It's been manic, what can I say? Delays are a pain but when you can't help it, you can't help it! Enjoy the chapter fellow Labyrinthines, reviews could be my early christmas present!
The journey back to Doinari forest was lampooned by exhaustion, Jareth although invigorated by the sacred brook was still fatigued by his previous ordeal. Poor Toby was still in a bit of a daze about the fate of an entire world thrust upon him, the dream of rock stardom was way out of the window. The thought of rejoining his family was the driving force of Aziz's will to keep going but eventually he forsook it for the sake of his friends.
The stars shimmered across the sky behind the amber veil of the underground and the group made camp on the border between Thedaford forest and the farmlands. They slept soundly for a few hours all encircling the campfire; Jareth and Sarah slept side by side, Sir Didymus against his slave-driven hound, Toby back against back with Ludo, Hoggle against the Snaer Native's leg. It was left to Aziz and his soldiers to keep watch. The Pagan Lord succumbed to sleep while sitting up but was shaken out of it by a rumble of the Earth; he looked around and unsheathed his sword.
Out westward in the distance was an orange glow, Aziz furrowed his brow and feared a great deal of evil was afoot. After ordering his second lieutenant Dara to return to the settlement for reinforcements he hurriedly rouse his friends from their slumber.
"Jareth Look yonder at the horizon, some trouble is brewing" Aziz whispered harshly, he didn't know why he was whispering as the group was stirring of their own accord. Rumbles and distant thuds were getting louder and more frequent.
"Glynn Brannon?" Jareth asked gravely as he stumbled to his feet and wiped the moss and the dew off of his clothes, helping a groggy and dishevelled Sarah on to her feet.
"Possibly, that town holds farmers, shepherds...Quaker folk; why would it be attacked?" The moor replied in bewilderment.
"War has very little reason; perhaps the town is just the ignition Krissen needs for his campaign against the underground" Jareth tried to be calm in manner but he was worried, Toby stood up with his blanket hanging off his waist.
"What's going on, what's with all the rumbling – I thought it was Ludo being hungry but then..." Toby was struggling with his words, the affects of a deep sleep slowing his consciousness like a dead weight.
The disgraced Goblin King was stepping up to the plate as a Rebel leader now, a few centuries ago he would have relished being on the eve of battle: But there was much more to lose this time Sarah, the boy, not to mention his now-very-much mortal life. Pursing his lips he cocked his head in dismay and moved further out into the clearing, he rubbed his hands together until a crystal appeared and made it shine as bright as a star.
"Are you sure it's time? We could waste our resources before we've even begun" Aziz took a few steps back, gesturing the group do to the same. The wind picked up and Sarah was about to ask a question when Jareth bellowed an incantation.
"A War cry sounds and peace is undone, unite the people to fight as one" Jareth called and a whirring sound erupted from the crystal and it floated up above the trees and far into the sky.
"Cover your eyes, all of you...COVER YOU EYES!" Aziz commanded, the group grimaced as pairs of eyes were squeezed shut. A white out spread over the land and four streaking comets split the crystal into pieces, four streamed across the sky in all the four corners of the realm.
One comet shot Eastward crossing high above the labyrinth and into Esme's Gully, the light reflected over every piece of junk she owned. The rag and bone woman was asleep in her rocking chair when the loud crackle of Jareth's falling star woke her up.
"War...Oh no, no, no" She shook her head violently then began ransacking her home for blankets, clothes and food, tossing them in a bag she made her way to the very edge of the gully where an old bomb shelter lay. She began to mumble about the chances Jareth had of winning and what would become of her if he lost; she used her nightmares as a good guess: Mile after mile of black, dead Earth, withered trees and worst of all, her home in a giant pyre. She put the blanket over her head and waited for sleep to cease her worrying.
Northwards stood the might and majesty of Snaer Mountain where a light flurry of snow was falling, King Ludma was roughly roused from his sleep by Ludrac who was on night duty. The guard merely pointed outside, he said nothing but the King could tell something was amiss by the anxiety in the Goblin's eyes. Stumbling out of his cove he was joined by his kin and community and all were stirred by the sizzling of the comet's tail. Little Ludve stood beside the King and the youngling was comforted as the goblins all knew what was happening.
"Big trouble coming Uncle?
"Fear So Ludve, much fear so" sighed the King, he turned to his little hamlet as his people talked amongst themselves, all with confusion in their eyes. Ludrac led a dozen guardsmen in single file and stood beside their agitated Monarch. They all roared until a small avalanche rolled down the rocky terrain on the farthest side of the mountain, the haze and mist could be seen for miles and was glimpsed by Jareth and his party.
