Aww Here we are at last with the apt chapter number 13, I hope you enjoy it thank you to all my faithful readers, yeah the punctuation's a bit screwed up but automatic spell check can be a pain! Can't believe I've actually finished this! Woo-hoo! R&R pleae fellow labyrinth fans!
They flew over Gormley ravine in silence, Sarah nervously tapped her fingers against Jareth's, prompting him to take her open palm and kiss it hard. He composed his expression well lest could be said about his throat that had a lump in it. He coughed and spluttered by it wouldn't go away neither the gnawing in his stomach. Sarah looked back at him puzzled reaching her hand out to stroke his face. Jareth closed his eyes and lingered in the moment a lot longer that he should have.
"Jareth what's wrong, is it Toby what are you sensing" Sarah cooed with a frown, Jareth opened and closed his mouth trying to find words but none came. Then suddenly the perfect ruse came to mind but he was just as down-hearted to use it.
"Sarah back there in G'mork, we were in a nightmare and then you said something near to a dream...Did I hear you right, is it true or was it my overwrought imagination?" He bleated, Sarah then nuzzled his nose and kissed him.
"Meant every word, as few as they were they're quite special. I have known it from the beginning...I love you Jareth Thaddeus" Sarah answered, the euphoria of that reply almost made Jareth's mask slip and he exhaled deeply, almost coming out like a sob.
Soon enough they were flying over Glynn Brannon's farmland, the townsfolk were busying clearing up when they spied the gryphon and phoenix and started to cheer. Sarah briefly dallied with her royal status by waving her hands, Jareth followed suit while hugging Sarah tightly in the process.
"My patience is growing thin young prince; you have not the stealth to fight me. Do not be foolish, give me the amulet and you and your sister are home free"
"...And leave my friends? I'm no coward General" Toby called out from his hiding place.
"Of course not, but then your friends are down there while you are up here – Not a good start for a monarch. Be much better to forego the coronation for you will only abdicate anyway" Krissen growled and he slowly ascend staircase after staircase.
What, you're a fortune-teller now?" The boy scoffed.
"History repeats itself anywhere Tobias, even in the underground. The boy king died young, the son king inspired a revolution not good odds my lad"
Krissen heard a strange scuffling noise running up behind him. A dog saddled by a fox that was holding a spear was running straight for him.
"Once more unto the breach dear friends - tally-hoooooooo!" Cried the knight as ambrosias grabbed and pulled at the general's trousers. Krissen slipped and Toby managed to peek out and laugh but the joy was short-lived as the poor hound was kicked away, his brave yet hapless master along with him.
"...Didymius!" Toby yelled while unwisely bringing himself out in the open. The general ran frantically after him, Toby climbed further up the stairs but he was caught by the leg. They both fell and without stopping Krissen grabbed for Azores.
"This belongs to me now boy!" He grimaced; Toby scowled and released a crystal sparking off electric bolts in the sphere. Smashing against the sandstone the shocks against Krissen gave him enough time to escape.
"No it doesn't" Toby growled before running away again.
It took over an hour for the lovers to arrive at the Goblin City, pandemonium awaited them: Houses burned, Grynoans squawked, Goblins battling for their lives. Sarah was dumbstruck but she saw this all before.
"It really was a vision of the future, what I saw, you were, you're going to-" Sarah stammered as the firebird began to panic in finding a place to land.
"If I do then it will be a worthy death, remember Sarah I was once more than just a man who loves you, I was King. A King defends his kingdom even to the death" With great urgency Jareth clasped his hands over Sarah's head and forced her to look at him. She was crying and shaking her head in denial.
"What about Toby, you promised you would keep him safe" She sobbed; Jareth smiled and held her hand as he shifted them off the saddle ready to jump.
"The promise is being fulfilled... As of now" Jareth answered coolly before pulling her down with him as they fell into the warzone. This time Jareth was prepared as he unsheathed his word and started parrying through the courtyard like a maniac. His firebird spewed a large flame before disappearing.
Become a force to reckon with whispered Morpharia, instantly Sarah splayed out her hands and made an abrupt pushing motion. Krissen's men were blasted by a gale force wind and the path was cleared. Taking a staff she began walloping her way into the castle and to her brother.
Cormac gathered the Pagan tribe together as they fought from all directions; Jareth spied the injured Lord and feared the worst.
