Well everyone this story is coming close to its conclusion. Only a couple of more postings after this and this saga will finally come to an end. Thank you all for your reviews and feedback, they definitely kept me going. The usual Disclaimer goes: I do not own the Labyrinth or any of the characters from that movie. I'm just borrowing them. The characters of the Wolfen, Emian, Damien, Alia, and of the Fae Genard do belong to me as does the plot of this story. Please read and enjoy not to mention reviewJ
The Hunger
Ch.18
Morning had come too soon as she still lay awake, head resting against Jareth's warm comforting chest. What was it that Alia was trying to warn her about? There were so many different possibilities and not enough information to go on. Sarah knew things, things she could not explain how she knew them, but she did. The Wolfen had a long history going back long before the Fae ever came into being. Genard had formed the Hunters out of his hate for the Wolfen all because Alia fell in love with someone else and became Wolfen. All of those slain, all of those made to suffer, just because Genard could not have the one in which he loved.
To make things worse not only was she supposed to stop Emian and his pack, she was supposed to try and lead them, to make them change their ways. Emian was not always like the way he was now. He was a good Wolfen who befriended many only to have his heart twisted by hate and revenge for the murder of his mate and five children. She pitied him.
Then there was Damien, she had but one choice if she wanted to be free of him and that choice frightened her. She had tried to reason with him but to no avail, he was so driven and twisted by his thirst for power and dominance that no amount of words would have mattered.
Sarah felt trapped into this with no escape. Jareth could not save her from what it was that she would have to do, to face, but at least she would not have to face it alone. Jareth was her one saving grace; he was her anchor and her strength. Another question plagued her, how was she different from other Wolfen? She felt it and Alia in her dream told her as much but how was she different? So many questions and not enough answers, it was greatly upsetting.
He could sense that she was awake and had been for quite some time. Opening his eyes he drew her closer to him as he could sense that something was troubling her. Was it what happened last night?
Turning to face Jareth she smiled up to him with love, "Good morning."
"Good morning love," he returned with a grin. "How long have you been awake?"
Her smile turned to that of a frown as she laid her head back on his chest, "For a while."
His hand tangled through her hair as he watched her closely, "Bad dreams?"
Sarah sighed, "Kind of…no not really. Not a dream but…"
Jareth stirred as he started to rise forcing Sarah to follow suit as he did so. Resting his back against the headrest of the bed, he took her hand in his bringing her to sit beside him, "Tell me about it. I might be able to help."
She smiled weekly to him, "Alia visited me." Jareth's eyebrows rose at this. "She told me that Emian and his ways must be stopped, that I was to lead the Wolfen back from extinction. That…" Jareth remained silent as he waited for her to go on. "That I was to present the Wolfen's case to the court, show them as I did you what wrongs have been brought upon them. She said that I would be able to make it so that the Wolfen could live in public and no longer have to hide their existence. First though, I would have to stop the Wolfen from following Emian and his ways."
Jareth studied her for a moment before replying, "That is quite a list!" Hands cupping her face he leaned forwards laying a soft butterfly kiss on her lips, "You won't go through this alone."
She held his hand to her face, "I know, it's just…"
"You don't feel ready for such a responsibility, that everything seems to be happening too fast."
"Exactly!" she breathed. Sarah wondered if he had somehow read her mind or did he just know her too well.
Pulling her to him he held her tenderly in his arms, "Sarah, you've solved my labyrinth, faced dangers untold and hardships unnumbered. You have had your world turned upside down and still have managed to find love. You have a strength of heart and of character that I've never seen matched. If there is anyone that can make a difference, I know for a fact that that person is you. I believe in you Sarah, and no matter what happens, know this. You will never go through anything alone, I will be beside you every step of the way, and I will love you always."
Sarah wanted to cry, his words had touched her deeply, "Jareth, I don't think that I would be able to get through this without you. I love you so much."
The clearing was a perfect place for sparring as he drew his sword taking his fighting stance. Sword held outward, Genard imagined his opponent, blocking an imaginary blow and countering it with one of his own. He turned on his heel as he brought his sword about aiming for the throat of his next imaginary target. It was difficult to practice without a visible opponent but Genard was managing.
She had taken a break from the lessons in magic that Jareth had been training her on. Sarah had caught to it quite quickly, amazing Jareth with her ability to successfully learn how to call upon her powers. She still had much to learn, but now with the new knowledge she felt more confident. There was much for her to accomplish and she wondered for the millionth time if she would be able to do what Alia had asked of her. Could she really truly be able to take a life, to kill?
