Chapter Fourteen: The Deal
Jeremy topped the last of the stairs and entered the throne room. It took half a second for him to see Jareth sitting across the room with Sarah in his lap, and half a second more to find Brian in the arms of a dark-haired woman sitting on a golden throne. He forgot all about the Goblin King and walked up to her.
"Give me the child." Jeremy held out his arms.
***
The pinprick of light in Sarah's dream grew into a large circle and then into a sphere that surrounded her.
Where am I? She wondered, feeling her consciousness floating amidst this strange golden light.
You are within yourself, a voice answered inside her own mind.
Who is that? Sarah mentally jumped.
I am light. I am love. I am that part of the Labyrinth that lives within you.
What do you mean? Sarah asked as she swirled her field of vision around 180 degrees.
When you came here, when you began to use the power of the Labyrinth, the Labyrinth began to become a part of who you are. I am that part of the Labyrinth that now lives within you, Sarah Williams.
You're the Labyrinth? Somehow she trembled, though she knew she had no body in that place.
Do not fear me, Sarah.
A wave of warmth and comfort flooded her. But I broke your rules.
And then you apologized. I forgave you, but I was too late. The Lady of Night had already risen. She found you easily because it was you who freed her.
What can I do? Sarah demanded wretchedly. How can I fix this?
I can give you more power, Sarah. The Labyrinth promised grimly, but it will not come freely.
Of course, the Goblin Queen reasoned, everything has to be fair.
I need a voice, Sarah. The Labyrinth explained with a depth of urgency Sarah would never have guessed possible. I need someone who will hear me even when I am silent and make my will known to those who must know it.
But what about Jareth? Doesn't he know you well?
He does, but his priority is the goblins. I need someone whose priority will be me.
What about me, then? Sarah offered openly, I could be your voice.
No, sweet Sarah. Jareth needs you to be always at his side. I would not take you from him.
Then there is nothing else I can offer you.
No, there is nothing you have in this moment that you can give me.
What do you mean? Sarah felt a sick knowledge rising.
You will have a son, the Labyrinth explained what it already knew, and he will grow to be great and powerful. Let him be my voice.
What does that mean? Fear tied knots around her heart. Will you take our son from us?
No. He will live with you in the Goblin City, but he must not inherit the throne. He may leave this realm from time to time, but he must never be gone long. And if ever I need a voice or a body to do my will, he will be my voice and body. He will be constantly protected. All who are of the Labyrinth will know him.
Sarah considered what the Labyrinth was asking of her. At length, she finally gave in, what other choice do I have?
You could reject my offer and leave things as they are.
Sarah's mental fists clenched. I can't allow that to happen.
Then it would seem that you have made your choice.
Yes, Sarah sighed, I promise you my son.
Very well, Sarah Williams. Wake.
***
"Ah," the Lady of Night looked Jeremy up and down, "you must be the relative. Tell me," she smiled, cuddling the baby a little closer to her, "what is his name?"
"Give him to me," Jeremy demanded, taking a step closer. "It doesn't matter to you what his name is. He's coming home with me."
The Lady of Night chuckled and lifted a hand to the air. "You bore me." She waved it at him and the shadows in the room launched themselves at him, covering him from head to do.
At about the same time, Sarah's eyes blinked open. "Jareth!" She threw her arms around him and kissed him immodestly.
"Sarah," The Goblin King found it hard to smile and he glanced at the throne behind her. "Jeremy's arrived."
The Goblin Queen turned and saw her step-father struggling against the shadows. "No!" She hauled herself to her feet. "Jeremy!"
"Sarah!" Jareth stood and put a hand on her shoulder. "Please..."
She turned and looked into his sad, heavy eyes. "I'm sorry, Jareth." Sarah wrapped her arms around him, partly to keep herself from running to Jeremy's aid. "I didn't understand before, and now I've caused all this trouble. It nearly got you -" she stopped and swallowed, remembering the horrid images of her nightmares, "I nearly lost you because of it."
"Hush," he whispered near her ear, "you haven't lost anything, or anyone." He squeezed her gently. "I'm still here."
Just then, Jeremy let out a shout and burst through the shadows that the Lady of Night had thrown at him. He leaped forward and threw himself at her, grabbing the child right out of her arms.
"He's done it!" Jareth announced.
Sarah snapped her fingers and Jeremy and Brian were gone.
"No!" The Lady of Night screamed as she regained her footing. "You!" Her finger jabbed out at Sarah. "You shouldn't even be awake!"