"It's nothing mirequeth can't cure – Jareth, the boy hides in the Escher room, Krissen chased him. I re-constructed the staircase but it won't last long." Aziz wheezed.
"You did well my friend, rest...Sarah you stay with the King, I'm going after Krissen!" Jareth commanded
"On your own, take a battalion with you, the Escher room goes on forever. What if you can't find them?" Sarah croaked as she kneeled beside Aziz.
"Dearest Sarah this is my castle, rest assured...I'll find them. You are my beloved never forget that should you go back" Jareth sighed as he stroked his thumb against her chin then kissed her so softly. Sarah didn't notice how tightly his eyes were closed for this would be their last kiss for sure. He had to pay his due, that due was his life.
Sarah had tears in her eyes but she said nothing and simply watched him sprint up the staircase. Jareth walked along the gloomy corridor, he could hear the taunts from the general getting more agitated. Creeping under the entrance arch he spied a familiar fox groaning in pain.
"Psst Sir Didymus – have you located the enemy?" He whispered
"S-sire I have failed you yet again, I hang up my sword, my rank and it's privileges I am no knight" The fox coughed.
"No matter just answer the question"
"Shame is all I've brought upon the grand tapestry of Knighthood; I shall never live this down"
"Sir Didymus, please"
"...I will be rejected by the court, shunned, forced to dwell alone in my ineptitude"
"You will hold your tongue sir, I command you!" Jareth slapped his hand against the wall. The fox blinked.
"O-Of course my liege" The knight said meekly, Jareth spied the weapon that was on the floor.
"I command you to grant me the use of your spear and confound it Didymus tell me how far up are they? Jareth said impatiently.
"I counted seven flights sire and not all in the same angle neither but I lost count after that" The fox replied shyly.
"Right, you take your pet and rejoin Lady Sarah, I'm going after them." Jareth picked up the spear and ascended the stairs. His boots stomped hard on the sandstone. With each step a crack appeared, the fae king was running out of time.
"Ah Jareth, do you think being fashionably late suits a time like this?" Krissen called out from a beam, to his horror he saw Krissen with his hands fixed in Toby's hair. The boy was squealing and swearing at him.
"You're war lies with me General let the child go" Jareth warned cautiously
"Hand me your kingdom freely Thaddeus and the boy will live, you cannot win Goblin King, I have the heir, I have Azores" Krissen tipped the amulet on his blade and raised it. Jareth froze then shook his head and laughed.
"How can I let you rule the underground when you know nothing about what you goad me with?" Jareth guffawed nervously all the while firmly gripping the spear.
"Power is power Thaddeus, whatever way I can get it, I'll get it" Krissen snarled, Jareth stopped still before shooting the spear. It caught the general's shoulder blade. Shoving the boy down the chasm Jareth jumped and caught him. Landing on his feet Jareth made Toby hide again.
"So you did come back for me" Toby chirped, Jareth smiled briefly before being lunged at by an oncoming sword. The clash of steel echoed all around the room, sand falls began spouting everywhere as the Escher room began to fall apart.
They took slices out of each other, a punch here and there, parried and deflected the other's sword. The fae King was so enraged by the damage done that he soon got the upper hand and began to punch as hard as he could. The sand was nearing their knees and all three began to splutter for air. Krissen took a cut to the stomach before falling into the endless plumes of sand. Jareth braced himself for a few moments but nothing moved. No sound was made but his panting and the rustling of falling sand.
Jareth looked up as the staircase was evaporating into nothing; he was to slow to hear a roar to slow to see the blade plunge into his stomach. The rebel king gasped at the enormity of such pain, looking down at his mortal wound but with the shock came rage as he knocked his opponent to the ground, Krissen did not rise up again.
"JARETH!" Toby screamed as he leaned against him and started back towards the hall.
"A mere payment I must make my lad nothing more, take me to the throne room hurry" Jareth wheezed, together they stumbled back along the corridor along the staircase and into the throne room where Morpharia's dome was reddened and started to break.
"Morpharia hear me, summon the fae, summon King Oberon" Jareth murmured as he collapsed on the floor. They could hear a rush of footsteps as the war party ran in behind them. Sarah ran to Jareth's side speechless. Jareth inhaled and exhaled deep and sharp, closing his eyes he was losing consciousness fast. He has to act quickly.
