Author's Note: You all are so amazing! Thank you for your kind words in your reviews! Thanks for hanging in there. Only one chapter upload today, but it's a good 4k words. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 10: An Ally Is Made, A Wound Is Tended To, & Plans Are Set

It was late. That was all Sarah was comprehending as she tried not to nod off while Jareth and Rhihart talked. They had arrived at Rhihart's palace near twilight and it had been a couple of adrenaline fueled hours since then. Now Sarah's body was experiencing the crash. Do all human bodies react like this to stressful situations? the Labyrinth asked quietly.

Hmm? Oh, yeah, mostly. Stress and adrenaline usually leads to exhaustion later.

Curious. It seems to be a weakness in your species. It would not seem prudent to fall unconscious directly after a stressful event that has produced abundant amounts of adrenaline.

It's more of a defense mechanism actually, Sarah explained. It's to prevent damage to the psyche and all that. It is possible to force yourself to stay awake and keep going, but it can cause health issues later.

I see…

No you don't.

No…

Sarah chuckled. Whatever, how about the whole Lady of the Labyrinth thing then? Mind going over that with me?

What is there to go over? You are to be the Lady of the Labyrinth.

Yeah, yeah, but I mean what all does that entail? And does it mean I can't go back to the Aboveground, because I still have a family and a life up there.

The Goblin King is essentially a steward with the title of caretaker. However now that you are here, you will take over his duties of making sure the gateway is maintained. That being said, there are two sides to the gate, so it is completely possible for you to live on either side and maintain the balance. Though you should visit the other side at least once a year to perform needed maintenance. You will also be in charge of the creatures who reside in the Labyrinth. Obviously this overlaps a bit with the Goblin Kingdom's creatures, which is why I am eager to see you and the Goblin King united.

Sarah rolled her metaphorical eyes. Okay, you've made your point. Will you and I have to be united like this occasionally?

Not necessarily. This was just the most expedient way of traversing the maze and getting King Jareth to his allies. In general, you and I will be able to communicate in much the same way as before with the exception that now I've had access to you as a host, I know your mind, so I will be able to find you in any world to enter your mind.

I'm not sure if that's comforting or creepy.

Look at it as a benefit should you ever be held hostage. You already share some of my magic, but when we are united like this our magic is limitless. Not even King Jareth knows of what I am capable.

Then remind me why we weren't able to heal Toby earlier? Sarah asked still worried for her brother.

Because most of my power is at work keeping Bronwyn and his allies out. If I am in my maze then I have access to it, but since we are apart, I left my power behind to protect myself and those who reside in my walls.

Sarah would have nodded if she could. She could understand the need to protect. Do you think he'll be okay? she asked quietly.

Sarah, your brother is young and strong. He will pull through. Healer Isla is highly skilled and will find a cure for the toxin.

You sound so sure.

Because I am.

I wish I had your confidence. Sarah seemed to slump in the back of their shared consciousness.

"Sarah?" Jareth's voice broke through their conversation. The Labyrinth looked up at Jareth to see a concerned look in his eyes. "I called your name twice and you did not answer," he said quietly.

"Apologies, Goblin King. Sarah and I were having a discussion about her duties as Lady of the Labyrinth."

He nodded. "I suppose that needs to be done, but it is time to retire. Rhihart has offered us a pair of guest rooms for the night."

The Labyrinth looked at King Rhihart. "Thank you, your Majesty, for taking us in for the night."

"It's nothing, my lady. I consider it an honor to have both yourself and the Lady of the Labyrinth here." He bowed his head slightly in deference. They rose from their seats in the tearoom. "Michaelis here will show you to your rooms," Rhihart indicated a manservant nearby who bowed low at the waist upon introduction.

"T'would be my honor," the fae replied.

"Excellent," Rhihart let out a long yawn then. "Oh my, I think it's time for bed. We will meet again tomorrow morning to break our fast before discussing what will have to be done with Bronwyn."

