The Opening Act;

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The door to the conference room shot open, the old wood creaking in protest. Sir Bricriu walked in and regarded the council with the same distaste as he always did. He didn't trust them as far as he could toss them. Then again he really didn't trust any politicians, he had seen too many be corrupted.

He stepped aside as Sarah smoothly walked in. Her long green skirt fluttering around her legs as she moved. The council observed her with a weary eye. They had seen the Lady when His Majesty had presented her, but the woman who had just walked through the doors looked nothing like the strangely dressed girl who had been at the Solstice.

Sitting quietly down in her chair she waited till her knights had taken their places. Bric behind her, James at her left and Jean at her right. Once everyone was in place she looked around the table recalling each of the members from what Jareth had told her.

Directly to her right was the Duke Conall and his wife Duchess Blejan of Canter, the human city just outside the northern wall of the Labyrinth. She knew these two to be loyal to the Goblin Throne, so much so that when neighboring kingdoms tried to seize Canter the Duchess herself spent all night at the farthest outpost draining all her power just to keep the citizens safe.

Next to them sat Earl Amaethon and his sister the Lady Eseld of Orion, an elf city to the east. The Earl she knew to be rather cocky, apparently he and Jareth had gotten into many an argument all because Amaethon swore he had been correct on a matter.

Eseld she knew little about, only that she was a personal friend of Jareth's. The way in which he spoke of her Sarah had assumed they had been lovers at one point.

To her left sat The Baron Erwan and his wife Baroness Rozenn of Lanshire, a small hunting township alongside the river Llew. The last stronghold the Goblin Kingdom had alongside the river.

Sarah looked down to the couple who sat beside the Baroness. Earl Paol and his daughter the Lady Margaid of Frinwade, the last of the dwarf cities alongside the southern walls. Jareth had told her Paol had been a friend of his father's, but had broken off contact after a certain incident. Sarah could only assume he meant his father's part in the death of the third daughter of Sol.

Margaid was rather young and Jareth had informed her she had once been smitten with him, though now she was engaged to one of the Labyrinth's few fae noblemen.

Then there was Duke Artair and his wife Duchess Sorcha, at the end of the table, of Gryphonshire, the last and most prominent fae city in the Labyrinth. She had been informed that it had been the gentry that lived there that she had encountered during her last visit.

This piece of information didn't settle well with her. She remembered how they ridiculed her with a simple look. She could only imagine what their Duke would be like.

These were the representatives of the last five cities that still belonged to the Goblin Kingdom, beside the capital city itself. Sarah couldn't help but shiver just looking at these beautiful fae before her.

The Earl Amaethon coughed trying to voice his annoyance at the silence in the room.

"Is something the matter M'Lord? Have a frog in our throat do we?" Amaethon glared at her, all at the table waiting for some sort of argument to start. The Earl rarely took such teasing from the King, they could only imagine what he would do with this girl.

"I was just wondering why you are just sitting there. Whether or not the King realizes it Orion has it's own problems too. And right now I could be doing something more productive than having a little mortal stare at me." Sarah lifted a brow and glanced once more around the room.

"Your boldness is quite amusing, His Majesty said that you would not think twice about telling off the Fates, even less when it comes to a little mortal such as myself." She smirked and Eseld had to take a second look, the woman before her smiled much in the same cruel manner as Jareth.

"As to why I am just sitting here, I was sizing you up. Files and word of mouth histories are all well and good, but there is nothing that compares to actually seeing my Council." Baron Erwan furrowed his brows at the mortal. Something was not right about this meeting, he had known that since he got the summons in the middle of the night.

"Your council? I beg your pardon mortal but we are His Majesty's council, and I will not be spoken down to by such a pitiful creature as a human." Bric mentally pinched the bridge of his nose, this was far from starting off on the right foot. Jean smirked and discreetly winked at him. She knew Sarah better than anyone in that room, and one thing she knew that girl could do was manipulate her audience. She had no doubt by the end of this meeting she would have the council members eating out of the palm of her hand.

