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Picnics and Pianos
The darkness was nearly tangible, wrapping itself around the columns of the hall like a living creature. But the woman stood in deep contrast to the blackness-pale porcelain skin, silvery hair catching what light burned in the dying flames of the torches. Her obsidian eyes were the only dark thing about her, and she stared into them-into the reflection of herself in the mirror.
"Show me the Labyrinth," she commanded, and the surface of the mirror wavered like water. A swirling mist rotated at its core, parting like a curtain to reveal something else entirely. There were the high outer walls of the maze rising sharply against the sky, glinting with magic. It was almost like a window, so incredibly real to the senses, that one would be compelled to reach out and touch it. "Impossible!" she spat, smooth skin creasing with rage. "Only a few days ago it was half ruined-I was so close!" She growled low in her throat, an ominous rumble that echoed through the empty hall.
"Show me Jareth." The image flickered to a patio of black stone, three figures talking merrily over a table of food. Her light eyebrows rose into her hair as she surveyed the scene. There was Jareth, looking uncharacteristically happy, and his advisor. And...
"It can't be," she whispered, nose to the glass. A grin crept onto her face as she analyzed the girl. "Little Sarah Williams, Champion of the Labyrinth returned? Oh!" she cackled aloud, even though she was alone. "Jareth, I did not think you would have the gall to beg for her return. And look...the emblem around her neck. Does that not signify courtship?" She spun from the mirror and it returned to a seemingly regular piece of glass. "I remember when something rather similar belonged to me. But no matter." Quickly she took to her throne, spine rigid, staring off into the dark. It was so thick that the hall seemed to stretch on indefinitely. "Really, it is lucky-perhaps I can use this little twist in my favor, with amusement to spare."
With barely any effort the woman reached out to the side and pulled a braided chord. The tassel swung haphazardly after the release, a chime sounding far away, out of earshot. A tiny creature scampered to her feet, features unrecognizable in the dimness.
"Your Majesty," it muttered.
"Bring forth the shadow servants," she demanded imperiously before sinking into the cushions. "I have a job for them to do."
Sarah swung the basket to and fro happily, twirling the simple sundress in her fingers. Hoggle walked beside her on the way to the woods. They were going to meet Didymus and Ludo there for a picnic lunch, to catch up on things. She felt abominably guilty for not visiting them earlier, but so much had happened the last few days. More than anything Sarah was ashamed of her previous fainting, of not recognizing them as her friends that night in the cottage.
"Almost there," Hoggle huffed, and the two emerged from a small group of trees into a tiny clearing. A large open space filled with rich sunlight was before them.
She could not help but feel her inhibitions melt away when she saw the two. They looked so eager, so willing-Sarah ran to them, crying, "Ludo! Didymus!" Instantly she was caught in a red trap of arms, the beast nearly squeezing her to pieces.
"My lady!" the knight proclaimed. "Thou hast returned! And, my, your beauty doth shame the moon herself!" With a funny bow he swept the feathered cap from his head.
"And you are as valiant as ever," she curtsied amidst her giggles once Ludo released her.
The four friends spread out the large blanket, Didymus shouting directions to it's placement as if organizing troops. Hoggle eventually pulled a loaf of bread from the basket and stuffed it into his muzzle like a cork. Ludo and Sarah ended up squaring the blanket precisely in the center of the clearing, where the sun shone the brightest.
Once they were seated Sarah poured the remaining contents of the basket into a pile between them. Mainly it consisted of snack-like foods-bread, cheese, fruits. Everyone grabbed something and began to devour the simple banquet.
"Sawah pwetty necklace," Ludo beamed through the crumbs stuck in his mane.
"Oh..." she said, looking down to the locket. "Thank you, Ludo." Carefully she took a bite of an apple, twisting the charm between her fingers where it flashed in the light.
"Indeed, it suits your person most perfectly," praised Didymus. "Pray tell, where didst thou find a trinket with the Labyrinth in such detail?"
Sarah chewed very slowly before answering. "...Jareth...gave it to me." She became quite interested in the scarlet hue of the apple's skin, avoiding the stares.
