A/N: I hope everyone reading this is enjoying my little tale. Here's another chapter for you. Thanks so much to everyone who keeps adding this to their favorites or follows. Almost all the remaining chapters have been outlined and sketched out. A special thanks goes to Wynni, BexyLexi, PaleJewel1, WRose, and a lovely guest who reviewed the last chapter. If you like what you see or have some ideas of what you'd like to see, please leave me a review.
Disclaimer: I own some beautiful labyrinth jewelry, but I don't own the movie rights. Nothing you recognize (and some that you don't) belongs to me.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
After dropping off Heulwen, Jareth returned to the castle and began to pace his throne room. She'd been rather put out by his abrupt departure. No doubt, she'd been hoping that they could resume their relationship as lovers. However, tonight, Jareth couldn't give two shits what she wanted. He had bigger worries on his mind. Conjuring up his riding crop, he gave a satisfying whack to the side of his thigh.
The goblins watched in real fear. Their sovereign was in a blacker mood than he was when he had been defeated by the girl. With uncharacteristic silence, they quickly fled. If the Goblin King noticed that he was suddenly alone, he gave no indication. The only sound was the constant thwack thwack thwack of his crop as he tapped it against one leather covered thigh.
"How dare he? How dare she?" he muttered.
One booted foot connected with a keg of ale and sent it careening into the wall. Pieces of wood and droplets of ale spread out, littering the floor. Not satisfied with that fit of rage, the Goblin King grabbed a wooden chair and flung it across the room. It, too, broke into several pieces. Each angry thought that flitted across his mind was accentuated with more destruction.
"I'd rather die than call her mother."
How had he not known that his father had been courting his mortal? He was constantly watching her through his crystals. That thought gave him pause. When was the last time he had actually watched her? It felt like ages ago. He'd been so busy between this intrigue with his father and the runners in the Labyrinth that he hadn't had the time. He cursed himself for his neglect.
"She was my only love."
An overwhelming desire to see her right now came over him. With a flick of his wrist, he attempted to use a crystal to scry for her. Unfortunately, his crystal turned black. It was that blasted castle! A protection spell was cast over his father's castle to protect the High King and his guests. No one, not even the most powerful fae, could look upon its occupants without a direct invitation.
The crystal cracked under the pressure in his hand. He threw it against a wall and continued to fume. His pacing began to get more and more frantic the longer he dwelled on this conundrum with no answers. Thoughts filled his head of having to bow to the wench. Ha! Let his father try to persuade him to genuflect. He'd throw himself into the bog before he'd ever bow before her.
"I let her win and this is the thanks I get."
Jareth remembered, well, the moment he had given it all away to her. In his mind's eye, he could see her standing in the ruined puzzle room. He had walked towards her, ready to stop her from leaving no matter the cost. Barely controlling his restrained anger, he circled her like a predator. He began to list the litany of reasons why she should stay, yet she still persisted in reciting those damned words.
Over and over, he tried to convince her to stay. He had overestimated her tenacity. He'd thought she would break at that final moment. Becoming ever so frustrated, he'd decided he no longer cared. If she wanted to leave, she could go and never come back. He could have used much more ruthless means of persuasion than mere words. One spell and she'd be his right now. He'd been tempted, but his own arrogance had led him to believe she would choose him of her own free will. Instead, she had said her right words and won the game.
Jareth snarled at the memory of his defeat at the hands of the mortal child. Why, again, did he have the misfortune to fall in love with the little chit? What was it about her that made his soul long to be joined with her? She was a beauty, but he was no fumbling virgin. He'd slept with many beautiful women. Some, dare he say, were lovelier than her. Whatever it was that called to him must have called to his father as well.
"How did I miss this?"
Once again, Jareth returned to his pinnacle question. Yes, he may not have been as watchful in recent times. However, he could hardly believe that there were no hints. Jareth's steps stopped abruptly, but the steady tap, tap, tap of his riding crop picked up in its rhythm. His mind wandered to the last time he had taken flight to be near her.