"Thank you, brother," Jareth smiled and allowed Michaelis to lead he and the Labyrinth away.

Once they were out in the hall, the Labyrinth walked close to Jareth. "What did you and Rhihart discuss? I'm afraid I was busy talking with Sarah."

"For the most part I filled him in on what has happened over the past week. He'd known about the tension between Bronwyn and I, but had no idea our cousin would attack as he did. I have no doubt he will allow us access to as much as he has to offer in order to defeat Bronwyn."

"That is reassuring," the Labyrinth said in a relieved tone.

Jareth grunted slightly then and brought a hand up to press at his forehead, his eyes squinting.

"What is it?" the Labyrinth asked.

"Nothing, just a headache."

"Perhaps you should visit Healer Isla before turning in for the night?"

"No, I'll be fine," he shook his head slightly while massaging his forehead before letting his hand drop.

"Your rooms, your majesty, my lady," Michaelis said upon reaching a pair of intricately painted and gilded doors. "Should you require anything more, don't hesitate to ring. The bell pulls are near the bed." He bowed again before leaving.

Jareth and the Labyrinth watched him go before he turned the corner and they couldn't see him anymore. The Goblin King's pale mismatched eyes looked down at the Labyrinth with concern. "I know it's not possible for me to speak directly to Sarah, but will you ask her if there's anything I can do for her? I feel that it is my fault Toby was injured. I promised that he would be safe, and now… well…"

Tell him that I don't blame him.

"Sarah says that she does not blame you for what happened."

Jareth gave a small smile and nodded. "That is good, though I still feel responsible."

"It is just as much my fault. I told Sarah that everything would be fine as well," the Labyrinth replied her eyes traveling over Jareth's face.

"Then we shall ignore her and share the blame," Jareth smiled.

The Labyrinth smiled as well before leaning up to press a kiss to Jareth's cheek. The Goblin King's expression went from smiling to surprised shock in a millisecond. "Good night, Goblin King," she said as she opened her door and stepped inside.

"…Good night," the Goblin King replied belatedly. He touched the spot on his cheek she had kissed gently with his fingers before grinning widely and retiring to his own room.

What was that?! Sarah practically shouted in their shared consciousness.

What was what? the Labyrinth asked carefully removing their clothing in the adjoined bathroom. The bathtub had been magically filled with rose scented steaming hot water.

The kiss?! You had no right to do that!

It was just a kiss on the cheek, Sarah. I was expressing my gratitude to the Goblin King.

With my lips!

Well I don't have any of my own to do so, so yes with your lips. You did agree to play host to me.

Yeah, I agreed to let you use me to get around and help us get to Jareth's allies, not go kissing him!

Is this another thing in the human romance and morality scale?

Yes!

Ah… then I apologize for being inappropriate.

Well the damage is done now! You can't exactly take that kind of thing back.

Then we'll just forget it ever happened.

Yeah, try that and see how it works. Sarah scoffed.

Then what would you suggest? the Labyrinth asked as she eased their body into the steaming water, relaxing back against the marble of the tub.

I don't know!

Then why are you so upset? It hardly seems productive.

GAH! I give up! Do whatever you want! With that Sarah cut herself off from the Labyrinth, drawing a mental curtain between them in order to effectively ignore her.

Sarah? the Labyrinth tried, but received no answer. Letting out a sigh, the Labyrinth decided to let the mortal girl have some time to herself and relaxed into the hot water.

oOoOoOo

The next morning, the Labyrinth woke early. Sarah still wasn't speaking to her, so she dressed in a simple dark grey dress with silver accenting that had been laid out by a servant. It didn't quite fit as well as it should have, but what could be expected when one dropped in suddenly. After a handmaiden had helped her with her hair and dressing, the Labyrinth made her way out into the hall and back to the Healer's wing.

When she walked in, Toby had been moved to a more comfortable bed, a blanket drawn up to his chin. Sweat beaded his brow and his entire body shivered and shook. Tobes, Sarah said quietly, finally speaking.

Ah, there you are.