The sound of something slicing through the air and labored breathing brought her towards one of the clearings within the garden. Even before she reached the clearing she knew who she would find, his scent was unmistakable. Sarah watched as he battled an invisible enemy obviously practicing his skill.
He sensed her approach but continued with his practice as he was coming to an end. This would definitely give him the opportunity to speak with her. Genard had only spoken with her a few times and that was at least a day ago. Finishing he came about sword swiftly moving up stopping in front of his face as if in salute. Sheathing his sword he bowed to Sarah in greeting, "Good day. I hope that you are well?"
Sarah smiled though she felt weary of this Fae, especially knowing his past as she did, "Yes I am, thank you."
Genard grinned at the weary look he could see clearly written on her face, she still did not trust him. Approaching her, he smiled warmly to her as if he had not noticed her weariness, "I trust that your lessons with the King have gone well?"
She really did not want to speak to Genard, the mere sight of him made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. He had murdered so many and she needed his help, he would pay for his crimes soon enough. A forced smile in play, she started her way with Genard she noted at her side, "Yes, he says that I'm a quick study. Jareth says that he has spoken to you about our situation with the Wolfen."
Genard's brow rose at this, "Yes, he wishes to avoid bringing this up with the courts as of yet and something about assembling his Goblin army to ready for an attack."
Sarah's jaw tightened, "I wish that we did not have to but Emian has left us with no other choice. He has brought back the old long ago forbidden ways of the Wolfen. I just hope that he will listen to me and agree to change his ways."
Genard stopped in his tracks, not sure if he had heard her right, "Excuse me Lady Sarah, but do you mean to try and reason with him?"
She stopped, turning to face him, her eyes looking over him closely; she could not pick any kind of emotions from him as if he were blocking her. Both Sarah and Jareth had discovered this as one of her little gifts of being Wolfen. "You do not approve?" she asked with raised brow.
Genard sighed, "Not really. I know Emian, he will not be swayed by words." He could sense that she was trying to read his emotions witch told him that she was rapidly gaining control of her power.
A sad, haunting look crossed Sarah's face as she took in his words, "I must try. He was not always the way that he is now. The betrayal of a friend and the loss of his mate and children have chilled and hardened his heart."
His eyes glared daggers at her, though she did not see it as she was facing away from him. How did she know? This Wolfen was more powerful than he had first thought. He might have to kill her sooner than he had planned. Emian deserved his loss, he had taken what was rightfully his. He is the one that betrayed him by making Alia his mate, knowing that Genard had feelings for her.
Something passed through the barrier that kept his emotions from her senses. It was only for a moment but in that moment she sensed anger, loss, a deep pain, and betrayal. She already knew that Genard was the friend that she was referring to, knew how he had murdered Alia and her five children because of his denied love for her, just because she chose Emian instead of him. The Fae before her disgusted her but they needed him.
Genard bowed slightly to her, "As much as I am enjoying our conversation, I'm afraid that there are some things in which I must prepare for." Stepping away he cursed at himself for his moment of weakness, he allowed some of his emotions to escape his mental barrier and knew that she had sensed it. Her knowledge about his past disturbed him greatly. How could she know about something that did not even occur within her own lifetime? Indeed this Wolfen was unlike any that he had ever come across and for the first time in his long life that frightened him.
She watched him go, a sense of dread for the coming events that were to come to play. Many would die if she could not persuade Emian to change his ways and it all depended on her.
The edge of the forest was filled with Wolfen as they assembled themselves along the forest's rim. Emian stared out at the Goblin King's castle knowing that soon all that they had worked hard for would either come to a successful end or defeat. It all started with the Goblin Kingdom and their success in defeating its King. Sarah was now beyond their reach and he frowned at the knowledge that Damien would lose his intended mate.
Damien approached his father his eyes following his father's line of sight towards the Goblin King's castle, "She is there, I can feel it, but she has been able to completely block me from her thoughts."
Emian placed his hand on his son's shoulder, "Sarah will have to fall with the Goblin King and his kingdom. We tried…"
Damien glared at his father, "NO!" he growled shrugging Emian's hand from his shoulder, "When the King is dead she will be mine! After he is dead and if I still can not bind her to me then and only then will her life be forfeit."