Hoggle rose one very bushy eyebrow-well, the left side of it. Technically, Sarah could never discern between the right and left portions. "Did he now?" Something in the way he stated it made her blush a shade or two darker than the fruit. "It wouldn't be in...ah. I duh know. A gesture of courtship, or nothin', would it?"
She nearly choked on her second bite as the rest of the party turned from the dwarf to her.
"It's for my protection," Sarah managed after a swig of water from the canteen, deciding to skirt the question completely. "Otherwise people will..." She weighed the remainder of the apple carefully in her palm. "Make assumptions." Hoggle grunted, clearly stating he had done just that. "But enough about me. What have you three been up to since we last saw each other?"
Didymus jumped to his tiny feet and raised a paw in the air. "I hath returned to my sworn duty, guarding the Bridge of the Bog with my life! It is rebuilt, a sturdy fortress of stone!" he proclaimed. "Brother Ludo assisted me, did you not?"
"Ludo call more rocks," he admitted shyly. "Better bridge, smell still baaaad." His nose wrinkled and Sarah pressed her lips together tightly in an effort not to laugh. He was the most adorable monstrosity she had ever seen.
"What about you, Hoggle?" she asked her dearest friend.
The dwarf shrugged. "I's the gardener, so I garden. Lately Jareth's been makin' us repair some of the Labyrinth walls, but there 'aint the need now. But Jareth'll find work ter do, always does. See, Jareth-"
Alright, that was just about enough! Sarah's flushed complexion was turning from sheer embarrassment to quick anger. He was only repeating the Goblin King's name like that to see what kind of effect it would have on her. And it was working miserably.
"I'm going to try and visit you all as much as possible," she cut in. The other two seemed confused at the spectacle before them, but wisely kept silent. "After all-we have forever now."
The mood lightened immediately, Hoggle's smug grin turning to one of pure joy. They let out whoops of merriment at that, and for the rest of lunch talked of plans for the future.
"Jareth, she's stunning!" the woman exclaimed at the image of Sarah in the crystal. "Certainly there is work to be done, but her beauty is astounding. Just like you to find the prettiest girl out of the two worlds." She turned, voluminous skirts and furry stole whipping about. Her warm brown eyes were happy, cheeks tickled with rouge, and curly auburn hair swept back in complicated plaits. She held herself with an imposing posture-the kind of stance that earned respect, made other women scowl with jealousy, and halted men in their tracks. "What do you want me to teach her?"
Jareth beamed at her approval of Sarah. "Everything, Lady Aska. There are a limited number of days before we travel to Marraine, and she must be wholly prepared. Skip absolutely nothing."
"As you wish, dear boy, as you wish. She will be the envy of the celebration, I assure you. Now, I must go prepare!" With a graceful nod she strode from the room.
"Indeed," Jareth murmured at the crystal.
Her friends were back to their daily routine, so Sarah trooped to the castle alone. Seeing them again had given her an immense feeling of satisfaction-it brought her previous adventures back in a sparkling, absolutely concrete reality. To know that she was not simply mad, dreaming up all of these fantastic things, was comforting. Everything was so...GOOD. Her mood was euphoric, putting a spring in her step that Sarah had not known she lacked. She swung the empty basket around her as she skipped up the castle steps, steps she had stormed six years earlier, and threw the doors wide.
The instant she stepped over the threshold Sarah was enveloped in a tangle of fur, lace, and sweet perfume. Blinded by the lush fabrics and sudden movement, she was paralyzed. Strong arms pulled her into a bear hug and a dainty kiss was placed on both cheeks.
"Ah, Sarah!" The woman held her at arms length. "I'm so glad I found you before Jareth tried to introduce us properly. I am Lady Aska, Royal Etiquette Mistress of the High Court." Her curtsy was magnificently executed. "I will teach you everything you need to know, in order to become a proper lady."
Sarah bowed her head, not knowing how else to respond, and said, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Aska."