I'm still mad at you, but that doesn't mean I will leave my brother.

Have it your way, the Labyrinth commented as Healer Isla emerged from a side room.

There were dark circles under her eyes and she moved slowly. "I still have not discovered the nature of the toxin yet, my lady," she said as she approached them. "However I gave him a draught last night that seemed to help with the nightmares. He was screaming earlier."

"You have no idea then?" the Labyrinth asked.

Isla frowned. "I do actually. I just am not sure how to approach brewing a potion to stop the toxin. There are some elements that are hidden from me yet. I can treat the symptoms, but without knowing the exact nature of the toxin, I cannot treat the cause."

The Labyrinth nodded in understanding. "Thank you for all you have done, Healer Isla. You should get some rest of your own."

"Thank you, but I can go for much longer than a single night without sleep. And the lad needs my help. The longer the toxin is in his body, the more difficult it will be to get out," she said as she pulled back the blanket to check his bandage. It was stained with black blood and she shook her head slowly as she went to fetch clean bandages.

The Labyrinth helped to peel away the old bandages and clean the wound, following Sarah's instructions about how to keep the wound from being infected, before Healer Isla applied new bandages. "How is he?" Jareth's voice came from behind them.

The Labyrinth turned to see the fae monarch while Sarah blushed in her portion of their shared consciousness. "Not much better," she answered, ignoring Sarah for the moment.

Jareth laid a gloved hand on Toby's brow as he looked down at the teen. "I have confidence in you Healer Isla, but please hurry. I hate to see him this way." The healer nodded before going back to her desk where the arrow still sat. "Rhihart has offered for us to join him in breaking our fast this morning if you'd like to accompany me to the morning room." He held out his arm for the Labyrinth to take and she did after another glance at Toby.

The two made their way out to the hallway and down the hall. "About last night…" Jareth started.

"Sarah has requested that we forget it happened," the Labyrinth said cutting him off.

No I didn't!

"She did?"

Yes, you told me to forget it ever happened.

Yeah, that was sarcasm and before he wanted to talk about it! Just tell him it was your idea, for Pete's sake!

As you wish… though I am unsure of who this Pete you speak of is.

"Your Sarah is most confusing, Goblin King," the Labyrinth said as they turned a corner. "She wishes me to tell you that what happened last night was my idea."

"Was it?" Jareth smirked.

"It was, I did not consult her before kissing you."

"I see."

"Though I feel I should tell you that she seemed to enjoy it at the time."

What?!

"She did?"

Don't deny it. I could tell you enjoyed it for a moment.

No I didn't! Sarah replied petulantly.

"Indeed, yes. Though I received a lecture later on why it's inappropriate to do such things when it is not my body."

Jareth grinned, but didn't say anything more as they'd just reached the doors to the morning room. As soon as they entered the morning room, Sarah perked up inside the shared consciousness. She gazed in wonder through what the Labyrinth saw at the large windows making up the far wall that let in the morning light. The golden streams of light hit the gilded crown molding in the ceiling just right so that it sparkled. The rest of the room was decorated in a similar theme to highlight the morning and allow nature to shine at her utmost best. Sarah was torn from her daze when the Labyrinth sat down in the chair that King Rhihart had pulled out for her.

"How are you this morning, my lady?" he asked.

"As well as I can be expected given the circumstances," the Labyrinth answered diplomatically.

Rhihart nodded as their breakfast was brought out. The meal was kept simple, by royal standards… there was fresh fruit, oatmeal, sausages, and warm spiced milk with honey. The Labyrinth sampled a bit of everything for Sarah knowing the mortal was curious about Underground food, but still too angry with her to ask. "You visited your brother this morning?" Rhihart asked taking a spoonful of oatmeal with blueberries.

The Labyrinth nodded. "Yes, we visited Sarah's brother this morning. He does not appear to be doing much better, but Isla assures us she is close to figuring out the full nature of the toxin."

Thank him, please thank him for letting us use his healer, Sarah piped up.