Emian sighed, "Very well, but you run the risk of your own death if she tries to free herself from your hold."
He scoffed at his father's words, "That will not happen." Storming away he knew that she would be his, that she would not be able to stop him, and once the Goblin Kings was out of the way there was no stopping him from making her his mate.
Chapter 19
Crystal in hand, he watched the scene within its depths, a frown creasing his brow. Inside the crystal he could see the Wolfen gathering at the edge of the Glendalian forest. They would soon force his hand and he had already sent the word out to his goblin army to organize and make themselves ready for a confrontation. Now as he looked at his crystal, he knew that Genard was instructing them on how to wound and kill the Wolfen.
Dropping the crystal from his gaze he leaned back in his throne, it had been a long time since he had seen the carnage of war and he was not looking forward to this confrontation. He just hoped that Sarah would be able to reach them and sway Emian from his plans. The rational side of his mind knew though that that would not be. He had seen many that had hungered for revenge and power, and few ever stopped unless they were met with their own death.
Allowing the crystal to disappear from his grasp, he raised from his throne as he sensed Sarah's approach. Ever since the incident with her calling out to him for help that night, they had discovered a strange type of bond. They could both sense when the other was near, and each other's emotions if they did not guard them from each other. This bond was comforting to him, yet at the same time a bit unsettling. It would take a lot for him to get use to.
Sarah fidgeted with the shirt she wore as she made her way towards the throne room. She had changed her clothes into something a lot more appropriate for the upcoming confrontation. In a pair of figure fitting black pants with riding boots, not unlike those that Jareth would often wear, and a loose fitting red poet's shirt that was tied at the waist with a thin black belt, she entered the throne room.
A smile edged at the corners of his lips as he saw her entering the throne room. Holding his hand out for her he waited for her hand pulling her to him once she grabbed hold. "I was wondering when you would come?" he drawled.
Smiling she leaned against him sitting on his lap her hands wrapping about his neck, "I take it you missed me!" she teased.
Nibbling at the base of her neck he smiled against her skin and whispered huskily, "Oh yes, very much so."
Her eyes closed at the sensation as she moaned against his hot touches. She was disappointed when he stopped and pulled away. Looking down at him she could see the strangest expression on his face, "What? What is it?"
Standing, he moved her to sit within his throne kneeling down in front of her, "Sarah, I've been meaning to ask you something."
She smiled down at him searching his eyes for what it was that he was wanting to ask. Biting her bottom lip she awaited his words her heart suddenly pounding a thousand beats per second. Was he about to ask her what she thought he was going to ask her?
Taking both of her hands in his he kissed each as he looked lovingly up to her eyes, "There is something that I've wanted for so long to ask, and now seems as good a time as any. Will you…be my queen, my betrothed?"
Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes watering at the sound of his words. At that instant time seemed to stand still as her eyes searched his, the words flowing from her lips without a second, thought, "Yes! Oh, Jareth I love you so much!" She threw herself within his arms kissing him with all the passion she held within her being for him. Her mental words projected into his mind as they kissed, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I never want to be without you. You've just made me the happiest I've ever been!"
They kissed passionately for what seemed not long enough both on the floor of the throne room in front of the throne. Holding her face within his hands ,he looked intensely into her eyes, "I love you."
Sarah never wanted their moment to end as they held each other but no matter how much she wished for it, she knew that that could not be. Allowing themselves to enjoy each other's presence for a few more moments Sarah and Jareth knew that they had to pull away. There were matters that needed to be attended to and they would have plenty of time to be with one another after everything was done.
He brushed back a strand of her dark soft hair, "When will you be ready to try and contact Emian?"
Sighing, she knew she could not run away from this or ignore it, "I'll be ready whenever everyone else is. Jareth, I'm scared." Truth be told, she was terrified of what it was she was about to do, but knew that it must be done or she would never be free. She would not be able to live with herself if she did nothing when she knew that she had the power to do something.
Holding her hands in his, he helped her up from the floor with him, "I'd be worried if you weren't."
"I can sense that they've gathered at the edge of the Glendalian forest. They are thirsty for bloodshed, I can almost taste their anger." Closing her eyes she tried to push back that sensation not liking it in the slightest, "It's nauseating."
He looked to her with earnest, "Sarah, concentrate on the task at hand. Do not allow your senses to roam. Remember what I showed you."
