Hurts Like Hell
By: NikkiKelly
Disclaimer:
Author's Notes:
I cringe in hopes that everyone reading this does not crucify me with rusty nails and superglue.
(Peeks out from under my rock for one moment to begs for apologies with big sad puppy-dog, newborn baby eyes.)
I am HORRID at fast updates on this story. I am a little bit of a perfectionist and I have no beta (proof-reader right?) and am trying to edit this myself. I am my own very worst critic. I have almost all of this story written out already, but every day I find little things I wish to change. I am TERRIBLY sorry for such breaks in between posts, but between work, my new baby niece, and life in general, I have become quite slow. If it helps, my new year's resolution is to write faster.
(Tries big smile and cute puppy eyes again… Realizes that she's failing, epically, and does the kitty eyes… No one can resist the kitty…)
I do thank each and all and every single one of you that have been following my little tale and I loves the reviews and adds! Makes my night at work when I check my pull out my phone on a ciggy break and find an email from . Much more rewarding than the shots of crown royal on break ( fyi, I'm a bartender). I loves you all in my own special, not-really-creepy-but-a-little-creepy kinda way. Thanks.
I know… I'm weird.
Weirdly and wonderfully yours,
~Nin~
Chapter 10: The Fall From Grace
After his mother attempted to calm him, Jaron returned to find that Alyx had vanished. He cocked one eyebrow when he saw that Roland had become otherwise distracted by a pretty wood nymph he had placed in his lap. Jaron frowned. He had gave his cousin explicit orders to keep a watchful eye on Alyx. Jaron had tasted rotten magic upon the apple accompanying her breakfast tray. That meant that someone was after her. His only option had been to conjure the peach for her to eat, but, being unaware of the specific spell used on the apple, he was not able to cancel out the bad magic, but only dissuade it a little. Therefore, he had warned both Trog and Roland to keep a sharp eye out for treachery.
As he scanned the ballroom for his missing mortal, he felt a hand upon his upper arm and a silky voice purred in his ear. "Are you ever going to ask me to dance, Goblin Prince?"
Jaron turned and frowned as he realized it was Willow hanging upon his arm. He jerked himself free of her grasp as if scalded by a fire. His face became a mask of disgust.
"Do not touch me, witch!" Jaron hissed.
Willow's eyes widened in surprise and then her face contorted in anger. She raised her chin and said, haughtily. "There are men here who would beg me to touch them!"
"Then go and touch them." Jaron ordered, hotly.
"Oh, Jaron…" She pouted. "Can we not-"
Jaron grabbed her upper arm tightly and leaned down so that their faces were merely inches apart. "Let me make myself perfectly clear… Bugger off!"
He thrust her away from himself and towards a group of Unseelie. Turing on one heel, he stalked away in search of his mortal. Willow watched him go with dark eyes and moved to follow him when another strong hand grabbed her arm again.
"That would not be wise." Sarah said, dryly. She released the girl, once she had her attention. "I believe he has made it perfectly clear that he wants nothing to do with you tonight."
Willow sneered. "Who the bloody hell are you? Jareth's latest courtesan?"
Sarah frowned and released the woman's arm. "No. I am his Queen Consort."
As Sarah predicted, the Fae's eyes widened in shock at that sudden announcement. The young woman's eyes flew to the informal crown covering Sarah's dark hair and she stumbled into a clumsy curtsy.
"My apologies, your majesty… I did not kn-"
"Of course you didn't." Sarah gave her a bitter smile. "Now on with you and leave him be."
"Of course, your majesty." Willow bobbed again and disappeared into the crowd. She was angry at that mortal's chiding, but happy she had gotten close enough to Jaron to distract him while Ramsden worked his magic on the other mortal.
Sarah watched her leave with a frown, knowing that something very wrong was going on. She just could not put her finger on it.
"Asserting your supreme authority so soon, precious?" Jareth whispered in her ear and she jumped in shock. She swatted his arm.
"Don't do that! It's creepy!" She scolded and scowled. "I'm not the one who decided to put a crown on me tonight, Jareth. Why didn't you tell me that you were going to announce our relationship to the entire Underground like this?"
He shrugged. "Because you would have told me no."
"That's not funny."
"I think it is."
"It's not." She insisted.
"I am not a sharing Fae, Sarah." Jareth replied, seriously. His fingers danced across the netting crown at her brow to tug on one of her curls. "You should know that by now."
"Well, give a girl a little notice, next time, will ya?"
"As I said, you would have told me no." Jareth said and changed the subject. "Tell me, what earned Lady Willow such a tongue-lashing?"
Sarah caught his tactic on changing the subject and decided to go with it. "She was pestering Jaron and-"
"Last I checked, my brother could fight his own battles."
"But-"
Jareth silenced her by placing two fingers over her lips. "No. We are not fighting over him tonight. Come, dance with me, and let us resume this game of 'thirty questions'."
Sarah smiled against his fingers and nodded.
"Good." He swept her into his arms and across the floor. He gave her a jagged smile. "I believe it is my turn to ask? Is it not?"
"Fire away, Goblin King."
"How you ever thought about what your life would be like, had you accepted my offer all those years ago?" Jareth asked, seriously.
Sarah was quiet for a moment before answering, honestly. "Only a million times… I had to save Toby, Jareth. You must understand that."
"I do…" Jareth replied. "Repulsive as he can be, I would run the Labyrinth for and eternity to save my brother. I understand the choices you faced, precious… Though, I, full-heartedly, admit that I held a grudge for some time… I've come to understand and even accept what happened between us."
Sarah gave him a sharp look. "How pissed were you when I denied you?"
"I believe my brother managed to drug me in order to save the Escher Tower from certain destruction after you left." Jareth admitted with a slight smile. "If the game had been different, would you have said yes?"
"Yes. A million times."
He gave a sharp smile and leaned in to whisper. "That is what I like to hear."
"Were you afraid the answer would have been any different?" Sarah asked, a little breathlessly.