"I think it is I who should beg your pardon! Surely you must be blind M'Lord, for if you could see you would not speak to me thusly." Amaethon sneered, he was not an evil man but he hated to be scolded.

"What for? I see His Majesty has deemed you his little whore, I see not why I should bow to a concubine." Jean placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder, she could see the corners of her mouth and how they twisted tightly. She had seen Sarah mad before, she doubted the council would like that particular side of their future queen.

"Brother! Have you lost your mind? Can you not see she is dressed in the official seals of the Regent?" Eseld tried to calm her brother down, she had seen the look that passed over the mortal's face and she knew it would be more than yelling if this one got angry.

"Regent? Is this a jest? His Majesty really has outdone himself this time. A mortal for Regent!" Rozenn ran a hand over her face as she watched the two. To think she had once been courted by the idiot. Why he was the only one in the room who didn't seem to realize something was wrong was beyond her.

"I assure you Sir this is no jest. Your sister is correct I am now Regent of the Goblin Throne. And if you would have taken a moment to actually pay attention you would have noticed this, more over you would have noticed the Royal seal around my neck. Now unless you would like to make more foolish remarks I think it is time to discuss why you have been summoned." The Earl's eyes feel to the pendant hanging from her chain of office. How had he not noticed this earlier? He looked to his sister and then to each member at the table, not one had even a crack of a smile.

"Proceed." Sarah nodded and took a deep breath, the hand on her shoulder keeping her from just running out of the room screaming.

"Thank you. Now I am sure everyone of you have already surmised that something is wrong. I am saddened to report that the reason you have all been gathered is tragic. His Majesty King Jareth is at this moment on his death bed.

I have been informed by the royal Healer that there is a very good chance he will not survive. Upon hearing this His Majesty bequeathed the throne to me as Regent. I take on this duty with a heavy heart, but for his sake I will not refuse." Everyone sat still, not even the sound of breathing could be heard. The Duchess Sorcha was the first to break the silence.

"Do we know the cause of this? Is there not a cure that could be found somewhere in the Underground?" Sarah shook her head and sat up straight.

"Unfortunately no, on both accounts. Healer Eamon is still trying to figure out the cause, though he has informed me by the time he is able to figure it out it may already be too late.

I know this comes as quite a shock to everyone, as it has to me. But we mustn't allow our grief to overcome us. We have a kingdom to protect, and protect it we shall. I want reports from each and every one of you on the state of your provinces. The Kingdoms to the North and East are not going to stop their attacks just because our king is dying. In fact it will only spur them on, we are now vulnerable in their eyes.

When you return to your homes you will begin the mourning rites and inform your citizens of the situation. Is this all clear?" Everyone at the table nodded, a few of the women, mainly Eseld and Margaid, could be seen wiping tears from their eyes.

"Good. I will deliver your condolences to the King, and I am certain he will be grateful…. You are dismissed." Standing from her chair at the head of the table Sarah nodded to each of the members and left just as she had come in. Once she had gone Artair turned to his wife but spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"What do you make of her wearing the royal pendant?" Eseld leaned back in her chair, answering before Sorcha could.

"I would say were not the king dying we would have had a queen by next season." Blejan shook her head, her long silvery hair flipping about as she did so.

"But His Majesty is already married to the Lady Catriona, she is even expecting his child." Sorcha sat back further in her chair, she was one of the few ones who knew who Sarah really was and the agreement Jareth had with the High Council when he married Cat.

"That may be so, but there is one piece of information that no one else at this table has. Our new Regent is the Swan." She flicked her hand over the table and produced goblets of wine before everyone seated.

"Let me tell you a story…."

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Sarah and her party walked silently through the halls towards the throne room. Bric keep his eyes on the young woman as though he expected her to reveal herself as some traitor. He was at war within himself, he should have known if the king was dying. He had heard that he had passed out after bringing the Lady Sarah back, but all in the castle had been told that their king had only drained himself during the battle Aboveground. This was the reason Bric had pleaded with Jareth to allow himself and a few of the knights to accompany him.