Jareth loved his owl form. Spreading his wings wide, he felt the wind whistling through his feathers. Freedom! Putting his head down, he realized that he was almost to his destination. Not that he could miss it, really. He was drawn to her no matter her location. However, he knew he had to be careful. Not everything was friendly to owls.
With practiced precision, Jareth landed on the tree outside of her friend's domicile. He knew that she had gone out tonight, but she was sure to return shortly. The only thing he had to do was wait. Unfortunately, patience was not a virtue associated with the Goblin King. To pass the time, Jareth thought about his beloved and how he wished she would call to him.
After what seemed like hours, he could hear her coming up the walk. Just as he had assumed, Amy was with her. He was surprised to see another walking with the two young women. Not just another person, but a man. Jareth couldn't tell, at first, which of the women held his favor. It soon became apparent that Sarah was the object of his desire.
Jareth fluffed his feathers in irritation. Something about that man seemed familiar and he could swear that there was magic present. It was certainly curious, but he was too agitated to think about it right now. With an annoyed hoot, he spread his wings and took to the sky.
Thinking back to that night, Jareth wondered how he could be so blind. His father was right there in front him and he didn't recognize him. No regular glamour could cloak him that well. Ignoring the possibility that his obsession with Sarah could have led to his lack of observation, Jareth determined that his father must have learned a high level glamour spell. It was the only thing that made sense.
Jareth collapsed into his throne and covered his eyes with his hands. This was solving nothing. He could sit here and think about this for days, but it still didn't change the facts. His father was going to marry his beloved in less than a week. All of this conjecture really boiled down to one question.
"What am I going to do?"
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
Shaun stood at the wall of the ballroom, observing the festivities with seemingly bored detachment. In reality, he was watching for any possible intrigue. Throughout most of the evening, he had seen little to cause him concern. Then the High King made his entrance with the Lady Sarah on his arm. He'd carefully watched the reactions of the guests, especially Trahaearn. There was a subtle clench of his jaw that told Shaun that he was less than pleased to see the Labyrinth's Champion.
Turning his eyes back towards the couple, he watched as they moved gracefully to the dais. Shaun paid particular attention to the mortal woman. He wondered what it was about her that had attracted the High King. She was pretty, he supposed, but she wasn't really his type. He could see that she possessed poise and style. The set of her jaw told him that she could be stubborn. Her courage and determination was already well known throughout the Underground. No ordinary mortal could defeat such a challenge.
Keeping watch through the night, Shaun learned many things. The first being that balls were incredibly boring. He knew that already, but observing one just confirmed it for him. The second was that the Lady Sarah seemed distracted. He watched her catch the eye of Jareth and was surprised by what passed between the two of them. It wasn't hate or fear. No, it was a great longing. His certainty of his suspicions grew when the High King made his announcement and Jareth abruptly left. Sarah seemed to smile at the guests as they congratulated her, but it didn't appear to reach her eyes.
Finally, Shaun learned that treachery was definitely afoot with Trahaearn. Several times throughout the evening, he watched as the man practically pushed the Lady Meinwen towards the High King. The poor girl looked as if she wanted to be anywhere, but on the King's arm. It was blatantly apparent that she was not a willing participant in the plan.
Shaun decided to cut through the crap and go right to the person he felt might have the answers. Looking around, it took him a moment to spot her. He could see that she was currently alone and trying to blend into the wall. Slowly and methodically, he made his way across the ballroom to find himself at the side of the lady in question.
"Hello, Lady Meinwen. May I have this dance?"
The young woman looked into the twinkling eyes of the Sprite King and found she could not refuse his request. She nearly held her breath as she followed him onto the dance floor. Shaun led with skilled precision and she soon found her feet moving in sync with his. For his part, he admired her grace. The light touch of her hand in his gave him a small thrill.
"It's certainly been a memorable night," Shaun remarked when they were finally away from most of the dancers.
"Yes, it has," Meinwen said, frowning.
Shaun saw his opening. "I hope you're not too upset at the circumstances."
"What do you mean?"
"You seem to be close to His Majesty," he turned her so she had a clear view of the High King with his betrothed.
Carefully, Shaun watched her face, looking for any sign of her true feelings. Fortunately, the young lady seemed to wear everything on her sleeve. Her nose wrinkled slightly, giving away her distaste with his statement. He watched as her lips pursed. She was an adorably open book.