"Yes." Jareth confessed. "I was villain to your heroine, precious…"
"Oh, and villains never 'get the girl', right?"
"Precisely. Although, I had always considered that a major flaw in the plotlines of fairytales, myself."
It's not fair!
Alyx cursed her stupidity for falling so hard. She should have known better than trust the first pretty face that she saw. A hot tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away, angrily, with one shaking hand. She had forgotten that the number one rule in both the Above and the Under was to trust no one. Now that she was free in the cool night air, her nausea had begun to settle and her heart had stopped racing quite so fast, but she still felt miserable.
"Alyx?" Jaron's deep voice cut through the night, in a moment, he was beside her. His sudden appearance startled her, for she had forgotten how the Fae moved so swiftly and quietly. He reached for her hand and she avoided her grasp.
"Yes?" She replied, curtly, avoiding looking at him and holding her arms to herself.
He sat on the stone wall, looking at her quizzically. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Absolutely fine." Alyx answered, crisply, and continued to stare at the frothing sea. "I needed fresh air and you were… busy."
Jaron cocked on eyebrow. "What have I done now?"
"I saw Willow inside… She's very beautiful…" Alyx ignored his question and shrugged her thin shoulders, attempting to stifle her jealously. "Mab too, for that matter."
"Is that what has your bloomers in a knot?" Jaron asked and crossed his arms over his chest. "Mab? Willow? Are you jealous of either of those bats?"
"No." Alyx stiffened a little and tried another tactic. "While you were enjoying their company, I was enjoying Ramsden's."
He frowned. "I do not remember enjoying their company tonight. I remember that row with Will-"
"You don't have to lie to me." Alyx replied, hotly, and turned to glare at him.
"Why would I?"
"I saw you with them."
"Did you?" Jaron asked, frowning.
"Yes." Alyx said, exasperated. "With my own two eyes!"
"Things aren't always as they seem here." Jaron reminded her, gently. "Are you sure it was me you saw? Are you sure that what you saw really happened?"
"Yes! I saw you!" Alyx suddenly felt unsure and stammered. "I-It was you!"
"Was it?"
"Ramsden pointed you out to me! We both watched her paw all over you-"
"Ramsden?" Jaron made a face. "Why were you even talking to that vain twit?"
"Now you're jealous? It's a little late!" Alyx spat out.
Jaron opened his mouth to retort and then froze. He is open mouth drew into a frown. "Are we fighting? Why are we fighting?"
She glared at him and turned on her heel in a huff. She began to stalk back towards the masquerade, holding in the urge to scream. He caught her arm and spun her back around to face him, holding her body close to his. Alyx's breath caught in her throat as he ran his knuckles down her cheek, tenderly, his eyes sad.
"Why are we fighting?" Jaron asked. "Why are you mad at me, my mortal?"
Alyx turned her head away, tears coming to her eyes. "I am jealous! That's why I'm mad. I saw them inside with you and they were-"
Jaron's face softened and he squeezed Alyx's hand in his. "Mab is nothing to me, Alyx. Nor is Willow or any other woman here tonight, for that matter. If I had wanted to be with them, I would have been their escort."
Alyx looked back to him, sniffling, as he brushed the tears from her face with his thumb. "Really?"
"Really." Jaron confirmed and leaned down to brush his lips across hers, gently. "No woman, immortal or not, can hold my attention since you've arrived."
Alyx blushed. "You sure do have a way with words."
"I don't know a bunch of the big ones, but I can string together the little ones real good." Jaron grinned and ran a thumb down her warm cheek. "Do you really know how beautiful you look tonight?"
"Do I look beautiful? I kinda feel like a little girl playing dress up." Alyx admitted.
"Well, I could rattle off a bit of prose about sunsets and roses, and their pale comparison to you, but that wouldn't quite cover it, now would it?" He cupped her face in both of his hands and stared into her eyes. "You break my heart, you are so beautiful."
Alyx blushed again. "That's perfect."
"I'm not the fancy romantic that Jareth is, Alyx. I can't sing a pretty song to you about placing moons in your eyes or recite a poem celebrating your beauty. I can't sweep you off your feet with magic and smooth gestures, but I can do this." He leaned down and caught her lips with his, fiercely. Alyx could feel heat rushing through her body and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. The wild magic inside them careened through their veins, urging the pair closer. He deepened the kiss, letting his tongue sweep across hers until she shuddered in his arms. He broke their kiss and rested his forehead against hers.
"How is it that you bespell me without even using your glamour?" Alyx whispered. 'You don't even have to try and I'm putty in your hands!"
"I do not know what this putty is that you speak of, but you charm me as well." Jaron felt her entwine her fingers with his as he nuzzled her hair. "You smell like jasmine in the moonlight… Vanilla and sweet things."
"Is it my mortality that lures you?" Alyx asked, curious.
Jaron shook his head against hers. "No."
"Then what?"
"It's everything about you. I love you." Jaron confessed, shocking them both. Together, they froze at his admission and felt as if they could not draw another breath. Slowly, Alyx leaned back so they could look one another in the eyes again.
Her beautiful smile played along her lips and she replied. "And I love you."
A shaky breath came from Jaron and he gave a weak laugh. "Thank the Gods… I was almost afraid you were going to tell me that you'd fallen in love with Roland or something atrocious like that!"
Reaching up to tangle one hand in her hair, he tugged her head back so he could better align her face for his kiss. Wrapping his other arm around her, he lowered his lips to her, taking her, fervently. Alyx went limp in his arms at the first touch of his tongue against hers, and whimpered against his mouth. Her fingers grasped at the lapel of his coat, and one palm covered his heart. Breaking their kiss, he flashed his handsome smile and her fingers moved to trace along his lips.
She smiled, happily. "How can I be so much in love with someone I only met about a week ago?"
"I am asking myself the same thing." Jaron breathed. "You know that no one will believe us when we tell them. They will call it puppy love and call us fools."