She did as he instructed pushing the emotions of the Wolfen's pack from her senses. The edge of the forest was shown clearly within her mind, the figures streaking past her perception as she searched for the one in which she intended to communicate with.
Emian looked out over the open field where they would have to traverse in order the reach the castle. With their senses traversing the small part of the labyrinth to reach the castle would be easy for them as Damien had done so easily enough. Suddenly something hit him with a force he had never before encountered, his vision blocked as a blinding light hit his eyes.
Blinking back against the harsh light he covered his eyes until the light dissipated and he could see. What he saw made him uneasy. No longer standing within the edge of the Glendalian forest, he was now standing within the throne room of the Goblin King's Castle and standing before him was Sarah.
She approached him standing just far enough away from him so that he could not reach out to touch her, "Emian," she addressed him.
His gray brow rose as he looked over his surroundings, "I see that you have mastered some of your powers."
Sarah sighed, "Yes I have. I've brought you here to speak with you about your plans."
Emian mocked that of innocence, "I know not what you mean, other than the fact that we wish that you would come to us. We are your family now, you belong with us as you are Wolfen."
"No, I am more than that. My place is with Jareth but my place is also with the Wolfen. There are other ways to bring back our kind from almost extinction. Your ways will do nothing but guarantee our destruction. Please, you must change your ways."
A cruel, indifferent laugh escaped his lips, "You know nothing of what you speak. We are Wolfen and when they discover what we are they would hunt us down and destroy us without a second's thought. It is better to crush them before they can do any harm to us. It is the Wolfen that ruled the Underground long before they were even in existence. The Underground belongs to us."
She shook her head her eyes pleading with his, "You're wrong! The Wolfen had their time. It was wrong what happened to our kind, but that is the past and nothing can change that. There is a balance and what you intend will rip that balance apart. Don't you see, that what you seek will do more harm than good. The Hunters are no more. I am sorry about Alia and your five children, but this will not bring them back."
Emian staggered back, "What…how?" Anger raged through his being, "Dare you speak her name? I see that Genard has taken his hold on you."
Sarah wavered as she felt him fight against her mental intrusion, "No, please hear me. I…"
Emian broke through her words as he suddenly closed the distance between them, grasping her harshly about her arms. His eyes were cold and menacing all matching the tone of his voice, "No! You hear me. I have lived through the darkest of times, watched as those that I loved were slaughtered, and all because of what we are. Do you really think that it will be any different? Our kind has remained hidden trying to build back the number of our kind that was lost, preparing to take back what is so rightfully ours."
Her eyes pleaded with his, begging that he would hear her out, "How many more have to die because of the past?" her eyes bordered with tears, "How many will it take to satiate your hunger for power and revenge?"
"Not enough," he answered narrowing his eyes at her.
The tears fell freely as she returned, "Then you leave me no choice." Sarah felt herself jerk out of the trance she had put herself in. Emian had pushed her out of his mind completely and was beyond her reach.
Sensing that she was back, Jareth approached her with concern as he could feel her anguish, "Are you alright?"
Closing her eyes he watched as her tears fell. Sarah shook her head feeling as if she had not done enough, said enough.
"I take it that he did not agree?"
Leaning back into Jareth's throne she looked to him with regret, "No, he will not even try to listen to me. I…Maybe if I said more?"
He knew from the first time that she had told him, that her plan at trying to reason with Emian would not work. From what she had shown him, he hardly blamed Emian for his hatred towards his kind.
"I do not think that would have made a difference. Hatred is blinding and destructive, and Emian carries much. It is something that he must see himself, no one can show it to him. I'm afraid that he will probably see the wrong in his actions only too late." After all was done and if Genard was still alive to see it, Jareth swore that he would make sure that the courts know of his treachery and that he answers for them.
Forcing herself not to dwell on the wrong of it all she pushed herself up from the throne her eyes locking with his, "If we are to stop them we must make our move before the moon is high. One way or the other, tonight Emian's way will be put to an end."
She had changed so much in only a few days and Jareth was worried that this night would bring many more harsh changes to her being, her soul. If only he could protect her from such things, shield her from the harsh realities of the world.
Sarah reached out her hand grasping his as she knew his concerns for her in all this, "Don't, I'll be all right as long as I have you."
He brought her hand to his lips, his eyes still locked with hers as he replied, "I'm afraid that you are stuck with me for as long as I live, and I promise I have a long life still ahead of me as do you."