"Hoggle come here, Toby take off the amulet place it between us" Jareth seethed, Oberon's Tiny hand lay against Jareth's, Hoggle took one end and Toby took the other.
"I told you years ago, I don't like getting into other people's mess!" The dwarf groaned before doing as he was told
"Fates thy will be done, the underground now gains a son for his Kingdom now awaits for the first to abdicate: New Futures are at hand for King Tobias will now command" Jareth spoke firmly and a rush of power was rushed from Jareth to the heir but something felt wrong the destruction had not stopped.
Jareth fell hard against the marble floor but Sarah picked him up and held him.
"Jareth it didn't work, you sacrificed yourself for nothing" She sobbed hysterically; Jareth opened his eyes briefly and smiled taking her face in his hand one final time.
"Never...you were something truly...You were my absolute everything" He sighed and closed his eyes; his last breath floated and rang like a tiny bell. Time stopped for a moment as everyone silently spiralled into despair. Judgement day was now upon the underground. For Jareth Thaddeus the oldest King of Goblins was dead.
"We failed, all is lost, all is lost" Aziz croaked as he buckled to his knees, more cracks appeared in the dome. Sarah hugged the body tightly, Toby leaned beside her but she was inconsolable
As promised a pathway between two worlds opened up and Toby recognised his local park, he tried to pull his sister up but she refused to budge.
"I'm not leaving him!"
"Go my lady, save yourself" The King of Pagans cooed as he wished his family were there with him to see the end together
"I'm not leaving him!" Sarah yelled again, she kissed his hand then his eyes then his cold mouth and wailed again. Then when all hope seemed lost a thought entered her head, she was the dream keeper she could bring it all back but how?
"The book...? The book...Toby use your crystal remember my book that I read for years and carried it everywhere? Dream it up make it happen, now right now!" Sarah demanded her voice husky from crying.
"Why? I don't even remember what it looks like" Toby protested, his sister grabbed his hand and merged their memories together.
"Wine-coloured binder, no bigger than an address book, gold writing with one word only...Labyrinth" Sarah summoned; Toby nodded and patted a crystal in her hand. The book appeared just how she remembered it and was euphoric.
"You may be wanting this too" Toby smirked as another crystal formed into her red and white striped beanie hat. Without another word Sarah ran out of the throne room down the staircase along the basement into the garden and out into the Elysian Fields where the sky was tearing up in two.
"Fates hear me give me back my King Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the man that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as equally great for our power is equal for it is love!" Sarah screamed up at the sky and the wind blew fierce. Pulling the hat over her head she screamed out.
"You have no power over us!"
A blinding light shimmered across the whole of the underground bigger than any supernova in the cosmos. There was a ringing in Sarah's ears then nothing but blackness, when she came to she was in the throne room. Everyone had fell where they stood and all had a puzzled look over what had happened. There was silence, there was harmony and the dome was dully restored. Sarah was panic-stricken once she realised Jareth's body was gone but there was more in store for her.
For sitting slumped on the throne was a young man of at least seventeen years, he had a thin gold crown on his head. His hair was strawberry blonde and he wore armour of patented shapes and a large winged owl carved at the chest area. Sarah noticed her idina ring had also vanished.
"Sarah, you saved us" Said the stranger with the deep but gentle voice, Sarah saw the truth as clear as day but refused to accept it.
"The fates are too cruel; too cruel they took your youth away...Toby?" Sarah murmured, the young King nodded and hugged his sister.
"I was asked a question; remain a boy or rule and fight for the underground like a man, I had to do it Sarah" The teenager pleaded, Sarah shrugged but felt alone as she was now left with nothing.
"Well it's done, I did what I came here to do, make amends, I won't stay not without Jareth" She said sadly, the siblings hugged each other tightly, knowing that she will return to the world as an only child.
Before nightfall a farewell party was made by friends new and old at the same abyss Jareth used some months before. She hugged Ludo then shook his father's hand, kissed goodbye Aziz then Hoggle and Sir Didymus before lingering with her brother. Sarah then fell into the hole and landed in the pond of her old park. She quickly started for home, Toby's room was now a study, every photo of him was gone, every award, every hobby of his ceased to exist. She sat on the lounge rug and started to cry.