"No doubt."
Jaron began to sway them both the music that drifted across the terrace and gardens. "Then, the way I see it, we shall have to run away together to have our adventures."
"Oh?"
"Oh, yes… And then we shall be forced to make an honest woman of you in the nearest town, after I ravish you." Jaron teased, nipping at her jaw as she blushed. "I shall enjoy an eternity of the challenges of finding new ways to make you blush like that."
"I hate to ruin a good time with good sense, but haven't we been gone a while? We are both under surveillance right now." Alyx took a ragged breath and bit her lip. "We should get back."
"I am glad that you have the sense for both of us." Jaron admitted. "I am tempted to spirit you away to the Wood right now rather than go back into that stuffy ballroom. I have to share you with all of them if we go back and I am greedy."
"Come on." She gave him a patient smile and took his hand to lead him back to the terrace. He tugged on her hand to stop them so that he could kiss her again.
"Jareth has not come running to stop us." Jaron pointed out, his lips millimeters from hers. "Can we not live on this borrowed time for awhile?"
"Jareth is already angry enough." Alyx reminded him. "We can't afford to piss him off anymore than he already is."
"I did not joke when I said that I would run away with you, Alyx." Jaron replied, seriously. "If my brother refuses my request for your hand, then I shall steal you away. It is as simple as that. I will forsake all for you."
"I don't think it will have to come to that." Alyx gave him a warm smile and squeezed his hand. "I should be terrified to hear these things at seventeen, but I'm not scared when I'm with you."
"You never should be." Jaron replied. "I will always protect you, love."
Alyx threw a look towards the terrace doors and then back at her smirking prince. "What will we do if we stay here for awhile?"
His smile broadened.
Sarah was having a marvelous time. Despite that she had lost track of Alyx some time ago and had not been able to spend much time with her friend since dinner, Sarah was still enjoying herself. Jareth had not given any other Fae men the chance to dance with her, save Oberon and Jorall all evening. Through his mother and sister, she was introduced to many different dignitaries from all over the Underground. She was even introduced to a few of the Unseelie nobility and she decided, quickly enough, that every one that she had met gave her the downright willies.
Her night had also been filled with laughter when Roland, rather merrily, sauntered up to her and Jareth while they were mid-dance. He pronounced himself, miraculously, cured and cut in on their dance to whisk Sarah off across the ballroom as quickly as possible. With a laugh, she let the rowdy Highlander twirl her about the ballroom.
"You are just asking for it tonight, Roland." She scolded, trying to catch her breath.
"Nay, my lady. I am runnin' interference for me favorite cousin." Roland informed her, as he dipped her nearly to the floor. He quirked one dark eyebrow. "Have you not noticed how long our Goblin Prince and his mortal have been missing this evening?"
"Let me up and I'll answer you." Sarah huffed and he brought her back to vertical. After musing for a moment to let the blood back to her brain, she gave Roland a sharp look. "Where are they?"
He shrugged, happily. "Donna know, do I? All I know is that I'll be needin' to keep Jareth occupied so he'll leave 'em well enough alone."
"That's deceptive, Roland." Sarah gave a false pout. "And here I thought that you really wanted to dance with me."
"Indeed I do, my lady." Roland chuckled, warmly, twirling her. "I'm not the only lad that wishes, either, but you scream of being the property of the Goblin King. The only way I'll be gettin' away with this bit o' work is the fact we be family and he canna 'ave me beheaded. That'll be why no one, but family, has danced with you tonight."
Sarah frowned. "So… I'm his property?"
"No, but everyone knows where your heart and his lie. No Fae is dumb enough to cross the Goblin King." Roland replied and grinned, broadly as he twirled her back into his arms. "Do ya think he'd get mad if I copped a feel?"
"Don't you dare!" Sarah warned, blushing furiously. "You do and I'll knock you into the next century, Roland!."
"I'd neva' dream of it, Lady Sarah." Roland teased and gave her a wink. "But, I might pretend a wee bit, just to get his knickers in a twist."
Roland swept her back to where Jareth was waiting and relinquished her with a flirty smile and a gracefully, mocking bow.
"'Twas a grand dance, lil' lassie… Enjoy the rest of your evenin'." Roland kissed her knuckles and gave her a sly wink.
"Be gone before I Bog you." Jareth hissed.
One of Roland's eyebrows quirked. "Which part o' the Bog?"
Jareth's features darkened. "The worst part."
"Then, of course, cousin." Roland gave a mocking bow and sauntered away in the direction of a group of young Fae women. He held his arms out wide and called out. "Canna interest any of you fine little lassies in a Highland jig?"
Jareth sighed in defeat. "At least he's leaving us alone."
"C'mon, Jareth… He's charming… In a rough way." Sarah chuckled and hooked her arm through his. "I'll admit that I am having much more fun at this ball than the last one I attended."
Jareth gave her an odd look. "In the peach dream?"
"Yes. This masquerade is nothing like that."
His jaw stiffened slightly. "That illusion was mirrored after a very… vanilla version of an Unseelie masque… It was not meant to be fun."
"No, but it made me run to you." Sarah replied.
"As, I believe, it was intended."
Sarah gave him a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"
"I had limited control over that particular enchantment." Jareth admitted.
"What do you mean? You gave Hoggle the peach and-"
"Yes, I gave that dwarf the damned fruit, but it was not I who cast the spell upon it. Though, I was there as much as you." Jareth looked to her, seriously, with his mismatched eyes. "For once in my life, I sought an outsider to help me quarry my prey with in my Labyrinth. You were getting too close and I feared you would best the Labyrinth, so I requested the enchanted peach to keep you from reaching the castle in the due time."
"Who helped you?" Sarah asked.
"Unfortunately, at the time, I was rather limited on the magicians or alchemists. I fear that Jaron was the only other Fae in my castle at the time. He had heard of your progress and had even caught sight of you once or twice in the Labyrinth… Somewhere near the oubliette, if my memory serves me correct. He advised me to bespell you with the peach dream. At the time, I thought it quite inane, using fruit to distract you, but in hindsight it was a rather clever plan."