Southwards in the town of Charlemagne the entire valley was lit up by the light of the comet's tail, Mayor Muckleby had fallen asleep with his pillow propped up against the bedstead. His balcony stood directly across, he heard the sizzling way before he saw the comet: Blinking hard he tripped over his blanket and fell to the floor, the urgency of what he knew the spectacle meant made him jump back up. In a royal blue Nightshirt and cap Maurice observed his hamlet as houses began lighting up with Lanterns. Far below he could see his visor trying to calm people down but savouring a bit of gossip in-between: A Lively, clumsy yet very dutiful youth by the name of Dex Dante.
"Dex?" The Mayor called with his usual impatient tone, with his call silence came and the crowd dispersed, leaving the lad rather nervous.
"Yes Sir?" Dex answered with aloud but jittering reply
Summon the council, somebody's just declared a war" Maurice answered morosely, stomping back into his room and began to dress. He could hear the nervous chatter of the townsfolk below and the loud hurried footsteps of his servant.
Amid the carnage that he and his minions were inflicting on the town of Glynn Brannon General Krissen was blinded by the Fae King's warning signal. He looked to the East and snarled with satisfaction, his assailant was beside him trying to calm his grynoan.
"Jareth Thaddeus?" The general conspired with his heathen counterpart, riding his horse out of Harm's way as the beast's wings crouched around him like a bat.
"Has to be, nobody in the underground can conjure up a comet – we could have a war party on our hands" Airk delegated with twisted delight, secretly he knew even if Jareth now lived as a mortal he still had the knowledge he needed to defeat Krissen. He hoped there would be a piece of the Goblin King left for the heathen himself to destroy.
"Not even Oberon?" Krissen asked rather startled by the news that Jareth was still quite powerful, he looked up at the clear sky that he staked would not be clear for long.
"The Faeries know their place in this realm, they always have and they know not to meddle with man. So they Champion a fool to do their dirty work" The Consort said in a blasé manner, patting his excitable pet on the neck as the beast was enveloped with the heavenly scent of fear.
It took less than an hour for reinforcements by both parties to trickle into the area; griffins, luck dragons and giant hawks on one side, Grynoans, mercenaries and Minotaur on the other. Yet with the proud display Jareth was still nervous for he needed something as equally powerful as a Grynoan: The Hawk although graceful and awesome in strength was not a good rival for the beast.
His prayer was answered in the enduring cry of the majestic phoenix, six in all swooped down into the clearing/ Driven by none other than King Ludma and his guards.
"Your timing is brilliance itself my dear friend" Jareth chuckled as the Goblin unceremoniously leapt off the mighty bird's back. Dressed in caramel-coloured iron armour the King seemed rather pleased with his bombastic entrance and shook Jareth's hand.
"I try well, war makes Ludese try better" Ludma smugly remarked while proudly slapping his stomach to iterate the brawn of the great Snaer Goblins.
"Father, you bring whole flock?" Ludo gawped as the Ludese' secret weapon was revealed to the outside world.
"Much use they bring Ludo, not you Oh no not you" His father wagged his large and hairy index finger disapprovingly at his son; Ludo frowned and bowed his head.
"Not right, your war is my war I fight like everyone else" The Mountain Prince grumbled in a deep growl. The Snaer guards rallied the phoenixes closer to the group: Saddles of blue silk and reins of brass added to the creature's magnificence.
"No, no – too young, no good with sword, you stay here" The Monarch and zealous father commanded, the goblin began to sulk then wandered back to where Toby stood.
"Jareth, hurry we must fight now" Ludma gestured a beckoning arm for Jareth to take one of the phoenixes. Hesitation arose but it was not out of fear, he needed Sarah with him, he needed her fledging power to manifest and aide the cause. As a former King he knew he had to do it but as a man in love he felt enormous guilt in bringing her into such danger.
The mortal Fae stroked the bird's feathers and cupped it's beak in his hand in a bid to calm and familiarise the phoenix with it's temporary master.
"Sarah you must believe I would give my life for yours in a heartbeat, I do not want to this but you must come with me" Jareth explained gravely, the young woman responded by taking a step towards him but then turned around to Toby.
"What about my brother? I can't just leave him here Jareth" Sarah protested, Aziz could not comfort the boy for his place was also with Jareth on the battlefield; it was a prerogative of any King to fight for what was his.
"The boy goes back to the settlement along with your friends, Lady Soairse must be warned to stay vigilant" Jareth explained hurriedly while the King of Pagans mounted on a Phoenix beside his friend. Sarah was guilt-ridden and swayed her head disapprovingly; she had no words for Toby so she simply shrugged.