"Sarah also wishes to thank you for allowing us use of your healer."

King Rhihart nodded. "Of course, my lady. Jareth trusts you, and so do I," he said simply. "I would not leave my brother and those loyal to him out in the cold."

Jareth grinned from Rhihart's other side. "Except for that one time," he said.

Rhihart frowned in thought for a moment before his eyes popped open. "That was only once and I was still learning how to control my magic," Rhihart grumbled.

Jareth chuckled for a moment before filling Sarah/the Labyrinth in. "When we were growing up, we didn't live together, but we would spend family vacations together and of course visits. One particular visit we were in the Mar Khorn Mountains to the north to go skiing. It was late at night and Rhihart had caught a bit of a cold from being outside without his hat or gloves. We were sharing a room then and I got up to get a servant to bring him some tea. However when I came back in he let out a tremendous sneeze! And all of a sudden we were outside in the cold shivering our arses off!" Jareth chuckled again.

"I accidentally performed a transportation spell when I sneezed," Rhihart explained. "I'd been thinking of being somewhere warm so I would stop shivering all the time and it must of sparked something when I sneezed. We didn't end up anywhere warm, but we did go outside. Spent a good half hour getting back to the chalet too."

"Both of our mothers were furious!" Jareth exclaimed. "And of course we both got sick and had to spend the rest of the vacation inside drinking tea and eating soup while sneezing, coughing, and in general being miserable."

The Labyrinth smiled at the two brothers. She of course knew something of their background, but Sarah didn't. They're really close, aren't they? Sarah asked.

Yes, of course they had fights like any sibling pair, but in general the Goblin King and King Rhihart have always been close and supported each other.

But hang on, how did Rhihart become a king of a different land if his father was the Goblin King before Jareth?

His mother, Catarina, was heir to the throne of Lemwyn, the land we are in currently.

And she never took a husband? I thought that was kind of required in royalty.

Not necessarily. King Rhihart's mother had a short relationship with King Belenus, Jareth's father, before Belenus found Elena, Jareth's mother. The short relationship with Catarina resulted in a child, and Belenus vowed to treat him as his own son. But then he met Elena, a nobleman's daughter, and fell in love with her. It worked well, because Catarina and Belenus, while rumored to be engaged, never really fell in love. It was a short passionate relationship, but there was no long term love. So when Rhihart was born, he was named heir to the throne of Lemwyn, and Catarina was content to live with her son and visit Belenus and Elena and their son, Jareth.

That's… a bit weird actually. Normally there's a lot of animosity between ex's and whatnot. Sarah commented.

It is a bit unusual, but it seems to work for them. And the Goblin Kingdom has had a reliable ally as a result.

"Talking to Sarah again?" Jareth asked then.

"Ah, yes, my apologies," the Labyrinth smiled at the two monarchs.

"No matter, Rhihart and I were just going to adjourn to his study to discuss Bronwyn. Would you care to join?"

The Labyrinth nodded, pushing back from the table and rising from her seat. She followed as the two half-brothers made their way down the hall. So tell me about Bronwyn then while we're walking. Sarah requested.

Bronwyn is the second son of King Belenus' brother, Lord Cináed. They own some land to the north of the Goblin City, and have lived there for many centuries. However Bronwyn has always been one to seek power. It was found out that at one point he was in contact with a group of Unseelie, but his father put a stop to it. It is apparent though, that he has been learning the dark arts from another source, or perhaps he was more secretive of his meetings with the Unseelie after that.

So this guy, Bronwyn wants the Goblin Kingdom because he thinks he can access the gateway and be able to do what? Travel back and forth between worlds? Can't he do that anyway?

He can as long as I allow the gateway to stay open, but with power over the gateway and myself, he would be able to move whole hosts of fae to and from the Above at once.

And why would he want to do that?

There are some in the Underground who do not like mortals, Sarah. Bronwyn is one of these creatures. He believes them to be below himself and if it were up to him, he would most likely enslave the human race.