"We're not really that close," she finally admitted.
Meinwen stole a look to her right and sighed. It didn't take a wiseman to see that she was looking for her father. It had been clear that he was working closely with Trahaearn. What would he do to her once the dust from the ball settled? Shaun felt an unfamiliar feeling wash over him. He wanted to protect the lady in his arms.
"It's ok, milady. Your father is on the other side of the room. I made sure of it before we had the chance to talk. I know that something is afoot, but I get the feeling that you'd rather not be involved in the games being played here tonight."
With the subtle tilt of her head, Shaun realized that she would do no talking here. He followed the direction she was trying to indicate and saw an empty balcony. Slowly, he maneuvered them until they were next to the door leading outside. Looking around to make sure they weren't noticed, he took her hand and quickly led her onto the balustrade.
When they were safely hidden away from the ballroom, she placed her hands on the railing and looked into the night. "I have no desire to be High Queen."
"Oh?" he asked, coming to her side.
Meinwen turned slightly to look into his eyes and could see a sincerity there that surprised her. Perhaps that's why she had a sudden urge to tell him everything.
"I have no desire to marry at all if it were only an obligation. My whole life, I've dreamed of the moment I am to wed. At no time did that fantasy involve the plans of my father. If I am to marry, I want it to be with someone I love. Call me a child or hopeless, I really don't care. I've been called worse."
"I'd call you a romantic."
Meinwen laughed and it changed her whole appearance from pretty to almost breathtaking. "You could say that."
"Do you know what your father has planned?"
"Not really," she confessed. "I only know that I was to charm the High King tonight until he agreed to court me. Unfortunately, you've seen how that went. Now that I failed in my duty to my father, I worry what he will do to me."
Shaun felt an overwhelming need to protect the lady before him. Taking her hand in his, he said, "Milady, I offer you my kingdom as sanctuary. Nothing shall happen to you there. I give you my oath."
A blush rose to her cheeks as she smiled. "You are too kind, sir, but I must decline the offer. I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself."
"Very well, my dear. However, remember, should you have need of me…"
"I'll call."
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
The end of the ball was a whirlwind for Sarah. Her mind was racing as she thought about what she had done. It felt like she was outside of herself and watching as guest after guest came to her to say their congratulations. She soon found herself wishing that it were over. Her feet hurt and she was tired. This was all very overwhelming and a bit confusing. How had she gotten here?
Ryan said his final farewells as he escorted his betrothed to his castle. The couple transported directly to the Queen's suite next to his own. His late wife never stayed in them, preferring to stay with him in his chambers. He'd had the cleaning staff freshen it up in the hopes of bringing Sarah back to the Underground with him. Opening the door, he motioned for her to come inside.
"I hope everything is to your liking, my dear," he said, looking around the room. His staff had done a marvelous job with their preparations.
Sarah also looked around and smiled. The room was perfect. It was done in her favorite colors and seemed airy and bright, yet cozy. This was truly a room fit for a queen. She walked through the suite, noting that there was a bedroom and a bathing chamber attached to her sitting room. Frowning, she tried to open a random door to find it locked.
"That door leads to my chambers," Ryan explained.
"Oh," she replied with a blush, feeling stupid.
"If you choose to stay in this suite after we're married, the discretion door will take you to my rooms. I will never come into your suite unless invited."
"Thank you."
Taking her hand, Ryan said, "I hope you can be as happy here as I am with you."
"I'm sure I will be, Ryan."
The High King looked deep within Sarah's eyes and she could feel herself starting to get warm. The look he was giving her told her that he wanted her. She swallowed slowly, realizing that she wanted him in return. He stepped forward and took her face in his hands. Leaning in, Sarah filled the void and began to kiss him in earnest.
Breaking the kiss, reluctantly, Ryan pulled away. Both were breathing hard and it took all he had to stop from taking this to the bedroom. The only thing holding him back was the realization that castle gossip traveled quick. If they were found together in the morn, it would be Sarah's reputation that would suffer.