"Wait a minute, she's a girl! Girls don't go into battle!" Toby roared furiously, abandonment was something he was beginning to loathe above all other things in his life: His parents abandoned him for their addiction to work, Sarah abandoned him over a grudge and now here he was again being left behind.
"This one will have to; when you're older you'll have the power of morpharia at your disposal and battle foes all you please. Until then you will seek the safety of the Pagan tribes, now go – I will not tell you again" Jareth's Chastisement was firm but not harsh, he merely took the stance of his former self; he took the stance of a King.
Toby said nothing instead he attempted to outstare Jareth but it was no use, this was someone who once commanded an army, once controlled a mysterious maze and took Counsel from the cosmos: The boy didn't stand a chance. The thoughts milling through his mind made the child dizzy for he realised all that Jareth was Toby would soon become, a panic attack suddenly overwhelmed him.
"Toby, Toby what's wrong, what is it?" Sarah stammered rushing over to him as the flock of phoenixes sprang into the air, Jareth felt embarrassed he should have been the first one up.
"Sarah, I-I c-c-an't do it, y-y-you can't make...you can't make me do it" Toby wheezed as he fell to the ground, immediately he was sheltered by his great big fuzzy friend Ludo who held his waist as he hyperventilated.
"Do What Toby, go to the settlement? You won't be alone Tobe, I wouldn't do that to you" Sarah was scared for her brother was starting to sweat profusely. Toby shook his head violently
"...To be King! You can't make me be King, I'm twelve; I do baseball, arcade games, drive sister crazy...I can't command anyone!" He was panic-stricken, hyperventilating Jareth wasn't usually accustomed to guilt but that didn't mean he never felt it.
Jareth let go of the reins of his beast and walked towards Toby, his face was one of pity and remorse – never thinking he would find such emotions within the former Goblin King, it startled the lad.
"There was once a time I thought your arrival was an inconvenience, a distraction from what I really wanted. But something happened I grew fond of you, so when I said I was looking out for Sarah I was lying...I was looking out for both of you" Jareth shrugged
"...And Now?" Toby sniffed
"This day, this fight is so much bigger than us young Tobias; Bigger than my love for Sarah, bigger than your fear of becoming King. This battle is for my world's existence, your coming could be prophetic but it's too early to say. Keep your chin up we'll think of something" Jareth cooed softly as he curved his hand over Toby's cheek and under his chin. He then moved it across the boy's forehead and a cloud of calm and peace wafted over him. Toby slumped backward feeling a little drowsy he looked up at Jareth; words failed him and for the first time he wondered if the father-figure he really wanted was the disgraced Fae King.
Sarah pulled her brother to his feet and hugged him while nervously looking at the fabled creatures, she bit her lip and Jareth couldn't stop smiling.
"What's so wrong with winged horses? If you think so highly of me why not get the best of the best...Why not get me Pegasus?" Sarah whined before Jareth threw her a fibreglass cloak.
"Pegasus does not belong to this world, defy The King of Greek Gods are you mad? Pegasus is his most prized possession!" Jareth refuted, the Goblin King did not understand his love was merely being sarcastic Sarah was bewildered by his reply. She realised that maybe C.S Lewis was unto something when he wrote about portals and parallel worlds; the universe was infinite with possibilities.
"Anything wrong? We are pressed for time you know?" Jareth asked softly, as he shook Sarah out of her daydream, she seemed genuinely dazed as the weight of mystery within the underground was beginning to get to her.
"Hmm? I'm fine...fine" She purred wistfully, she gave one last smile at her brother before climbing unto the phoenix's back. Jareth chivalrously mounted the saddle and sat behind her, where he could keep her safe within his embrace. Snaking his arms around her waist he grabbed hold of the reins.
"Back to Doinari, all of you" He commanded his misfit, motley crew of a boy, a goblin dwarf, a mountain beast and a Wiley fox. All looking nervous - the Phoenix rose a few feet up in the air and Sarah fell against Jareth in fear of what they were up against.
"When we were flying with Valren was it the fear of heights, flying or simply the loss of control that vexed you so greatly?" Jareth called out aloud as the wind picked up and all other winged creatures began to follow suit.
"The loss of control, maybe w-why?" Sarah stammered
"It's just as well" Jareth said to himself, he cracked the reins and the couple soared into the sky towards Glynn Brannon, his mismatched battalion of every fighting creature of good heart in the underground rushing behind.
"There's no dawn like a dawn of battle eh my friend?" Aziz called from his gliding bird as he threw a spare cloak to Jareth, the fae warlord skilfully swathed the cloak around him with one hand. Before resting it back against Sarah's arm. The smell of her hair was intoxicating and he was grateful for the calming effect it had on him, for he had not fought for at least two hundred years.