Autumn came and with it inspiration for an art exhibition examining loss, a favoured piece was one where a blond figure, seemingly an angel with his wings falling away into the wind. Her commission was a hollow victory but for the sake of sponsors and potential buyers she went along to the party. The next day she took an aimless stroll in a complete world of her own, not noticing the stranger in a long leather coat carrying a guitar on his back. His hair was shorter and darker than before; his clothes were of a plain civilian and nothing like the regal pieces he was used to. Sarah passed him by without a second glance but that was until he started to sing.
" I, I will be King and you, you will be queen though nothing will drive them away we could beat them, just for one day... we could be heroes forever and ever What do you say Sarah?" Lamented a soft voice, she turned around in astonishment as Jareth Thaddeus had returned to her as a human once more. Her voice was stolen from her as she tried to call his name, he just nodded in reply and began to chuckle. Throwing her arms around him she squealed as he spun her around and around. He kissed her long and deep, Sarah pawed his face then squeezed his shoulders to check if this whole thing was real.
"You saved the underground, I knew you would" His kissed her again they both glanced at the hand which no longer had the idina ring.
"I lost it, I don't know how it just disappeared" Sarah said with dismay.
"A pity, but look I have one to spare, only trouble is, it doesn't hold magic" He said nervously before kneeling down.
"Too many lives I have lived, not one of them enriched by anything but then you came along. I'm happier in ten years of loving you than the thousands I lived before...Be my wife Sarah?"
"Jareth of course, yes" Sarah exhaled as Jareth placed the ring back to it's rightful place, picked her up in his arms and kissed her as if she was the oxygen to breath.
Their wedding was not planned in advance, no venue was booked, no invites were made and no dress was tailored for. They went about their business the very next morning; Jareth went to find a crisp clean shirt and Sarah went out to buy a dress but then an idea came into her head.
Out from the back of the closet she took out an old dress, it was made to measure the fashions of old, both medieval and renaissance. Sarah was amazed to find it still fit after all these years. As she looked on at the mirror a gust of wind and flash of light came up from behind.
"A nice dress indeed, but not the kind for a wedding sis not when it's own!" A voice teased and the teenage King that resembled her brother walked in the room. Sarah was startled but soon remembered how much the fates had changed things.
"I didn't think you'd be here, how is the new royal house of Williams?" She smirked after hugging him, strange to feel the cold armour waft around her.
"Oh yeah and miss my own sister's wedding? Sure you would have forgiven that! The underground is bustling with every firework, party banner, victory parade imaginable. Had to take some time-out then Morpharia gave me a riddle about you and Jareth, so here I am" He shrugged as he looked around the room, a little misty—eyed.
"So you think I should buy a new one?" She asked and she awkwardly held up the hem. Toby let a crystal drift like a bubble around his sister, encircling her. Her body glowed, the dress turned from cotton to shimmering velvet in a minute. The sleeves were crocheted and mended, a train slipped down from behind and her hair was pinned and peppered with Idina Crystals.
"No, there's no need" The King of Goblins beamed, Sarah laughed astounded by her brothers new-found status, he was now a fae and she couldn't believe it.
At the town hall, Jareth was waiting alone beside the sign advertising matrimony for a fee, shaking his head at the compromise. But deep down he knew this was how he wanted it, no intrusive master of ceremonies, no big illusory festival that went on for days, just he and Sarah like it was always meat to be.
An arm clasped his shoulder and there stood his faithful friend Aziz with his wife and child at his side, Jareth hugged him and Aziz lurched.
"Still sore my lord so watch out" Aziz seethed
"What of the boy?" Jareth remarked firmly
"Properly crowned after Sarah left, he learns fast, you may not recognise him however." Aziz answered weakly, still quite exhausted by his injury.
A bald, bespectacled registrar peered out of the door as a besotted couple left the room.
"A Mister... Jay Roth? Is everyone ready?" He piped
"My fiancée will be here shortly" Jareth nodded before leading the group into the room. This group included her parents whom he bewitched into thinking they had known Jareth forever. They sat down and waited. Before long Jareth heard the ethereal music of an old love lament from the underground, turning slowly around he saw a grown-up King Tobias led his sister up the aisle. She looked radiant and for a moment, his breath was stolen away.
