he knew about the events then how much more did he know? Were there things he didn't know? Words, she learned, had power. Meeting Hoggle the first time proved to be so. Asking the right question, saying the right words, could mean her freedom or failure. The urge to ask him outright questions was too strong to hold back.
Gavan could clearly see her thought process, he decided to intervene. "My lady, shall we take a seat," His hand waved towards several chairs and couches near a fireplace, "I will explain the events then answer your questions."
Sarah headed over to an overstuffed chair, followed by Gavan who sat on a couch opposite to her. Hoggle stayed with the books as he continued to flip through the pages. Gavan settled back into the plush cushioning before beginning.
"The basic principle of the battle is to obtain a suitable King for the Queen and Kingdom." Sarah slightly cringed on the inside. "The qualifiers are of high ranking or royal status; chosen by their Kingdom's ruler. To participate they will travel from all corners of the Underground and meet their future Queen, here." Hoggle raised his head up from a book to listen in. Sarah had a strange inkling at what Gavan stated.
"Um... From all corners? Meaning what? It's not just one big happy family?" Sarah couldn't help sounding a little less thrilled about everything.
Gavan's expression did not falter, "Sadly, no. There are many species and breeds, with several courts."
"Whoa wait... species? Like what?"
"Shall I list all the possibilities? Faes, humans, ogres, trolls, elves, nymphs, centaurs, there are many more. Some will be here, some won't." Sarah sat stunned, blood draining her face.
Trolls? Ugh! Centaurs too?! I'm doomed, I need to get out of here. These people are crazy!
Gavan took her silence to continue whether or not she was listening. "There are certain standards a Queen must set, and if you're going to make a public appearance you will be required to take an educational course. With the many delicate ways of accepting the contestants you will need to be prepared as to not offend our future ruler."
What? Offend him? He's coming here to win MY hand in marriage, he better not offend me. Sarah bit the inside of her cheek. She felt conflicted between standing up for herself and her rights and not yelling at the bearer of bad news, but it did not stop her blood from boiling.
"It consists of two main events: a scavenger hunt and a timed sprint through the Labyrinth."
"That's it?" Sarah tilted her head to one side.
"These tasks are not to be taken lightly. The sprint alone is fraught with-"
"Untold Dangers? Yeah, been there, done that."
Gavan smiled and shook his head. "My lady, the route you took was but a small percentage and probably considered effortless; childsplay. The nightmares and horrors, beyond your imagination, are kept further back. The scavenger hunt is no easy charge. The items randomly chosen can be deadly to obtain or even never obtain. Getting the scale of a Lamia is impossible. Lamias have not been spotted for over a hundred thousand years."
"Is there anything I should clarify?"
"Yeah what's a Lamia?"
"It is a child-eating daemon. They've been known to have serpents' tails instead of legs. Eventually they were hunted and exterminated to prevent to decline of our species."
Sarah look horrified. "Oh geez! Well I'm glad you guys got rid of them! That's horrible!"
"Yes, well it was a necessity on our part. Is there anything else?"
"Lets see, contestants from other Kingdoms, classes on how to be a Queen, two difficult challenges... Yeah, when does all this take place?"
"Your classes, along with magic courses, will begin in two days. The contestants will arrive in a fortnight."
"I have two weeks?" Her voice was shrill.
"Two weeks is plenty of time to prepare fo-"
"No it's not!" Her voice echoed through the tall ceilings. Sarah couldn't take anymore, "You're telling me that I'll be chained down to some total stranger in TWO WEEKS! This isn't fair!" Sarah stood up and fled the library. Even with such space, Sarah felt constricted by her environment. Hoggle's voice behind her was drowned out by the sound of her running feet hitting the stone below.
Run! Just RUN! I need to get out of here! It was all she could do and before she knew it, Sarah had made it outside into the cool crisp air. Her version was blurred by the tears and all she could hear was the sound of her own breath as she fell to the grass below; curled up and crying.
Sarah's breath hitched, her face felt moist and her eyes burned something fierce. She heard a strange noise once her breathing calmed. I don't want Hoggle to see me like this. Sarah sat up and used the sleeve of her shirt to wipe her face. She waited a moment, listening for his hobbled footsteps. When they didn't arrive, she opened her eyes to find that darkness had consumed her surroundings. How long have I been crying? Her eyes finally adjusted to the murkiness of her bedroom when she felt something nibble at her hand.
Sarah looked down, pulling her hand away in shock, but only found the fluffy white owl perched on her bed at her knees. Jareth... His strange owl eyes looked up at her, but she felt the powerful Fae Kings' stare behind them. All her otherworldly events came flooding back and Sarah bit her bottom lip, hoping to stop it from quivering but the emotions she just felt on the other side saturated her on this side. Tears blurred her vision yet again, she used her hands to cover her face and silently sobbed into them. The owl laid it's head on her knee, the only comfort to give.
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