A/N: I'm super excited for this chapter! It's definitely one of my favorites, and I hope you enjoy it too! Thanks for reading! :)
Chapter 11: Words
Queen Sarah smiled as she found him in the Throne room. He was still glorious, all these years later. His hair was faded, his eyes grayer, but nothing else gave any indication of his age. He was still lithe and cat-like as he lounged lazily over the throne, somehow still appearing regal with his leg draped over the arm of his seat. She felt her heart skip as those mis-matched eyes met hers; she would never get used to him, she supposed, as he rose smoothly to greet her.
As he bowed over her hand to brush his lips over the light white lines that marked their bond, a shiver rippled down her spine. How did such a simple motion still affect her so, even after all this time? "My Queen." He murmured in greeting, straightening and meeting her warm emerald gaze. She hadn't been gone for more than a couple of days, but he had missed her painfully.
She curtsied low. "My King" Sarah returned affectionately. His warm hand lifted hers as he began leading her towards the thrones. Mischief danced in his voice as he casually told her their son appeared to have made himself quite at home in Tana's life, Then grew serious as he informed her quietly of his suspicions of her parentage.
Sarah frowned. "Will she be safe with Jareth watching her? Especially since she could be his...?" She trailed off as they sat on their separate thrones, their hands remaining clasped.
He understood her meaning. The Goblin King raised one upturned eyebrow, mischief sparkling in his eyes as he answered. "You disapprove of our son watching over the girl?"
His wife gave a good-natured, exasperated, and most certainly unladylike snort. "Of course not. In fact, I think it's the best decision you've made since marrying me."
He laughed, releasing her hand after giving it another brief kiss as their steward stepped forward to begin the business of holding Goblin Court.
The Goblin Prince was back to being an Owl and following her around as she headed off to work, deciding that it was a more entertaining use of his time than lounging around her apartment all day. Today, his presence was far less distracting. There was a weird sense of familiarity now, almost like it was natural for him to be so close by.
Also, her Sister was supposed to be home today. How weird would it have been for her sister to show up with a strange man in their apartment?
Oddly today, she felt...lighter. Like a burden she hadn't known she'd been carrying was lifted. She wasn't sure what put her in such a good mood. Was it the fact that her deepest wish for Magic to be real had some how come true? Or was it because she'd stayed up far too late, listening to the Prince talk about his home? Stories upon stories of magic and kings, tales of the sort she'd always adored. The affectionate look in his eyes, the feeling she got just from hearing that warm voice sweeping over her senses. He'd been almost charming, a lopsided smile quirking his lips as she laughed at a harrowing story of a small Knight desperately attempting to duel with an army single-handedly during a training session. He'd had to intervene to rescue to valiant little creature from getting pummeled. The memory of their pleasant conversation put an extra bounce in her step as she headed back home at the end of the day, the presence of the Owl overhead comforting.
Almost as soon as she stepped into her apartment, Callie pounced, enveloping Tana in a tight hug. "I'm so glad your home! How's it going?"
Tana returned the embraced, smiling at the familiarity of her sisters' warmth and exuberance. "Fine! How's mom?"
"Oh she's great! Of course she says hi and wants you to visit soon."
"Yeah it's been a while. I'll have to get out there." Tana pulled from her sister and plopped down on the couch, her sister settling into a nearby chair.
"Hey I felt bad about bailing the other day- I was hoping to make it up to you with a night out! Whattaya say?"
Looking at her sisters bright, hopeful eyes, Tana found it hard to outright decline. Trying to bow out politely, she shook her head in denial. "Oh no, it's fine! I'm glad you got the part! Don't worry about making it up to me!"
Callie Williams would not be deterred. "I insist, let me take you out! It's been too long since we had a girl's night out; I'm sure you've gotta be tired of being cooped up with nothing to do in this apartment!"