"I think I shall say goodnight now, my dearest one," Ryan said, before giving her one more quick kiss. He began to move toward the door leading to his chambers.
"Goodnight," Sarah replied, inwardly cringing at the breathlessness in her voice.
"Pleasant dreams. I will see you on the morrow."
"You, too," she called as he left the room.
After he left, Sarah took a seat at the vanity. She began taking down the elaborate hairdo, throwing the pins in a small ceramic bowl she found. The pins made a satisfying plink as they fell from her fingers. She busied herself with the task at hand, trying not to think about her current situation. After her hair was down, she picked up the soft brush and began making angry swipes through her tresses.
"You, too," she mocked herself. "God, Sarah. How eloquent you are, tonight. And you call yourself a writer. Then again, I could never write something as bizarre as what happened tonight. No one would read it because no one would ever believe someone could be that stupid."
Staring at her reflection, Sarah had to acknowledge that she was far from homely. Ryan was a beautiful man and Sarah could see that they had chemistry. She could admit that she was fond of him, but was it enough? She was about to marry the man and the most she could say was that she was attracted to him. Could she really base a marriage on that? Sarah knew she needed someone to talk to about everything that happened. Unfortunately, the person she wanted the most was in the Above.
"I wish I could talk to Amy, right now. She'd know what to do."
Sarah nearly fell of her chair at the sight of her best friend as Amy's face appeared in the mirror.
"Sarah?" Amy asked in surprise.
"Oh, Amy," Sarah replied once she gained her composure. "Am I glad to see you!"
Amy noticed the opulent surroundings in the background. "Where are you right now?"
"Um," Sarah hedged. "The Underground."
"The Underground?" Amy asked, her voice raised in concern and confusion.
"Yeah," Sarah said, rubbing her forehead.
Amy was very familiar with that particular gesture. It was a signal that Sarah was becoming overwhelmed. A lecture, at this point, would do more harm than good. She worked to calm herself and try to just understand what had happened.
"It's okay, Sar," Amy soothed. "Just tell me how you ended up in the Underground."
"It's a long story," Sarah sighed.
"I've got all night, sister. Just let me get comfortable and lay it all out for me."
"You were right about Ryan, but I wasn't exactly honest with you. I've known for about a week that he was from the Underground, but I wanted to see how it would all pan out."
"I could see that."
Sarah felt a weight beginning to lift with every word spoken. "Well, it gets better. Ryan is the High King of this entire realm. His son is Jareth."
"Well, that's awkward."
"No shit!"
"Speaking of the Goblin King," Amy probed, "did you see him yet?"
"I was getting to that," Sarah replied. "Ryan asked me to a ball and it was last night. Jareth was there, too. God, Amy, he was just as beautiful as I remembered him."
Amy couldn't help but smile at Sarah's words. "Did you talk to him?"
"For a minute, until his date joined us. You were right, Amy. I feel so stupid for all those years I spent wishing I could go back to see him. He moved on...and, now, so have I."
Frowning, Amy asked, "What do you mean?"
"RyanaskedmetomarryhimandIsaidyes," came Sarah's rush of an explanation.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, there. Back the train up and slow it down. What did you just say?"
"At the ball, in front of everyone, Ryan asked me to marry him. I saw Jareth leave with that woman and I don't know what came over me. I said yes."
"Sarah! Have you lost your mind completely?"
"I know, I know," Sarah relented, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"Do you love him?"
"That's the $64,000 question. The truth is, I don't know what I feel about him. I like him, but I certainly don't love him. What do I do?"
Amy thought for a moment, then said, "I think you should get to know him. Right now, you don't know him very well. You shouldn't get married to a relative stranger. Just because you said yes in the heat of the moment, doesn't mean you can't change your mind. Even in the Underground, you have free will."
"That sounds logical enough," Sarah replied. "Just logical enough for me to screw it up."
"Stop that!" Amy chided. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Just get to know the man and decide if he's worth marrying."
"Thanks, Amy. I really mean it. I don't know what I would do without you. If I do decide to stay, maybe you could visit me."
"Maybe," Amy agreed.
