So much has happen since this story began and now at the time of conclusion. Yes, I do feel that it is finished. But I shall leave it open a bit longer in case something inspires me, whispers in my ear during the night. Thank you all, my precious ones, for your patience.

Twenty-One

The rain fell.

This thought pervaded all others in Jareth's mind. Let the Labyrinth swallow his whole kingdom- the rain was falling. Water trickled down his face and soaked his clothes. The smell of moist earth, of life its self filled his senses. Rain.

He felt Sarah flex her hold and he shifted and opened his eyes. Through the falling rain the damage did not seem so vast at first. Then he realized that the tree they were holding onto was elevated and tipping precariously to one side. Sarah called his name softly. "Here," he said. Stepping cautiously he moved around the tree to meet her. The ground was slick, the rain falling faster than it could be soaked up. Sarah's clothes and hair hung limply. In her flight she had suffered a long scratch, blood and water ran down her shoulder. At the sight of it Jareth sneered.

"It is not as bad as it looks," she assured him as he gingerly touched it. Then her arms were around him. She smelt like the rain. She moved to look at him. "Are you all right?"

"Fine. Just a little…" He paused and searched within himself. "Soul tender."

She nodded in understanding.

Together they worked their way towards the place where the Labyrinth had opened up. A brief flash of orange proved that the Firies had survived and were taking to the trees again. A narrow chasm ran raggedly along the ground. A wind hallowed through its depths. They stared into it feeling all at once grief and justice.

"It is done," said Jareth.

"No," said Sarah. He looked and realized she was crying. "Not yet."

The sound of running and heavy breathing broke through the rain and made Jareth turn around. Leslie, her light hair falling out of its intricate braids was approaching. Some where a Fiery whooped and lighting cracked. Jareth saw her face, so full of questions yet all knowing. "Leslie," he began stepping in front of her.

She lunged at him. "No! Your stupid Labyrinth- it didn't have to! Father!"

"It had to," reasoned Jareth.

"Let me see," she then demanded. She hit his chest. "Let see. Where did he go?"

Jareth feared she would throw herself into the chasm. "No Leslie. You mustn't!" He forced her into an embrace.

"Father, oh my father!" She shook as she cried and finally fell limp against him. Sarah turned and wrapped her arms around her from behind. "I know; I know all about it. My father- so stupid! I know all about what he did. So stupid, stupid!"

Jareth felt his heart swell and ache. There was too much angst here. He had all most lost his Sarah, his precious one. Leslie's father had been executed by his Labyrinth. The Blessed Moon- King Oberon was still detaining his guests. There was still work to be done. Would Leslie be able to move past her grief, to stand as a witness against her father? He sought Sarah's face, half hidden by Leslie's hair. Sarah would be ready. Sarah would be her pillar of strength.

"Leslie," came Sarah's voice, soft and gentle. "Leslie you are free now. He can never hurt you again. You are free." Leslie raised her head and turned to look at her. "Freedom," repeated Sarah fervently. "You and I are free."

"Leslie, I must give account of what has happened here to our sovereign King Oberon," said Jareth. "I need to know if you can bear witness."

Leslie's eyes had not left Sarah's. The two women were communicating, their souls reaching out to the other. A shiver ran over her. "Lady Sarah, you know too don't you?" she asked.

"Your father…" She paused, licked her lips. "He did more than hit me. You and I both are vindicated this night. The land protected us. The Labyrinth protected us! Can you stand and confess, justify what the Labyrinth did?"

Leslie swallowed. "I can if you can."

"Take my hand."

Jareth's magic reserves were near nothing. Transporting them back to the ballroom was out of the question. With Leslie between them, clasping their hands for strength, they began to walk back. Waterlogged and weary each step was an effort. From his peripheral Jareth caught glimpses of orange and yellow. He saw Sarah cast him a wary look. "They're still restless," he said. There was a scrape and rustling as one of the creatures broke free and landed in front of them. His glowing red eyes regarded them. He shook his feathers and furs.

"Little lady came back," he said nodding at Sarah. "It's against the rules what we did."

Jareth spoke up, "They tore and threw another's… body parts."

"Aye," said the Fiery. The glow of his eyes intensified. "But so did the count man. He broke lots of rules. We would break them again for the little lady. We come with now." He joined their trio.

There was anxious commotion inside the ballroom. King Oberon had used his magic to seal the place; no one had been able to leave. He stood on the covered veranda with Sir Didymus at his side. The rain had not eased. "The Seven Graces preserve my soul," he exclaimed as they approached. "What happened?"

"First where is Countess Wimberly," said Jareth. He huffed as he took the stairs. "This concerns her."