Within minutes there were looking over the ruins of the farming hamlet, the last civilised settlement that sat ten miles from the border of Colm. A barren landscape was all that separated them, Sarah tugged Jareth's sleeve as she witnessed the devastation.
"I shouldn't be here Jareth, I'm a liability; I have no power, no weapons nothing. Why did you bring me here?" Sarah stammered breathlessly as she nestled against her love's cheek.
"This is your test dream keeper, trust your instincts, listen to what Morpharia tells you: In all instances you are or would have been my Queen, the Queen of this realm she's aware of what could have been....She has seen it, Morpharia is at your aide as am I." Jareth whispered, suddenly he abruptly turned the phoenix left as they narrowly avoided the Grynoan that was in pursuit.
The firebird swooped down and spat out a barrier of flame towards the Grynoans that were stalking the townsfolk on the ground; that squawked in pain. Jareth chuckled in triumph, revelling how powerful he felt with his Sarah and his side and an army set out to defeat the evil in their realm.
The phoenix was able to mark a few more of the wretched beasts in mid-flight, in a chase that was beginning to feel like the most chaotic roller-coaster to Sarah. All of a sudden she felt Jareth's breath tickle at her ear, the firebird swooped downward.
"Are you ready my love?" Jareth hushed, before she could ask what he gently pushed her out of the saddle but for some inexplicable reason she was not afraid. She felt her left hand warm up and a voice inside her head comfort her.
"Once a Gymnast, always a gymnast It said leading to calmness within the young woman as she landed gracefully into the town of Glynn Brannon. Jareth smiled as he and Aziz followed swiftly behind. Darting in different directions as the battle raged ever fiercely. Spears of hot silver were thrown at the Grynoans; Griffins fought hand to hand with Minotaur's, the poor civilians running blind everywhere. Hot melted steel was still boiling in a trove, a rather peculiar place for Sarah to stop and rest. She saw a charging Grynoan about to attack her and the trembling townsfolk cowering from behind.
'Drape the steel around you, protect the people' Morparia was at Sarah's every step just like Jareth had said, her ring glowed and her hands warmed up again; fae magic was now at her disposal. Gesturing with her hands she acted to scoop out the hot metal high in the air. The grey gloop bubbled then shot high into the air and cover the group like a canopy.
The grynoan suffered horrific burns across his wings and stomach and could barely fly. Catapults manned by the braver civilians were being set off everywhere, Jareth and Ludma were protecting as many as possible with magic and stone. Harpies were speared and shot down by arrows, evil dwarves were chased away by flame throwers, griffins and Grynoans were crowding the skies above, people were getting injured...Including Sarah. She was flung hard on the ground by any angry minotaur as he was among the first to realise his foes were gaining the advantage, Jareth rushed to her side and stepped in between the minotaur and Sarah.
"Once but never again" He warned viciously, using both magic and might Jareth punched the beast hard, it threw him several feet away, he did not get up. Smoulder from the ash and smoke was painted on everyone's faces and before they knew it the war had escalated into the morning, high noon and into the early evening. Just before twilight soldiers from Charlemagne joined in the violent bustle and the clashing of swords became heavier and the number of allies tripled
It was on the scorched farmland that Jareth and Krissen came face to face, both men were exhausted but they were equally fuelled by their hate of one another. Magic had to be put aside for fists and swords, although he struggled at first the images of a threatened kingdom made him fight like a bear. Jareth yelled as he sliced through the general's armour and tunic, blood poured out but it was not a mortal wound: It was however the decider in retreating back to Colm, only this wasn't decided by the warlord by but his consort. Who then only decided to make an appearance, Airk Tathar created carnage he didn't have to fight for it's keeping.
"Hiding in the shadows were we, Airk? You should take more care of your puppets" Jareth panted venomously as he stood inches from a snarling grynoan and it's malevolent master
"Shadows can only please me so much; I like it better on a throne, the goblin city's perhaps. With you and your rebels dead at my feet" Airk struggled to keep hold of a semi-conscious Krissen but his manoeuvred his beast high into the air and back towards Colm and G'Mork Keep.
"....Hades itself will freeze over first!"Jareth bellowed, the few survivors followed on in their retreat, there was not much jubilation and all were too exhausted. But Krissen had suffered a major defeat it was not the ultimate victory but just enough to keep hope alive.
Sarah raced over to Jareth and threw her arms around him, nestling against the nape of his neck they both stumbled back into the ruins of the town square, he tried to kiss her chastely but the relief of her safety was too much to suppress, the passion was swift but it was enough to calm him that was until they assessed the damage.