"That epically failed, if I remember right." Sarah cocked one eyebrow up. "Smart kid. Remind me to kick him a good one in the shin for that one."
"Indeed." Jareth gave her a jagged smile. "I believe it was my turn for questions then?"
"Fire away, Goblin King."
"Are you enjoying your time here? In the Underground?"
"Of course I am! This place is every little girl's dream come true! I've gotten to see my friends from before and make all new ones…" Sarah gave him a warm smile. "I'm getting to know you… Definite plus… Are you enjoying having me here, Jareth?"
"Very much so…" Jareth gave her a sly smile. "I must admit, I was nervous about this question game when you first mentioned it, but I am now quite enjoying this strange mortal pastime."
"One, two, three, four… I declare a thumb war!"
Thumbs wrestled for dominance between two clasped hands.
Jaron gave Alyx a cocky smile. "You are quite horrid at this game."
"You're cheating!" Alyx scowled. "Stop twisting your wrist like that."
"You stop that wretched squirming then…"
The pair had found a nearby bench and decided to practice the age-old dueling of the thumbs. Jaron clamped his thumb down atop hers and successfully defeated her with a broad smile.
"It is my question then… What is your middle name?" He asked.
Alyx blushed and tried to distract him. "You tell me yours first."
"Armande." Jaron replied, firmly. "Now, tell me yours."
Alyx's voice softened. "Heroe… Alyxandrea Heroe Gideon. My mom was into Shakespeare."
"What happened to her?" Jaron asked, curiously.
Alyx's head snapped up. "Who? My mother?"
Jaron nodded.
"I don't remember much about her." Alyx's eyes misted over. "She left us when I was little… She left and never came back."
"She left you alone with your father?"
Alyx nodded. "Yep. She disappeared in the dead of night, but that's a tired and sad stor-"
"What was her name?" Jaron pressed, eager to know more about her past.
"Allison… Allie to her friends." Alyx said, softly.
"Allison Gideon…" Jaron rolled the name around on his tongue. "Allie…Do you look like her?"
Alyx shrugged. "I'm shorter than she ever was."
"I like short women."
Alyx gave him a wry smile. "Thanks."
"Do you miss her?"
"Miss her?" Alyx scoffed and tucked a lock of hair behind one ear, She wiped at the stray tears in her eyes. "You can't miss someone that didn't love you enough to stick around."
"Perhaps, she had to leave… Perhaps she could not come back for you? Even if she wanted to." Jaron mused.
"She would have come back if she really wanted to."
"Maybe, but just remember that in our lives there are things we will do, things that we can't do, and things that we must do. Sometimes these things don't work the way we would like them to and these are snags in life. Snags do not always let us do what we want to do, but often, what we must."
"What's the point of it all then?" Alyx sniffled.
"Lessons. Good lessons…" Jaron tweaked her nose, affectionately. "I'll bet that you are like her. It must have been something terribly bad to keep her away from you."
Alyx snorted. "What could keep a mother from her child?"
"Lots of things." Jaron draped one arm around her and ticked off each with the fingers of his other hand. "Dragons, boiling lava, disgruntled dwarves, snakes, imp uprisings, the Bog, an outbreak of wheezing dragon-pox…"
Alyx smiled, weakly. "Unfortunately, many of those perils, people don't have to face Aboveground."
"True, but perils are perils, no matter where they are… Enough of this talk… I am making you sad with my questions." Jaron leaned over to peck her cheek, affectionately. "Come and let's go back to join the party. I'm sure we've been missing long enough to ignite a few new and creative rumors. Besides, it is about that time of night when Grandma's had too much of the spiked punch and starts doing the Firey dances. This year. I put some of Gammon's best shine in there and it should make for some interesting entertainment. What say you that we go and find ourselves front row seats for the show?"
Her jaw dropped. "You are supposed to be being good!"
"I had a relapse." He shrugged. "What good is All Hallow's without one trick?"
Upon entering the ballroom, they watched the other couples dance for a moment before Jaron pointed her towards there table where Roland waved merrily, a nymph upon his lap blocking his view.
"Go and sit with Roland. I'll go get us some punch before Grandma starts drinking from the ladle." Jaron kissed her knuckles and released her to head towards the table. He watched her for a moment and then turned towards the refreshments.
Alyx had been fully intent on going straight to the table to chastise Roland about his amorous ways when she caught the flash of something strange on the dance floor. Turning, she watched the couples waltz across the floor. Her vision blurred a little, and she shook her head as if to clear it. She frowned, realizing then how tired she must be getting. Then a hand grasped her arm and steadied her swaying form. Turning, she found Ramsden peering at her with a worried look upon his face.
"Are you all right?"
She nodded. "I'm just a little tired."
"Surely a dance would awaken you then, my lady?" Ramsden practically purred.
"I-"
"Surely Jaron keeps you on no leash, my lady?"
"No." Alyx's blood boiled a little at that comment. "Of course not."
"Then he can spare you for one dance?"
Alyx decided that one dance would not kill her, so she took his offered hand and he led her to the floor. He began to twirl her around the dance floor as the band's tempo changed into a darker and more manic beat. As they waltzed, she really began to notice just how many Unseelie were in attendance at the masquerade. All around her were the cackling faces of Unseelie as they enjoyed their dark dance. Between the pounding waltz and the manic pace that the Unseelie set, Alyx felt her head begin to spin and her stomach turned sour. Her began to vision blur again.
"Ramsden… I have to sit down. I don't feel well." Alyx looked up into his smiling, handsome face and shook her head to try to clear it. "All these people-"
"What people?" He asked and she blinked. Looking around, she found it was only the two of them as he twirled her around an empty ballroom. "It is only us, my lady. Only us."
Alyx shook her foggy head. "Us?"