Tana fought against a wry smile that tugged her lips as the Prince crept once again into her thoughts. If only her sister knew how very wrong she was- she'd probably faint if she saw Jareth. Tana eventually relented. Callie wanted to do something nice for her, and she didn't have the heart to deny her sweet sister. With a resigned sigh, she finally agreed to hitting their favorite bar.
"Awesome!" Callie continued, not noticing her sister's hesitancy. "Hurry up and change out of those stuffy work clothes. I can't wait to dance!"
"Ok," Tana wondered bemusedly how exactly the Goblin Prince planned on following her into a bar. Quickly glancing at the cranky-looking owl eavesdropping outside, her smile widened. If he was going to watch her, she might as well give him a show! Standing up, she began walking to her room. "Just give me a few minutes then." She said, thinking about a particular low-cut black top she hadn't worn in quite a while.
As she disappeared, Callie flopped onto the couch. "Take your time!" She called. "We're not going anywhere fancy so no rush." Catching sight of a vaguely familiar little red book on the side table, Callie began flipping through it's pages curiously.
Callie heard Tana yell from the next room: "Did you want to get food first?"
"Oh, there's an awesome noodle place around the corner I was thinking about..." She trailed distractedly off, eyes skimming over the pages in her hand.
"Sounds great!" Tana came out of her bedroom, tight jeans, flats, and a low-cut black shirt hugging her curves. She'd sort of tamed her curls into a messy bun, small ringlets framing her face prettily. Cheap bracelets and earrings completed the look, and she'd opted for black flats instead of heels with her dark wash skinny jeans. A quick sweep of eyeliner accented her large eyes, her lashes exaggeratedly long, while her lips were scarlet red. An owl stared appreciatively before turning his head sharply 180 degrees away, ruffling his feathers and clicking his beak in annoyance.
"You look great!" Callie exclaimed. "I love that top on you!"
Tana smiled. "Thanks."
"By the way..." Callie said, waving the book in her hand, "What're you doing reading fairy tales? Aren't you a little old for this? And most importantly, can I borrow it?"
Tana frowned, snatching the book from her sister in irritation. "I'll have you know it's a fascinating story. It was the one Grandpa left me."
Callie snatched the book back, flicking through it again. "Oh. That makes sense. You know, this would make a great play." Holding the open book a full arm's length away, she swelled her chest up dramatically. "I Wish the Goblins would Take you Away, RIGHT NOW!"
Tana blanched as a window flew open with a crash, Callie freezing in fear as wind whipped around her, lightening flashing ominously from nowhere.
Callie dropped the book, scared eyes meeting her sister's. "Tana...?...What's happening..?"
Tana grabbed Callie's arm as she caught movement out of the corner of her eyes, this time definitely not imagined. "Oh no..." she groaned, her grip tightening on her sister.
"What's goin-" Callie was cut off by crazy, uncontrollable giggling coming from all corners of the room, the thunderstorm raging outside. She screamed and leapt behind Tana as the lights flickered. Tana stood as though rooted, her gaze never wavering from the window that had flung itself open.
"Shit." she whispered as a familiar Owl swept into the room.
The lights went black and thunder rumbled.
"Dammit Callie!" Tana yelled, her fingers digging into her sister's arm.
"What's happening?!" She cried, terrified, as the owl landed, morphing before her eyes.
Callie gaped at the fierce man that materialized in front of her in a shower of glitter. No longer the teasing, casual Prince Tana knew; no, now he was now strapped into black armor, those mis-matched eyes serious and hard as they locked onto her baby sister. Tana took a step to block his gaze, straightening her back as she stood, unafraid of him. "No! She didn't mean it!"
Jareth crossed his arms, his voice dark. "What's said is said."
Tana suppressed a shiver at his icy tone. "But she didn't mean it!"
"Oh she didn't?" He tilted his head, studying the blond girl cowering behind the defiant little woman who met his eyes without a trace of intimidation. He hated doing this to her, but there was nothing to be done for it. The words had been said.