The beautiful glow of the sun setting did little to lift the town's spirits; exception to a few houses standing Glynn Brannon was razed to the ground. Black smoke billowed from pillar to post, the people walked around bloodied and dazed; the earth was charred and dead, the crops were destroyed.
Jareth, Aziz and King Ludma viewed their surroundings they had succeeded but it was a hollow victory for all. The natives of Glynn Brannon crowded around the brave souls, some farmers were left numb by the thievery of their livelihood, their foods, and homes... it was all gone.
"This is the end for us all isn't it? He has toyed with us for years and now finally he holds us to ransom, we're powerless to stop him" Croaked a farmer. A youth pushed himself through the crowd and stood at Jareth's side.
"I have heard of you; Jareth Thaddeus, the fallen King – If you fight to bring down that crazed warlord then I will fight with you...I will fight with you and be glad to call you my King" The youngster said with a wise sense of humility that went way beyond his years.
With this calling many men and women, too young to remember the trial followed young Ade Elirus' example by crowding around a startled Jareth. His redemption had been a long time coming and he thought he would find it in Sarah, but it was with his people: It was always with his people. But alas the thorn of remembrance of what was still remained and this time it came in the form of a squire who was there at court that awful day.
"Enough! You young ones don't know....this man ripped the labyrinth apart, he almost caused a civil war turning fae against mortal, Krissen's hatred of Jareth and what he did is the reason why we're suffering!" The old man spluttered and was frail with age but angry all the same. Jareth patted Sarah's hand as she tried to stop him from advancing forward.
"I'm paying my dues, I wish to be redeemed by you all as your opinion matters most but I will not be punished for falling in love" Jareth replied, though full of remorse he was determined in his conviction.
"It was my fault, it was my foolishness that brought down the labyrinth – I thought I was simply putting a King in his place, I never thought about the underground and I'm sorry" Sarah sighed anxiously, some of the crowds eyes told of confusion, some of anger – Jareth had to act quickly
He led his love away from the throng of freedom fighters and the injured civilians to the edge on the dead farmland, ten to fifteen square miles of blackened earth. They looked out to Colm, it looked even more menacing now that Nature's borderline was no more. Grasping her arm, he traced his fingers all the way up to her shoulder and stood close behind her. It dropped his other arm across her abdomen and whispered softly in her ear.
"Listen to me; focus on your breathing, on your connection with morpharia, let her guide you. Wield my memories with yours, repeat after me: Life is life, death is death, nature gives thee another breath, flames have cast catastrophe, rise again for..The Queen of Goblins commands thee" Jareth's hushed voice was like a lullaby, that was until he mentioned the words 'Queen of Goblins;
Sarah opened her eyes and turned to him with great cynicism on her face, Jareth was embarrassed for there was one little piece of information he forgot to mention.
"Another mistake the fates made that I failed to inform you of was...The only way thy could allow you to near-wreck a kingdom by words of great power that should have never been said by a mortal...Was to unofficially make you my Queen" He squirmed.
"So you weren't just being melodramatic by calling me that...I...really...am...Queen?" Sarah spoke completely dumbfounded and barely able to string the words together.
"Only in theory and rumour, beside it will prove unimportant once Toby becomes King...Morparia made you a substitute for me should anything happen before the coronation" Jareth was stuttering now, his voice was down to a mouse-like squeak because there was no way his people were finding out about the mishap. Too much was at stake.
"You found out about this when?" Sarah demanded, leaning nose to nose at the sly fae.
"While being rejuvenated in the brook, I told you Morpharia has a plan for us all" Jareth shrugged and tried to focus on the matter at hand. With great reluctance Sarah repeated the incantation while Jareth entwined her hand with his.
Sarah felt the memories of the Goblin King flood her mind, landscapes, harvests and farmers in happier times. Words that seemed gibberish lined up by one before she began to envisage them; vegetables and fruit she had never heard of before the couple had both closed their eyes to concentrate. They heard the crowd gasping and murmuring to each other, Jareth lined his hands against his lover's and raised them high as if pulling something upward.
The black char began to disappear, shrubs and crops began sprouting up at an incredible rate and the crowd were laughing now. Soon the bald patch of earth was restored back to it's former fertile glory. Jareth exhaled long and deep as he opened his eyes and smiled at the work achieved, a kiss on her shoulders prompted Sarah to open her own eyes, they widened in awe.
"Behold Dream Keeper and look upon your pleasant bounty" Jareth smiled with pride, nestling his head against hers, she clasped his wrist still in shock.
"Is this it, is this what I do? I bring things back through your memories? That's not enough to bring down a general Jareth" Sarah tried to be gracious but the guilt of what she had done to the underground was too much.