"Yes."
"But where is Jaron?" Alyx's eyes became unfocused.
"I'm here, love." His voice was soothing in her ear and her eyes refocused, showing her to be in Jaron's arms, not Ramsden's. "It's only us."
"Only us…" Alyx breathed as her head swam. "Yes…"
"We can dance like this forever…"
She looked up into Jaron's smiling face, but something was not right. His eyes were both the same dark color, not the blues and greens that she had fallen in love with.
"No!" She pushed him away from her, hard, and tried to run. Shadowy shapes of the Unseelie had returned and they pulled at her dress, trying to stop her. She fought against them, wildly, flailing her arms. "No! Let me go!"
She slammed into a hard body and strong arms wrapped around her, hugged her against a solid chest. Her back was to their front and she tried to wriggle her way free. They leaned down and whispered sweet words into her ear, cutting through her dark madness.
"I'm here. I've got you, my mortal. I'm here…"
Alyx looked over her shoulder and stared into Jaron's beautifully mismatched eyes. She let out a sob of relief as the magic that had been over her evaporated and she hugged him, tightly. Her world stopped spinning and she looked to find that they were back outside by the stone wall in the gardens. A hand went to her temple, as she suddenly felt woozy. Jaron's strong arms were still around her and supporting her, but his eyes remained locked on Ramsden, who stood across from them. Ramsden was glaring at Jaron's all too sudden arrival.
"How dare you use such dark spells on her!" Jareth spat. He moved Alyx behind him, carefully and she gripped at his jacket. "You scum!"
Ramsden smirked. "She loved being in my arms, Halfling!"
"I knew that I tasted dark magic upon that apple." Jaron's eye narrowed, knowingly.
"'Twas sweeter than sin on her tongue!" Ramsden sneered. "Give up, Jaron! She is mine!"
From nowhere, Jaron conjured up a gleaming steel sword and growled. "Draw a sword, wretch, so that I may strike you down in clear conscious."
Smirking, Ramsden lunged towards him, nearly impaling himself on the blade. Jaron jerked backwards in surprise, knocking Alyx a few steps backwards. Ramsden's fist caught Jaron's temple. He stumbled to one side at the blow and Ramsden moved towards Alyx, intent on reconnecting to his spell. Jaron regained his footing and, quickly, reached out with his magic to throw Alyx backwards and out of Ramsden's reach. Jaron was hasty in using his magic and the force caused Alyx to bump the wall and fall to a heap upon the floor. Turning his head to check on his mortal, Jaron did not see Ramsden reach out for his wrist. Alyx looked up, wearily, and her eyes widened.
"Jaron!" She cried out as Ramsden's fingers locked around Jaron's wrist. With a cruel smile, he used Jaron's blade to impale his own midsection. The sharp sword slid into Ramsden's stomach easily. Alyx screamed and crumpled to the floor, the testing spell taking its final toll on her. Jaron's eyes opened wide as he realized what Ramsden meant to do to him and tried to jerk free, but Ramsden held on tight.
Sneering, Ramsden whispered through his pain. "I have just signed your death warrant, Goblin Prince."
The doors to the terrace burst open as Ramsden released Jaron's wrist and crumpled to his knees. Fae crowded the terrace, strong arms pulling Jaron away, and others tending to the wounded prince. Jaron snarled and struggled against the many Fae restraining him as he sought to get to Ramsden so he could finish the job. Jareth strode forward, observing the scene with cold eyes. He whirled on his brother, a sneer upon his pale face.
"You fool!" Jareth hissed and smacked his brother, hard. "Do you know what you have done?"
Jaron recoiled from the hit and lunged for his brother, against his captors grip. "Fool? I have saved her life tonight!"
Roland was scooping the unconscious mortal into his arms as Oberon stared over the room. He gave a great sigh and put a shaky hand over his face.
"Guards… Take the Goblin Prince to the dungeons… Shackle him in irons." Oberon ordered.
Jaron's eyes went wide. "Grandfather! No! I-"
"Silence!" Oberon thundered and the palace shook. "Take him away."
The guards dragged the Goblin Prince from the room. His outraged screams could be heard all the way down the corridors.
Oberon turned to Roland who was staring down with a worried look upon his face at the girl in his arms. "Take the mortal to her room and have a healer look her over. By my order, as High King, King Jareth to take her back Aboveground tomorrow… For good."
Sarah's eyes widened. "No! Her father will kill her there! She'll die!"
"The mortal must leave. Keep your tongue or you shall follow her." Oberon snapped. "This Girl Who Wished Herself Away is too much of a catalyst to become Fae. She leaves in the morning. Tonight, we seek out a punishment for Prince Jaron's crime. As he is a denizen of your Labyrinth, he is in your hands, Goblin King."
Sarah turned to Jareth as Oberon left them. "Jareth! You can't let them send her away! You've got to do something!"
Jareth's face was a stony mask. "The High King has spoken. I must deal with my brother, Sarah."
"But, no one is even listening. It's not fa-"
"Life is not fair!" Jareth snarled. "Life is harsh and cruel."
Sarah's eyes widened and she raised her chin. "Oh, yes… Much like you, generous and cruel Goblin King!"
In a flurry of skirts, she left him to ponder his brother's fate.
It was hours later and the dead of night when a grim faced Jareth was finally able to face his brother. He strode down to the dungeons, dressed in the darkest of blacks. The guards stepped aside and let him enter Jaron's cell as he approached. He paused in the doorway, taking in his young brother. Jaron sat on the bench along one wall, staring up at the small barred window at the top of his cell where he could see the stars. He stared at them as if it were the last time he would see them again. Chains linked his arms and legs together and rattled when he moved. The young prince's wrists were rubbed red and raw from the cold iron. When Jareth moved forward, Jaron looked up, his face void of emotion. Jareth opened his mouth to speak and paused to pace the short width of the cell. Jaron watched him with dispassionate eyes.