"Dearly beloved we're gathered here today to see this man and this woman, come together in a state of holy matrimony..." Said the registrar, Sarah could hardly hear him as she was almost in a trance. That was until she the name 'Jay Roth' and smiled at the effort her love made to be human.
"Do you Jay Roth take Sarah Williams to be thy lawfully wedded wife? Will you love and comfort her. Honour and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others? For all long as you both shall live?"
"...I will" Jareth beamed as he rubbed Sarah's wrist
"Do you Sarah Marie Williams take Jay Roth to be thy lawfully wedded husband? Will you love and comfort him? Honour and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others. For all long as you both shall live?" The registrar repeated rather matter-of-factly.
"I will" Sarah gushed.
"...You have the rings?" The clerk ushered, Sarah's face dropped as she only now realised that although she had her idina ring, Jareth did not. Jareth raised an index finger then placed his open palm over Sarah's. There lay two thick rings of silver dotted with Idina Crystals. Sarah shook her head at how Jareth always had a trick up his sleeve. She pushed the ring of his third finger and Jareth did the same with her. Hushed gasps filled the room as the ceremony drew to a close.
"By the power vested in me by the state of New York I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride" The clerk affirmed
Jareth scooped his new wife up in his arms and kissed her passionately; Sarah fingered his hair and looked at him lovingly.
"Now...you are truly mine" He said softly.
When they arrived back at the house, lanterns were placed all over the garden, a folk band played, white chocolate was favoured for the wedding cake and everyone danced into the early hours. Hoggle Ludo and Sir Didymus made a brief appearance before following their monarch back to the gateway between worlds.
"I've never felt pride for another person before, you did well Tobias, may your reign be a happy one" Jareth bowed, Sarah was blubbing slightly as she made her brother step aside.
"We're here if you need us, always remember that huh?" She iterated before hugging him.
"This is so much bigger than being in the next Guns and Roses isn't it?" He chuckled, the gateway was opened, Aziz and Jareth said goodbye and the group was gone.
They both exhaled and leaned against each other for support.
"My God, it really is over, we really did it" Sarah said in a daze, Jareth tapped his wife's hand and led her out of the park. They walked in silence in the dark; they both felt a little empty but then a smile crept on Jareth's face. They were at last completely alone, no missions, no enemies, no war, a new day would come and it would be theirs alone.
When they reached the porch, they both hesitated before Jareth took Sarah in his arms and carried her across the threshold and up the stairs. They were a lot more nervous than before, Sarah started discarding her clothes first and in the moonlight Jareth was mesmerised. As he stroked her arm he began kissing up and down her collarbone before reaching a little lower, he took her in his arms again before placing her on the bed.
Winter came and Jareth acquainted himself with that humble fir tree that was so beloved for the season. He got a job arranging music compositions, cheating a little with magic every so often. As he poked the flames in the fireplace, Sarah arrived home with a smile on her face. Jareth already knew and made the fact known by placing a hand on Sarah's stomach. He nestled his head against hers and closed his eyes.
"Her name is Isabeau, she will love the blossoms of spring, hot chocolate and be very adept at playing the piano" He opened his eyes and kissed his wife twice before closing them again and laughing.
"She will have my hair and your most soulful eyes" Jareth concluded
"She will be whatever she wants to be" Sarah shrugged in astonishment at her husband. Jareth stroked his wife's back and grinned to himself for knowing better.
Later that day he assessed the climate from a chair on the porch, his wife sat on his lap and he hugged her tight.
"Immortality could never bring me this, I gave up on ever being this happy such a long time ago, sometimes I fear it's a dream."
"Then let it be a dream we both enjoy" Sarah cooed as she combed her fingers through his hair and kissed him with a grin on her face. Jareth sneakily used one of the few crystals he was allowed to summon once in a while. It floated up to the sky and became a thick flurry of snow.
"Jareth, I thought you gave it up!" Sarah whispered sternly
"There's always a compromise my dear" Jareth smiled,
On a branch on a distant sycamore tree perched a tawny owl, his feathers a lot lighter than that of a typical barn owl. But of course this was no ordinary bird, contented at the sight of married bliss, he flapped his wings and flew off...Back to the gateway, back to the underground...To his peaceful kingdom and the infamous Labyrinth he would oversee for all the days of his life.
The End
Was a happy ending really in doubt? I don't think so!