"You protected the townsfolk, brought down a ferocious beast and now resurrected an entire harvest. What else needs to be learned will be, beside Krissen is my problem Sarah, not yours" Jareth rubbed her back to ease her insecurities.
Distracted by the beautiful sight of nature brought back to life Sarah didn't notice that same farmer who was raging a few minutes earlier was now happily eating humble pie. Bowing he took up her hand and kissed it.
"Never again will I doubt those from aboveground, you were right to find for her my lord......Hail King Jareth, long live the king" The old man warbled loudly.
The chant rippled like a raindrop in the ocean, spreading to each civilian and soldier. Aziz and Ludma looked on and nodded at Jareth, the task of restoring order to the labyrinth was beginning at last.
Many hours earlier Toby and his band of misfits that could not fight were heading through the brush towards Doinari forest. Heading the disgruntled posse was a fox full of shame and indignation, so much so that even ambrosias kept quiet.
"I need no sanctuary, thy noble brow should be fighting for my country, never once have I shrouded myself in the cloak of cowardice, never will I live this down"
"Look Didymus, you still have a cause of leading us to the Pagan settlement, the safe escort of the heir to the underground is a greatly revered task, be proud" Toby was bluffing like he had never bluffed before, a handy piece of advice from his sister. Sarah told him that the fox had an illusion of grandeur and she really wasn't kidding!
The Earth started to rumble and Toby could feel a sense of unease in the forest, they had been travelling for many hours and the boy was adamant to dismount of his horse when a guard came out of nowhere and raised a pursed arrow at Toby.
"Who goes there, answer trespasser!" He bellowed
"Stay your impudence, we are friends of Lord Aziz, we were sent by thy master to seek shelter in the encampment. I Sir Didymus of Goblin City escort Prince Tobias of the Labyrinth and Prince Ludo of Snaer Mountain, let us pass!" The fox snarled.
"Guard take heed, apologies Didymus – any word on my husband?" Lady Sioarse commanded while she moved through the thicket.
"He fights with Jareth and Lady Sarah, he fights for the freedom of Glynn Brannon, Jareth has declared war on the general" Didymus jabbered on excitedly, still wishing he was amid all the action.
"So that was a warring star I saw, may the fates protect them....You are Tobias?" Sioarse asked firmly.
The boy shirked shyly in his saddle and nodded slowly, thinking it best to meet her dismounted from his horse, he did so with much trepidation.
"Word has reached me of your blessing from the Fae race, quite a feat. Jareth left instructions that if you arrived first you must begin your training, come with me" The Queen of Pagans marched into the hub of the settlement, people moved out the way for her. Toby realising that she was somebody very important became more shy and awkward, saying nothing the group sheepishly walked behind her.
Complaining was useless as no sooner had the boy rested from his journey he was dressed in a shoddy suit of armour and began lessons in swordplay. Guards volunteered one by one to show him all the necessary skills he needed, Ludma created a rock platform for him by the power of his roar. Much to his amazement his nervousness fell away and each parry of the sword was made with higher confidence. Up next was Toby's test of agility which he initially stumbled but quickly adapted an expertise of his own.
As the sun set he was aching with exhaustion, still uncomfortable in the cream-coloured armour he stalked over to Lady Sioarse to relieve him for the day.
"My lady, a dumb question this may be but why am I being trained for war when I was sent here to avoid it?" Toby panted heavily, sweat seeping from every pore.
"The Battle of Glynn Brannon is not yours to fight, children should never be soldiers but the underground will soon be yours and you will do what you must to protect it, like us all" Lady Sioarse replied melancholically.
"Meaning?" Toby persisted, rather rudely.
"Meaning your battleground is the Goblin city but you will not leave there without it's former King, you are a prince until the fates say so" The Queen sighed with frustration.
"I have to wait for them? I'm the future leader why should I?" Toby's weariness was wrecking his manners, Sarah would have scolded him long before then but he could hear the fox growling from the nearby campfire.
"Jareth is still King, in heart and mind if not by royal decree and will remain King until his dying breath or the coronation of his successor...and not a day before!" The queen seethed, her wrath was fleeting but fierce. Toby cowered in shame.
"Begging your majesty's pardon, I'm only a boy and I'm nervous of what I'm supposed to do and not being able to do it" He stammered briefly airing his worry in a very child-like manner.
"I understand young Tobias, it's a great cross you bear if it was truly of Jareth Thaddeus' doing then he will put things right for that I'm sure" She said softly, with his confidence restored the need for politeness raced back into his conscience.
"May I retire your Majesty, may I rest for the night I will pick up where I left off tomorrow" Toby pleaded although masking tiredness with false exuberance as much as he could.
