I do not own the Labyrinth or its characters from the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth or the Manga!

"Magic Tax"

By: Tal J. Smith

Chapter 7: Foolish Youth

"I tell yous your majesty, the book ain't here. I's looked everywhere fer it." Hoggle was explaining his search to the Goblin King.

Jareth paced the throne room running a hand through his hair in frustration. The heels of his black suede boots clicking ominously as the goblins even grew quiet.

"Well it can't be helped. I'd have hoped that blasted book had something in it that could be of use." He tightened his black gloves. "Very well, when he wakes, tell the Duke I will need him in my study immediately. We may have found other paths to explore, and they require some amount of planning."

Jareth disappeared in a cloud of glitter, as Hoggle grumbled to himself, "Damn book. It's always jumping into people's hands without a warning. Wonder who it's with now."

OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Sarah awoke with the feeling like she was needed by someone or something, and needed now. She hastily got dressed and headed out to the gardens behind the castle.

The sun was its usual pale orange and red, and the breeze had picked up making her hair whip about her face. She tucked the front strands behind her ears when she spotted Tercel.

Her heart felt tight when she realized she had wished it was Jareth. She pushed the disappointment aside.

He was leaning against a tree next a table adorned with food and drink. A water fountain with statues of dancing fae children could be seen behind it.

Sarah was confused as the feeling of being needed went away. "Hi Tercel, did you call me?"

"I did indeed my lady, would you care to sit?" He pulled out a chair for her. Sarah noted his was dressed like Jareth today. He usually looked so unkempt but today it was like he'd raided the Goblin King's wardrobe.

Sarah looked around her, no one in sight. "Why did you call me, what's the matter?" She made no move to sit.

Tercel narrowed his eyes slightly in frustration, "Do I need a reason to call upon your beauty? I was remarking to myself how gorgeous this morning was and noted the only thing missing was you."

"Okay," Sarah said slowly still wary. "You could have just asked for some company…..calling my like that gave me the heebee gibbees." She shivered.

"I do not know what that is, but I assure you, I did not mean to frighten you." Tercel gestured toward the seat he held out for Sarah. "I would be honored if you would take the morning meal with me."

Sarah looked at the table, not really hungry, but upon seeing the pot of coffee changed her mind. "Only for a bit, I need to speak with the King about something I read."

"Oh, pray tell what it on your mind? Perhaps I can be of assistance." Tercel sat Sarah and gracefully slid into a seat next to her; a little too close for Sarah's comfort.

"It's just something I was wondering about," Sarah said uneasy at the way he was staring at her. "I'll talk to him later." Sarah went to reach for the coffee.

He reached for a mug before she could get one, "Please allow me. I was not sure of your morning preference, most fae drink tea, but I thought to provide an assortment." Seeing her gaze, he reached for the pot of coffee at the same time.

Sarah smiled shyly, "I just haven't been sleeping well."

"Perhaps there is something I can do to alleviate your troubles?" Tercel said smoothly leaning into her as poured her a cup of the steaming liquid. "I could read to you as you slumber, I would give you a massage to cure any ache you may have, and I could provide you with a warm body to curl around you to keep you safe."

She took the coffee from Tercel wondering how in the world to let him down gently. She sipped the coffee slowly, silently remarking on the strange taste.

"I'm very grateful for your kind offer, but it not the lack of companionship that keeps me up at night. I am very much flattered by your attentions but I have to decline as I am already involved with someone." She took a long sip of the coffee as she noted Tercel looking very smug.

She'd assumed he'd be hurt, or angry, but this look of smug arrogance was something she did not expect. As she took another sip, her head began to ache and her body started to feel hot. She put the cup down and looked for ice water instead. Tercel started laughing.

"Looking for something my Lady?"

"I don't feel well, I need some water." Sarah was starting to get a bit frantic as her sight became blurry and her head went dizzy.

"I'm sorry," he said in mock humiliation with his hand on his chest, "was it something I said?"

Sarah looked up at him accusingly, "Tercel what have you done?" Then she lost consciousness.