Finally, the Goblin King stopped and spoke. "How could you be so foolish?"
Jaron stared away from his brother and back out the window. "They are sending her back, aren't they?"
"Yes. Forever." Jareth paced the floor again. "Oberon left it up to me to deal with you and-"
Jaron exploded. "Deal with me? Deal with me! What is there to be dealt with? I saved that mortal!"
"No! You cursed her! She has to go back to the life that she despised because of your idiocy!"
"Ramsden was-"
"Attempting to court the girl and you tried to murder him!" Jareth finished, angrily. "How you could be so irresponsible and foolish is beyond my comprehension!"
"You make him sound like a saint." Jaron spat.
"Compared to you, he is." Jareth countered.
"By Merlin's beard, why don't you trust me, Jareth?" Jaron asked as he rose, ignoring the pain cause by his iron chains. "Why don't you believe that the things I do, I do for a reason? Have you forgotten that all is not as it seems here?"
"Quit speaking those foolish Wood riddles. You have given me no reason to trust you since your birth. At every turn you have lied and schemed to get your way and, as always, I was the one left there to pick up the pieces. Who saved your hide after that wretched fiasco with Willow? No respectable courtier would even have a simple toddy with you, until I convinced them of your repentant ways." Jareth snarled. "Even when you were a child there were courtiers who refused to be in the same room with you, until I convinced them that all that greed and hate that makes up a mortal didn't flow through your veins!"
"Ashamed of your little Halfling brother then?" Jaron countered. "Go on and mean what you say and say what you mean, Goblin King!"
"Stop that foolish talk." Jareth ordered.
Both brothers were so absorbed in their argument that they did not notice the small crowd that gathered just outside of the cell. Jora, Sarah, and Jiera were in the front of the group with paled and worried faces.
"I would think that as my brother, you would have some faith in me, Jareth." Jaron scoffed and gave his brother a mocking bow. "Thank you for enlightening me as to your truest nature, Goblin King. You are a cruel, unjust, rude, arrogant-"
"Stop Jaron." Jareth warned.
Jaron seemed nearly crazed as he continued his tirade. "… foul, hideous, foolish, wicked, nasty, egotistical, maniacal, prideful, and cowering excuse for a Fae!"
Jareth's shoulders shook in silent anger. "Silence."
"No! No more 'shut up, Jaron', or 'be silent, Jaron'! You wouldn't know what the truth was if it bit off your nose! So throw me in an oubliette, throw me in the Bog, or lock me away in some dungeon, just like you all always do! Don't trust in me but treat me like the Halfling filth that I am."
"Still that tongue or I shall still it for you."
"I hate you!" Jaron screamed. "I never want to see you near me again or, by the Gods, I'll try to kill you too!"
Jareth took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "You are trying my patience, boy!"
"Oh, boy am I then?" Jaron laughed, sarcastically, and a mad gleam came over his eyes as he realized his forthcoming fate. Neither of them could stop it if they tried, so best he got the final blow. He smirked. "That's right. Be high and mighty, Goblin King… It's what you're good at."
"ENOUGH!" Jareth roared and pointed one long finger at Jaron as his magic began to gather around them. His voice was cold and echoed throughout the dungeon. "You have said your piece and now I shall say mine. You are, henceforth, banished from the Seelie Court! I strip you of all of your magic and your titles. You are no longer welcome here. I cast you out!"
"Jareth! No!" Jiera cried out as they girls held her from entering the dungeon. Neither trusted the wild magic that radiated in the cell.
Jareth reached forward and ripped off Jaron's royal medallion, snapping the leather thong holding it around his neck. Tossing it aside like a bit of trash, he sneered. "Lastly, you are no brother of mine."
Jaron doubled over in pain as his magic was ripped from his body. He fell to his hands and knees, gasping as if his lung had collapsed. He looked up at his brother with a grimace, hissing through his pain. "Better to be banished, than to live under your tyranny!"
Jareth threw a crystal and as it shattered, so did Jaron. A keening wail poured from Jiera's lips as she fell to the floor where her youngest son had once laid. One cheek against the cool stone floor, she sobbed, uncontrollably, her fingers bleeding from the shattered crystal shards. Jareth stared at the empty spot where his brother had been and then at his own hands, hardly believing what he just had done. He had been so angry that he did not even think that he had just sent his own brother to his death. He went to his mother and fell to his knees with her, enveloping her in his arms. She pushed him away, harshly, batting at his grip and smearing her blood across his pale skin.
"Get away from me! Get away! You banished him, Jareth! Live with what you've done to us all!" Jiera rose and raced away from her last stricken son.
In the corner, a small goblin picked up Jaron's medallion and studied it with wide, quivering eyes. He clutched the pendant to his chest and made a mad dash for the doors before anyone saw him. The fairy folk must know about this.
Alyx sat up in her bed with a sharp gasp, as if awaking from a horrible nightmare. She realized all too soon that what happened was no nightmare, but reality. She stared around her darkened room in shock, hugging her arms to herself. Her door opened and closed, quickly, and Roland was at her side in a moment, his face grim in the moonlight.
"What's going on?" Alyx asked, in a hushed voice. "Where's Jaron?"
"They've banished him, Alyx." Roland shook with silent anger and his jaw clenched. "They've banished Jaron for tryin' to kill Ramsden not more'n five minutes ago."
"Banished?" Alyx's eyes widened. "He was only trying to help me!"
"I know. Sadly, not a one of 'em others believe his tale. Willow confessed
the crime to Oberon and Jareth. She said Jaron begged her to do a bit o' spell work on you. Said he wanted a spell to fuzz your mind so you'd leave with him for the Unseelie Court. Claimed Ramsden goaded the plan outta her so he could save you. The lying bitch!" Roland snarled.
"How could they not believe him? How?" Tears welled up in her eyes and she brushed them away with shaking hands. "Why didn't they wait to ask me?"
