Standard disclaimer, although Kaya and Creed are my imagination...
"Excellency, a girl climbs the mountain on her way here." the lookout elf bowed low to the High Priestess. "As I understand it she travels from the Goblin City."
"Then it is true." Kaya's voice was soft and deep. "Jareth battles his inner darkness now." She rose from her kneeling pillows and walked to the open balcony.
The elf straightened from his bow, "Shall I go get her then?"
Kaya turned to see Goblin City in the distance. Fae ascending the mountain unaided were unheard of, but if the Goblin King's champion did not succeed there would be dire consequences for all. "No Creed. Do not interfere with this one, but go keep watch on her for she must arrive to the Crescent Palace on her own power."
"Very well Excellency. I shall keep watch." Creed turned to go and stopped. "Excellency...do you believe the Goblin King will try to stop her?"
Kaya studied her student. "Creed, I do not believe that the Goblin King is himself at this time. If you see the white owl, then hurry the girl along to shortcuts without showing yourself. Take care and may the moon guide you and the girl."
Creed ran through the passageways of the Crescent Palace and emerged just feet away from Sarah. His eyes searched the sky for any trace of the white owl while his ears strained to hear any sounds that weren't native to the eastern mountains. He followed Sarah's movement by listening to the sound of her skirts swishing while his eyes stayed on the skies.
Sarah concentrated on the wall of the mountain. There appeared to be hand holds and foot holds at regular intervals, but she knew that these darned skirts would get in her way and could cause her to fall. Sitting down, Sarah knew what she had to do, but that didn't mean she would like it. She began to rip the dress at the knee hoping that the High Priestess would not be offended that her attire was less than becoming.
Jareth continued to pace from his throne to the balcony and back. Several of the castle goblins were cowering in the corner of the room. Jareth had not said anything since returning, but they knew there was a storm brewing within the king. His strength was returning to normal levels again and the daylight was dwindling so Jareth prepared to transform and resume his search for Sarah.
Taking to the sky he could feel changes in the wind. The air had a different taste to it. Jareth flapped his wings in the direction of the eastern mountains and knew he could reach them within minutes.
Creed heard Sarah ripping her gown and then heard the sounds of rocks falling. He listened carefully to determine that Sarah was climbing the face and actually had made quite a bit of progress already. He watched the skies and waited moving closer a couple of times, but being cautious that Sarah not see or hear him.
Kaya watched the sun beginning to dip in the sky. The girl should reach the Crescent Palace's doorway any moment. She turned to her attendant standing in the doorway, "Prepare for an arrival." The attendant scurried away and Kaya returned to her place on the balcony. The moon was full tonight which would aid in the magic she would need for the fight ahead.
Sarah reached her hand up and realized that she had finally gotten to the top. Pulling herself up the rest of the way she sat on the edge of the cliff and enjoyed the view for a moment. The sun would set soon and the moon was already shining brightly. Off in the distance Sarah caught sight of something…a bird…a white bird…."No." Sarah whispered. "I'm so close."
Creed had spotted Jareth as Sarah pulled herself to the top of the cliff. Ducking back into a tunnel, he manipulated some of the mountain's stones and created an opening.
Sarah tumbled backwards as if the mountain was eating her alive. Landing quite unceremoniously in a corridor she took stock of her body. "No broken bones. That's a relief." She said outloud. At first she feared that she was in an oubliette but there was light at the end of the tunnel. Sarah giggled slightly at the thought of the irony. Her relief was short lived when she could hear things moving around in the the dark. With little choice, she headed for the source of the light.
Jareth knew it was Sarah sitting on the edge of the cliff before he could even see her face. He could feel the warmth of her skin. She was there. He landed on the cliff and transformed back to his normal self only to find no one there with him. "You're hiding Sarah - I know you are here." He hissed. "I will find you."
"Kaya!" Creed burst into the room quite inappropriately, but considering that the girl was not far behind him and Jareth was just above them it was the best he could do. "Kaya they are both here…The girl, in the corridor. Jareth…landed on cliff just as pulled the girl in." His cheeks were flush with the excitement.
Kaya stared at Creed and motioned for him to step to the side. "We must be ready for the girl. She's done something practically unheard of." Kaya walked toward the open door that Creed had just come through. The doors opened, just as Sarah reached up to push the door to the side.
"Welcome daughter of the moon to the Crescent Palace. You'll find the peace here that you were seeking." Kaya's arms were opened wide to receive the girl. Sarah collapsed into the High Priestess's arms causing alarm among the elven attendants.
"Excellency!" Creed shouted pulling Sarah off of Kaya. He laid Sarah on the floor and took Kaya's arm gingerly.
Kaya shook her head in disbelief. "She's not fae at all. She's mortal."
Jareth stood on the mountain cliff and smiled. He knew right where Sarah was. "Such a pity. She'll never know what happened." His laughter rang out through the valley and the mountains themselves.