"You may, your tent remains standing and Aziz won't return for some time get your rest boy, you've earned it" The Queen relented; she saw her daughter waiting for her in their quarters and sauntered off.
Meanwhile meagre yet joyous feasting was going on amid the ruins of Glynn Brannon, Charlemagne's major turned up with food, shelter and supplies which the citizens badly needed. Merry-making came about in trickles but churned into a gavotte where everyone joined in, all except for Jareth.
Sarah strode in to a tent breathlessly as the farmers refused to leave her alone and insisted on dance after dance, Jareth was prodding around his side with an emerald green balm on his fingers. Sarah found the source in a bowl, a shimmering and thickly-layered substance.
"What are you doing?" She asked as the Goblin King stretched awkwardly at the parts of his back he couldn't reach.
"Administering Mirequeth weed to my wounds, what do you call it aboveground p-peppermint?" He huffed achingly
"Then what not call it that?" Sarah teased
"Because my dear it simply isn't, the mirequeth weeds are big as ferns; they have healing properties both magical and medicinal.
"Ooh how impressive?" Sarah picked up the bowl then turned to Jareth will a wicked look on her face. Jareth was not paying attention as he was far too frustrated for not getting to the wounds he wanted. He dropped himself down on the bed and started patting his elbow.
"Mind if I help?" Sarah whispered
"Hmm, what did you say?" Jareth asked rather innocently, that was until he looked up at her: Saw the way she was looking at him, watched the way she moved towards him, straddled him. It should have made him equally predatory but he wasn't, the former King became a frightened little mouse.
Sarah slipped a middle finger across the green gloop and quickly smoothed it across Jareth's open collar; he seethed but could not decide if it was actual pain or wanton desire. Sarah watched as the wounds slowly but surely healed. He brushed a balm-moistened thumb against his whiplashed arm; gentleness of touch had been alien to him for so long that he was spellbound by it. Kissing him gently at first then with an ever-growing passion Jareth tried to protest by raised his arms and putting his hands into a fist. Eventually she lowered them around her but refused to give in to his impulses, did this not dampen Sarah spirit one bit. Yet Sarah could feel Jareth's fingers pawing a the small of her back, taking off the gypsy shirt that she had only changed into a few hours before she moved closer too him.
Jareth could see she had battle wounds of her own, scratches, grazes, large purple bruises. He dared himself to treat them with the mirequeth balm only once, making one swift move across her blistered shoulder blade. It was then he noticed her wrist, a burn was embellished right across her hand: He could see that it was cleaned up but not to his satisfaction. Jareth grasped the injured palm with both of his hands and kissed it hard, guilt washing over him. Sarah simply stroked his face and carried on the game of intimacy that Jareth was trying desperately hard not to play.
"Sarah, Sarah you have to stop, we must stop...If, if this is all there is for us and you go back aboveground with your brother. The memory of this and knowing I'll never relive it again will try me insane" He begged breathlessly, his face was inches from hers. He wanted her so badly but not if it was in fleeting pieces of time.
"But it would be such a good memory" She growled, breathing against his neck was bringing out the predator in him. It didn't help that she peeled off his tunic and revealed his beaten but tightly-sculpted chest. He cupped her face in one hand as one last token of reason, one last chance to be guided by a moral compass, Sarah belonged to him but he knew that fate had other ideas...
"Be sure Sarah, is this what you want? Be sure not to regret" Jareth was bumbling like a little boy, if he rejected him now it would be for the very last time.
"Regret doesn't come into this, never did never will" Her dark eyes aglow with lust, love and what meant the most to Jareth...conviction.
And so reason disappeared into the night, for love was never in need of it but even as they discarded the rest of their clothes. Tenderness collided with passion; exchanges of these layers of affection were tossed about for the rest of the night. Even when she sheltered beneath him Jareth could not let go for he simply wanted time to stop and for Sarah to be with him always. But carnal instinct were overtaking his logic, his worry: About the war, about Toby, about the future of his Kingdom. Instead it was cherishing the treasure of Sarah's ivory skin; the whispery whimpers that both lovers exhaled: Jareth exploring the flesh that was the most beautiful and lastly the most sensitive. Sarah teased him in kind as she massaged his wounds and the joy of combing her fingers through his long matted hair. As he towered and writhed above his love Jareth was finally contented with his lot in his long life, tragedy and civil war had blighted him on a number of occasions but this time he had Sarah and the coming dawn did not frighten him as much. Their peak of ravenous love-making was ushered by a tightly-clasped hands rising above each other's head. A growl and a moan of primal nature danced together in the air, Jareth smiled at his queen and she smiled back.