The woman clapped her hands in a somewhat girlish fashion, delight on her cheeks. "Very good! But listen here..." She put an arm about the girl's shoulders and drew her near as if to tell a very tantalizing secret. "I teach more than mere manners, beyond the code of prim and proper. You will learn with me the ways of the powerful woman-the woman who always gets what she wants." Aska winked at that. "Men will lie in the streets for you with the blink of an eye, the turn of a wrist. Diplomats will cower in your wake and esteem you simultaneously." The ardent promises of such power startled Sarah, coupled with this zealous woman. "Words, when said in the right fashion, are very compelling, my dear," she continued, nodding. "Oh. And while we must behave civil in public, namely the Goblin King's presence, we are not required to be so rigid with lessons." Sarah felt a smile spreading over her face, mirroring the one on the lady before her.
Distant clicking of boot heels on polished stone echoed to them from down the hall, and Aska turned to the girl with a twinkle in her eye. "Speak of the devil. I think this should be lesson one-a demonstration. Watch this," she commanded with all the intensity of a teenager performing some dangerous stunt.
Her bubbly demeanor seemed to slide to the floor, leaving behind a seamless, somewhat cold, mask of indifference. Shoulders square, chin high, hands folded, the Lady was the perfect picture of a queen. The energy she radiated filled the entire entrance hall, making her seem ten feet tall. Sarah retreated a little and suppressed the urge to cower.
Jareth rounded the corner, immaculately dressed in a deep blue painter's shirt and breeches. Such two powerful creatures were in the same room, filling it up, that it wasn't big enough for Sarah. Her lack of intimidating aura was astounding compared to them.
Lady Aska extended a slender hand as he approached, which Jareth bowed over politely and placed a chaste kiss upon. "I see that you have met the Lady Sarah," he grinned, straightening. Fleetingly his gaze passed to the girl, breaking eye contact with the instructor. But that was Jareth-his charisma let him get away with an awful lot, bending the rules and slipping through loopholes. It was simply his character. The slight rebel in him, the untamed beast beneath his kingly refinement, was perhaps why so many were drawn to him. And knowing he could get away with it made trouble all the sweeter.
"Indeed," she replied, turning her warm brown eyes on Sarah. "Come here, my child, so that I might greet you properly," Asak beckoned. She obeyed, playing along with the charade. The woman curtsied a second time, this one a deep flourishing of the skirts and neck. "I, Lady Aska, am humbled at the opportunity to tutor such a fine companion of the king's. The social graces of our world will become second nature to you within the first lesson." She rose, joyful mouth in an unfeeling line. Sarah would have never guessed this was the same person as before, and it puzzled her thoroughly that someone could make the change so rapidly, as if throwing a switch.
She returned the curtsy nonetheless, feeling Jareth's eyes traveling to her in close speculation. "I am honored to be taught by such an accomplished, refined teacher. Your lessons are looked forward to." Well, she had been an actress.
"Very well. We will begin after dinner, for a short introduction to the materials. There is very little time to waste." The lady turned to Jareth and bowed her head. "Your majesty." And then she strode purposefully from the hall.
He shook his head after the retreating woman. "I'm almost afraid of what she might try to teach you. But, all's fair in love and war..." His mind wondered for a moment, then he faced Sarah. "How was lunch?"
Her face brightened considerably now that the room was not sparking with power. "Spectacular."
"Good." He grinned and retrieved the basket she was still clutching. With a twist of the hand it vanished. "We have the rest of the day to do whatever you like. At least until dinner, when Aska will lecture you on cutlery and proper posture."
"I thought lessons were after dinner," Sarah tried to point out as Jareth offered his arm.
"She's sneaky, that Aska." Indeed, thought Sarah. "Now. What would you like to do?"
She thought for a moment. "Show me something," she decided.
"As in..." Jareth prompted at the vague statement.
"Anything, something I haven't seen yet. A surprise." Sure, a little ambiguous, but let him pick the afternoon's festivities.
Sarah, Sarah, that mouth could get her in trouble. Ah, the things he could show her...he smirked. Play innocent, Jareth, he warned himself.
"Alright. Follow me."
They took off through a winding series of halls. Sarah contemplated commissioning a map from Adamo later-otherwise she would continue to need escorts to find anything. Eventually they reached a winding set of stairs.