Tercel smiled. The deadly nightshade mixed with a fae's version of dreamsleep. He wasn't as good at illusions as a royal fae, but he had some talent. She'd never know what hit her. Not many mortals can break out of a fae's dreamsleep.

He carried her to an awaiting carriage.

OXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Jareth busy with Jaston in his study suddenly felt strange. He could not place the feeling that there was something else he should be doing. He walked over to the window.

The Labyrinth seemed to darken and shudder.

"Something's wrong." Jareth's eyes narrowed on the carriage leaving a far garden. He turned to the window, and with a swirl of a cape he was turned into a white barn owl.

He followed the carriage to the edge of the Labyrinth. There he met with an invisible barrier in mid air. With a broken wing, he went down hard.

He transformed into his fae form, holding his arm he conjured a crystal dreading what he would see. "Show me the girl." The inside of the very same carriage showed as Tercel pulled an unconscious Sarah into his lap.

Jareth tried to walk towards the carriage again finding an invisible barrier. He growled low in his chest. "Oberon."

OXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Tercel grinned as he looked back at the weakened Goblin King.

She's mine now.

The old man was right, Oberon has confined the great and powerful Goblin King to the Labyrinth.

The carriage took them to Tercel's old estate, and as he made ready to gather Sarah, the carriage kept going. Tercel tried to open the door confused. The door would not budge.

The carriage was on its way to the far end of the Underground, towards King Oberon's demesne. It only took a moment for Tercel to realize what had happened. He had been tricked.

OXOXOXOXOXOX

Oberon met them at his drawbridge. Guards dragged out the youth, Tercel's violent protests did nothing.

Oberon morphed from his beautiful fae appearance into the image of a frail old man. "Well m'boy. You played your part most excellently. I only wish I could see Jareth's face as he hit the barrier."

Tercel sneered. "What do you think to gain here old man? My father has nothing you would want."

Oberon chuckled, "Indeed not, but I think our Goblin King would be missing his would be mortal lover, don't you?"

Tercel looked back into the carriage where two guards were carrying out the sleeping woman. "Sarah."

OXOXOXOXOXOXXOX

Jareth flew back to his castle and barely landed just inside the window of his study. Another magic drain hit him and he stumbled into the office. By then Jaston had discovered what had been done.

"My lord, I am so sorry, I had been warned Tercel was…..I never thought that he would ...it's my fault your Majesty." Jaston spilled out the apology and kneeled at the King's feet.

Jareth still holding his broken arm said through gritted teeth. "Summon the healer."

"But your Majesty I would apologize….." Jaston stumbled over his words.

"Now!" Jareth barked.

Jaston jumped to his feet and ran out the door.

Jareth sat looking into space cursing his weakness. What he had feared had come to pass. His Sarah was in danger and he could not protect her. What he wouldn't give for one of the Labyrinth's power surges right at this moment.

OXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Lady Aisling looked perturbed at yet another goblin dragging her through the goblin kingdom to heal the very odd Goblin King.

One look at him and she frowned. He looked completely exhausted….again. "My lord, I did not think I would ever spend this much time in the Goblin Kingdom. May I say that I would have rather been a guest." She waved a hand over his arm.

He looked up at the red-haired lady frowning down at him. With a lazy exhausted smile, Jareth drawled, "As I said, My Lady is always welcome as a guest on my lands." He felt the bones re-knit in his arm.

"You may not have full use of that arm for another couple days yet. Try not to hurt anything else in the meantime." She turned to leave.

"Oberon has taken Sarah." The Lady stopped and looked back at the weekend king.

"Then might I suggest I stay in the castle tonight, in case you have need of me."

"Piepah," a little goblin poked his head from behind the woman's skirt, "I need a room prepared for the Lady Aisling." Jareth knew that look on Piepah's face. "And yes, I am going after Sarah."

He only hoped that Oberon would not hurt her. "Oh Sarah be careful, hold your tongue, do not goad him."

OXOXOXOXXOXOXXOXOXOXXO

Authors Note: I'm sorry I have not updated in a couple months. Work has been stressing me out to the point where I've gained 10 lbs in the last 2 months. I'll try to wrap this up in one or two more chapters, so if it seems short, I apologize. ~Tally