"Jaron and Jareth fought in the dungeons. You know Jaron's gotta mouth on him when he's pissed. It got to runnin' and Jareth banished him. High tempers run in the family."
"Then we have to save him!" Alyx said as she attempted to rise and Roland held out one hand to stop her.
"It's no doubt that he's already been caught by the Unseelie and taken to Mab. We canna touch him… yet." Roland moved to her dressers and armoire, beginning to gather things in a small pile on her bed. "But that is not the worst news for you this night, lass. They'll be sendin' you back to the Aboveground on the 'morrow."
"What?" Alyx got out of the bed, quickly. "They can't send me back! I can't go back there!"
"They are… Unless you leave tonight and you hide. The Underground is a big place, lass. You could hide forever." Roland's eyes were sad as he held out a small bag. "If you be wishin' it."
Alyx stared at the bag, the reality of his words sinking in. She had no choice but to run, lest she be sent back to her father's abusive arms. "I wish it."
"Then let's hurry."
She nodded and snatched the bag from his hands. They both began to shove clothing and other items into it. When she finished, Roland added the glass slippers to the bag with a wry smile.
"Them's handy. They'll be good for more than masquerades and wooing princes. They got what you might call 'adaptable' magic." Roland told her and offered her a change of clothes. "I stole ya set of clothes from an elf. They should be small enough for ya."
Alyx changed into the pants and shirt he provided, throwing a long cloak over the ensemble. Stuffing her plaited hair under an oversized hat, she picked up her bag to sling over one shoulder. The hat was black with a brim that could not decide if it wanted to fall around her face or stick out straight like a cowboy hat. The hat sat so low on her head, she could hardly see.
Roland gave her a sad smile and tilted the hat back a little. He chucked her under the chin. "Mayhap, you'll grown into that hat, lass."
"You got these from an elf? How big was he? Seems more like giant clothes on me." Alyx complained.
"Bigger'n you, I suppose, but beggar's canna be choosers." Roland led her to a wall across room and felt along the bookshelf for a hidden latch. "There's a door hidden here. Jaron and I made this as young lads. It leads out to the docks an-"
"Hold on, you two." Both froze at the sound of the stern voice. They turned to see Jorall at the door. He strode towards them with a stern look upon his face.
Roland paused. "Uncle-"
Jorall raised one hand to silence him. "I'm not stopping you, but Alyx should not go into our world with nothing on her side. You need magic to survive, little lady. Open your mouth."
From a small pouch at his waist, he produced a few brilliant green leaves and Roland gasped, recognizing the plant that they use in the christening ceremonies. "That's the Amarantha plant. Where did you-"
"No time!" Jorall hissed and instructed for Alyx to eat them. Then Jorall took Alyx's face in both hands and mumbled a few words in Gaelic. "I now christen you, Alyxandrea, Fae, and bestow the wonders of the wild magic upon you."
He kissed her forehead and Alyx felt something stir deep inside her. Her wild magic coursed through her veins like fire, becoming one with her at last. She looked up to him with teary eyes after a deep breath.
"Thank you, Jorall."
Jorall made her look at him. "I warn you. It's not a full christening, yet. My magic is strong, but slow. You will still age and change for another five years while the magic takes hold to you. Then you will be Fae and immortal. Until then, be safe. I hope you will return to us someday."
Alyx hugged him and whispered. "I'll find him, Jorall. Your son. If it's the very last thing I do, I'll save him."
He nodded and hugged her, tightly, for a moment, before rushing her off. "Go, before someone else comes. Jareth was not far behind me."
Out of nowhere, Roland raised one fist and knocked his uncle to the floor. Alyx looked to him in shock. Casting a small spell over the fallen king, Roland befuddled the former Goblin King with a sad face.
"Sorry, Uncle. I canna trust even the best intended Fae."
Roland pulled the latch and the back of the fireplace slid back to reveal a tunnel. Alyx and Roland took off through the dark, Roland cast a small spell of light before them.
"Donna look back." Roland warned, taking her hand in his firmly and leading her away.
Just as Jareth barged into her room, the secret door had snapped shut behind them. He rushed to his step-father's side as Jorall slowly came to consciousness and looked around the room in a very puzzled manner.
"Where is the mortal?" Jareth asked a blinking Jorall.
"The what?" Jorall asked, scratching his head in bewilderment. "How did I get in here? Did I miss the masque?"
Alyx followed Roland down the maze of corridors, until they came to a final door. Roland produced a large skeleton key and unlocked the door, opening it slowly. Stepping out underneath a low bridge near the docks of Merial, Roland checked both ways, before urging her along behind him. They rushed towards the massive ships loading crew and cargo in the dark of night.
"I got you passage on a cargo boat. It's goin' north towards Nevan Island. From there, you can decide what to do and where to go. Figured best I not know, eh?" Roland gave her a few maps and a small compass as they headed for her ship. He also slipped a small, but heavy bag into her small hand. "Money to get you started, lass. Lifted it from the treasury here in Merial by yours truly."
Alyx looked up at him with teary eyes. "How can I ever thank you, Roland?"
"Come back someday. That'll be thanks enough."
"I'll come back for him, Roland. I swear it."
Roland gave her a small shake. "Take care of yourself first, Alyx. Then we can worry about me cousin. Donna worry, he's a strong and stubborn horse's ass."
Alyx nodded and began to head for the ship. She paused, her shoulders shaking, and raced back into Roland's arms. He hugged her sobbing form to his chest, smoothing her hair, gently.
"Ah, lass. Donna cry. You'll make me tear up and that'll be no good." He spoke low and gently, trying to comfort the pained girl.
She looked up to him, her eyes going foggy. "I can't do this! I'm so scared, Roland. What will I do? Where will I go?"
"Run as far and as fast as you can and donna you look back. Nothing good waits for you here." Roland said, truthfully. "Remember that, once you are Fae, they canna cast you out. Be strong 'til then and hide."
"I can't."
Roland shook her, gently. "You must. You have no choice."