The large knight turned to look at the two mortal protectors of the future queen. They did not seem surprised at all by the statement Sarah had given in the conference room. But why? Why had they known, two green knights known that the king was dying before he, the king's personal bodyguard known? A part of him was weary about the three in front of him, and yet the other half kept screaming at him that nothing could be wrong. Sarah wore the royal seal, the only way to gain that item would be for the king himself to give it to her. As with all important items of office the royal seal had protections on it, should it be forcefully taken the thief would have been burned alive. Even if the king had been killed and one try to pluck it from his chest they would find themselves in an early grave.

"Do not think too hard Sir Bricriu, you might get a headache." Sarah giggled as she watched the display of expressions across his face.

"M'Lady, um Your Majesty I mean….I am sorry there has not been a Regent in the Labyrinth for thousands of years. I am not sure what to call you." She nodded and walked up the dais to the throne. Slowly she sat down as though the large stone and bone structure would burn her.

"M'Lady or Lady Sarah is just fine Sir Bricriu. Now what is it that you were thinking so intently on?" Bric suddenly felt nervous, Sarah looked so natural in the throne and her tone was not so unlike Jareth's.

"I beg your pardon M'Lady, but I am not sure what to make of any of this. I am His Majesty's personal bodyguard, if he was dying I should have been one of the first to know. And yet you hold the royal seal, none of this makes any sense." Nodding again she waved for Jean to approach. She did so and leaned down so Sarah could whisper softly into her ear.

"Tell me, do you find this Bricriu to be trustworthy?" Jean looked over to Bric. The phrase 'shaking in his boots' fit the situation perfectly.

"I have only met him once before now, when he knocked on my door in the middle of the night. By all outward appearances he looks loyal and very trustworthy. And knowing that His Majesty trusts him I would say he is. But there is still something about him. He takes a perverse pleasure in "testing" his new knights. If you haven't already seen his handy work on James." Sarah placed her hand over her mouth as she listened. Bric couldn't help but shiver, she was quickly falling right into the role of a ruler.

"Thank you Jean, you may step down now." James watched with a smirk as the larger knight stood silently by waiting to be answered.

"Sir Bricriu my knight has reason to believe that you may not be fully trustworthy. I was shocked to hear that you knocked on the door of a lady in the middle of the night. I know it is your duty to see to the new knights under you. But need I remind you that both Jean and James fall under my rule not His Majesty's?

Because of this I shall be keeping a close eye on you. Should you prove to be trustworthy, as His Majesty believes, then and only then shall I ease your mind on this matter. Till then just be assured that there is no foul play on my part. What I do, I do for the king." Bric bowed but he still felt as though something were wrong with this entire thing.

"As do I M'Lady. I live only for King and Kingdom." Sarah noted the aggravation in his voice, men like Bric were not used to being cut down. But she could not take the chance that he was part of those against Jareth.

"Now I was informed that there was a matter in which you needed to see me?" Straightening himself, Bric pulled the scroll from his pouch that hung over his hip. With a slight bow he handed it to Sarah, who read it over carefully.

"You want to train my knights? Hm….Sir James what do you think about this?" James sneered the best he could at Bric, which actually made him look like a five year old boy trying to intimidate an adult.

"We can do without his help just fine. Have we not proven our worth already M'Lady?" He wasn't about to allow some big power hungry fool like Bric to teach him anything.

"I see, how about you Lady Jean?" Sarah had already made up her mind, she knew the extent of her knight's ability and how much they needed to improve. But she also needed to know how much trouble she was going to have getting the two prepared.

"I think Sir Bricriu's request is a perfect idea. Whether James got his pride hurt or not we only know stage combat. There is a war coming, I have no doubt about that, and I would like to be prepared. All personal feelings aside both James and myself need to be as ready as we can to protect you." Sarah could not hide the shock, Jean was normally very headstrong. To actually submit and allow herself to be taught was nothing less than surprising.

"I agree, I am sorry Sir James but your comrade is right. You need to be prepared for what is to come. This is not some play, there will be real blood and real deaths.

Sir Bricriu I grant you permission to formally train these two in the art of knighthood. Now if you will excuse me I must be on my way. There is much to do and almost no time to do it in.