The fae woman bit her lip and thought about telling her friend the truth. She could join Sarah in the Underground and continue to keep her watch over her. However, that could mean that she would have to give up the life she had built in the Above. Amy wasn't sure that she was ready to do that just yet.
"Why don't you get some sleep and see how things look in the morning?" Amy suggested.
"Alright," Sarah agreed, yawning widely. "I'll try to find a way to contact you again tomorrow.
"You'd better. I'd hate to have to wish myself away just to kick your ass."
"Bye, Amy. Love you, girl."
"I love you, too."
The mirror went dark and Sarah was once again alone. This time, however, Sarah felt more relaxed and at ease with the situation. Her best friend was almost always able to make her feel better. She was glad that she had the chance to talk to her before she went to bed. Sarah couldn't help but question how she had been able to summon Amy. Was it just the mirror that was enchanted, or did she still have 'certain powers?' No matter, it was just another thing to think about tomorrow.
Standing, Sarah felt the back of her dress and was relieved to feel the zipper just glad it wasn't complex button-work. She contorted herself, slightly, to pull it down and let the dress fall to her feet. Tugging at the string holding her pettiskirts up, she felt them join the dress. Too tired to look for a night gown, she crawled into the big bed in her underwear. Pulling up the lush blankets to her chin, the young woman quickly succumbed to sleep.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
"I don't think I can do this," Connelly said, his pale face made even more ashen by the idea of killing the mortal woman.
"Why ever not? Don't tell me that you've lost your spine."
"No, that's not it. I just don't like the idea of killing someone who is innocent."
Trahaearn could hardly believe what he was hearing. "She's a mortal! They die all the time."
"She's the Labyrinth's Champion," Connelly explained, trying to reason with the other man. "If anyone found out that we had killed her, that would be the end of us. Do you realize how popular she is here?"
"Well, what would you suggest?"
"Woo her yourself. If you can turn her away from Ryan, he will be heartbroken. Who better to soothe his broken heart than my Meinwen?"
"That idea has merit. The thought of wooing her into my bed does have a certain appeal." Trahaearn looked over to the Champion with lustful eyes. She was a beauty, there was no denying that fact. Her face reminded him of another mortal woman he had bedded long ago. If this one was anything like the other, he would find much satisfaction in bedding her.
"Who are you talking about?" came another voice into the conversation.
Trahaearn looked up to see his son entering the alcove. "Hello, Cillian."
"Hello, father. I see you and your friend are busy conspiring once again."
"We're doing this for you," Trahaearn replied.
"I am going to find my daughter and prepare her for this new development," Connelly interjected, removing himself from the growing tension.
"Why can't you just be happy with what you have?" Cillian asked, as if the other man had not spoken.
"Hold your tongue, you ungrateful whelp."
"Or what, father?" Cillian laughed. "You'll whip me? You forget yourself. I am not a child anymore and you have no power over me."
"We shall see about that. There are far worse things I could do than whip you, boy."
"I ask you again, why can you not be happy with what you have?" asked the younger man, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Because I have nothing," Trahaearn admitted, turning away to hide his weakness and missing the hurt look on his son's face.
"I know mother crossed all those years ago, but you have me, father. Why is that not enough for you?"
"Can't you see that I'm doing this for you?" Trahaearn insisted, finally looking at his son. "For us? Once we control everything, we'll have it all. No one can deny us anything again."
"That's what this is all really about, isn't it? You could never forgive grandfather for not petitioning for a kingdom because he didn't think you could handle it."
"I'm not standing here and listening to you bring up the past. If you won't do what needs to be done, I will have to do it myself."
Cillian watched as his father hurried away, knowing that he had struck a nerve. Why was it that all of their interactions tended to end the same way? If he didn't know better, he'd think his father was a coward. Perhaps, he really was afraid to face the truth. Cillian wasn't privy to everything that had happened in his father's past, but he knew that he still wasn't over the choices of the previous generation.
Milling over the old family history wasn't going to solve his current dilemma. It was up to him to break the cycle put in place generations ago. The only way to save his family was to betray his father. He was going to have put a stop to his plan. Taking the information he had, he went out in search of the Labyrinth's Champion. If she was half the woman her myth suggested, she'd be able to save them all.