She took a deep breath as Jaron's words came back to her.
In our lives there are things we will do, things that we can't do, and things that we must do…
Alyx nodded and, reluctantly, released him. Her first few steps up the gangplank were uneasy, but grew stronger the further that she went. The crew was in such a hurry to leave that they nearly knocked her down when pulling up the gangplank. Climbing aboard, she moved to clutch the railing and stare back at Roland. Then the ship began to launch. Roland raced down the dock in time with the ship as it began to sail.
"Be safe, my lady! I'll be tryin' to free me cousin with every minute I have, but if ever you need me, go to any city on the Great Roads and seek out the Bone Carvers Guild! They know my twin, Rowan, an' she'll always find me!"
Alyx watched him wave until the shore could no longer be seen. After awhile it was hard to tell if it was the sea spray on her face, or tears coming from her eyes.
Jaron trudged into the Grand Throne Room of Taveres Castle in Magesblood, amidst the entire cackling Darkling Court. The iron shackles around his legs caused bloody welts to form with each step, but he walked on. He was already bleeding from the many wounds the trolls had caused since his capture in Darkwood Copse. He had given them a run for their money before they caught him in the Forked River Swamplands just south of Still Lake. Jareth had deposited him right at Still Lake and Mab's Sluagh had been waiting to hunt him down. Trolls growled on each side of him, prodding him with sticks when he stumbled. When he finally made his way to Mab's throne, he was shoved to his knees before her. She used the tip of her crooked wand to tilt his bruised face up to meet hers. She gave him a malicious smile.
"Welcome home, little prince." She cooed.
Jaron's head dropped as the mass of creatures fell upon him, cackling in the night.
The Lord of the Highlands and Banshee Prince, Roland Amarantha, sat at the edge of the gardens in Merial, smoking, thoughtfully, on his pipe, and staring at the sea. He had come straight there after he had seen Alyx off on her ship. Trog had joined him and was sitting on his shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was wailing louder than a banshee before a death, but it bothered Roland not. He kept a steady eye on the horizon. Sarah came running from the palace and stopped when she saw them at the garden's edge. She came forward to sit next to the quiet prince.
"Is she gone?" Sarah asked, trying not to cry. "Did she run away?"
He nodded and chewed on his pipe. "Oh, aye… The lass'll be long gone by now."
"Good."
A swell of angelic voices drifted on the wind from the forests and Trog let out another loud sob as their voices rose in a wondrous crescendo. Sarah could not understand the language, but the song was slow and sad. She turned to the forlorn pair as tears came to her eyes.
"Where is the singing coming from?" She asked, wiping at her tearing eyes.
"The fairies have found out he's gone!" Trog sobbed.
"They sing their mourning across the Enchanted Wood tonight." Roland put down his pipe and hung his head. "All grieve his loss."
Trog lifted her own wavering voice to join the others in song.
Sarah hugged her own arms and whispered. "It's beautiful. What do they say?"
Roland began to sing in a low and even voice.
"Endlessly far and long and away,
'Tis where roads go at end of the day.
Something's lost that cannot be found,
There's naught left but shimmer of sound.
Somber songs sing from our lips,
While the strings of every heart rip.
Our souls have grown dim in our plight,
While nary a heart rests in the dead night."
Jareth appeared before them as Roland finished singing. The Goblin King's face was stern as he asked. "Where is she, Roland?"
"Begone!" Roland snarled and waved one hand at Jareth. "I donna want nothin' to do with the likes of you, traitor!"
"Roland, we found Jorall and your spell has worn off. Now where did you take he-" Jareth began and the young Prince disappeared, along with the fairy on his shoulder. Cursing, Jareth glared out over the sea. He turned to look at Sarah, helplessly. "I have done a great wrong tonight, Sarah."
Sarah was silent for a moment, unsure of how to answer him. "Maybe we can fix this?"
Jareth barked out a laugh. "This is beyond fixing, love. There is no Labyrinth that I can run to win back my wished away brother. He is beyond my reach."
"Where-"
"The Unseelie have him by now. He'll be in Magesblood, I'd wager." Jareth sat down next to her, heavily.
"Could he escape?"
Jareth shrugged, sadly. "If he is strong enough, perhaps, but without his magic, it is doubtful. It is likely that I have sent him to his death this night. I am a fool!"
"We'll find a way to bring him home." Sarah reached out and took Jareth's hand into hers and they sat in silence listening to the fairies sing.
He ran a thumb over her knuckles and sighed. "Oberon is toying with the notion of sending you back to the Aboveground as well, love."
Sarah's grip on his hand tightened. "Will he?"
"I have begged him not to, but only time will tell. We shall have to wait for his temper to cool." Jareth admitted. "He is furious that Alyxandrea has run away from her exile."
"I can't say that I blame her." Sarah responded, truthfully. The pair sat in silence for a few moments and Sarah gave a great sigh. "I'm worried about her already."
"Then it will please you to know that Jorall performed a very unsanctioned christening on her before she ran away." Jareth informed her. "Alyx is becoming Fae, slowly, but surely. Enough time and no one could force her back Aboveground."
"Good." Sarah's face brightened a little. "That means she can learn to take care of herself out there."
He looked to her, quizzically. "Do you know where Roland sent her?"
She shook her head. "No."
He looked at her for a moment as if debating on whether he could trust her or not. He gave her a small smile. "Even if you did know, you would not tell me, would you?"
"Nope." Sarah replied, truthfully. "I wouldn't."
"That's my girl."
Under the window of Alyx's bathroom, the enchanted peach pit took root and began to grow.
"The course of true love never did run smooth."
~~~~~~~~~William Shakespeare~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Oh this chapter went through a looooootttt of rewrites… Still not overly pleased with it. Oh, well. Song sang by Roland is of my own creation with influences of irish folk music and the hobbit song that Billy Boyd sings in LOTR RoTK. Quote is all Willy's… Gotta love the dude for saying it like it is… ~Nin~