Sir Bricriu I assume that you can handle these two for the rest of the day?" James nearly screamed at Sarah's decision, he had no need of this man.

"Of course M'Lady." He bowed and glanced over to Jean who was standing in perfect attention. With his training that one could be a great knight. Though for her comrade, he needed to get over his pride before he could even begin.

"Good, I will call for you tomorrow and we shall discuss the matter of scheduling these training sessions. Until then I bid you good-day." Sarah left without even a thank you to either James or Jean, all she could think about was shutting herself away where she didn't have to play this part anymore. She just wanted to be Sarah, to be able to use Aboveground terms and actually laugh and smile. Her head hurt from all the hoity-toity behavior.

"I can't believe she just did that!" Jean laughed and turned to her friend, Bric just watching from a safe distance.

"I can. James you idiot, what you think she was going to do what you wanted?" She set her hands on her hips as she scolded the boy. She knew just what he had been thinking, it was time he had a dose of reality.

"Well she could have been more considerate, I am her friend after all." Bric raised an eyebrow, he wondered at how these three had been Aboveground. It didn't surprise him that they had been friends, who else would have had such love as to willingly give an oath?

"Not anymore James, at least not like it was Aboveground. She is Regent and Beloved of the King, we are simply knights. She has a duty as do we, she can't be sensitive to your feelings if it means sacrificing herself or the kingdom. We are her servants, get used to it James." He blinked as he listened, he knew Sarah had a duty but he never in his wildest dreams thought that she would ever disregard him.

"Such is the life of a knight. I am sorry Sir James if this upsets you, but know you are not the only one who has had to forget a friendship for duty." James' face went like stone, red hot stone.

"Oh are you telling me that you have had to watch as a good friend forgot you? How can you even know what this is like?" Jean set her hand on James' shoulder trying to calm him, she knew the boy had a temper and she could only imagine how bad Bric's would be.

"Why do you think I am Head of the Knights? This position is not earned through years of service or ability on the battlefield. Those who hold the rank of Head of the Knights have to be completely trusted by the king." Bric walked closer, his held high.

"I grew up with His Majesty, while he was much older than I we still would spend time together. I once thought of him as my best friend, even a brother. But when his father died and he took the throne I learned what it meant to be a servant.

And I learned it the hard way. Be thankful you have a friend like Lady Jean to help you understand this. Lady Sarah was being kind to you, she only bruised your pride. Just wait until she has no other choice but to rebuke you in public. Until she must choose to put you in a situation that could kill you all for the sake of saving herself and the kingdom. Because she will. She must survive and we are expendable. She still holds the same feelings for you, but now she is acting for an entire kingdom and she will expect you to do the same." Jean patted the boy on the cheek and gave him a sympathetic look. She had understood this the moment she saw Sarah in the tower. Their roles had changed, and it had been her choosing.

"Come now James, Bric can't be all that bad. And you have to admit that we do need some help." James nodded as he took a few calming breaths.

"Yeah, fine. I still don't like it." Bric laughed and patted the boy on the back.

"Most don't. Come on we'll take afternoon meal in the barracks and then I will show you to the training field. I think the sooner we get used to each other the better."

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Author's Note: Ok well here we are the second third of this chapter. Sorry I had to chop it up into three pieces but it was WAY too long as one. I'm just finishing up on the third part of this chapter so it will be out soon, maybe Friday or Saturday. It will depend cause I have a lot going on, poor puppy Rowan has to go to the vet for mites. Poor baby:(

Anyway yeah I know I just thrust a whole lot of new characters at you, sorry about that. But they don't really play that big of a part. Ok for those who have asked and are wondering if Sarah's Underground friends are going to show up, I am at least going to use Hoggle. But it may be a chapter or two before you see him or Toby again as I have to plan it right and really need to deal with Sarah and Cat right now.

Also I do want to say I just adore Bric, I don't know why but I do!

And thank you to everyone who has reviewed, fav'd and watched this story, I am very happy that everyone is enjoying it as I am just enjoying writing it.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, only like to play around. ;)