Oberon studied them: emotions were rolling off of every single one of them in huge dark waves. "You want to take this some where a little more private?"

"The bog I do!" cursed Jareth. He felt Leslie twitch next to him. Breathing deep he tried to reign in his anger. "The Wimberly's will be marked this night. Call the room to order. If you please, sire," he added tersely remembering who he was speaking to.

Sir Didymus took Jareth's place next to Leslie and helped guide her inside. Oberon led the way. Inside the air was warm and it helped ease the weariness that had descended upon their shoulders. Over the gasps and questions, King Oberon ordered silence. He reached the raised dais that only a short time before had been used to greet the guests. "Be still!" he ordered the room with a wave his arm. "A crime and a death have happened this night. Be still and listen! Mark my judgment!"

Jareth approached the dais. On the far side he could see the countess, cowering behind her fan. He pointed a finger threateningly. "I accuse the Count and Countess Wimberly of human slave trafficking, abusing innocents and to the Count specifically, forcing a woman!"

Oberon motioned to the Countess. "Approach Countess Wimberly. Where is your husband? And why does your daughter not stand with you?"

Countess Amilia Wimberly had grown pale and her hands visibly shook yet she still managed to hold her head high as she approached. "I have not been with my husband all evening," she said flatly. "As for my daughter, it is good she stands apart from me."

"Do you deny these allegations?" asked Oberon.

Now her lip began to tremble. "No," answered the countess.

The room made noise, shock and disbelief. Jareth glanced back Leslie and Sarah; both showed surprise at the countess' response. He saw Sarah tense. "You knew?" She yelled the question. "And did nothing about it? I'll rip her eyes out! I'll-," Didymus and Jareth moved to intervene. Jareth tried to reason with her, telling her to let King Oberon do his job as High King.

"Am I to be denied a fair trial?" came the countess' voice over the commotion.

"Fair!" yelled Sarah. She found herself struggling against Jareth. Something in her had snapped. All of her weariness had morphed into pure ire. "You want to talk about fair- I have spent the last four weeks in torment because your filthy excuse of a husband had raped me! You heard me right! Rape!"

"Let me explain. Please!"

Oberon ordered the room to be silent again. "Lady Sarah, compose yourself," he said. "You have my utmost sympathy, but a fair trail the countess will receive. We will hear her side." Oberon took a deep breath and turned his attention back to the countess. "Amilia, explain yourself."

The countess dropped her head. When she raised it she could no longer look the High King in the eye. "Tell me was the death tonight my husband's?"

"Yes. Jareth's land, the Labyrinth took it."

"Good. At least as of tonight I know he can never hurt my Leslie again." She looked past Jareth to her daughter. "I cannot deny the accusations because I saw some of them happen. Others, I guessed at. A man depraved enough to hit his own daughter surely had other similar predilections." She began to cry.

Jareth approached her. "I have it on good authority countess that you were not ignorant of your husband's dealings with humans."

"I tell you, I didn't know for certain."

"King Jareth do you have evidence to suggest otherwise?" asked Oberon.

"Lord Edenberge confided in the Lady Sarah that when one wanted a human they sent word to the count via you."

"I tell I was ignorant of the content of those messages. I feared to know for certain! Leslie, forgive me, but I lived in fear!" She made a gesture to reach out to her daughter. Leslie turned away.

"This wound, this chasm is too deep to heal tonight," observed Oberon. "Two women have stepped forward attesting to Count Wimberly's actions. The rape of one. The abuse of another." He took a step forward and addressed the whole room. "Count Alexander Wimberly's execution at the hand of the Labyrinth under rule of King Jareth is justified. Mark my judgment. No vengeance or retribution shall be sought by anyone."

The party was ordered to disperse. In private, King Oberon sent Countess Wimberly home to await his orders for counseling and an aura cleansing. Her plead of ignorance would be thoroughly scrutinized. He wanted Leslie to return home as well and receive similar treatments. Jareth interceded on her behalf. "We here are neutral territory for her; a safe haven. With the Lady Sarah's help I am sure she will make a recovery."

Oberon nodded. He watched the two women for a moment. "Stop calling her Lady Sarah, Jareth."

"Sire? What for?"

"Because she makes a magnificent queen." The two men regarded each other. Jareth, despite the turmoil of the evening, found himself smiling. "You will be key in the rest of her healing," added Oberon. "Love and be loved Jareth. And let me know when you decide to have an official coronation."

Jareth offered rooms for Sarah's old companions that night. Tomorrow they could have a proper reunion. Tomorrow they could all begin new lives with nothing wanted and nothing wasted.