Falling beside her he took his love with him and she lay breathless against his body, both bodies dressed head to toe in sweat. For that night only neither Jareth nor Sarah feared anything, for the world was theirs and for one night their world was each other.
Sarah woke feeling the cold air against her back, turning around in the darkness she could just about see him sitting in a lotus position.
"What are you doing?" She cooed, brushing her fingers through her hair.
"Shush, meditating; Morpharia tells me Toby is safe along with the rest of the group, she worries that Tathar's retribution will be fierce.
"Are you worried?" Sarah asked as she sat up, pressing the blanket against her cold, naked bosom. Jareth handed her his tunic to sleep in, she gladly accepted. She was about to speak when she was interrupted by Aziz's nervous voice.
"Jareth, Maurice and the Mountain King are debating strategies on how to take back Goblin City, you should be present Thaddeus" Aziz commented firmly and he stood outside.
"And so I shall" Jareth accepted, he crawled over the bed and kissed along Sarah's upper arm and shoulder with a grin.
"Go back to sleep, I'll be awhile" He said softly, stumbling to his feet he adjusted his trousers and walked out of the tent where Aziz was waiting with a flaming torch.
Sarah sulked at being deprived of his company so soon after making love but was too tired to dwell on it, slipping her arms into the sleeves she buttoned up the shirt then fell slovenly back against the mattress. She didn't notice the mass of shadow that silhouetted against the tent nor did she hear the whispery growl of menace and danger that lurked there.
Jareth's tent was set up out of the cluster of the camp, so the long walk had to be in silence as the civilians and soldiers slept on. Those that were harassed by insomnia bowed with a curt smile, the Goblin King nodded back. Wearing only his boots and trousers, his upper body showed his nerves as his muscles began to tense up with the task at hand. He had no shame to share as his fellow warlords wondered and snickered at why he was so sparsely dressed, he paid no attention.
"Ludma and I have devised a plan – with your permission Jareth – to storm the castle via the labyrinth route. Worst case scenario pull down some corners if we have to" Aziz said morosely as he waved over a delicate map of the underground.
"Naye, Morpharia will not approve, the Labyrinth is a living essence, it will do all in it's power to protect itself. Give the men illusions of fear, block their path, set the cleaners out...Not a wise move" Jareth dismissed firmly. Stretching out a toned bicep he assessed a strategy that was forming in his head.
"Then what do you suggest Goblin King? It is your realm we're invading, the general's playground and what could be our final stand" Huffed Maurice Muckleby with his arms crossed.
"We make up three battalions; Maurice you will take position in the Frofur fields, Aziz will train the boy and then join the advance on Goblin City, King Ludma will fly his phoenix flock over the labyrinth as a reinforcement. Are we cl-
Jareth's plan was about to be anointed into action when a terrifying scream echoed throughout the ruined town, the group then heard a tremendous roar. The disturbed Goblin King raced back to his Queen, his heart in his mouth. What he saw almost paralysed him to the spot; Sarah was caught in the claws of a snarling Grynoan, Airk's Tathar's vengeful eyes watching him gleefully.
"A game of Chess we have here Jareth, My knight for you Queen" He bellowed as his beast sprang up into the sky. Jareth and his men tried to advance but were beaten back by the creature's breathing fire. The fallen monarch tried to persist nonetheless and was singed for his troubles.
Sarah's screams had no direction, no familiar words, all her vocabulary was blurred in fear and pain. The Grynoan soared high in the sky towards Colm, Jareth chasing after it, helplessly screaming his love's name.
"Fetch me a griffin, saddle it up as quick as a lightning strike" He panted as Aziz followed after him, never once taking his eyes off the horizon.
"Phoenixes would be the best option, griffins cannot be tamed Jareth you know that" The Pagan grimaced, hesitating to put a hand across his friend's back to comfort him. It took a while but he finally plucked up the courage to do it.
"I need stealth as well as swiftness, the firebird will not last five minutes in Colm not with a harpy about" Jareth replied gravely
"As you wish sire" Aziz raced back to the hubbub of people that crowded around. Within minutes he harnessed a fierce and unwilling griffin. Jareth spread one determined hand across the beast's face and it immediately submitted.
"Nothing has changed for either Maurice or Ludma, you however will return home and train the boy to fight, tell Toby nothing of what has happened. Try to take him with you into the castle, I'll meet you there" Jareth wheezed hurriedly.
"With or without Lady Sarah?" He shouted while the griffin spread it's wings and jumped into the air, with that question Jareth felt physically sick but refused to give in to it.
"My life is worthless without her in it, if I return without her I will happily fight to the death" Jareth seethed then flew at full speed towards the menacing clouds of Colm.
"Good luck, my friend" Aziz heaved sadly