A/N: Takes place the morning after the last chapter.
Chapter Eleven: Move the Stars
Sarah woke up with the distinct feeling that something important was about to happen. For several years now, she had experienced hunches like this, and all of them had been correct. Some had been positive, and others had been decidedly unpleasant. Occasionally, she had been able to prevent whatever was about to happen, but it was usually out of her power. Like the time Nabila decided to ask one of the servants to give Ludo a bath… She shuddered at the memory of his howling and the rocks that had accompanied them. That had been one of the unpleasant instances. It was surprising how heavily a little harmless destruction could weigh on the mind.
Whatever this something was, she sensed that it involved her friend, Ardith. She had the impression of joy tinged with sadness, but she didn't let it worry her much. She would know the meaning of her premonition soon enough and only then could she do anything about it. However, Sarah did think it wise to pay her adopted sister a visit. When faced with the individual most concerned with a premonition, prophecy was likely to ensue. This often led to more questions than answers, but it couldn't really hurt anything. At the worst, it would leave them confused. At the best, it would leave them prepared.
Sarah was actually jumping at the chance to speak to Ardith. So far, Ardith had spent most of her time conversing with her brother, and Sarah couldn't really blame her. After all, they hadn't seen each other much over the last century, mostly due to her. Of course, that was really only about a year for them, but it was still a long time, either way.
Sarah had been left to her own devices for many long hours, which suited her well. She had seen new parts of the Labyrinth, and she had met more of its inhabitants that ever before. She had even played a nice game of catch with the fireys that hadn't involved her losing a body part. In truth, Sarah liked being on her own. She had grown quite used to it back home, and in Celestina.
Aboveground, Sarah had been a bookworm, and her head had been perpetually stuck in the clouds, which made it difficult to find friends, since most of the young people she knew were only interested in television and themselves. In Celestina, she was ignored a great deal by a great many people. The nobles had, until recently, believed she was beneath them, and the servants didn't dare make friends with someone above their station. In the end, she only had a few friends to rely on, but they made up for a great deal. Quality, not quantity, mattered with friends, though, in her opinion, it was the reverse with chocolate.
Sarah suddenly felt very lonely as she walked down the corridors that would lead her to Ardith's chambers. The premonition was weighing more heavily on her mind with every step, or perhaps every second. It was difficult to say which when they coincided.
She stopped for a moment to consider the two options. It was definitely in intervals of seconds, which meant time was running short. Ardith would soon have little time or attention for her, that much she knew. Why was a different story altogether. She was growing more than a little curious about this upcoming change and the mysterious cause.
Once she arrived at Ardith's door, she knocked politely, before entering rudely with no invitation. This had become a matter of course in Celestina. They hid nothing from each other, so there was little need for such formalities. However, it appeared this would not be acceptable in the Labyrinth.
Jareth was facing the door when Sarah opened it. Ardith turned around in her seat to greet her. Jareth was glaring daggers at her, but, truth be told, she thought they were more like samurai swords. Sarah was slightly intimidated, though she wouldn't have admitted it to anyone but herself. Nabila had taught her long ago about how to sense magic, and Jareth was giving off some highly powerful, highly negative, vibes.
"Well, what brings you here, Your Royal Highness," he asked dangerously. "I suppose you'd like to do more exploring? Or perhaps you've come to enlighten the less fortunate with your ageless wisdom?"
Sarah was in no mood to deal with him. "Jareth, it is far too early in the morning for this."
"And I thought it was far too late last night," he retorted. This earned another clueless look from Ardith, as well as a raised eyebrow, as if there was something highly suggestive about Jareth referring to "last night."
"If you must know," Sarah answered peevishly, "I've come to warn your sister of a premonition I've had."
"How touching," Jareth replied smoothly. "I can't say which has left me more speechless, your concern, or your feeble attempts at attention-seeking."
"Jareth, please be serious," Ardith snapped. "Sarah's premonitions are always correct. I want to hear what she has to say. It could be important."
Sarah turned her attention from the moody Goblin King to his sister. Her voice deepened and her eyes became unfocused as she spoke the high language of prophecy. She seemed to be in a trance. Her altered state of consciousness was rather creepy to watch.
"An event of great moment is upon you. It will bring joy and sadness to you. It will anger your kin, and frustrate your friend. There are great difficulties ahead for you, but danger is not on your horizon." Sarah shook her head to clear it. Prophecy always left her with a splitting headache.
"Do you know when this will happen," Ardith questioned, leaning back in her chair, resting her head against the back.
"Within the next few days," Sarah replied without stopping to think. Reflection wasn't really necessary when the information wasn't coming from her mind, but from her instincts. "Possibly today."
"I wouldn't get too worked up about this," Jareth soothed Ardith, noticing her apprehension. "Sarah did say there was no danger, after all."