"Hold on! This is your study-we were here yesterday morning!" she concluded accusingly. There was no reply, however, and Jareth took the stairs two at a time. Sarah gathered her skirts and followed suit. At the top she rested, slightly winded, but he did not wait for her. He was already inside, climbing to the second level of the tower via another staircase. This one was a handsome wood, ornately carved, and hugged the wall as it spiraled up. She took a deep breath and followed a little slower.
Her head emerged first, letting her eyes level with the thick red rug. At the last step she stopped to take it all in.
Nearly twenty feet above the first level, this second level of the tower was no more than forty feet in diameter, as it continued to narrow into the peak of the roof. The walls slanted in and the floor was circular, like a donut. The cut-out center looked down into the study below, intricate banner from the stairs continuing up to wrap around the open space.
Chairs fit for giants made inviting seats paired with small tables and lamps for reading. Sarah thought briefly of a treehouse, secret club, or some other hide-away. There was one wide window with a large telescope for stargazing, and a single ancient wooden door. Puzzled, she pointed to it. "There shouldn't be a door here...it would only lead outside to thin air!"
Jareth's secretive smile grew, if that was possible. "And that is what makes it a surprise." He swung the door outwards, into what should have been the sky, but instead a long marble hall was revealed. Jaw slack, Sarah stepped inside after testing her footing, heels clicking against the polished stone. It was darker in here-the impossibly lengthy hall was lined with windows on both sides, veiled by thick translucent curtains. They billowed with an unfelt breeze, sweeping from floor to twenty foot ceilings. Pillars stood like sentries between the glass. What light trickled in seemed to be the sort seen during a thunderstorm, grey and thick with thoughts, even though she had been out in the sun not long before.
And in the center, waiting, was a piano. A glassy, ebony baby-grand. Without thinking Sarah strode to it, pulled to it's silent beauty, Jareth close behind. When she reached it she could see her reflection inside, so pristine was the surface. The instrument looked almost breakable and she held back, though her fingers itched to touch the ivory keys.
"Go on, sit," Jareth prompted quietly, motioning Sarah to the cushioned stool. She slid into place and traced the fine keys, too excited to play. They were cool under her fingers and the air was thick with magic.
"What is this place?" she whispered with the reverence the situation seemed to demand.
"It does not have a name," he admitted, "but it is one of my favorite places to think." With a single gloved finger he reached down and plucked a key. The deep low note reverberated around the hall, sending goose bumps up Sarah's arms. "Quiet, peaceful." Another note, lower still.
"Do you play?" There really was no need for the question. The way he caressed the keys like a lover, the tender look in his eyes, was evidence enough.
"When I can. Lately, however, things have been a little hectic. But if I need an escape..."
Sarah nodded. Jareth thought she painted a pretty picture there, at his mother's piano. Especially when she leaned her head atop the mantle and trailed her fingers noiselessly along the length of the keys, as if through water. As if the piano were speaking softly in her ear.
"It can be your escape, too. Whenever you need it." His voice was warm and sincere, the faintest hint of an ache beneath. Sarah turned to him with gratitude in her eyes.
She marveled at the gesture and the trust he was showing in her. Obviously this was a very private place, one that not even Adamo ventured into. There was the significant feeling of memories on the air, the grand place harboring days long past. And to share that with her was akin to putting his heart on a platter. Silently she rose and took his hand in her own, giving his fingers a grateful squeeze. "Thank you." He smiled.
"You're welcome."
The castle's inhabitants turned in early from the exhaustion of the last few days. Even the staff(particularly the staff) were worn thin from preparing the castle for the new resident. Etiquette lessons were postponed, due to Lady Aska's long journey-no need to strain herself tonight. Only in sleep were the pressures of the day relieved, sweet darkness that let them indulge in needed rest.
But another darkness, a bitter, foreign kind, was stealing through the Labyrinth. It did not negotiate the maze, simply slid over walls and through obstacles. Urgent as the business was, it took care not to wake any of the inhabitants, which slowed it's progress minutely. The castle would not be reached tonight...no, it would take more time. Sunlight halted it's progress altogether, but it could travel tomorrow night. Saving it's energy for the strenuous task ahead, it slithered to a stop outside of the Bog of Eternal Stench and waited to carry out the instructions from it's master.
In the castle they slept, unaware of the presence the Labyrinth had not seen in centuries, blissful in ignorance.