Sarah was silent for a moment as she assessed this. Christ, I didn't realize we were on the brink of an interdimensional war! We need to stop him, she finally said after a moment.

Yes, my lady. That is why we are gathering our forces. Bronwyn cannot be allowed to succeed in his mission. The balance between the two worlds relies on humans being free and in the Aboveworld, not enslaved and brought to heel in the Underground.

The two monarchs in front of them stopped before a wooden door that had gilded edges rising from the simple square design carved into it. King Rhihart led the way into his study, gesturing at the pair of comfy looking high back plush chairs for Sarah and Jareth to sit in. Rhihart sat behind the desk, his hands coming up to steeple in front of his mouth as he leaned his elbows on the desk. "Okay, so let's start with what we know," he stated looking at Jareth.

The Goblin King let out a sigh before starting his story of the invasion. "Bronwyn has always been power hungry, but he's never committed such an act of treason before."

"True, perhaps something changed that made him confident of his success?" Rhihart commented.

"What about the UnSeelie? Could he have contacted them again?" the Labyrinth asked.

"It's a possibility," Jareth nodded. "The most likely one actually, given the amount of support he had."

What does that have to do with it? Sarah asked.

It is a possibility that so many Seelie fae defected from their kingdoms and sided with Bronwyn, but it is highly unlikely. Most Seelie fae are loyal to their monarchs and will serve them until the very end.

So then what about Bronwyn? Isn't he Seelie?

It's possible to turn UnSeelie.

Ah… I see.

"The best solution I can see at the moment is to gather as much of our forces as possible, and confront Bronwyn," King Rhihart said looking between the two beings in front of him.

"Agreed," Jareth nodded. "Sarah, the Labyrinth, and I will journey to the various kingdoms to gather support."

But what about Toby?! Sarah exclaimed.

"My lady wishes to know what you intend for her brother," the Labyrinth dutifully asked.

Jareth frowned a bit, but kept a straight face as he answered. "Right now Toby is a liability. He needs to rest and mend. He can't do that if we take him with us. However you and the Labyrinth need to come with me, Sarah. The Labyrinth is a powerful ally and she needs to be there to help garner support from those who would be less inclined to support me."

Sarah sighed and nodded reluctantly in her corner of their shared consciousness. I understand, but I want to know that Toby will be taken care of, she demanded.

Thank you, my lady, the Labyrinth said before answering Jareth. "My lady says that she understands and accepts. However she wishes to ensure Lord Tobias' health and care."

"Of course!" Rhihart spoke up immediately. "Healer Isla will be with him until he is fully healed. And if you are still away after that then he shall have my best guest accommodations here in the palace. You need not fear for his safety, my lady."

Thank you.

"Thank you, King Rhihart. Your assurances are appreciated."

King Rhihart nodded with a smile. "I am ever at your service, my lady."

Jareth quirked an eyebrow at his brother's antics, but didn't comment. Instead he turned to the Labyrinth. "We should leave as soon as possible."

The rest of the morning and into the afternoon was spent planning which kingdoms to visit and what kind of reception they would receive. They would need to visit the Elven kingdom, the Dwarf Kingdom, and finally Avalon where the majority of Seelie Fae resided. Rhihart's kingdom, Lemwyn, was already a guaranteed ally. "If you can make sure the necessary provisions are ready by tomorrow morning, we will leave then," Jareth stated.

"Consider it done," King Rhihart nodded.

Jareth grinned at his half-brother as he rose to his feet. "Then we shall adjourn until dinner this evening. I wanted to show Sarah your gardens, brother," he said holding out a gloved hand for the Labyrinth to take. She took the proffered hand and pulled herself out of the high backed chair to stand at the Goblin King's side.

King Rhihart looked between the pair noting how striking of a couple they made. He was certain they would have no problem procuring the help they needed to win back their kingdom. "Of course, I shall send Michaelis to fetch you when dinner is ready," he smiled as Jareth led the Labyrinth and Sarah out of his study.