"I would say you're the one who should be worried, Jareth," Sarah countered. "Whatever this is, you'll be the one most hurt by it." Ardith's head came back up, obviously anxious about her brother's safety. "I sense no danger for him either," Sarah hastily assured her. "I only sense that he won't like the events that are about to transpire. His mood will take a dramatic turn for the worse, if you can imagine that."
The day continued, and at noon Nabila joined them in the dining room. She made her usual dramatic entrance with plenty of light and fanfare. However, none of them were impressed enough to disregard one abnormality: she was not alone.
"Malin," Jareth nodded stiffly, rising to greet the unwelcome guest. Ardith and Sarah did the same, though more from anxiety than courtesy. Sarah noticed that Ardith had turned very pale, but her eyes were sparkling with barely contained excitement. Sarah was beginning to guess how the day would turn out, and she didn't have to be psychic to predict as much.
"Mother, why did you bring an outsider here," Jareth continued through gritted teeth, his eyes never leaving the newcomer. "It isn't wise to bring untrustworthy people to your secret hiding place when your successor's safety depends on discretion."
"Jareth, it's hardly a secret that I brought Sarah and Ardith here," Nabila explained with a note of exasperation, "and Malin is completely trustworthy with regards to their safety. I have full confidence in his loyalties for reasons better left unsaid. Besides, he's been pestering me to bring him here for days. If I hadn't, he would have never given me a moment's peace."
"Why is he so desperate to be here, I wonder," Jareth asked probingly. "What purpose could he have? Is it so important that he ascertain the safety of his future monarch?"
"I didn't come because of the Princess," Malin admitted impatiently, his musical voice momentarily harsh with irritation. "I came to see Ardith. Please let me speak to her in private."
"Ardith," Jareth exclaimed, his distrust peaked. "What do you have to say to the Lady Ardith, you little worm, and how dare you speak of her so familiarly?"
"Jareth, please," Ardith begged. "Don't cause a scene. It's quite alright that he speaks so. I don't mind it at all. Just let him say what he has to say to me, in private."
Jareth's eyebrows rose into sharp points, but then they lowered and almost touched, his frown was so deep. He was beginning to deduce that something dubious was afoot. "He can say whatever he wishes in my presence, or I shall expel him from this castle myself." He turned to Malin. "What is your message to the Lady?"
"I merely wished to see that she is unharmed," Malin responded casually.
"Why the concern," the Goblin King persisted. "Why do you care about her?"
By now, Sarah had no doubt that Jareth knew very well why the elf-man was so concerned with his sister. Malin's eyes shifted to Ardith far too often to leave any question of his motives. It was almost painful to watch Jareth dissect the elf's intentions. Evidently, Ardith felt the same way.
"Malin," she interrupted, "there isn't any reason to hide it from him. Jareth can guess as much. Jareth, Malin and I are in love."
"With one another," Jareth barked, disgusted. "Have you even considered how far you outrank him? He isn't worthy of you."
"I keep my own council in that regard. Besides, I love him for more than his position," Ardith argued firmly. "He is the perfect match for me."
"You have a duty to yourself, Ardith, and you shouldn't forget it," her brother warned. "He can't give you much, if anything."
"I don't need anything but him," Ardith maintained.
"He's betrothed to Lady Rasia of Valonia," Jareth shouted. "He can't marry you without losing his honor."
"I don't care about my honor, or Rasia," Malin broke in. "All I care about is Ardith."
"I wouldn't be too high and mighty about breaking off engagements, if I were you, Jareth," Nabila intoned in a singsong voice.
"I had a perfectly good reason for that," Jareth shouted. "Besides, it was your fault in the first place."
"Wait, Jareth was engaged," Sarah exclaimed. "I've gotta hear about this."
"Don't you dare tell her," Jareth hissed through gritted teeth.
"He was betrothed to Statira," Nabila answered with relish.
"You called her the Underground's most well-traveled whore," Sarah shouted with a laugh.
"Well, she is," Jareth retorted. "That's the reason I broke it off, the official one, at least. I was rather relieved when I found out about her infidelities. I never liked her, and it gave me an honorable way to back out of the marriage, which Mother was kind enough to foist on me."
"Here in the Underground, betrothals are important, but they aren't legally binding," Nabila explained to Sarah, who looked confused. "They're more of a tradition. I imagine Statira is still bitter about that one."
"This isn't the issue. Mother, did you know about this, this love affair between them," Jareth rounded on her, his attitude obviously blaming her.
"Of course, I knew about it," Nabila answered, rolling her eyes. "Do you think I don't keep an eye on my daughter?"
"And you approve," he asked with disbelief.
"Not really, but I can't help it, either," Nabila calmly defended herself.
Jareth's next scapegoat was Sarah. "Did you have something to do with this," he whispered severely. "He was at your coronation, after all."
"I'm not sure I understand the question," Sarah demurred.
"Yes, you do, you false strumpet," Jareth declared hotly, too wrathful to be aware of how pathetic that insult sounded to everyone else in the room. "You forced them together, didn't you?"