Callie's voice trembled. "Who are you?" she squeaked, continuing to peer out from behind her sister.
Jareth placed his hands on his hips, quirking an upturned eyebrow at Callie as his wild golden hair fell into his mis-matched eyes. Tana interjected before he could respond, her voice frosty. "That's him. That's the Goblin Prince" she said, her level gaze never leaving his.
He smirked imperiously, pleased she had used his proper title for once. "Correct. And as such, it's best if you don't defy me." he elegantly flicked his wrist, a crystal appearing on his fingertips. "I've brought you a gift." He said, ignoring Tana and pinning Callie with his strange, mesmerizing eyes.
"What is it?" Callie asked, captivated by the movement as he rolled it across his hands, taking a step towards him. Her blue eyes were drawn to the sphere of their own accord, following its fluid movement as it danced across his hands.
He smiled sinisterly. Tana's sister was a vapid, simple creature. There was no way she could defeat the Labyrinth. Tana would become a resident of the underground, forever. He lowered his voice further, pushing a bit of magic into his words. "It's a crystal, nothing more, but if you turn it this way, it will show you your dreams. Do you want it?" At her silence, he continued. "Then forget about your sister".
Before Callie could reply, Tana roughly shoved Callie aside. Surprised by this, the prince raised an eyebrow.
Tana wasn't intimidated. "Why are you doing this?"
He blinked, his facade faltering a bit at her demand. "It's my job, love. Part and parcel of the position. It's simply the way it is done."
Tana wasn't backing down. "Then I'll run the Labyrinth in her place. I'll run it for my own freedom."
Now this was a surprise. He placed a finger on his chin, considering. It would, in theory, fulfill the requirements of the Labyrinth. He'd never had an adult be wished-away, and so the circumstances were unusual. Could a wished-away choose to run the Labyrinth for themselves? He smiled. There was nothing saying that they couldn't.
And, if she lost, she would be forced to remain in the underground. He considered her, those scarlet lips frowning at him and fierce chocolate eyes challenging him. Oh, she'd be angry, but she'd have an eternity to get over it. He would have forever to soothe her anger, and explore her every secret. He licked his lips, the taste of her still fresh in his mind. Really, this arrangement could prove... exciting.
"You may run the Labyrinth in your sister's place, and should you lose, you will become one of us, forever."
Tana swallowed, glancing at her sister's terrified face. She steeled her spine. There was no way she'd let her baby sister run that maze. Besides, if Queen had been human when she'd beaten the maze, so could she. "I'll do it".
And without another word, they were on the hill overlooking the Labyrinth. "She didn't mean it..." Tana whispered dejectedly, refusing to look at the man who had suddenly become all things villain.
Jareth just shrugged. "Neither did my mother." Jareth the II, Crown Prince of the Labyrinth, studied the girl in front of him. He admired her refusal to look weak, her loyalty to her sister. Such a strong woman would make a formidable ally. An odd stirring curled around his chest, something terribly unfamiliar and...primal. He decided to make her one last offer. The Labyrinth after all, could be terribly dangerous.
"You could always become one of us. Let your sister forget about you, forever."
Would that really be so terrible? The faces of her family flashed in her mind, a life of laugher, love, of nurturing. No. She couldn't leave them, or Callie. They were her family. "Don't you see that I can't do that?" She sighed dejectedly, before a firm resolution squared her shoulders. "Plus, it's my freedom at stake here. I'll be damned if I'm here against my will."
He shook his head, hiding a smile at her defiance. "Such a pity." A clock appeared, and he twisted its hands, as his father had so many eons ago for his mother. "You have 13 hours in which to solve the Labyrinth, or else you become one of us, forever." He faded from sight. "Such a pity."
He decided to not mention what would happen if she won. After all, that was a possibility not worth considering. She wasn't going to defeat the Labyrinth.
A/N: You didn't think Tana was going to get out of running the Labyrinth, did you? :-p