"She did nothing of the sort," Ardith cried, throwing her hands up in frustration.
"That is quite true, Jareth," Nabila affirmed. "Sarah couldn't have brought them together because they were in love long before Sarah was born. They're the most faithful pair of lovers I've ever seen. They've waited several centuries for each other so far."
"And we'll wait several times more than that if we have to," Malin asserted fiercely. "Neither of us shall ever desert the other, or our love. It is written in the very stars that we are soul mates. There is no doubt of it in our minds."
"Is that so," Jareth taunted. "Your love is fated to be, you say? How quaint." He seemed to exude sarcasm and scorn. "However, you can't marry without my mother's consent."
"Soon Ardith will be able to marry whomever she chooses," Malin claimed. "She is almost of age, and now she doesn't have to worry about her kingdom when she makes her selection. She is free from the restraints of royalty. She can marry with no thought of a crown or her people."
Light dawned in Jareth's eyes as he realized the truth in Malin's words. Ardith really was free to marry for love, should she chose to do so. Once Ardith reached her two-thousand five-hundredth year, she would be of age. That was only twenty-six years away. She could very well marry the little upstart.
His gloomy thoughts were interrupted by Malin's demanding voice. "I will not leave this castle as long as Ardith is here. I cannot leave her side."
"You will leave if you wish to see the light of day again," Jareth snarled. "The only way you'll stay here is in an oubliette."
"Then I'll stay in an oubliette," Malin announced with dignity. "It doesn't matter where I am, as long as I am near enough to hear her call."
Jareth opened his mouth to give a scathing retort, but Sarah lightly touched his arm. He spun around to face her, and she raised a hand to silence him. "Jareth," she reasoned, "you won't accomplish anything by keeping them apart. They love each other, and they won't hear a word against it no matter how loudly you shout. It will only hurt her more if you continue protesting their relationship. She loves you, but she loves him, as well. She might just have a good reason for it. Just give Malin a chance. You may discover what worth your sister has seen in him."
To the surprise of all, Jareth took a deep breath and seemed to consider Sarah's words. He closed his eyes for a moment, and stood there, grinding his teeth. Finally he opened them, and muttered, "You will stay on the conditions that you are never alone with Ardith, and that you never see her in her chambers."
Ardith was so overjoyed that he would make this small step she threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "I knew you'd come around," she chuckled richly. "You'll see why I love him, and you'll love him, too." Ardith let go of him, and ran to Malin, who hugged her tightly.
Sarah wandered out of the dining room, tears springing to her eyes. She was happy for Ardith, but she couldn't help the little pricks of jealousy poisoning her heart when she thought of Ardith's freedom, and her own responsibilities.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Jareth watched Sarah walk away, wondering why she would leave an occasion that she would normally enjoy. After all, she persuaded him to humor his sister for a time, and had managed to get the better of him, all in one little speech. It was amazing that she was giving up such a priceless opportunity to gloat. For some reason, he didn't quite like it. He decided to follow her as she walked along the sandstone by-ways of the Labyrinth.
"So," he called once they were out of earshot of the dining room, "why did you leave so early. I'm sure my mother was just about to congratulate you on a job well done. It isn't often that someone can completely confound me."
Sarah stopped and turned around wearily. She looked at him with slightly red eyes, but her voice was as firm as always when she spoke. "It is a family joy on which I didn't wish to impose." She paused, apparently searching for something to fill the awkward silence. "Why did you leave?"
"I didn't consider it a family joy," Jareth retorted acidly.
"No, I don't suppose you would," Sarah murmured distractedly, walking a bit loser to him. He could feel his palms sweating. "I can hardly consider it a joy for me, either." She wasn't looking at him, but past him. In fact, he could have sworn that she had forgotten he was present.
"Why is that," he asked tonelessly. Her statement had sounded wrong to him. It seemed unnatural, somehow.
Sarah's head shot up as she realized what she had just said. "Well," she ventured, "now that Malin's here, Ardith will have no more time for me. She already spends most of her time with you. I suppose I'll get very lonely without her."
Jareth didn't really buy her explanation, but he didn't press the matter. He felt suspicious, which meant he would normally dog her until he got a satisfactory answer, but he couldn't bring himself to inquire further. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what she had meant. He felt very uneasy and insecure about it. He found the sensation infuriating.
Sarah floated away from him and deeper into the maze. He turned back to the direction from which he came. Malin. The name arose in his mind like a curse. This has something to do with that boy. So she loves him, does she," he thought, jealous and bitter. No wonder this was supposed to "frustrate" Ardith's "friend." She wants the boy for herself. The devil can take them both for all I care!
Jareth disappeared in a puff of angry smoke and black glitter.
A/N: Poor Jareth, taking things for granted, again. He needs to learn his own rules.
A/N: How did you like that part about his engagement to Statira? Pretty nasty, huh?
A/N: Rasia is Greek for "rose", and Valonia is Latin for "shadow valley".